Days passed without Daniel, until spring arrived. Considered to be the season for renewal and rebirth, it brought a new ray of hope for Jessica.
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As days were passing by, Jessica's anxiety was also increasing. She was not able to concentrate on her work. Without Daniel, she had no life.
Returning from work, Jessica had stopped at a grocery store to buy some stuff. As she was approaching the chocolate section, she saw someone familiar. It was almost 7 in the evening and the store was crowded. By the time Jessica could even move, the person had already left the store.
Leaving all the things she brought in the cart, she tried to run behind the person. But the person soon disappeared. But Jessica had a smile on her face.
"Hey Jessica... how come you are here at this time of the day?" Mary was shocked to see Jessica at her office reception.
"Mary, can you get a half day leave? We need to go somewhere. Come fast. I am waiting for you in the car," Jessica didn't even bother to wait for Mary's answer.
"Are you out of your mind? I could get fired for doing this!" Mary was adjusting the seat belt. "Now tell me. Where are we going? And hey you look happy today!"
"Yes Mary... You will not believe whom I saw today at the store."
"Whom? Daniel?"
"Yes. I finally saw him. He is back in New York. He is back Mary," Jessica's happiness knew no bounds.
"What?" Mary almost jumped on her seat. "Are you serious? Did you talk to him? What did he say? Is he fine?" Mary's questions were endless.
"Mary... Mary... Wait. I said, I saw him. But by the time I came out of the store, he disappeared."
"Then where are we going now?"
"To his apartment. We should get some clue from there."
"Oh... James Bond and all. Way to go dear. I am ready," Mary was super excited with the idea of searching for clues.
In no time, they were in the apartment. And were already searching for some clues.
"The place is still smelly... I don't think Danny lives here anymore," Mary had already reached a conclusion.
"But there should be something here. Some kinda clue... something," Jessica was trying her best not to be disappointed.
"I think we are wasting our time here. Instead, we should go and try to search for him somewhere else."
Mary and Jessica left the house, disappointed.
"If he is back in town, why is he not contacting you? Jessica, now even I fear he is two-timing you." Mary and Jessica had returned to their house.
"NO... May be not... You told me he is not. What is making you think this way now?" Jessica couldn't believe Mary was saying this.
"So, do you have a better explanation as to why he is not contacting you?" Mary was almost sure that Daniel was involved with some other girl.
"No... I don't have." Jessica had no argument left.
"Okay, leave it. We will talk about it later. Now... let's go out for dinner. There is nothing in the house to eat."
"Fine... Gimme five minutes. I will get dressed."
They reached the restaurant, but they hadn't talked to each other during the entire drive. They were so lost in their thoughts, that they didn't even order food. Finally, all chaos in the restaurant interrupted their thoughts and they ordered dinner.
"Maybe we can find out something from his office. We should go there as well." Jessica was in no mood to give up.
"Okay... let's go."
After finishing the dinner, they hurried to the parking lot and drove to reach Daniel's office.
"No Ma'am. Daniel has not been to the office. In fact he has resigned from the job." The security guard seemed pretty sure.
"Resigned? Are you sure?" Jessica was finding it difficult to come to terms with it.
"Yes... He has," saying this the guard left.
"Where can I find him then? Where are you Dan?" Jessica started crying.
"Let's go home dear..." Mary took the keys as she was aware that Jessica was not in a state to drive.
As soon as they reached home, they were shocked to see Ryan.
"Hey girls, I have been waiting for you since an hour."
"Ryan... Is that you? Tell me where Daniel is?" Jessica was taking big steps to reach him fast.
"I don't know too. But I found this today and so thought of meeting you," he said handing a medical bill.
"Daniel made the payment for the medical expenses. But there was some credit card issue because of which the bank guy came to the office. As Daniel has resigned from the office, the bill was given to me. I am worried Jessica. There is something wrong." Ryan handed the card of the bank officer as well.
Jessica stood there motionless. She was confused, angry and scared. All the same time. More importantly, she was worried. Worried for Daniel.
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As days were passing by, Jessica's anxiety was also increasing. She was not able to concentrate on her work. Without Daniel, she had no life.
Returning from work, Jessica had stopped at a grocery store to buy some stuff. As she was approaching the chocolate section, she saw someone familiar. It was almost 7 in the evening and the store was crowded. By the time Jessica could even move, the person had already left the store.
Leaving all the things she brought in the cart, she tried to run behind the person. But the person soon disappeared. But Jessica had a smile on her face.
"Hey Jessica... how come you are here at this time of the day?" Mary was shocked to see Jessica at her office reception.
"Mary, can you get a half day leave? We need to go somewhere. Come fast. I am waiting for you in the car," Jessica didn't even bother to wait for Mary's answer.
"Are you out of your mind? I could get fired for doing this!" Mary was adjusting the seat belt. "Now tell me. Where are we going? And hey you look happy today!"
"Yes Mary... You will not believe whom I saw today at the store."
"Whom? Daniel?"
"Yes. I finally saw him. He is back in New York. He is back Mary," Jessica's happiness knew no bounds.
"What?" Mary almost jumped on her seat. "Are you serious? Did you talk to him? What did he say? Is he fine?" Mary's questions were endless.
"Mary... Mary... Wait. I said, I saw him. But by the time I came out of the store, he disappeared."
"Then where are we going now?"
"To his apartment. We should get some clue from there."
"Oh... James Bond and all. Way to go dear. I am ready," Mary was super excited with the idea of searching for clues.
In no time, they were in the apartment. And were already searching for some clues.
"The place is still smelly... I don't think Danny lives here anymore," Mary had already reached a conclusion.
"But there should be something here. Some kinda clue... something," Jessica was trying her best not to be disappointed.
"I think we are wasting our time here. Instead, we should go and try to search for him somewhere else."
Mary and Jessica left the house, disappointed.
"If he is back in town, why is he not contacting you? Jessica, now even I fear he is two-timing you." Mary and Jessica had returned to their house.
"NO... May be not... You told me he is not. What is making you think this way now?" Jessica couldn't believe Mary was saying this.
"So, do you have a better explanation as to why he is not contacting you?" Mary was almost sure that Daniel was involved with some other girl.
"No... I don't have." Jessica had no argument left.
"Okay, leave it. We will talk about it later. Now... let's go out for dinner. There is nothing in the house to eat."
"Fine... Gimme five minutes. I will get dressed."
They reached the restaurant, but they hadn't talked to each other during the entire drive. They were so lost in their thoughts, that they didn't even order food. Finally, all chaos in the restaurant interrupted their thoughts and they ordered dinner.
"Maybe we can find out something from his office. We should go there as well." Jessica was in no mood to give up.
"Okay... let's go."
After finishing the dinner, they hurried to the parking lot and drove to reach Daniel's office.
"No Ma'am. Daniel has not been to the office. In fact he has resigned from the job." The security guard seemed pretty sure.
"Resigned? Are you sure?" Jessica was finding it difficult to come to terms with it.
"Yes... He has," saying this the guard left.
"Where can I find him then? Where are you Dan?" Jessica started crying.
"Let's go home dear..." Mary took the keys as she was aware that Jessica was not in a state to drive.
As soon as they reached home, they were shocked to see Ryan.
"Hey girls, I have been waiting for you since an hour."
"Ryan... Is that you? Tell me where Daniel is?" Jessica was taking big steps to reach him fast.
"I don't know too. But I found this today and so thought of meeting you," he said handing a medical bill.
"Daniel made the payment for the medical expenses. But there was some credit card issue because of which the bank guy came to the office. As Daniel has resigned from the office, the bill was given to me. I am worried Jessica. There is something wrong." Ryan handed the card of the bank officer as well.
Jessica stood there motionless. She was confused, angry and scared. All the same time. More importantly, she was worried. Worried for Daniel.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
part 7
It was almost a week since Jessica had seen Daniel at the store, and since then there was no clue of where he was. For these past seven days, Jessica used to visit the store almost daily in the hope of finding Daniel.
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Jessica's POV
But luck was definitely on her side. It was Sunday and she came to the church. It wasn't the same church that she visited quite often. She used to generally visit this place when she sought peace. She was disturbed... and desperately needed a place where she could spend some time with herself.
After the morning prayer, she was walking towards the parking lot. Not too many people had turned up for the morning prayer that day. Not too many cars in the parking either...
She had spotted her car and was walking towards it. Suddenly she stopped... There was a smile on her face... She turned back... It was Daniel's car.
Her happiness knew no bounds. She ran towards the car... and started checking if Dan was inside. She checked from the front side, the rear side... was peeping through the windows, when suddenly, "What do you think, you are doing young lady? Get off my car," an elderly women shouted from behind.
"I... I was trying to see if there was someone in the car. By the way, who are you? And this is not yours!" Jessica started walking towards the lady.
She stopped all of a sudden... someone was holding her hand from behind. She knew this touch. She started getting goosebumps. She knew who it was... Daniel.
"Dan... Dan... you are back," she was murmuring while turning back.
There he was! Her Daniel. Finally he was in front of her eyes. She could touch him, see him! He took her in his arms and she started crying... So did he.
"Susane, you take the car. I will stay back," Daniel handed the keys of the car to the old lady. He was still holding Jessica. They could not let each other go. Not now at least, after staying away from each other for almost a month, they wanted to feel each other.
After a while, Jessica realized she needed answers. She pushed Daniel away. Her eyes were full of questions. He could see them, for sure.
"Jess... Let me explain. I can tell you what had happened. Let's sit somewhere and talk," he held her hand and was about to kiss it, when she withdrew it. She needed answers to all her questions. They found an isolated place in the parking.
The mystery behind Daniel's disappearance was about to be solved!
"Jess... whatever I will tell you, please listen to it till the very end. Please..."
"I am all ears. Tell me fast, what had happened?"
********************************************************************************
Daniel's POV
The evening we were supposed to meet, I wasn't in town. Ever since I returned from my tour, I was at Linda's place. I hope you remember Linda, my ex. It was by chance that I bumped into her at the airport. She had come there to receive her mother Susan. Yes... the same Susan you met in the parking. I happened to be in the same flight!
While walking towards the luggage area, I spotted Linda. She was not looking herself. I could have ignored her, if she wouldn't have come to me and talked. She greeted me and introduced me to her mother. As she was about to leave, she started feeling a bit giddy, so I had to offer to drop them at their residence. Linda slept in the car and I started talking with her mother.
"May God reduce the pain, she is going through. I can't see my daughter like this. I wish, she will be fine soon!" Susan could hardly hold back her tears.
"What's wrong with her? Is she unwell for a long time?"
"You don't know? Linda is suffering from cancer. She is undergoing chemotherapy. The sessions are sometimes so intense that it drains out the little energy she has. She didn't even tell me. I came to know of it, the last month. Since then I am with her. I went to get a second opinion on her treatment. But doctors said there are very little chances of recovery."
By that time, we had reached Linda's house. I made her sleep in her bed and returned back to her mother. It was then that I came to know that Linda had left her job. She had no money left for her treatment. That was the reason for the worried look on her mother's face.
Linda had always been a self-made person. She never asked for help from anyone, leave alone from me. I decided to stay back for sometime. It was then I messaged you. But was afraid to tell you the truth. Never knew how you would react after knowing this.
I decided to help them sort out the finances. Me and Susan were looking for alternative sources of arranging finances. When nothing seemed to work, I decided to offer help. I didn't know what made me think that way. But yes... I did help. But my work was getting affected. My boss asked me to resign as I hadn't informed him. Rather I wasn't even in touch with him. You can say, I was fired!
Meanwhile, Linda was recovering. She started to feel energetic. Even the doctors started to feel that she could be cured. It was then that I decided to return... To you... I wanted to tell all of this to you. I wanted to apologize.
But fate had other plans. The night I returned back to NY and was driving back home, I received a call from Susan. She informed me that Linda was admitted to the hospital. Her health was deteriorating. I was left with no choice but to drive back. I called Ryan on my way and handed him the letter that I wrote for you. He didn't question me, as he had no clue what was going on.
When I reached Linda's place, I found out that Linda was on the death bed. She wanted me to be with her in her last days. Jess don't get me wrong, but even I wanted to be by her side, too. I wanted to be with her during her last journey. I was happy to see her happy. She seemed to be satisfied. She seemed as if she had come to terms with her condition. Every morning she wanted to see me; when she got up she wanted me feed her lunch, be by her side when she slept. She wanted me to... just be there...
But couple of days back, her condition was really bad. The doctors had given up hope. And last night, she breathed her last. That's why I and Susane were at the church. Susane is left all alone. She is about to fly back to her place in Florida, today in the evening.
This is the truth Jess... I didn't love her then neither do I love her now. There is no one I love but you! But I couldn't gain enough courage to tell you all this. You knew Linda was my ex. You knew she was in my life before you. But I never loved her or for a matter-of-fact anyone, the way I love you. I just didn't want to lose you. That's it. That's why I hid the truth..
But luck was definitely on her side. It was Sunday and she came to the church. It wasn't the same church that she visited quite often. She used to generally visit this place when she sought peace. She was disturbed... and desperately needed a place where she could spend some time with herself.
After the morning prayer, she was walking towards the parking lot. Not too many people had turned up for the morning prayer that day. Not too many cars in the parking either...
She had spotted her car and was walking towards it. Suddenly she stopped... There was a smile on her face... She turned back... It was Daniel's car.
Her happiness knew no bounds. She ran towards the car... and started checking if Dan was inside. She checked from the front side, the rear side... was peeping through the windows, when suddenly, "What do you think, you are doing young lady? Get off my car," an elderly women shouted from behind.
"I... I was trying to see if there was someone in the car. By the way, who are you? And this is not yours!" Jessica started walking towards the lady.
She stopped all of a sudden... someone was holding her hand from behind. She knew this touch. She started getting goosebumps. She knew who it was... Daniel.
"Dan... Dan... you are back," she was murmuring while turning back.
There he was! Her Daniel. Finally he was in front of her eyes. She could touch him, see him! He took her in his arms and she started crying... So did he.
"Susane, you take the car. I will stay back," Daniel handed the keys of the car to the old lady. He was still holding Jessica. They could not let each other go. Not now at least, after staying away from each other for almost a month, they wanted to feel each other.
After a while, Jessica realized she needed answers. She pushed Daniel away. Her eyes were full of questions. He could see them, for sure.
"Jess... Let me explain. I can tell you what had happened. Let's sit somewhere and talk," he held her hand and was about to kiss it, when she withdrew it. She needed answers to all her questions. They found an isolated place in the parking.
The mystery behind Daniel's disappearance was about to be solved!
"Jess... whatever I will tell you, please listen to it till the very end. Please..."
"I am all ears. Tell me fast, what had happened?"
********************************************************************************
Daniel's POV
The evening we were supposed to meet, I wasn't in town. Ever since I returned from my tour, I was at Linda's place. I hope you remember Linda, my ex. It was by chance that I bumped into her at the airport. She had come there to receive her mother Susan. Yes... the same Susan you met in the parking. I happened to be in the same flight!
While walking towards the luggage area, I spotted Linda. She was not looking herself. I could have ignored her, if she wouldn't have come to me and talked. She greeted me and introduced me to her mother. As she was about to leave, she started feeling a bit giddy, so I had to offer to drop them at their residence. Linda slept in the car and I started talking with her mother.
"May God reduce the pain, she is going through. I can't see my daughter like this. I wish, she will be fine soon!" Susan could hardly hold back her tears.
"What's wrong with her? Is she unwell for a long time?"
"You don't know? Linda is suffering from cancer. She is undergoing chemotherapy. The sessions are sometimes so intense that it drains out the little energy she has. She didn't even tell me. I came to know of it, the last month. Since then I am with her. I went to get a second opinion on her treatment. But doctors said there are very little chances of recovery."
By that time, we had reached Linda's house. I made her sleep in her bed and returned back to her mother. It was then that I came to know that Linda had left her job. She had no money left for her treatment. That was the reason for the worried look on her mother's face.
Linda had always been a self-made person. She never asked for help from anyone, leave alone from me. I decided to stay back for sometime. It was then I messaged you. But was afraid to tell you the truth. Never knew how you would react after knowing this.
I decided to help them sort out the finances. Me and Susan were looking for alternative sources of arranging finances. When nothing seemed to work, I decided to offer help. I didn't know what made me think that way. But yes... I did help. But my work was getting affected. My boss asked me to resign as I hadn't informed him. Rather I wasn't even in touch with him. You can say, I was fired!
Meanwhile, Linda was recovering. She started to feel energetic. Even the doctors started to feel that she could be cured. It was then that I decided to return... To you... I wanted to tell all of this to you. I wanted to apologize.
But fate had other plans. The night I returned back to NY and was driving back home, I received a call from Susan. She informed me that Linda was admitted to the hospital. Her health was deteriorating. I was left with no choice but to drive back. I called Ryan on my way and handed him the letter that I wrote for you. He didn't question me, as he had no clue what was going on.
When I reached Linda's place, I found out that Linda was on the death bed. She wanted me to be with her in her last days. Jess don't get me wrong, but even I wanted to be by her side, too. I wanted to be with her during her last journey. I was happy to see her happy. She seemed to be satisfied. She seemed as if she had come to terms with her condition. Every morning she wanted to see me; when she got up she wanted me feed her lunch, be by her side when she slept. She wanted me to... just be there...
But couple of days back, her condition was really bad. The doctors had given up hope. And last night, she breathed her last. That's why I and Susane were at the church. Susane is left all alone. She is about to fly back to her place in Florida, today in the evening.
This is the truth Jess... I didn't love her then neither do I love her now. There is no one I love but you! But I couldn't gain enough courage to tell you all this. You knew Linda was my ex. You knew she was in my life before you. But I never loved her or for a matter-of-fact anyone, the way I love you. I just didn't want to lose you. That's it. That's why I hid the truth..