The Universe Conspired For Us To Meet

Ronnie stayed back with the Dean for the other dignitaries to leave. After everyone left he spoke to the Dean, "Sir, I need some information regarding one of your students- Maya. I'm not sure of her surname. But-"

He was interrupted midway by the Dean, "Oh of course Sir! Who doesn't know Maya in this university? It could be said that she was the face of our university. But something so unfortunate happened that she went missing after the severe floods which occurred in North India. She'd gone there to represent our college at an Inter- college competition."

He paused, "If she were here, she would also be one of the graduating students today."

Ronnie replied with a "Oh!" He mentally began filling all the missing pieces of the puzzle.

"But sir, how is that you are asking about Maya? Oh right! We remembered her during the initial part of the ceremony. So, probably you asked about her out of interest." The Dean himself answered his question.

Little did he know that even Ronnie didn't get to watch that segment of the ceremony.

Ronnie didn't refuse but didn't accept either. He was still processing every piece of information he got. He was trying to sort out everything while maintaining his calm composure.

"Sir, since she didn't return for so long, we've sent all her belongings to her residential address. I personally monitored the process." The Dean said.

Ronnie asked, "Sir, could I get her details?"

"Sure sir!" The Dean agreed.

After the ȧssistant left, the Dean continued. "Sir, she was such a talented girl. But the exceptional part of her was, in spite of shining in extra-curricular activities, she even topped all the exams. Probably this was the only semester she missed her medals. Apart from all this, she was also a meritorious scholarship student.

By then the Assistant came in with Maya's records. "Here sir, Maya Bhat's records." he handed over the records and left.

Ronnie was first taken aback. He had never known Maya's full name till now. So, that was another piece of information he got. All her details were the same as mentioned in the diary.

But the additional information he got was her residential address. He noted down the address and promptly handed over the records.

The Dean said, "Seems like sir is very much moved by Maya's story!"

Ronnie simply replied with a "Yes sir!"

"What about her friends?" Ronnie probed. He was arriving at the point he intended to know the answers for. The diary had kept him hanging from a long time.

"Sir, most of her friends are her classmates and batch mates. They all have left after the ceremony." The Dean's expression turned helpless.

"By any chance, was she involved in a relationship with anybody?" Ronnie carefully probed further.

The Dean let out a slight laugh. "Oh no sir! The university doesn't keep track of all that. After all they're mȧturė individuals who are responsible to their actions."

Ronnie too let out a laugh. "Yeah right sir."

Without getting much information except for her residential address, Ronnie left the University campus and came back to the hotel where he stayed.

After a long tiring day, he wanted to rest. But, how could he without talking to his wife? He called up on his residential number from the hotel.

Jayne had already instructed everyone not to inform Ronnie that she was at the office. She wanted him not to worry about her.

"Hello? Roy residence." The Butler politely spoke in.

"Call Jayne for me." the buŧŧer heard his Master's voice.

"Sir, madam isn't home yet." The Butler replied.

Ronnie felt disheartened. He badly missed her especially since he'd been to her University.

Just then Jayne and Richard Roy walked in.

The butler was immediately relieved. "Sir, madam just came in! Please hold on."

He shouted excitedly, "Madam, it's sir's call!"

Jayne sprinted towards the phone. "Baby! I missed you so much! Every moment!" she gushed over the phone.

"I've no words to describe how much I've been missing you wifey!" Ronnie lovingly said over the phone.

The couple spoke for a long time after which they hung up unwillingly.

The next day, Ronnie didn't have much work. He left to Maya's residence. Maya had given her grandmother's address as her address for correspondence. So, Ronnie went to the countryside in search of her house.