Stranded in the elevator lobby of the 32nd floor, Rachel impatiently fiddled with her purse straps as she waited for the elevator. Why was it taking so long? she wondered as the elevator remained on the ground floor for an unnatural length of time.

It was Saturday, but instead of going to the mall as they had planned, the three of them were headed to a clinic to get Marisa's bandages changed. Though Marisa had put up a brave face, her right wrist had suffered 3rd-degree burns. It was painful and would take a while to heal but the worst part was that the scars would remain. For that itself, she was ready to drag Hans and Ela through the fires of hell. When her phone began to vibrate, she looked up. Relieved to see the elevator coming up, she quickly answered Monica's call.

"Yes, I am coming down. Wait for me," muttered Rachel. "What?" she raised her brows perplexed. "What do you mean Mars isn't ready yet? She has to go for a check-up. She might need shots. Fine, I'll give her 30 mins to get ready."

Rachel turned back towards her door but then she realized that she could just wait in Monica's place instead. When the elevator doors opened, she came face to face with a stunned Danish. He held a bunch of clothes in his hands whilst a dozen packing boxes littered the elevator.

"Hi," she said. "Are you moving in?"

Danish's mortified face grew red. "Yes, I am shifting into 32F."

It was then she realized that the bundle of clothes in his hands were his briefs. She quickly averted her eyes. "Don't you own a bag?"

"I do. Milan threw out my underwear in the elevator while I was unloading the boxes from my car."

The elevator door began to close. Rachel quickly pressed the elevator button again.

"The lobby here has CCTV cameras, maybe you could use your jacket," she suggested.

When Danish attempted to stuff his briefs in his jacket pocket, Rachel rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "I mean take off your jacket and wrap those things in it."

Whilst Danish heeded her advice Rachel pushed a box out, effectively preventing the elevator from closing again.

She looked at Danish through the mirrored walls of the elevator. He seemed to cut a sorry figure, clutching his balled-up jacket in one hand and attempting to push the tower of boxes with another.

"Are your friends not going to help?" she asked, gently.

Danish valiantly struggled to empty the elevator single-handedly. "They went back to fetch the rest of my items from the dorm. That jerk Milan took back my trolley bag with him."

Rachel sighed, "Here let me hold that jacket. You quickly unload the boxes from the elevator before someone complains to maintenance."

Danish gulped and turned a deeper shade of red. "You would hold this?"

Rachel held out her hand, looking everywhere but at Danish."What else can I do? These boxes are too heavy for me to push. Here hand me that jacket."

Danish watched her gingerly hold his jacket in one hand. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, he cursed Milan again as he quickly stacked the boxes before his apartment door.

"Give it back," he held out his hand.

Rachel stepped out of reach."Open the door first"

Danish sighed. Pulling out his keycard he unlocked the door. Familiar with the general layout of the apartments in this tower, Rachel walked in before him and returned after a while, her hands empty.

Fixing the door stopper to leave the door ajar, she moved aside.

"Thank you," said Danish as she retreated. "How is Marisa doing?"

"She's in pain. I am taking her to the clinic now", replied Rachel. Realizing that her answer had been too curt, Rachel explained further. "Monks and Mars live in this tower too. Right now, Mars is camping in Monks's place. You can visit her if you wish."

"I will. Are you staying in tonight? There were some things I needed to discuss," enquired Danish.

"Sure, come over to 12A whenever you're done", replied Rachel with a nod. Gesturing at the towers of boxes, she smiled politely "I 'll leave you to it."

When the elevator doors closed behind Rachel, Danish let out a breath. He would never in this lifetime live this down. His enemy Rachel, had held his briefs for him.

Much later, after he had successfully stacked the boxes in the living room, he called his friends.

"Where are you?", he asked the minute Niam picked up the phone.

"Buying lunch for us. We will be there shortly. Come down and wait," said Niam unaware of the stunt Milan had pulled or of Danish's boiling temper.

"No, I'll just wait for you upstairs. If I can manage that many boxes by myself, both of you can manage the rest."

"Huh", said Niam as the line went dead.

Danish walked into his bedroom, intent on stretching out for a while before Milan- the king of chaos descended on him. He paused seeing the neatly rolled-up jacket on his bed. Covering his face with his hands, he groaned with shame. He was going to kill Milan one of these days.

.................................................................................

Later that evening, when Rachel opened Monica's door, wearing a Barbie night suit with her hair unkempt and feet bare, Danish let out a breath. This sure was a day for surprises!

She looked at him unblinkingly, stumped for a while.

"Who is it?" yelled Monica.

"Just a friend," replied Rachel. She looked down at herself a moment, probably considering her life choices before shrugging."Come on in."

Danish stepped in to find a surprised Monica and Marisa sprawled on the carpet before a blaring TV. Both were clad in similar night suits; Danish figured Monica preferred the Minions whilst Marisa favoured Frozen's Olaf.

"It's sleepover day" explained Marisa in a hurry, waving her bandaged hand. "Usually, I am dressed way nicer than this."

"It's only Danish," mumbled Rachel. "Don't get your knickers in a twist."

Monica glared at Rachel, "What are you doing here, Danish?"

"He just moved in today," supplied Rachel. "He is my neighbor, 32F. He wanted to meet Marisa so I invited him over."

Monica frowned heavily. "When were you going to tell us?"

Rachel plonked herself down on the couch. "It slipped my mind with all the whining Mars did. My head still hurts."

"Hey," complained Marisa. "You're not the one that got poked and prodded."

"Don't mind my friend, she completely lacks social skills. Please sit down," offered Monica through gritted teeth.

When Danish began to join her on the carpet, she shrieked loudly. "Sit on the couch, beside Rache."

Rachel quickly slid to the side, leaving ample room for Danish.

Tucking her messy hair behind her ears, she asked curiously, "Are your friends not joining us?"

Danish looked at Rachel sternly. "No, they already left. I had something else to ask you".

Rachel merely raised her brows.

"Do you have any idea of the hornet's nest you have stirred by calling a disciplinary inquiry on Hans? Are you aware his family is related to the mafia?"

A loud gasp could be heard. Monica gaped at him while Marisa put a hand over her mouth.

"What?" exploded both.

"So, you didn't tell them?" stated Danish, not the least surprised.

Rachel pouted, "You just did."

Danish shook his head, "This is not a small matter to tarry with. You have no idea of Hans's reach. Even though he has been suspended indefinitely, he has countless supporters at his disposal within the school. You need to be more careful."

"Rache, you promised to stay out of trouble," moaned Monica.

Rachel looked her in the eye and replied evenly, "When it comes to the both of you, nothing else matters."

"Even if she painted a big target on her back, she's not wrong," consoled Danish. "I would do the same for Niam and Milan."

"But it's dangerous!" exclaimed Marisa unhappily.

"My friends and I have come up with a plan," suggested Danish gingerly. "We shall form a WhatsApp group, and three of you will regularly update your whereabouts on it. Don't go anywhere alone. Always move in a group. We shall follow you from the university and back."

"What about the assignments?" asked Monica.

"We can do it here in my place. Milan and Niam live close by. It wouldn't be an issue."

"What about our debate club meetings on the weekend? Don't you work?" questioned Marisa.

Danish shrugged. "Niam or Milan would accompany you, depending on who's free."

"What about the library? I have to do research for the assignments!" scowled Rachel.

"I'll go with you," assured Danish.

"Marry me already," muttered Rachel in annoyance. "It's like I am giving up my freedom anyway."

Danish choked; Monica hurried to fetch him a glass of water.

Exasperated, Marisa rolled her eyes. "Rache, just shut up. You should be glad Danish and his gang are willing to help us. He is not wrong; Hans is criminal-minded. What if he attacked me or Mars to get you to back down? We can't afford to skip classes till the inquiry is done, not when we have successive debate competitions lined up just three weeks later. It's safer this way."

"Fine. Ask him to be the group admin. I have enough on my plate," grumbled Rachel bad-naturedly.

"It sure sounds like you don't," smirked Marisa.

Rachel flung a cushion at her but Marisa ducked in time.

Monica smiled at Danish warmly, "Please excuse the children, they haven't yet learned how to behave. Thank you for protecting us. Especially when we haven't had a cordial relationship in the past."

Danish smiled warmly, "Not everyone dares to stand up for what is right. So, when someone does, we should also do our bit. Good night, see you on Monday. Message me the time you usually leave for university."

Danish made his way to the door when Rachel held his hand. "Wait a minute, are you busy tomorrow?"

Danish shook his head in denial. Rachel let go of his arm and quickly typed something on her phone. Danish's phone pinged in response.

"I have forwarded a few sample lab reports. Since you are free tomorrow, compile all your lab reports in a similar and email them to me. Once I check them, you can submit them to the Class President". Rachel impatiently shoved the hair from her eyes.

Danish tenderly tucked the stray curls behind her ear. "Who is the Class President?"

"Gia", stammered Rachel mesmerized by Danish's soft grey eyes.

Danish nodded and opened the door. Turning back to Rachel, he grinned smugly. "Don't you think you're too old for Barbie?"

"Somebody who wears Marvel briefs shouldn't talk," retorted Rachel shoving him out and locking the door. Through the loud thundering of her heart, she heard Danish's laughter. Face palming, she wondered what devil had incited her to comment about his underwear.

Late that night five phones pinged simultaneously. Waking up from a deep sleep Marisa felt around for her phone. Rubbing her eyes, she unlocked her phone to check the WhatsApp message.

'Danish created group "Just Friends"

Danish added you'

Marisa looked at Rachel's sleeping form. She had no idea what to make of their increasingly close ties with Danish and his friends. She hoped none of them ended up with broken hearts.

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