"Drishti," I called her out in worry upon reaching her room.

"Woah! What happened? You look tensed. Shit! Am I late? Did your maid already reach your house? Give me ten minutes to get ready," Drishti spoke, standing up in hurry.

"No, there's still half an hour for that. Remember the one house, my maid didn't go yesterday?" I asked, running my hand through my hairs in frustration.

"Yeah. What about it?" Drishti asked with raised eyebrows.

"It was Alisha's house," I replied with a sigh.

"You mean- your toughest dance competitor Alisha?" she asked looking worried as well.

I nodded, the wheels turning in my mind.

"Then she becomes our other major suspect after Niya," Drishti commented while taking out her diary.

"Yeah, put the star around her name in the list and cancel Veena Aunty's name," I told her.

"Umm...why? How can you be so sure that Veena Aunty is not the murderer?" She questioned, looking at me skeptically.

"One: She doesn't have a phone.
Two: Even if bought a new one or used someone else's, she doesn't know how to text.
Three: Looking at her family, there's no way she could have been able to leave at night."

"Hmm," she hummed and did what I asked for.

"Show me the list."

"Sure," Drishti kept the diary in front of me as I couldn't hold it.

"Why have you just written coach with every competitor's name?" I asked incredulously.

"Well, I didn't know their names. So....," Drishti answered shrugging.

"Alright. We will have to keep an eye on Alisha. Let's go to my home first, Veena Aunty must have reached," I spoke with a tired sigh.

This was getting harder and harder day by day. The prospect of coming close to my murderer gave me chills. I have no idea what I would do if I ever found them and what would happen to me after that.

When we reached, Veena Aunty was dusting the couches and Mom was nowhere to be seen.

"Drishti dear? Come come. Madam just went to talk with the watchman about something. She will be back soon. You sit, I will bring you some water," Veena Aunty greeted Drishti warmly.

"There's no need Aunty. Come here, give me company until Maira's Mom comes back," Drishti called her with a sweet smile.

Nodding, Veena Aunty came and sat beside her.

"It's really nice of you to come here to check up on your best friend's parents. They would be pleased to see you here," Aunty said, looking happy to see Drishti here.

"Actually, I was reading an article and automatically thought of Maira's response to that. I was really missing her so I thought to come and visit her home," Drishti started with our plan.

"Really? What article?" Aunty asked with curiosity.

I knew the gossip queen would not go without asking all the details.

"About Domestic violence. You know Maira had strong opinions about it. She always said one should never bear abuse and always fight back. If they can't do it themselves then they should ask for help from the people around them.

"A person will only hurt you if they think you would bear everything. One must value themselves first and never let others put them down.

"No one should take domestic violence lightly and take action against it," Drishti indirectly spoke the words that would hit close to Aunty's situation.

And rightfully so, Veena Aunty seemed shaken up.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Veena Aunty asked, looking frightened.

"I was just talking about it generally. You only asked about the article," Drishti easily lied.

"While we are at this topic, I have searched and got some information on this. In this paper, there are list of numbers of the NGO's that help the people suffering from Domestic abuse. And Police is always there," Drishti said forwarding the folded paper to Veena Aunty.

"Why...why are you giving me this paper?" Aunty asked with wide eyes while trying to return it.

Drishti shook her head with a smile and answered.

"You have so many contacts. You meet hundreds of people everyday. Plus I am giving this to every single person I know. So if you see anyone who is suffering, please give them this paper. It might help them," Drishti said while softly patting Aunty's hand which held the paper.

Veena Aunty looked deep in thought and Drishti didn't disturb her, knowing this was lot to take in.

"Drishti? I didn't knew you were coming," Mom asked as she entered the house.

Drishti gave out the same lie, she had told to Veena Aunty.

"I didn't know Maira thought so deeply about this topics," Mom commented.

Yeah I didn't, atleast not until now. I was worried that Drishti would fumble but she took care of it smoothly.

"Maira was like a coconut. Looked hard with no feelings on outside but was soft from inside."

"I should get going now," saying this Drishti started moving towards the front door.

"I never knew Maira to be so sweet. We always bickered and she always yelled at me. I thought she hated me and everyone else in this world," Veena Aunty expressed her feelings to my mom.

Drishti too heard it. Stopping near the door she spoke, confusing Mom and Veena Aunty at once.

"Maira admires your strength Veena Aunty."

Leaving my home, we high fived each other. Yeah, her hand went past mine but it's the thought that counts.