The meeting ends after an hour. They drive back to the hotel and sit around in Darshan and Siddharth's room.

Naushad: Mujhe Jaimi ka call aaya tha ki Hardik ke song ka shoot khatam ho gaya hain.

Darshan: Toh phir ab wapis?

Naushad: Nahi! Tum teeno waha unn chaaro ke paas chale jao. Enjoy the mountains!

Siddharth: Aap dono?

Naushad: Mere ek friend ko visit karne jaa rahe hain.

Mehjabeen: 9th ko sab wapis aa jaana!

The three nod.

Darshan: Hardik ke song ka crew?

Naushad: Woh airport ke liye nikal gae!

Darshan nods. They leave for their room and pack their things. They check out and all meet up in the parking lot. Karishma and Vikram walk over to them with their luggage in tow.

Aishwarya: Aap dono jaa rahe hain?

Vikram: Mein jaa raha hoon! Karishama aap sab ke saath aa rahi hain.

A scowl forms on Darshan's face. He walks over to the van and places his luggage in the back followed by Siddharth. Darshan sits on the driver's seat with Siddharth in the front passenger seat. Aishwarya places her things in the back and slips into the backseat. Naushad rounds the car and goes to the driver's side.

Naushad: Mujhe bhi abhi pata chala ki woh tum sab ke saath aa rahi hain! Woh check out kar rahi thi so mujhe laga ki woh Vikram ke saath chali jaaegi.

Darshan: Koi baat nahi, Bhai.

Naushad and Mehjabeen slide into the two-seater car and pull out of the parking lot. Karishma stands on her toes to kiss Vikram's cheek knowing Darshan is looking at them. Vikram moves back when her lips were close to his face. Aishwarya lets out a small chuckle.

A car pulls up in the parking lot. They couldn't see much inside as there was a dark tint on the windows. Vikram loads his bag into the back before slipping into the passenger seat. He gives Karishma a quick wave, who is glaring at the car. She places her bag in the car and sits beside Aishwarya, looking furious. Darshan rolls his eyes before pulling out of the parking lot. He drives towards the location given by Naushad.

After a tiring journey of five hours, they reach the hotel. He parks the car and they unload their luggage. They go to the reception to check-in. Darshan and Siddharth check into Jyugal and Hardik's while the ladies book a room for themselves. They meet up with Jyugal and Hardik in the lobby. They take the stairs to the third floor where their rooms are at. The boys' room is across from Jaimi and Ayesha's with Aishwarya's beside them. And, Karishma's beside Ayesha and Jaimi's. Ayesha walks out of her room and is surprised to see the other four.

Ayesha: Hi!

They all greet her. Darshan stares at the door behind her which irks Karishma and Aishwarya.

Darshan: Jay?

Ayesha: Woh so rahi hain!

Siddharth: Abhi?

Ayesha: Yeah, uski allregies ki wajah se thodi bimaar pad gae hain.

Ayesha looks over at Darshan whose face shows worry and he looks a bit tense. She gives him a small reassuring smile. Jyugal feels the tension.

Jyugal: Abhi tum sab fresh ho jao! Phir, dinner karne ke liye milte hain.

They all nod. Ayesha moves towards the staircase accompanied by Jyugal.

Siddharth: Tum dono kaha jaa rahe ho?

Ayesha: Woh mein pharmacy jaa rahi hoon.

Jyugal: I'm driving!

Siddharth nods. They turn around and are out of others' sight in the next few moments. The rest of them retire to their room and freshen up.

Jyugal keeps his gaze trained on the road as Ayesha is typing away on her phone. She puts her phone away in a bit. The half-hour journey to the market is quiet. He parks the car and they walk to the pharmacy. Ayesha pushes the glass door and walks through followed by Jyugal. They are greeted by a man behind the counter, probably in his early twenties from the looks.

Ayesha: Mujhe Zyrtec for indoor and outdoor allergies chahiye.

He nods and disappears behind a door and comes back with a box. He places it on the counter.

Pharmacist: Kuch aur?

Ayesha: Ek packet pad!

Jyugal's head snaps towards her. She cranes her neck to look at him. He scratches the back of his neck as heat creeps up his face. His face turns red. Ayesha raises a brow at him.

Ayesha: What?

Jyugal opens his mouth, but nothing comes out of it.

Ayesha: I'm a girl!

He quickly closes his mouth and looks away. The man behind the counter presses his lips together to contain his chuckle. He comes back with a few packets of pad and Ayesha chooses one. He starts wrapping it in a newspaper.

Ayesha: Zaroorat nahi hain! Aise hi bag mein rakh do.

He nods and packs it in a paper bag along with the medicine. He rings them up and Ayesha pays. He drops the receipt in the bag. Ayesha takes it and walks towards the door. The males pass each other an awkward smile before Jyugal follows Ayesha through the crowd in the market to their car. He pulls out of the parking lot and starts towards the hotel.

Ayesha: You know? It's not a big deal!

Jyugal: Huh?

Ayesha: Stop acting like you saw a ghost! Mein ladki hoon and pads are pretty normal.

Jyugal: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

Ayesha: Uncomfortable mein nahi, tum ho! Chill!

A small smile makes its way on his face. He taps his fingers on the steering wheel trying to make a beat. It's dark outside.

Jyugal: Tum Jaimi ko kabse jaanti ho?

Ayesha: Bachpan se!

She lets out a chuckle at a certain memory that plays in her mind.

Ayesha: Aur tum Darshan ko?

Jyugal: School time se!

Ayesha: Oh.

Jyugal: Jaimi, humesha se aisi hi thi?

Ayesha: Aisi matalab kaisi?

Jyugal: I mean serious, angry young women, and all!

Ayesha laughs at him.

Ayesha: Nahi! Woh humesha se aise nahi thi. She was notorious and zinda dil thi! Woh pura school aur ghar apne sar pe utha leti thi. Sab ki jaan thi woh!

Jyugal gazes at Ayesha from the corner of his eyes hearing her tone transition to sad, slowly. Her head is against the window as she looks out of it at the passing landscape. Her eyes seem sad and distant like she's not in the present moment, mentally. After a few moments, she sits up and shakes her head. She looks at him with a smile.

Jyugal: Toh ab aisi kyu hain?

Ayesha: Haalat ne sab badal diya!

Jyugal: Do you miss her?

Ayesha: Huh?

Jyugal: I mean woh purani Jaimi ko miss karti ho?

Ayesha: Haan, par yeh baat bhi pata hain ki woh waapis nahi aaegi!

Jyugal: Aisa kyu soch rahi ho? She will be back to herself.

Ayesha passes him a smile.

Ayesha: Pata nahi par I think woh jaisi hain waise hi thik hain. It's better for everyone!

Ayesha's voice sounds pained. Jyugal doesn't push the matter further. They reach the hotel in about 20-25 minutes. They go to the third floor where the others are waiting around except Jaimi. Ayesha unlocks the door with her key and steps inside the room. She leaves the bag on the table and wakes Jaimi up. She feels her head burning. She grabs the first aid from her bag and checks her tempreture. It shows 102.8°F.

Ayesha: Jay? Dinner karne ke baad so jaana!

Jaimi: Just give me my medicine, please. I'm not hungry.

Ayesha: Khaali pet dawaai nahi lete. Chalo!

Jaimi: Fine.

Ayesha helps her up on her feet. She goes to the washroom and freshens up a bit. She pulls her hair back in a messy bun. She is wearing a hoodie and leggings from earlier. She sighs and steps out of the bathroom. She wears her mask and grabs her phone on the way. Ayesha locks the door behind them. Jaimi leans against the door for support, having no strength. Darshan's eyes fall on her. He looks at her limp body and a corner of his heart pains seeing her like this. Ayesha nudges Jaimi a bit to keep her from sleeping.

Karishma: Chale?

Karishma states with attitude, not liking how Darshan is looking at Jaimi.

Siddharth: Chalo.

They all start walking. Ayesha walks along Jaimi. Darshan is walking behind Jaimi. Jaimi trips on the rug, but Darshan pulls her against his body before she can meet the ground. They all stop and turn to look at the two. Aishwarya and Karishma narrow their eyes at the two while the others have a small smile on their face.

Jaimi's back is pressed to Darshan's front. His arms wrapped around her stomach. Darshan can feel the heat radiating through her hoodie. She peels herself away from him. Darshan holds her hand as they descend the stairs. He pulls out a chair for her at the dining table and sits across from her. As he let go of her hand, he feels how hot her body felt.

Ayesha and Hardik are sitting on either side of Jaimi. Jyugal and Siddharth are on either side of  Darshan with Aishwarya and Karishma occupying the head of the table seat on either end. The waiter comes around and takes their order. Their meal is served in 15-20 minutes.

Darshan looks up to see a bowl of creamy tomato soup and garlic bread placed in front of Jaimi. She slowly takes off her mask. Her skin looks pale. He can see faint dark circles around her eyes. Her face is flushed red and her eyes look droopy. A corner in his heart aches to see her like this.

Jaimi slowly down the soup and chews the bread, not being able to do it properly. She doesn't bother with the conversation as the words seem distant to her. They all finish their meal. Jaimi gets up from her seat but loses her balance. Darshan quickly holds her and pulls her close. He places the back of his hand on her forehead. He feels that it's burning.

Darshan: Temperature check kiya?

Ayesha: 102.8 tha. Mein usko medicine de dungi room mein jaake.

Ayesha's eyes fall on Jaimi whose eyes are droopy.

Ayesha: Jay?

Darshan looks down and wraps his right arm around her waist and pins her against himself. He brings his left hand and caresses her cheek through her mask.

Darshan: Jay? Little warrior?

Karishma is glaring at her while Aishwarya is confused.

Aishwarya: Usko medicine pehle do warna aur sick ho jaaegi.

Darshan looks over at her confused at her sudden concern but shrugs off the thoughts. He picks Jaimi up bridal style and starts towards the stairs. Jaimi snuggles close to his body, seeking his warmth. The others follow behind. Ayesha unlocks the door. Darshan places her down on the bed. The others step into the room.

They see Darshan removing Jaimi's mask and shoes. He takes the phone out of her pocket and places it on the side table. Jyugal throws a box of tissue at him. He motions towards Jaimi who is soaking in sweat. Darshan wipes the sweat from her forehead and neck. Ayesha dissolved the pill in water and has Jaimi gulp it down. Karishma turns the thermostat up and the heating unit kicks in. Jaimi whimpers, almost in pain.

Ayesha: AC kisne band kiya?

Karishma: Thand mein kaun AC karta hain aur waise bhi yeh bimaar hain so...

Darshan: AC chalu karo! Woh heat tolerate nahi kar sakhti.

Karishma glares at him. Siddharth shakes his head and adjusts the thermostat. Aishwarya excuses herself to attend a call. Karishma leaves, but not before glaring at Darshan. The boys stand in the corner.

Ayesha: Aap sab bhi ab so jaiye.

Darshan: Doctor ko bulana hain?

Ayesha: Nahi! Woh jab bhi yaha aati hain tab aise hi bimaar hoti hain. She should be back to normal by tomorrow. Don't worry!

Jyugal: Are you sure?

Ayesha nods. Darshan's eyes are trained on Jaimi with concern clear on his face. He rubs her hand, who is sleeping soundly. He notices that her mouth forms a small 'o' shape as she breathes in and out using it. Jyugal comes and places his arm on his shoulder. He looks up at her.

Jyugal: Chale?

Darshan reluctantly nods, not wanting to leave. He looks at Ayesha who passes him a weak smile. The boys walk towards the door with Ayesha behind them.

Darshan: Koi help chahiye toh call kardena!

Hardik: Hum mein se koi bhi help karne aa jaaega.

Ayesha: Thank you!

They say good night to her and she says it back before they retire to their room. They all make themselves comfortable on the two beds. Darshan is laying down on his back with one hand under his head and the other on his chest. He stares blankly at the ceiling. He doesn't seem to care about whatever conversation the other three are having. Hardik turns off the lights and they wait for sleep to take over.

**********