5 friends

5 friends

By Chand Sethi

Five friends, meet the amazing world of adventure, faith and LOVE.

Sid, Rahul, Eric, Deepika and rhea are five friends which have made the coolest gang in college. Sid got

an SMS from his old friend Dev for help. Sid wanted to help him but it made him go to hospital. This

book has chasing, finding, fighting, emotions, laughter, love, and all the feelings that make you a

character in the story.

Prologue

Slowly I opened my eyes. I saw a nurse staring at me. She asked “how are you feeling?”

I replied “fine.”

Then she went outside. I could see through window that the nurse was talking to my friends. My friends

except Rhea entered the room.

Then I remember why I’m here.

I asked “where is Rhea?”

“She is with Dev. He has taken Rhea to somewhere.” Deepika replied.

Nurse came with some instruments for a checkup. She pressed my knee which hurt me and I screamed

“ouch!”

“Sorry” she said.

“What happened? You are so badly injured.” She asked.

“A gang beat him.” Rahul answered.

“Why

“Will you elaborate?” she asked.

“Nothing special is there to elaborate.” Eric said.

“Please tell me, what’s the matter?”

“It’s a long story from where should I start? Also it’s none of your business” I explained.

“You know the bill to treat you? It’s about five thousand bucks. Please tell me, I can make twenty per

cent discount on bill.”

It was a profitable deal, so we started.

***

1. At the beginning….

FIZZY BAR:

I ordered a drink. As Eric entered, I ordered one more.

He said “heard about new orkut?”

I asked “what’s orkut?”

“Shut up you drum, I have asked to Rhea.” At this, I didn’t offer him a drink.

“I have joined it” Rhea said

“What! Who gave you invitation?” Eric asked.

“I am not like you, I have many friends.” Rhea replied as Deepika came running.

“Rahul is fighting with a guy on the road” she said, struggling for oxygen for her large body. We ran

outside in no time.

We saw Rahul fighting with a guy. As we saw the broken bonnet of the new yellow Mercedes, we

understood that Rahul has hit that car with a scooter, which he took from Eric for getting samosas.

If we were senior citizen, we would try to stop the fight but we had young blood, so we decided to fight.

Between all this my mobile beeped to tell me that a bloody message had come on this bloody time. I

pressed the red button to cancel.

We all were ready to fight. We stood with Rahul to let that guy lose confidence. But as usual, girls

refused to fight. It let his confidence rise. But still we were three he was one. We went forward. Rahul

caught his neck and Eric start punching him. Ok, it was time of fight but Eric was doing too much. May

be, it was because the scooter was his.

I was standing free. I was a non-violent person, but I also wanted to give an impression to girls, so I

picked up a rod which was fallen from the bonnet of car. I started breaking the glass of car but I stopped

when I heard a sound of striking something with a metal. As I guessed, it was Eric, who hit his face with

the broken bonnet of car. It was ridiculous. It started bleeding.

I don’t know who did that but somebody had called police. As soon as we heard the siren, we all sat on

Eric’s scooter and girls on Rhea’s scooter.

Eric was driving our scooter and Rhea was driving the other (as they were the best driver).

Next day, we were laughing at what we did. We were in classroom and professor Shastri entered in

class. He cleans the dust of table by hitting the book on it several times.

He put his hand in pocket and took out a chit. Before reading it, he sneezed two times and said

‘sorry’. He read the chit-

“There is an educational tour going to Bangalore. It is about chemical research. It’s a seven days tour for

Rs.5000; interested students can give their name to principal sir.”

When he was reading we were laughing because he read that expressionlessly.

His face was straight.

In all this Vanshu, the most intelligent from our batch, asked a question “will we get food?” then

professor Shastri replied “ask from your principal.” This time also he was expressionless.

CAFETERIA:-

“Are you going?” Rhea asked putting his lunch tray on table. I always liked the way she sat on table. Not

only this I liked everything about her. I don’t know its love or something but it is very good. But it is

making me hesitate when I talk to her.

“You are talking to go Banglore? It’s an educational tour about atom.” Eric said

“It’s about chemical research. We will have fun.” Dips said.

“Do you want fun with chemicals?” Eric asked. Between all this, my mobile beeped once more for a

message. I pressed the red button.

“Don’t ignore it; it might be a congratulating massage that you have won 100 million dollars.” Rahul

advised.

“Ok let me see.” I said as opening my inbox. The last message was an offer for caller tunes.

Then I remember that one more message came when I was fighting. I opened the message. It was from

Dev. Dev was my old friend. Four years ago, they shifted from Delhi to Bangalore. The message was:

“Hi. I am in Bangalore.

I need your help. Can you help me?

Please yaar. It’s about love.”

-Dev.

It was ridiculous. What you will do if your very old friend says to you that he needs help

and ask you to come hundred miles. But I feel that I should help him.

I told it to my friend. They felt like me.

I said “should we go?”

All of them except Rhea were ready. She said “I think I will not be able to go.”

But we made her ready to go.

We give our names to principal sir and packed up for Banglore.

***

2. Landed in Banglore

Banglore is a famous city. I always wanted to go Banglore. My wish came true. But later I

came to know that this was my worst wish.

The scene at airport was good. Banglore seems to be a royal city. It was neat and clean. People

were good. I thought that how can one go on a tour to Banglore in an air India flight and stay in a good

hotel. But that I saw that most of our money was spent on flight tickets and a little bit money for our

staying.

Rooms were horrible. They were not even rooms; they were wards of a government hospital. Food was

terrible.

We expected some royal dishes but we were given a sukhi roti and a watery daal. I give better

food to my dog. On this, Eric got a chance to tackle Rhea and Dips.

“Have fun with your chemicals” Eric said.

“Shut up!” Rhea screamed

I tried to calm and Rahul changed the topic. “How will we get outside” he asked. Professor Shastri heard

it.

“You are not going anywhere.” Professor said.

“It’s a seven day tour; you have to stay here for seven days otherwise hundred rupees fine per day.” He

said.

We counted that if we got out for five days, we will have to pay 2500 bucks.

My friends said it was ok. We passed the whole day in talking and watching some experiments. The twist

in tour came at night.

Instead of clothes, brush, glasses, cosmetics Eric had brought torches, watches, walky-talkies

just like a spy.

We stood up at midnight. Our benches were adjacent, so we were with each other. We went to

cafeteria as that was the only place where light was switched on. Eric picked out a page. It was the map

of hospital.

He told us how to get out of hospital.

We had to go to the roof from stairs which were near the I.C.U. which was across the professors’

room and reception.

Professors and receptionists are the only people which are alert every time.

We picked out our shoes and took them in our hand so that less sound would be produced.

It seemed tough but it was not. We easily passed the room and went to stairs.

We climbed the stairs and get to the top floor. It was the third floor of the building.

“What will we do now?” Rhea asked.

“What else, we have to jump from here” Eric said.

“I can’t do that” Dips quarreled.

“That’s why I didn’t tell you about this earlier. Otherwise you would have said no before we start

mission.” Eric frustrated.

“Ok, but how?” Dips asked.

“There is a pipe which goes to the park behind the hospital. You know what you have to do.” Eric

explained.

“So, you should go first.” Rhea said to Eric.

“Ok, let’s go” Rahul pumped.

Eric was the first to go through the pipe. He went easily which pumped our confidence. One by

one,

We got down. Deepika was last to get down. When she was just two feet above from ground, she

slipped.

She stood up holding her head and asked “why we didn’t come through main gate?”

“That didn’t come to my mind, but you are right. Why don’t we come through gate?” Eric said rubbing

his head.

“Now what will we do?”I asked. “What, let’s get out.” He replied.

We came out crouching. Then we hired a taxi. I messaged Dev that I was coming. He thanked me

and said to come alone.

I was not surprised that he said me to come alone. He had a shy nature

So I knew that he will feel shame while meeting my friends.

He also told me the address. It was 27/2, bunkers club, R.S.D. colony, Banglore.

My friends stood out and I went inside. I was not sure that I could identify Dev but I identified

him because he was the only in club. When I went closer, then I saw he was drinking liquor.

“Hey! Remember you said me that you will never drink” I screamed to get his attention.

“Sid! How are you my friend?” he said in joy.

“So what’s the problem” I asked.

“Firstly, let’s go to the rosy past-

Class 8th- We were sitting on second bench. Rhea came to me and gave me my test. I have got

full marks in that test and Rhea appreciated me. It was the first time when that emotion came in my

heart. Day by day, this emotion grew up. Till we reached class 10th, this emotion became so big that I

could not sleep at nights, could not concentrate on study, everyday she remained in my eyes.

But there was a problem. I didn’t knew that she feels same to me or not and you know I

was shy in nature. I had no guts to ask her.

To give some relief to my mind, I started going to the fizzy bar without telling anybody

to get some drinks. You know I am from a Brahman family and we don’t even touch liquor.

One day, my father caught me. He was a strict Brahman. He screamed too much on me. The worst thing

happened. He threw me out of his property. He gave me ten thousand bucks to be alive. What would I

do?

I came to Banglore and tried for a job. I got job in a small office. After some years, I took a loan and

opened my own bunkers club. It goes good for some time, but it flopped. You can see nobody is here.

I started more drinking, drugs also; but love cannot be pressed. If it is, it will give you more pain.”

“So, how you need my help?” I asked.

He took my hand into his.

“Convince Rhea to come here and meet me.” He requested.

“But Rhea is here.” I answered.

“What! Rhea is here” he became happy and shy as he was years ago.

“Yah, everybody is with me.” I said.

“Where she is now?” he asked.

“She is behind that door.” I said pointing to the main gate.

“Can you bring her here?” he asked.

“Yes, I can.” I replied. I started moving to the main gate.

“Take her tomorrow.” He said.

“Why?” I asked.

“I have to prepare man. This time I have guts to say her.” He said with smile.

“Ok, bye. See you tomorrow.” I said and start going to the main gate.

I don’t know why, but I was not happy. I was not feeling well.

Maybe, because I came to know that Rhea didn’t love me. She loved Dev.

The good side of my heart was saying “let both the lovers meet. If Rhea is happy, you will be

happy.”

But the bad side was saying “get lost Dev. She is now mine.”

However, I went with my good side. Maybe, it was the effect of Hindi films of Shahrukh khan.

3. Bringing Rhea

I came to room. Everybody cheered up.

“What happened bro?” Eric asked.

“Nothing special has happened.” I said.

“Oh, tell me you busted.” Eric said.

“Nothing yaar, he just wanted to meet me. He was lying that he needed help.” I lied.

“What! We have come on a science tour, have bunked the residence, for just a meeting and that also

only yours.” Rahul mocked.

“Yah, he is right.” Dips added.

“Not only me, has he wanted to meet you all one by one. Tomorrow Rhea will go and after that Eric and

then Rahul and then Dips.” I lied again.

“Can’t he meet all of us together?” Rahul asked.

“You know, he is shy.” I answered.

“What the hell shy man?” Eric screamed.

“Are you ready to go Rhea?” I asked.

“Ok. I will go.” She replied.

One, I was lying to my friends. Two, I myself was not happy. Still, I was doing this.

I could not sleep that night. I saw Rhea. She was sleeping. She didn’t know that she was going to

be proposed by someone.

Then I thought, I didn’t know that whether Rhea loves Dev or not. Dev also not said so.

Suddenly, a ray of hope pleasured my mind. Maybe Rhea would say no.

But if she says no, Dev will kill himself or will do something unexpected.

What will my friends do to me if they realized the truth? In fact, they will definitely realize the

truth.

Everything was revolving in my mind. I was in that tension that I was never before.

However, I slept and rose late in morning. That day we also bunked, but this time in morning.

I don’t know why, but I wanted Rhea to not go there, so I was trying to postpone the program. I advised

to go to restraint, ice cream parlor, fun fair and other famous places of Banglore.

But at last, they said to go to bunkers club.

We hired a taxi to bunkers club. The club was so low profiled that even the cab driver didn’t know where

it was.

Due to my dull expression, Dips asked me “what happened, you didn’t like that vanilla ice cream?”

“No, I liked.” I answered with cracking voice.

“Are you crying?” she asked.

“No, I’m not crying.” I said wiping small tears from my eyes.

“Oh! What happened? You were a happy person. I know meeting old friends is good and when we leave

them, it makes us sad.” She replied.

I wanted to slap her hard. She thought I was crying because of leaving Dev.

Taxi left us at bunkers club. I and Rhea went inside and others start eating snacks on a snack

shop.

She was saying many things to me while going inside, but I was not responding. This makes her

uncomfortable.

We saw Dev. He was standing in front of the dressing table. He was making his tie properly.

He was wearing an Armani suit. He was looking nice.

I thought he had not much money, but he was looking rich.

Spiky haircut, Armani suit, charming face, proper ties impressed Rhea.

When we went more inside, I saw a table with two chairs, a lightning candle.

He took Rhea’s hand in his and went to the table.

He pulled the chair for Rhea. I was feeling jealous. Rhea sat on the chair and Dev went to

another room.

“Come on, sit here.” Rhea said to me.

“No, I’m all right here” I replied.

And then, Dev entered with two plates of great food. It smelled such good that I was licking my lips.

I was too angry that he was ignoring me. Then, their conversation started.

“So what are you these days?” he asked.

“Nothing is going on.” She replied.

“Sid should also sit with us.” She suggested.

“No, he is all right there.” He said in a low voice.

“How is the food?” he asked. He wanted to make the conversation short, but I know he had no guts to

directly ask her.

“That’s amazing.” She said with a fake smile.

“So what did Sid said you about me?” he asked.

“Why?” she turned angry.

I think she didn’t like the food. Anyways, I was happy.

“No, I was just asking.” Dev replied.

“So, what have you thought about your future; marriage, study, job, anything?” Dev asked.

“I will keep my studies on and I will find a job in Delhi.” She replied.

Dev nodded. He was sad because she said nothing about marriage.

I became happier.

“What about marriage?” Dev asked and turned to the main point.

“Oh, I am not ready for marriage.” Rhea replied.

I became happiest.

“But if I became bridegroom?” he asked.

He said that. My heart filled with nervousness.

“Never, that’s impossible.” She said.

These words came like rain of gold. I was too happy that on that time, my face was red with happiness.

“Sid! Have you not told anything to her about this date?” Dev screamed on me.

“Was it a date?” Rhea asked with pressure.

I wanted to say something but they didn’t gave me a chance.

“Sid, what is this? You were supposed to be my friend. What’s all this going on? Is he proposing me?”

Rhea asked.

There were too many questions. I was confused to give answer of which question. So, I decided to be

mum.

“Sid, you said that you will convince her.” Dev screamed.

They both were blasting questions on me.

I wished that why don’t they fight with each other. God heard my voice.

They start screaming at each other.

“Who are you to say to my friend to convince me?”

“Leave that topic. Just tell me that why, why are you declining me?”

She became silent.

She was looking uncomfortable.

“Why are you silent?”

She started looking at me from a corner of her eye.

“Do you love anyone else?”

She still remained silent.

****

3. TWIST 1

I was feeling shame from one side of my heart.

The other side was running with speed of 200 BMP with happiness and excitement.

“Tell me, do you love anyone else?”

She was too much silent that I also wanted her to say something.

“Sid, let me talk to her alone.” Dev said.

What could I do? I went outside.

Now I was in a position that if I turned left, Dev and Rhea would see me and if I turned left my friend

would have seen me; they will ask me what’s going on.

If I turned right, Dev and Rhea would have seen me and the angry Dev would have become

angrier.

So I wished not to move.

That time I could hear the conversation between Rhea and Dev-

“Ok, now tell me.”

“What I have to tell?”

“Do you love me?”

“No”

I liked that no very much. I don’t know from where that guts to ask directly to Rhea came to Dev.

The conversation continued.

“Ok do you love anyone else?” he asked with a quiet voice.

“Who are you to ask me that?”

“Because I m your lover.”

“Ok. Yes I love someone.”

I was surprised. She loves someone else. My heart was happy that she doesn’t love Dev. I was sad that

she don’t love me.

Then a weird possibility came to my mind that she had not tell whom she love. Maybe, I was

that.

“Who is he?”

“He is someone special.”

“Oh! A lover is always special. You are also special to me. Who is he?”

“Tell me”

“SID.”

*****

4. Anger

She left crying. Even Dev didn’t stop her.

She came out of room and passed near me.

Our eyes met. My eyes were surprised and her eyes were expressionless in tears.

I was confused and I don’t know why.

I remembered about Dev. I turned to see him, but the table was empty.

What would I do? Check Rhea and friends or find Dev that he doesn’t do any hazardous thing.

I passed time in thinking this. At these kinds of moments, mind tries to think on those things which do

not even relate with the main thing.

At that time I was thinking that what would my mother doing that time?

What would professor Shastri say all about this?

Will we go to any restraint?

Suddenly Dev came out of room. He smashed the door with anger.

He looked at me with his red eyes.

He was angry but I know he was crying from inside.

I turned left to see my friends.

I saw Dips holding shoulders of Rhea. Eric and Rahul were standing around them.

Eric saw me with angry eyes.

I tried to be innocent.

At same time Dev passed from there.

No one except Eric noticed him.

“Dev!” he shouted.

Dev turned and gave a bad expression to Eric.

Eric tried to follow him but Dev sat in car (I don’t know whose?) and accelerated.

I went to my friends. They stared at me with anger.

They remained silent. I also did.

Rhea was crying. I was feeling shameful.

I don’t know whether Rhea told that to friends or not. But no one was talking to me.

We sat in a cab; still silent.

Nobody said even a single word.

Rhea and my eyes met again. I found something extraordinary in her eyes.

After reaching our hotel or you can say hospital, we sat on our beds and then anger on me started.

“How long will you remain silent?” Dips started.

“You were silent, not I” I answered.

“OK, Sid. Just tell us why?” Eric interrupted.

“He said that Rhea and he love each other.” I said loudly.

“So why don’t you asked Rhea?” Dips said.

“Well, I forgot it.” I mocked.

“Common Sid, wake up!” Rahul screamed.

“I don’t know, let me sleep now.” I closed topic.

I said I want to sleep but that night I could not sleep.

My friends went aside leaving me alone.

At five am, I slept and at five thirty, Shastri sir woke up me giving me five slip.

Slips were of fine of Rs.25

“Why?” I asked in half eye opened.

“It’s your first time so concession for you.” Professor said.

I went to my friends to give slips.

They were not sleeping, so they noticed me.

Now, their anger was off.

“We have decided something.”

“Ok, what?”

I was excited.

“As it is a dispute between you and Rhea, you both should go out to solve it.” Dips suggested.

“Thanks guys. You are back.”

“Ok, you should go this afternoon.”

“Ok, take these slips and give fine to professor.”

“Throw these slips.” Eric said throwing it in dustbin.

“Ok guys we are back in action.” I said with happiness.

It was the third day of trip of tour and so many things had happened.

Four more days and it will end.

After these four days nobody will remember it.

But in all these I forgot one thing that Rhea said that she loved me.

Was it true? Or it was only to stop Dev?

I don’t know that.

But it was going to clear that noon.

I was waiting for the clock to show 3.

One, one and half, two, two fifteen, two thirty, two forty five, two fifty, two fifty five, two fifty six, two

fifty seven, two fifty eight, two fifty nine and finally THREE!

I ran to the room to take Rhea.

SHE WAS SLEEPING.

I shook her to wake up.

“What’s the time?” She asked.

“It’s three five. We have to go.” I replied.

“Ok, let me get ready.” She said.

“Ok.”

Time was passing three fifteen, three thirty, three forty five, four and five.

“Ok let us go.” She came and said.

“Thank God.” I wished.

We decided to go sunshine corner to have juice.

It was a juice corner; we sat outside under a yellow umbrella.

I ordered two orange juices.

“So, tell me; why were you saying that you love me?” I came to the main topic.

“Well, I was saying it….” She said and stops.

It was because a fat, black man in black shirt and golden jacket with a black cow boy cap came and stood

beside our table.

“Yes, what do you need?” I asked to him.

“Are you Sid Malhotra?”

“Yes, I’m Sid, why?” I asked.

Suddenly a very heavy thing stroked on my right cheek.

It was so heavy that I fell down from my chair and became unconscious for two seconds.

It was a slap from that man.

I could not hear anything but I could see.

Rhea was standing surprised and that man was looking on other side and was putting two of his fingers

under his tongue.

Maybe he was whistling.

I turned to other side to see whom was he whistling to.

I saw five young men in same dress crossing road and looking at me.

A large crowd gathered there.

That man was holding Rhea’s hand and she was struggling to be free.

In that crowd, I saw Dev.

He was smiling. He was in the same dress.

He made a virtual gun with his hands like kids do and did like he is shooting me.

Then I saw a red liquid dropping down. It was my nose, which was bleeding.

Suddenly, my back received a kick.

I tried to see who did that.

It was one of those men.

Then a rain of kicks started.

“Ok, stop boys.” That man said in a Tamil accent.

They did so.

I stood up. It was a good chance to run but my unlucky mobile beeped again.

It’s my destiny that at such times my mobile beeps for SMSs.

I was to take out my mobile but punch at my chest stopped this.

Then I remembered Rhea. Before I could see her, I fell down due to a high kick.

I fainted or felt asleep for five minutes.

I tried to see Rhea but she was not there.

Since that man was not there, he must have taken Rhea.

I cried for help from people, then from God.

That was because people were watching climax of the film.

After half an hour of punches, kicks, slaps, abuses and a lot ANGER, I fainted.

5. Twist 2

Slowly I opened my eyes. I saw a nurse staring at me. She asked “how are you feeling?”

I replied “fine.”

Then she went outside. I could see through window that the nurse was talking to my friends. My friends

except Rhea entered the room.

Then I remember why I’m here.

I asked “where is Rhea?”

“She is with Dev. He has taken Rhea to somewhere.” Deepika replied.

“Oh shit! What was I doing when it was happening?” I asked.

“Ah, enjoying punches?” Rahul quarreled.

“Where is she now?” I asked.

“Idiot; we don’t know.” Rahul quarreled again.

“What to do now?” I asked; seriously.

“What just find her?” Eric said.

“Have you any plan?” Dips asked.

“Can Eric be without plan? It’s Impossible.” Eric reacted.

“First get up from bed.” Rahul suggested.

“Ok, I’m ready.” I said.

We stood up and pay the bills.

We had only three days.

Eric started his plan.

“First, we should try to call her.”

“I have already tried; not available.” Idea flopped.

“Ok, we should try Dev’s number.”

“It is also not available.” Idea flopped again.

Then my brain started.

I partially remembered; something about my phone.

“I got a message!” I exclaimed.

In no time I took my phone and saw that I had some unread message.

I opened it.

Yes, I had message from Dev.

“I have a message from Dev.” I again exclaimed.

I opened the message.

“That was my ANGER”

Just a line said it all.

Not only this, I had one more message.

It was also from Dev.

I opened it as well.

“Looking for Rhea?

She is with me in Pune.

Give us regards.

3 days for our marriage.”

I announced the massage.

Everyone turned sad.

Everyone was silent.

At such times, brain becomes innocent.

It starts thinking about some things which are negatively positive.

Yes, those things which are important to say but are negative.

I don’t know it’s only my brain or everyone thinks the same in such situations.

My brain was thinking:-

a. What will I say to her parents?

b. What will happen to her career?

c. What will happen to my love?

And most important, what will happen to her life?

That time I was praying to god to rewind the time for one week.

I was crying from inside that why I came here?

But it was not the time to cry.

“We have to do something.” I requested.

“We also know.” Dips answered.

“So let’s do it.” I replied.

“What’s your plan Eric?” Rahul asked.

“First let’s go to our hotel.” Eric answered.

We went to our room.

We sat making a square.

Before this, we used to sit making a circle.

But that time we were five and that time we were four.

Eric started:

“Two months ago, I requested my dad to bring me a car.”

“He said me that he will bring it whenever I will need it.”

“Guys it the time when I need it.”

“So, my plan is to bring a car.”

“We can’t find Rhea in Pune on foot.”

“But you don’t have money now.” I said.

“But I have my credit card.”

“I will say my dad to transfer money in my account.”

“So what do you say? Should I call him?”

“Ok. You can do as you wish.” We all three said.

****

6. Plan

It was noon time and Eric called his father.

He said us that he will talk to him alone.

So we remained distant.

After a half an hour long discussion, Eric came.

His face was dull.

As his face expression was, I said to myself “Shit! Plan flopped.”

But suddenly Eric jumped and cheered “WE GOT A CAR!”

We cheered too.

We went to a nearby car showroom.

We had 350,000 bucks.

We saw a very good model costing the same as we had.

But I said no because we need some money for future.

So, we took a WAGON R.

It was very nice.

It had good space and comfortable interior.

Its cost was about 300,000 bucks but due to Eric’s credit card scheme, we got it in 280,000 rupees.

We had 2 days approximately and 75000 rupees in hand.

We took eatables for three days.

It cost about 1000 rupees only.

We used Google maps to find the route from Banglore to Pune.

It was long route.

We decided to drive in shifts.

Each shift would be of 3 hours.

We knew that we have to reach there in maximum one day.

When Rahul was driving, I got a message.

It was also from Dev.

I opened the message.

“Help me! I’m in Pune.

Escobar Hotel is the place.

-Rhea”

It was good news for us.

It told us that Rhea was alright.

It also gave the address of Rhea.

We were driving and half of the way and we saw somebody.

****

7. A new friend

We saw a short heighted young boy with a green T-shirt and a coffee colored jacket over it.

He had a short haircut.

When I saw him I remembered about a character of a hit film ‘3 idiots.’

He was standing on the side of the road.

He stopped us and requested lift for Banglore.

“Can’t you see we are going on the way of Pune?” I said.

“Then, will you come back?” he asked.

“Yes, of course. But after some days.” I answered.

“But why are you going to Pune? It’s very hot there.” He asked again.

“Brother, it’s not of your business.” Rahul said.

“We are going to treat a serious problem.” I said.

“Nice, can I help you?” he asked once again.

It was looking like he is dying to go with us.

“But why are you saying this to us? You have to go Banglore then go there.” Eric said.

“See brother, I’m walking for two days and I really want rest.” He said.

“Please help me by leaving me in Banglore when you will go there.” He added.

“In return I will help you in your matter.” He added again.

“Ok, can you drive?” Dips asked.

We stared at her.

“What? He is helping us.” She answered to our eyes.

“Yes, I can drive for a week continuously.” He said.

“Guys, let’s take him.” Dips said.

“Ok, come in.” Eric said.

“Thank you. Thank you very much.” He thanked.

He sat on the second seat.

“Aren’t you driving?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s why you were asking?” He asked.

“Yes. Now drive the car.” I ordered him.

“Sure. Let me come to driver seat.” He said politely.

Rahul and he changed seats.

“Ok, what is your name?” Rahul asked.

“My name is d’souza, Aditya d’souza.” He answered.

“Nice name.” Eric said.

“See brother, we don’t have much food. So you have to feed yourself.” He added.

“No problem. I have much food for me and much money also.” Aditya said.

“Good brother.” I said.

“Now tell me the problem.” He said.

We started the story. He remained silent just said once when we told him about Dev.

“His name was Dev.” I said while telling the story.

“Dev Malhotra?” he asked.

“Yes, but how did you know?” I asked.

“I just guessed.” He said.

“Oh! That is weird.” I said.

We continued the story.

“Ok, I will see how I can help you.” He said.

He was driving from four and a half hour but still he was not looking tired.

In addition, he was joking and making as laugh.

It was 11pm. So, we were feeling sleepy.

“Aditya, do you need rest?” I asked.

“No buddy. I’m alright. And please call me Addy.” He replied eating a chewing gum.

“How long is Pune now?” Rahul asked sleepily.

“It is just about 2 hours.” Addy answered.

After an hour at about 12pm, our car stopped.

“What happened?” Eric asked.

“I need to go.” Aditya said.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

Then he raised his lady finger.

We realized that it’s not a serious matter.

He went outside and stood by a tree to pee.

He was also looking on the scene of the jungle.

May be it was not a jungle, but at night it was looking like a jungle.

“OH! Let’s move from here.” Suddenly he exclaimed in a high voice.

He came running and sat in car.

He drove the car about 100 meters in about ten seconds.

He was looking behind from the window.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Why are you rushing?” Eric asked.

“It’s a tiger there.” He answered.

“What?” Eric asked.

“It is there. I have seen the bushes moving and heard the sound of stepping on leaves.” He said.

“That must be a dog.” Rahul said sleepily again.

In this entire situation Dips was sleeping.

“May be, but I don’t think so.” Addy said.

It was neither a dog nor a tiger.

It was something else which told us where we stood.

****

8. Twist 3

We went on moving.

I felt that somebody is following us. I also saw some movement in jungle.

This all made me terrified.

But I was saying to myself that it is my imagination.

Everybody was sleeping except me and Aditya.

On the road, we saw 2 Sumo cars blocking the road.

Nobody was sitting in those cars.

Aditya pressed the horn which woke up all of us.

“What happened?” Dips asked.

“Somebody has become idiot.” Addy answered.

Aditya opened the gate and went outside to see what has happened.

He was just to move and suddenly we heard a cracking sound.

Aditya crouched and I came to know that something extra ordinary has happened.

I looked back because the sound had come from back.

I saw two more cars of same kind blocking our ways from back.

Then I saw a fat man with a black shirt and a golden jacket wearing a cowboy hat.

I remembered that it’s that person who kidnapped Rhea from the juice corner.

“Hey, it’s that man who kidnapped Rhea.” I exclaimed.

I became terrified. I knew how bad he is.

I became more terrified when I saw a gun in his hand.

I moved to see others.

Eric was taking Aditya inside the car.

“What’s going on?” Rahul asked.

“We are in a big trouble. It was a bullet.” Aditya said while starting the car.

We were really in a danger.

He tried to drive the car on other sides where jungles were.

But before he could, five or six person with guns came and blocked the gap.

“Get them now!” That man said loudly.

Firing started on us.

Everyone in the car was screaming.

Luckily the bullets were not coming to us.

They were harming the car.

May be it was because they were nonplus.

“Let’s go.” Addy screamed.

He went straight the jungle pressing shooters under the car.

He was travelling so fast in jungle that if we would hit a tree, no one would be alive.

“Why did you press them?” Eric asked.

“They can kill us; why can’t us?” he answered.

“Where are we going now?” Dips asked.

“I know a bypass to Pune.” Addy answered.

“Guys they are following us!” Rahul exclaimed.

We all except Addy looked back and saw that three cars were coming for us.

“It’s the Colombian gang.” Addy said.

“How do you know?” Eric asked.

“I was also a member.” Aditya said.

“So say them to stop this.” I said.

“If they saw me, they will be more willing to kill all of us.” He said.

“But why they will do so?” Rahul asked.

“I fooled them and ran out of their gang.” He answered.

Then I thought that Addy is a person not to be trusted.

One of the cars came too much near.

I saw Dips joining her hands and closing her hands.

She was praying to God.

“They are here.” I exclaimed pointing to the nearest car.

“Do something to get rid of them.” Addy said.

“One minute.” Dips said while checking out her purse.

She took out a lipstick sized red colored bottle.

It had a spray system as in perfume.

She took out her hands out of window and sprayed that thing on the driver of car.

The driver took his pistol but he was unable to shoot because of that perfume.

Then I realized that it was chilly spray.

“Grab his pistol.” Addy suggested.

I did so. I grabbed his pistol.

“Keep it with you.” Addy said.

That spray worked. That driver was unable to see anything.

That’s why his car crashed with a tree.

Other two cars were also coming nearer.

“Guys the spray has finished.” Dips said.

“No problem. Sid, if they came much near, shoot on driver or on the tire.” Addy said.

“I think shooting driver will be easier.” Eric said.

“I don’t know. I will shoot everything.” I replied.

“Don’t try that.” Rahul said.

“But why I shouldn’t do that?” I asked.

“As we don’t have that much bullets, you should save bullets for other car.” Addy said.

“They are coming.” Dips said.

“How are they coming so fast?” Rahul asked.

“They have nitrogen boosts on their cars.” Addy answered.

“Sid, are you ready?” Eric asked.

“I don’t know.” I said.

“Don’t shake your hands.” Rahul said.

“Oh, it’s natural. They are trembling. I have never done shooting.” I replied.

“It’s action time.” Dips said pointing to the car.

It was near to us but not than the earlier one.

But I shoot.

1. It went from the front of driver.

2. It goes nowhere.

3. Hit the car.

4. Tried to hit the tire, but unsuccessful.

5. In air.

6. IT HAD ONLY 5 BULLETS!

But my labor resulted well.

The driver thought that I had more bullets so he was disturbed.

This disturbance made him loose his concentration on driving.

He hit a tree.

We had one more car following us.

I think that car hadn’t that nitrogen boosts. It was slower.

After sometime that car went out of sight.

We had a relief.

We had good news.

Now we were on a road.

We also had a bad news.

That car was also on road.

But still, it was too far from us.

I remembered that fat man.

We have not seen him in any of the car.

“That fat man must be in that car.” I exclaimed.

“Is he more dangerous?” Addy asked.

“Of course he is.” I answered.

“He also had a good gun and he himself is a good shooter.” Rahul suggested.

“Why don’t we hide behind that cottage and wait his car to pass?” Dips said pointing to a cottage.

She had a good idea.

So we went behind that cottage to be safe.

We drank water and planned for future.

But none of the plan was working.

Then we saw that car passing.

Luckily they didn’t saw us.

We managed to save.

“How long it will take to Pune?” Rahul asked.

“Two hours is the time.” Aditya said.

“One hour ago you said the same.” Rahul said.

“One hour ago we don’t had a Colombian gang behind us.” He answered.

“Now, should we go?” I asked.

“Ok, it’s safe now.” Addy answered.

Then we moved on.

This incident terrified as well as warned us that how much dangerous Dev is.

As we had passed this ‘level’ so we expected more danger in the next level.

9. Level 2

We were moving for Pune and got saved from that hazardous incident.

Now we were expecting to ask about the place which Rhea mentioned.

But before that we had to pass level 2.

While entering Pune, we saw a long line of cars.

Aditya stood outside and saw what’s happening.

He saw a golden cap checking all cars.

It was the Colombian gang.

“Oh shit, we have to go back.” Addy said.

“But it’s not possible. We have four cars behind us.” I replied.

“We can’t go on other sides of roads. They will notice us.” Eric suggested.

“We have to plan something now. We have not much time.” Deepika said.

“Anyone here whom they don’t know?” Rahul asked.

“First I'm going to see how deep their checking?” Addy said.

“Be careful.” I suggested.

“Don’t worry.” He replied.

He went forward and stood at the distance of 3 to 4 cars.

He was looking through the glasses of other cars.

He came back running.

“Guys I have good news. He is not checking deeply.” He said.

“We are not invisible. He will see us.” I said.

“I have a plan.” Rahul said.

“They have seen Eric because he was sitting on the window seat.”

“They have seen Sid because he had fired on them.”

“They have seen Dips because she sprayed on them.”

“They know Aditya very well.” He continued.

“So what is the plan?” I asked.

“They have seen you all but he has not seen me.” He started.

“You all can hide and I will drive the car.”

That was a good plan but generally there is not much space in car to hide four people.

Still I thought that maximum three people could hide.

“Four people can’t hide here.” I said.

“I have a plan. They have not seen me from a year.” Addy said.

“I can change my costume and face so that they couldn’t identify me.” He suggested.

It was also a good idea but how could he change his costume and face.

Costume could be changed but I was not sure about face.

“How will you change your face?” I asked.

He stared at me and opened his bag.

He took out a shirt and a jacket.

Then he took out glasses and a detachable moustache.

“From where you got these moustaches?” Eric asked.

“I have everything which is not supposed in a bag.” He answered smiling.

“What about us?” Dips asked.

“Sid you are slim, you can hide behind me.” Aditya said.

“See, they are checking car from one side, so they can’t see the left side of car. Deepika and Eric can

hide there.” He said pointing on both gates of left side.

“What if they saw us?” Dips asked.

“I will drive.” Aditya answered smiling.

“This is action time.” Dips said.

Addy changed his costume and face.

He was looking different.

It would not be easier to identify him if you had not seen him for a year.

Our turn had to come after one car.

Rahul was on driver seat.

Addy was sitting on right seat.

I was hiding behind him, as I was slimmest.

Deepika was sitting on the floor of the car on the left side.

Eric was not getting any place, so he sat against Dips.

The most prestigious position was of Eric and Dips.

It was our turn.

A golden caped man was checking.

Luckily it was not the black man.

“Hey you!” he said to Rahul.

All of us got terrified.

“Have you seen the same car having four or five young people?” he asked.

We got relief after hearing this.

“No, I have not seen such a car.” Rahul answered.

“I have seen it. It’s back in line but I'm not sure about people in it.” Addy said.

“Why are you talking to him?” I whispered.

“Keep quiet.” Addy said.

“What are saying?” That man asked.

“I'm saying keep searching.” He answered.

“Ok, move now.” He said.

We moved and after some miles we sat again normally.

In this way, we entered Pune.