IT WAS PAST four in the afternoon when Priya decided to leave for the police station. She smiled, placing the shopping bags on the table and going through her call log to call home. She had been repeatedly calling Indira to know Aisha's whereabouts and annoying the hell out of her mother, making her snap at Priya for the third time. But what did Priya do? Did she give a heed to her mother's complaints?

Before Priya could say anything, Indira spoke, "Aisha is good. She just ate a banana. She's playing, jumping on the sofa with Bobby." Her mother informed very robotically.

Priya pressed her lips hard not to laugh. "That's good," she turned as Madhu knocked on the door and entered, saying, "You are still here."

Priya shushed her and indicated her phone.

"What about you, Maa?"

"What about me?" Indira asked.

"I hear you panting," Priya said, and Madhu raised her eyebrows in question. There was a sigh at the other end.

"That little girl is full of energy," Indira said with a slight chuckle. "You know one thing... when you were her age, you were also the same. Keeping me hard on my feet, running here and there."

"Maa," Priya whined, slightly embarrassed, "All kids were the same at that age."

"Not you," Indira clipped, "You were equal to a hundred kids' energy. Do you remember when you-"

"Enough," Priya turned away from Madhu to hide her face. "I have a reputation in the office. If anyone hears you, that is going to be damaged," she whispered.

"Fine," Indira laughed, "Take care. I'll-" she's cut off by a scream, and then she shouted, "AISHA!"

"MAA! AISHA?" Priya panicked, hearing Aisha's scream. There was no reply from her mother other than some shuffling. All sorts of thoughts occurred to her. What if Aisha got physically injured? Or worse, like Madhu had said before, what if someone was trying to harm Aisha? With those thoughts, Priya hurriedly picked up her bags and headed to the door.

"Priya?" Madhu asked, confused, and stopped her friend by grabbing her hand. "What happened? Why do you look scared?"

"I... I heard Aisha scream. She's in trouble. I should go."

"Priya," Madhu said gently, "First, calm down. You cannot drive in this state. Think calmly. Aunty is there with Aisha. She will be safe," she said reasonably.

"You are right," Priya clutched her hands, "She will be fine. No one is going to hurt her," she said, more to herself than to Madhu.

"Come. I will drive you home," Madhu offered. Priya gave a grateful smile, as she knew she couldn't drive with her shaking hands.

∞∞∞

Meanwhile, Abhay was sitting in the car somewhere on the national highway, a few hours away from Delhi. Outside, he could hear his bodyguard puking his guts out, and he felt sorry for the man. He shouldn't have risked Tyagi's health or life. But, what choice did he have?

His eyes fixated on the phone screen as he replayed the video again and again. Involuntarily, his hands fisted as he watched the blurred film of the car racing towards his daughter and just in time to be saved by a woman.

Ramesh didn't waste time in searching for Aisha, and he kept him updated. Though, there wasn't any lead for now except for this CCTV footage near the park. When he first saw the video, once more guilt consumed him, and he berated himself angrily. Aisha was almost hit by a car. If a second late, then Aisha... He stopped his thoughts, closing his eyes.

Now was not the time, he said to himself.

As he opened his eyes again, he observed the woman. It was difficult to see her face as it was almost night time. He pondered over various logics, for Aisha missing. If it was a kidnap and they wanted money, then the kidnappers should have contacted by now. But there weren't any demanding calls.

He dialed a number. "Hello, Mr. Sinha," his assistant, Tina, greeted in her sugar-coated voice.

"Did I get any calls?"

"No, Mr. Sinha," she said, "Your meetings are on hold for another two days as you instructed."

"I am not talking about my schedule, Tina," he gritted, irritated by her over-enthusiasm to show off as a perfect assistant, "Any strange calls? To talk to me."

"Calls?" she muttered and sucked in a breath.

"Tina."

She didn't respond immediately. "No... No, Mr. Sinha."

Abhay sighed dejectedly and hung up. Where the hell did the woman take his daughter?

His mobile rang, and he answered quickly. "Ramesh," he asked hopefully.

"Are you okay?" Ramesh asked but then grimaced how stupid he sounded.

"No," his shoulders slumped forward. He ran a hand through his hair, "It's twenty hours since I heard my princess's voice."

"We'll find her soon," Ramesh assured. "See, we found that CCTV footage. Aisha is fine. We just have to find that woman. Then, we'll know. I alerted all the police stations. We are on the right track."

Abhay just listened to him.

"And... we found Jagdish too."

"Did he say anything?"

"Yes. Jagdish... is kind of a scared cat. Quite shaken. He feared his life when he found our Aisha missing. He went into hiding."

"He thinks escaping will save him? Lock him up until I come."

"You think I will let him go away," Ramesh asked sarcastically.

Abhay's lips curled to the side. "Did Riya come to you?"

"No," Ramesh clipped. "I still don't understand how you left Aisha with her. She's opportunistic and always on clouds. She couldn't care for her own. How..." he trailed off.

"It's my fault."

Ramesh sighed. "I am sorry, man. It's not the time to blame anyone. First, we should find this woman."

Abhay agreed.

∞∞∞

Priya stopped at the door, stunned at the scene in front of her. Her mother was chasing after Aisha with unusual energy. This was the first time her mother laughed wholeheartedly and enjoyed herself after her husband – Priya's father – died.

"Aunty!" Aisha exclaimed, noticing Priya, and ran towards her, hugging her legs, "You are back."

Seeing the little munchkin, looking up at her with a goofy grin and fit and fine, Priya relaxed. She knelt to her level and peppered her cheeks with kisses.

Aisha giggled. "I missed you, Aunty."

"Ahaan! Your aunty is back, and you forgot your old granny, right?" Indira asked, faking sadness as she stood next to them.

Priya cocked up an eyebrow.

"No, granny," Aisha held Indira's hand and gave a kiss on her palm. "I like you," she smiled.

Indira chuckled at her gesture and ruffled her hair.

"Granny?" Priya asked, bemused and standing up. Aisha reached her side again and held on to her hand.

"Don't know when you'll marry and give me grandkids. I wonder whether I'll stay alive till then. When this munchkin calls me granny, it gives me a sense of satisfaction."

Priya mentally slapped herself. Ignoring her comment, Priya glared. "And... here I thought something happened to Aisha. Why did you shout on the phone?"

"When?" Indira asked, confused, and then it struck her, "Aisha fell from the couch and screamed. I might have shouted startled."

"Might have? Maa, you gave me a fit."

"This is what happens if you worry so much."

"Maa-"

"Okay, ladies," Madhu said as she entered and placed hands between the mother and daughter. "What are you teaching this kid? Being grown-ups, you both are fighting like kids."

Everyone looked at Aisha, who was looking in between Priya and Indira with an amused curiosity.

"Says the naughty kid out of everyone," Indira said as she held Madhu's ear.

"Aunty..."

"Where have you been all these days?" Indira demanded, making Priya laugh and Madhu give up. "I told you, come often. At least thrice a week. And what did you do? Showing your face a month later. You didn't even come on your uncle's anniversary."

"I am sorry, aunty."

"You should be," Indira left, brushing her hands. "This is what happens when you don't listen to your mother. Remember, who's the boss?"

Priya raised her eyes. "Did you take your medicines, Maa?"

Indira looked like something sour stuck in her throat. "I... I... I was playing with Aisha."

"So? Did Aisha tell you not to take them?" Priya started scolding.

Indira pouted while Madhu laughed. "Now, who's the mother-hen and boss?" Madhu whispered to Indira.

Priya glared at them both. She saw Madhu carrying her things. "Thanks, Madhu," said Priya, taking her bags from Madhu's hand.

"So, this is the little angel who has my friend wrapped around her finger," Madhu smiled, kneeling in front of Aisha and extending her hand. "Hello, Aisha. I am Madhu." Her mouth dropped when Aisha moved back and hid behind Priya.

Priya laughed at her friend. "I told you. She doesn't come to strangers."

"Then, what are you?"

Though it was a joke, Priya's face fell. Yeah, right?

"My angel," Aisha exclaimed, popping from behind with hands-on-hips. The three of them looked amused at her reaction. There was no shyness in her as she came to stand in front of Priya and glared at Madhu.

Laughing, Madhu said, "Okay, my Maa... She's your angel. Happy?"

Aisha stared for some time and then nodded, satisfied. Priya was stoned. Where did that come from? She wondered. "Angel, see what I brought for you," Priya said, and only then, she noticed what Aisha was wearing. A pink, frilly frock that looked old and faded.

"This dress?" Priya muttered.

"It's yours," Indira said, as she plopped down on the couch, tired. She smiled at Aisha, who was going through the bag Priya brought for her, "I didn't get the heart to throw all your childhood clothes. I saved a few as a memory. It helped now in this way."

Priya was out of words. As she looked at Madhu, she saw a longing in her eyes, staring at her mother.

"You like the dress?" Priya asked.

Aisha nodded, smiling.

"Look at her," Indira continued, "Awe... I miss your childhood. Why don't you marry and give me a cute adorable grandbaby like Aisha?" she asked, giving Priya a puppy look.

Priya narrowed her gaze. "Not going to fall for that, Maa," she crossed her hands. Indira gave up and twisted her face.

"Stubborn," Indira muttered loudly.

Priya rolled her eyes while Madhu smiled at the mother-daughter banter.

"Aunty?" Aisha called, tugging on Priya's skirt, "What... Mar... Marriage?"

Madhu and Indira chuckled while Priya was dumbstruck. How does she explain to a five-year-old?

"Why don't you wear the dress and show us?" she diverted the topic.

Aisha bobbed her head and ran inside Priya's bedroom. As Priya looked in her direction, Madhu came next to her and said, "You said she is an angel. Looks like you are her angel."

∞∞∞

"Do we need to come this late?" Madhu asked hesitantly as Priya drove through the gates of the police station. Most of the area looked isolated except for the on-duty officers and a few commoners. Looks like there were people like them with their problems to be solved by justice.

"It's been twenty-four hours since Aisha is with me. Didn't you see how Aisha asked for her Daddy?" she asked, "And... I told you. Not to come."

"How can I leave my only friend alone when she needs me?"

Priya's lips curled up. Though she said it was fine, she was thankful for Madhu being there with her at the moment. If it wasn't for Aisha's persistence, she would have been here in the evening instead of this late night.

Parking the car in a secluded spot near the entrance, she turned to Madhu. "I don't know how long it takes. You can stay in the car if you want."

"Are you mad? Till here, I came. How can I stay in the car?" she hit Priya's head playfully and then continued excitedly, "Though I am a little scared, I am partly excited too. I have never seen a police station from inside, except in movies. I got a chance now. Yikes!"

Priya shook her head. She clutched the door handle and was opening the door when her heart almost dropped to the floor as a car zoomed right next to hers, making a loud crashing sound. She gasped, staring at the car in front of her in slight shock and disbelief. What the hell was this driver doing? Her eyes popped when she peeked through the window at her car side.

"What... the... HELL!" Priya screamed.

"Priya?" From the tone of Madhu's voice, she knew she was scared. Raged, Priya pushed open the door, grazing the other car's back door. She was sure there'd be a scratch. Though, she wasn't too upset as the scratch was nothing compared to the damage that happened to her car. Standing in the narrow space, she knocked on the driver's window. She glanced at her car's fallen side-view mirror and how the driver parked the vehicle leaving a narrow space. She felt like crying. It had been only two days since she picked up her car from the garage.

"Come out this instant!" she knocked again and again on the other car window.

The window rolled down, and she was stunned.

"You again!" a pair of voices, including hers, chorused.

Priya huffed, placing her right hand on her hip, and asked in disbelief. "You got to be kidding me. Don't you have any other work other than tormenting my baby and I?" She couldn't believe it was the same handsome, arrogant jerk again.

The handsome man rolled his eyes irately and opened the door forcefully, making her lean against her car as it almost hit her.

"Watch it!" She yelled.

"Fuck!"

It looked like he realized the way he parked. He turned to the other side and shouted at someone. The other side door opened, and a bulky man––slightly tired and pale––stepped out, looking at Priya.

She picked up her broken side-view mirror off the ground, rounded the car, and reached the man's side with angry strides. Just as she did, the bulky man was being yelled at by his arrogant companion. "What the hell are you looking at, Tyagi? Move aside." She almost laughed, watching this full-grown man being stuck on one side and crawling to the passenger side to get out.

He hopped out and straightened his shirt. Then, he advanced towards the station, walking past Priya.

Her jaw dropped.

What the hell!

"Hey! You!" She swiveled around, throwing her hands up in frustration. Did he stop? Nah!

Priya ran up to him and stopped standing in front of him. Instantly, he stepped back and glared.

"What the fuck is your problem?" He asked.

"Seriously?" She asked in disbelief, then held the mirror up to his face, "Who is going to answer for this?"

He took the mirror and threw it away to her shock, which landed somewhere in the dark. "Look," he ran a palm across his tired face and said, "I am in the middle of something. I can't entertain you now."

"Seriously?" She gave a humorous chuckle. "You think I love this? Man, I have better things to do other than arguing with you."

"Great! Then, go on with those," he snapped and moved to take a step, but Priya sidestepped him.

She narrowed her gaze. "This much arrogance?" She shook her head, saying, "I let you get away once but not this time."

"Excuse me," he tilted his head, "It's my fault the last time too?"

"Was it not?" She asked back, "Aren't you the one who rear-kicked my baby?" For every word, her voice raised an octave, gaining the attention of onlookers.

"Wait!" Tyagi piqued curiously, "You are the reason for that bump in front of the car?"

"Is it important now?" The man asked irately while Priya said, "No. Your driver is the reason."

Both the men were stunned.

"Ah, Miss," Tyagi said, glancing at his companion with a worried look, "He's my boss."

Priya was tongue-tied. She eyed the handsome man in front of her. He's the boss? He was wearing a crumpled white shirt and had dark circles under his eyes. He looked worn-out. She almost felt bad for him until he opened his mouth.

"Tyagi, settle her," the bossman ordered.

As he sidestepped her, she threw her hand out with a sharp gaze. They both faced eye to eye.

Just then, Priya saw a man approach them, anxiously stepping out of a car. As she opened her mouth to speak, she heard the man say. "Good, you are here already," he said to her nemesis while Tyagi greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Ramesh."

The man named, Ramesh nodded. "Why are you standing outside?" he asked and then glanced at Priya.

"Ask her," The arrogant man said, "She's the one creating a ruckus."

"Me?" She was outraged. Her mind was clouded by her anger. "Who's the one who hit my baby twice? You are talking as if I am the one who started all this!"

"Priya," Madhu reached her side, "Stop it, yaar! Everyone is watching us. Let it go."

"No! I will not. This man has to know his mistake," she was adamant.

Tyagi and Ramesh stared wide-eyed at Priya as if she had grown two horns.

"Fucking hell!" The man cursed. He removed his wallet from his back pocket and took a wad of cash. Taking Priya's hand, he stuffed it. "Happy? Isn't this what you want?"

She looked up at his face and fisted the currency in her hands. "You... arrogant... idiot!" She shouted. His eyes almost popped as the words slipped from her mouth.

There were gasps from Ramesh and Tyagi as they had their hands on their mouths.

"Priya!" Madhu tried to stop.

Priya continued. "You don't change. Having money, you think you can buy anything?"

There was smoke flying out his nostrils.

"Woah! Never thought this day would come," Ramesh said, obviously impressed, "What is happening here? Dude?" He asked his friend.

Vaguely, Priya heard someone say, "When did the police station become a family court? Are they dealing with divorcees too?"

"Nowadays, marriage has become a joke. For every little thing, these young ones walk to the police or court."

"Your friend here," Priya replied to Ramesh, "Hit my baby twice."

"Your baby?" Ramesh exclaimed, confused.

"Her car," the arrogant bossman snapped.

"Oh!"

"And I want him to say sorry!" Priya emphasized.

"What the..."

"Sorry?" Tyagi and Ramesh shouted in shock.

"Have you gone mad? Me... Ab-" he's cut off.

"Save it!" Priya said bored, "Whoever you are, I don't care," she whispered.

He raised an eyebrow. "Fine," he said and then turned to Tyagi, "Apologize to her and come inside."

Priya cocked up an eyebrow. He turned to her and gave a sarcastic smile, "See? Now you will get your sorry. Come on, Ramesh."

"You-"

"I don't have time, Miss. The person close to my heart is missing, and you are halting me from-"

Time stilled as Priya placed her left hand on his chest. She stilled, surprised by her act, and looked into his eyes. The same emotion reflected in his dark brown orbs as she felt his heartbeat against her palm.

From her eye's corner, she saw Tyagi step forward, alarmed. She held her other hand, stopping Tyagi. "You stay away from it. It's between him and me." Then, she looked at him and was startled by the ominous expression on his face.

"You know what your problem is?" she asked, lifting her head high, "You think everything can be solved with money. Get in your mind. Not everything can be bought with money, and your frustrations will only increase your problems. See the world without that cynicism. Think with an open mind instead of being clouded by emotions. Then, you'll be able to solve the worries whatever got you worked up."