Missing In Action

Three days had passed since the incident, and there were only five days left for the launch. And yet, her showstopper's mobile phone was out of coverage area. She was well aware of Vendy's escapist nature, but this time, she was unable to find a reason for her sudden escape.

There was only one person on earth who could find out where she was, because apparently he was familiar with all of her hiding places- but Manya couldn't go back and ask him about it, so she really had to find her, all by herself.

She needed to go back to the ARMA's office as well, because some of the designs still needed a final touch-up, but she was anxious to go back there. She was doing the exact thing her mother was fond of- running from uncomfortable situations. Apparently she and her mom were almost the same, she thought, and a smile formed on her face. But, she was also determined, and had never broken any of her promises. 

She had to overcome her fear and go back to ARMA's, because the Fall collection was her idea. And not to forget, she also had to prove that she was not the one who had plagiarised the theme and designs, and clear her name of this controversy, once and for all.

She commanded herself sternly, and got up from her bed to get ready to go to the office. But before stepping into the shower, she grabbed her phone and messaged Shambhav to inform him about her imminent arrival, so that he could be prepared beforehand, if he needed her help regarding anything. 

She was just putting her phone down, when she thought of calling Vendy's number, one last time before she had to look for other ways to locate her.

She just dialed her number casually, without expecting a response from the other end. But to her surprise, the call started ringing and within a few rings, the phone was answered.

Maya quickly spoke up, without waiting for any formalities or extending any herself.

"Where are you, and are you okay? It has been three days since you were supposed to land in India, but I haven't heard ANYTHING from you since the day you boarded the flight!"

Vendy replied tersely, "I am so sorry dear, I don't think I would be able to make it."

"Wait - what?! You are aware of the fact that only five days are left for the launch, right? And you are denying me now, are you out of your mind?! You know that I can sue you for this, don't you?"

"Manya...I am really sorry. I wanted to visit India, and trust me, I really wanted to be the showstopper for your collection but I am seriously stuck in a grave problem, that I can't narrate to you over call. Can you please meet me?"

"Where? You said you wanted to visit India, then where are you?"

"I am currently in India itself, but I don't think that I will be able to continue with my modeling assignment. Listen, can't you just meet me, please?"

"Vendy, you are worrying me now. Tell me, are you alright?"

"I will tell you everything, just meet me this evening, at the address I am sending you."

"Okay then, I guess I am left with no other choice. But still, I am warning you - if I find your excuse to be irrelevant and not up to the mark, be prepared to bear the consequences. And one more thing- if you are not going to carry out the assignment yourself, I need you to find a suitable model for my collection."

"Well, I think I might know one!"

"Who?" 

"You!?"

"What? Me!? Are you kidding me?" 

"Nope! I am perfectly serious. Think about it, you will be the perfect model for your own collection. Just give it a serious thought, and I will disconnect the call now."

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"Look, this is exactly how I need you to behave." The person replied with an appreciative smirk as soon as she disconnected the call.

"Why are you doing this to her? What has she ever done to you?"

"Nothing, she hasn't done anything to me. But Ishaan wanted her by his side, so I am just giving my little brother whatever he wanted!"

"Little brother!? Huh! You know the fact that you are nothing more than an employee in their eyes...in his eyes, don't you?" Vendy replied sarcastically.

"I don't care! And listen carefully,"  he spoke, raising his voice, grabbing her by her hair and yanking her head backwards. "If you want to marry me, you have to do whatever I am telling you to do!"

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"This can't be true..." Arjun murmured as he looked at all the papers scattered in front of his eyes. Apparently, there was no link between Shambhav and Siddhant. *Then how his face was so similar to Sia's? If it had only been a matter of similarity in their faces, he might have given up- but other than that, he had found that they also had many habits in common, which he had to conclude Sia might have acquired from her dad, because those mannerisms and habits were never shown by Messo.*

He stood up from his chair in anger, and headed towards Shambhav's cabin. He needed to talk to this boy, the frustration of the whole thing was really messing with his head. He couldn't allow any doubts to remain, because he was too afraid to lose Manya once again.

He was thinking to himself and walking without looking up even once, as he was well-versed with the path. As he was ten steps away from Shambhav's cabin, he collided with someone with full force; and if he hadn't held on to her arms with his own,  she might have fallen and gotten seriously hurt. The papers that she had been holding so far scattered on the ground with a flourish; and only after a minute did it occur to him to look at who he had bumped into. He lifted his gaze off the ground to come face-to-face with Manya.

*Finally, he had gotten a chance to see Manya, after three days of the incident- God was really on his side that day. All the frustration he had been carrying with himself just a few minutes ago was forgotten, and he was fully immersed in her eyes.*

His daze was broken when Manya spoke up, "Excuse me? Can you please let go of me, or are you planning to stay this way until someone casts you in some romantic movie or drama?"

He quickly made her stand upright and freed her from his grip. Though he was slightly flustered, he managed to reply, "I am really sorry Minnie. Actually, I was not looking-"

"It is Manya Rahal for you, young man. Minnie is my nickname, and I prefer to be called by my professional name in my place of work. Anyway, we are not close enough to refer to each other with nicknames, so please mind this for the future. And as for the collision, it's okay. It was not your fault that I slipped or bumped into you, I was not looking where I should have been looking, either."

"Manya," Shambhav called out from the doorway of his cabin, behind her. "Look, I have found this…"

She turned and headed towards him, leaving Arjun to deal with his shock and jealousy. But as he repeated her sentences in his mind in appreciation, he was jolted with a realisation within seconds.

The last sentence hit him hard: "I was also not looking where I should have been looking…" Exactly! Till now, he had been looking at the problem with his perspective set at the wrong angle!

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