Dhruv was talking to a few of the board members when he turned to find she was gone. She had just been by his side. 

"Dhruv, let's go." His mother said causing him to turn back at her.

"You start, I will find Adya and be back."

"She's not a kid, Dhruv. If she wanted to come with us she would be around. Anyway I don't think she is dumb to not find her way. Come. " 

Dhruv took in a deep breath, burying his anger. Maybe his mother was right, percase Adya had gone back on board. She anyway didn't seem interested to even talk normally to him. It pissed him off. He looked around. Rupaali was there and Akshay was by her side. Where was that idiot? Whatever, wherever... He din't care. The group of people walked into the groove of coconut trees to reach the land that was owned by the Rathores.

* * *

Dhruv had not been constantly paying attention to anything. His thoughts had been messed up by the woman, he once called wife. She hadn't come down to the land. Maybe she was just strolling around the cruise. He had noted the discomfort in her gait. He grinned sheepishly in his head. But what a night it was. Yet, there was nothing so great about last night because she seemed more distant after it.

"Dhruv?" He heard his mother. He turned trying to make his way back into the discussion.

* * *

Dhruv walked back up. The discussion had lasted almost an hour. They had arranged for a lunch by the cruise on the island. The cruise was a Valentine special. He liked how his mother smartly made the arrangement of coming down to the island in the cruise. The Chaddas, and the Mittals who had joined this morning, seemed very impressed. The small crowd of people seemed to be having the best time of their life.

He had set out to look for Adya. After good twenty minutes of walking around, he couldn't find her. He decided to get on board and check if she was inside.

As Dhruv walked back from his room, where he didn't find her, he paused outside a room hearing his mother's voice. She was talking to his PA.

"Where is she?" He overheard her say.

"She hasn't been spotted." The other person in the room told her.

"Did you try to reach her phone?" She asked anxiously.

"No response!" The man replied.

"God, this girl. Dhruv must be going mad about her whereabouts."

Dhruv by now knew the conversation was about Adya. He walked in prepared . "Where's Adya?"

Sheila looked shocked. "She must be around."

"I heard your conversation. So cut the pretense and tell me where she is!" 

"Well, if you heard it. You must know that I don't know either. She's always on her wings. Must be around."

Dhruv stared at his mother and then at her PA. He knew there was no point interrogating further. He walked out to find her all by himself. 

It had been an hour, Dhruv was unsuccessful at finding her. He remembered her taking the camera. Maybe she was around capturing scenes. He looked at the direction which was mostly isolated. He began walking in long strides. 

After a good ten minutes, he found himself away from the cruise. He walked towards the trees.  It was then that he noted, footsteps. With prolonged determination he walked. A little while later, he gave up after finding no one. He sat on the log to rest a few minutes before walking back. His eyes fell on his hand. He used the tip of his index finger to caress  the ring finger of his right hand. Once upon a time it held a ring which named him hers. He missed her. Didn't she feel the same thing strongly? A tear rolled down his cheek and fell to the sand and disappeared in no time. He sighed. Why was he trying when it was always her decision that prevailed?

Things weren't okay between them, they fought a lot. Life was miserable. They both tried solving things up. Sometimes, he let loose and sometimes she did. Until both lost their patience. But the things went downward when she brought those papers to him, calling them the solution. Divorce papers. He was mad at her. She was equally mad. Heated arguement led to an emotional breakdown. They both pushed away the thought. 

It worked for a fortnight, after that they were back to not adjusting but blaming. It was hard to survive with a person who lived with principles different from yours. It was frustrating to have your expectations meet a brutal death every freaking day. Hope had to become scarce. 

Until that fight where she called him a controlling pest. He lost his mind in anger and signed those papers. All she had to do was either slap him across the face or pull him for a hug. She did neither. She gave him silent treatment. That stupid mind of hers ruled. She was too much of a mind person. And then two days later, they had another argument that made him call her liar, and manipulative, selfish person. All was gone. She signed the papers, leaving him behind. How happy he was that day! Weeks passed and all that remained was incompleteness.

He got up to walk back when he heard some sounds. He turned to see his wife beating up a man. Oh no! This couldn't be happening. Next, the man fainted and she called someone talking on the phone. Anger flowed in every cell of his. She'd never change. For nothing. He finally got a glance from her. She walked over to him.

"Hi" 

"What the hell? " he shouted, not hiding his anger.

"Relax Dhruv. I can explain. "

"Of course you can. You always have reasons. I don't.."

Adya cut him off sharply. "Dhruv, please not now."

"Really? Not now? You...are still working for the crime investigation special bureau?"

"No..not exactly. Look..." She began but turned hearing the helicopter. 

"Two minutes. They are here,"  she ran and he saw the chopper make a landing. The CISB logo had his eyes. A team of three men stepped out. Armed. Dhruv looked around feeling the same old feeling. She wouldn't change. Never. He was mad. Mad to have been trying to change himself from past one year. He began walking away, anger raking his nerves. 

"Dhruv..." He knew she was running behind him. He walked faster. 

"Listen to me!" She said gasping for air catching up with him. Her hand holding his arm.

"Listen to what Adya? I am well aware you like keeping things to yourself. Do that, I don't want to know anything "

"Dhruv, please listen."

Dhruv closed his eyes, turning away. "I don't want to."

"You have to.." She said determined.

"Of course. I have to do as you say...I thought you had quit." He replied angrily.

"I did...but.."

"Adya, I really don't care." He said exasperated of her buts, he pushed her hand away.

"It was important Dhruv, they are a big gang that supply drugs..."

He walked ahead. She followed. She pulled him by his arm. 

"Leave me." He warned.

"Can you let me explain.."

"Explain what? Whatever it is.. How does it matter? Things won't change right. Even you haven't changed," he spat, his eyes showing how hurt he was.

"Dhr..." She began but blinked uneasily. 

His expression softened sensing something wrong. "You okay?" He asked as she grabbed his hand. 

She squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them. "Damn that prick on my arm. " 

"What?"

"I've been....drugged.." She almost lost the ability to stand falling into his arms.

"God, Adya!" He held her and the carrying her in his arms, walked back to the chopper. His heart in his mouth. The very reason why he hated her occupation. Freaking CISB Agent!

* * *

Adya opened her eyes gradually. She closed her eyes and then opened them. The wooden roof seemed familiar. She tried moving her head around, it didn't pain but she felt a little unsynchronized with the situation. Once her eyes settled on his handsome face that now looked drained due to concern, she felt better. Smiling weakly she looked at the other person whom she assumed to be a doctor. 

"How do you feel?" The other person asked.

"Great!" She answered smiling. 

Dhruv rolled his eyes. He knew she would be in pain. 

"Any pain or uneasiness?" The person asked. 

"No!" She answered. 

"Uncomfortableness of any kind?" The doctor asked checking her pulse.

"None." She answered, taking a deep breath.

He checked her blood pressure and heart rate next.

"Wonderful. The drug's effect has faded. She's fine," he declared turning to Dhruv and her colleague.

"Thank you, doctor." The two men responded.

Her colleague the other agent led the doctor outside. Dhruv didn't move from his spot. He just stared at her. 

"Don't look at me like that!" She said gazing at him.

He tore his gaze away. He hated this. Neither could he vent out his anger and argue nor could he be beside her and scold her. This ambiguity of what he wanted and what he should do made him mad. 

"What time it is?"

"Evening, seven." He said walking up to the table and pouring some water. 

He walked back and stood beside the bed. His hand offering her the glass. Smiling she sat up. Her smile irritated him. What was she so happy about? Being drugged by criminals?

She took the glass while he narrowed his eyes at her. 

"No wonder, I am so hungry!"

He stared at her. All she cared about was her hungry stomach? He literally had an almost panic attack seeing her faint in his arms. What if he wasn't there? What if she fainted when no one was around? Stupid woman.

"You ate?"

He nodded in a positive. The nurse entered. 

"Excuse me, Sir. "

"Yes. Please. The patient's very hungry," he said looking at Adya, seeing the food tray with the nurse.

"I am no patient." Adya argued.

He simply gave her a look and walked out.

"Dhruv, listen."

He turned around momentarily uttering, "Eat. " 

She frowned sitting back, looking at the empty room. Closing her eyes she bit her lower lip. Wasn't he right at his place? 

* * *

The nurse helped her clean herself after she had finished eating despite her protests. Once she left Dhruv entered.

Silently he walked over to the suitcase, shuffled a few things, placed a few papers and zipped his bag. "Good night!" He walked towards the door.

"Dhruv, listen please." She said getting off the bed.

"Adya, Take rest." He spoke pushing away her hand. His eyes bearing the emotion of hurt.

Frustrated she blocked his way. "We need to talk."

"About what? " he scowled. His chocolate brown eyes shining with anger.

She gulped. "I am sorry. I should have..." She groped for words.

"You're not, Adya. You are not sorry so stop lying. You'll never change," his voice was colored with despair. "It was planned? You manipulated me...into getting you here? You were here for this ....mission? " his eyes told that asking those questions hurt. He had a brief idea of what had been going on from her colleague. But he wanted her side of things. Perchance that little seed of hope met success. At the same time he knew. His heartache was guaranteed.

Adya bit her lower lip. She had expected everything to go smooth and be unde wraps, so  he'd never know. But things went differently.

Haaa..here comes the twist finally, so what are your thoughts?

–Anami!❤