CH 13 || Gone

Author

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14º celsius and light rain showers were predicted by the weather forecasters on that day in April in London. Because of the predicted weather, the famous cafe named Keepers was crowded making him happy.

He likes watching people talking with each other, the bickering of siblings, and not to mention kids creating a mess. He likes all of it, unlike others. The hot coffee was placed on his table and he started sipping it while enjoying the view, well not the outer view but the inner one, where people have come with their families to enjoy the hot coffee which was the specialty of that cafe.

Keepers Cafe has been the best cafe in that area for the past 4 years and he was their regular customer. How could he not be, after all his friend was the owner and not to mention they make the best coffee in town.

Keeping back the empty cup on the table, he placed the money too while making sure no was watching, he tried to flee the cafe just like a sneaky cat when he heard his friend,

"You again did it, didn't you?"

Acting all innocent he replied, "What did I do?"

"This." his friend showed him the money he left on the table. His friend was smart, he knew he will definitely try to pay which he can never accept but this guy was adamant too.

"It wasn't for you, it was for your staff."

"I pay them." his friend retorted.

"How did you notice every damn time, Nikhil?" he asked him. He was Nikhil Arora, owner of the Keepers cafe.

He runs a chain of Keepers Cafe in London, but there was a story about how it all started. He was a confused soul, who had no idea what he should do with his life. This confusion was eating him up and one thing which kept him sane was coffee. One day his friend suggested to him the idea of the cafe and then there was no looking back for Nikhil Arora. He is still obliged to his friend and has made it clear to all his friends that he won't take a penny from them but the man in front of him never listens.

"That's none of your concern. Take back your money, if you consider me as your friend."

Nikhil knew he was stubborn so he had to play the card which he was sure about will make him win and it worked.

Being left with no choice he had to reluctantly take back the money from his friend.

Bidding bye to his friend, he was about to go towards his car when his gaze fell on the little kid trying to cross the road. Picking him up in his arms he started to cross the road ignoring the little droplets of rain which was drenching him. While reaching another side of the road he found a lady who looked scared and the moment her eyes caught the sight of the kid, she took him in her embrace thanking the man.

She was the kid's mother and probably lost her a while ago until the tall man in front of her found him.

He made his way back to his car and the driver drove off to his office. The car stopped in front of a 30 storey building and as soon as he entered the building everyone's eyes fell on him.

People stopped working as they love this sight when their CEO greets them with a genuine smile daily unlike other rude young entrepreneurs. They were glad to work with him but more than that were always astonished to see their boss who keeps his calm always. Little did they know he was hiding a tornado inside him.

As he was going into his cabin, he peeped into his secretary's office and found it empty. She was late as always and he kind of knew the reason. Placing his coat on the chair in his cabin he made himself prepared for the nagging he was about to hear in just a few minutes.

And just after 10 minutes, a beautiful lady in her twenties barged into his cabin with a frown on her face. Sitting on the chair in front of him she said, "He is a jerk."

"What does he think of himself. He never listens...." it went on till another 15 minutes and he listened to her silently. He gave her the glass of water and she gulped it in one go.

When he realized she was ready to listen she asked,

"What did he do this time?"

"He left an important meeting of his, just to spend time with me." A smile appeared on his face thinking how his friend was whipped for this girl who was sitting right in front of him.

"Calm down, Niharika. He did that because he loves you."

"I know but he shouldn't ha...." she couldn't complete her sentence as a man drenched in rain entered into the cabin.

"Thank God you are here. Do you have any idea how much I got scared when you did not receive my calls? Why did you not pick up my calls?"

"Because I don't want to talk to you."

"Nihu, please," he said making his puppy eyes.

"That won't work this time Jai Khurana," she replied and that's how his cabin became lovers quarrel spot just like other days.

Shaking his head he switched on his laptop as he knew that in not more than 5 minutes he will find them in each other arms and that's exactly what happened.

"Since you guys have reconciled can I have my secretary back," he asked Jai.

"No," Jai said sadly to which Niharika hit on his arms saying, it was her work time. Very reluctantly he let her go and she got back to her work. Niharika Singh, a good friend, and the best secretary anyone could ask for, while Jai Khurana was a cop who loves his job but not more than his lady love.

Time has changed a lot. People who he used to think will never cross his path are his close friends. And he was none other than Dhruv Kapoor, grandson of the chairman of Kapoor Industries, Mr.Dharmesh Kapoor, and the CEO of D&D Industries.

He worked day and night to fulfill his dream of opening his own company. Although his grandfather was not supportive at first but gave in at the end, looking at his sleepless efforts.

"Dhruv, there is an emergency." Jai's tone was stern which made him realize something was wrong. Niharika went to her cabin, so they both could talk freely as he didn't want his friend to know what other tasks he handles despite his office work.

"What is it?"

"The 5 Ace needs to perform a task," Jai replied.

5 Ace, a group of five members which was formed by an ex mafia man and Dharmesh Kapoor's friend Mr. Oleg Kozlov to help those who are trapped by these good for nothing mafias. 5 Ace group work as secret agents, and Dhruv was one of the members.

The other 4 included his childhood best friends Namit, Arjun, his cousin Kiaan and his other childhood friend Hredhaan. Not many people know about the identity of 5Ace but some of the topmost government officials know and Jai was one of them.

"What task?"

"The underworld mafia, Peter is shipping drugs this weekend and we haven't received any official orders to raid the area so we are bound."

"Consider it done but only 4 of us will be there."

"Yeah, I know," he replied as one of his friends was in Greece.

Jai left after the discussion and Dhruv resumed his work.

******

Dhruv

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Looking out of the glass window of my cabin, I could see the raindrops pouring down. It would have been a beautiful sight if.....

'Don't complete the sentence Dhruv, you will get hurt.' said my inner self who has become my friend over the years.

7 years, it's been seven whole years since I left India and 7 years 2 months 14 days since I....

I didn't complete the sentence as I have been refraining myself from even thinking about it.

People say Change is inevitable and a lot has been changed in my life over the last few years but the best thing which happened to me is, I found my sister back, my little one, Dhriti.

She is married now with none other than my own best friend Namit. The time when I was telling Namit that he could marry my sister one day, I had no idea that it will become a reality. I had no idea that my friend will fall head over heels in love with my sister.

Although it wasn't an easy ship to sail, yet, they both conquered all the challenges thrown to them by life together.

Namit has become the CEO of N.K Industries and Dhriti has been handling Kapoor Industries along with Smita Aunty and grandpa.

Kiaan is working his ass off to prove his worth in Chauhan Industries in front of Ashok Uncle, who is Smita Aunty's husband and Kiaan's dad and Hredhaan is handling his company like a pro. Even though he was never interested to enter into business world but eventually he did and he is the best in it.

Rohit and Riddhi got married last year and are living in India with Rohit's family. Rohit successfully opened his own company and Riddhi was with her all the time as his support system. It took long for that idiot to realize that he too loves her but when he did, he held her hand with a promise to never leave her.

Picking up the photo frame from my table I smiled looking at the family picture. The picture was clicked on Dhriti's request on the day of her and Namit's reception. Even though I am not very camera-friendly but how could I deny my little one Moreover, I can do anything for my family as I live for them only. All I want is to see them smiling always and nothing else matters to me. I come to work, do my job leave home on time, visit my friends, what else anyone wants but still, there is a void inside of me.

The void of the family was filled the day my sister came back. I thought everything will be fine but that emptiness still resides in me and I guess it will be there all my life.

However hard I try not to think about it, my mind takes me down the memory lane every damn time. But I have been trying too hard and I won't give in this time.

Breaking my chain of thoughts, I resumed my work. Niharika left the office at 5, I offered her to drop her at her place but she said Jai was coming to pick her up. Bidding her bye, I left for my house where I live alone. I have been used to live alone, I do visit grandpa for a week once in a month so that I can spend time with my family.

Changing my clothes, I took a shower and thought to paint something. Although my efforts always go in vain still I never stopped trying. I have never been able to even hold the brush properly the way sh.....

No, no, no. I need to stop. I need to stop thinking about it. I kept the canvas, paintbrushes and paint back at their respective places and went to cook dinner.

After having a light and healthy dinner, I watched a soccer match for a while. The clock struck 12 and it was my time to sleep.

I was trying to sleep but couldn't. I tried harder but all I needed that one thing I have been avoiding for the last 7 days. Trying hard to not think about it, at last, I had to give up.

I got out of the bed and went to the room on the backside of my house where none of my workers were allowed. As I stepped inside I saw that painting which was the only thing left by her for me. That painting still has her fragrance. Whenever I touch it, it feels she is here only, with me, but I was not able to see her. Her beautiful smile always appears in front of my face.

Not a single day passes without her in my thoughts. I have tried not to think about it but couldn't. The longest I didn't think about her was 10 hours.

I wonder does she also think about me. I wanted to go and look for her but then I remember the letter she left, in which she clearly mentioned she didn't want to be found.

I have realized now that she is Gone, for real.