Unconditionally Yours

The Lost 'He'

Enraged, Naina was sitting outside her daughter's room with folded hands praying for her Awantika's well-being when Dr. Shukla came along with his wife.

Dr. Shukla, a 64 year old man saw his daughter in Naina. He knew she must have not had anything after all, she loved Awantika, the most. He remembered how Naina left everything for her daughter. After the event, Dr. Shukla had rushed home and asked his wife to prepare meal for Naina after telling the whole thing.

Both of them consoled Naina as she narrated them the course of events. They were shocked at the inhumanity of the management of one of the best schools of Delhi. They assured her that they are with her no matter what happens. They made her eat some food though, terrified Naina didn't want to eat anything.

She was thankful to them that they came and stood by her in her hard time as the old couple left late at night when they got the call from their son who had arrived at home from Bangalore. He was working in Bangalore and used to come to meet his parents on every weekend. Dr. Shukla had once asked Naina to marry his son but she had denied owing to her reasons. Since then the old couple considered her as their daughter.

On the other hand, after leaving the hospital, devastated Nakul instructed his driver to take him to his penthouse. He was shocked at the turn of events today. While sitting in the car, Nakul realized life wasn't easy. He was never attracted to anyone like that. He had a crush on a girl during his college days who was already in a relationship. He had met few arranged marriage prospects earlier but couldn't found a girl like he wanted. He met few common friends but he had not find that spark in anyone so he could have ended up marrying someone. Today he happened to like a woman and end up planning his life with her only to find that she had planned out her life with someone else much before.

He could not help but just chuckle at his fate. He was lost in his thoughts when driver had informed that they had reached the destination.

He noticed he couldn't see clearly. It took him a while to realize that he was crying again. He wiped his eyes and went to enjoy the monotony of solitude in his life in his penthouse.

His penthouse was nothing more than a paradise at the 21st storey of one of the most elite apartments in South Delhi. Entering the place where he shared his bitter sweet memories, Nakul permitted his annoyance to come out. He broke down on his knees and cried his heart out. He was desperate to get married at this age. All his friends had kids. He wanted a family too.

He was ashamed to have called someone 'his enchanting princess' who was already a queen ruling someone else's heart. He wanted to walk off from the hospital when he had heard Naina had a daughter but he apologized to reduce his guilt a bit.

Seeing Awantika, his heart cried out at the trauma little child was facing. He wanted to repent for his deeds and fulfill his promise of keeping Naina happy so he offered to help her.

The ocean of tears ultimately disappeared and so was the annoyance. Thinking whether the condition of Naina's daughter had improved or not, he drifted off to sleep.

He had slept for really long when his phone rang. Opening his eyes, he checked the caller ID which read 'Bhabhi'.

He picked it up only to receive another worry for the day.

"Nakul, where are you?", Neha, his sister-in-law said with a stress in her voice. He realized something must have gone wrong.

He glanced at the clock which struck at 7:30 in the evening. He knew he wasn't late but he could sense worry in Neha's voice.

"Bhabhi, I am at the penthouse. What happened?", he said calmly.

It was then his sister-in-law broke down. She said in a worrying tone, "Nakul, Prateek didn't go to his coaching classes today. I checked my phone around 6 in the evening to find the message from there about his absence. I called all his friends, no one knows about his whereabouts. He isn't picking up the phone. Nakul, please help."

Nakul, on the other side, was too tired to handle another situation. He was shocked to know that Prateek, his nephew had gone somewhere without telling anyone. It never happened earlier. Indeed, the day was full of misfortunes. Nakul just wished if Prateek was fine.

He said, "Bhabhi, I am coming. I will try to contact him. Don't worry. He will be safe."

Assuring his sister-in-law, he disconnected the call and dialed Prateek while moving out of his penthouse.

Instructing the driver to rush towards home, he kept on calling Prateek. He could hear the callertune but Prateek wasn't picking up the phone. He planned to call upon his personal detective and search his nephew, once he would reach home.

He was afraid how his brother, Mehul would react at the news of missing Prateek. Mehul, one of the best criminal lawyers of Delhi was really a strict father. He would beat Prateek to pulp if he found him doing something wrong or enjoying with friends in his crucially important years.

Nakul kept on calling Prateek, exasperated and annoyed at him for not receiving the call even once. He sighed as he reached home. He was worried of Prateek. All the worst possible thoughts were coming in his mind.

As soon as he entered the house, Nakul's old parents and his Neha bhabhi stood worried. His mother had tears in her eyes while his dad was consoling his mother and telling her everything will be fine. Mehul had gone to Nainital for the court hearing of one of his clients. He took a deep breath and slumped on the couch in their living room closing his eyes. He was annoyed at Prateek for not picking up the call when his phone rang. He was relaxed to see the caller ID which read 'Prateek'.

With a smile of satisfaction on his face, he announced, "Relax, Prateek is calling."

He saw his mother thanking the Almighty from the corner of his eye as he picked up the call.

In a normal voice, Prateek said, "Chachu, don't worry, I will reach home in an hour."

Nakul was irritated at the heights of irresponsibility of his nephew. In an angry tone, he said, "Where are you and why aren't you picking up the phone?"

Prateek realized he can't tell them that he got late in the police station wherein he needed to submit evidences but then, he also knew, he had told the officer that he could gather the evidences because he is son of Mr. Mehul Mehta and nephew of Mr. Nakul Mehta. Upon hearing that, he realized the official smiled and said, "This case has IPS, millionaire and the best lawyer involved all on one side."

Sharing a laugh, Prateek had left the hospital with an assurance that things will be fine. He knew he will have too tell his chachu too about his whereabouts. Thankfully he had informed his dad beforehand.

On the other hand, Nakul realized Prateek being lost in his thoughts, he yelled this time, "Where are you, goddammit?"

In a voice calmer than ever, Prateek said, "Relax, chachu. I am just on my way".

Saying this Prateek had disconnected the call.

Nakul announced everyone that Prateek will be reaching soon and he is fine. His parents were relaxed upon the hearing the news while Neha was beyond furious.