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Chapter 6 - Trouble Trouble

Shravan was tossing and turning in his bed thinking about Sanya, their wedding, their separation.

His phone began vibrating near his pillow. He saw an unknown number and immediately sat up.

"Who?"

"Your girlfriend's kidnapper speaking," a gruff voice said on the other end.

Immediately, Shravan tensed.

"It's not been two weeks yet."

"I know. I was just checking up on you. Hope I didn't disturb your beauty sleep. Have you finalized handing over your money yet?"

"No."

"Don't you care about your girlfriend?"

"Let me talk to her," Shravan demanded.

"She's not conscious--"

"What'd you do to her?! I swear if--"

"Kya ukhaad lo ge (what'll you do)?" It was a female voice this time. Shravan's brain immediately did a double take. Male and female kidnapper. Ahar was correct.

Wait, does this voice belong to Ahar? Shravan asked himself.

"Who are you?"

"Tumhari girlfriend ki kidnapper wali dost (your girlfriend's kidnapper friend)," she replied.

There was laughter on the other end which resulted in an agitated Shravan. He could at least understand her since she spoke in hindi. He couldn't confirm if it was Ahar's voice or not though. He never paid that much attention to her.

"Where's Sanya?!"

"She's asleep," the kidnapper told him. "Don't worry. We're not going to hurt her . . . unless you don't hurry up with your decision. Remember, the clock's ticking." The deep voiced man laughed. Shravan prepared to threat him when he heard a "ta ta" and the call ended.

He cursed and fell back down, sleep dissipating completely.

First, Shivani's issue, then Ahar, and now, Sanya.

He needed to talk to someone. Only one person except for Shravan and Ahar knew about the kidnapping.

Shravan called him.

He heard a cough on the other end before his older brother said, "Shravan?"

Shravan instantly realized it was two in the morning. But Arun would understand.

"Yes, it's me. Sorry for calling so late. It's just . . . too much happened." Once Arun told him to explain, Shravan wasted no time briefing over the events that happened since Arun's absence.

"I'll have a talk with Shivani," Arun assured. "Is that Ahar helpful?"

"Surprisingly, yes. But she slipped up once, saying how the main kidnapper who goes under the code name 'priest.'"

"What?"

"I know it's clever, right?" Shravan commented. His brother laughed. Priest did sound silly. "For some reason, she hasn't visited Sanya yet."

"Just keep an eye on her. Innocent till proven guilty, don't forget. I'll be home by next week, hopefully. The stupid case is taking longer than I want."

"Oh." Shravan remembered Arun mentioning about some homicide that happened. Some gang robbed a house and left behind a dead nuclear family. "I hope you send those people to jail soon. Sorry for disturbing you so late at night."

"It's okay. I can understand your dilemma."

The brothers bid goodnight and good luck to each other.

The following morning, Shivani was grounded for a month. She could only leave the house to attend college or for wedding preparations (but a family member needed to be with her). Shravan managed to take Shivani out to meet Ahar. They needed to ask his sister about that night.

Ahar woke late that morning. The money problem dominated her mind. When she remembered the rent for this month, she sighed. This was the second time she had to ask Suman for help. Suman had a date last night, so she came in late. Ahar contemplated bothering her.

When she saw her rommate working out to "Chammak Challo (Charming Babe)," Ahar approached her.

"Suman, can I ask you for a huge favor?" Ahar asked.

Suman nodded.

"I can't pay this month's rent." Suman didn't stop her workout. She knew about Ahar's mother's health. "But I promise I'll pay all of next month's!" Suman gave Ahar a thumbs up.

"Is aunty alright?" Suman asked.

Ahar didn't say anything which was an answer enough for her friend.

Ahar cleaned up quickly and rushed to meet Shravan. Shivani was confused as to what was even going on. She had to go to college in half an hour. What could be so important that Shravan took her to a roadside full of vendors with carts of fruits and vegetables.

"We came to meet the Kurkura? " Shivani groaned.

"I'm not exactly thrilled to meet a spoiled brat either," Ahar replied.

"Good--bad morning to everyone," contributed Shravan.

"Can we just get it over with?" Ahar asked, shooting him a glare. She needed to find a way to arrange twenty five thousand more rupees. "Where did you sneak out on Thursday last week?" she asked Shivani.

Shivani frowned and looked at her brother. Shravan wanted an answer too.

"I already got in trouble," she said. "You can't--"

"Shivani, where were you last Thursday night?" Shravan asked, rubbing his temples. He was getting impatient.

"I don't know. I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast two hours ago," Shivani said.

"THEN MAKE AN EFFORT TO REMEMBER!"

For ten seconds, silence fell around them. Everyone gawked at Shravan who felt slightly embrassed for his outburst. His sister already pissed him off the previous night and now, she was only making matters worse.

A scared Shivani rejogged her memory. "Last Thursday night . . . Hmm . . . Your second day here right?" Shravan quickly nodded. "I stayed home."

"Are you sure you didn't sneak out?" Shravan inquired.

Shivani gave an innocent smile and nodded.

"Funny how the guards had the opposite answer," Ahar said. Shivani chewed on her lip nervously. Shravan crossed his arms and glared at her.

Shivani blurted out, "I'm sorry! My friends were going to the Yo Yo Honey Singh concert and I snuck out with them. Manne maaf kardo (Forgive me), please. Don't tell our parents. I swear I saw you sneak out with Sanya before me--"

"That's enough," said Shravan.

He told Shivani to head to college after asking her the location of the concert. Once she left, Ahar suggested they verify Shivani's statement. Both of them asked for a lot of directions and headed their way to the area. They stopped at a dhaba (roadside restaurant). Ahar wanted a break.

They sat down and Ahar ordered chai. Shravan didn't want anything.

"Tau (elder brother), thodi chai pe lo (Drink some tea). Hamari chai badi popular ho ve (Our chai/tea is very popular)," the busboy said. Shravan shook his head and waved the skinny boy away.

Ahar chuckled when the boy stuck his tongue out behind Shravan's back.

Shravan glowered at her.

"You're so mean to everyone," said Ahar.

"Happens when someone your love is kidnapped and you're wandering the streets surrounded by strangers."

"I wish we find Sanya soon," Ahar said. "I have to ask her what she sees in you."

Not taking offense, Shravan replied, "Whatever you and your friend saw the first day we met."

He raised his left hand and displayed his ring. For the first time, Shravan cracked a grin. The server brought Ahar the chai soon. She merrily sipped on to it not meeting Shravan's eyes.

"I didn't see anything and my friend--Suman--has a boyfriend," Ahar replied, even though she was embarrassed.

"Maybe you need new glasses."

Ahar rolled her eyes. Shravan was definitely attarctive, but she wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Tired from driving, Shravan sat back and stretched out legs. Unfortunately, his timing didn't work in everyone's favor. The boy bringing tea for Ahar tripped and the tea spilled on Ahar's hand and Shravan's shoes.

"Ah!" Ahar yelled as her hand burned.

She blew on it.

"Sorry, Sorry," Shravan and the server repeated simultaneously.

The boy ran and got them napkins. Shravan immediately helped wipe the liquid off her hand, feeling bad for tripping over the guy and getting Ahar's hand burned. But she's the kidnapper, he thought. Innocent till proven guilty.

An elderly couple and some other customers started telling the owners and the boy to bring lukewarm water for Ahar. Shravan was really shocked by other people showing so much concern for a stranger. The busboy brought a big bowl of cool water for Ahar to rest her hand in. Ahar thanked him as she attained relief to her hand in the water. She knew her luck was bad. All she wanted was some tea and received a burned hand instead.

She could see Shravan's guilty expression as his eyes remained on her now-red skin. The burn wasn't major, but it burning hot tea caused some damage. They ended up wrapping the burned area with plastic wrap--courtesy of the owner. Their poor server received a full lecture and had to apologize to Ahar and Shravan.

"It's not his fault," Shravan told the angry owner and the upset busboy. "My fault for stretching at the wrong time. I'm sorry."

"Changa munda aa (He's a good boy)," an elderly lady said to Ahar.

Ahar just nodded. Although Shravan came across as a jerk, he apologized when he was wrong.

Finally, one good quality, Ahar concluded.

The waiter boy smiled in relief. His boss offered Ahar and Shravan chai on the house, but Ahar was done for the day. They needed to get to the concert place and back in time for her shift. Her and her companion were back on the bike.

For the first time, Shravan said, "You're allowed to hold on to me, today."

Surprised, Ahar replied, "No, thank you."

She didn't want any favors from him. Ahar clutched the bottom of the seat as usual but her right hand hurt.

"If you fall, I'm not coming back for you."

As soon as the bike roared to life, Ahar grabbed his shoulders for support. She heard a chuckle and they were driving. She was genuinely concerned about Shravan being nicer to her. It was most likely due to him burning the back of her right hand. She was lucky it wasn't a major burn. Money was already tight. Ahar didn't want more hospital bills. That reminded her need of gaining more money.

Could she ask Shravan?

No, he had indirectly contributed eleven thousand rupees towards her mother's bills already. She needed to find a different way. Maybe I should become a bandit, Ahar mused. She chuckled at the improbability of that happening. She couldn't play the next Gabbar Singh from Sholay. That evil villain scared everyone. Ahar couldn't.

Her thoughts were interrupted as they reached their destination. It was a large open field with a makeshift stage. Next to it was the main building where the concert managers and production people worked.

Shravan quickly parked and both of them entered the building. They asked the receptionist whether there was a concert last week.

"Sir, I moved from Amritsar to here last weekend," the young girl replied apologetically. "I don't know."

"You're from Amritsar?" Ahar excitedly asked. The girl nodded. "Same! Where did--"

"Virdee, zip it," Shravan said in a stern voice. She rolled her eyes. "Can we talk to the people who managed everything?"

"Most of the staff members aren't here due to Krishna Janmashtami (religious festival). They should be here tomorrow," she answered.

Shravan muttered a curse. Ahar thanked the girl. Disappointed, they walked out of the building. There weren't even security guards to inquire. Shravan knew his sister couldn't be the kidnapper, but he had to prove to Ahar. Ahar, on the other hand, realized that only Anchal and Arun were left on their list. If Shivani was a kidnapper, she definitely had a partner.

Shouldn't her brother be her partner?

But what about Anchal--Ahar's boss and Shivani's college professor?

On their way back, Ahar and Shravan again had to ask for directions. Some people gave the shortcut route. When they halted to a stop, Ahar was worried.

"Did you run out of gas?"

"I don't run on gas, idiot."

"I meant the bike," Ahar said. "I swear it happens in all soap operas. Bike stops. Hero and heroine get lost in the jungle--wait, we don't have a jungle here. If there's no jungle, then they find an empty lodge to stay the night in. Then, dream sequences. And--" She stopped realizing that Shravan wasn't paying any attention to her. She moved her head and stared at what her partner was watching.

"We're back to our town."

Ahar finally took a good look around and got off the motorcycle. "Oh good."

"We'll check again tomorrow," Shravan told her. Ahar groaned. "I'll get the right routes beforehand. I'm still surprised you don't know the way around this place."

"Hey! I'm not Harayanvi, okay?" Ahar said defensively. Shravan rolled his eyes. "What? Come on! I don't even have the weird harayanvi accent yet! Mera shudh punjabi (Mine is pure punjabi)," she insisted.

"Whatever," he said not interested.

"See you tomorrow." Ahar walked away to the ice cream shop.

As Shravan prepared to go home, Ahar's words kicked in. She didn't have the Harayanvi accent. Shivani did.

The girl kidnapper didn't have the slightest hint of a Harayanvi accent either.

His sister was innocent!

Ahar wasn't!

* * *
Ahar back to her apartment, tired.

Money, money, and money.

She needed twenty five thousand more rupees. Her phone vibrated and she saw twenty text messages. All from Shravan. All reading: where is Sanya? Ahar decided to take care of him tomorrow. Who knew what problem Shravan had now. How would Ahar know where Sanya was?

Suman was watching CID and reading a book when Ahar entered. "How was your day?" Suman asked.

"I made it alive," Ahar said dramatically.

They chuckled. Suman soon returned her focus back to her book. "What're you reading?" Ahar asked. Suman hardly ever read books due to college taking a lot of her time.

"Little Women," replied Ahar's friend.

Ahar smiled and took a seat on the armchair near Suman. "One of my favorites. I'm still mad Jo married the professor."

Suman gasped. Ahar faceplamed herself. Suman slammed the book shut and threw it at Ahar who caught it, fortunately.

"Thanks for the spoiler. My ship sank faster than the Titanic. Great." She turned off the TV. "Goodnight."

Ahar sighed as her friend called a goodnight and went to her room. She didn't mean to spoil it for Suman. Jo was a strong main character in the story who did a lot for her family. Ahar could related to her a lot. Though tired, Ahar opened the book and began reading. The first part really touched her as usual.

It also gave her the idea of gaining money.

But was she desperate enough?

Closing the book, Ahar pulled out her phone. She went on Google and searched for potential buyers. Or at least people she could sell it to.

She finalized one thing: if she didn't find another way to find money by end of tomorrow, she was going to do it.

_______________________

Guesses on what Ahar will do?
Anyone read Little Women? Seriously, its an awesome book. I completely shipped Laurie and Jo. Stupid professor Bhaer.

How was the chapter?

Will she get the desired money by Thursday night or take the . . . other action?

Ahar doesnt have the accent. Shivani does. Trouble for Ahar?

Next chapter drama coming up. Btw, sorry for any mistakes with Haraynvi accent. I seriously am guessing on it.

Serial time: I didn't like Tashan e ishq. Just didn't like the main leads. Contemplating whether I should watch Jamai Raja. Started Big Boss though. Omg Prince, Keith, Yuvika and Vikas are my fav. Mandana...she is a lot to put up with so kudos to Keith for the patience. I hate Aman and Kishwer. Roopal and Degs are like in their own world.

Thank you for the votes, comments, and follows so far! Please keep continuing!

--Kiran