Chapter 1
Today was a Wednesday like any other… Aside from the fact that my aunt went missing in the middle of the afternoon, nothing untowardly happened!
The entire house was in a flurry… Father was hysterical. His sister tended to give him a few sleepless nights now and then due to her extra-ordinary, vying and impulsive nature but nothing could prepare us for her sudden disappearance.
"Aasiya dear, would you please be kind enough to fetch me some water? I think it would do me good. "
"I shall bring it to you right away father"
They say there is a first time for everything but seeing father in his present condition was most definitely unnerving.
Mother what with her calming nature, had only words of reassurance and a determined spirit that strengthened father's nerves to a great degree.
Noah my brother was in all probability halfway through town gathering intelligence on my aunt's situation.
Grandpa was in deep meditation almost from the moment he found out and none of us knew what was running through his mind. Thus, our afternoon passed by in this manner.
We had just finished with dinner in a most un-appetizing fashion when the private investigator called on father. He wanted to assure us that the agency was doing their best to find out about my aunt's whereabouts.
"Mother, what have you to say with the situation so far?"
Mother smiled her charming, comforting smile and added…
"In my opinion, it has all happened for the best Aasiya, it is surely an assessment to see if we are going to submit to the situation that surrounds us, or are we going to bolster ourselves and do what we can so we have a command over the situation and not the other way round."
I quickly slipped out of the breakfast room as I saw one of the servants' making hand motions in my direction.
"What is it Haya?"
"An express has just arrived for you Ma'am"
She said this with much trepidation so I took it without another word. The express read thus:
"Had a word with a young man who believes he has seen aunt in ton. Want you here as soon as can be arranged" – Noah
This was exactly the build up that we were all waiting for and I could not wait to inform father.
"Haya, is father finished with the detective?"
"Yes Ma'am, he is in his library"
"Thank you Haya, please attend to mother and grandfather if they need anything"
I quickly ran off to inform father of the present developments and to outline our next plan of action.
"Father, I have just now received an express from Noah and he insists that we might have a lead as to aunts' whereabouts."
"Come here child, are you certain?"
"Yes, and he has called us to ton immediately. I think it best for me to leave in sometime after dawn father. You have to manage the affairs at home and grandfather needs you. I can assure you that we shall not fail to send you an express to acquaint you on our developments."
Father agreed with little persuasion on my part as he was determined to send our footman, Ali with me.
"Very well then, you shall leave by tomorrow I imagine…"
So I set about, getting all my things in order, father kissed me on the forehead while asking me to be careful as would any doting father.
The coach was on hand by half past 6 in the morning so we set out with the full belief that aunt would return home quite soon.