After the tea stall, Siddharth did not know what to expect when Chetna had said she would take him to her favourite spot in Jaipur. So when Chetna pulled up into the parking lot of a fort he was pleasantly surprised. 

"C'mon," she said as she got out of the driver's seat. 

Siddharth walked out and saw the crowd of tourists leaving the entrance. 

"This is Nahargarh fort. The views from here beat anything in the city."

She chattered away about the beauty till they were at the gates. Before Siddharth could intervene she had purchased tickets for both of them. 

"Fort closes in half an hour," the guard said pointedly as he tore the corner of their tickets and let them go in. 

"We know," Chetna said nonchalantly. 

Then she grabbed Siddharth's hand and started speed walking in a specific direction. Siddharth remained a mute spectator to Chetna's antics. He was curious to see where she was leading him. 

They climbed the staircase to go right on the roof of the place. Siddharth paused and took in the view. It was truly breathtaking. The sun had almost set completely and the city was alight with twinkling lights. 

"Wow," he mumbled and stared at the city in awe. 

"Yes it is pretty but we aren't there yet," she said somewhat impatiently and tugged him towards the end of the walkway. 

Siddharth followed her somewhat reluctantly. Chetna stopped at the wall, looked around to check whether or not they were alone out there and then put her foot on the other side. Siddharth almost had a heart attack because his immediate thought was the twenty-foot drop across the wall. 

"Chetna," he yelled terrified for her sake. 

"Relax," she just laughed and found her footing. Her second foot followed and she stood on the other side of the wall overlooking the ledge.

"Your turn now. Come. Step carefully," she beckoned him. 

Siddharth stepped closer to the wall and peered over the intricately designed edges. There was a small ledge on the other side and that was where she stood. Carefully, he stepped onto the ledge next to her. 

"Now sit," she said and patted the spot behind the wall. 

They both settled down and sat in silence for a few minutes. Siddharth soaked in the mesmerizing view and Chetna seemed to be lost in thought. 

"I can see why this is your favourite spot in all of Jaipur," Siddharth said finally, "It is beautiful."

"It really is. It is secluded but not unsafe and I never get tired of this view," she said softly. 

Chetna sighed in contentment and there was another spell of silence. 

"This is where I run off to when I need to get away from everything. This place is my safe space, it soothes and nourishes me."

Siddharth didn't say it but he knew he had found a kindred spirit in Chetna. He could understand more than most the need to be alone. Just sit and ruminate in your own thoughts and be away from people for a while. 

"You're lucky you have this place. My safe space is the tiny park in my locality or the gym," he said instead. 

Chetna laughed. 

"Parks are great too. I love parks. Not much of a gym rat though," she said, "Hey do you have any cigarettes left?"

Siddharth gave her an odd look.

"Hey, I didn't say I am quitting. I just suggested maybe you should, since your mother hates it. I smoke occasionally only," she said defensively. 

Siddharth shook his head and took out his pack. He offered one to Chetna and put one between his lips. It was Chetna's turn to give him an odd look now.

"What? I said I am gonna try to. Baby steps." he said and held the lighter for Chetna. 

She smiled and shook her head before lighting hers. Siddharth lit his own and let the nicotine rush relax him even more than he already was. 

"Never have I ever showed anyone this spot," Chetna said suddenly, referring to the round of this game they had been playing in the flower market. 

"Really?" he asked in surprise. 

"Yes," she nodded, "Wow and to believe we didn't even know each other 72 hours ago."

"And you hated me till about 48 hours ago," he added amused and flattered by this information. 

"I didn't hate you. I just thought you were an ass," she said seriously. 

Siddharth chuckled and shook his head. 

"I get that a lot. I make bad first impressions, I guess."

They smoked together in silence till his phone beeped in his pocket and he pulled it out to check his messages. 

It was Yug letting him know they would all be boarding their flights in a couple of hours. He would keep Siddharth updated about their whereabouts. Siddharth smiled picturing Yug hauling everybody to the airport two hours before the actual flight. Even when they were flying domestic. He was glad he wasn't on the receiving end of that this time. 

"Is that your girlfriend?" Chetna's voice brought him back. 

"What? Girlfriend?" he asked, confused, "No, that was my friend, Yug. The drummer of our band? He was just letting me know they will land in Jaipur around ten."

"Oh," she said with a neutral expression. 

"Oh, I wanted to tell you about something and it completely slipped my mind. So our concert has been moved up. It is on the 29th now, after the wedding day. That is actually why they're all flying in. We have a bunch of practice sessions and meetings.." 

"So you won't be present for the Sangeet ceremony?" she asked sounding a little disappointed. 

"No, I will be attending that," Siddharth was quick to reassure, "But what I wanted to ask you is that maybe you'd like to come along for the concert or the soundcheck."

Chetna smiled,

"Nothing would delight me more than seeing rockstar Siddharth in action."

***

They reached the hotel quite late in the evening. 

The hotel staff helped Chetna with her bags and Siddharth stood at the reception waiting to say their goodbyes for the night.

Chetna directed them to the appropriate destination and turned to him. 

"This was an amazing day. Thank you Chetna for showing me around," he said sincerely.

Chetna gave him her brightest smile. The kind that made Siddharth feel warm in his stomach. Just before they parted ways she called out his name,

"Hey, Siddharth," 

He stopped and looked at her expectantly. She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut. Then she shook her head,

"Nothing, I was just going to say that you're welcome to borrow the car if you'd like to pick your friends up at the airport. I trust they have arranged their own accommodations? I can ask Sagar Bhaiya to drive you to and from your destination."

Siddharth hadn't previously considered going to the airport to pick them up. He had just assumed they would meet at the venue tomorrow in the morning. But the more he thought about it, the more appealing the option seemed to him. He missed his friends like crazy and they would certainly appreciate the convenience of a car and a driver. 

"I couldn't possibly ask you to do that for me," he began but she waved him off.

"Nonsense. It is no big deal. I will ask Sagar Bhaiya to meet you in the lobby around 9:30 pm. I won't be able to join you, obviously."

Siddharth thanked her and they parted ways. 

This was shaping up to be an okay week for Siddharth and he wasn't entirely ungrateful for it. 

A/N

Glossary 

Bhaiya - Older brother 

Sangeet - literally, music; in context, it means a musical party. A vital part of some Indian weddings.