Chapter 20

Lakshmi decided to rent the small house and paid the advance with the money she had earned. The sense of independence she felt, despite the challenges, gave her a small sense of peace. Meena, took her to the market to buy some essentials—things like a mat, pillow, bucket, cooking utensils, and other necessities. Lakshmi paid for everything, and together with Rashi's help, they carried the items to her new home.

The house was modest, just a single room with a bathroom. The kitchen wasn't a separate room, but partitioned off by a small wall. After they cleaned the house, they arranged the things they had bought, turning the bare space into something more comfortable.

Lakshmi then boiled some milk, placing the glass in front of the small photo of God they had bought, and lit a diya. The soft glow from the flame filled the room with warmth and hope. Once everything was set, the three of them sat on the mat, each with a glass of milk.

Lakshmi looked at Meena with determination in her eyes. "Akka, can you help me find a job? I need to save as much as I can before my delivery."

Meena looked at her with a mix of pity and understanding. "Lakshmi, usually it's important to rest at this stage of pregnancy, but I understand your situation," she said softly. "I'll ask around and see if I can find something for you. What do you know?"

Lakshmi's face lit up with a spark of excitement. "I cook really well. I used to help my mother with catering work in our village."

Meena smiled at her enthusiasm, touched by Lakshmi's resilience. "Alright, I'll find you something. Don't worry," she reassured her. "But for now, come with me. Let's get some food."

Meena pulled her gently to her feet and led her to her home, where they could enjoy a meal together.

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A few days passed, and Vikram had completed his work in China. He was eager to return to his city and was desperate to see Lakshmi. His heart raced as he approached his mansion. As soon as he entered, he looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but she was nowhere to be found. He then walked towards the kitchen, hoping she might be there, but instead, he found Latha cooking lunch. His face fell, realizing Lakshmi was absent.

Vikram turned to Latha and said, "Aunty, could you send coffee to my room?"

Latha turned in surprise at the sound of his voice. "Vikram, when did you come back?"

"Just now, Aunty," he replied, his eyes scanning the area, searching for Lakshmi.

"Okay, dear. You go freshen up, and I'll send it over," she said kindly.

Vikram nodded, walking toward his room, still hoping that Lakshmi would bring the coffee. Once inside, he sat on the bed, anxiously waiting. After a few minutes, there was a knock at the door. His heart skipped a beat, thinking it would be Lakshmi, but to his disappointment, it was a middle-aged woman standing there with a coffee mug in her hand. His heart began to race again as he wondered where Lakshmi could be.

He took the coffee mug from the woman, placed it on the table, and left his room in a hurry, searching the entire mansion. With every step he took, his anxiety grew. He checked the staff's quarters, but the door to Lakshmi's room was locked. He stood there, leaning against the door, consumed by worry, before moving to the kitchen to ask Latha about Lakshmi.

When Latha was setting the table, Vikram walked toward her and asked urgently, "Aunty, where is Lakshmi?"

Latha was taken aback by the question, surprised by his sudden concern. "She... she stopped working here," she said softly.

The words hit Vikram like a bolt of thunder. He stood frozen, unable to comprehend why she was no longer there. His thoughts raced, and then it hit him. With growing urgency, he began walking toward Rekha's room.

He stood in front of her door, his hand pounding on it impatiently. Startled by the noise, Rekha opened the door. She froze in shock when she saw an angry Vikram standing there.

He stepped forward toward her, but as he did, Vikram noticed Rekha take a step back. He paused, his voice tense as he demanded, "Where is Lakshmi?"

Rekha, who had anticipated this question, was ready with her fabricated story. "Who, that maid?" she replied carelessly, feigning indifference. "Why are you asking about her? She doesn't work here anymore."

"That's exactly what I'm asking," Vikram snapped, his voice rising. "Why isn't she here?"

Rekha smirked, her tone dripping with disdain. "You know what that bi*ch did? She eloped with that driver, Raghu. Ugh, I've never seen such a shameless girl in my life."

Vikram's eyes narrowed. He knew Rekha was behind Lakshmi's sudden disappearance. "I don't believe you," he said firmly. "I know her. Do you think she's like you? She's a gem. Tell me where she is, or I won't hesitate to—"

But Rekha, calm and composed, cut him off. "Vikram, stop it. Why do you care so much about her? Do you realize what will happen if your father finds out? He won't hesitate to destroy her. And if you don't believe me, ask the other servants. They'll tell you how Raghu resigned out of the blue and how that bi*ch left that very night to join him."

"No!" Vikram shouted, his voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "I know her. She would never do something like that, not even in her dreams. You're lying!"

Tears welled up in his eyes as Rekha's cruel words echoed in his mind. He knew Lakshmi too well—her kindness, her integrity, and the love she had for him. Wiping his tears, he stormed out of the room, his heart heavy with grief and frustration.

Back in his room, Vikram collapsed onto his bed, his body shaking with sobs. After a few minutes, he pulled out his phone and called Adharv. He poured out everything—Rekha's accusations, Lakshmi's disappearance, and his growing despair.

Adharv was stunned. "Don't worry, Viki," he said, trying to console him. "We'll find her. If she truly loves you, she'll come back to you, no matter what threats she's facing. Just stay calm."

Vikram ended the call, his mind racing. Suddenly, he remembered Lakshmi's aunt, Savitri. He hadn't seen her since his return. Determined, he rushed to the kitchen and found Latha.

"Where is Savitri aunty?" he asked urgently.

Latha hesitated before replying, "After Lakshmi disappeared, Savitri felt ashamed and left her job. She moved away from the city."

"Do you have her address or phone number?" Vikram asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.

Latha shook her head. "No, she didn't leave an address. But here's her phone number." She handed him an old button phone with the number displayed.

Vikram quickly dialed the number, but his heart sank when he heard the automated message: "The number you have dialed is no longer in service."

Defeated, Vikram slumped against the wall, his mind spiraling with worry. Where could Lakshmi be? She had no one to turn to, no place to go. The thought of her alone in this cruel world, vulnerable and unprotected, haunted him. Was she safe? Had something happened to her?

Driven by desperation, Vikram left the house, determined to find her. But where would he even begin? The city was vast, and Lakshmi had vanished without a trace. Every passing moment without her felt like an eternity, and the weight of his helplessness pressed heavily on his shoulders.

After Lakshmi left the house, Rekha spread a false story, claiming that she had eloped with Raghu. She also called Savitri, humiliated her, and offered her money to leave the city. Rekha thought that if Savitri stayed in the house, Lakshmi might contact Vikram through her. So, she devised a plan to erase every trace that could link Lakshmi to this house and Vikram. She succeeded in making sure that no one would be able to find Lakshmi, or even suspect her whereabouts.

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Meanwhile, Meena helped Lakshmi find a job as a cook in a new house. Lakshmi felt relieved and happy to have the opportunity to earn some money and start saving for her delivery. Meena also teaching Lakshmi how to stitch clothes. Since Lakshmi was pregnant, Meena didn't allow her to sit at the sewing machine but taught her how to measure and cut fabric. Lakshmi took to tailoring quickly and looked forward to the day she could sit at the machine herself.

During this time, Rashi also became more attached to Lakshmi. The two of them shared a close bond, almost like sisters. Though Lakshmi's days were filled with work and companionship, her nights were haunted by thoughts of Vikram. She never slept without crying, missing him more than words could express. Each night, the pain of his betrayal gnawed at her. As she was alone, Meena and Rashi kept her company every night, comforting her in her loneliness.

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On the other hand, Vikram had become a man consumed by his search for Lakshmi. He combed every street of the city, even visiting her village in the hope of finding any trace of her, but all his efforts proved fruitless. His obsession with finding her took a toll on everything else in his life. He stopped caring about the business, leaving Adharv to manage it. The company began to run, but Vikram's heart was no longer in it.

Vikram moved out of the mansion and rented an apartment, rejecting his father's pleas and even threats to stay. He simply couldn't bear to remain in the house without her. Days passed, and the pain of her absence grew unbearable. In his desperation, he turned to alcohol, using it to drown his sorrow. Adharv, seeing his friend spiraling out of control, grew increasingly worried. Vikram was slipping away, and Adharv feared it was only a matter of time before the darkness consumed him completely.

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