18. Parents are worried about Shermi

CHAPTER 18

Parents are worried about Shermi

Everyone was busy. 20 to 25 guests have already arrived. On one side the cooking was going on. On the other side men were serving food to the guests.

Madhavi approached her husband. “It is already 3:30pm. Shermi has not yet arrived. Just call her on your phone.”

Chandru took his mobile. “Yes. I will phone. The car went at 3pm itself.”

He tried to contact Shermi but it was switched off. He was shocked.

Looking at Chandru’s shocked face, Madhavi asked, “What happened? Is she not receiving your call?”

“No. her cell is switched off.”

Madhavi tried to call Shermi. She too got the same response. She was shocked.

“What has happened to her? Really, she is becoming a great headache to us.”

Chandru said, “Maybe her exam is not yet over. That’s why she must have switched off her cell. Let us try after some time.”

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                   In the forest, among the bushes, Naik was talking on his cell and giving instructions to his me. They were all waiting for the shooter.

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                   A car came and stopped in front of Shermi’s house. Driver looked at the front door of the house. It was locked. He lights a cigarette and waited.

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Meanwhile at the temple, Madhavi and Chandru were waiting for Shermi to arrive. There was no sign of her. It was already 4pm.

Madhavi tried to call Shermi on her cell. The cell was switched off. “She has switched off her cell. I wonder why? The exam must be over by now.”

Chandru said, “Maybe the charge is over. Let us try the landline. Maybe she is in the house.”

Madhavi tried the landline number. It kept ringing. Nobody picked up the phone.

“Looks like she has not reached home.”

Chandru took the cell and tried. No use.

Madhavi said, “Do one thing. You go home. If she is not there, then you go to her computer institute and bring her.”

Chandru agreed. “You don’t worry. I will bring her.”

He climbed his motorbike and left.

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Shermi was waiting with the two suitcases in the railway station. She was waiting for Avinash to arrive. One train passes by.