After, a four-hour ride from Nainital we reach the Delhi airport, which is flooded with tourists flocking from nearby places.

After what seemed like forever we check in and wait for the boarding to begin.

"Naina, I'll be back. Please keep an eye on this," I say handing my bag to her.

I walk over to Hitesh. who is alone by the Starbucks store, hoping to grab a cup of coffee. As I approach him I hear him talk on the phone.

"Yeah Derek, we are heading back now. Ahha, sure, You too" he says before grabbing his coffee.

I hurriedly walk over to the adjacent store and pretend to read the menu, when Hitesh joins me.

"So what are you planning to take?" he asks, slurping his coffee.

"Umm-- not sure," I stutter as the conversation he had replayed in my mind.

"Oh, are you alright?" he asks.

"Yeah, who?" I stutter.

"Eh?" he replies looking confused.

"Why do you ask that?" I reply, shaking my head.

"Ask what?"

"If I'm alright or not,"

"Oh, you not knowing what to eat seems odd," he says curiously staring at me.

"Ohhh. Nah nah, I'm fine. Just confused about which sandwich to order," I say dismissing his statement.

"Oh, try the double chicken decker, heard it's good," he says and walks away.

I run over to Naina, burger in one hand and phone ringing in another.

"What happened?" she asks, walking over to me.

"Umm, come with me," I say dragging her along with me to the restroom.

"Okay, so tell me," she asks, curiously with  a trace of urgency in her voice.

I repeat whatever I heard,

"What if it's the same Derek?"

"I doubt it, plus why would he have someone following you around?"

"I don't know," 

"It's okay chill. Let's look at it once we land.  Now come on let's go. The boarding has started," she says, walking out.

I wash my face before following her.

It's going to be alright.

Caleb: Boarded your flight !?

Me: Going to. Will text you once I land. Ciao!

"So maybe one last story?" Hitesh asks as we settle down.

"I'm feeling a little tired. Maybe later?" I say, wondering for the first time if he even was interested in the stories.

Me: Just landed!

As we await our taxis after collecting our baggage , Ria calls for a team huddle.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to cover all places in our itinerary. We will have to make do with what we have and present the final video to the managers,"

"Okay. So we will have to work on the editing , right ?" Sid asks.

"Yes and maybe the interns can get hands on experience working with senior staff,"

"Wow . Cool!" Naina says.

"So, the company has arranged stay for the interns in the city for a week. I believe your internship ends post that. So, make good use of your time here,"

"Thank you Ria," I answer.

"I will send the details of your stay in the group. Let's meet on Monday," she says as her cab arrives.

"Bye Ria," we all say as we watch her leave.

A message chimes, I unlock my phone hoping it's from Caleb only to realize it's from Ria.

"So guys, need a hand?" Adarsh asks.

"Yeah. We don't know where this place this. It's our first time here," Naina says.

"Guys, sorry I have to go, something important came up . I'll meet you guys in the evening," Hitesh says walking to the nearest taxi stand.

"So that leaves us," I say.

"No issues. I stay nearby the hotel where you are to stay. I'll come along too," Sid asks as he waves for a taxi.

"Thank you," I say lifting my suitcase.

I catch a glimpse of cherry blossoms from our room window as we settle in our hotel room.

The honking of the vehicles, the busy sidewalks, and the bustling city is a complete contrast to the serene Nainital.

"Guys I'm hungry. Any good places nearby?" I ask plopping on the bed.

"Yeah, but the traffic here sucks. Let's just order in for now and go out in the evening?" Sid says.

"Okay cool," I say taking out my phone to order food.

"So what are your plans for the weekend," Adarsh asks, subtly sliding next to Naina.

Sid and I share a look and I try to hide my smile.

These guys are so cute!

"Really? We never have been here. What do you think we'd do?" Naina asks, staring at him.

"Okay fine. Want me to take you guys around?"

"Sure, but nothing boring, please. Like all the touristy places,"

"What do you want then?" He asks looking right into her eyes.

"Something adventurous," she says with a laugh.

"Okay cool. Heard there is a fight coming up this weekend, wanna go?" Sid asks. 

"Fight? What fight?" Naina asks turning to look at him. 

"Street fighting?" I ask.

"Actually yeah. Exactly!"

"Wait are you talking about that underground street fighting thing ?" Sid asks, leaning closer to the group but inadvertently ends up leaning closer to Naina.

"Yeah, man. Heard it's crazy. Was planning to check it out."

"Yeah like they totally knock each other out and have a tournament or something right?" Sid replies.

"Isn't it illegal ?" I question wondering how on earth is knocking each other out even allowed.

"Yeah, it is. That's why they try not to grab too much attention, but then again you know how corrupt the officers are,"

" So they know about this and do nothing ?"

"Not sure. Maybe they are bribed to keep other officers from going that way, maybe ?" Sid chimes in.

"Yeah. My friend sells the tickets in black, so that's how I got to know about it. He keeps saying it's not made up like those on tv,"  Adarsh says.

"That's sounds cool. Do you think we can get in ?"

"Yeah. I go-"

"Guys, I thought you were taking us out," Naina says.

"Umm yeah. Do you guys wanna go watch a fight?" He asks awkwardly.

"No!"

"Yes"

Naina and I say at the same time.

"You wanna go?" She asks me.

"Yeah. It sounds decent. Better than those overcrowded tourist places. Also, never been to one before, so maybe something new," I say.

"But I'm not sure,"

"Maybe bad boys aren't your thing then," I reply.

"Oh please," she says rolling her eyes. "Do you think they'd be hot bad boys?" She asks, sbtly trying to hide her excitment.

"Won't know until we go,"

"Ahem Ahem. Right here ladies," Adarsh says, drawing our attention back.

"Fine, we will go," Naina replies.

"Awesome. But I'll have to check if we can get the tickets first," he says and leaves the room calling up someone.

"So back to food. What do you guys want to eat?" I ask.

"Pizza."

"Maybe something spicy,"

The next day as we make our way through the dingy lanes to reach the venue, "Guys so there were like only a few tickets left. They were a little expensive. Hope that's fine?" Adarsh asks.

"No issues, I'll either way get paid for this internship. Maybe I can splurge a little," Naina says.

"How expensive tho?" Sid asks.

"Did you bargain? How did you get the tickets tho,  I heard they don't usually sell those to any random person" I say.

"I got them for a deal. A little over the original price but less than what's on the market," he says.

"You may not wanna know how I got it," he whispers leaning closer as they walk ahead. 

"Over here," Sid says pointing us to the left.

"This place is creepy. Are you sure it's safe?" Naina asks as we enter a by-lane.

We finally reach an empty road, old used cars were strewn around and not a single soul was in sight.

After walking for a few more minutes we arrive at what seems like a huge but abandoned building.

"Is this it?" I ask looking around.

"Could be," Sid says and walks towards the building.

As we make our way in, a bouncer stops us at the gate.

"Token," he says.

Adarsh shows him the tickets and after a series of whispers between them, he points us to a basement.

Opening the door, the smell of alcohol mixed with cigarette hits us. Live music and the big ring in the middle finally led me to believe we were in the right place. A huge sign by the entrance caught my eye. 

Arena rules

1) No weapons are allowed, no matter how small.

2) The arena takes no responsibility for any injuries that occur. 

3) Champions will be remembered and honored for all eternity.

"Taking final bets now," booms a loud voice over the speakers.

"They place bets on this?"

"Why do you think it's so popular?"

"I don't know," I say hesitantly.

"Guys come on. The match is about to start," Adarsh yells over the booming speakers. "This way," he signals us to follow him.

The seats quickly fill up and a gong resonates around.

The crowd falls silent as a well-dressed man walks onto the stage.

"Ladies & gentlemen, welcome to the main event of the evening!" says the announcer.

The crowd erupts in cheers.

"This match is scheduled for two out of three falls and it's gonna be a slobber knocker!"

"Presenting the challengers for today, Ryder VS Hunter,"

"Apparently these two have a war going on. This match is going to be interesting," Sid says. 

"This isn't like those big underground fighting arenas I thought it'd be like," I say, looking around. 

"Yes, because it's still at the local level. It's the matches after this that get crazy. They have proper stadiums and are all set for those apparently," 

"I need some water," I ask looking around. 

"Sorry, didn't get any. There is a vending machine outside. Do you think you can manage?" Sid asks as I get up . 

"Sure, on the left, right?"

"Yup, first one not the second,"

The hallways are dimly lit and were deserted as the match was almost starting. The cheering from the ring was hardly heard till here. 

Soundproof? Probably to not get caught. 

Looking around I try to figure out where the bending machine is when I hear someone yelling. 

"Derek wait!"

Derek? Brother? Here ?

Curiosity got the best of me. Praying I don't die like that cat, I follow the voices.

A/N

The end is almost here. Sorry for the delay but surprise coming your way.