chapter 12
The following morning, Jasmine woke up determined. The accidental kiss with Abhiraj still lingered in her mind, but she pushed those thoughts aside. Today was the day she would get closer to solving the mysteries surrounding the Rajput family, starting with that mysterious phone number.
After breakfast, she headed to the living room, where she spotted Ranbir lounging on the sofa with a book. "Hey, Cupcake Girl!" he called out, looking up with a playful grin. "Recovering from that kiss yet?"
Jasmine rolled her eyes, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Shut up, Apple Boy. I'm trying to focus here."
Ranbir chuckled and patted the seat next to him. "Alright, focus away. What's the plan?"
"Actually, I need to do some investigating," she replied, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. "I need to find out who this number belongs to." She pulled out her notebook and showed him the scribbled digits.
Ranbir leaned closer, squinting at the numbers. "You're not going to call them, are you? That could get you in trouble."
"No, but I need to figure out who they are before I do anything," Jasmine said firmly. "I just feel like there's something off about Vidisha, and I need to know what she's hiding."
"Okay, detective," Ranbir teased, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "What's your first move?"
Jasmine thought for a moment. "I think I need to check if Vidisha has any upcoming plans. She always seems to have a reason to leave the house. I'll follow her today."
Ranbir nodded. "Count me in! This sounds like fun. Plus, I can't let you do all the detective work alone."
---
As the day progressed, Jasmine's plans began to take shape. She noticed Vidisha getting ready, putting on a chic dress and applying her makeup with a precision that suggested she was preparing for something special. Jasmine exchanged glances with Ranbir, who raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
Once Vidisha left the house, Jasmine slipped into her shoes, ready to follow her. "Let's go," she whispered to Ranbir, and they stealthily exited the house, careful not to attract any attention.
They followed Vidisha at a distance, weaving through the bustling streets until she entered a trendy café. Jasmine and Ranbir found a discreet table where they could observe without being noticed.
As they waited, Jasmine felt a surge of excitement. "I can't believe we're actually doing this!" she whispered to Ranbir.
"Just remember, if things go south, we make a quick getaway," Ranbir replied, leaning back with a smirk.
---
The café was buzzing with chatter, and Jasmine's eyes were glued to Vidisha, who was seated at a table, nervously tapping her fingers against the surface. Jasmine strained to hear the conversation, but the buzz of the café drowned out everything.
Suddenly, a tall man with a confident stride entered the café. He had an air of mystery about him, and Jasmine's curiosity peaked. Vidisha's eyes lit up when she saw him, a smile spreading across her face.
"Looks like she's excited to see him," Jasmine whispered to Ranbir, who was busy watching Vidisha.
"Let's listen in," he replied, leaning closer.
As they tried to eavesdrop, Jasmine noticed a small slice of cake on a nearby table. Her eyes widened; it was her favorite dessert. Without thinking, she quickly grabbed it and started devouring it, not caring if anyone saw her. "I can't resist!" she exclaimed between mouthfuls, her eyes gleaming with delight.
Ranbir watched her, shaking his head with a chuckle. "You're something else, you know that?"
"Hey, a girl's gotta eat!" Jasmine replied, her mouth still full.
But as she savored the cake, she noticed Vidisha and the man sharing a secretive laugh. The moment felt charged, and Jasmine strained her ears to catch what they were saying.
Suddenly, the man leaned in closer to Vidisha, whispering something. Vidisha's expression shifted; she looked tense, glancing around as if someone might see them. That was enough to raise Jasmine's suspicions.
"Did you catch that?" Ranbir asked, now fully engaged. "What did he say?"
"No, but it looked like she was nervous," Jasmine replied, her excitement mounting. "We need to find out who he is."
As the two exchanged eager glances, Vidisha and the man continued their conversation. Jasmine's focus shifted back to the pair, and she knew she was getting closer to unraveling the mystery surrounding Vidisha and her hidden life.
"Let's follow them after they leave," Jasmine suggested, determined to uncover the truth.
---
After a while, Vidisha and the man finished their conversation, and Jasmine's heart raced as she saw them standing up. "Now's our chance!" she whispered urgently to Ranbir.
As they discreetly slipped out of the café, they trailed Vidisha and her mysterious companion, determined to find out more about her secret life and the photograph Tara was hiding.
Jasmine was ready to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.