I'm winding this story to a conclusion. Just a few more chapters. Hope you enjoy and thanks for all the great reviews. I am willing to accept constructive criticism.

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It was after three when Neela arrived at the apartment. Grocery shopping had taken longer than intended, as she really wanted to cook something nice for Ray. She had been practicing some of her grandmother's recipes and was looking forward to surprising him with some authentic Indian cooking. She smiled to herself. The fact that she could cook anything at all palatable would be a welcome treat for Ray!

She was surprised that the apartment was still quiet. She thought about waking Ray but decided to leave him for another while. Once she started making noise, he would probably wake up of his own accord. If he had not moved by 3.30pm, she would call him.

She turned on the stereo, stowed the Indian beer in the fridge and set about her preparations not worried about making noise. First, she made a marinade for the chicken. While the chicken was marinading she set about the vegetables. She washed, peeled and chopped the potatoes. Then she decided to take a break.

She filled the kettle and put it on the stove. Then she went to rouse Ray. The bedroom was in darkness. She called but got no reply. Then she noticed that there did not appear to be anybody in the bed. She switched on the light. Sure enough the bed was empty. Ray must have gone out.

She went back to the kitchen got a cup of tea and stood looking out the window allowing the warm afternoon sunshine to caress her face. Not for the first time, she wished that she had a balcony.

When she finished her tea, she returned to her preparations. No doubt Ray would be back soon.

The afternoon wore on as Neela continued her preparations. She even prepared the dough for Naan bread. When everything was ready she set about putting the apartment to right. She changed the bed clothes, vacuumed, polished and tidied. She would start cooking as soon as Ray arrived. She wondered if she would have enough time for a shower. Knowing her luck, she would be covered in soap suds when Ray rang the front door bell. Then she noticed he had taken the spare key. That settled it, it was time to pamper herself.

There was lots of hot water so she decided to run a bath. Dinner could wait. She put some mood music on the stereo. Then she lit some candles.

Pretty soon she was lying back in the warm foamy water. This was heaven. Now if only Ray would return to massage her back and shoulders, things would be perfect. She lay back in the tub, closed her eyes and allowed the romantic atmosphere to wash over her. She didn't have a care in the world.

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There was a loud click and Neela woke with a start. The bath water had grown quite cool.

"Ray is that you?", she called. But there was no reply. She noticed the music had stopped. The sound as the stereo clicked off must have woken her. Ray had not returned yet. She stepped out of the bath and wrapped herself in a large bath sheet. She dried and pampered herself before she headed to the bedroom dressed in a bathrobe with her hair in a turban.

Just then the doorbell went. She ran and opened the door. "Where have you been, did you forget you took my spare key?" she exclaimed as she opened the door. Then she looked at her guest. It was Simon Brenner.

"S-simon, what are you doing here?"

"Hi Neela, sorry, this is obviously a bad time," he said noting her attire, "I should probably have called first… it was just… Well, I've just moved in around the corner and … ah … as I have not unpacked my kitchen yet, ehm… I was wondering, if you'd like to go for something to eat?"

Neela looked at Simon with a baffled expression.

"How did you even know where I lived?"

"You told me. You recommended the area when I mentioned I was house hunting."

"Oh, right. Look Simon, you should have phoned. I'm just waiting for my boyfriend to get back."

"Your boyfriend? I, I didn't realize you were seeing anybody."

Neela noted what could have been a look of disappointment cross his face. She shrugged but offered no explanation.

"He's a lucky guy, do I know him?"

"No. He's an ex-colleague."

"Right. Well I guess I'll see you at work then."

Neela smiled. "Yes, Simon, see you at work."

As Simon turned and walked away, she closed the door. She smiled and felt all fuzzy and warm as she realized she had described Ray as her boyfriend.

She went into her room and changed into a tracksuit. Then she went to start cooking. It was almost seven, surely Ray would be back soon. By 7.30, dinner was well under way but there was still no sign of Ray. She decided to give him a call to check on his ETA. The call rang out and went to voice-mail.

"Hi Ray. Its just me, I'm getting dinner and was wonderin' when to expect you. Can you give me a call when you get this?"

With that she went to set the table.

It was nearly eight o'clock and she still had not heard from Ray. Dinner was now ready and waiting so she decided to phone again. This time she heard the faint ring. She went toward the bedroom and saw that his phone was plugged into the charger. Damn, he had forgotten to take his phone with him. That indicated he had not planned to be gone for long so where the hell was he?

She decided to call the hospital to see if he had called by the ER. Frank answered the phone.

"Hi Frank, its Neela, has Ray called in there today?"

"Well I didn't see him if he did. Hey Sam, did you see Ray today?"

Sam shrugged and shook her head.

"No Neela, doesn't look like he's been around."

"Can you get him to call if he comes in and if anybody has seen him, could you ask them to call me? He forgot his phone."

"Sure thing Neela."

Her head told her not to worry, Ray had probably lost track of the time. But this evoked memories of that awful week when Ray was missing and despite herself she became anxious. Ray could be thoughtless at times but he was usually fairly considerate when it came to timekeeping.

She sighed as she sat on the couch and turned on Project Runway. She did not know whether to worry or to be angry with Ray. All she could do for now was wait and pray that nothing bad had happened. But the claws of anxiety squeezed and twisted deep in her belly.

"Please Ray, come home safe," she sighed.