Chapter 2: The Search Begins

Pranav’s phone buzzed incessantly, jolting him awake from a restless sleep. The late-night call from Sub Inspector Thameem sent an immediate shock through him. He could sense the urgency in Thameem’s voice as he quickly absorbed the details.

“Sir, it’s Anjali Vargees. She’s missing. You need to get to the station immediately,” Thameem urged, the gravity of the situation hanging heavy in the air.

“I’ll be there in ten. Keep the parents calm, and don’t leak anything to the media. This family is influential,” Pranav replied, his voice steady despite the chaos brewing inside him. He knew how quickly rumors could spiral out of control in situations like this, especially with the high-profile nature of the Vargees.

In a flash, he was out the door and revving the engine of his Royal Enfield, the powerful bike roaring to life as he sped toward the police station. The familiar streets were cloaked in darkness, and the wind whipped through his hair as he navigated through the quiet, upscale neighborhood, each second feeling like an eternity.

Upon arriving, he burst through the police station door. The scene was tense; Vimala and Joseph Vargees sat huddled together in a corner, their faces drawn and pale, the weight of despair etched deeply in their features.

“Thameem!” Pranav called out, spotting him across the room. He gestured for Thameem to join him in his office.

Once inside, Pranav wasted no time. “What’s the situation? Where did it all start? What’s the update?”

Thameem took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “Their daughter, Anjali, went to a friend’s house for a study session earlier in the evening. The last we know, she was headed to the beach, but she hasn’t been seen since six o’clock.”

Pranav nodded, piecing together the puzzle. “Have you questioned her friends? What about the girl she was with?”

“I’m on it. The friend’s house is just a couple of kilometers from here,” Thameem replied.

Pranav’s gaze shifted to the distraught couple waiting just outside. He stepped back into the waiting area, approaching Joseph and Vimala with a firm yet gentle demeanor. “Sir, ma’am, I know this is incredibly difficult. But please, try not to panic. We’re here to help you. Trust us and give us some time.”

“Time? What is time worth if we can’t find our daughter?” Joseph’s voice cracked, tears streaming down his face. He collapsed into Vimala’s embrace, their grief palpable in the air.

Pranav felt a tightening in his chest but knew he had to remain focused. He turned to Thameem, who was watching with concern. “Let’s get moving. We need to go to the beach—the last place she was seen.”

They hopped into the police jeep, the headlights cutting through the oppressive darkness. The closer they got to the beach, the louder the waves crashed against the shore, an unsettling symphony echoing the family’s anguish.

As they arrived, Pranav stepped out, scanning the area. The moon cast a silvery glow over the landscape, but the dark shadows along the shoreline held secrets. “Thameem,” he said, his voice low, “what do we know about the friend Anjali was with? We need to start our investigation there.”

“She lives just two kilometers away,” Thameem replied, his mind racing. “Neha. I’ll get her address and we can head there right after this.”

Just then, a shout broke through the chaos. “Pranav, sir! You need to see this!” A constable waved them over, urgency dripping from his voice.

Both men ran toward the sound, dread coiling in Pranav’s stomach. As they approached a grassy area near the beach, the dim light illuminated a disturbing sight. A blue top lay partially hidden beneath the grass, starkly out of place. It was soaked in what looked like blood.

Beside it was a shiny platinum chain that glimmered ominously under the moonlight. Pranav’s heart raced as Mr. and Mrs. Vargees rushed up behind them.

Mrs. Vargees gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “That’s her chain! That’s Anjali’s!”

Pranav exchanged a cold, piercing glance with Thameem. “We don’t have time to waste. We need to get to Neha’s house. Now,” he commanded, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him.

Without waiting for a response, Pranav and Thameem hurried back to the jeep, the ominous weight of the blue top and the chain heavy in their minds. The night had just begun, but the path ahead was fraught with dark possibilities.

As they sped off toward Neha’s home, Pranav’s mind raced with questions: Where was Anjali? What had happened on that beach? And most haunting of all—who had left the evidence behind?