MY SHINING STAR | A realistic motivational Novel

Written by Astha Aggarwal Singhal

Chapter 7 | Searching for Answer


On Monday I got up early in excitement, as I thought I would get my answer today. On reaching college I straight away went towards the science building where all final year classes are held.

I searched for Rohan in his lecture room.

He was not there. I thought maybe he is not attending this lecture. I went downstairs towards the cafeteria. I asked Chetan if he had seen Rohan today. He said he hasn’t met him yet. Disappointed, I came out of the cafeteria, looking here and there when the thought struck my mind that may be he is in the auditorium. I hurriedly walked towards the auditorium but he was not there as well. I sat on the stairs grasping for breathe.

“What the hell! Where is this stupid boy?” I murmured to myself.

The whole day I couldn’t attend any lecture. Kept searching for him everywhere. When I went home I straight away headed towards my bed as I was so tired running the whole day, my feet’s were aching. But I was still thinking about Rohan. Some stupid weird thoughts kept popping in my mind as that day he went in such a hurry, saying there was some emergency. Is everything fine at his place? How to contact him? He doesn’t even keep a mobile with him. Says the rays are very harmful for mind and body. Now how to contact him?

Next day I went up to Shruti and inquired about Rohan. “Even I am searching for him.” She answered in a helpless manner. “Our play has been selected by All India Drama association. And they want us to perform our play in their yearly festival ‘Udaan’. It’s a big achievement. But the director of our play Rohan, is missing since yesterday and Principal is after my life. He has to send in the list of all the names associated with this play to the Drama Association today.

“What should I do now? How can I remove Rohan’s name and put someone else’s name as the director. It would be unfair.” Said Shruti .

“Shruti you must be having his number. Give me I will call him.” I said with a hope of getting his number.

“Dear, do you think I am so stupid? If I had his number I would have called him and sorted out everything. But I don’t have his number. The office records only has his landline number which is not working at present.” Said Shruti.
My hopes shattered again. I picked up my bag and started moving out of the dressing room but Shruti stopped me, “Hello! Ma’am, where are you going?” She asked me sarcastically.

“I have a lecture. Going towards my class” I said answering in a confused manner.

“First, come and sign in front of your name.” Said Shruti.

“Why? What sign?” I asked.

“Ishika? Don’t act like a dumb person? Just now I told you about the list. I need all the participants in the play to sign so as to confirm their presence on the show that day.” Said Shruti a little annoyed.

I signed halfhearted, as didn’t want to perform in the absence of Rohan but had no other option.

“Shruti you must be knowing where Rohan lives. I will go and inform him. Just tell his address” I asked her.

“Actually they shifted just a month ago and Rohan had yet to submit the residential change form in the office. Which of course that idiot has not done. So no idea of his new residence.” Said Shruti while leaving the room. ‘Damn! Now how will I search him’ I thought to myself.

Our play was very successful at the ‘Udaan’ fest. But the taste of success was bitter as Rohan was not there. Three weeks passed and no one had a clue about Rohan. For rest life was going normal. But for me nothing was normal. I was going mad at the thought of what I should do to search him. It seems as if life had stopped. Nothing interested me now.

That day I was sitting near my window and thinking about Rohan when mom came inside,” Ishu, get up. Let’s go to Chetek circle. I need to go for shopping.”
I was not in a mood but then how can I spoil my mom’s mood. So I got ready and went with her

Mom was shopping as if it was an end season sale. I was not interested in her shopping so I was just looking here and there. I suddenly saw Aditya, Rohan’s friend, whom I met at the restrobar with Rohan. I ran towards him and called out at him, Aditya.”

He turned back and looked at me as if trying to recognize me.

“Hello, I am Ishika. Remember, I met you at The Wino, with Rohan.”

“Oh! Yes, how are you Ishika?” He asked.

“I am fine. Aditya, you stay near Rohan’s house?” I inquired.

“Yes, we are neighbors” he said

I heaved a sigh of relief that now I will get Rohan’s address.

“Can you give me his address please” I asked him.

“What happened? Is everything fine?” He asked in a hesitating tone.

“Yes, everything fine. It was regarding the play which we are performing…..I need to discuss some points regarding that…So I was asking for his address….He is not coming to college so I thought to personally go and get the details from him…..” I said in a confused tone.

Aditya kept looking at me. As if he was trying to make out what I actually meant. Poor fellow, I made him confused as well. He took out his mobile phone and asked for my number. I gave him without hesitating as getting Rohan’s address was my topmost priority. He immediately messaged me his address. I was glad to get his address. I thanked him and he left from there.

By that time mom came searching for me. “What’s going on Ishu? I was searching for you?”

I looked at her and smiled, “Nothing mom. Just saw a friend in the market so went to catch up with him. Nothing else. Okay listen, you go home, I need to go somewhere. It’s very urgent.” I told mom and without waiting for her permission I hopped on a rickshaw waving her. She stood there confused. But for me reaching Rohan’s place was more important. I knew I will explain everything later to mom and she will understand.

In half an hour I was at his residence. My heart beat was very fast. I slowly moved towards the main gate and rang the doorbell.

A servant opened the door and questioned whom I wanted to talk to. I asked for Rohan. He looked at me as if he had never heard this name before. Then I heard a female voice, “Who is at the gate Bansi?”

“Someone is asking for Rohan baba.” He replied hesitantly.

She came towards the gate .I think she was Rohan’s mother. I greeted her and asked for Rohan. She hesitated first, but then asked me to come in. She guided me towards the living room.

Well I must say it was a sprawling bungalow with eye catching interiors. I sat on the sofa as guided by her. She introduced herself, “I am Rohan’s mother. Are you his classmate?” She questioned.

“Hello Aunty! I am Ishika. I am not his classmate. I am from drama club. Rohan is the president of drama club.” I answered searching for words.

“Oh! So you are Ishika! Rohan told me about you. You won the best supporting actress award in your first play! Am I right?”

“Yes Aunty! That just happened. All credit to Rohan…..and ….Shruti. They both guided me so well.” I said looking here and there for Rohan. “Would you like to have something Ishika?” Asked her mother like a good host.

‘Yes I would like to have your son’ was the voice from my third track, but I simply replied ‘No thanks’.

There was a pause for a minute. I couldn’t understand why she was not calling Rohan. It was the end of my patience. I asked eagerly, “Aunty, Is Rohan home?”

“Yes…. I mean No….No, he is not at home.” Her mother answered in a rather strange manner.

“When will he be back? I had something very important to tell him” I said.

“Ishika….. Actually he is not at home.” She stammered. “He has gone to…..Bang…. Bangalore …Yes to Bangalore.” She stammered again.
There was something weird. I could sense it.

“To Bangalore? But his final assessment is round the corner. How can he miss that?” I asked surprisingly.

“He will come back before his assessment starts.” said her mother in an unsure tone. She paused for a moment and then again repeated her words, “yes he will come back before his assessment starts”.

I couldn’t understand why she was repeating everyone.

“Aunty actually our play has been selected for the yearly festival of ‘Udaan’. Since Rohan is the director of the play, he needs to be there. So can I talk to him over the phone regarding this?” I asked her keeping my fingers crossed. I thought maybe she will give me his contact number. Well I knew I was giving them wrong information as the play had already taken place but I had no other option left.

Her mother looked at me and smiled, “I know about the Udaan fest dear. The principal contacted us a few weeks ago. We told them that Rohan would not be able to make up so they can give Shruti’s name as the director.”

Where should I go to hide my face? I was feeling ashamed for lying to her mother. I couldn’t speak a word after that. It was better for me to leave. I picked up my bag and smiled at her mother, “Okay Aunty, I will take your leave now. Please do tell Rohan that I came to meet him”.

His mother looked at me and smiled back, “Sure dear, I’ll definitely convey your message. Actually he doesn’t carry cell phone. Says it’s not good for heart. So, whenever he’ll contact us I will tell him.”

I smiled halfhearted and started moving towards the main door with heavy heart. My eyes were floating in tears. But I somehow controlled my emotions.
“Ishika, wait” called her mother. I turned and looked at her with lots of hope. Tears were now almost flowing down my eyes. I couldn’t control myself anymore. I sobbed and said, “Aunty, I really want to meet Rohan. Please give me his contact number.” I pleaded.

“Come with me” she said, guiding me towards the main gate. She called her driver and asked me to sit in the car. I was surprised. I couldn’t understand what was going on. I looked at her with lots of question in my mind.

“Sit Ishika, you really want to meet Rohan. Isn’t it? Come I will take you there.” She said while pointing me to sit inside the car.

“Sorry Aunty but I am confused. Yes I really want to meet him but how can I go to Bangalore without informing my parents?”

“I am not taking you to Bangalore dear. Rohan is here in Udaipur. Come, sit, I will take you there” she said politely.

I sat inside with her and the car started moving fast towards our destination. But where? I don’t have any answer. Why did she lie to me about Rohan? Well not only to me but to college authorities as well. Where is Rohan? Is everything fine with him? The suspense was unbearable. But all I could do was to wait till I reach there.


Cover Image by Katerina Kerdi 


Chapter 7 ‘Searching for Answer‘ of the realistic motivational Novel ‘My Shining Star‘ completes here.
Read Chapter 8 ⬇️⬇️

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MY SHINING STAR | A realistic motivational Novel

Written by Astha Aggarwal Singhal

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