Manik and Sonakshi spent a reasonably good time together before the weekend arrived. Sonakshi founf herself enjoying his company more than ever and Manik couldn't help but fall for her perfect imperfections each second. But they kept quiet, for good. Sonakshi didn't want to lose what they had- it was comfortable,with no labels, just them in their candid selves, with no fears or awkwardness. She loved every second she spent with him. And Manik loved being with her because she was his escape, his heaven in an otherwise stressed world. The news of his father had failed to dwindle away, instead it kept coming back to him, and the only one who managed to keep his mind off that was Sonakshi. And he didn't want to lose that. He loved their relationship- whatever it was- he thought naming it would only disrespect the pure bond they shared, he loved how she understood his passion for the stars, how they held hands and looked at the same stars, at the same sky, and that for Manik, was the most emotionally intimate thing ever, because anyone can look at you, but it is quiet rare to find someone who looks at the same world as you do- and for Manik, Sonakshi was that someone. And for a fact he knew, the feelings were mutual- she didn't say that, she didn't need to, he just knew.

The weekend arrived and the visited the art exhibition together, as they promised to Dev. On entering they greeted Dev as he showed him the way inside. It was dark, gloomy and for some reason it smelled of sewage and rot. Manik whispered to Sonakshi, "It smells even worse than the first time we came here. It's not even monsoon yet!" Sonakshi said, "yes I have no clue why it smells so bad." They then looked at the passing art works and painting in front of them- incomplete yet beautiful. The variety of works in front of them mesmerized them... They were in complete awe of each painting they came across. They finally reached Dev's work, which was in the inner most corner of the building, the smell had gotten worse and stronger by now. All three of them had covered half of their faces as the looked ok. Sonakshi appreciated Dev for her work, she was thoroughly impressed, so was Manik, but envy got the better off him. Sonakshi's eye then fell on another of his works, it was titled 'The secluded entrance' 'why does this sound so familiar, and the painting it looks familiar, like I've been here before.' Curiosity got the better off get and she asked dev, "Mr.Dixit, this, the secluded entrance where's this?" Dev smiled before answering, "This place, from the outside, you see the river, the little gap, and this site-only it was empty earlier, so it might look a bit different, but I think you can relate to the river and that little entrance. It's a painting of this very place, 20 years ago." Sonakshi looked on, as she finally realised- the secluded entrance, it was one of the last notes in Ashok's phone. Which meant, he was hinting to this very place, but Manik and her had come here before- was she missing something. She needed to check, now. She excused herself and said, "Guys I actually remembered I have an important appointment now, I'll catch up with you later. Bye."

She left, not giving Manik or Dev any chance to ask questions. She quickly went to the little green area where Manik and her had found the night vision camera. She looked around, one side there was a part of the abandoned site, and the other part was just ferns and bushes, but it was denser than the thought it was.

She moved to the other end, and shifted what looked like thick plant veils. They revealed an opening. 'So this what we had missed, this little area is not so little after all!' She shifted the veils aside and went into the opening they revealed. The smell started to grow stronger than ever. She realised she was nearing the sewer behind the river, that wasn't visible from where they stood first. She covered her nose in disgust. She noticed a little hole, which was the opening of the sewer. This is where the water from the city is supposed to be diverted from the river, but she noticed that the water was dripping anyway. The smell grew worse, she was finding it difficult to breathe... But she had to see it, she had to confirm her doubts.

And there she felt it...she felt as if Ashok was right there, in front of her. Her questions were answered the moment she saw a shining silver object near the opening of the sewer- 'Ashok uncle's watch!' she told herself as she identified reflecting surface. The sewage wasn't smelling that bad...it was the body, the dead body of Ashok Malhotra lying in the sewer.

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So a Little more of solving the mystery than the romance factor😅 will cover up for sure.