"Enough, Maa. It's too much," Rudra said to Rajwanta who was busy filling his plate with delicacies. An army of maids flittered across the dining table, bringing forth new dishes and cuisines at Rajwanta's command. Rudra was trying very hard not to succumb to his mother's loud and clear order. His eyes roved over the opulency of food laid out in his honour. Honorary lunch for the crown prince, Rudra perceived.

"Don't give me that look of excuse, son. You haven't had anything properly. After 10 years, 10 whole years, you are here. If you think I'll let you go without a proper dine, then you underestimate your mother's strength, young man. Speaking of which, you haven't tried Ghevar till now."

A maid proceeded to serve him Ghevars but retreated on receiving a death glare from Aadya. Smiling, she herself sought the plate and served Ghevars to her elder brother. "Rudra, I'm not letting you go to work. No work for 15 to 20 days, okay?" Rajwanta showed him stern eyes. Rudra smiled, "As you wish, Maa."

Siddharth clicked his tongue, "You know, that's where you are supposed to say 'no, I can't. I have work'. Aren't you even a bit workaholic?" Rudra gave a mischievous smile in return.

"Come on, Sid," Veer started all of a sudden, tired of being a mute spectator for long. "We both know, Dhada bhai doesn't need to visit branches to keep the business at top notch. It's all on his finger tips. You and I won't even get an air of it and he will crack the deals with a mere snap of his fingers. Am I right?" Veer asked, smirking.

"Of course," Aadya concurred, smiling brightly. "After all he is my Dhada bhai. He is a born genius." Aadya circled her arms around Rudra from behind.

"Hmm Mmm... Kaki sa (aunty), these Ghevars are love. You know, I am eating it after a long time." Siddharth closed his eyes, savouring the flavours.

"And why are you still here at my place, relishing the Ghevars made by my Maa, huh?" Rudra raised his eyebrow at Siddharth.

"Hate to remind you, this is my home too. Plus, my parents are on world tour. Until they return, I'll be your guest."

"You are family, Siddharth," Rajwanta intervened good-naturedly.

"I am done. Please excuse me," Veer said, getting up. "It's so good to see you joining family lunch after a long time Veer, 10 years to be exact," Rajwanta pointed out with a melancholic expression.

Rudra's eyes snapped towards Veer. Both brothers had a brief eye contact before Veer turned his head away. He excused himself and walked to his room. The need to get away was vehement. Rudra tilted his head sideways and kept looking at Veer's back with narrowed eyes, engrossing himself in deep thoughts. Giving into the temptation to smile. Again.

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"Pst, pst, Sid. Siddharth," Rudra whispered. Siddharth was lying on the massive bed, sailing his ship in dreamland. Rudra had second thoughts whether to check his friend was breathing or not, considering he was lying like a dead. He kicked Siddharth, the latter yelled in pain, "What the hell?"

"Did the goddess of sleep finally bless you with ample amount of sleep, or you want to beg for more?" Rudra asked, sardonically.

"Post that heavy lunch, you are sleeping like a log. It's evening now." Siddharth rubbed the sleep off his eyes and questioned Rudra, "So what do you want to do, your majesty?" Rudra smiled like a Chesire cat, "Let's sneak out."

That wiped away any remnants of sleep, rudely. "What? Are you crazy? Without security? What if anybody comes to know, or worse what if Kako sa comes to know?" Siddharth mentally shivered.

"We'll be back before anyone knows. Not many know me here. I just want to get fresh air. So, get your lazy ass up and come with me. I'll be waiting with your jeep. Outside."

Siddharth groaned and swiped a hand over his face.

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Gauri and Radhika were standing outside the campus, waiting for rickshaw. "Phew! Finally the work is done. These professors can't wait for another day. See, it's late now. Well it's only 6 p.m., but still." Radhika complained. She glanced at Gauri who wasn't giving a reply. "Okay, will you stop sulking? Gauri..."

"How can I, Rads? The love of my life, my baby is in ICU and you expect me to do what? Hula?" Gauri said, rounding her eyes. The matter was that, after the scratch incident, hell broke loose over Chetak. It became a regular customer of mechanic's shop. Today's case was the same.

"I don't know, Rads, what evil has casted upon my Chetak?"

"You know what Gauri, I still can't believe you let him go so easily."

Gauri scrunched her face. "He was an NPD patient for crying out loud. What did you expect me to do? Punch his stomach and pull out his hair?"
"Umm yeah," Radhika prompted sheepishly while Gauri glared. "Ok no. But that was exactly what you did to that neighbourhood boy who threw bucketful of dirty water on Chetak. OMG, that was superb." Both burst out laughing. Meanwhile a rickshaw stopped and they boarded it.

They were on the way to their homes when suddenly Radhika stopped the rickshaw. She forcefully pulled Gauri out and paid the man. "Why did we stop here? Aren't you getting late now?" Gauri inquired, resting a hand on her hip.

Radhika grinned with sparkle in her eyes. "No, not when we will relish 'pyazz ki kachoriyaan'." Gauri's face bloomed with a smile. Both squealed, making the passerby to look at them suspiciously.

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Siddharth tried to focus his eyes on the road and driving, trying to ignore both Kishore Da's diverting voice and his lamenting friend. He did not understand what was wrong with the song that had made his friend so... sorrowful.

Kishore Da's voice that repetitively inquired about the arrival of the Queen of his dreams streamed through the stereo. The exciting anticipation in his tone was certainly refreshing and happy, not sad.

"Stop sighing for god's sake?" An irritated Siddharth said to Rudra who sat cupping his face with a pout. "You know, Siddharth. I am sure, Kishore Da sang this song for me only. My non-existent love life is withering. Where is my queen of dreams?" He looked out of the window.

As if on cue, the verses 'come, please come' played over and over again, seemingly sympathizing Rudra and summoning his love.

"Like she will appear out of thin air." Siddharth rolled his eyes.

"Came. She came. Stop, stop the jeep." Siddharth slammed brakes. He yelled something about road-caution at Rudra, however Rudra was far away lost in gazing the beauty in front of him.

The same girl who had a dazzle yellow metallic Honda Activa 5G with RJ14CD**** inscribed on its number plate. He smiled, thinking of their cute encounter. No doubt, the girl was extra cute.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Let's eat pyazz ki kachori, Sid."

Siddharth felt like banging his head on the steering wheel. Nevertheless, they got down.

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"Bhaiya, two kachoriyaan please, with extra chutney, okay?" Gauri ordered smilingly.

As usual the shop famous for Jaipur's best pyazz ki kachori was bustling with people. She found it difficult to move out. There was hardly any place to breathe, let alone walk. Caught in the hullabaloo to place an order, she found herself being pushed in between the sweaty bodies. Without any prior notice, she tripped. Her hands flew forward to grip something as she closed her eyes bracing herself for the impact. Just in time, a pair of hands held her waist. A shiver ran down her spine. She looked up only to lock her gaze with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen; a set of deep intense brown eyes with golden flecks swirling like a vortex.

Rudra and Gauri stared at each other for what seemed like eternity. Gauri was held spellbound by those enticing eyes, like invisible strings had wound around her. "Ahem," Siddharth cleared his throat.

"Hello, we met again, though first one wasn't so pleasant," He said, smiling without any grudge. "I apologize for my actions."

"See, he is getting better." Rudra whispered, leaning close towards Gauri.

"What did you say?" Siddharth raised his brows.

"I mean getting better at apologizing. By the way, I am Rudra and he is my bestie Siddharth," Rudra said with a smile, forwarding his hand. Gauri smiled and shook his hand, "I am Gauri and..."
"Hello?" Radhika interrupted, spotting her friend with a not-so-familiar group. "And this is my bestie Radhika."

Radhika greeted them with uncertainty lining her face.

"Radhika, meet Rudra and Siddharth," Gauri introduced, who herself didn't know why she was playing host, for she also met them seconds ago.

One thing led to another, and before they knew they were already neck-deep into a hearty conversation. Amidst all, no one seemed to notice that Gauri's hand was still relaxing in Rudra's firm grip.

*****

Pyazz ki kachori- Rajasthani street food stuffed with potato and onion.

Ghevar- Rajasthani sweet cuisine