Delhi – Srivastava Corporation

Prateek Srivastava, the young and famous businessman of Delhi, sat in his office, glaring at his assistant with furious eyes. His assistant, head lowered, was trying his best to avoid his wrath.

Slamming a hand on the table, Prateek stood up angrily and yelled, “It’s been six months! Six months since Shravya went missing, and you people still haven’t found her! Where the hell did she go that none of you can track her down?”

The assistant stammered, “S-Sir, our team is doing everything possible to find Shravya Ma’am. We will locate her soon.”

Prateek shouted again, his voice laced with frustration, “Soon? How much longer? How much time do you all need?”

Just as he was about to continue, the cabin door swung open, and a beautiful and elegant woman walked in. The assistant immediately recognized her—she was Manvi Shergill, his boss’s girlfriend. Like Prateek, she also managed her father’s business. The two were business partners and soon to be life partners, yet the very reason they were together was now missing.

Understanding Prateek’s unspoken signal, the assistant quietly exited the room.

Seeing Manvi, a small smile appeared on Prateek’s otherwise tense face. She walked up to him with innocent hesitation, as always unable to take the first step. Prateek waited for her to embrace him, but when she didn’t, his patience ran out. He pulled her into his arms, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Manvi gently ran her fingers through his hair. “Calm down, Prateek. If you break down like this, who will find Shravya?”

Prateek, tears slipping down his face, whispered, “I couldn’t keep my promise. I once told her I’d always protect her, but I failed. You know how important she is to me. Not a single day has passed without talking to her, and now… now it’s been six months.”

Manvi pulled away slightly, making him sit and handing him a glass of water. “Calm down, Prateek, or else when Shravya comes back, I’ll tell her you were crying. Then just imagine how she’ll tease you for the rest of your life.”

Prateek looked at Manvi with desperate eyes. “Do you really think she’ll come back?”

Manvi held his gaze firmly. “Yes, Prateek. She will.”

Once again, Prateek pulled her into a tight embrace.

In her heart, Manvi silently pleaded, Shravya, where are you? Please come back. Your idiot best friend has completely fallen apart without you.

---

Maheshwari House

Raghav Maheshwari sat on the couch, his face buried in his hands. Next to him, his girlfriend, Radhika Mehta, tried to console him.

“Raghav, I don’t understand. Where could Shravya have gone? I feel so helpless.”

Radhika sighed. “Worrying like this won’t help. Did you talk to Prateek? Did they find any clue? And what about Mona? She was also using her contacts, right?”

Raghav, looking utterly dejected, replied, “No, neither Prateek nor Manvi has found anything. Mona said Prateek was crying. Just think, Radhika, her disappearance has shattered our entire group.”

Suddenly, his frustration flared. “This is all because of that Chhamiya! I’m sure she has something to do with Shravya’s disappearance!”

Radhika raised an eyebrow. “Chhamiya? Seriously, Raghav?”

Raghav chuckled despite his anger. “Yeah, you know I never liked him. He dances like a full-on street performer.”

Radhika groaned, shaking her head at his antics.

---

Union Public Service Commission, Head Office

Seated in the head chair of Public Service, Deepesh Yadav sighed in frustration. Across from him sat Ashish Kashyap, Shravya’s father.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Kashyap,” Deepesh said grimly. “Our team has been unable to find Shravya. And… I hate to say this, but we don’t believe we ever will. We think she fell into the hands of criminals and…” He trailed off, unable to voice the grim possibility.

Taking a deep breath, he continued, “I know it’s hard to accept, but I believe this is the truth. If Shravya were alive, she would have completed her mission by now. I deeply regret this, Mr. Kashyap. She was a brave and talented officer. She always did her duty with utmost honesty. Soon, we will announce her as a martyr to the media.”

Ashish Kashyap sat in silence, head bowed. Without uttering a word, he stood up and walked out of the office.

As soon as he stepped outside, tears streamed down his face. He whispered to himself, “Forgive me, my child. Your father failed you. Please, come back, my love. Papa loves you… please come back.”

After a few moments of silent grief, he left for home.

---

Collector’s Office

Outside a cabin, a nameplate read Prem Thakur, Collector. Inside, a man sat alone, staring at a picture of a beautiful young woman on his phone. His expression was unreadable.

Speaking to himself, he muttered, “Where did you suddenly disappear, Shravya? Something is wrong. There’s a missing piece in your case, something we’ve overlooked.”

A small, bitter smile tugged at his lips. “Why are you so stubborn? You always have to do things your way. I apologized to you, didn’t I? But no, you had to humiliate me in front of the entire class.”

His eyes darkened. “You ignore me as if I don’t matter to you, but deep down, we both know the truth—I was always your first choice.”

His fingers tightened around the phone as he whispered, “And I know exactly who’s behind your disappearance. The underworld’s SB… he’s responsible. Don’t worry, Shravya. I will find you. And I will make sure SB rots in jail.”

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To Be Continued…

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