11 Hours

by Daniel Paul Singh

  For once, I wished Diana had fainted. For once, I wished she had broken her leg and was admitted in the company’s nursing room. For once, I wished it all to be one huge prank of hers. For once I wished it was some insanely unique anniversary surprise planned by her. For once I wished that the friend of hers with whom she had dinner was someone that could be trusted. I simply wished that she was just around.

  After ten minutes, they all returned disappointed and concerned. I didn’t know what to respond to them, but thanked them for the help, anyways. I took her bag and walked towards the entrance thoroughly dejected.

  “Do you want any help, Sir?” Thomas asked me as he came to open the door for me.

  “No, I’m fine Thomas. Thank you.” I replied slowly. After all, what else could he do?

  “If you feel it is appropriate, we can register a police complaint. She has been missing for 4 hours now.” someone from the crowd said.

  It was definitely a valid suggestion. So much could happen in four hours. I gazed at the person who suggested this.

  “Do you know anyone in the police department?”

  “Yeah, but it is not possible right now. We will have to wait and lodge an FIR in morning.” he continued.

  I wasn’t sure if I could wait that long. I was worried about what could happen to her by then. I wasn’t even sure if she had had her dinner. She could never endure hunger. Just then, Harsha’s words rung in my ears again, “She went with some other friend!” Who was this some other friend, why didn’t she inform me of that. There were so many thoughts running in my mind. I trusted Diana with all my heart. Diana eloping with someone would not happen even in the wildest of my dreams. If she had not willingly gone with him, she should have been definitely forced to go along with him. What could have forced her? I thought hard, but couldn’t get a clear picture in my mind.

  A picture, a recording, CCTV recording! It struck me suddenly. I whizzed around with a new sense of hope and asked Thomas excitedly, “Can I get the CCTV recording of the people leaving or entering your cafeteria?”

  “Yes, but that’s with the security team. Tanvir, please take him there.” Thomas ordered the rugged guy in shorts. We both headed to the Security Surveillance Room in the second floor.

  The security in there was half asleep. As we entered the room, he suddenly woke up and sat upright, shocked as though someone poured hot water on his face.

  “Prohibited area, Sir! Get out!” he ordered. I was in no mood to talk to him.

  Tanvir explained my situation to him. The security guard then agreed and kept insisting on Tanvir dropping a mail later as protocol. Tanvir nodded in agreement.

  We started to check all the recordings of the cafeteria since 7.45 PM. We played it first in fast forward mode, then slow motion, but nowhere could we find Diana or her stranger friend.

  “Why is this so? Where could they be?” I questioned Tanvir.

  He replied with an expression of ‘How would I know’. I turned towards the security guard.

  “This is just the recording of Galarena’s pantry area.” he said.

  “I asked for the Ascendas cafeteria’s recording.” I insisted thoroughly annoyed. “That’s what Harsha said right?” I asked Tanveer. He nodded in agreement.

  “We don’t have it, Sir.” he shook his head.

  “But, why?”

  “That is a public area. It belongs to Ascendas management. We don’t have any control over that. I work for Galarena” he explained it all.

  “Is there a camera over there? In the cafeteria?” I was pissed off.

  “Yes, there is. But we don’t have access to it. Only the building admin has.”

  “Who the heck is that? Call him.” I ordered impatiently.

  Tanvir was constantly looking at his watch, and so not to trouble him further, I asked him to leave. The security dialed up the building admin and put the phone on speaker. I explained my need to him but he started talking rules much to my frustration.

  “Sir, this is not a public property. I can’t show these videos to random individuals. If you want to view it, get me a written permission from my manager, or get an approval mail from him. By the way, do you work in Ascendas?”

  He was asking way too many questions at such a crucial time. Without much choice, I looked at the security guard and sighed. He gave me his system and I wrote a mail to the building admin’s boss.

  I wasn’t sure if his boss would even check the mail, but waited for his reply with bated breath, as the system showed him to be online. People at times tend to forget that the processes exist to help people. I lost my patience after few minutes and rushed towards the building admin’s room, guided by the security.

  I reached and knocked on his door. He opened after a few seconds. I barged in and explained my situation to him without allowing him to talk much. He was again talking rules, and then, I waved a 500 rupees note on his face. Wherever rules talked, money talked better.

  Within seconds I got access to all videos. The security guard asked me to swear on my long dead grandma, that I would never ever tell about this incident to anyone, anywhere, anytime. I obliged. I started viewing all the videos, one by one, and in one particular video, I saw her. It was indeed Diana, in the same churidar she wore that day and there was an unknown guy beside her.

  I asked the admin to zoom in on him. He was dark, had a short hair, and wore specs. It was a familiar face. I had seen him somewhere before, but couldn’t remember where. I took a snap of him in my mobile. They both maintained a considerable distance, and Diana’s face was pale. She definitely wasn’t comfortable with him. Was she kidnapped? If yes, then what for, and why? The thought of her missing was hard enough to accept, she being kidnapped was nearly improbable to digest. Who was that guy so familiar, yet so unfamiliar. I had several doubts in my mind.

  I thanked the admin and came out. I stood in the middle of the cafeteria not knowing what to do next, and what fate had in store for me. I wanted to call and inform my parents, but decided against it as it was late into the night. Prabhu would be awake by then, but I was skeptical if I could call him not knowing what I am up to. I wanted to drink some water and went near the water filter, when I heard a beep sound from my mobile. I looked at it. It was a message from an unknown number.

  “Find Brindha.” were the only words that text read. “Crap”, I uttered and continued drinking water. As I took in a few gulps of water, I looked at the message again.

  I would have ignored it as a random wrong number on any other night, but that night, it was different. It was a day of disappointments and surprises. I couldn’t dismiss my thoughts to know who it was. I finished the last sip of water and decided to make a call. I dialed that number.

  “Naan raja, Naan raja, eppodhum naan raja (I am king, I am king, I will always be king) I heard the ring tone of this Tamil song as someone picked up the phone.

  “Hello.” I uttered and waited in anticipation.

  ₪ ₪ ₪

  Chapter 8

  Every Family Has a Fight September 27, 2014

  “Hello, mom! Wait. Don’t panic! Just tell me what happened. I am not in Trichy, alright? I am in Chennai and am shopping. I told you in the morning, didn’t I?”

  I couldn’t understand the reason behind my mom’s anxiety and continued talking to her in a composed manner trying to console her.

  “I know all that. Just catch the next available auto or cab, get back home and make yourself safe. There is a riot breaking out in Chennai.”

  “Why?”

  “Because the Chief Minister has been arrested and is in Bengaluru jail now. I told you not to go for shopping today, didn’t I?” My mom was breathless as she bombarded me with all the news.

  I stood near the bus stop shocked. The happy shopping had turned into a ‘survival for life’ experience within a few minutes. At a far distance, I could see shops being closed. Hooligans pelted stones and started attacking a few stores that were still open.

  Diana got a call
from her dad asking all of us to leave immediately. A bus near their area in Ambattur had been burnt. Chaos presumed. Busy roads and buses were being abandoned, as people began to rush home for safety. There was a sense of urgency and panic in everyone’s face. I had to react instantly to escape from the impending danger. I booked a cab for Diana and her mom, and one brave driver accepted the request.

  Diana’s mom insisted that I accompany them to her place as it was close by and I hadn’t got a cab yet. But I declined as I was skeptical of staying at their home before marriage. Finally, they left hesitantly as they were unable to convince me as much as they tried.

  Meanwhile, I kept getting zillion Whatsapp messages and calls detailing the atrocities happening around the city and urging me to return home safely.

  Finally, I caught an auto that was heading towards Thiruvanmiyur.

  “How much, Anna?” I asked him.

  “Four hundred.” he demanded. I was ready to pay even 4000 for this thrilling ride!

  I got in without a question. As we were en route to my place, I started talking to him to understand the riot situation unfolding in the state.

  “They broke the glasses of several autos, stoned several shops and forced them to shut down. The city will be in a mess today and tomorrow. Be safe, young man! Don’t roam around carelessly.” he insisted. The young man in me wanted to be rebellious and wander around all evening.

  When I reached Thiruvanmiyur RTO, there wasn’t even a single tea shop open. I did not have any food stocked at home either. Diana insisted that I buy dinner before I reached home as all shops were expected to be closed that evening. Clueless about how I would manage dinner, I reluctantly reached my room convinced that I had no choice, but fast for the night.

  The dreary seemed to drag along at snail’s pace. I wondered why time behaved in a relative manner. Whenever I wanted it to go slow, it went at a rapid pace, and when I wanted it to rush through and bring me the next day, it refused to budge an inch and kept enjoying my trauma. It was well past my dinner time and my stomach growled with hunger. It looked as if my small intestine would gobble up my large intestine if I did not cater to it soon.

  With hunger displaying its supremacy so imminently, I decided to seek refuge in social media to see if I could figure some way out.

  “I haven’t had anything for dinner. Too hungry! God, help me please!” I posted on Facebook.

  Within minutes, I got a response with the address of an All-Night Hotel which was catering to helpless victims like me that evening. I put Diana’s anxiety to rest when I informed her that my dinner was taken care of.

  Only after I had dinner that night could Diana finally get some sleep. That’s when I realized I had found a girl, who was as caring and loving as my mom. Not just my wedding, but even my wedding shopping in itself, had ended up being a story worth narrating to my grandchildren!

  Time flew in a jiffy. Diana and I were married on the 1st of November in our hometown. Our marriage happened in the same hall where my parents’ wedding had taken place several years ago. Prabhu was my best man and stood beside me through the entire proceedings. Diana and I had to stand and pose for all those photos wearing that fake smile throughout. The never-ending crowd made it impossible for me to satiate my hunger. The dining hall seemed very inviting as the appetizing aroma of delicious food spread to the main hall. I longingly looked at the delicious food on display when my office gang came on to the stage.

  “The wife on one side and the keep on the other, enjoy Robin.” one of them pulled my leg.

  “Oh, come on! Not now.” I signaled them to keep quiet.

  “You know, Prabhu was quite upset all along the journey, like he has lost the love of his life.” they continued.

  “It is because he wouldn’t have my company for weekend movies anymore.” I argued.

  “Come on now, seriously, aren’t you both a gay couple?” one of them giggled and Diana immediately gave me a warning glare. I shook my head desperately.

  “That’s enough, your photo is done, just get down from the stage, NOW!” I said with a serious face.

  “Just kidding, Rob! Diana, these two are best friends who always roam together, gossip together and will do anything for each other. Rob is indeed lucky to have a friend like Prabhu. I am sure that you will get jealous of their friendship.” one of them said as they left the stage.

  “Friends… Never mind…” I gave a sheepish smile as I looked at Diana helplessly. She nodded and sighed, but shot a deadly glare at Prabhu.

  After all the proceedings of the wedding, we returned to our home in Trichy. Despite being tired and worn out, I was still excited about the approaching night. Our relatives accompanied us to our home uninvited, and by the time everyone left, it was 9.30 PM.

  Unlike what they show in the movies, Diana retired for the day and went into our room early. I was talking to my mom in the kitchen. She gave me two glasses of milk and asked me to take it in. I never expected this role reversal. I was nervous as I entered our room and bolted the door. Diana was equally anxious and was waiting for me.

  I placed the milk glasses on the table and sat next to her on the bed. Surprisingly, she was quite comfortable.

  “It was a long day…” I started.

  “I know.” she nodded.

  “You know, I had been imagining this night for, Darn!”

  As I spoke, I got a call on my mobile.

  “Who the hell is calling at this odd hour!?” I muttered as I went to check my mobile that was on the table. It was Prabhu who was calling. “Why him? Why now!” I thought, but ignored the call and returned to the bed, to Diana.

  “I had been waiting for this night, Darn…” the phone rang again. It was Prabhu again.

  “What now!” I thought and picked the call. I put him on the speaker.

  “Is everything alright, Prabhu? You got your train back to Chennai? Any issues with the hotel?” I asked a flurry of questions nervously. I heard many giggles at the other end. I realized that it was a prank call from my office gang.

  “I will never forgive you guys for this!”

  “Hey Robin! It was Prabhu who gave us the phone and wanted us to call.”

  “Prabhu, mark my words! I will barge into your room on your first night.”

  “That you can do, but what are you doing now, Rob? Everything alright? Any doubts?” I couldn’t recognize the voice.

  “I have done a Ph. D. on this already through video-based learning. Now cut the call right now!” I said grinding my teeth.

  “Oooohhhh!” they screamed.

  “That’s enough.” I said and was about to cut the call.

  “All the best” they all screamed from the other end.

  I gave a sigh of relief and went back to the bed.

  “Friends…” I gave the dumbest smile.

  “I heard” Diana responded bluntly.

  “Where were we?”

  “You had been waiting for this night for long.” she reminded.

  “Yes, I had been…” I continued when she interrupted.

  “Rob, I have my periods. We won’t be able to do anything today. I am so sorry.” she said.

  “What in the world? Really? Shit man! Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “I should have, I am sorry.”

  “So, we can’t do anything now?”

  “Nope, I am sorry.”

  “Will it be over before we go for our honeymoon?” I was worried.

  “Yes, honey!”

  “And for today?”

  “Tell me a story.” Diana said as she lied down on the bed.

  “Story?! Well, there was a lucky guy called Robin, and he… well, he… He never thought that he will have this kind of a first night…” Needless to say, I was heartbroken.

  After our honeymoon, we shifted to a 1-BHK apartment in Thoraipakkam. As Diana was not comfortable with cooking, I started making sandwiches. They turned out to be really good. She got addicted to them. I cooked breakfast; she cooked
dinner. We had lunch at office. Things went quite smooth.

  One fine evening, Diana held her stomach and sat in a corner. “What happened, baby?” I asked.

  “The usual… Can you please get me a sanitary napkin?” She asked

  me in a pleading tone. I would have got the world for her to relieve her pain. This was nothing, or so I thought. I went to the medical shop nearby. I wasn’t sure which brand I should get and was looking all around when the shopkeeper asked what I wanted.

  “That.” I said, pointing my finger and feeling embarrassed to name it. “Which one of those?” he chuckled.

  “Anything that lasts long.” I said. A lady standing next to me giggled. I ignored her, thoroughly feeling uneasy by now.

  “Stayfree all night, then!” he said and took one from the shelf, rolled it in a newspaper, put it in a black carry bag and handed it to me. I was amused at the amount of packing that was done to ‘hide’ it. Possibly, most people would by now know what is inside if they see a ‘black carry bag’ with a little package!

  Anyways, I felt relieved. I didn’t feel that uncomfortable even while buying a condom!

  But I couldn’t forget that sarcastic giggle of that lady. Being a guy, I was embarrassed to ask openly to another guy, how hard it should be for the women to buy sanitary napkins from men in shops. From that day, I vowed to buy the napkins all by myself.

  Time flew in a jiffy. My dad retired and my parents came to Chennai to live with us. We moved to a 3-BHK apartment. Before we realized, 7 months had passed since we got married.

  One day, my mom called me for a serious conversation.

  “Yes, Mom!” I said.

  “We should go to the doctor for a check-up for you and her. It has been seven months since your marriage, and there is no sign of her getting pregnant yet.”

  “Mom, we haven’t done anything significant yet.” I bit my tongue just realizing what I had uttered.

  “Haven’t done anything? What do you mean? What were you doing all these days?” My mom was genuinely worried.

  “Moooommmmm! Come on.” I gave a reaction which meant, ‘Please don’t ask such personal questions. It is embarrassing.’