Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Hip Hip Hurray

Sameer checked the rearview mirror; the black Scorpio was still there. It was the same car which followed the girls and him back from their dinner the day before. From Moolchand flyover, he turned back and headed home. It may not be safe to see Nikhil Roy today.

The road in front of the house has a just swept look. Parking the car in the porch, he ran up the steps. Ammaji opened the door for him. The house was quiet. Too quiet.

"Where're the girls?"

"Woh Tania toh"

"What?"

"Balcony." His urgency made Ammaji nervous.

"Pari?"

"Apne room mein hogi."

She wasn't. He rushed to check the other rooms. Not there.

Had she gone to the park? He had told her to stay indoors. He bounded down the steps. The Scorpio had followed him home; these men could be vile. He was on the halfway landing when he heard Pari's voice, "Dad!"

She was upstairs, in a lilac frock with a black belt and sleeves, beaming at him.

"Where were you?"

"Bathroom. Why?"