Waqt

She walked away from the balcony, her strides full of confidence, albeit feigned.

After years of pretence, it wasn't hard to fake nonchalance but only she knew how confused and restless she felt.

Her insides lashed out at her, she tried to hold onto her composure as she walked away from him but to no avail.

The nausea building inside her as she ran down the stairs and started walking towards the exit, wanting to get as far away from this place as possible.

She rushed right past her family, who kept calling behind her but she didn't stop to listen. The panic kept building as she rushed outside and fumbled inside her bag to find the valet ticket.

Abhir who had followed her, held onto her shoulders reassuringly as he asked, " Abhira, kya hua hai? What's going on? Tu theek hai?"

Abhira who was already on the verge of a breakdown, took a deep breath to get a grip before she replied, " Bhai, sab theek hai. It's going to be okay. I'll fix it."

Abhir asked, " Hua kya hai, Abhira? Saaf Saaf bata? What do you have to fix?"

Abhira replied, " Bhai, I can't do this right now. I will tell you. I'll explain everything but tomorrow. Please give me sometime."

Abhir tried to argue with her but she insisted on needing some time. She said, " Bhai please. Please bas kal tak."

The car was here and she tried to run towards it but Abhir stopped her as he said, " Abhira aisi halât mein you can't drive. Main akele nahi jaane de sakta tujhe."

Abhira closed her eyes as a tear slipped out, before shudderingly she replied, " Bhai, I promise I'll be home in a little bit. I just... I just need some time.
By myself.
Please bhai....Please.
Trust me.
I'll be okay.
I'll see you at home in an hour.
Please.
I'll be okay."

And with that she rushed to the driver's seat without letting Abhir say anything further.

Before Abhir could say a word Abhira was long gone. Abhir quickly gave his valet ticket and waited for his car, too scared for his baby sister.

But by the time, the car came, Abhira was no where to be found. Abhir who was about to take his car and run right after her was stopped by Keerti who stood behind him with the rest of the Singhania's.

Keerti said, " Abhir beta, Ruk jaa. She needs time. By herself. Aise uske peeche jaana sahi nahi hai Abhi."

Abhir frantically replied, " Par nani, woh theek nahi hai. She needs me. Kuch ulta seedha ho gaya toh. No, I have to go behind her."

Keerti held onto his wrist and replied, " Dekh, she has asked you to trust her so do that. Hum Abhi ghar chalenge.
Agar woh ghante Tak ghar nahi pohnachti then we will get her phone tracked and you can get her, home.
Pata nahi kya hua hai exactly but she needs time. And we have to give her that.
Respect her wishes Abhir.
An hour.
That's all she has asked for.
Give her that."

Abhir grudgingly nodded but worriedly said, " But nani, agar woh ek min bhi late huyi then aap mujhe nahi rokengi. Am I clear?"

Keerti nodded.

Abhir thought to himself, " Nani, aapne mujhe Abhira ke peeche jaane se roka hai but I will find out ki hua kya hai. I'm sure iss sabke peeche woh Armaan Poddar hai. And I will find out ki iss baar usne kya kiya hai."