Chapter – 2

Third Person’s POV

When Nandita and Vedika were talking Aditya’s phone again started ringing. Everyone thought maybe again Jeevika is calling him.

Aditya picked up his phone and hearing the opposite person's statement his expression changed into a frown and there was also little worry in his expression. Others present in the room weren’t able to hear what the other party was saying. Hearing Aditya’s reply to the opposite person “ ok.. I am coming”, they looked at him confusingly.

ADIRAJ : Where are you going? Who was on the call?

Adiraj asked his son when he saw him getting up from the chair after ending the call.

ADITYA : It was from the watchman of our building.

NANDITA : Why the watchman is calling you?

Nandita asked his son as she found it very strange that the watchman of his son's penthouse is calling him.

ADITYA : A delivery boy had come-

NANDITA : what? For this simple reason, he is calling you! Can’t Jeevika accept the delivery? What is she doing?

Nandita asked all this little loudly. She found it very unreasonable that just for a mere delivery the watchman called his son. Her anger towards Jeevika, her daughter-in-law increased little.

She used to like her very much. She used to think of Jeevika as the ideal wife for her son. She was very happy when her best friend, her business partner Vedika suggested the marriage between her son and Jeevika. At first, she was happy with Jeevika. She first started to dislike her when Jeevika informed them about her wish to live as a housewife. She was very shocked. She is a career-oriented woman. She thought Jeevika was the same. She never expected that from Jeevika. Her disapproval of that decision was very clear but she couldn’t do anything about it.

She was still ok with her. But Jeevika’s recent change of behaviour increased her displease towards her.

Jeevika's carelessness regarding her figure and fashion style caused this loathing. Jeevika used to be the most beautiful, elegant woman in the city. Now, whenever she goes to any party people make fun of her because of her dressing sense and her weight. Nandita was very upset with her daughter-in-law.

ADITYA : Mom, let me finish my sentence first…a delivery boy had come, so the watchman had called Jeevika, but she was not answering her phone. The watchman had gone in front of our house but even after pressing the calling bell many times, no one opened the door.

VEDIKA : Maybe Jeevika has gone out. The watchman can himself accept the parcel. Why is he calling you? These people! Do they think we business persons are useless? Do we do nothing?

NANDITA : Exactly! When Jeevika isn’t at home, he can accept the parcel. Does he expect you to go home just to receive the parcel?

ADITYA : Will you both please let me finish first!!

Aditya said in a frustrated way. He rarely expresses his emotions. But after receiving the call from the watchman, he was mentally a little disturbed and worried for his wife and child. Instead of understanding his situation when both Nandita and Vedika started commenting; he couldn’t able to control his emotions so he shouted at them frustrated.

They were a little stunned by Aditya’s behaviour. They never expected this kind of behaviour from Aditya. They didn’t speak anymore, Aditya continued.

ADITYA : Mom… though Jeevika didn’t open the door they heard some sounds coming from inside our home. And also they can able to hear Ayush's cry. It is confirmed that Ayush is inside the house.

NANDITA : what?? How could Jeevika leave such a little child alone?

ADITYA : I don’t know if he is alone or not! I am going…

Saying this Arav left the room. The rest also followed behind him as they were worried for their grandson. When they were leaving the building Aditya was ahead of them so he was clearly able to hear his mom and mother-in-law's conversation.

NANDITA : Vedika, Jeevika has now crossed the limit of her carelessness. This is too much now… how could she leave my little grandson alone?

VEDIKA : I don’t know what happened to her. I never expected her to be so careless. I hope Ayu (Ayush) is alright.

Vedika replied in an anxious voice. She was really worried for her grandson and also worried about her daughter. Jeevika's recent behaviours have surprised her. Her careless attitude towards her dressing sense, her health… this all had surprised her little but hearing about the possibility of Ayush being alone in the penthouse, she was shocked.

They were so worried because they knew Ayush’s nanny is on leave and Jeevika doesn’t want any servants so Jeevika and Ayush were alone. If there was no response from Jeevika from inside the room that means Jeevika has gone outside leaving Ayush alone in the house.

ADITYA’s POV

I am worried because I know Jeevika isn’t careless about our son. She will never leave Ayu alone in the house. Even she doesn’t want to leave Ayush alone at night. She sleeps with him at night. If I request her to sleep with me only that day she sleeps with me. So she can’t leave Ayush alone in our home.

But it only indicates the thing that I am worried about. Something has happened to her. I hope that’s not true… but if that’s not true then it will mean that she has left Ayu alone.

I don’t know which one is good. If the latter one is right and Ayu is safe, he is just crying because he isn’t finding his mother near him or he is afraid of being alone, then I want the latter one to be true. I don’t want the former to happen. I have been calling Jeevika but she isn’t responding. She had called me so many times during the meeting. Now when I am calling her she isn’t responding. I just hope she is fine. She isn’t responding because she is angry with me for not picking up her calls.

With this hope, I hoped in my car and ordered my driver to speed up. I just want to reach my home as soon as possible.

My parents and Jeevika's parents both are behind me in their car.

Third Person’s POV

Arriving at the building Aditya hurriedly took the elevator and reached his floor. Vedika and the rest took another one.

The elevator’s door opened, and Aditya hurriedly came out. He was a little surprised to see so many people in front of the door of his penthouse. The watchman and some neighbours were present.

Seeing Aditya come out of the elevator watchman hurriedly came near him “ sir, No one is giving any response from inside but your son has been crying for a long time. I have called Jeevika ma'am but she didn’t pick up my calls. So I called your neighbours thinking they have your house spare keys. Sir hurriedly open the door.”

Without giving any reply to the watchman; ignoring everyone Aditya approached to open the door.

The door had a fingerprint lock. Aditya’s hand was trembling to touch the lock. He was also able to hear his child's cry. He was scared of facing any terrible situation.

With a ding sound the door of another elevator opened and Nandita with the rest came out of the elevator; at the same time with Aditya’s fingerprint the main door of their penthouse opened, and Ayush's cry became clearer and louder.

Aditya or others didn’t have to take many steps inside the house, the scene in the living room shocked everyone. Aditya was feeling like someone has snatched the floor beneath his foot. He forgot to breathe.