Love That Went Missing... Ep1

“I can’t do this anymore Shruti. I am tired now.”

“Tired of what? “

“This. You and me.”

“Oh.” She gave a sarcastic laugh.

“Nice knowing you. Stranger.” She picked up her wallet & phone and stormed out of the café.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

I dialled Shikhar. “Where are you?”

I ordered a LIT when someone patted hard on my back.

“Yeah, why don’t you kill me?”

“Dramebaaz.” Shikhar laughed and sat on the bar stool beside me.

“Whiskey on the rocks.” He said to the bartender.

“What about the showroom? Who is managing today?”

“Navi is there today. The hero decided to show up.”

Navi aka Navdeep, Shikhar’s younger brother. Like in every household, the younger one is loved the most. While Shikhar used to manage multiple businesses, Navdeep liked to travel around with his friends. Apart from being a content creator, he is a 6’2” handsome man and no doubt his most subscribers were women.

“What happened?” Shikhar asked me.

“Can’t I just meet my best friend?”

“You can, but tell me what happened?”

“Shruti happened. We broke up.”

“For the thousandth time. You will be receiving a call soon.” He laughed it out.

“No Yaar. We are officially done.”

“What did you do?”

“Are you sure, you are my best friend? I highly doubt.”

“Everyone knows how Shruti is and how you are. Don’t you remember the college days? She was the girl everyone wanted but the dumb girl chose you.”

“Shikhar. Same question again. Are you sure you are my friend?”

“Me, all our friends, the whole DU B.COM 1997 batch knows this. You guys are made for each other. You will be getting a call soon or how about you call her?”

“Have you lost it? Don’t you get it? We are done. At least I am done.”

Shikhar’s expression changed. “You seem Serious Keshav.”

“I am. I can’t deal with this, with her anymore. I know she loves me. But always nagging me to try harder, get a proper job, to be more responsible. I can’t do this Shikhu. I am already stressed about my life. All I want is some space and a lot of peace. I can’t handle this now.”

“Okay. Leave it. Let’s have a few drinks and talk about this maybe later.”

The night after that is a blur. Last, I remember us having a lot of shots and Shikhar forcing me to dance to cringe songs.

“And then?” The police asked.

“I have said it multiple times Sir. I woke up in Shikhar’s apartment. I was hammered. When I checked my phone, I had multiple calls from my mother, and Her’s.”

“And that’s it?” he asked.

“Yes Sir. For the thousandth time. That’s it. Why don’t you believe me?”

“Because I don’t get paid to believe people Keshav ji.” He said sarcastically.

“Sir, even I am worried about her. Why would I do anything to her? I love her.”

“Why did you break up then?”

“Not everything is perfect. “

“Listen Keshav. We can’t hold you longer as we do not have enough evidence against you as of now but the day I get my hands on them, no one can save you. You were the last one who saw her. She never returned home. Her phone is switched off. Isn’t it fishy?”

“That’s why you are here Sir. Figure it out.” I said with a little anger in my tone.

“Take that tone with me again and you will face consequences.” He said chewing the tobacco.

“Let’s go, Keshav.” Shikhar pulled by my hand.

“Stay in town both of you. Especially you Keshav. Don’t dare leave the down.” The officer threatened.

I just looked at him and stepped out.