"So, you didn't know about them?" Rishabh asked Samyukta amidst the rhythmic thump of the bass. Multicolored lights danced and laughter echoed through the dimly lit space. 

Samyukta was at a club along with Abhishree, Samrat, Abhimanyu. A few of the friends of Samrat and Abhimanyu were also present along with their girlfriends. The men were friends with each other since the time they went to Mussoorie for their school and training. Since then they are close knit. Other than Abhimanyu and Samrat rest of them are the sons of Ranjit Singh Rathore and Ranvijay Singh Chauhan's very close associates. They planned to send their sons to  Mussoorie to secretly train the next generation for the unforgiving world of the mafia. The façade of providing superior education served as a mere pretext, veiling the true intention of instilling a covert curriculum in the arts of survival and organized crime.

"No!" Samyukta exclaimed eyeing Samrat with anger. "Don't say me I was the only one who was unaware."

Rishabh chuckled while shaking his head along with he others.

Rishabh Joshi, the owner of the club they're present at and many more chains of club spread across Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore and many more other cities. He's the right hand of Samrat and Abhimanyu and handles drug related dealings.

"No, no. We didn't know. We came to know last week only after the marriage was fixed." Vikram added.

Vikram Jadeja, the tech-savvy genius ensuring the syndicate's digital dominance in the underworld.

"Funny how even Abhimanyu knew but you didn't." Vidyut added.

Vidyut Singhania, heading the Legal Affairs Department of the Chauhans  by day and a dangerous mob lawyer by night, he navigates the legal complexities, safeguarding the syndicate's interests.

"Aag me ghee kyu daal rha hai?" Samrat said sternly glaring at his friends while they gave him a playful smirk. 

(Why are you putting ghee in the fire?)

"Nah. Samyukta, this is not done. Make sure to take revenge." Amrit playfully said to Samyukta to mess with Samrat.

Amrit Solanki, lead financial advisor of the Rathores and the financial mastermind, steering the cartel through a complex world of money, investments, and fiscal strategy.

All of them are expert martial arts trainees with each of them having a a third degree blackbelt.

Our Abhimanyu and Samrat are no less. They both share the title of Don in the mafia and hold the rank of Godans (Fifth-Degree Black Belt) themselves. The hexagon, bonded by shared expertise, boasted proficiency in various skills – adept horse riding, sharpshooting, skilled archery and much more.

"Haan haan, mai bhi chup chap affair karungi or direct in dono ko shaadi ka card pakad aungi." Replied Samyukta.

(Yes, yes, I will quietly have an affair, and then I will directly hand them the wedding invitation card.)

Everyone shared a laugh while Abhishree gave her a sheepish smile. On the other hand, Abhimanyu's heart fluttered when he heard Samyukta speak about 'affair'.

After a while, Rishabh and Vikram's girlfriends joined them. After exchanging greetings, the girls headed to the dance floor. Over the six months, the four girls including Vidyut's wife, Tanvi Sharma had grown pretty close. While their bond isn't as tight-knit as Abhishree and Samyukta's, they hold mutual respect and vibe well together whenever the men decide to party. 

The girls were grooving to the beats. They we cladded in wonderful sequin mini dresses. 

SAMYUKTA'S DRESS

ABHISHREE'S DRESS

While dancing together, suddenly, Shruti- Vikram's girlfriend asked the two besties, "To tum dono rishtedaar banne wale ho."

(So, you two are going to become relatives.)

"Haan!" Samykta replied excitedly while wrapping her right hand round Abhishree's shoulders.

(Yes!)

"Nanad- Bhabhi hmmm..." Divya, Rishabh's girlfriend stated mischievously. 

(Sister-in-law and sister-in-law, hmm...)

The girls shared a laughter reacting to Shruti's statement.

"Samyukta, there saath bahut buda hua hai re. Tu ekdam wo serial wali dramebaaz nanad banna, haan." Divya added while grinning.

(Samyukta, very bad happened with you. You should totally become that dramatic sister-in-law from the TV serials, yes.)

"Haan haan. Maine ise kaha hai yeh exactly ki tu rukjaa...ek baar ghar aaj jaa mai tujhe dekhti hoon." Samyukta replied while faking angriness. They laughed more and enjoyed the night dancing.

(Yes, yes. I've said her already that you come after getting married then see what I do.)

Shruti Kishan, a Gujarat- based jewellery designer works under Rathore Corporations as a full- time gold and diamond jewellery designer. She met Vikram there in one of the office parties he was invited to. Divya Nanda, a Mumbai- based fashion designer works in the Chauhan Textiles. She also met Rishabh in one of the office parties of the Chauhans. Both the girls are clean- hearted and hardworking women. 

After a while, the girls joined the men back. 

Suddenly, Amrit started speaking. "Everyone is in a relationship. Samrat is getting married. What'll I do?"

The guys chuckled at his statement shaking their heads at his antics. 

"Why don't you date?" Abhishree asked.

"Arey...koi milni to chahiye na yaar." Replied Amrit.

(Oho...someone has to be there, right.)

"Kyu?" Samyukta asked this time.

(Why?)

"Koi pasand hi nhi karta mujhe." Amrit stated with a sad face  sulking his shoulders which turned out cute.

(No one likes me.)

"Kaise pasand karegi koi jab tu unhe pheli date pe museum le jayega paintings tarne." Vidyut replied to his friend rudely. 

(How will someone like you when you take them to a museum to see paintings on the first date?)

"Tu bada interesting banda hai?" Spat Amrit in his defence.

(As if you're very interesting?)

"Or nhi to kya? Teri bhabhi se shaadi phir hui kaise bol?" Vidyut stated his argument.

(Then what? How did I get married to your sister- in- law, say?)

Vidyut's wife, Tanvi Sharma is the Sales Representative of the Chauhans and had to work with Vidyut often to discuss legal matters which bloomed their relationship. They got married two years ago. Currently, she's visiting New York to attend an exhibition and seal a deal there.  Hence, she couldn't join them. 

"Waise hum ekjan ko jaante hain jinhe museums or paintings ka shauk hai." Samyukta mentioned, glancing at Abhishree to see if she caught on to whom she was referring.

(By the way, we know someone who has an interest in museums and paintings.)

"Hmm...ekjan hain. Milna chahenge aap?" Abhishree said while nodding at Samyukta confirming that she understood who the conversation was about.

(Hmm...there's someone. Would you like to meet her?)

"Zaroor!" Amrit said excitedly. His eyes brightened. His friends shook their heads on seeing how desperate their boy is.

(Sure)

"Shaadi me ayengi wo. Hum aapko usse introduce kardenge." Abhishree said.

(She will come to the wedding. We will introduce you to her.)

"Ruko ek minute. Tum dono ko clear hai ki tum kis ke baare mein baat kar rahe ho, ya phir ek dusre ke saath milke do alag- alag insaanon ke baare mein?"Amrit said curiously.

(Wait a minute. Are both of you clear about whom you are talking about, or are you discussing two different people you've met separately?)

"Haan! Anshika." Both the girls stated together.

"Baapre! Telepathy karte ho kya tum dono? Itna sync?!" Vikram replied in shock.

(Goodness! Do you both practice telepathy? So much synchronization?!)

The girls grinned.

They stayed in the club for sometimes and then started to leave for their homes. Luckily, nobody got drunk. So there was not fuss. 

Sam and Shree never really drink until its a moment to celebrate or a moment to grieve.

"Why don't you guys drink?" Shruti asked.

"We keep it for the best and the worst moments." Replied Samyukta.

"Plus, I don't have a good history with alcohol though." Abhishree stated.

"Why?" Rishabh enquired.

"She goes into another dimension when she is drunk guys." Samyukta mentioned while eyeing Abhishree playfully. Abhishree shook her head in embarrassment remembering the stunts she pulled. 

Abhishree's very bad with alcohol. 

"I start imagining random scenes in my mind and react to them." Abhishree clarified.

"Lemme share an incident. Once she..." Samyukta started but was soon cut off by a whining Abhishree.

"No....You can't say that. Spar me from any more teasing, Sam." Samyukta ignored her and continues while Shree hid her face with her palms. 

"During our MBBS days, our hostel seniors decided to throw a party in one of our rooms, marking the first drinking experience for many of us freshers. Abhishree caused an epic scene which has been become talk of the hostel for over a month. She is teased about it till date. She got drunk and suddenly burst our crying. When she was asked why was she crying, you know what she said?"

"What?" Asked a curious Samrat.

"She claimed her ten-year-long boyfriend left her for a woman twenty-five years older. She went to their wedding, saw her 'boyfriend' get married and ate pani- puri while crying." 

Everyone burst out laughing by the time Samyukta ended. 

"Really Shree?" Abhimanyu asked, a mix of amusement and disbelief on his face

Abhishree nodded, her cheeks flushed, and eyes closed in embarrassment.

"Did you dream about Samrat?" Vidyut asked all the while laughing holding onto his stomach earning a glare from Samrat.

"No! I was Nineteen then!!! We haven't been together since I was nine! C'mon guys!!!" Abhishree whisper- yelled in slight frustration erupting more laughter.

Soon they started leaving.

While getting out, Amrit asked Samyukta, "Waise kya karti hain aapki friend?"

(By the way, what does your friend do?)

"Bahut bechain ho rhe hain sahab zyade." Rishabh said from behind.

(Bahut bechain ho rhe hain sahab zyade)

Amrit shrugged him off and urged Samyukta to tell him. 

"Doctor hain. Bengali hain. Lekin Delhi- based. Baki milkar khud pata kar lijiyegaa." Samyukta explained.

(She is a doctor. She is Bengali. But based in Delhi. For the rest, you can find out yourself when you meet.)

Amrit nodded absorbing all the information about his potential date with a smile on his face.

"Or haan, dil ka doctor hain." Abhishree added with a hint of tease in her voice.

(And yes, she is a 'heart' doctor.)

"Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko

Nazar nahi churana sanam
Badal ke meri tum zindagani
Kahin badal na jaana sanam" Vikram, Samrat , Rishabh and Vidyut sang together from behind teasing their desperate friend. Amrit rolled his eyes at their antics while Abhimanyu gave a teasing grin to him.

(You have stolen my heart 

Don't try to avert your gaze, 

My belovedyou've changed my entire life 

Please don't change somewhere, my beloved)

While the girls were leaving Amrit ran to them and asked, "Koi photo to dikhayo."

(Show me some photos, please.)

"Bhaisaab, aapse raha nhi ja rha?" Samyukta said while laughing along with the others.

(Bro, are you not able to resist?)

"Photo nhi milegi. Shaadi me direct milenge aap usse. Tab tak sapna dekhiye uski." Abhishree declared. Samyukta hummed in agreement.

(You won't get a photo. You will meet her directly at the wedding. Until then, dream about her.)

Amrit pouted. His friends dragged him out of the premises and everybody left for their homes.

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LATER THAT NIGHT

As Samyukta was doing her nighttime skincare routine, she heard her phone make a "ping" sound, indicating a notification. Curious, she opened her phone to see who was remembering her at such a late hour. It turned out to be Amrit, who had liked one of her posts from three years ago. She decided to check which specific photo Amrit had liked on Instagram. To her surprise, he had liked a post where she had shared pictures from a picnic with her college friends. He understood that Amrit was very keen to know Anshika. She chuckled at his desperation. 

She texted him.

S: Bhaiyaa, sabra ka phal meetha hotha hai. (Bro, the fruit of patience is sweet.)

A: Sorry Samyukta, I shouldn't have done that.

S: Its okay. I didn't mind.

A: Hehe. Thanks...

S: Good night.

A: Good night.''

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