Karthik was in the children's park thinking about the argument with his wife. Though he was furious at her, he wished he didn't say all of that. After all, he was not sure if she really planned anything with his mother.

He went back to his apartment two hours later with a terrible headache. As he was making his way towards the stairs, he found Govind call his name.

"Your keys sir" Govind said, showing his house keys.

"How did you get them?" he asked him, his eyes narrowed.

"Mam told me to give you these"

"Sindhu? Why? She went somewhere?" Karthik asked perplexed at the situation.

Govind nodded "She left an hour ago"

Karthik was shocked hearing that. What did he mean she left?

He took the keys "What do you mean she left? Did she tell you where she was going?"

"Mam left with a big bag in her hand. She didn't tell me where she was going; I didn't ask her, actually. However, she told me to send my wife to your house for maid work. I think she won't be coming back for a while"

Alarmed at Govind's words, he instantly took his phone but didn't know who to call. He didn't have her number.

Karthik didn't understand where she would go; she didn't have many friends and Hemanth is not here. He was almost sure she wouldn't go to her parents' house; if she did, then she wouldn't have taken a bag.

He went to his house and walked up to her room; this was the first time he saw her room after they came here. It looked neat and tidy making him wish he kept his room like that.

He saw that a few cupboards were open and empty. When he was about to exit the room, he saw a paper hanging out from under the pillow and quickly opened it.

I am leaving. I won't bother you anymore.

I need one last help. I will have to lie to my parents that I am still there as I don't want them to be upset about us. Please make sure not to blurt out about me if my parents called you. I need some time to inform them about us.

Thanks

Sindhu

Karthik wished she said more; he would have felt better if she called him godawful names or said he was responsible for her grief. He would even take her yelling instead of this.

The thought that she left him because of his stupidity was killing his conscience and he didn't know how to find her to say that he was sorry.

He had to say sorry. But for that, he needed her and he didn't know how to find her.

Karthik called his mother immediately hoping he could get Sindhu's number from her. Seetha was angry at him when he told he wanted his wife's number. However, she was furious when he informed Sindhu left.

"What did you do? Tell me what happened" Seetha hissed at him; he never found her this angry.When he explained briefly about what happened, she seemed more angry.

"I will message her number to you. If you don't find her, I am never going to talk to you again" she fumed. "I want my daughter-in law back, safe and sound. Is that clear?"

"Y-Yes" he said finally. For the first time ever, he was afraid of his mother. She was very angry and he can't blame her for that.

"Mom!!! If you have a picture of her, please send to my mobile" he disconnected the call having said that.

Karthik left the house and went to Govind again to find out more details. Govind told him that he saw her walk towards the auto stand at the corner of the street.

When his mobile pinged with a message from his mom, he quickly opened it and called the said number. He was disappointed to find it switched off.

He left to the auto stand hoping to find some clue about her. It was dark already and there were only three autos in the stand. When he asked them if they saw Sindhu there, showing the picture of her that his mother sent, they shook their heads.

However one of the auto-drivers said "If she took an auto from here, then one of us might have taken her as outsiders are not allowed to drive in this premises. All the autos will be assembled here at 7 every morning, you better come then. You might get some information"

Karthik thanked them and made his way back to the house. He found it empty and felt alone instantly; he never thought he would miss her.

He wanted this, didn't he? He wanted to stay alone, away from her. He didn't want her in his life.

Then why is he missing her? He should have felt happy that she left but he is not and the thought surprised him more than it should.

Did he get used to her presence? Did she become a part of his life, without himself realizing it?

Was she making her way into his heart? No, no way. He doesn't like her.

He could leave her to her problems; she would never vex him again. He can have a peaceful life.

Then why did he want her back?

Was it just a guilt conscience or was it more than that?

He was surprised with the direction of his thoughts; whatever the reasons might be, he is going to search for her.

After a long time, he went to the kitchen to find something to eat. He saw the cooked bhaji on stove and pav on the kitchen counter and felt stupid for starting an argument over such a silly issue.

He felt they always fought over stupid things. Correction - He fought over stupid things.

The next day he went to the auto stand again and was surprised to find about 40 autos around. He gave the picture to the auto drivers who passed around to one another as he explained his situation.

"I took her" one of them announced.

"What? Are you sure it's her?" Karthik asked walking towards him.

"Yes, it's her. I took her to MGBS"

"Where exactly in MGBS? Do you remember which platform you left her" he asked anxiously.

"I don't know the number but I think it's the platform where buses leave to Tirupati and Visakhapatnam"

"You are sure it's her?" he asked him again, not wanting to make a mistake.

"Yes sir, I am sure it's the same woman. I dropped her at MGBS sometime around 6 PM"

"Thank you so much" Karthik left the township and made his way to MGBS. He had to go to office after finding details about her.

Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station also known as MGBS is India's third largest Bus station in terms of area with 74 platforms, providing bus services from Hyderabad to prominent cities of Central and Southern India.

It took about 45 minutes for him to reach the said terminal. He went to the reservation counter to find details about where she left. After a bribe of Rs.200, the guy behind the counter agreed to give details.

"What did you say her name was? Sindhu?" the guy asked him.

When Karthik nodded, he continued "There is one here. Sindhu Age 23, to Visakhapatnam by the 6.30 bus"

"What do you mean 6.30 bus?"

"There is a bus every hour that leaves for Visakhapatnam. She got into the 6.30 one"

"Are you sure it's the 6.30 bus?"

The guy looked annoyed "There is no Sindhu in the other buses list"

"Oh. But, how would I know where she got down in Visakhapatnam?"

The guy rolled his eyes "If you are lucky, the driver or helper of the bus may help you; if they remembered her"

"Oh. Where can I find them?"

"They will start there at 6.30 PM today and reach here by 6 tomorrow morning. The same bus will leave for Visakhapatnam tomorrow evening again; at the same time 6.30 PM"

"Can I get a ticket for that bus? 6.30 one?"

"Sure"

After paying money and acquiring the ticket, he left for his office praying that he found her. He knew it's not going to be easy even after he found which place she got down.

Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag is a port city of the southeastern Indian coast, often referred as 'City of Destiny'. The city is known for beautiful beaches and its natural harbor.

He was thankful she left for Vizag as he knew the places around the city; his family was from that city before they settled down in Hyderabad a few years ago.

Tulasi was also from the same city; her parents stayed there while she worked in Hyderabad with him. She is staying in Vizag with her husband now and he hoped he wouldn't find her by mistake. He is not ready to see her, yet.

Karthik left to MGBS next day with his backpack packing only two sets of clothes for himself. He didn't know how long he would stay there but made sure not to have too much baggage.

The bus arrived at the terminal at 6.10 PM giving him ample time to explore.

"Is this woman in the bus the other day?" he showed her picture to the person helping passengers' luggage into the deck of the bus.

The guy observed her pic for few seconds before nodding "Yes"

"Do you remember where she got down in Vizag?" he asked hopefully.

"Who are you?" the helper asked, looking at him suspiciously.

He explained his situation.

"She got down in the MVP stop" the helper finally gave in.

"How can you be sure? I mean you must have had so many passengers getting down at differe-"

"She reminded me a dozen times to inform her once we reached MVP. She said she doesn't know where the place is but she has to get down there"

"Oh.. Thank you" He got into his seat thinking why she went to that place when she knew no one there. He wished he found her soon.

Ravi called him to find out if he learnt anything about her; He explained the situation and promised he would call once he found her.

The next day he got down at the said stop at 5.50 in the morning and ventured to find a decent hotel.

After he got ready, he went around checking women's hostels hoping to find her; few wardens politely declined to help him while few gave an earful. Few helped when he explained his situation but he didn't find Sindhu there.

When it was nearing five and he was tired with a busy day, he got an unexpected call from his best friend Ravi.

"Found her?" Ravi asked cheerfully.

"Do you think it's that easy? There are about 30 hostels in this place; I don't know if she went to another place from here. I can't search every hostel in this city"and he continued ranting about the problems he faced since morning.

"How can you be sure she's at a hostel?" Ravi raised his doubts.

"It's just a guess. If she wanted to stay here for long, she would opt a women's hostel instead of a hotel. Moreover, ladies' hostels are safe and she is smart enough to know that"

"OK OK. I just wanted to be sure. So, where next?"

"To my hotel. I am very tired"

"You won't go to the beach? You must be stup-- Wait!!!" Ravi exclaimed as if realizing something "The beach. The beach. You have to go there"

"Why should I go there?" he asked, irritated by his friend's enthusiasm.

"You idiot, that's the place any person who visits Vizag would go. And Sindhu might have gone there. You told she doesn't know the city which means she's never been there and there is high probability of--"

Karthik didn't hear what Ravi said after that. He ran towards an auto-rickshaw quickly instructing it's driver to take to Rama Krishna beach.

Rama Krishna beach aka RK beach is one of the best known beaches and the main tourist attraction of Vizag; anyone who visited Vizag would go there.

He reached RK beach, fifteen minutes later. It was crowded with so many locales and a few foreign tourists here and there.

There must be a thousand people sitting on the sand and enjoying the waves; at least a few hundreds playing in the water.

Karthik walked in the sand, alongside the waves seeing families, friends enjoying a quiet evening while his eyes searched for Sindhu.

Even though he was tired, he continued the journey observing people and trying to find her.

It was getting dark and he was walking on the sand for about 40 minutes when he finally found her. His body relaxed and he heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Sindhu talking to five year old girl.

--

Happy, now? Don't you love how he found out about her?

The place where Karthik lives, exists; but with a different name. And yes, anyone who comes to Vizag will definitely go to RK beach.. And shall I say something purely coincidental? I am going to RK beach in an hour with my cousins.

I wrote this chap long back and I am visiting it today again after a long time. Fate, may be? Don't you think?

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- JANAKI S