Munna responded to Pandit's weird idea, 'Hum Naina se puchenge aur woh kahegi theek hai, majboor laachar ki madad karni hi chahiye. Toh main ready hun Sameer ki nakli girlfriend banne ke liye.'

'Dekha, maine kaha tha na woh maan jayegi.' Pandit exclaimed with a wide grin, 'Aakhir Naina itni understanding aur smart hai.'

Munna retorded with a scoff, 'Ghaas charne gayi hai teri akal. Woh yeh baat sunte hi mera aur tera sar phod degi... aur Sameer ka bhi.'

Pandit mumbled under his breath, 'Toh saaf saaf bol deta. Aise ghuma fira ke gaali dene ki kya zarurat thi.'

Sameer was ready to pull his hair by now, 'Please yaar kuch jugaad socho. Mujhe toh ghar jaane mein bhi dar lag raha hai ki Dadaji dekhte hi Naina ke baare mein sawal jawab shuru kar denge. Kab tak jhooth bolunga unse.'

Munna steeled his voice to give the most practical solution, 'Mat bol jhooth. Sach bata de. Bata de ki ghabrahat mein tune aise hi bol diya tha. Koi girlfriend nahi hai.'

When Sameer gave him an inflamed stare, Munna explained, 'Yehi raasta sahi hai Sameer. Warna kab tak Naina ka naam lekar kuch na kuch kahani banata rahega?'

Now sitting with a puffed mouth, Pandit again murmured, 'Naina ke baare mein kahani banana toh iska favourite game hai. Ab tak toh kai level paar kar chuka hai.'

Munna raised a palm to ask him to remain quiet. He didn't want to dilute the problematic situation with an argument between Sameer and Pandit.

Going back to Sameer, he advised, 'Tujhe achha nahi lagega Sameer par sach yeh hai ki Naina teri shakl tak dekhna pasand nahi karti. Usse baat karne se kuch nahi hoga. Balki woh is baat se aur bhadak jayegi ki teri himmat kaise hui apni girlfriend ke sawal par uska naam lene ki. Baat sudharne ki jagah aur ulajh jayegi. Agar tu abhi Dadaji ko sach bata dega toh unhe yakeen ho jayega ki kal raat ki galti tune aaj subah sudhar li. Lekin Naina se baat karne ya koi solution dhoondne ke chakkar mein time nikalta jayega toh unko lagega koi aur lafda kiya hai tune.'

Finally, Pandit concurred with Munna, 'Sahi baat hai Sameer. Ek do din ka jhooth hota toh main apne dimaag ke warehouse se koi dhuandhaar idea nikaal deta lekin yeh jhooth lamba chalega agar abhi iska gala nahi dabaya.'

Sameer sighed heavily, leaning back on the chair. If both of them gave up, it meant that there could be no way out for him. He had to accept defeat.

Wearily, he fished out his phone and pressed Dadaji's number.

'Arey Sameer tu subah se kahan gayab hai? Ambika kab se tere liye pareshan ho rahi hai. sab theek toh hai na beta?' Dadaji's voice was laced with concern.

Sameer looked at both his friends, then cleared his throat before starting, 'Woh Dadaji, kal maine Naina...'

Dadaji cut him short in an urgent voice, 'Dekh Sameer, tu bilkul ghabrana nahi. Unki baaton mein mat aana. Tu aisa kar, Naina ko yahan leke aa. Hum khud baat karenge usse. Beta, sachha pyar karne wale toh saari bediyan tod dete hain. Agar woh tujhse sachha pyra karti hai toh un sabse alag hone ko taiyar ho jayegi.'

'Kisse alag hona hai Naina ko?' Sameer was utterly confused.

Dadaji did not want to say it as servants were around, so he whispered, 'Wohi log jo use tere khilaf bhadka rahe hain,' then he comforted Sameer, 'Tu kisi ki mat sun. Nahi sunega na?'

'Nahi Dadaji.' Sameer said quickly, 'Lekin kaun bhadka...'

Again, Dadaji interrupted, 'Layega na use? Pyar karte ho na ek dusre ko?'

'Haan Dadaji lekin aap kiski...' He responded without paying attention.

'Bas fir tu ghar aaja jaldi se, Naina ke saath. Humein usse milna hai.' Dadaji declared and cut the call.

Sameer gave a perplexed look to the phone, wondering what Dadaji meant, till his startled gaze lifted to his friends, 'Lagta hai Dadaji ko pata hai main tum dono ke paas hun. Woh keh rahe the baaton mein mat aana kyonki tum log mujhe behka rahe ho.'

Pandit jumped on his chair, his mouth and eyes rounded, 'Abey kahin dadadji antaryami toh nahi hain? Unko kaise pata chala?'

Munna was bewildered too, 'Dadaji ne kaha hum behka rahein hain tujhe? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai Sameer. Tu poori baat bata.'

After he narrated the entire conversation, Pandit narrowed his eyes, 'Mujhe lagta hai unhone tere andar speaker tracker jaisa kuch chupa rakha hai. Sab sunte hain tu jo kehta hai.'

Munna scoffed in frustration, 'Tu chup kar jaa Pandit. Agar Dadaji sunte toh Naina ke baare mein sab jaante ki nahi? Sameer ke muh so jo uske liye phool jharte hain unhe sunkar koi sapne mein bhi nahi manega ki Naina Sameer ki girlfriend hogi.'

'Haan yeh baat toh hai.' Pandit nodded in understanding, 'Fir toh unhe Sameer ke saare jhol pataa chal jaate.'

'Kya jhol? Maine kaunsa jhol kiya hai? Ab tu is ek baat ke peeche meri poori image bigadega?' Sameer asked in a heated voice.

Munna picked up his phone and started to walk out.

Sameer stood up to block his way, panic evident in his eyes, 'Tu kahan jaa raha hai? Bataa toh sahi main kya karun.'

'Tujhe kahan interest hai kuch karne mein. Tu aur Pandit toh do do minute mein asli problem se ludak ke idhar udhar ho jaate ho. Jab teri problem tere liye hi important nahi hai toh mujhe kya padi hai. Tum dono faltu ke topic pe ladte raho main ghar jaa raha hun.' Munna was exasperated at their childish bickering.

'Achha sorry. Please mat jaa yaar. Warna main mar jaunga.' Sameer pleaded, holding his arm.

'Phans toh tu pehle hi gaya hai. Dadaji ne kaha Naina se pyar karta hai, tune haanji keh diya... unhone kaha Naina ko leke aa, tune haanji keh diya. Hum tujhe asliyat batane ko keh rahe the tune apne khode gadhhe ko khaai bana diya. Bewakoof ab Naina ko ghar kaise leke jayega?' Munna reminded him in a tensed voice.

Only then Sameer realised the second coating that he had given to his mistake. He had indeed agreed to whatever Dadaji said.

Slapping his forehead, he slumped on the chair, cursing himself, 'Lagta hai dadadji tees saal ka hone se pehle hi mujhe dhakke deke ghar aur business se nikaal denge. Pathhar hi pad gaye hain meri akal pe. Log pair pe kulhadi maarte hain main kulhadi ko apne saamne rakh ke uspe baar baar kud raha hun.'

Pandit gave him a pitiful look then lifted his gaze to Munna, 'Yeh aise hi kudta raha toh mar hi jayega. Bhai ab tu hi iski naiyya paar lagwa.'

Munna also sat heavily next to Sameer, 'Kya karun kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha.'

Pandit started to pace the room, 'Niche paan ki dukaan upar gori ka makaan, hamara Sameer mahaan, aur phans gayi hamari jaan.'

Both Sameer and Munna eyed him angrily. Pandit mumbled a sorry and pulled a chair next to them.

The three sat in silence for a few minutes, their minds tangled around the problem but unable to find the opening which could help to unravel this mess.

Suddenly Munna sprang up, 'Natasha.'

'Natasha nahi Naina.' Pandit reminded him.

Munna just waved him off and explained, 'Natasha se madad mangte hain. Woh Naina ko achhi tarah jaanti hai. Agar koi hamari help kar sakta hai toh woh Natasha hi hai.'

Sameer was fazed, 'Lekin Natasha meri kyon help karegi? Woh toh apni friend ki tarah mujhpe angare barsane wali thi subah.'

'Teri nahi. Lekin Naina ki toh karegi. Mere paas ek idea hai. Par uske liye Natasha se milna padega.' Munna's mind was churning.

Sameer shrugged, 'Tu kehta hai toh mil lete hain. Lekin mujhe lagta nahi uska koi fayda hoga.'

Munna quickly folded his hands in front of him, 'Tu dur reh ab. Agar tu chahta hai iss problem ka koi solution mile toh Naina aur Natasha se jitni dur reh sakta hai rehna. Saamne dikh jaaye toh mud ke dusra raasta pakad lena. Kahin mil jaayein toh... toh muh pe rumaal bandh ke wahan se khisak lena.'

Pandit frowned, 'Tu Naina ko iske paas laane ka plan bana raha hai ya dur bhagane ka?'

Munna didn't have the patience to clarify, 'Tum dono bas itna yaad rakho ki Naina Natasha se tum dono ka aamna saamna nahi hona chahiye jab tak main na kahun.'

Pandit stood up with hands on waist, 'Ek minute, main kyon nahi mil sakta? Maine kya kiya hai?'

'Precaution.' Munna grinned, and gesturing them to remain there, stepped out of the room.

Once outside in the corridor, he called up Natasha.

*****

Naina and Natasha reached home in silence. Natasha did not say anything on the way as Naina seemed to be lost. The way Sameer had turned malicious towards her for just a little brush with him was annoying. Now she could see why Naina turned bitter everytime she mentioned his name. He had the typical attitude that came with riches.

Natasha had spent all her years in a wealthy and opulent household and she could easily recognise the brands anywhere. The guy was reeking of affluence. Right from his clothes to watch to his car, he was flaunting the best. She could imagine what kind of pampering he must have received while growing up. She had seen it in her own house. Sameer seemed to be of the category of her father and brother.

She watched as Naina tiredly slumped on the sofa and let out a long breath.

'Coffee piyegi?' She asked.

'Agar tu banayegi.' Naina looked at her with a pleading smile.

Natasha laughed, 'Aisi dukhiyari smile degi to khana bhi bana dungi. Lekin aaj mood nahi ho raha isliye please coffee ke baad normal ho jaana.'

Naina chuckled, and showed her a thumbs up sign. Natasha sauntered to the kitchen, feeling relieved. She didn't want Naina's mood to remain sour today because of some arrogant nutcase.

After coffee, they decided to do some cleaning as they weren't feeling sleepy anymore. Natasha fished out a bunch of her clothes from the cupboard and shoved them in suitcases.

'Yeh kya kar rahi hai? Kahin jaana hai kya?' Naina asked while setting up her new tops in hangers.

'Bohot saare outfits pile up ho gaye yahan. Sab kuch crush ho jaata hai. Isliye aadhe suitcase mein rakh deti hun. Thanks to me, ab tera wardrobe bhi improve ho gaya ha isliye tujhe bhi toh jagah chahiye na.' Natasha mentioned casually.

But it reminded Naina of how she was intruding into her friend's personal space. With her new job and better salary, she had increased the instalment of the loan. Still, it would take at least two years for her to repay whole of it, owing to the high rate of interest. And it would take another year for her to be able to save enough to move into a small independent apartment. Till then, she had no option but be a pile on.

She left what she was doing and sat cross legged in front of Natasha on the floor, 'Yaar Nutty, ek baat bolun, gussa mat karna.'

'Arey, main kab gussa karti hun? Main toh itni pretty aur charming hun.' Natasha fluttered her eyes, flashing a beatific smile.

Pinching her cheek, Naina said lovingly, 'Woh toh tu hai.' Then she turned sombre, "Nutty, maine tujhe pehle bhi kaha hai... please mujhe aadha rent pay karne de na. Ab toh main afford kar sakti hun.'

Halting her work, Natasha stared at her for a while, then gave a nonchalant shrug, 'Okay... aadha rent abse tu pay karna.'

Naina searched her face for any hint of annoyance, but Natasha was absolutely calm.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Naina smiled widely, 'Thank you so much. Tune mere dil se itna bada bojh hata diya.'

Natasha gave her an angelic smile, 'Toh tu mera bojh hata de. Okay?'

Naina gave her a questioning look, unable to understand what she meant.

Natasha picked her phone and opening a blank note, started to type furiously, "Chal list banate hain. Tere aane se mera chai ka pan double use hota hai, balki double se bhi zyada kyonki main toh aksar bahar rehti hun. Woh jaldi kharab ho jayega toh mujhe naya lena padega. Plate, glass aur cup bhi zyada use hote hain toh jaldi toot jayenge. Bathroom ka shower teri wajah se roz din mein do baar use hota hai. Kitna chal payega bechara itni mehnat karke. Fir tujhe kapde bhi itne dhone hote hain toh balcony ka stand aur haan, kapdon pe lagane wali clip ka bhi overuse ho raha hai. Is room mein...'

'Nutty,' Naina rolled her eyes, 'Don't overdo it.'

'Abhi overdo kahan hua hai meri jaan. Abhi toh bohot saara hisaab baaki hai. Pehle main aaram se bed ke ek side soti thi toh dusri side ki bedsheet new rehti thi. Matlab ek side ghisne ke baad main udhar wali use kar sakti thi. Lekin ab toh dono side ek saath ghis rahi hain. Aur sofa...'

Naina snatched Natasha's phone and folded her hands, 'Bas kar mataji. Samajh aa gaya mujhe. Sorry, jo maine yeh baat uthayi. Promise, aage se kabhi nahi kahungi.'

Natasha again smiled sarcastically, 'Arey dar kyon gayi? Abhi kitna kuch add karna hai list mein. Bojh utarna hi hai toh poora utar de na. Meri wajah se kahin tu iss bojh mein dab ke mar war gayi toh main murder ke liye arrest ho jaungi.'

Naina held her ears, 'Maaf karo, insaaf karo. Bachhi samajh ke ignore kar de please.'

Crossing her arms, Natasha looked away, 'Nahi kar sakti...' she then threw a glance at Naina from the corner of her eyes, '... unless tu double patties wale burger khilaye, fries ke saath... aur apne haath ki cold coffee pilaye.'

Naina placed a hand on her heart and bowed, 'Jo hukm meri Nutty.'

Both burst out laughing.

Natasha pulled her in a hug and gave a loving pat on her head, 'Agar main tere apartment mein tere saath rehne aati toh tu mujhse aadha kharcha leti? Nahi na.'

Getting away, Naina chewed her lip, 'Mujhe laga tujhe meri wajah se taklif hoti hai toh kam se kam main rent...'

Natasha poked her forehead with two fingers, 'Taklif my foot. Mujhe toh mazaa aata hi. Aur maine kaha hai na tu jab ghar rent karegi toh main rokungi nahi. Tab tak jhel le yaar mujhe.'

'Jhelna hi padega.' Naina let out a breath dramatically.

After cleaning, they ordered burgers, fries and ice cream. Naina prepared tall glasses of cold coffee for both. They decided to take a nap in the afternoon before it was time for Naina to go for the dance class.

Naina had fallen asleep while Natasha, unable to do so, was scrolling Instagram when the vibrating phone announced Munna's call.

She quickly looked at her sleeping friend, then went outside, closing the door behind her. Naina needed some rest.

'Zarur Sameer ke behaviour ki maafi mangne ke liye phone kar raha hoga.' Muttering to herself, she picked up and said a low volume 'Hello.'

'Hi Natasha. Munna bol raha hun. Disturb karne ke liye sorry lekin kuch kaam tha tumse.' Munna said in a sweet voice.

'Mujhse kaam? Bolo.' Natasha was curious.

'Uhh, actually phone pe nahi. Yeh baat milkar karein toh better hoga. Abhi mil sakti ho?' Munna asked directly.

'Abhi? Abhi toh nikalna mushkil hoga. Shaam ko milein?' Natasha was free in the evening after Naina left for dance class.

Munna wanted to do this at the earliest, 'Agar thoda jaldi ho jaata toh... actually kaam hi aisa hai ki... tumhari help chahiye. Kisi ke liye do or die wali situation aa gayi hai.'

Natasha narrowed her eyes, thinking for a awhile, then said, 'Aadhe ghante mein usi market mein mil sakti hun jahan tumhe chori karte hue pakda tha.'

'Main chori kahan...' Munna started to defend, then stopped, 'Okay. Main wait karunga. Aur Natasha, please Naina ko mention mat karna ki maine tumhe bulaya hai. Main milkar samjha dunga iska reason bhi.'

After the call, Natasha looked at the phone strangely, and murmured, 'Do or die? Woh bhi Naina se chupkar?'

Next update on Friday