How did Padmini leave the mansion that was surrounded by tight security and CCTV surveilance?

How did she go to the temple on foot, when there were two cars with dedicated drivers, available at all times?

Why was there no communication from any of the domestic staff about her disappearance for three days? 

Sounds like a lapse from all of the staff or a weak watery plot. Does it?

The domestic staff were questioned by the team of detectives individually in various methods, for hours. It led them to one definite conclusion, Padmini had carefully planned everything to the last detail and she had someone to help her.

A note was found that said she was going to the temple. The last thing the staff remember was having a breakfast cooked by Padmini herself. They were drugged.

The staff woke up from their stupor late night and panicked, but none of them were in a stable condition to move around until the next morning.

Siddhant was sure, it was no regular sleeping pill but something more potent. But no traces of the drug was found anywhere in the house. The left over food was discarded vessels cleaned. There were jammers placed in the vicinity of the mansion, so none of the communication devices worked. The surveillance cameras were jammed too, no loose ends.

The detective had updated Paarth last week on the interrogation of their staff, temple priest, taxi drivers at their street corner and every possible commoner on street in the locality. Padmini never went to the temple.

The report lay in a file by his side on the seat. He was too exhausted to read. He was sleepless with all the stress; work related and personal.

Padmini had sent a personal letter to all of them individually a few days back. She wrote that she was safe and happy with her aged parents, away from Chadrakanth and did not want to ever come back to him. She had not revealed the location, but promised to write every month. Except for Chandrakanth, none of them were convinced by this.

Paarth did not want another trouble on his overloaded plate but, he didn't have a choice, it came calling.

Mr. Bhatia had called him personally to meet him, he sunk in the car seat shutting his tired eyes, while the driver waded through the Delhi traffic to Bhatia's head office. He had practically dropped Sneha at the doorstep of her home after picking her from work and rushed out, it was their second anniversary and they were supposed to go out for dinner. 'Poor Sneha, she deserves to be happy, I have hardly met her in the past week.'

-----

"Paarth you know I'am a man of principles and morals." Mr.Bhatia was was a force to reckon with. No messing with him, he can wipe you out of the map of business world. Paarth was sweating inspite of being seated in the luxury of Bhatia's office. "Any news of your mother, son?"

Paarth felt a jolt of anxiety run through him. 'How did he know?' He gulped.

"Paarth it may sound clichè, but yes I have my men everywhere. Now tell me."

Paarth sighed. "No Mr. Bhatia. Nothing."

"Why Chandrakanth hasn't filed an FIR? For all you know she could have been kidnapped. It's one and half months right?"

He was hard to read. The silver gray hair and moustache added more power to his fierce, steely gaze. Even in casual outfits he could look pretty intimidating, 'just like Daadu (grandfather)'. Paarth had even wondered if Mr. Bhatia was a businessman, he had the aura of an officer from armed forces.

Paarth went on to explain all that the private investigators had unearthed and they were coming to a dead end. There was no eyewitness to tell where she went. He also mentioned about the letter they had received. With Chandrakanth wanting to keep this low profile, the hands of the investigators were tied.

"Somebody had definitely helped her, she couldn't have done all this alone, Mr. Bhatia. We are confused as to why Dad's hesitant about the police."

After a few minutes of thoughtful silence, Bhatia continued.
"Chandrakanth approached a few people for investment". He gestured at the file on the table, Paarth was puzzled.

He quickly flipped through the business plan, 'an Ayurvedic Spa and fitness centre? As a partner? What? With who? Ms. Kayla kothari? She..' Paarth rubbed his forehead in despair.

"Keep an eye on your old man, son. You are not a kid, I hope you know your father's "lifestyle".

Paarth averted his gaze in shame, he knew what Bhatia was indicating. Yes, he knew his Dad had a reputation with women. Paarth accidentally discovered his father's Casanova side, while in college. He despises him for that, for cheating and hurting his naive mother.

"I was your grandfather's best friend and was also his first business partner." Paarth was pleasantly surprised, he knew him only as their oldest business associate and investor.

"There are a few things I need to discuss with you, come with me". He got up from his desk and the wooden panelled wall behind his desk slid aside, revealing a sound proof room. Paarth gulped.

"Don't worry Paartha" Paarth was thrilled, when Mr. Bhatia addressed him like his grandfather did. "You will understand that I'm more of a well wisher and not 'the Dracula with money bags'. He fondly smiled, his eyes  softening, "isn't that what they all call me out there?"

----

After about an hour Paarth stepped out with Mr. Bhatia, "I have sent a car to pick your wife" Paarth was confused.
"Happy anniversary to both of you! You made a reservation and I don't want to spoil your day, go ahead and don't hesitate to call me on my personal number anytime you need help."

Paarth quickly bent low, to take his blessings and earned a warm smile and blessings from the old man.

                      🖤🖤🖤🖤

Sneak Peak:

My hands and feet are bound by ropes, and are sore. A small bulb sheds light in the room, an old fan creaks above my head and there are no windows or ventilations. I lie on the dusty floor and trace the damp patches on the walls with my finger.

The bruises from the beatings few days ago are healing slowly. The guard beat me up when i asked him to untie me for sometime. I lay there for a while, bleeding from my forehead and lip and couple of bruises on my body, until a girl came and cleaned my wounds and gave me medicines. My whole body is sore, sticky from sweat and dirt. I last took bath when that girl bought me this salwar kameez to change since mine was soiled with blood. None of them speak to me.

I don't know how long I have been here. Why am I here? Who brought me here?  I seem to drift off to sleep soon after i eat, maybe they are using drug.

My brain is getting foggy, can't seem to differentiate between reality and dream with no clue of time. How long will be here?

With just a meal a day and a bottle of water and these regular beatings and my will to live diminishing rapidly... probably not very long!

                🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤