The Love Algorithm - AdiYa FF

Chapter 8

Harsh was still pacing, talking to the police. "I don't care if I have to contact higher authorities, but my son has to be—"

Harsh was cut off as Arjun burst into the room, phone pressed to his ear, speaking seriously in a non-existent phone call, "Bhai, where were you?"

Everyone turned to him.

"Oh, thank God!" Arjun exclaimed into the phone. "You scared us all. You know, dad even called the police." He took a pause, as he said, "Okay okay...you stayed at a friend's place because it was raining?"

The press, sensing their dramatic headline evaporating, looked disappointed. Anjana and Sakshi sighed in relief.

"Arjun, give me the phone, beta", Anjana came to him with a worried look, and Arjun quickly put down the phone, "Ok ok...I'll tell Paa you're fine. Come home soon, okay? Bye!"

He pocketed his phone, and turned to face the room. Harsh, looking confused, asked, "Adi's not kidnapped?"

"No, Dad," Arjun replied. "His bike ran out of fuel, so he stayed at a friend's house. And , his phone battery died, which is why he couldn't call us."

Harsh narrowed his eyes. "Then why did you say he was kidnapped?"

Arjun blinked, his mind scrambling for an excuse. "Well... uh... someone nearby said they saw a van knock down his bike, and there were 4-5 people inside. We thought... well..."

Yash immediately jumped in. "Yeah, someone saw a van, and we panicked. But it's all good now."

"Are you guys joking? Is this something to carelessly conclude? See what all we have done here." Harsh rebuked, while Sakshi intervened, "It's okay, Harsh. In situations like these, anyone would jump to conclusions. They were scared for their brother. That's it, yeah? And the important thing is, Adi is safe. Let's just be happy about it."

Arjun shot Yash a grateful glance and whispered, "Thank God for Badi Maa. If not for her, I would have been kicked out of Hooda House while young itself."

"Thank me too...if not for me being your twin, Maa and Paa definitely would have concluded that they picked up the wrong baby from the hospital!" Yash said with a chuckle, while Harsh and Jai turned to the police and reporters.

Harsh said, "Well, we are sorry we bothered you all, but as you heard, circumstances were in such a way that it seemed like my son was kidnapped, as I faced a recent business conflict too..."

"So, please do not issue any news or articles on this topic and sorry for the inconvenience created..." Jai added, "We don't want our family news to do rounds for no reason...so please!!"

"It's okay Mr. Hooda. We understand." The inspector said, as he looked around, "Come on people...let's leave!"

The police officers and the media reporters left the place, while Aditya heaved and buried his face on Mahi's shoulders. Arjun and Yash held each other's hands and tried to sneak out, while Anjana caught them both.

"Because of you guys, see what all we had to go through...and Arjun, this better not be another prank of yours!"

"No Maa! Promise!" Arjun said with a puppy face, "I seriously thought Bhai got kidnapped. Ask Yash...I was crying the whole night...just ask him!"

Yash wondered when Arjun cried, while he nodded his head, "Yes Maa...Paa...He was crying whole night...he didn't prank this time..."

"And where is Adi now? When is he reaching home?" Harsh asked, while Aditya came out of the corridor.

"I am here, Paa."

Everyone looked at Aditya walking towards them, and Sakshi rushed to him, "What's this, Adi! Where were you beta? You just scared everyone of us. You could have at least informed us from your friend's place, if your phone was dead, yeah?"