(... continued...)
Mumbai, bus stop in front of Churchgate station - morning raindrops.. The city is wet. The clock on the Mumbai Rajabai Tower shows 9,56... Traffic silently moves forward... Everyone is busy in their own lane. This is a VIP area. 'Churchgate' area is known for the world's best traffic management. Here, no one can find traffic jam or violence due to traffic jams.
Sayali is sitting on the upper deck of a double-decker bus, trying to see someone through the window... Vilas is running and catches the double-decker bus. The bus is crowded.
Vilas goes to the upper floor.. Sayali is sitting on the seat .. the second window in the right-side row.. Sayali gestures to the boy next to her, and he gets up. Vilas occupies the vacant seat near Sayali.
Vilas is a funny and interesting person. He says, "Hi, good morning."
Sayali is worried, and says, "Vilas, today I need your help."
Vilas smiles and asks, "Is today Parents' Day too?" They both laugh.
The bus takes a left turn from the seashore of Nariman Point with a cool rainy breeze. Sayali relaxes and sits closer to Vilas.
The conductor is shouting "Ticket, ticket, ticket" as he walks down the aisle.
Vilas hands him a twenty rupee note and the conductor smiles as he pockets it.
Meanwhile, Sayali in thought, "Hey, Nilesh's phone is out of reach. He's been missing for a week now."
Vilas responds with a simple "Hmm."
Annoyed, Sayali asks, "What do you mean by "hmm'?"
Vilas takes a deep breath and asks, "How many years has it been since your marriage?"
Sayali was lost in her thoughts looking out the window, enjoying the rain and the view of the sea from Marine Lines. Some beggar children are begging from the couples seated.
The girl is shooing away the beggar children.
Vilas interrupts to grab Sayali's attention and asks, "How many years,... eight months and four days since your wedding? How many times has your husband disappeared by now?"
Sayali continues to stare outside, watching lovers and beggars, as Vilas immediately adds,
"So far, forty-eight times... In the beginning, you even filed a missing case with the police."
People are moving on and off at stops along the way, and the bus is progressing along its route... The conversation between the two is very discreet, and there's no hurry.. as they both are mature... However, as soon as the bus makes a sharp turn, they keep falling on each other without trying to regain their balance...
Sayali looking towards Vilas, " That is true... but this time my heart is more restless..."
The conductor says, "Last stop, sir. If you want to sit, please sit comfortably without any disturbance."
Everyone gets off. Sayali grabs his arm and then keeps her head on his shoulder.. After half an hour, the driver arrives, and both of them get off. The conductor is standing below as if he doesn't know these two.
As soon as Sayali reaches her desk in the office, Pande Peon comes in.
Peon, "Madam, the boss has called for you."
Vilas has a working table after two rows to Sayali. Sayali went.. Vilas signals the peon.
Vilas asks in a low voice, "...Any problem, Pandeji?"
Peon says, "I don't know, sir." The sound of computer keyboards is heard throughout the office.
Vilas can see Sayali's worried face from his chair. Sayali is very anxious and sitting tightly on the seat. The boss's face is not visible from the outside. The boss's hand is visible, holding a mobile phone with a photo of 'Dhariya' on the screen.
The wall clock shows 11,30 am.
Vilas is restless now.
It's now 12 o'clock.
As soon as Sayali comes out of the cabin, goes straight to the pantry. She drinks a glass of water and takes a hot coffee in a cup.
Vilas follows her and asks her. His face is also tense as he looks at the wall.
There is a picture of a function on the wall, in which 'Dhariya is giving a trophy to Sayali.''
(...What happened next?...)