Author's POV

It has already been six months till Samyukta's graduation. Now she and Shree both are pursuing DNB, a three years post- graduation course in Vasundhara Medical College, Jaipur (VMC) in Gynecology and Pediatrics respectively. 

Vasundhara Medical College, Jaipur (VMC) is a multi- speciality hospital and a private medical college owned by the Rathores. They have branches all over the country, and the headquarters is in Jaipur, where Sam and Shree are studying. Abhimanyu Singh Rathore is the Chairman of this hospital cum medical college along with being the Vice- president of the Rathore Corporations. 

The genesis of VMC was a heartfelt gift from Uday Singh Rathore to his lovely wife, Vasundhara Uday Rathore. She held his hands and became his backbone when the Rathore Corporation was suffering from a huge crisis. In appreciation of her unwavering support, Uday Singh Rathore bestowed the responsibility of chairing the institution upon her for three decades until she decided to pass the position over to her favourite grandchild, Abhimanyu as a present for sealing the deal for the world's most coveted diamond.

Samyukta and Abhishree are in their first year of their DNB course. They study and work in the hospital premises quite often. Abhimanyu occasionally catches glimpses of them absorbed in their duties.  He was indeed attracted to Samyukta and he was well aware about this fact but he gave it a mindful thought. He knew about Shree's and Samrat's relationship but didn't know how the families would react even though they have been having a strong bond for more than six decades now. He didn't want to cause any trouble to the families and most importantly his sister for whom he cares the most. Also, he was never much interested in relationships. During his MBA days in London he got along with one of his seniors, Preeti Singhania. She confessed her feeling for him and he being just a twenty- years old lad gave in. Later on, they broke up because Preeti became 'bored' of him. But Abhimanyu was not that much affected by this break up, surprisingly. Later on, he came to know that she had a penchant for growing bored, not just with him, but with a carousel of boys who had crossed the tapestry of her life.  

Back in the present he got a call from Abhishree.

Abhimanyu's POV

"Bhaiyaa, aaj lunchtime me aap free ho?" Abhishree asked her brother.

(Brother, are you free during the lunchtime today?)

"Nahi, lekin teen baje se hoon." Abhimanyu replied.

(No, but I'm free from three.)

"Acha to aap kya mujhse teen baje Zenith Skylounge me mil sakte ho? Aap se kuch baat karni this mujhe..."

(Okay. Can you meet me today at three at Zenith Skylounge? I need to discuss something with you)

"Thik hai...lekin kis baare me baat karni hai tujhe?"

(Okay...but what do you want to talk about?)

"Aap ayiye phir batati hoon."

(You come then I'll say.)

Abhimanyu got a slight guess about what his dear sister was going to talk about. 

"Thik hai. Teen baje milte hain phir."

(Okay. Let's meet at three.)

"Bye bhaiyaa."

(Bye brother.)

"Bye."

Samyukta's POV

Today is Saturday. I didn't have any class yet had a tiring OPD shift. Damn! Being a doctor is hard. Managing studies as well as work is so tough. Thanks to my supportive family, I'm surviving this mess. Thankfully I'm getting home- cooked meals unlike how I had to survive my MBBS on hostel meals which need no explanation for their 'sophisticated' looks and tastes. 

Today, Shree didn't have any posting, so I carelessly missed my lunch because I was busy attending to patients. Additionally, I didn't bring lunch from home, and going to the canteen to get lunch seems impossible now, considering there are still many patients left to be attended to. If Shree were present, she would have definitely forced me to eat something.

Its two in the afternoon now. I got a call from Shree.

"Bata." I said when I received the call.

(Say.)

Being in friendship for about twenty years now has its own advantage. We don't do any greetings. Typical bestie things I guess.

"Aaj tere OPD ke bad mil payegi mujhe Zenith Skylounge  me?" She replied.

(Can you meet me at the Zenith Skylounge after your OPD shift today?)

"Kyu?"

(Why)

"Arey yaar baat karni thi re."

(I wanted to talk, man)

"Kya baat karni hai...thik hai milti hoon. Chaar baje haan?!"

(What do you want to talk about...okay, I'll meet you. At four o'clock, yes?!)

"Haan thik hai ajana"

(Yes, okay, come.)

"Oye, mere liye ek Mushroom Risotto order kardiyo. Maine lunch skip ki hai."

(Hey, order a Mushroom Risotto for me. I skipped lunch.)

"Pata hai mujhe. Ye hona hi tha. Mai jo nhi hoon udhar tujhe baccho ki tarah khilane ke liye." She bashed at me. I expected this. 

(I know. This had to happen. Since, I am not there to feed you like a child.)

"Hmm...busy hogyi thi mai..." I knew saying all this won't be of any help. 

(Hmm...I got busy...)

"Pata hai. Thik hai. Order kar dungi. Aajana time se."

(I know. Okay. I will place the order. Come on time.)

With this we cut the call. 

Now, what does she have to talk about? Anything important? Let's see. We'll meet in two hours only. 

Author's POV

Abhimanyu reached the lounge on time. When he was walking down the corridor he spotted Samrat along with Abhishree. It confirmed his suspicions. They're going to reveal their relationship today. 

Samrat, be ready to get smacked from me. Abhimanyu thought.

He walked toward them on the rooftop. The wind was blowing lightly. He saw them sitting together side by side. He smirked at them.

Samrat knew this smirk. He knows he is doomed now.

Abhi knew about us? Samrat thought.

"Aap aagye bhaiyaa?" Abhishree began.

(You arrived, brother?)

"Tu bulayi, mai kaise nhi aata? Samrat tu bhi aagya? Tujhe bhi bhai banali kya ye?" Abhimanyu replied.

(You called, how could I not come? Samrat, did you also come? Did she make you a brother too?)

Samrat understood the sarcasm behind his words. he clearly knew what he meant. The couple looked at each other awkwardly when Abhimanyu mentioned Samrat as her brother.

"Bhaiyaa, hum shadi karna chahte hain." Abhishree burst out suddenly when Samrat and Abhimanyu wear busy exchanging cold glances. Samrat shot Abhishree a look that said, 'like this! Really?'

"Or tujhe meri help chahiye?" He replied casually.

(And you need my help?)

"Hmm" She expected a shocked expression but didn't get any.

"Maa papa ko batana hai ki iss bandar ne tujhe phasaya hai?"

(Do you want me to tell mom and dad that this monkey has tricked you?)

"Bhaiyaaaaaa...aise mat boliye app..."

(Brother...don't speak like this...)

"Haan haan lele uska side le. Tera patidev jo banne wala ye."

(Yes, yes, take his side. After all, he's going to be your husband.)

"Aisa kyu baat kar rha hai tu?" Samrat tried to defend himself.

(Why are you talking like this?)

"Kyu na karu be? Mere behen se chup- chap teen saal se gul khila raha hai or mai kuch na kahu?" 

(Why shouldn't I? You've been dating my sister for three years, and I should stay quiet?)

"Aapko pata tha?"

(You knew?)

"Tujhe pata tha?"

(You knew?)

Both Samrat and Shree exclaimed at the same time. Abhimanyu just smirked at them. 

"Ye banda utna bhi kharab nhi hai isliye maine kuch nhi kiya nhi to zameen ke niche das feet under gadha hua hota." Abhimanyu stated.

(This guy isn't that bad; that's why I didn't do anything. Otherwise, he would've been ten feet under the ground by now.)

Abhishree sighed at his statement. She know how protective he is of her. 

"Teri dost ko malum hai?" Abhimanyu asked her.

(Does your friend know?)

"Nahi!!! Aa rahi hai wo, abhi. Bacha lena aap dono mujhe usse. Maar dalegi mujhe wo."

(No!!! She's coming, right now. Save me from her, both of you. She's going to kill me.)

"Uske bhai ko date karne keliye?"

(For datinge her brother?)

"Nahi, uske bhai ko teen saal se date karne ke liye use bataye bagair."

(No, to date her brother without telling her for three years.)

Abhimanyu laughed out loud and said, "tu to gayo."

(You're gone.)

Abhishree sulked her shoulders getting tensed about how her bestie would react to the news of her dating her brother. Its not about her dating her brother. It was about not telling her about it. They share everything with each other from what they ate for lunch to what they're wearing for a party, every goddamn thing. She would be definitely hurt, Abhishree thought. But she had her reasons. When she decided to get into a relationship with Samrat she gave it a very serious thought. She didn't want the bond of the families to break because of her or for her equation to change with Samyukta. She thought that if in the future she and Samrat had any complications then it would ruin their other relationships also. Both Samrat and Shree decided to keep their relationship a secret until they reach a level where they decide to get committed. They didn't want the families to suffer because of them. Abhimanyu came to know about them as their mafia has assigned bodyguards around Shree and Sam without letting them know. Abhimanyu, Samrat, their fathers and uncles head the mafia together. Everyone of them knew about the bodyguard thing. When Abhimanyu came to know about Samrat and his sister, he didn't let the senior Rathores and Chauhans know about them for good. He knew that they would come out and talk about it when they're sure. He made sure of the required privacy. Samrat somewhere knew how easily they all could come to know about his blooming relationship but he tried to make sure that they are unaware of it. 

Now, finally they decided to get married and they started with their closest people- Abhimanyu and Samyukta. They would definitely help them to talk about this matter to their families.

Around four, Samyukta arrived. She noticed her and Shree's brother are also present. She didn't expect it.

Are they planning a party or something? Whose birthday it is? 

She was too hungry to give it any thought. She hurriedly reached them and explained how her day went hastily. She places her tote bag on another chair and sat in front of three of them. Abhimanyu shifted beside Shree to give her the much needed support to unfold her secret to her best friend and face the consequences. 

"Guess how many patients I attended today?" Samyukta exclaimed while unfastening her shirt's cuffs. 

"Hello." She softly greeted Abhimanyu when they made an eye contact.

"How many?" Abhishree asked with a low voice that was a result of her nervousness. She wanted to continue a normal conversation with Samyukta before getting to her point in an attempt to relax herself. 

"Fifty- two." Samyukta stated with her cute big eyes getting more bigger.

"That's a lot." Shree replied.

I have chosen a bad day. Great! Shree thought.

By the time Samyukta settled herself comfortably in front of them her risotto had arrived. Shree tried to talk about it but Samyukta stopped her.

"I'm too hungry to listen to you right now. Chuhe daur rahe hain mere pet me. Mujhe thora kane de."

(Mice are running in my stomach. Let me eat a little.)

Abhishree sighed. She has to get it done. She glanced at Samrat who glanced back at her with the same anxiousness. He didn't feel this much at edge when he tortures his enemies. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu lounged on the chair beside Abhishree, looking completely relaxed. He stretched his arms on the armrest of the chair and his legs under the table, settling in to witness the unfolding drama.  

After taking a couple of bites from her plate, Samyukta spoke. 

"Ab bol kya batane wali thi."

(Now tell, what were you going to say?)

"Sam, hum saath hain." 

(Sam, we are together.)

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