Viraj's pov

"no means no I can't do that" soon after I asked Aarav to help me he said a big no.

"Aarav don't be like this. Mili I need to find her no matter what. She is missing for two damn weeks and I can't imagine how she will be. This is the only way I can found her now" this is my first time I am begging to him for something.

"two weeks, its being two weeks your wife gone missing and you are searching for her now? It would have been better you go and search her at some hospital mortuary"

"Aarav" I yelled at him for saying that.

"I know it's my mistake and I admit that. Before anything goes wrong I want to save her that's why I am asking for help from you. Please I am begging you" all this time there was a sarcastic smile on his face but after seeing my helplessness he got bit loosened.

"it's not like I don't want to help you actually we don't have that video with us. I told you  Mili wasn't in a good condition during the time of recording and I asked them to stop taking video. " I smacked my hands on wall in frustration.

"so that means there is no other way we can find her? " I asked looking at my friends.

"during the time of movie promotion we can publish her face. Since her song is getting good response people also want to know about the singer. But everything will take some time till then you have to wait Viraj" said Aarav. I nodded for that in dismay. Doing something is better than nothing.

.............................................

Three days passed we are still searching for Mili but no improvement. My friends suggested filing a complaint but I can't even think about that. Deep inside I have a belief that she is safe and sound at somewhere and I will definitely find her without any scratch.

I was at Delhi airport while going through all these thoughts. I am going to Darjeeling in order meet one of my old client who is more like a god father to me. Two days back he contacted me after a long time and asked me to meet him at Darjeeling where he lives now. I never put his request down since he is like a fatherly figure for me. So now I am going to meet him.

It took around two hours to reach at Bagodara airport and from here another two hours to Darjeeling. At airport his son Karan was there to pick me and I went with him. Darjeeling is a beautiful place so close to nature. Darjeeling tea plantations are very famous in India. Even though I don't have any intentions to stay back but I am pretty sure that he won't allow me to leave today so I was prepared for everything.

After two and half hours we reached at his estate. Happy valley that's the name of his estate and he lives with his wife and son. As soon I reached there he welcomed me with much happiness and shared a good time.

"you know that I am not going to leave you today so don't argue with me for that. I prepared everything  so take some good rest after that we will have a talk in detail" I did like he said because I know in stubbornness I am only third and he comes second. First place definitely goes to Mili.

After getting freshen up I joined him for a walk in their garden.

"so what is the purpose of this sudden meeting. Do you want any help from me" I asked.
He wants to meet me in order to say thanks for whatever I did for him. But I think I am more thankful for him to help me in many ways.

"sir what are you saying? Thank you and all why we need such formality among us? But any ways I am very thankful to you for calling me here. I was really in a bad condition for these few days and this place is giving me a good relief from all stress." Said me

"really? Then I am happy to hear that. At least you are happy because of me. Then go and take a look at our plantations you will definitely like here. I will ask my son to accompany you" I agreed to him and I went with his son to see their plantations.

"this is our direct outlet and this tea shop too. Here we sell around 120 types of special tea which is our speciality" We stopped in front of a huge but old tea shop. After providing a conformable place for me he went inside for some work.

While I was going through their menu my eyes fell on a waitress girl who seemed to be very familiar to me. Shop was bit crowded so I couldn't see her face clearly. I stood from my chair and followed her before she went inside.

I couldn't believe my eyes that this is a reality or am I hallucinating things now? That's my Mili I can recognise her even if she is in middle of crowd. My heart began to race like I struggled to catch up my breath. I was happy but at the same time I wanted to cry because of happiness. Finally I found her and I am relieved that she is safe. I wanted to ran towards her and embrace her into a tight hug  but something was stopping me from moving forward. What is that? It's my pride I don't want to meet her like this. She made my life into a complete mess and ran away from all problem without facing them.

I watched her from a corner chair like what she was doing here.
Actually she is working here as a waitress? It was clearly visible that she lost some weight and her face seems so pale. Her happy face vanished to somewhere and now it's only a plane one without any emotions. I saw Mili barely opened her mouth to talk. If anyone asks her for something she will end it with not more than two words.

how funny. Girl from such a reputed and well sound family is working in a tea shop as waitress. It wrecked my nerves when I see her like this cleaning tables and washing tea cups.

I saw Karan came out from their office and he was looking for me. I hand signed him to notify my position. Suddenly an idea came into my mind I stood from the chair and went out with him.

"Karan can you do a favour for me?" I asked him with a pleading voice.

"favour? Of course I will just tell me" said Karan. I told him about my plan and he was surprised to here my favour.

"seriously? Do you really want to do it in this way? What if it went wrong?" he asked doubtfully.

"nothing will go wrong. I know her after all she is my wife. Please do this for me. Our life will be back to its track if you do this favour for me" I begged

"it's not like I won't help you but she seems a good and naïve girl. She never made any issues or argued with customers even if there is hectic work. She will do any work which is assigned to her without any complaint. I never saw her talking to others or laughed at anyone. I always thought why this girl is like this now I know the reason. If your plan works and this can bring you together then I will do it don't worry" he assured me that he will help me.

Mili I am really sorry for this just think that I am taking a small revenge on you for making me mad and losing my sleep for these days. I promise you after this I  will never hurt you. I will shower you with all love and care. You won't regret your decision about getting married to me even if it was under all wrong circumstances.

Mili's pov

From the moment I decided to leave from Viraj's side I was determined that I will never make this man's life into a hell and that's why I lied to him that I am going back to my home. In real I don't know that where I was going. I don't want to live like this but that courage to take my own life wasn't inside me anymore. That's why even after spending almost an hour on an over bridge my legs trembled to take a step forward. Whenever I moved forward it was  Viraj's face that came into my mind.

If I live or die he is the only one who is going to suffer . Everyone will  blame him for my situation. Other than helping me in all bad situations he never did anything wrong but I was only giving him so much pain. So I decided to live a life like ghost far away from everyone. First train I got was to Darjeeling so I decided to go there.

Starving to death was also an option but I think even god doesn't want to take me there may be he also find me as a headache. Getting a job in this tea shop as a waitress was an unexpected since I got it I decided to live according to its flow. Small amount salary but more than enough for me. It's not like I want to do much with this money. Wakes up at morning, have something for breakfast only if I am hungry then straight to work. Since there is lunch break will have lunch with other workers, do extra jobs if owner says and around five back to room. Just stare at sky till sun set and if hungry then prepare something for dinner and then go to bed even though I am not sleepy. Now a day's sleep is like a dream for me. This has become my life routine now. I don't want to think much and don't want to go back to where I came from. Everyone will be happy without me.

"Maithili....." While I was washing the cups I heard shop owner calling me to his office room. I stopped my work and went to his office.

"I am really sorry to say this... " he stopped for a second and sighed then continued

"You don't have to come here for work from tomorrow onwards" Even though I wasn't intending to work here for my whole life but this sudden firing was bit shocking for me.

"why sir all of sudden? How can I find another job suddenly? "I asked helplessly

"I have to consider my business too. Actually today you don't have to work here I am going to give you another job for last time. You will be paid after the work " I looked at him doubtfully

"don't take me wrong. Actually you have to accompany someone today. He my dad's friend and a very important family friend. He came to Darjeeling for two days and he needs a person to accompany him for sightseeing. Not any hectic job, go with him and show our plantations. Can you do it?" I don't know. Accompanying a stranger is that okay?

"Maithili will you? I can't find any trust worthy person other than you. Please do it as a last order from this boss" I think I should do this. After all this man helped me by giving a job without asking about my background or anything.

"okay I will" I agreed

"he is waiting in front of garden. Go there he will recognise you"   how? Before I could ask that he went out with his phone to attend a call.

After correcting my dress I walked towards the garden gate to find the man. But there were lots of people and I don't know whom I am going to meet.

"Mrs Maithili Viraj Kandpal" that sound and that name it fell on my ears like a thunder and my heart skipped some beat for a second.