No body, No Crime.

Dark and blue.

It was Tuesday. The December wind smelled dark and blue.

Rays of moonlight begrudgingly touch the roof of Olive Garden . The tree behind it glistened in lights.

I push open the door of Olive Garden and immediately I'm engulfed by familiarly unfamiliar faces and aromas.

I walk over to the table and take a seat.

A waitress comes and asks me what I would like to order.

"One coffee , please" I say in response and flash a smile.

I check my watch - it's 8:30 pm.

"Estè should be here by 9:00" I say reassuring myself, doubt taking over my confidence.

My coffee arrives and I take a painful sip , drowning in my thoughts.

Estè is never ever late. Even if there's traffic, because she gets ready two hours before the given time. It's a trait she's damn well known for.

I check my watch again - It's 9:00pm.

"She might be late, it's no big deal ,I'll just wait one more hour." I try to pacify myself again.

One hour turned into midnight, midnight turned into weeping silence. Not a single sign of Estè'. I called her up over a hundred times but each call went to voicemail. I watch the number of people ebb till I was alone in the corner.

It was 1:00 a.m now, Olive Garden closed about an hour ago.

Tired, frustrated and angry I drive away.

"She should've atleast called me. It's not like I'll stop talking to her if she missed one Tuesday. God knows where she and her phone is" I mutter to myself as I'm driving home.

Just as I pull up to the driveway to my apartment, my phone rings. It's got to be Estè.

It's Harry.

"Hi Harry what's up , long time no see ?" I say as I'm locking the car.

"Yeah, I'm very fine. But somebody just stole my car." He rasps nervously.

"That's not a funny joke to crack at 1 in the morning".

"I know , but the punchline is that it's not a joke." He pauses and then says: "Can you come to the police station with me right now ?".

I sigh .

"Of course".

There was no way I could say no to the Cheshire cat , green eyed and curly haired British face , who helped me so many times. From , bringing me medicines when Sophie wasn't there , to hanging out with me when I was sad. I could proudly say I had the best neighbour in the whole world.

I pull up to the police station and see Harry waiting for me on the steps. His dimples pop out as he smiles nervously and scratches the back of his neck as I approach him.

I can't help but notice how his eyes twinkle in the dark night. Like the moon guiding a lost traveller in the dark.

"I'm really, really, really sorry Taylor but I really need your help. I know absolutely nothing about New York police ." He says sounding penitent .

" No problem ,and come on you're not supposed to thank me for this .It's literally nothing compared to the times you have helped me or saved my sulky ass . I say amiably.

He laughs in response . Throwing his head back.

I stare at him,rather discreetly trying to hide my adoration for his laugh.

We step inside, and I explain Harry about the procedure and then we file a complaint about his stolen car. The policeman enquires him about the last location of the car, car model, number plate , license et cetra.

But then I see something.

Tristan is sitting in the waiting area . His face painfully dull and his hair a brutal mess. His eyes are bloodshot like a forlorn lover.

Estè is not there with him.

I stare at him for a couple of seconds.

"One minute" I say to Harry and excuse myself. I walk over to Tristan.

"Hi Tristan" I say as cheerfully as I can. Afterall the amount of vivacity a person can possibly muster is the amount drinkable water left on Earth.

"Hi" He says sounding exasperated.

"After a long time right ? And in such a peculiar place." I ask him.

"Yeah" He runs a hand over his face.

"So, what brought you here today ?" I ask , trying to continue the conversation.

"I ought to ask you the same" He replied almost too fast.

"I - uhm- I clear my throat-"My friend's car got stolen we're here to file a complaint. I say trying my best not to sound rude.

He eyes Harry for a moment .

"Oh,I thought he was your boyfriend - he smiles eerily and continues - Haven't heard of you with a decent person since graduation"

"Well , jokes on you. He's my good friend unlike you" I did not say the last part out loud."

He nods in response.

"But you didn't answer my question". I ask him bitterly.

"Estè.She's been missing . For almost 5 days now."

I stood there flabbergasted. And then it hit me Estè didn't come today , because she is missing .

He runs a hand through his hair and continues- " Wednesday, the last time I saw her she was at home with her sister, Cadence. After Cadence left, Estè facetimed me."

"But why are you here after days ?" I ask him doubtful

"You know for the last seven days , I've been searching for her everywhere, using every relation I have " He replies face in his hands. Somber.

"Oh -I reply"But you could've told the police. They would've launched an investigation or something. We hope for the best but you know, she perhaps might be kidnapped or Dead . We don't know right ?"

"Don't be paranoid Taylor. Not everything is like a movie , and it's basically illogical to think that somebody kidnapped her, she's not a mafia drug dealer who has foes . She's-  a sweet little delicate jewel."

"My jewel." Tristan replies rather emotional.

That gave me Deja Vu to when I read the note attached to the back of the bottle of Merlot.

And somehow thinking of that day makes me sad.

"Taylor, it's late. I think we should go home now "Harry says as he approaches me .

His eyes dart from Tristan to me and to Tristan again.

Juxtaposition at it's finest.

He smiles sympathetically at Tristan and then turns to me "I'll be waiting near the parking spot, you can take your time".He says gently.

I would've sat there and completed my conversation with Tristan, if he had not got up and left .

I stare at Tristan's empty seat beside me.

"I guess , he's had enough of me . Let's go" I say smiling reprovingly.

Harry nods and walks towards the door . I follow behind.

But then just as I was about to exit the police station Tristan's voice echoed when he said

"I want to file a missing report for my wife, Estè Rosè."

Hearing the four syllable name makes me shudder.

But I keep walking.

Estè's name was awfully pretentious, we all teased her that it sounded like some fancy French madamè name. Still do. But that's what made her memorable.

Everything bad is memorable.