CHAPTER 20

It had become two days, neither did Ira go home nor was Arjun able to find her. Ira switched on her phone which she had switched off two days ago after texting Arjun. There were more missed calls and texts from Arjun. Even Kavya had called and texted her about her whereabouts. Ira had finally made up her mind to go home, seeing how much she had worried her friends.

Ira unlocked the door and stepped inside her home. The living room was dimly lit by the evening sun gleaming through the drawn curtains. Ira turned on the lights to reveal a person with an ashen face and red puffy eyes.

“Aju..” she breathed.

“Ira..” he mumbled.

Arjun drew himself to his feet and walked weakly towards Ira. He looked starved and sleepless for days. He hugged Ira, pressing his chest to hers, tightly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.” he wept into her shoulders.

“I am not mad at you, Aju.” Her voice was fragile.

“You are not?” He asked, shocked, straightening up to face her.