Ready for surprise?
Well, it's a guest appearance...

Though he had hardly slept in the night, Sameer wasn't sleepy at all.

After the second cup of tea with Naina, he had gone down to hotel reception and got a duplicate key. Now, back in his room, he lovingly held the handkerchief. The drops from her hair, that had covered his face, now rested in the white hanky. It had dried up, owing to the weather, but he could still feel the subtle fragrance of her shampoo.

With a deep sigh, he placed the handkerchief on his heart and wrapped his arms around himself, "Tumhare aansuon ki wajah main jaan ke rahunga, Maina... and I promise you, tumhari muskurahat ki wajah main banunga."

His mind went back to what she had mentioned about the smell. The lift last night indeed reeked of alcohol. He had no idea how drunk those boys were, but they were quite a few glasses down. Sameer had never gone beyond Beer in his life, that too, only on rare occasions. But now, even that won't happen, he decided. He would never, ever touch any alcoholic drink in his life.

Half an hour later, he was ready to go for breakfast after his bath. It was a free day for them. Mr Kothari had finished all the required work yesterday, and asked them to keep this last day for exploring markets.

"Naina, din mein hum badi shops mein chalte hain, jisse dhoop mein na ghoomna pade. Shaam ko Nehru bazaar, Kishanpol bazaar aur Bapu bazaar chalenge. Woh yahan ki famous markets hai." He suggested at the breakfast table.

"Hum market jaa rahe hain?" Ayush turned to Naina, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Haan. Aisi market jahan lehenga, saree, jewellery jaisi cheezen milti hain. Bata tujhe kya leke dun?" Naina teased him.

"Main koi girl hun jo yeh sab lunga. Mujhe football wali market jaana hai. Parth ke paas new football hai, uski bua na leke di. Mujhe bhi chahiye." Ayush pouted, frowning.

Naina narrowed her eyes, tapping her temple as if thinking something, "Football... umm... achha woh wali ball jisse sab bachhe akele akele khelte hain?"

Ayush pressed his forehead, "Offo, akele kaise khelenge? Ek football se two teams khelti hain. TV pe nahi dekha kya?"

"Ek football toh Parth ke paas aa gayi. Usse tum sab khel sakte ho na? Teams banake." She said with a smile, having made her point.

Ayush thought about it for a few seconds, then beamed, "Arre haan. Poori team ko ek hi toh chahiye."

Sameer proudly smiled at her simple yet effective way of teaching him to share. He was also feeling lighter to see her back to her old self, calm and composed... in control.

While Naina and Ayush made a list of what he would buy from the market, Sameer opened his insta account, sipping coffee. The first post made his eyes widen. He put the cup down and started typing hastily. Within a second, the reply lit up his face.

"Naina, main abhi aata hun. There's a call I need to take." He pushed his chair back as the phone started to ring almost immediately.

She nodded with a smile, and got back to talking to Ayush.

"Tu Jaipur mein kya kar raha hai? Kab aaya? Bataya kyon nahi? Abhi kahan hai?" Sameer barraged the caller with questions without waiting for his answers.

Sanjay laughed at the other end, "Pagal ho gaya hai kya? Delhi nahi aaya hun jo bandook ki goliyon ki tarah sawal pe sawal daag raha hai. Bhai Jaipur mein hun... shooting ke liye."

"Abey main bhi yahin hun, Jaipur mein. Isliye puch raha hun." Sameer grinned.

It was Sanjay's turn to be pleasantly surprised, "Kya? Tu yahan hai? Pehle kyon nahi bataya?"

Sameer explained that he had come for official requirement, and would be leaving the next day.

Sanjay was ecstatic, "Aaj shaam ko aaja phir. Mera schedule paanch baje tak ka hai, saat tak pakka khatam ho jayega. Uske baad saara time apun ka... tere saath. Dono bhai milke aaj poori raat gappe marenge."

Sameer glanced back at Naina, "Main aa jaata... lekin..."

"Lekin? Tu mujhe milne mein lekin wekin kar raha hai? Aisa kya hai bhai... kahin koi illegal kaam toh nahi kar raha... nanaji se chup ke?" Sanjay's voice was dead serious.

"Tu apna drama apne shows tak rakha kar. Har baat mein mat ghusaya kar. Yahan mere saath Naina aur Ayush hain." Sameer was exasperated.

The phone almost fell from Sanjay's hands. He grabbed it with both hands and whispered, "Tu bhabhi ke saath aaya hua hai? Shaadi kab ki? Honeymoon pe Ayush ko bhi laya hai?"

"Shut up, Sanjay. Kya bole jaa raha hai? Maine kaha na meeting ke liye aaya hun. Naina aur main ek department mein hain toh saath mein meeting ke liye aaye hain. Kuch bhi mat bol... usne suna toh kya sochegi."

"Bagal mein hai kya?" Sanjay snickered at the other end.

"Sanjay tu..." Sameer gritted his teeth.

"Shaant shaant gadadhari bheem. Poori baat bata, detail mein." Sanjay pacified him.

Sameer told him about the meeting, and nanu's suggestion of taking Naina so that they could know each other better.

"Jaanne ke liye poori zindagi hai yaar, yeh bata woh maani ya nahi." Sanjay asked impatiently.

"Maine... maine abhi kuch kaha nahi hai usse." Sameer rubbed the back of his neck.

"He bhagwaan." Sanjay slapped his forehead, "Yahan meri beti papa bhi bolne lagi aur tune abhi tak I Love You nahi bola."

"Haan mujhe bataya tha bhabhi ne ki Ojal bolne lagi hai. Last week video call pe sunaya bhi tha. Bohot pyari hai teri beti. Shukar hai bhabhi pe gayi hai." Sameer chuckled, shifting the focus away from himself.

Sanjay could see through his trick, "Meri beti kispe gayi hai yeh baad mein discuss karte hain. Abhi mujhe meri bhabhi se milna hai."

"Pagal hua hai kya? Aise kaise usse video call pe bula lun? Naina ko kya khaunga ki mere dost ko usse kyon baat karni hai?" Sameer hissed nervously.

"Dekh Sameer, ab mujhe bhabhi se toh milna hi hai. Tu bhabhi ko mujh tak nahi laa sakta lekin main toh wahan aa sakta hun na. Mera shoot khatam hone ke baad aata hun tumhare hotel mein. Bas kuch aisa intezam kar ki shaam saath mein guzre. Yeh mauka jaane nahi de sakte." Sanjay said earnestly.

Sameer was eager to meet him too, "Tu aaja. Main koi jugaad karta hun."

"Yeh hui na mere bhai wali baat. Ab uss Raghav ke bachhe ko jalayenge... jo US mein hi bas gaya hai jaake." The excitement was evident in Sanjay's voice.

The city of Jaipur could easily be called a shopper's paradise. If the stand alone shops were filled with vibrant and rich collection of traditional outfits, local bazaars were splayed with myriad of colours in every thinkable shade. Jaipur might be called Pink City but it absolutely loved all colours. During the day, when they visited the exclusive showrooms, Naina bought a beautiful dress material in yellow, with intricate gold patchwork, which was called 'gota patti'. Sameer was surprised, because he had not seen her in Indian wear till date, but wanted to do so now. Later, when she told him it was for Bhalla aunty, he pursed his lips... probably this dream would also have to wait for a long time. But her gift did give him an idea, and he bought a saree for his mom, and a dupatta for Deepika.

In the evening, when they visited Bapu bazaar, they checked quite a few shops, amazed by the blend of materials available in all price ranges. Even the dresses to fit all budgets could be bought at almost every shop. There were plenty of shops for jewellery, lac bangles, traditional stone work items and artifacts, but maximum crowds thronged the shops selling clothes.

Ayush was happy when Naina bought him a kurta in earthy orange, along with a white pyjama and Rajasthani footwear called mojris.

It was after the sunset when they finally started back for the hotel.

"Naina, aaj hamari last evening hai yahan. Aaj phir se terrace wale show mein chalein? Ayush bhi ek baar phir se puppet show dekh payega." Sameer said in a low voice as Ayush laid his head in Naina's lap, with his eyes closed.

He sprang up instantly, "Haan puppet show dekhna hai mujhe. Naina, chalenge na? Phir main jaake sab friends ko bataunga ki maine two two baar puppet show dekha."

"Tu thaka nahi hai? Abhi toh neend aa rahi thi." She pinched his cheek.

"Main milk shake pi lunga toh wapas strong ho jaunga. Please na, mujhe jana hai." He tugged her arm.

"Achha baba theek hai." She smiled at him, and nodded at Sameer.

"Uhh, ek baat aur. Mera ek purana friend hai. Subah pata chala woh Jaipur aaya hua hai. Aaj woh bhi milne aane wala hai mujhse. If you don't mind, usse bhi wahin bula lun? Unke hotel mein yeh program nahi hai aur uska bohot mann tha dekhne ka." He looked at her hopefully.

Ayush turned to him, "Aapka woh friend bhi five years ka hai? Usse bhi puppet show dekhna hai?"

Sameer smiled, "Mera friend mere jitna hai. Par puppet show khush hoke dekhega." He would make sure.

Naina was hesitant though, "Hamare saath aapke friend bore ho jayenge. Aap chahe toh aap dono hi chale jayein na terrace pe... main aur Ayush room mein dinner kar lenge."

"Naina, mujhe puppet show dekhna hai." Ayush whined.

Sameer patted his head, "Hum sab dekhenge." Looking back at Naina, he said earnestly, "Sanjay ko Ayush ki company achhi lagegi. Woh ek TV actor hai, sabse bohot jaldi mix up hota hai. I'm sure you'll also enjoy. Aur agar tumhe achha nahi lage toh wapas room mein chale jaana, puppet show ke baad."

He was on cloud nine when Naina nodded in acceptance.

It was around eight in the evening when he rang their door bell. What he saw was capable of giving him a full fledged heart attack. He never thought his wish would be fulfilled so soon... and now he regretted asking too little.

Naina stood before him in a white suit, with a pink Jaipuri bandhej dupatta on one shoulder. The long white kurta was bordered with gold gota patti, fitting her slim frame very well. White flared bottom had big circular pattern in dark pink and gold, giving the outfit a modern look. If the white of her suit gave her an angelic look, the bright pink dupatta, with orange mixed along the sides and thick gold border gave her cheeks a flaming yet blushing hue. She was wearing long pink earrings to match with it, and... Sameer found it difficult to breathe as his eyes got stuck on the dark pink lips. Naina usually wore gloss, or dull shades of lip colour, but today, her choice of shade made his breath uneven. To top it all, her long hair were left open, to frame her face and fall back in soft, cascading waves.

"Uhh... Ayush... Ayush kahan hai?" He asked, tearing his eyes away from her, lest she got offended.

"Shoes pehen raha hai. Yeh suit kaisa hai? Mr Kothari ne diya hai." The torture wasn't over for him, as he had to look at her now.

"Hmm... good... very good. Mr Kothari ke designs achhe hain." After a quick glance, he lowered his head.

Ayush came running a second later, and he was thankful for the distraction. Sameer hoped he wouldn't say or do something during the evening that he regretted later... he needed supreme self control today to keep himself in check.

After reaching the terrace, they were contemplating where to sit when Sameer noticed the three boys sitting on one of the tables.

His fists tightened at their sight, and he said in a controlled voice, "Naina, let's go from here."

She looked at him in confusion, followed his line of gaze, and drew in a sharp breath. Next moment, however, she held Ayush's hand, and said with a steely determination, looking at Sameer, "Hum yahan apni marzi se aaye hain, aur apni marzi se hi jayenge... kisi aur ki wajah se nahi."

He held her gaze for a few seconds, but there was no uncertainty or fear in them.

As they crossed the section where the boys were seated, their eyes fell on Naina.

"Oho, akal aa hi gayi. Aaj chote kapde nahi pehne. Chalo, humne kuch toh sikhaya." Said one of them, and the three broke into laughter.

"Nahi Sameer. Yahan bohot log hain. Koi scene hoga toh aapki reputation ke liye achha nahi hoga." Naina whispered to Sameer when he stopped, ready to give them back.

Yet again, swallowing the boiling anger in him, he quietly took the seat they were shown. Ten minutes later, Sanjay walked in.

Sameer immediately got up and went to him. The two engulfed each other in a tight brotherly hug, a wide grin on their faces.

"Arre yaar Sameer, itne dino baad gale lag ke aatma tak ko shanti mil gayi." Sanjay exclaimed when they parted, his eyes twinkling with elation.

Sameer punched him lightly on the shoulder, "Saale, acting ka bhoot nahi chadha hota tujhe toh Delhi mein roz gale lag lete. Lekin tujhe toh Mumbai bhagne ki chul machi thi."

"Ab yaar mera sapna hi acting ka tha shuru se... tujhe pata toh hai. Itni handsome personality ko kisi office mein baith ke barbaad thodi karta." Sanjay winked.

Sameer raised one brow, "Kisne kaha tu handsome hai? Lagta hai eye sight weak ho gayi hai teri."

Placing one hand on Sameer shoulder, Sanjay raised his collar from one side, "Dost, handsome hun isliye jisse pyar karta tha usne haan bhi kar di, shaadi bhi ho gayi aur ab Ojal bhi hai hamare paas. Teri gaadi toh abhi ek patri se doosri tak bhi nahi pohonchi. Agar ek aur gustakhi ki meri shaan mein toh abhi bhabhi ke saamne teri pol khol dunga."

"Abe marwayega kya." Sameer hushed Sanjay, looking back at Naina and Ayush.

Sanjay laughed, "Darpok kahin ka. Chal ab milwa toh sahi. Zara hum bhi dekhe hamare brahmchari ka vrat kisne tod diya."

"Aaja." Sameer waved his head, amused at Sanjay's choice of words, "Lekin Naina ke saamne apne yeh TV wale dialogues mat maarna."

Naina stood up as the two of them reached her.

"Sanjay, meet my colleague, Naina Agarwal. Hum log ek hi project pe kaam kar rahe hain. Aur Naina, yeh Sanjay hai, mera childhood friend. Kuch saal se Mumbai shift ho gaya warna hum hamesha saath hi rehte the... main, Sanjay aur Raghav. Abhi woh bhi US gaya hua hai." Sameer made the introductions.

Naina smiled, "Hello sir. Nice to meet you."

Sanjay covered his ears with his hands, throwing his head back dramatically, "He bhagwaan, mujhe itni jaldi buddha kyon kar diya. Abhi meri umr hi kya hai... abhi toh mere khelne khane ke din hain."

Naina and Ayush stared at him, confounded.

Sameer placed a palm on his eyes, then nudged Sanjay, "Tu normal rehne ka kya lega?"

Sanjay immediately straightened, his face sober, "Naina ji, aap iss aadmi ki baaton mein mat aana. Main normal hi hun. Itna normal hun ki sir jaisa bhari shabd sunke zara dimag chakra gaya. Aap please mujhe Sanjay kahiye... jisse mujhe phir se chakkar na aa jaye."

She gaped at him.

Sameer came to the rescue, "Uhh Naina, call him Sanjay. Warna iska drama hum sabko abnormal kar dega."

Sanjay gave her a comforting smile, "Naina ji, aap confuse mat hoiye. Acting mere andar iss tarah se bhari hui hai ki real life mein bhi ghus jaati hai. Aapko darane ka irada nahi tha mera. I just wanted to say that you must call me by name... Sanjay."

"Oh. Okay." Naina relaxed, a smile breaking on her face.

"Toh kya kahengi aap mujhe?" Sanjay again got into the acting mode, adopting a heavy, accented voice and cocking his head.

"Sanjay. Lekin tabhi jab aap mujhe Naina ji nahi sirf Naina bolenge... aur aap nahi tum kahenge. Main umr mein choti hun aapse." She wasn't shocked anymore at his antics.

Sanjay narrowed his eyes, seemingly thinking about what she said, then smiled shyly, "Naina tak theek hai lekin tum kaise keh sakta hun. Umr mein nahi par rishte mein toh..."

Sameer pinched his back, making him stop abruptly.

Hurriedly, he carried on, "Rishte mein... matlab main ladies ko aap hi bulata hun... rishte mein behen jaisa maanta hun na."

Naina's eyes filled with respect, "Toh phir aap mujhe choti behen maaniye aur aap mat kahiye."

Sameer chipped in before Sanjay could blurt anything, "Correct. Sanjay, Naina theek keh rahi hai. Choti behen hi samajh. Ab tune ek show mein school ke 16 years ke ladke ka role kar liye toh sach mein thodi chota ho gaya. Samajh aaya na?"

Sanjay nodded at him, then glanced at Ayush before turning to Naina again, "Yeh Ayush hai na, tumhara bhai."

Sameer let out an exasperated exhale while Naina was surprised, "Aapko kaise pata?"

Realising his folly, Sanjay looked at Sameer, and immediately looked away, seeing his blazing eyes, "Abhi bataya tha Sameer ne... jab wahan mile." He pointed towards the entrance, "Isne kaha Naina aur uska bhai bhi hain yahan... bas tabhi pata chala mujhe."

"Hello Ayush." He held out his hand.

"Hello Sanjay." Without hesitation, Ayush held his hand, smiling.

Naina pressed his shoulder, "Uncle bolte hain."

Sanjay was aware how Ayush addressed everyone by name. He smiled, "Nahi. Sanjay hi bolo. Mujhe achha laga."

They all took their seats. Soon, their table was filled with sumptuous snacks and glasses of masala chaas, jaljeera and nimbu paani as they chatted comfortably. Though the fare was Rajashthani again, it wasn't spicy. The hotel probably kept it mild to meet the taste buds of foreigners as well as guests from other states.

"Naina." Ayush shifted closer to her and whispered in her ear that he needed to visit the restroom.

"Excuse me, main abhi aati hun." She said to the other two, and walked away with Ayush.

"Yaar bhabhi toh badi khoobsurat dhoondi hai tune. Photo dekh ke bhi laga tha sundar hogi lekin saamne se toh kisi heroine se kam nahi hai." Sanjay exclaimed the moment Naina left.

Sameer blushed at the mention of 'bhabhi', "Abhi bhabhi bani kahan hai... pehle banne toh de."

"Abey seedhe thodi banegi. Procedure nahi pata kya tujhe? Propose kar, girl friend bana, thoda akele time bita saath mein... phir bhabhi banana. Saare phases enjoy toh kar yaar. Experience se keh raha hun, yeh din bohot khoobsurat hote hain... jab ek doosre ki aankhon mein kho ke aane wale kal ke sapne sajate hain." Sanjay said dreamily, making Sameer also drift into his own dreams.

"Oye, itna pheeka khana hi khilaoge kya? Humein chatpata pasand hai. Zara teekha tez karo ismein." A crude voice, from the table of boys jerked them out of their beautiful thoughts.

Sanjay looked in their direction, "Kaise badtameez hain yeh ladke. Hotel inke baap ka hai kya?"

Sameer's jaw clenched, "Dil toh karta hai inko itna marun ki baap dada sabka naam bhool jayein."

Sanjay narrowed his eyes, "Sameer, kuch hua hai kya?"

Sameer narrated the incident of first day when they ogled at Naina, and then the previous night's lift scene. He skipped Naina's reaction or her fears... and even the mention of his spending the night in her room, giving details only of the brash and indecent behaviour of the three boys.

"Aise kamino ke toh muh tod dene chahiye." Sanjay was infuriated. "Lekin tu kaise chup reh gaya, bhai? Tujhse toh kisi ladki ke saath badtameezi bardaasht nahi hoti thi, college mein bhi pata nahi kitno ko phoda hai... aur yahan, bhabhi ki baat hai phir bhi..." He gave a shocked look.

Sameer punched his palm with other hand, "Naina ki baat hai isiliye. Woh nahi chahti yahan koi ladai jhagda ho aur mera reputation kharab ho. Phir Ayush bhi hai. Uske saamne... warna ab tak toh yeh teeno kisi hospital mein pade hote, apni haddiyon ke tukde leke."

"Hmm. Baat toh teri sahi hai." Sanjay agreed.

As Naina entered the terrace with Ayush, loud uncouth voice fell in her ears, "Bewakoof ho kya tum saare? Teekha samajh nahi aata kya hota hai? Beemaro wala khana khilaoge? Ek toh waise dimag kharab ho raha hai... saala chutti ke beech mein dry day aa gaya... upar se tum log yeh ghas phus khila rahe ho bina mirch ka. Jaake mirchi leke aa... laal, kali, hari... jitni bhi tarah ki hai. Andar ki aag ko aag hi maarti hai."

Other two laughed at his last sentence. Naina quietly walked ahead, without looking in their direction.

"Agar pata nahi teekha kya hota hai toh nazar utha ke dekh le, aas paas bohot chatpati cheezen hain." Another one said in a suggestive voice as their eyes fell on Naina.

"Ayush, race ho jaye? Table tak?" Naina ignored them, smiling at her brother.

He pointed at their table, which was just a few steps away, "Lekin hum toh already aa gaye."

"Wapas jaake door se race karte hain." She clicked her fingers, her eyes shining.

Excitedly, Ayush followed her back to the entrance. Naina waited for a few moments, telling him that they needed to prepare, looked to her side, then uttered a quick '1 2 3 Go', making Ayush sprint ahead.

She darted behind him... only to balance herself halfway as she tried to stop before banging into a server carrying a tray. In the process, her hand pushed the tray, and all bowls flew up in air, the contents landing on the group sitting in front of them.

"Oh damn! I'm so sorry!" Naina stepped back, apologising to the server who stood like a statue, baffled.

"ABEY KAMINO! AHHHH!!! YEH KYA KAR DIYA!! AHHHH!! MERI AANKHEN JAL RAHI HAIN... PAANI PAANI DO JALDI!!" The howls of three boys reverberated all around as the bowls of all types of chilli lay empty on the floor, the contents spread all over their head, faces, clothes... and eyes.

"Paani? Haan paani chahiye aapko." Naina quickly picked up the glasses from their table in both hands and splashed on them.

"Aaahhhhh!!" Their collective screams got louder and painful as jaljeera worsened their condition.

"Ma'am, yeh paani." Another server came running to her, holding a jug of water.

"Jaldi paani dijiye." Naina snatched the jug from him, but it slipped from her hand, falling on the floor with a clank.

"I'm so sorry again. Aur paani le aaiye." She directed the waiters, giving them a look of extreme guilt... while the boys writhed in pain, screaming.

"Andar ki aag ke liye bahar se itni aag kaafi hai ya aur chahiye?" The moment she was alone, she hissed at them.

"Kon? Kon hai tu? Paani leke aa jaldi." Said the muscular one, who had commented on her short dress.

Naina picked the glass of masala chaas and threw on his face, "Mere kapde chote hon ya bade, jab chahun badal sakti hun. Teri toh soch hi itni choti aur ghatiya hai... usse kaise badlega? Samajh aaya main kaun hun? Ya aur yaad dilaun?"

"Please koi help karo. Paani... paani... aahhhh!" The boy cried out, rubbing his eyes which stung more now because of the chaas.

Sameer had noticed Naina going back to the entrance after the nasty remark of boys. He was about to get up and go to her when he saw her stopping at the door, whispering to Ayush. The way her eyes scanned the place, a suspicion arose in him... that she was upto something.

And his doubt was confirmed in less than a minute when she almost crashed into the person approaching the table of those boys, to serve all types of chillies as ordered.

Only, they had no idea how exactly they would be served.

Both Sanjay and Sameer watched in astonished fascination as Naina kept adding fuel to the fire that must be burning their eyes and complete insides with all the chilli. Due to constant screaming, they had even inhaled it, and now coughed badly.

After she had given the boys what they deserved, she moved away as other staff came rushing with various jugs and bottles of water. Sameer and Sanjay looked at each other, the silent message passed and well understood.

"Naina. Tum toh theek ho na?" Sameer asked as she reached their table.

"Main bilkul theek hun." She smiled, her eyes conveying the contentment she felt after what she had done.

Ayush was silently looking at them, somewhat scared that he might be the reason for this fiasco.

"Ayush. Aaj phir tu race mein first aa gaya. Lekin dekhna, next time main tujhe hara dungi." She slipped in next to him, wrapping her arm around him warmly.

He eased, pointing at the boys, "Unko kya hua?"

Naina looked in their direction once, and patted his cheek, "Unhone zyada mirchi le li... ab pata chal raha hai ki itni nahi leni chahiye thi."

Sameer got up, along with Sanjay, and said to her, "Thodi help humein bhi karni chahiye."

Her forehead creased, "Sameer aap mat..."

He raised one palm, invigorated even more as she took his name with so much concern, "Don't worry. At least humein toh kuch nahi hoga."

He winked at Sanjay, who gave a quick flick of head, and they both rushed to the small crowd that had gathered around the boys.

"Hatiye aap sab. Main ek doctor hun. Dekhne dijiye." Sanjay announced with authority.

People surrounding the boys moved away immediately.

The condition of all three was quite bad. They were sniffing, coughing and rubbing their eyes fiercely, drenched in water.

"Oho. Inhe jaldi se jaldi hospital leke jaana chahiye. Nahi toh andhe bhi ho sakte hain, hamesha ke liye." Sanjay declared after just one look at them.

"Abey toh kya President ke phone ka intezar kar raha hai, doctor... leke chal na hospital. Aur yaad rakh, humein kuch nahi hona chahiye... warna tu jaanta nahi hai mera baap kaun hai." The heavier boy screamed.

"Aapko pata hai na, bhaisahab?" Sanjay asked with a straight face.

The boy punched in air, instantly taking his hand back to rub his eyes, wincing in pain.

"Arre arre naaraz mat hoiye. Main bas yeh dekh raha tha ki kahin mirch ka asar dimag par na chala gaya ho... yaadasht pe asar pad sakta hai na itni aag lagi ho toh." Sanjay looked at people around, waving his head in sympathy.

The manager, who had reached the terrace just now, was frantic as he addressed Sanjay, "Doctor, yeh log theek toh ho jayenge na? Kahin hamare hotel ki reputation..."

Sameer placed a hand on his shoulder, "Hum sabne dekha ki yeh sab inki khud ki wajah se hua hai. Inhone hi extra chillis mangwayi aur phir plate ko theek se pakda nahi." He looked around at other guests, "Aap sabne bhi dekha na... yeh log kabse problem create kar rahe the. Ab khud ki laparwahi ke liye hotel ko blame thodi kar sakte hain. Staff toh har tarah se help karne ki koshish kar raha hai."

Other people agreed with him, having witnessed their loud and crass behaviour.

Sanjay looked at the manager, "Aap ek cab arrange karwa do, hospital mein drop karne ke liye. Main aur mera dost inhe neeche tak chod aate hain."

"Doctor, tum bhi chalo hamare saath." One guy frantically waved his hand in the air, searching for Sanjay.

"Bhai sahab, yeh harakat aapne dus barah saal pehle ki hoti toh main hi aapka ilaaj karta. Kya hai na, main Pediatrician hun... bachhon ka doctor. Aur aap mashallah bachche toh nahi lag rahe... na size se na harkaton se... ab dimag ki umar nahi badhe toh alag doctor ki zarurat hoti hai." Sanjay said pleasantly... the sarcasm lost on the boys, but made some guests snigger.

The manager informed them that the cab had arrived. He offered to help, calling a few staff members.

When the boys were escorted to the lift, Sameer looked at the manager, "Ab hum inhe chod denge. Aap log jaake terrace clean karwa lijiye jisse baaki sabki shaam kharab na ho."

By the time lift opened in front of them, Sameer and Sanjay were the only ones present with them. Looking at each other with a smug smile, they pushed the boys in the lift.

"Aap... aap log aa rahe ho na? Humein kuch dikhayi nahi de raha." One of them cried out.

Sanjay kept the lift door blocked with his foot while Sameer went to another door he had seen earlier... it led to the control panel for lift operations. He gave a thumbs up sign to Sanjay.

"Jao saalon. Jitne tum gire hue ho usse zyada toh koi gira nahi sakta lekin phir bhi... thode maze le lo. Samajhna ki lift khareed li tumne." Sanjay muttered... and the door closed before they could understand anything.

Sameer pressed the button once the lift started moving. Rubbing his hands, he came out, a triumphant look in his eyes. Within seconds, they could hear the hollering of all three boys while they groped around in dark in a lift that was stuck between two floors.

"Chalein?" Sanjay smiled as the other one opened.

When they stepped out on the ground floor, there were a few staff members, who peered behind them.

"Sir woh teen log... jinhe hospital leke jaana hai." One man asked.

Sameer gave him a horrified look, "Arre woh aaye nahi kya? Unn ladkon ko jaise hi hum lift tak laaye, unhone humein dhakka de diya. Isse pehle hum dono unhe pakadte, woh lift ke andar the aur door band ho gaya. Isiliye hum doosri lift se neeche aaye hain... dekhne ki unn becharo ko theek se hospital ke liye rawana kar dein."

"Doosri lift toh move hi nahi kar rahi." Another staff member worriedly stared at the digital display.

Sameer frowned, "Oh no! Lagta hai unhone koi galat button press kar diya. Ab kya hoga? Aap log kisi ko bulaiye lift theek karne ko."

A repair person was summoned and asked to go on the top floor, where the control panel was located. But he couldn't use the other lifts as a large party of foreigner guests had arrived, and their luggage had to be taken up by service lift, while they were escorted in the guests lift. There was no option but to rush to the other wing of the hotel. It was good fifteen minutes by the time the stuck lift was restored, and the boys brought down.

Besides their burning eyes and skin, there were several cuts and bruises, the chilli making then howl even more as it stung the wounds which must have come because of falling here and there in the dark lift. They seemed to have attacked each other too, which was evident from their torn clothes and scratched skin.

Their condition was pitiable... but Sameer had no pity for them.

"Agar kabhi inn aankhon se dekhne layak ho pao, toh yaad rakhna, nazar saaf karne ke liye yeh treatment dubara bhi diya jaa sakta hai agar aisi hi gandgi rahi tumhari nazar mein. Rahi baat aag ki... toh woh shayad aaj achhe se bujh gayi hogi." Sameer whispered as they were taken to the waiting cab, in no condition to question his identity.

"Thank you so much, sir. Aap dono ki help ke liye bhi aur aapne jo iss case mein hamare hotel ka naam spoil nahi hone diya uske liye bhi." The senior manager thanked Sameer and Sanjay.

When they went back to the terrace, all the mess had been cleared and puppet show had started.

"Kya hua? Itni der kyon lag gayi?" Naina asked them, her face tensed.

"Arre kuch nahi bhabhi hum..." Sanjay shut his mouth mid sentence as he noticed the shocked faces of Sameer and Naina, and realised his mistake.

"Oho sorry Naina... woh shooting mein mere aaj ke saare dialogue bhabhi ke saath the isliye muh pe yahi chadha hua hai. I hope you didn't mind." He laughed, pretending it to be a casual slip.

Sameer heaved a sigh of relief when Naina smiled in return and said, "It's okay."

They told her about the lift getting stuck, without revealing their contribution in it. Soon, the incident was put aside, and they got engrossed in their own talks, enjoying the program simultaneously. Sanjay told her about their school and college days, making her giggle at some real and some imaginary incidents. Her breezy laughter filled Sameer with immense gratification. When the dancing program started, her attention shifted to the performing women, and when they asked her to join them, she didn't hesitate even once.

With his face resting on his palm, Sanjay watched as his friend was lost in the rhythmic movements of the girl he loved.

Hope you all enjoyed the surprise, and a super long chapter😅

Next update on Wednesday