chapter 22

Chapter 22Treasure huntSitting in her brother’s house, Ishiqa meanwhile was still sulking and could not get Ved out of her mind. She was in love with him, she knew. But she did not want to marry him just because he felt compelled to. Knowing he didn’t really care for her, how could she be happy in this marriage? How could she face herself everyday in the mirror knowing he was miserable at having been forced to live with her! She tried to dwell on his negative qualities so that the intensity of her love would dissipate. “I will not think of him! He is so arrogant, just impossible! Mr. High and Mighty… But he is lovable, so handsome and my heart’s only desire.” She sighed again. “Get a grip on yourself girl, or be ready to see yourself ruined.” Not able to turn to anyone for advice, she felt helpless. She reluctantly said bye to her family and returned to her flat, where she found an envelope pushed under her door. “You have been invited to the Crown’s open air restaurant at five thirty pm for a wonderful surprise.” She turned it upside down, “Strange! No name, who could this be? Should I go?” She decided she would not. Unsigned and not addressed to her directly, it looked like one of the zillions of innovatively designed advertisements that were pushed into people’s mailboxes every day.But a while later, she found another envelope on the floor. She picked it up with her heart hammering and opened the seal. It read, “Please do be there on time, I will wait for you,” and a cute smiley was drawn on it.It was definitely meant for her, but who could it be? With so many psychopaths on the loose, she did not want to walk into a trap. Her breath caught in her throat and she called up Smriti. From day one she had confided in Smriti and sworn her to secrecy. Though they rarely had the opportunity to meet as often as before, they had kept in constant touch through phone. “What do I do?” she asked her friend after telling her about the envelopes. Smriti told her not to worry, saying that she would accompany her. “Should I tell Ved?” she wondered aloud. But immediately she decided against it, sure that he would not like being bothered with her problems. In the evening, she dressed conservatively and Smriti and she headed out. When they reached the venue, there was no one present, nor were there any signs of a party being held. Smriti and she exchanged glances and shrugged when suddenly a plane flew very low above their heads. Ishiqa looked up just in time to see a pattern drawn by a small plane. The plane had drawn the shape of a heart with an arrow pierced through it. Smriti immediately jumped with excitement and squealed, “Somebody has fallen head over heels in love with you Ishiqa!” Before Ishiqa could make sense of it all, another helicopter passed by, showering her with rose petals. She stood there surrounded by the sweet fragrant petals, feeling like a princess, thanks to the extravagant gestures. She felt she was in dreamland. “Who could it be?” Smriti asked, bringing her back to the present. “Ved, of course! How stupid of me to ask! He must love you so!” Ishqa smiled to herself sadly, thinking, ‘How I wish it were like that! Smriti will get the shock of her life if she hears the truth about our relationship.’ Hurting inside, she pulled Smriti’s hand. “Come let’s leave Smriti, it’s getting dark.” “No, wait! Just stand there.” Smriti pulled out her mobile phone and clicked a few snaps. Ishiqa gave her an irritated look, “Are you coming or shall I leave on my own?” “Hey wait,” she came scuffling behind her, throwing her phone back into her bag. When they reached the reception, somebody came up to her, and asked “Ma’m, are you Miss Ishiqa? Somebody left this envelope for you.” Surprised, she took it from the girl’s hands with fingers that felt like rubber. “Me? Are you sure?” “Absolutely,” the girl smiled and handed over the letter. “Read! Read fast!” Smriti tapped her shoulder zealously. Ishiqa opened the envelope and took out the note from inside, “Thank you for coming. Now I take the pleasure of inviting you to the ‘Serene Fountains’, behind the ‘Rose Hotel’. Please come alone. Just cannot wait to see you,” and again it ended with a smiley. Smriti clapped her hands with joy, “You are so lucky, Ishq! I wish somebody would do this for me! Go now, go fast!” “Are you out of your mind, Smriti? I do not even know who this person is and why he is playing the ‘mystery man’! I cannot go alone and you know it is getting dark.” Smriti pondered over the situation for some time and answered brightly, “Not to worry, I will come with you and wait outside, where I cannot be seen, and when the mystery unveils, if all is not well, I will raise an alarm. Else I will just pick up the ‘leave’ signal. Anyway, I am sure it is Ved, and why you don’t think so is beyond me.” Ishiqa and she hailed a cab and proceeded to the venue. “What if you are not able to see me, Smriti?” Smriti squeezed her hand tightly. “Ishiqa, I will be close by from where I can see you as well as hear you. Come now, stop frowning and smile.” When they reached the Serene Fountains,  they bravely walked in the calm of the night towards the fountain which was twinkling with lights and gurgling with sounds of the water as it hit the gravel and slid down into the pond. While on most days the place was crowded, today it was deserted.“I think we are making a mistake Smriti, let us go back,” Ishiqa said with misgivings. “Don’t be silly! Trust me! You go ahead, I will wait here behind these bushes. Come on, start walking.” Smriti propelled Ishiqa towards the short staircase and moved back. She hid behind some bushes, ready to leave if Ved showed up. It was a huge place with the fountain in the middle of a pond and a pathway connecting the two ends, leading to a few tables on the other side. Swallowing nervously, Ishiqa went up the few steps and gasped aloud. The wind blowing sensuously tickled her bare skin and the fragrant candles lining the pathway  took her breath away. A little further, she was greeted by a whole pathway lined with myriad coloured petals, strewn artfully; they seemed to be smiling up at her. She stood frozen in fear. There was no movement around her but for the leaves rustling slightly, and the flicker of the candles which stood boldly as their wicks fought the gentle breeze. A heavy curtain of silence greeted her, except for the gurgling sounds of the water. Stray crickets called out to each other in the night, adding to her sense of loneliness. She walked further and was greeted by a teddy bear holding a heart. There was a note pinned to it, “Please hug me. I am so lonely without you.” The teddy was so cute that for a minute she forgot her apprehensions and hugged it. She walked further, guessing this was what was expected of her, and stopped when she saw bright red roses patterned in the shape, ‘I LOVE YOU’. Confused, she looked around, but still there was no sign of anybody or anything.Â