Rudra: good afternoon Anika Di

On his way to the poolside, he bumped into her.

Anika: good afternoon Rudra

She greeted him back with a warm smile.

Rudra: aapne IPL dekha
(Did you see the IPL?)

Anika: haan, mein saare matches dekhti
(Yes, I watch all the matches)

In excitement she exclaimed, finally someone who shares the same interest in the hype of the sport.

Anika: Gauri ko bilkul interest nahi hai in sab mein. Shayad isi liye kyunki jab season chalta, mera poora dhyaan sirf uspe hota hai
(Gauri doesn't have even the slightest interest in all this. Maybe because when the season is going on, all my attention is on that only)

Proudly she explained to him, concluding the speech with a sheepish smile.

Rudra: kaun aapke favourites hai?
(Who are your favourites?)

Anika: hands down Dhoni

Rudra: me too Di

They found a subject to build their conversation on, and soon they were indulged fully. On his way out to the office, Shivaay heard the non-stop talking. He was taken back at how much they were going on and on, it seemed they would never finish. If only he could find a topic and have everlasting talks about it with her instead of that Dumbell Rudy.

It was the delivery man at the door who called out, bringing him back to the real world.

Shivaay: kya?
(What?)

Man: Sir yeh parcel
(Sir this parcel)

Shivaay: mere sar per rakh lo
(Keep it on my head)

Fully annoyed, Shivaay snapped back at the poor innocent deliverer. His whole thought process was actually trying to generate some ideas until this guy came and disturbed him. Feeling the delivery guy getting closer to him, Shivaay looked back at him and stumbled seeing the parcel high in the air above him

Shivaay: fhat the wuck?

The embarrassed man lowered his arms along with the cardboard box in his arms. Shivaay just brushed his suit and adjusted his blazer sleeves.

Man: Sir aapne hi toh kaha...
(Sir you only said...)

Shivaay: logo ko ho gaya kya?
(What has happened to people?)

This incident made him remember when he met that receptionist at Anika's old office, God what an awkward encounter.

Shivaay: give it to one of the guards

Shaking his head, Shivaay spun his car keys on his finger as he went to his vehicle. Now just that 1 hour meeting and then he's free for the week. The delivery guy simply watched the car turn out of the gates before disappearing into the distance.

Man: Ajeeb launda, bolta kuch lekin jab voh kare toh gussa hota?
(Weird guy, says something but when we do that, he gets angry?)

His eyes lay on our innocent Khannah, who was passing by on his daily duties

Man: excuse me, this parcel is for Mr Oberoi

Khannah: kaunsa?
(Which one?)

Man: Rudra?

Khannah: yah dedo
(Give it here)

After carefully handing over the box, the guy fled away in order to avoid something like the earlier situation.

Khannah: payment?

Man: ho gaya saab, online
(It's done online Sir)

Khannah shook his head at the man and went to hand over the parcel to Rudra.

Khannah: Rudy Sir, aapke liye parcel aaya hai
(Rudy Sir, a parcel has arrived for you)

Rudra: mere liye? Meine toh kuch order hi nahi kiya
(For me? I didn't order anything)

Shrugging his shoulders he took the cardboard box and opened it in search for the contents. Anika keenly peered over his shoulder.

Rudra: laddoo?

He said whilst pulling out a box of bright orange laddoos

Anika: voh bhi motichoor laddoo
(That too motichoor laddoo)

The mere glance at one of her favourite sweet dishes was enough to bring water in her mouth. Rudra noticed her lick her lips and offered the box to her.

Anika: check agar usme kohi chitti ha kuch hai
(Check if there's a letter or something in there)

Rudra rummaged through the coloured tissue paper and pulled out a small white coloured note.

Rudra: yeh message hai kya?
(Is this a message?)

He handed over the note to Anika as he continued to examine the container.

Anika: lagta kisi fan ne yeh bejha, aur aapke liye yeh laddoo bhi
(Seem's like a fan has sent this, and these laddoos also for you)

Whilst licking her fingers, Anika informed him further inspecting the note.

Rudra: mera fan?
(My fan?)

Muttering under his breath as he questioned if they really were for him, Rudra realised he was becoming more popular than his brother's. This increased the energy in him and made him smile widely

Rudra: Haan, mere fans. Itne saare hai ki mein ginn nahi sakta
(Yes, my fans. There are so many that I can't keep count)

Hiding the lie with his extra pride, Rudra offered Anika some more before taking one for himself.

Rudra: iss note me toh likha hai ki mere ek childhood ka dost se hai
(On the note it says it's from a childhood friend)

He kept the note down

Rudra: low in fat and sugar

Reading a sentence from the bottom of the box , Rudra was impressed at the gift.

Rudra: lagta ki mere fans mere baare mein bohot jaante
(Looks like my fans know a lot about me)

They seemed to have considered the fact he was a fitness freak, hence included less oil and fatty stuff.

Rudra: Khannah aapko bhi chahiye?
(Khannah do you want some too?)

Khannah: nahi Sir, duty pe mein nahi khaata
(No Sir, I don't eat on duty)

Anika: Khannah Ji yeh bohot tasty hai, khaaye
(Khannah they're very tasty, eat it)

She took another one as Rudra offered her.

Khannah: Nahi Ma'am, mein yeh packaging leker jaata
(No thank you Ma'am, I'll take this packaging and go)

He took the box from Rudra and left to continue his work. As Khannah was going, Om stopped him as he saw Anika and Rudra leave.

Om: voh sab kya hai?
(What is all that?)

Khannah: Rudy Sir ke liye ek parcel
(A parcel for Rudra)

Om: Rudra ko kese yeh sab mila
(How did Rudra get all this)

Khannah: kisi dost ya fan ne bejha
(Some friend or fan sent it for him)

A fan? That to for the dumbbell Rudra?

Om: kohi uska fan kese ho sakta?
(How can someone be his fan?)

What he thought to be impossible, actually happened.

Khannah: pata nahi, kohi group iss naam se
(I don't know, Some group by this name)

Khannah showed Om the delivery form that was handed over in the postage.

Om: yeh naam meine kahi padha
(I've read this name somewhere)

As he glanced at the label, he couldn't quite remember where he had seen that name before, but it sounded quite familiar

Om: acha Saare log kaha hai?
(Okay where is everyone?)

Khannah: Shivaay Sir ka meeting abhi katham hora hoga, Priyanka Ma'am ek dost ke ghar mein hai, Gauri Ma'am apne kamre mein aur baaki sab kohi function ke liye gaye
(Shivaay Sir's meeting is getting over now, Priyanka Ma'am is at a friends place, Gauri Ma'am is in her room and everyone else is at a function)

Om left him so he could continue his works.
After a few hours, Shivaay came back home and saw Rudra and Anika run past him

Shivaay: what's going on?

Rudra: kuch nahi
(Nothing)

The two of them giggled and left him in a state of confusion. They continued running to find Gauri in the kitchen.

Gauri: Rudra, Anika Di

Rudra: aapko laddoo chahiye?
(Do you want some laddoos?)

A simple whiff of the scent and Gauri was already shoving her hand in the box.

Anika: bohot tasty hai
(They're very tasty)

In her own dreamland, Anika smiled and took another one. Who knows how many she had?

Gauri: kuch aur khaas ingredient hai isme, pata nahi kya
(There's some special ingredient in it, I'm not sure what)

Rudra: Gauri Di, Om se bachke rehna. Pata nahi kyu voh mere aur mere laddoo ke peeche hai
(Gauri Di, stay aware of Om. I don't know why he's behind me and my laddoos)

Gauri nodded her head before devouring the crumbs on her fingers.

Rudra: ek aur le lo
(Take another)

She gave a cheeky smile before grabbing another one. Gauri had no idea why her sister was laughing so much with Rudra. Leaving her to think, Anika ran off with Rudra again.

In his room, Om was casually scrolling on his phone when he was a news headline. One name on the article itself had caught his eye, and it was the same one he saw on Rudra's package.

Om: the group of boys have been adding substances like bhang to foods, before sending them to people across Mumbai

Whilst reading the article, Om's eyes widened.

Om: laddoo mein bhang tha?
(Was there bhang in the laddoo?)

If there was, then there'd be a big problem. First he has to go stop them from taking any more.

His initial reaction was to go search in the kitchen, where Gauri was chewing on something without realising he was there

Om: Gauri?

Gauri: What?

She hid the remainder of the sweet behind her back, and subtly chewed what was in her mouth.

Om: tune laddoo khayi?
(You ate laddo?)

Gauri: I don't know what your talking about

Casually as she came to her own defence, she leant on the kitchen countertop.

Om: Gauri usme bhang tha
(Gauri there was Bhang in it)

Gauri: bhang?

Her eyes suddenly widened

Gauri: Rudra and Anika Di?

Oh how she felt sorry for her sister. When it came to not being in her senses, saying that she didn't cope well would be a complete understatement. Gauri clearly remembers the time Anika visited her when she was in US for studies. It only took a single shot glass full for her to be an utter mess.

Gauri: meine bhi khayi
(I also had)

Sheepishly she smiled as she brought her arm forward to unveil the half eaten laddoo.

Om: thank god bade log ghar pe nahi hai
(Thank god the elders aren't at home)

Om suggested they find them and watch over them before they cause any trouble. He was also sure to dispose the mithai, get it out of sight.

Shivaay: Om

On their way, Shivaay stopped them with a concerned look on their face

Shivaay: Yeh Rudy aur Anika ko kya hua?
(What happened to Anika and Rudra?)

Om: it's complex

Shivaay waited for his brother to elaborate, but he was silent. He then looked further to see Gauri with a panicky look on her face. Before he could ask about her, Om spoke

Om: kaha gaye voh dono?
(Where did them two go?)

Shivaay: Poolside ke taraf
(Towards the poolside)

When Om rushed off, he held Gauri's hand and dragged her along too. Shivaay, who still had no idea what was happening, thought it would be best to follow them.

Sat on chairs at opposite ends of the table, Rudra and Anika were holding straight faces whilst looking at each other.

Anika: log clocks kyu nahi khaate?
(Why don't people eat clocks?)

Rudra: pata nahi
(I don't know)

Anika: kyu ki bohot time consuming hota
(Because it's very time consuming)

In contrast to Rudra maintaining a straight face, Gauri snickered behind Om's shoulder. Om understood they were having a laughing contest, but Shivaay was still clueless

Rudra: mujhe unemployed logo ke baare mein bohot saare jokes pata hai. Lekin voh kaam nahi karte
(I know many jokes about unemployed people. But they don't work)

Again Gauri chuckled, but soon put a finger on her lip when Om turned back to her.

Shivaay: I don't understand what they're doing

Gauri: ek mint, mein isko katham kar dungi
(One minute, I'll end this)

This seemed like a perfect opportunity to find out something her sister never told her. There was some sort of phrase which made Rudra laugh so much, he'd end up with tears. And for some reason, Anika never explained what it was. Whenever she would ask, her elder sister would say it's nothing and end the conversation then and there.  She walked up to them and leant over the side of the table, between Anika and Rudra

Gauri: Rudy, aap mere liye kuch explain kar sakte?
(Rudy, can you explain something for me?)

Both Rudra and Anika's heads turned to Gauri

Gauri: Billu Bhaaiya ki kahaani
(The story of Billu Bhaaiya)

Rudra fell of his chair in fits of laughter, whilst Anika slammed her head on the table. Gauri didn't understand why he was giggling so much, but nevertheless joined him as he chucked.

Rudra: Billu Bhaaiya

Poor Anika went red in shame, and kept her head glued to the table in order to conceal her feeling. She noticed Rudra putting an arm around Gauri's neck, indicating he was going to bring the story. But thankfully Om stopped them and made them sit beside Anika, as if they were to be interrogated.

Om: Rudra

He spoke in a demanding voice as Shivaay stood next to him.

Om: Laddoo mein bhang tha
(There was bhang in the laddoo)

Anika: Kya?
(What?)

Rudra: kese?
(How?)

Gauri: sachi?
(Really?)

Om narrowed his eyes at Gauri

Om: You knew they had bhang

Gauri: Oh, haan
(Oh, yes)

She sheepishly smiled at Rudra and Anika, who glared at her in utter shock.

Shivaay: kitne kaha tumne?
(How many did you eat?)

Gauri: one and a half

He then looked at his duffer brother, who held up two fingers

Om: sirf do?
(Only two?)

Accusingly, he questioned Rudra, who nodded innocently.

Rudra: Mein dieting pe hoon
(I am dieting)

Shivaay then saw Anika, who looked tensed as she counted on her fingers

Shivaay: Anika

She jumped in her seat, before looking up to meet his eyes

Shivaay: kitne?
(How many?)

Rudra: Jitne box mein baaki the
(However many were left in the box)

Shivaay: and that is?

Anika held up one finger from her right hand, making Shivaay sigh in relief.

Rudra: Anika Di, ese nahi ginte
(Anika Di, you don't count like that)

He lifted her left hand and opened up all the fingers, making a new total.

Shivaay: 6 laddoos?

Anika: Judgemental maat bano, mujhe motichoor laddoo bohot pasand hai
(Don't be judgemental, I really like motichoor laddoo)

Snatching her fingers back to her side, Anika was quick to come to her own defence. Gauri nodded at that statement, with a puppy face.

Om: acha, Shivaay voh function kab khatam hoga?
(Okay Shivaay when will that function get over?)

He hoped that the function their parents had gone to attend, would get over late at night, giving them extra time in controlling and tidying the mess that the 'intoxicated' three would make.

Shivaay: pata nahi Om, par shayad jaldi aayenge kyunki Bade Papa thak jayega
(I don't know Om, but maybe they'll come early because Bade Papa may get tired)

Om: abhi ke liye, in teeno ka kya kare?
(For now, what do we do with these three?)

When they turned to them, only Anika remained in her seat. Her face was buried in her palms as in the distance from her, Rudra was telling the story of 'Billu Bhaaiya'. Even in the intoxicated state, she still knew this story. And if Gauri remembered, it would be used against her for the rest of eternity.

Shivaay: tu jaake unhe handle karo
(You go and handle them)

Om obeyed and went over to Gauri and Rudra. He was wondering what caused their non stop laughter

Rudra: acha, aur phir Om ne...
(Okay, and then Om...)

Om: kahaani khatam, aab chalte?
(The story's ended, now shall we go?)

The mere mention of his name scared him. Who knows what embarrassing story Rudra will tell about him, it was a risk he wasn't willing to take

Gauri: mujhe sunna hai, Rudy batao
(I want to hear, Rudy tell)

Om could tell that she was slowly coming under the effect of the bhang. He needed to make sure they wouldn't injure themselves doing something stupid.

Shivaay also tried to help Anika get a hold on herself. He turned back to see her posing at her own reflection in the water. Instantly he pulled her back towards him, worried she might slip into the pool.

Anika: Itni khoobsurat ladki thi paani mein, aapne mujhe usse dekhne nahi diya
(Such a beautiful girl was in the water. You didn't let me see her)

Then she got up and began walking. Shivaay followed her to make sure she didn't land herself in trouble. She lead him into her room and invited him inside.

Anika: mujhe sona hai
(I want to sleep)

Shivaay: jab mein chale jata, tum yaha se bhaag ke kohi hungama nahi machayengi?
(When I go from here, will you run from here and create some sort of scene?)

Anika: seriously

She stared at him before slumping back to take a seat on the sofa. Slowly her hand crept out to the side and patted the seat beside her.

Anika: aaye
(Come)

Her signal indicated for him to sit beside her.

Anika: mujhe aapse kuch baatein karni hai
(I want to talk with you)

As Anika tapped the cushion beside her again, Shivaay obediently sat down and waited for her to continue.

Anika: aapne mujhe voh naya job diya, event management wala, thank you so much
(You gave me that new job, the event management one, thank you so much)

Shivaay: Anika we've been over this

Anika: mujhe accept nahi karna chahiye.
(I shouldn't have accepted that)

Shaking her head negatively, she soon paused and leaned towards him

Anika: mein aapko ek secret batao?
(Shall I tell you a secret?)

She didn't really wait for a yes and continued anyway

Anika: yeh meri dream job hone ke alawa, kuch aur reason hai jiske vajhe se meine haan bol diya
(Apart from this being my dream job, there's another reason as to why I said yes)

Shivaay: aur voh kya hai?
(And what is that?)

Anika: thaaki mein aapse mil sakti. Abhi toh mein iss ghar mein hoon, lekin kuch din mein hum chale jayenge.
(So that I can meet you. Now I'm in this house but in a few days we'll go from here)

Upset on the truth, she lowered her head at the last sentence. But on the other hand, Shivaay was smitten by the first. He definitely thought it would have taken much more persuading to get her to accept, but knowing this made him elated and relieved that the feeling was mutual.

For all this time, Anika was disheartened. Not that, disappointed fits better. Let me add that she wasn't disappointed in him, but more on herself. Did she really think he saw what was between them? Maybe it was a one sided love. Maybe It was just a crush. All of this, Shivaay understood from her facial expressions. She may or may not remember this after the bhang wears off, but he needed to tell her in order to cheer her up.

Shivaay: Anika

Him calling out her name made get instantly look up to meet his eyes. Shivaay was about to continue further, but paused when he felt Anika wasn't paying attention. Although she was looking in his direction, it seemed as if she was lost in a parallel universe.

Shivaay: Anika are you listening?

Snapping his fingers in front of her made Anika jolt and blink her eyes multiple times

Anika: sorry, bas aapke aankhon mein kho gayi thi. Itne sundar hai, mein toh bas dekhti reh jaungi
(Sorry i was just lost in your eyes. They're so beautiful, I'll just keep watching)

With no idea of what was happening to his body, Shivaay felt a flutter in his heart. His cheeks felt flushed and he had no control over the smile that was on his face.

Anika: aap bol reh teh?
(You were saying?)

Shivaay: Anika mujhe nahi pata ki yeh exactly kya hai, lekin jab bhi mein tere aas paas hoon kuch ho jata. Tumhari smile itni contagious hai, aur don't get me started on the unique language you use
(Anika I don't know what exactly it is, but whenever I'm near you something happens to me. You're smile is so contagious, and don't get me started on the unique language you use)

Anika also felt a jittery feeling in her body when he said those words.

Anika: mujhe lagta ki...
(I think that...)

It wasn't possible for her to continue with what she had to say, because a familiar sound echoed into her ears from outside.

Anika: aapko sunain deh raha?
(Can you hear it?)

Concentrating a little more, Shivaay could make out the sound of a beat, maybe belonging to a song

Shivaay: kuch gaana chalra hai
(Some song is playing)

Hearing a squeal from beside him, Shivaay noticed all the sleepiness vanish from within her.

Shivaay: I thought you were tired

She shot up from her place and sprinted out the door. He tried to catch up, and finally saw Om looking ahead in disbelief. Shivaay couldn't see what was going on, only Om's worried face was visible to him. It was also obvious that Anika was there, since that was where the music was coming from.

Om: Shivaay

As if he was an angel coming to save him, Om pleaded through his eyes for his elder brother to save him. Without wasting another second, Shivaay rushed beside him and saw Rudra, Gauri and Anika all dancing together.

Rudra: Aankh Marey

Completely out of tune, Rudra attempted to sing along with the music. Gauri was trying to wink but failing miserably, whilst her sister was  swaying her head to what she thought was the beat.

Gauri: doosra gaana lagado
(Put the other song)

Om: no, please no more songs

Rudra picked his phone from the table and paused the music. Shivaay was totally confused when he saw Anika still dancing despite no music playing in the background. A new song begun, and Rudra didn't hesitate to bust out his vocals to go along with the track.

Rudra: yeh jawaani

Om covered his ears to spear his eardrums from the horrific screeching sound coming from his brother's mouth.

Gauri: hai dewaani

Anika: haah

She suddenly screamed following her sister's line.

Shivaay: ek kaam tha tere paas
(You had one job)

Disappointedly, Shivaay shook his head at his sibling.

Om: I had to handle two people

Shivaay: un dono ne milke sade teen laddoos khaye, meri toh 6 per ghoom rhi hai
(Those two together had 3 and a half laddoos, my one is going on 6)

Om scratched his head and thought hard to figure what would be the best solution.

Om: let's just put them to sleep?

Shivaay: bahut mushkil hoga, dekha kitne energetic hai?
(It will be very hard, have you seen how energetic they are?)

Om: ek toh out ho gayi
(One is already out)

Following the finger Om had extended, Shivaay spun around to see Gauri had passed out. Her head lay in her arms on the table as her body slouched forwards from the chair.

Shivaay: tu Gauri ko leker aao, Mein in dono ko kamre mein le aaounga.
(You bring Gauri and come, I'll bring these two to the room)

Om nodded and went towards Gauri, lifting her up from the seat. She just hung from his arms like a corpse in her unconscious state.

Shivaay moved towards Rudra and turned the music off using his phone which was laying on the table. Rudra immediately pouted at the abrupt pause in his music, but like before, Anika was still vibing to the non-existent beat.

Rudra: Bhaaiya

He whined when his brother ended his fun session with the tap of a button.

Shivaay: challo mere saath
(Come with me)

After ordering Rudra, Shivaay shuffled over to Anika and brought her out of her own world. With great difficulty he lead them both to the room and Rudra fell onto the couch. It didn't take him long to fall asleep after all that dancing.

Anika on the other hand, had more energy. Shivaay made her lay down on the bed beside her sleeping sister, and tried to make her sleep

Anika: Shivaay

She called out his name and smiled mischievously

Anika: aap mere boyfriend banoge?
(Will you be my boyfriend?)

Shivaay: Anika, we'll continue this tomorrow

Now he had to escape as soon as he could to avoid further awkwardness. Ensuring she was asleep, Shivaay moved out of the room and a big smile plastered his face. The two of them acted as they would if they were in a relationship, but nothing was ever established between them.

Om noticed the wide smile on his brother's face, and it didn't take much to work out why he was so elated.

Om: so you and Anika?

Shivaay: Om tu bhi?
(Om you too?)

Simply narrowing his brow made Shivaay give in and share his thoughts.

Shivaay: Mujhe pata challa ki feelings mutual hai, matlab dono taraf se hai. Lekin usne nashe ke halat mein bola, shayad...
(I got to know that the feeling is mutual, meaning it's from both sides. But she said it in an intoxicated state, maybe...)

He didn't really know what to say next.

Om: Shivaay, kabhi kabhi impulsive decisions lene padte hai. Sabse burha cheez kya hoga, voh nahi bolegi
(Shivaay, sometimes you have to take impulsive decisions. What's the worst that could happen, she says no)

Watching his face drop a little, Om instantly added on.

Om: which she won't

Shivaay: Kuch connection hai humare beech
(There is a connection between us)

Shivaay smiled remembering her.

Om: apne pyaare moments baad mein yaad karo, abhi mera madat kar tidying mein
(Recall your lovely moments later, now help me to tidy up)

Shivaay chuckled and assisted Om, after checking in on the three unconscious soles to make sure they were still there. They were sure to hurry, as their parents would return home any time soon.