• •

I still can't get over the fact that it was the messiest bed ever.

Ever!

With books and notes shattered all over the bed and some under her head, which she was using as a pillow probably.

I have always wanted my surroundings to be clean and neatly organized.

Me being me, I had picked up every single book that was lying around on the bed and neatly arranged it on that table, back that night.

With every atom in my body, badly wanting me to push her off the bed and watch her roll down, I controlled my urge that night.

With no other choice, I moved towards the couch silently.

"What is wrong with you Mr.Vikram stupid Malhotra?" Rohit barged into my cabin, as I came back to reality.

"What?"

"Are you serious? What the hell is wrong with you?" Rohit yelled and tossed a file over my table.

"Stop yelling and tell me what is bothering you now?" I said in a low tone, as I picked up the file.

"Out of 1000 models who came for audition, you selected Zaara, as our company model for our brand new project?" Rohit clamoured.

"Yeah so what?" I tossed the file back at him.

"But why?? Why Zaara?? You and me, We both know that she has a thing for you. So, now are you giving more space for that? I want you to change the model, now!"

"Not possible. The deal is already signed. Moreover she was selected only as a model by our fashion team, I didn't!

Let's not bring personal hatred into this. Because this is business" I raised my eyebrows as his' shrunk in disappointment.

"This is our new project. We are going to launch a brand new product and you want..Zaara to do this? I am not liking any of this" Rohit shook his head in denial.

"Forget that, So...You dropped her?" I asked Rohit as I dialled Vinay.

"Dropped whom?" Rohit grinned mischievously as he sat on the seat opposite, and stretched his legs on top of my table.

"You know who I am talking about" I averted my gaze to the door, and nodded my head, asking Vinay to enter my cabin.

"You mean Suhana, your darling love?" Rohit exaggerated purposely.

"Just answer Rohit" I gave him a death glare and turned towards Vinay and saw him covering his mouth tightly with his hands trying hard not to laugh.

"Too much laughing might kill you Vinay." He tried to compose himself as I continued, "Is the plan ready for our new product?"

"Sir, As our perfume product range has only France's exclusive flowers as its base fragrance, we are planning for the ad shoot in different cities in France.

And the fashion team also mentioned about Zaara madam being our model for this particular ad, so the shoot can be scheduled anytime from next month sir" Vinay read out the facts as Rohit interrupted.

"Is there any way for you to change the model for this project Vinay? " Rohit was ready to even hand over his entire property to Vinay, only if he could change.

Unfortunately, there wasn't any way he could.

"Vinay listen, schedule the ad shoot next month. Dad wanted to be a part of this new project, so I will leave for France with Dad next month. Have the plan ready by next week."

"Okay sir, I will schedule it right away" I nodded as Vinay left my cabin.

"And Zaara will join you too. So I am also coming with you to France, because I don't trust the little pig" Rohit shrunk his eyes.

"Not needed, I want you to take care of everything here, until we return."

"You never listen to any of my plight! Fine do whatever you want " Rohit sighed and walked away.

"You haven't answered my question yet" I narrowed my gaze at him.

"I just dropped her in a cafe with her friends, she said she will go to the hospital on her own," Rohit smirked.

"Where has she joined?" I leaned back in my chair and asked him.

"You have a mouth for a reason. You should ask her for yourself" Rohit sniggered as he opened the door and left.

"You forgot someone " A hysterically shrill voice came from the door as soon as he left.

"I never asked you to get inside" I eyed at Zaara who had just barged into my cabin with no basic manners.

"I know Vikram, I know...there is no need for any formality or any conventional behaviour between us. We are closer than that, right?" She walked closer and leaned down with her hands pressed down against the table, the opposite side.

"If you are here to discuss anything about business, you can carry on, eliminating the flirty lines. If you are here for wasting my time, then the door's that way, you can leave" I pointed to the door.

"Okay okay chill, I am just here to say that....You have a good taste in selecting girls...oops I mean models. You selected me, that's so..."

"The fashion team selected you, and the fashion team head might now be in 8th floor, you should go and continue your 'I-am-a-Winsome-Coquette' speech with him. I am sure he won't be impressed, anyways good luck" I went through the files on the table.

"You are always joking--Anyways--Aheh" She giggled despite of the humiliation as I pointed her the door once again asking her to leave, as she moved towards the door to leave hesitantly.

"--And yeah, The ad shoot is next month only. Which practically means, that you don't have to come here until then."

"Fine" She stomped on the floor, pissed.

• • • •

As I reached home,I saw Rohit waiting near the doorstep walking back and forth.

"What's wrong with you?" I eyed at him as he was guarding the door, like a watchman.

"Suhana hasn't reached home yet, and I am waiting for her" He sounded panicky.

"She is not a kid, she will be back home" My facial nerves calmed as I entered the living room.

"You don't understand Vikram!! Today morning,when I asked if I could pick her up today, she said she will message me the time. But she still hasn't!" Rohit followed behind me inside the house.

"You called her?"

"I called her, messaged her, checked the cafe nearby and the park we used to go when boredom hits, but she--"

"--You guys went to a park?" I asked.

"Seriously Vikram? Are you elder to me or younger?

It's almost 9pm and she usually comes back home by 7pm and for hell's sake, She is missing!!" He exclaimed.

"Okay, I will go look out for her" I said as he was scaring me along with him.

"But where will you go and look out for her?" He questioned, with a stern tone.

"I will--" I paused.

Where will I search?

What do I know about her?

Where does she go when she is bored?

Where she might be now?

Honestly, I had no idea about her. Neither did I try to learn about her.

"You have no idea right?" Rohit facepalmed as I looked away.

"I haven't told mom and dad, they might be scared unnecessarily. So listen, I will check at her friend's place, you go and get Megha's help" Rohit sorted his plans clearly.

"Megha's help? No, I think you should go to her house and ask for Megha's help, I will go check out in Aisha's place" I claimed.

"Nope, Megha will definitely not help me, she will slap me, that's for sure.

So now please go and talk to Megha, I will go to her friend's....wait what was her name, yeah, Aisha's house" Rohit nodded furiously as we both picked up our car keys and parked ways.

I started driving and had halted within every 5 meters distance, looking, if I could spot her anywhere.

Where would she even go?

Is she in trouble?

But she has this habit of inviting new problems, intentionally and unintentionally.

Like the way we had met on that day with those hooligans.

I had checked out in some places near her college, though she had left only for intern.

I had no idea where she worked as well.

With every minute passing, I could feel the tension revolving in the air.

With no other choice, I went to her house. I didn't want to visit her family anytime soon, after the drama my mom pulled out for the marriage.

One side I was hesitant to ring the doorbell, though on the other hand, I wanted to collect possible information about Suhana from Megha.

My own thoughts were contradictory.

With confusion, I called Rohit again to check-in with him.

"Vikram, no clues of Suhana, her friends haven't seen her since morning. Did you see Megha?" Rohit sounded frantic with anxiety.

"No Rohit. I will check out with Megha and will let you know." I disconnected the call and with no other choice, I rang the bell.

Everything remained still for the next two minutes, with silence lingering the atmosphere.

What am I going to ask Megha?

Hey, Your sister hasn't returned home yet. Do you have any idea where she would be right now?

With no response from anyone from the house, I turned away from the door with my right hand over my head, as it was throbbing in confusion.

"You will never let me live in peace, would you??" A familiar annoying voice from behind caught my attention.

Swiftly, I turned back and saw Suhana standing there, with the door wide open, and her hands on her petite hips.

"Vikram? Huh--Come in son" Mr.Sharma invited with a smile.

Though, I wanted to strangle his daughter in all possible ways.

"Suhana, why are you blocking the way, move aside, let him come inside " Mr.Sharma was yelling at deaf ears, while she was still staring at me with a small frown on her face, with her hands still on her petite hips.

••••

~1723 words~