A/N - Okay so here is the update. This chapter is inspired from a Hollywood Movie (I will reveal the name in the last chapter)
Ofcourse I have altered the plot it is not exactly similar to the film but particularly this chapter may seem somewhat similar if you have watched the movie.
Enjoy the chapter and lastly don't forget to leave a review.
Chapter 2
The smell of Coffee and toast wafted into their room. Shreya inhaled the delicious smell with her eyes still closed. A smile automatically crept on her lips.
Still half asleep she reached to her right side to feel the sheets and the pillow next to her. The bed was empty. Rubbing a hand across her face she finally opened to eyes and saw him making his way towards her with a tray in his hands.
'Evening love' he whispered giving her a gentle kiss.
Shreya's eyes flew open. She sat bolt upright on her bed and looked around the dark room.
'It was a dream! How silly of me!' she exclaimed.
Shreya had barely slept for three - four hours. She glanced at the wall clock. It showed quarter to seven. She jumped out of the bed and threw a leather jacket around herself. It had snowed and the evening was indeed chilly.
Besides the soft padding of her bare feet on the floor the house was completely quiet. No loud music, no messy bedroom, no usual chatter, and lastly no evening coffee brewing and cooking in the kitchen. There was absolutely no sound.
'Daya?' Shreya called out.
There was no response to her question.
'Daya where are you? Come on fast! We have a flight to catch!' Shreya called out moving from one room to other.
O-o-o-o
Sometime later, At the airport.
She was sitting at the airport sipping coffee. Having checked in the heavy luggage into the jetliner she was waiting for the announcement.
'Ladies and gentlemen, Flight no 507 is now boarding. All the business class passengers are requested to proceed to gate no 4 and gate no 5. Thank you. Have a safe journey.' announced the mechanical intercom voice.
Shreya got up and looked sideways at him.
'Let's go' she said to Daya smiling at him.
They proceeded towards gate no 4, Shreya carrying her heavy handbag behind her.
They were quite early to arrive. The line wasn't too big. She waited patiently.
Shreya got the boarding pass and passport checked.
'Welcome abroad. Your seats are to the extreme left at the rear. Enjoy your flight,' the attendant said.
Shreya nodded in response and walked onto the boarding walk.
Shreya pushed her handbag into the bin above her seat and then settled into her seat comfortably. Shreya wiped the fog that had appeared on her window.
She could see the illuminated runway. The flights were lined up for takeoff.
The seats began to fill in slowly as the travellers got into the plane. A tall thin man caught Shreya's attention. He had not noticed her yet. He was to the left in the row ahead of her. He was well groomed and flaunted gold rimmed specs. He was looking dapper in a brown suit.
Soon enough the intercom buzzed with a pleasant voice.
'Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention please? My name is Mia Tarts and I'll be your flight attendant this evening. I'd like to welcome you aboard American Airlines flight 507 with non-stop service from New York City to New Delhi, India. Please turn your attention to the overhead TVs for a safety demonstration video.'
Once the usual formalities were done, passengers were asked to fasten the seat belts as the familiar sound of the plane engine began to buzz.
Shreya sighed dreamily as she looked out of the window. 'Take offs are the best aren't they? It just gives the feeling of leaving everything behind in a way and start anew. Do you get what I mean?' she whispered.
'Yes I know sweetheart. But you know I won't ever leave you alone, don't you? I would stay with you forever' he whispered.
Shreya glanced sideways. He had his eyes only for her. She caressed his handsome face, smiling.
'I love you Shreya' said Daya.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it immediately as continued looking outside the window. The houses and cars became smaller and smaller as the flight took off in the air.
O-o-o-o
Shreya didn't know when she fell asleep.
Suddenly her eyes flew open. The plane was shaking slightly.
At that moment a flight attendant came over the intercom.
'Attention all passengers, we are experiencing a minor turbulence. I therefore request all passengers to remain seated. Thank you.'
Shreya felt the seat next to her. It was empty.
'Daya? Where are you?' she called out.
She switched on the light. Daya's leather jacket was lying in the seat next to her. But he was nowhere to be seen.
As she casually looked around, she jumped frightfully. The man in the brown suit was staring at her. Not even a flicker of an eyelid. Shreya shifted nervously in her seat and looked outside the window.
The man in brown suit was giving her creeps. She hoped Daya would arrive soon.
O-o-o-o
Shreya waited for a good half hour. She tried calling Daya but his cell phone was switched off.
'But where could he go? That to without telling her? I think I should go and look for him' she thought.
She slowly made her way though the airplane aisle looking for him. After a good fifteen minutes of searching, she back towards her seat feeling slightly dejected. Finally she pressed the 'Call Flight Attendant' button.
A minute later a lady flight attendant walked towards her.
'Good evening Mam! I am Julia. How can I help you?' she asked.
'M - my husband is missing' Shreya stammered.
Julia stared at her curiously before muttering, 'Missing?'
'Y - yes' Shreya stuttered.
'Relax Mam. He must be somewhere around here' she said.
'No no he is not here. I dozed off for some time ago. And when I woke up, he was not here. I waited for some time. But he didn't come. I checked the washrooms, I looked for him in the business as well as the economy class. Can you allow me to check the first class section please?' Shreya asked breathlessly.
'Mam I am sorry but you can't just walk in there like that! I suggest you wait for some time -' Julia was speaking when she was interrupted...
'No! You do not understand! It has been 45 minutes since he's missing. He doesn't do that ever. He doesn't leave me alone like this... Please...' said Shreya tearfully.
'Okay okay. Please calm down. I'll make an announcement over the intercom. That way your message will reach your husband. Is that okay with you?' asked Julia.
'Yeah. That's okay. Thank you' said Shreya relieved.
'May I know your husband's name Mam?' asked Julia.
'Daya. Daya Shetty.' said Shreya.
'Kindly settle down. And don't worry. Your husband will be back soon' said Julia smiling.
Shreya sat back on her seat. She felt restless. She didn't know what to do. Suddenly her eye caught the passenger sitting on the left row ahead of her. He was the man in the brown suit who had been staring at her since she had boarded the flight.
As shreya glanced at him, he looked away instantly and continued reading the magazine in his hand.
Minutes passed. Shreya heard Julia over the intercom requesting man named Daya Shetty to return to his seat A77 in business class immediately. Shreya sat fidgeting in her seat waiting for him. But there was no sign of Daya.
'Daya where are you? Where did you go without informing me?' she wondered fearfully.
She didn't know why but something didn't feel right. It felt as if something bad was going to happen.
Half an hour later, Daya had still not returned. Now Shreya was in state of panic.
Most of the passengers were asleep. Her wrist watch showed it was 12.10 am. She pressed the 'Call Flight Attendant' button again.
Julia made her way towards Shreya's seat.
'Yes Mam?' she asked.
'Where is my husband? He has still not returned' said Shreya in a shrill voice.
'Mam I really don't know. I had made the announcement sometime ago.' said Julia.
'Please let me check the entire flight. I am sure something has happened. Something terrible!' said Shreya in a panicky voice.
'I am afraid you can't do that! Everyone is asleep. I won't have the passengers getting disturbed!' said Julia shocked.
'To hell with the passengers and their sleep! I don't care! I want my husband back that's it!' Shreya yelled.
There was slight movement. The man in the brown suit switched on the light to look at Shreya. His hair was tousled from sleep.
There was a general murmur of voices as people around craned their necks to find out what the matter was.
'Mam please! Stop shouting for heaven's sake!' said Julia heatedly.
'Hey what's the matter Julia?' another flight attendant asked her.
'Nothing Logan… Just another cranky passenger' Julia muttered.
Now Shreya lost her temper.
'Get out of the way!' Shreya yelled pushing Julia aside.
'Ouch! Logan catch her! Don't let her escape!' Julia yelled massaging her ankle.
'Hey wait up!' Logan shouted catching Shreya's wrist.
A moment later, Logan let out an ear splitting shriek.
Shreya had bit him hard on the wrist.
As soon as he had let go of her hand, Shreya had fled.
'Oh god! Logan! Are you okay?' Julia asked in horror.
'Damn this woman!' Logan said gritting his teeth. His eyes were watering.
By now the entire 'A' block was awake. They were confused unable to understand what was happening.
'We must stop her! The woman is crazy!' said Julia.
'Yeah... let's go! Ow! It hurts!' cried Logan.
'Oh my god! What's wrong? Is our plane being hijacked by terrorists?' a passenger asked in a scared voice.
'What?!' another passenger yelled in terror.
'Hey you! Shut up! It's nothing like that. Just go back to sleep!' Julia yelled.
'Yeah it's just one crazy female we are dealing with!' shouted Logan as they hurtled after Shreya.
The man in the brown suit simply stared at them for a long time. Then with a smirk, he switched off the light and went back to sleep.
O-o-o-o
Shreya had somehow managed to sneak inside the first class compartment.
The plush seats were just four to a row, two on each side of the aisle. Almost all passengers were fast asleep.
The exquisite bar which was stocked up with fine wines and whiskeys was empty. The bartender cast a curious look at Shreya as she rushed past him.
She hadn't had any luck so far in finding Daya. She was about to go back when -
'There you are!' a shrill voice echoed behind her.
Shreya turned to find Julia and Logan blocking her way out.
'Leave me alone.' said Shreya heatedly.
'I don't think so!' said Logan.
He darted forward and caught her arm.
'Leave me!' Shreya shouted.
'You are not supposed to be here. Let's get you back to your seat where you belong' said Logan.
'No! Leave me!' Shreya screamed struggling to escape from his grasp.
'But Logan didn't let her escape. Instead he clamped her mouth to stop her from screaming.
People were gawping at them whispering between themselves. Some of them had stood up for better look.
Logan led Shreya to her seat.
'Sit still! What the hell is your problem? You can't roam around and disturb everyone like that!' Logan shouted.
'I am looking for my husband! Don't you get it?' Shreya screamed.
'Hey what's the problem? Why can't you just keep your voice down and talk? People here are trying to sleep! Just calm down woman!' the passenger in front of her snapped.
'Do you think this is a joke? My husband is fucking missing, how do you expect me to calm down? His cell phone is switched off. I can't reach him in anyway. What if he is in trouble? What if he is hurt?' Shreya asked flaring up.
She suddenly felt dizzy. She took lungful of oxygen and sat down on her seat.
'Hey? Are you alright?' Julia asked in a concerned voice.
'No I am not! Please find him. Find Daya for me please' she said.
She covered her face in her hands and started sobbing.
'Hey don't worry we are going to find him' said a new voice.
Shreya looked up and saw the man in the brown suit sitting next to her.
Looking at him, Shreya went into hysterics.
'You! Get away from me! What have you done to Daya? Where have you kept him? You were keeping an eye on us since we boarded this flight!' Shreya screamed.
'Hey I haven't done anything!' the man said taken aback at her sudden accusation.
'Liar!,' Shreya yelled and caught his collar.
'Hey! Let go!' he yelled.
The man in the brown suit was struggling to get free from her grip. Julia was pulling Shreya from behind. The scene was indeed chaotic.
'Logan! Get the captain right now! This is getting on my nerves! I can't handle this woman anymore!' Julia yelled over the commotion.
'Julia but the captain must be asleep! How can I- '
'Logan just go!' Julia snapped at him.
'Okay' Logan said and went away.
'Leave him! Else you will be sorry!' Julia warned her.
'No! He is lying! I won't let go!' screamed Shreya like an angry cat.
'Stop it! What the matter?' came a new voice.
Shreya stopped to see the newcomer.
'Leave the gentleman at once else I am afraid we'll have to arrest you' said the captain sternly.
Shreya left the man and stood still.
'Are you okay?' the captain asked the man.
'It's fine. It's fine. I am okay' said the man in the brown suit. He was eyeing Shreya curiously.
Tears were streaming down Shreya's cheeks. She wiped them quiet furiously.
'Can you get some water?' the captain asked Julia.
'Sir but' Julia protested.
'Julia please' said the captain.
A moment later, Julia handed the captain a bottle of mineral water.
'Please have some water Mam' said the Captain offering Shreya the water bottle.
'No. Thank you' she said curtly.
'I insist Mam. Please' said the Captain.
Shreya gulped down some water.
'Okay tell me what the problem is. Why are you so distressed?' he asked gently.
Shreya narrated the entire events since she had boarded the flight.
'And you suspect this gentleman? Why is that so?' asked the Captain.
'He was staring at me ever since we boarded the flight. He is acting weird' said Shreya.
The Captain smiled and said, 'You are very beautiful. I am sure he couldn't have helped staring at you.'
'Shut the fuck up!' Shreya said suddenly flaring up.
'I am sorry. So what do you expect is to do?' asked the Captain.
'Arrest this man. Ask him what he has done to Daya!' said Shreya.
'I haven't done anything sir trust me!' said the man in the brown suit.
'May I know your name sir? And do you know this woman?' asked the Captain.
'My name is Jason. And I am telling the truth. I don't know this woman.' said Jason.
'Why isn't anyone co -operating with me!' Shreya demanded.
She was very puffy eyed.
'What do you think we are doing from past three hours then?' asked Logan outraged.
'Yeah apart from cooperating we have also tolerated all this nonsense of yours' snapped Julia.
'Hey stop it you two!' said the Captain.
'How does your husband look?' he asked.
Shreya fumbled into her purse and took out her cell phone. She showed Daya's photo to the captain.
'I see. Okay has anybody seen this man?' the captain asked the passengers.
Nobody spoke.
'What the hell are you trying to say? Do you think I am crazy?' Shreya demanded.
'I really don't remember seeing this man here' said the passenger.
'Jason when you boarded the flight was she alone or with someone?' asked the Captain.
'I haven't this man. Yes. I think was all alone.' said Jason.
'Oh great! This woman is insane. She was hallucinating all this time!' said Julia angrily.
'I am not hallucinating! He is lying! He has done something to Daya! He is lying. Arrest him now. I know he's done it' said Shreya pointing at Jason.
'I can't do that! We have no proof!' said the Captain.
'But why would I lie? This is my husband's jacket! He was here with me!' said Shreya pointing to the leather jacket next to the seat.
'Sir may I speak to you for a moment?' asked Jason in a soft voice.
The Captain excused himself. Once they were out of earshot, Jason said, 'Sir I suspect she is going through a mental trauma. I can see that. I am a psychiatrist by profession. And I am sure I haven't seen that man who claims to be her husband anywhere here'
'I understand. Besides how can a man just vanish into thin air? And how can he get lost on this aircraft? He is a full grown man and not kid' agreed the Captain.
'Something's very wrong with her.' said Jason.
'Okay. I will have someone arranged to keep a watch over her.' said the Captain.
'I am telling the truth. Please believe me' Shreya whispered glassy eyed.
The Captain and the flight crew were genuinely worried for her sanity.
'May I see you and your husband's boarding pass?' asked the Captain.
Shreya fumbled into her bag once again. To her surprise, Daya's boarding pass was missing.
'I - I don't believe this! Daya's boarding pass is missing! This has been pre-planned! It's a perfectly staged crime' said Shreya aghast.
The Captain handed back boarding pass to her after checking it.
'Mam I really don't know what to do. I am really helpless. I am sorry I can't help you anymore.' said the Captain.
'No! Don't do this to me! Please!' Shreya begged breaking down completely.
'Hey hey stop crying! Okay I have one last resort left. I am going to check our computer system. If your husband has boarded this flight, our computer will have his record' said the Captain.
Shreya nodded through stifled sobs.
'Logan can you please go and check?' the Captain asked.
Julia handed her a tissue.
Shreya's heart was beating fast. What the hell was happening? Where was he? Was he safe?
She kept staring into the void. She was not in her senses. She felt as if something very large was trying to get out of her stomach. She was waiting, her nerves jangling, for Logan to arrive and give her good news.
Five minutes later, Logan arrived.
'What happened? Did you check the records?' asked the Captain.
Every eye was upon Logan. They were waiting for him to speak.
Finally Logan spoke in a hoarse voice, 'Sir I double checked the records. No passenger named Daya Shetty has boarded this flight.'