It was late night so Lia kept aside the diary and went to sleep as she had to go for her work at rehab the next day. But the next day she took a half day leave from the office and came home early. She couldn't concentrate on work as the contents of the diary came coming in her mind like something that happened yesterday at the rehab centre. Eddie wasn't home when she returned and had left a note below the phone that he and kale were going out for shopping. Lia was happy to know that there would be no one to disturb her while she continued with the diary. She wanted to make coffee for herself but didn't felt like so she went back to her room and started reading the diary again.

In the afternoon Sarah met Brian outside the inspector's office. He was on a call, so she waited till he was finished with it. Finally after a few minutes, he put down his cell phone and noticed her. 
" There's some more of shocking news for you"
"And what's that?" She asked some what perplexed.
"Officer Carlos is in the ICU, he was stabbed five times by some miscreants this when he went to solve some dispute between them. He is under observation and his doctors have said nothing can be said about his condition for next 24 hours"
"Where has he been admitted?" She asked in a complete shock
"For now he is in our hospital but after his condition stabilises, he will be shifted to the hospital outside the town. Their doctors have arrived a while ago waiting for his condition to improve as he cannot be shifted in this condition. Need to keep our fingers crossed for next 24 hours"

     There was a lot of chaos as the investigating officials, the attending hospital staff ran hither and thither in emergency. It seemed more like a garden than a hospital as the scene became more chaotic.

"The whole day was exhausting and restless as everyone hurried to shift officer Carlos to the city hospital. A new officer was to arrive by afternoon who would take the charge of the case but it was obvious it would take him a long time to understand the whole case from the beginning as the official records won't have the complete statements not the incident which would make it more difficult and time consuming for the new officer. It was like start building up from the ashes.

In the evening Sarah met Brian as he was coming out of the officer's room.
"Has the new case in charge arrived?"

"Ya, few hours ago, his name is officer Nubin. Was in a meeting with him as he wanted to understand everything in detail about Yourera and the case"

"Does he look like he will solve the case, I mean did you get some confident vibes about him. I know it's odd to ask but I want the case to solve as as soon as possible but the way every incident is going it seems as if solving the case is now near to impossible"

"Let's be positive Sarah and not lose hope I am sure everything will end bringing peace to Ellie's soul" said Brian looking towards Ellie's cabin. Suddenly she saw the keys of Ellie's house in his hands, she recognised it immediately as Ellie always had the red plus sign key chain for her keys.

"How did you get these aren't these her keys"

"Oh ya these are Ellie's keys, I need to get some files from her house that I had given her for her research but it was returned as you know"

"But did they allow you to take the keys?"

"The cop guarding her house will be accompanying me as I take my belongings and after a thorough check it would be returned to me. You see it's not easy"

Sarah went silent for a few seconds then said some what sadly 

"How I wish Brian you would have kept a personal camera at Ellie's house too as you have at your home and office"

"I would have dear but she never agreed as you know she was a researcher and she loved her space."

Sarah was the next one to be called for by officer Nubin regarding Ellie's case. She had to narrate again everything to him from the day she met Ellie to the date of her murder. It was emotionally painful for Sarah but there was none other choice. The officer noted down all the important details in a book as if he was noting down an FIR. After he put down his pen he asked Sarah,
"Do you know anyone from her college or someone who Ellie was close to before joining the centre. I mean someone other than the people who work here, it would be helpful if you could get me some information about anyone else."
"Actually I am not sure about anyone who so important to her because after joining the centre she rarely went back to her home. She used to be busy with her work until late evenings and after that she used to retire back to her assignments and PhD research work. She never told me about anyone such other than professors who were helping her with her studies. And whenever she was free she used to be at aunt Sandrea's house but even at that time their majority talk was about work. But maybe Mr. Mailo could help you as he had sponsored her scholarship to study here."
Sarah gave him all the information about Ellie and Mr. Mailo. The officer took down all the information then let Sarah go after an hour down questioning. She had also taken the permission of her and Frank to leave the premises next month as her in laws wanted her home for her delivery. The officer has agreed that they could leave after signing up some official papers for permitting as they played an important role in the investigation.
In the evening Sarah as usual sat her balcony enjoying the cool breeze and missing Frank and Ellie in the loneliness of night. But then she saw Brian sitting at the same bench as usual but this time with a cake in his hand. She knew it was Ellie birthday today and did not feel like disturbing him.... 

Next day Sarah woke up early, she along with Frank was going to visit her in-laws as her mother was insisting since a long time and moreover she needed a break from the present environment. It was effecting her emotionally as well as physically.
She opened the curtains to light up her room but it was still a little dark outside. In the distance, she could see Brian getting up from the bench and leaving, perhaps he had slept the throughout the night there on the bench . The cake that he had brought was being eaten by a stray cat but he wasn't bothered. The cat got frightened as he woke up but instead of scaring it away, he pushed the cake some more towards it so that it could finish it then he left after stroking the cat lovingly.
She felt an urge to meet him but did not venture out as Frank would get late for work.
They left after breakfast, waving good bye to aunt Sandrea. It was only an hour's journey but they took a little breaks on the way as Frank didn't want her to feel tired. It was his plan as he wanted her to feel better and refreshed after all the mayhem. Their last stop was a gas station at the junction just before they reached their home. Frank wouldn't be returning back with her, as usual he would be staying at his parents home and return at weekends. Most probably the driver or Frank's father would drop her home so he wanted to be sure the tank was full. There was a little bit crowd at the gas station which meant it would make them halt for a few minutes longer. Sarah was feeling better now so she didn't mind the wait, she looked out of the window and counted the cars in front of her.
"Only 10 cars, wouldn't take much time dear, don't worry"
"I am not worrying rather my mum is more worried about you so I just want you to be with her as soon as possible. She really misses you, I can feel it in her everyday talks"
Sarah just smiled and held his hand as the car in front of them moved forward.
Suddenly the cars started moving out faster which gave Frank somewhat relief. Sarah pulled down the window to ask the boy who was handling the traffic commotion at the station.
" Excuse me, can you tell what was the problem until now"
"Nothing mam, only a small technical problem so the gas wasn't filling up properly. Now it's taken care of and everything is working perfectly. Thanks mam for your patience"
Sarah smiled and replied 
" thats ok, it didn't take too long"
She kept gazing out as the car moved forward and observed the city commotion. It wasn't at all like the town life. City life was more chaotic just opposite to the silence of town life. But right now this noise seemed more peaceful than the chaos she was facing in life back at YERC. Busy in her thoughts and summarizing the difference between the city life and town life, she continued with her observation. Suddenly she saw a familiar face coming out of the shop at the gas station.
"Frank isn't he Mr. Rode?"
She exclaimed surprisingly and stepped out of the car taking long steps towards the man she saw before she missed him. 
"Sarah wait."
Shouted Frank behind her trying to stop her but it was too late. She was walking fast towards the man without looking back. He couldn't leave the car as there was a long queue behind his back. But he quickly called for the boy they met a few minutes back and gave him the keys and cash. He requested him to to fill up the car and park the car aside as it was an emergency. Without waiting for his consent he ran behind Sarah, leaving the cash and keys in his hands.

"Hello! Mr. Rode, how are you?" 

"Oh hi Sarah, it's a surprise seeing you here" he said taken aback by Sarah's sudden appearance. 

"How come you are here and where's Frank"
Just then Frank reached there who started shouting at Sarah without even looking at Mr Rode. 

"Don't you know you just can't get out of the car and starting running out behind people, don't you understand you are not alone, you are carrying a baby now"

"Calm down Frank, I didn't run I just walked fast as I wanted to meet Mr. Rode." 

And then finally he looked at Mr. Rode

" Good morning sir, I am sorry I was just shocked by her suddenout of blue behaviour. Anyways a long time since we met sir. How are you?"

" I am just fine but don't you think our cars are blocking the way so we should first move it. Let's meet at the cafe just next to the gas station. It serves the best breakfast that gets you going through the morning."
Sarah and Frank looked towards the car and felt that he was right, she didn't think of it when she ran behind him. 

They met at the cafe taking the seats near the window as Sarah felt no one would disturb them in the corner. Mr. Rode ordered the breakfast as a treat from him for soon to become parents. First they talked about old times at YERC as Sarah didn't want to bring in the case during breakfast. They ordered for an additional coffee so they could talk a little longer.

"Mr. Rode, Brian told me that you had a quarrel with Ellie, on the day of her murder or on the day you got discharged, can you tell me the reason behind the quarrel"

Mr. Rode took a long sigh then continued,

"I am sorry for all that had happened with Ellie. She was truly a sincere and hardworking though being so young and new at work. As you know that I work for a pharmaceutical company and same company had made a deal with her about her research. She was suppose to submit it that month but it was getting delayed due to her marriage. My company was pressurising me to get it from her as her research was necessary for one of their new medication that they were going to bring into market. I don't have much idea about the research but one thing was sure it was very important for the company. That day I had a quarrel with my wife and then with Ellie which depressed me and I tried to harm myself.  The company's work load and my personal problems were getting difficult for me to handle and I ended up as a patient at YERC."

"What reason had Ellie told the company about the submission of the research?"

" She kept on telling that she won't submit the research unless Brian finalises and signs the file."

"Did Brian knew about the deal and the quarrel?"

"Yes, of course he knew about the deal because Ellie was appointed here under his supervision for the same reason. The company who actually knew her through college had contacted Mr. Frair for Ellie's research work and that's how she got here at YERC. It had been decided that after her PhD would be over, she would be working for the company but fate has some other decisions. Nothing can be done if destiny doesn't agree. As for Brian he met me last month at my office to know about this same reason and that's when I told him about the quarrel. He didn't know anything about it but was angry with me for getting discharged without informing him."

Mr. Rhode's words didn't effect her much but the not having any knowledge about what Ellie was going through, made her sad. Maybe she wasn't of much help to her in her research but she could have been her support when she needed the most but then Sarah remembered couldn't be present with her all the time. She and Frank reached home a little late then the time they had informed his parents. 
The thoughts kept revolving in Sarah's mind and wanted to meet Brian as soon as she could but her mother in law had taken an appointment with the doctor in their city with whom she would be consulting for the last two months of her delivery. Frank had brought along all her hospital reports so that it would make it easier for the doctor to give her the dates for her check up.
It took three days for her to take leave from her in laws and her plan to leave the next day was cancelled. Her mother in law didn't left her alone for a second as the three days were spent at the doctor's clinic then visiting. In the evening the whole family got together for dinner and stayed late night talking less about Ellie's case 

It took two days for her to get the new reports from the hospital and her dates to check in before her delivery. So finally after the reports were received it was decided that she would be back next month and stay until her delivery. The three days quickly went by and her mind had almost got out of the depressed scenes of YERC which had refreshed her in true sense. But today she had to go back to the same gloomy days where the feel of Ellie's absence kept coming back as the case didn't seem to end. All the way back to YERC, her mind kept replaying their conversation with Mr. Rhode. By afternoon they had reached YERC but as they were parking their car in the parking lot, they found aunt Sandrea putting some bags into the Mr. Frair's car. 

"Are you people going somewhere?" they asked a bit astonished.

Mr. Frair got out of the car as he saw them.

"Brian had gone to visit Devin and on the way his car had met with an accident an hour ago. You were on your way back so we thought it's better to inform you after you reach here. He's in the hospital and I am going there to be with him. Mrs. Sandrea got some essentials packed for him that he may need in the hospital"

"Was it a serious accident?" Frank asked in a startled tone.

"Not a big one but he has been kept under observation. I think so I should better leave so that I could reach there as soon as possible. See you people there if you are coming."

Saying he got into the car and drove out of the parking.

"It wasn't a serious accident so don't worry, moreover Devin has reached there and has taken care of everything. You both rest a while and then go if you wish to go." said aunt Sandrea, "I just wish that God may send some light in these dark days of YERC." saying she she started walking towards her house with tears filled in her eyes.

I have reached the last page of my diary but I hope to continue my journey in the next diary if life is safe. But the journey till now was something that I will never forget and will always be close to my heart. I have tried to penned down my journey in the best words I found and hope to continue longer. May everyone find love and life in the darkest hour.

           JOURNEY OF LOVE

the diary had ended with these words and Lia didn't possess the next diary.  "Where could the next diary be?" or did she ever wrote the next one " she closed her eyes and thought but there was no answer to it. She planned to search the old belongings of her mother at her old house. But for now the story remained unfinished until she found the next diary. She felt asleep for few minutes as she kept visualising the

'JOURNEY OF LOVE '