As the clock continued its relentless ticking, the abrupt silence unnerved me, signalling an imminent eruption of obscured danger. Suddenly, Jimmy lunged at me.

"You! You think we're idiots?" he seethed, grabbing me by the collar and pulling me close. His eyes bore into mine as if trying to consume me, while fumes of hot air escaped his nostrils. He seemed completely unhinged.

"I didn't do anything," I managed to croak in response.

The doorbell's sudden ring spared me from further interrogation. Jimmy relaxed his grip on me and headed to answer the door, while Vaibhav swayed unsteadily, unable to maintain his balance. Observing him teetering dangerously close to the scattered glass pieces of the vodka bottle I had deliberately smashed, I hurried over to intercept him.

"Careful!" I shouted as Vaibhav continued to sway precariously.

"What happened?" Vaibhav questioned; his voice tinged with confusion.

"There are sharp pieces of the vodka bottle scattered all over," I replied urgently.

Taking careful steps to avoid the glass pieces, I guided Vaibhav to the sofa and instructed him to sit down. Then, I began meticulously gathering the scattered pieces.

As I focused on the task, Jimmy entered the room, visibly frustrated and boiling with anger.

Shit!

"What happened?" Vaibhav inquired, clearly puzzled by Jimmy's demeanour.

"The guy is out of stock," Jimmy replied, scratching his head in frustration. He fidgeted nervously, resembling a bouncing ball that couldn't settle, and began frantically scanning through his phone contacts.

"Out of stock of what?" Vaibhav pressed for clarification.

"Out of our stuff, idiot, coke" Jimmy snapped impatiently.

The mention of "coke" triggered a memory in my mind, but I chose to remain silent, continuing to gather the broken glass pieces. Jimmy dialled a number, muttering under his breath, "Come on... pick up," but his call couldn't connect to the desired contact.

"FUCK!" Jimmy exploded in frustration; his anger palpable in the room.

"Can you put yourself to some use, or do I have to do everything for you?" Jimmy's tone dripped with sarcasm; his frustration evident.

While I remained unaware of their internal matters, I couldn't help but sense a subtle rebuttal from Vaibhav, his demeanour shifting slightly in response to Jimmy's remark.

Followed a silence. Sometimes, silence can scream louder than words. In the absence of speech, the tension in the air became palpable, as if the very vibrations carried the weight of unspoken words. It felt like a moment pregnant with anticipation as if the silence itself was a precursor to an imminent explosion of emotions.

"Vaibhav, call your peddler, man!" Jimmy's voice rang out, demanding action.

"Why are you shouting at me?" Vaibhav retorted, his own voice rising in frustration.

"Don't you know he's been arrested? You're acting like I'm not helping on purpose," Vaibhav shot back defensively.

"You're not helping on purpose because you want everything handed to you," Jimmy accused.

"Don't you say that!" Vaibhav's voice was filled with indignation.

As the two men continued to argue in their drunken state, I focused on gathering the broken glass pieces, quietly managing the aftermath. For me, the situation had become dire; Jimmy suspected me of aiding the girls in their escape, and I knew I had to regain his trust somehow.

Their argument persisted, my heart began to beat harder, but why? It felt as though my brain had been activated to concoct a solution fraught with risk, while my heart sent signals of hesitation: should I? Should I not? Amidst the commotion caused by two drug addicts

I have to take on responsibility for every damn thing Vibhav, I don’t know today you arrange for the stuff. I don’t care, Jimmy barked at Vaibhav.

I can arrange the stuff for you! I interjected

Both of them stared at me, dumbfounded. See, the thing is, making a connection with cocaine peddlers is highly unusual, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the demand for the drug is sky-high compared to its limited supply, which drives up its price. Only folks with deep pockets can afford it. Secondly, it's an illegal substance. Getting your hands on it requires either significant influence or becoming a peddler yourself. So, their surprised expressions were entirely expected.

"You know what stuff we are talking about?" asked Jimmy, a surprised look remaining on his face.

"Yes sir, I very well know the stuff you are talking about," I replied with fake confidence.

Jimmy narrowed his eyes, clearly sceptical. Really? Then get me the stuff I want it now.

"Jimmy, this seems risky. We shouldn't deviate from the protocol; we don't know this guy," cautioned Vaibhav.

Despite Vaibhav's attempt to reason with him, an intoxicated Jimmy arrogantly demanded, "I don't care, I need the stuff right now!"

Aware of the police surveillance, Vaibhav tried to emphasize the risk, saying, "You know the police are watching us."

Undeterred, Jimmy insisted, "Are you coming or not? I'm going to get that stuff. Are you in or not?"

Vaibhav, feeling powerless, reluctantly nodded in agreement, behaving like a submissive dog.

"Sir, I can't assure you of obtaining the substances. My contact isn't aware of this urgent request. I opted for caution," I explained.

Unperturbed, Jimmy, determined to acquire the drugs, took the lead, and we reluctantly followed.

Intoxication often brings about a sense of invincibility, akin to Julius Caesar on a conquest, ready to conquer the world with a mere flourish of his sword. This fleeting confidence, fuelled by a surge of dopamine flooding the brain, mesmerizes the mind, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. In such moments, the allure of a dreamlike reality can overshadow the starkness of actuality.

It was evident to me that, at that moment, Jimmy must have felt like a monarch, leading his entourage of two. With a metaphorical grip on the reins, he revved the car's engine, reminiscent of controlling a chariot's horses, and the vehicle took off with a piercing screech.

As our car navigated through the bustling streets of Mumbai, en route from Andheri to Bandra, my attention was captured by Jimmy's erratic behaviour. He shouted and cursed at fellow drivers from the driver's seat with a fervour that bordered on madness. Amidst this chaotic scene, I couldn't resist weaving a tale.

Once, there lived an innocent king filled with aspirations of conquering the world. He struck a deal with a devil to gain power, offering his innocence as collateral. With the devil holding his innocence hostage in a castle, the king set out to fulfil his ambitions. Though he succeeded in conquering the world, upon his return, he discovered that the devil had devoured his innocence.

Now, the hungry devil demanded sustenance, stipulating that it must come from the king himself. The king, in a bid to maintain his power, offered his virtue. The devil consumed it, yet remained unsatisfied. Desperate to appease the devil, the king sacrificed his character. Still, the devil hungered for more.

Blinded by power and position, the king, in a final act of desperation, offered himself – body and soul – to the devil. In doing so, he underwent a monstrous transformation and became the devil himself.

The car halted at the hotel entrance. Jimmy immediately turned to me, questioning, "Who do you know here?"

"I'm afraid I can't reveal much about my source," I replied, signalling for Jimmy and Vaibhav to stay in the car as I stepped out.

This was the same hotel where Jimmy had arranged a meeting a few days ago, and where I had coincidentally witnessed Aarav, Brihannala's young chauffeur, selling drugs.

"Is Aarav here? He works at this hotel," I inquired nervously at the reception.

Struggling to feign confidence, my mind raced with doubts. Did Aarav truly work here? What if he had lied?

"I'm sorry, sir. Which department does he work in?" the receptionist asked with a warm smile.

"I'm not sure of the exact department, but could you please check the list for me? It's urgent; his brother has been in an accident, and his phone is out of network. We need to reach him," I explained, desperately hoping she would find his name.

The receptionist took a moment, and thankfully, her generosity prevailed.

"Okay, just give me a second," she complied, beginning to search for Aarav's name. As her eyes scanned through the names on the computer screen, I anxiously kept my fingers crossed, silently praying that she would find his name.

"Oh, he's in the housekeeping department. Let me inform the head of the department," the receptionist said, picking up the landline phone to make the call. As she was about to connect to the head of the housekeeping department, a sudden realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Oh, damn... I don't even know if Aarav has a brother," I thought to myself, panic rising within me.

"Excuse me," I interjected urgently, "just tell him Brihannala broke his leg."

The receptionist nodded in understanding and relayed the modified message. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for the quick save.

Aarav came bounding down the stairs, but as his eyes landed on me next to the receptionist, his pace faltered, and his expression twisted into one of irritation. I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of him. With a begrudging nod towards the receptionist, he made his way over to me.

"What happened with Brihannala, sir?" he asked as he joined me.

"I'm sorry, I lied," I confessed, attempting to meet his gaze as we walked. He stopped abruptly.

"You what?" Aarav's voice was sharp. "You lied," he repeated through gritted teeth, fixing me with a piercing stare. "You dare to come to my workplace, disrupt my workflow using Brihannala's name, and then have the nerve to admit it shamelessly?

"Think what you may, but I need your help right now," I pleaded with him.

"But why should I help you?" he retorted.

"Because more than just help, it's a money-making opportunity that I'm proposing to you," I said, hoping to appeal to his interests. The prospect of earning money seemed to soften his stance.

"I hope this isn't some kind of silly joke. You need to tell me exactly what's going on," Aarav exclaimed.

I took Aarav to a secluded corner and laid out all the details for him. He listened attentively, but then questioned, "But why should I trust you?"

"It's a valid question," I admitted. "Let's not waste each other's time. If you don't trust me, I can leave right away."

Aarav paused, contemplating for a moment. "Okay," he finally said, "tell them I'll take the money first before supplying the product to them. You go and ask them if they agree to it. If they give you the thumbs up, we'll take it forward from there."

I traversed the street and approached Jimmy and Vaibhav, relaying Arav's proposition. Jimmy, driven by a desperate urge to indulge in drugs, was prepared to go to great lengths. Without hesitation, he consented to transfer the funds, swiftly executing the transaction with his phone. I signalled Arav with a thumbs-up gesture.

Arav glanced at his phone to confirm the receipt of the transfer before revving his bike to life and leading the way out of the gate, with us trailing behind. His familiarity with the city's shortcuts, even ones unbeknownst to me despite my decade-long residency and Jimmy being a native, was evident as his bike navigated through them effortlessly. Eventually, Arav halted in front of a dilapidated and cluttered chawl.

Jimmy prudently kept his distance, pulling the car over into the shade. Meanwhile, Arav disappeared into one of the narrow alleys that connected to the sprawling chawls, resembling an expansive ocean. These narrow pathways appeared like streams of water flowing through the densely packed structures.

"Where the hell is he?" Jimmy barked, glancing at his watch impatiently. "Why is he taking so long? Are you sure he'll come back?"

"Don't worry, sir. He'll come back," I reassured Jimmy, my gaze fixed on the alley where Arav had disappeared. "I'm sure he must be stuck for a reason."

More than five minutes had passed since Arav had left, and Jimmy's restlessness was palpable. Vaibhav, meanwhile, was visibly terrified, his eyes darting back and forth, unable to find a moment's rest. "I hope this place is safe," he muttered anxiously. "The police have been watching us for some time. We need to be careful."

"Shut up, you chicken," Jimmy snapped back, his patience wearing thin.

Amidst our conversation, Arav suddenly emerged from the alley with lightning speed, glancing around to ensure we weren't being watched by the police. Swiftly, he handed over the drugs.

"You all must leave now," Arav warned urgently.

"Wait, let me check the stuff. What if it's not genuine?" Jimmy said, tearing open the packet. He placed a bit of cocaine on his finger, sniffed it, and his eyes dilated as he jerked his head back. "Wooooo... This stuff... damn, yeah."

"Hey, shh..." Arav hushed him, his eyes darting nervously.

"What's happening there?" a voice called out of nowhere. Two policemen were approaching us. "Why are you all shouting?" It was 3 am, and police patrols were routine.

"Go, go, go! It's the police!" Arav alarmed us, rushing to his bike. He kick-started it and zoomed away, while Jimmy revved the engine and swiftly turned his car, the screeching tyres propelling us into the darkness.

The vehicle halted outside the office, and with a burst of excitement, Jimmy leapt out of the car window, emitting ecstatic screams and laughter like a wild man, having finally acquired the coveted item he had longed for. As Vaibhav breathed a sigh of relief for safely reaching the office, I expressed gratitude to the heavens for repairing the fractured trust that had nearly slipped away a few hours prior.

Jimmy embraced me, his excitement palpable as he patted my chest, declaring, "You're the star, bro! You've turned the impossible into reality. Come on, let's celebrate!" Glancing at Vaibhav, he erupted into laughter.

"Sir, I apologize, but I must leave now. It's getting too late," I interjected, hoping to call it a night. However, my wish was overridden by Jimmy's insistence on continuing the festivities.

"Come on, buddy, there's still drinks left. You haven't even had dinner. Let me order some exotic food. The night is still young," Jimmy urged, his tone more of a command than a request.

Feeling the weight of the situation, I knew I had to maintain equilibrium. This was especially crucial in light of the incidents involving Pratigya and Sophie. Thus, we found ourselves back in the office, specifically in Jimmy's room. As Jimmy prepared lines of cocaine, he handed me the brand-new bottle of Chevas R, a gesture that signalled the beginning of our night's festivities, Vaibhav eagerly awaited his turn to indulge. Meanwhile, I sat across from them on the sofa, clutching the bottle of Chevas regal whiskey that I had poured for myself.

Observing Jimmy's demeanour, I couldn't help but marvel at how chemical drugs seemed to transport him to another realm. While I've never indulged in such substances myself, preferring to stick to handling alcohol, witnessing Jimmy's behaviour gave me a glimpse into the effects they could have. As he played music and cranked up the volume, immersing himself in dance, it was evident that he was on cloud nine, lost in a euphoric trance induced by the drugs.

As Vaibhav joined Jimmy in their exuberant dance, it was clear that they were completely immersed in the moment, casting aside any semblance of social norms or boundaries. They seemed to have transcended into a state where reality intertwined with illusion, blurring the lines between the two. Deciding not to intrude on their euphoria, I silently slipped out of the room, making my way to my desk outside. Settling into my chair, I placed my glass on the table and took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as solitude enveloped my senses. In that moment of quietude, I found the peace of mind that I desperately craved.

Donning the headphones, I selected the Ganesha cosmic raga, allowing its symphony to permeate my being, quieting my mind as I sat alone. With each string, I felt a deeper resonance within me until sleep inevitably claimed me.

A pat on the back jolted me awake. My eyes, still heavy with sleep, stubbornly refused to open. I had to force them open to see a blurry figure standing before me. It was Pratigya.

"Sophie told me what you did for me yesterday,”. Her voice reached me, but in my groggy state, I couldn't grasp what she meant. My head throbbed with a hangover, and I struggled to find my footing, my legs numb and unsteady.

"Are you okay?" Pratigya asked, placing a hand on my shoulder as she noticed I was spaced out. Gathering myself, I replied, "Yeah, I'm fine. Did you say something?"

"I said thank you, Prashant, for what you did last night," Pratigya repeated.

"Oh, yeah, it's okay. I'll just go and freshen up. How come there's no staff member to clean up the place?"

"They're here; you seemed to be in a deep sleep. It's 10 o'clock."

"Is it? Damn," I muttered, glancing at my watch. I stood up and headed to the washroom

"Prashant!" Pratigya called out, stopping me in my tracks.

"Yeah?" I responded.

"Just keep yesterday’s incident between us, please," she said, her voice carrying a pleading tone.

"Don't worry," I replied with a reassuring smile before continuing on my way.

As I took time to freshen up, I could hear chattering and loud laughter filling the air outside the bathroom. "Jimmy!" I thought to myself. But why is he shouting and laughing so loudly? I hurried to step out of the bathroom. On exiting, I saw Jimmy standing with his hands on the desk, bending over and talking to the writing team, which included Kuldeep, Bhumi, Pratigya, and Sophie. This was a regular scene, except Jimmy was smiling more than usual, and Pratigya looked more distant and indifferent than usual. Why is Jimmy so happy? Is he trying to downplay yesterday’s incident and subtly regain Pratigya’s confidence?

While I was lost in thought, Jimmy spotted me and greeted me warmly.

"Here comes the man of the hour, Mr. Prashant! How are you?"

"I'm good, Sir," I replied as I took my seat.

"You crashed here on the chair, so we purposely didn't disturb you. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Well, anyway, I want to show you all my new car. Come down."

Everyone followed suit except Pratigya. She remained seated until Sophie nudged her to act normal, and Pratigya reluctantly tagged along.

A sleek green Lamborghini Urus stood out in the parking lot, distinctly different from the other cars. We all walked around the car, admiring the sports car that looked every bit worth its hyped brand. Sitting in the driver’s seat, Jimmy touched the start button, and the sound from the silencer roared like a sports car raring to go.

"Hop in, guys, let’s take a spin in this mean machine," Jimmy invited us to join him in the car.

"Pratigya, come sit in the front," Jimmy asked, but Pratigya chose to sit in the backseat. Kuldeep and Bhumi exchanged looks, noticing the tension between them.

Kuldeep, Bhumi, and Sophie all settled in the backseat, while I sat next to Jimmy.

The car accelerated on the road, feeling remarkably light and smooth as the speed quickly jumped from 20 km per hour to 150 km per hour. Jimmy appeared ecstatic and deeply satisfied with the car. After a thrilling ride, we returned to the office.

Pratigya and Sophie whispered to each other as we all took our seats. Jimmy called out to Pratigya, who glanced at Sophie. From my corner of the eye, I noticed Kuldeep and Bhumi observing the change in atmosphere. Sophie subtly lowered her eyelids and nodded, silently reassuring Pratigya, who eventually agreed to go into Jimmy’s cabin.

Fifteen minutes passed, and Pratigya emerged in tears, placing her laptop and diary on the table before rushing to the bathroom. Sophie followed suit, and seeing their exchange, Bhumi also followed them.

Kuldeep turned to me, his expression questioning. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing," I replied calmly, though I sensed he wasn't convinced.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not buying that answer. Something is going on. Did something happen last night?"

"Why are you asking me? You should ask them. I honestly have no idea," I said, knowing my attempts to appear normal weren't convincing Kuldeep.

"Really?!" he exclaimed; his disbelief clear.

I remained silent, avoiding his gaze, unsure how to respond further.

The girls emerged from the bathroom, deep in conversation.

"I warned you two to keep it professional, not to get personally involved or infatuated with him," Bhumi said, her voice filled with frustration.

Sophie interjected, "Come on, Bhumi. She fell in love with him. It happens sometimes. You can't always control who you develop feelings for."

They sat down at the desk, and Pratigya silently listened to both of them.

Now, here's the thing about women. Even if they don't always see eye to eye, when a girl’s dignity is violated, they put aside their differences and stand together in support."

Up until yesterday, these three couldn’t seem to work as a team, but today they appeared as pillars of strength for one another.

"Bhumi said, 'I don’t feel safe here anymore. We must do something about it.'"

"Just relax, Bhumi. We will talk about it," Sophie reassured her.

Kuldeep looked perplexed at this sudden shift in dynamics. "Her team member was suddenly in agreement with the nemesis," he thought. Pratigya and I remained quiet, while Bhumi seemed ready to take action.

"Come on, Pratigya, I think we should report this to the police," Bhumi urged.

"Oh boy, this is escalating to another level. It could ruin the opportunity fate has presented to us," I thought, realizing I needed to intervene in this sensitive situation. A thought raced through my mind.

"Bhumi, wait. We all need to talk. Please, think rationally," I urged.

"What do you mean 'rationally'? Yesterday they tried to involve her in a threesome, and today he hit her when she refused his advances," Bhumi replied sternly.

"Can someone please tell me what’s going on here?" shouted Kuldeep, clearly taken aback by the escalating situation.

The door of Jimmy’s office opened, and he stepped out just as Kuldeep shouted.

"What’s going on?" Jimmy inquired, sensing the tension.

"Nothing," I quickly intervened. "We were just discussing the film’s narrative pattern, that’s all."

"Okay, guys," Jimmy continued, "Rishab Kumar called me at home. He sounded quite excited about the project. I hope you all understand how important it is, right?"

Everyone nodded half-heartedly, and I offered an animated smile to try to dispel the negative atmosphere that hung over the room.

I waited for Jimmy to step out and began to put some sense to all emotionally hurt colleagues.

You know what let’s take a break we all need to talk

So, as it struck 6 in the evening, we headed to a cosy restaurant. See I don’t endorse alcohol but the truth remains that when one is overloaded with emotions, and one has been suppressing them for a very long time alcohol does help in naturally letting out emotions because a couple of pegs down and the person starts venting out his/her piled up sorrows without inhibition and that’s exactly what Pratigya did.

"He doesn’t love me. He just wants my body," Pratigya admitted sobbingly.

By now, Kuldeep had been updated on everything that had transpired after he and Bhumi left, so he listened patiently to Pratigya while holding a glass of beer. Sophie was on the verge of tears, listening to Pratigya. She gently rubbed Pratigya’s back in a comforting gesture. Bhumi, on the other hand, remained firm and composed.

I, however, was preoccupied with the thought of saving the project. If the incident became a major issue, there was a high chance we would lose the opportunity to work with Rishab Kumar, the superstar. I felt guilty for thinking so pragmatically, but everyone at that table had worked tirelessly to secure this project. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I couldn’t bear the thought of it slipping through our fingers.

"It's not Jimmy. It is something else."

"What do you mean?" Bhumi demanded.

"Did you all notice Jimmy's dual personality? His mood swings, his changes in behaviour."

"What are you implying?" Sophie asked, her tone cautious.

"I'm saying that Jimmy needs help. He's a drug addict. That's what I'm implying."

"I can’t believe this! Are you trying to justify his actions by calling him an addict?" Bhumi countered; her disgust apparent.

"Whoa, whoa, hang on. I'm not taking sides. I'm just telling you the truth." I had just begun to strike a pragmatic conversation when a waiter interrupted.

"Sir, is this your phone?" the waiter asked.

"Yes, I had plugged it in at the counter."

Handing over the phone, the waiter returned. The phone rang again, and almost simultaneously, Bhumi’s phone began to buzz. She picked up the call and excused herself. Meanwhile, Sandeep's name flashed on my screen—he had to call at the worst possible time.  

"Yes, bro, where have you been for the past two days? Your father called you multiple times, and Deepika has been worried because your phone was out of reach."

"Hey, hey, hold your horses," I said as I excused myself from my colleagues and stepped out of the restaurant. "Bro, I crashed at the office due to workload and my phone battery died."

"Okay, where are you right now?" Sandeep asked.

"I'm with my colleagues right now at WTF Restaurant in Andheri," I said, then immediately regretted it. "Oh, shit, slip of the tongue. I regrated giving away the venue"

"Fine, me and Nishant are at Bandra. We're coming over," he said before hanging up.

"But listen...!" I tried to interject, but it was too late.

"I didn’t say that," I replied defensively.

"Then why do we sense some sympathy for Jimmy from you?" Sophie pressed.

"Because I’m an addict myself!" my voice echoed.

A moment of silence followed, and then Pratigya leaned forward and asked, "You mean you’re a drug addict too?"

"No! But I am addicted to alcohol. It’s the same thing, and I know I need help too. But that’s not the point. Guys, don’t forget why we’re here. Pratigya, you’re from a small town, and so are you, Bhumi. What was our purpose in coming here? We came to achieve something, not to get involved with a drug-addicted producer. Sophie, you’ve been struggling for the last seven years—what for? When we started this journey, it was with a dream. Now, we have an opportunity handed to us. Are we going to let it slip away? Kuldeep, you once told me that Jimmy has what we don’t—connections and money. So why can’t we work together and make this project successful? Are we so emotionally blinded that we’re overlooking this great opportunity?"

A loud laughter erupted, distracting everyone.

"HA HA HA, HA HA HA!" The laugh sounded familiar. Damn, it was Sandeep sitting at the next table. We were within earshot We were within earshot of him and Nishant which means he and Nishant could hear us, and I hadn't even noticed when they came in.

"Oh, sorry guys. My friend," he said, pointing at Nishant, "just cracked a joke. Sorry to disturb you."

He stood up, his feet moving in my direction. I tried to avoid him, looking the other way, coming close to my ear he whispered

"Nice speech" and then moving away from me he requested,

"Bro, can I borrow your lighter?" he asked, waving at my colleagues. "Hi, I’m Sandeep."

No one seemed interested in him, merely nodding half-heartedly. I quickly passed the lighter to him, and he resumed his seat.

"Ignore him, guys, he’s just an acquaintance," I said, trying to steer the conversation back. "So, what do you guys have to say?"

"I can’t believe this, Prashant. All men are the same—insensitive, selfish assholes," Sophie said, looking completely unhappy.

"See, guys, we’ll make sure Jimmy stays in his lane, and Pratigya has to be firm on her ground..." Before I could finish my sentence, Bhumi cut me off.

"Oh, I see. I get it. It’s all because Ritesh, the actor, and Jimmy agreed to your idea, isn’t it? You’re not concerned about anyone but yourself. You want to earn a brownie point here, don’t you? I get it now."

"Hey Bhumi, you’re going off track."

"No, I am very much on track, Prashant. You liar! We all left, but you stayed with Jimmy. Tell me, what perks did he promise you for luring us with your honeyed words? Say it."

"Bhumi, you’re a bit too high. Please calm down," I urged her.

"No, why should I calm down? You’re Jimmy’s rat, aren’t you?"

"Bhumi, just hold your tongue," Kuldeep interjected sternly.

"You’re telling me to shut up? What about this rascal?" Bhumi said, pointing a finger at me.

ENOUGHHH…Pratigya roared I think we must get going. Pratigya coming back in her senses took charge of the situation

Sophie you pay the bill. Kuldeep, Prashant, Bhumi let’s break it up.

Yeah, you guys carry on I will stay back for a while, I urged.

Kuldeep turned to me, his tone soothing. "Don't worry, I'll talk to Bhumi." He then trailed after Bhumi and Sophie.

Pratigya stepped forward, positioning herself in front of me. "Prashant, thanks again for all your efforts," she said, then departed, leaving me alone.

"Fuck," I shouted, venting my frustration.

A hand landed on my shoulder. It was Nishant, with Sandeep standing beside him. They both took seats, and a heavy silence settled over us. We didn't exchange a word for a full ten minutes.

"Want to talk?" Nishant finally broke the silence.

"No," I shook my head.

"Drinks?" he asked.

"I'm already having one," I replied, my tone subdued.

"Jr. King Martin Luther?" Sandeep chimed in.

"What?" I looked at him, confused.

"Your speech reminded me of Jr. King Martin Luther—'I have a dream,'" Sandeep elaborated, imitating Jr. King Martin Luther.

Nishant erupted in laughter, and I couldn't help but join in. We shared a moment of genuine mirth. The night concluded in the company of two steadfast friends, ever-present regardless of the circumstances.

TO BE CONTINUED.

The next day, I was the first to arrive at the office, my eyes frequently darting to the clock. I mingled with the staff, sipped my coffee, and watched some videos on my laptop. Jimmy arrived around 11 a.m., and seeing me alone, he asked, "Where are the others?"

"They must be on their way," I replied.

He went into his room. My heart raced. What are they up to? I hope they don't quit. No, they wouldn’t do that. But what if they do? What if Bhumi persuades Pratigya to lodge an FIR against Jimmy? That would be the end of everything.

An hour passed—it was now noon, and no one had ever been this late to the office. My patience wore thin. I took out my phone and dialled Pratigya. The phone rang, but she didn't answer. I called again, and this time, she declined the call. My instincts screamed that something was wrong. I immediately dialled Kuldeep, but he too declined my call. Desperately, I called Pratigya again.

Just then, she burst through the office door with the entire writer team: Bhumi, Sophie, and Kuldeep.

"What? Why are you calling again and again? We were in the lift; the network doesn’t work in the lift," Pratigya exclaimed.