“Any reason she might have left on her own?”
“I don’t know.”
“Stay on the line.”
Abhinav heard movement. Another phone lifted. Instructions given. Names. Locations. Orders. Swift. Precise.
Rajveer returned. “I have spoken to the police commissioner. Search teams are being deployed across the city and all exit routes. My people would reach out to locals. Shopkeepers, drivers, temples.”
Relief came sharp.
“I will alert hospitals as well,” Rajveer continued, tone neutral. “Standard procedure.”
Abhinav’s grip tightened around his phone.
“I will connect you to the commissioner in fifteen minutes. Do you have a recent photo?”
“Yes.” He opened his gallery, placing the call on speaker.
“Send it now. To this number.”
A contact appeared on his screen. He forwarded Meera’s photos.
“My team will circulate it.” A pause. Softer now. “Abhinav… we will find her.”
The call ended.
Silence returned.
Abhinav stood there, phone in hand. His eyes rested on the stone wall that would not open. On Meera’s father, who stood with folded hands.
And for the first time, the thought settled fully.
His Meera had disappeared.
Chapter 30
Abhinav paced.
Ten steps east. Turn. Ten steps west. Turn.
His shoes struck the stone in sharp, controlled beats. His phone stayed in his hand.
Call. Answer. Disconnect. Repeat.
“Updates on the city center search?”
“Nothing yet, sir.”
“The temple district?”
“Teams are checking every lane.”
“The bus station?”
“Covered.”
Each answer tightened the invisible wire pulling at his chest.
