"Beer for me and..."—Sammer looked at Nehali, who gave him a curt nod—"Champagne for the lady."

Nehali usually doesn't drink, but at this moment she didn't want to displease her new boyfriend. Also, they were on a date in a five-star restaurant. It took two consecutive days for Sammer to convince her to come.

Most of the time Nehali's eyes scanned across expensive clothes other women were wearing; they looked like queens. When she compared her dress with theirs, her self-pity increased tenfold. She was wearing a dark red sleeveless pencil dress which reached until the middle of her thighs; mascara adorned her eyes, lips were glistening due to glossy red lipstick and face with a nice layer of make up.

It was difficult for Sammer to keep his off eyes from looking at her slightly visible cleavage, which was enough to turn him on. Her fair skin was glowing because of brightness made by the candles. Everything comes to him who waits; he reminded himself.

"You're looking sexy," he said, drumming his fingers on the table. He couldn't stop himself staring her new girlfriend, but it was debatable if his eyes were holding admiration or lust.

Nehali forced a smile on her lips; she wasn't that ecstatic with the word "sexy." And then she tried to touch a different topic. "As you know my financial crisis. I ... I—I'll be grateful, if—"

"Don't worry, babe," Sammer cut in, "Your problems are my problems now."

Again Nehali manifested a faint smile. Actually, she wanted to ask if he can recommend her to his father for a high-paying job in their company. Such as PA or something. And she did have required skills.

Sammer observed her body language that hinted she was feeling uncomfortable in this environment they were. "You better develop a habit for all this."

"Hm?" she didn't get it at first. "Oh, I'm fine, just never been to any five-star restaurant before."

After having dinner Sammer drove her home, the car arrived at her building's compound. They say if you have car and money, it's a cake walk to have a hot chick sitting next to you. Sammer truly believed this.

Nehali hung her bag over her shoulder; her other hand reached to unlock the car's door. As she hoisted from her seat to leave, but Sammer pulled her towards him and kissed her. She didn't like it and within a minute freed her lips. "Sorry, I need to go, I need to go."

"Yeah." Sammer gasped, "I'll drop you college tomorrow."

Nehali nodded and quickly got out of the car. She felt a ripple of guilt hit her because she had imagined sharing a kiss with someone else—whom she ditched yesterday—but her desire shattered like a palace of the cards. No, don't think about him! You should move on now, she told herself.

*****

It was 11:30 AM. The sun stared at the world without pause through the crystal clear sky. Lately, Sid has tasted success in getting over with the saddening thoughts of Nehali—he was moved on—and this project submission busied him for a while, regarding which he was heading to the railway station with Ravi. Concentrate on your life. More you think, more you'll miss her, he chastised himself whenever a thought came in his mind.

"Can you pace up your walking speed?" Ravi hissed at his best friend, who was walking quite slowly. Sid nodded and picked up speed.

Tomorrow was a project submission day, and to get the content they've decided to travel to the center of their city and garner information about Stock Exchange. It was basically Ravi's plan, and he was confident enough get the things done before midnight.

As they arrived at the railway station, their eyes went big to see people almost pushing and stuffing each other to get into the train. "How about we call an Uber cab?" Sid gave a tight-lipped smile to his best friend.

From far away, a loud train's horn slapped everyone's ears. The passengers girded up to thrust themselves into the train. "Just thrust yourself in, alright?" Ravi looked at Sid and said.

As the train halted to the platform, everyone just like a wild group of bulls, attack it and started pushing and squashing each other to get in. It's daily event of Mumbai railway, don't be surprised. Especially at rush hours.

Poor Sid and Ravi also struggled to get in, but their determination shattered when they realize half of the crowd still striving push themselves in. When the train started with a jerk, this led many to back off, except some courageous souls.

While smoothing his disorderly shirt, Sid muttered, "Damn! This country." He heaved a sigh of relief, and spoke through gritted teeth, "Why in the world are these people in such a great hurry?"

Like Ravi knew the answer.

Someway or another, Ravi and Sid got onto a train and arrived at their destination. From there took an autorickshaw to the Stock Market. Good news: both came at the exact time when stock prices popped up on the digital board. Bad news: they didn't understand a thing.

However, still, they managed to jot down something. Thanks to Ravi, who has knowledge about shares and how it works. It took them an hour to get the required information, and then they prepared to make a move.

While walking back to the railway station, they stumble across a public park. They thought to goof off there for awhile. Outside the park was a lemonade shop. Ravi purchased two lemonade and proceeded to enter.

"We'll leave after an hour. I hope we'll get an empty train—at least to sit," Ravi said.

This park was quite serene and chiefly occupied by seniors. Sid heard an old man talking with his friends; sobs interrupted his voice every now and then. "I have done so many things to educate my sons, but now they want to throw me out of their house."

"No one listens to the plight of old age. Loneliness and humiliation are the return we get from our kids in old age." His friend told him.

Sid and Ravi exchanged looks; their hearts crumbled to see this plight of old age. It was indeed terrible. Why does nobody care about elders? How can their grown-up children get so selfish that they forget every sacrifice their parents made for them? Are they not aware of the fact that in the future old age is waiting for them as well?

Sid really felt bad. Youth goes in a hurry. Middle age goes to worry—house, marriage, children's future and so on. Old age goes in sorry. Feeling sorry for oneself, he thought.

"Siddhant, Siddhant," someone shouted. It snapped Sid out of his introspection. The voice was quite familiar.

Sid turned to the source of the voice and felt his body became numb, his heart trip-hammered in his chest. It's because he really feared this guy. Never in a million, he wished to see this guy again, but it was happening. It was the author, Nitin Kushwa.

Who will get you out? Still, Sid wasn't unable to forget this taunting question that Nitin spoke to him.

A chasm of anger charged Ravi's body. "Man! Let's beat the shit out of him. Today he's not with his bodyguards."

Sid shook his head to break free from his fear. How to tackle Nitin this time? He kept on thinking about it.

As always in the similar outfit like that day, Nitin was wearing a slim fit blazer and black polished shoes, and of course, the same thick-framed glasses that enables everyone to identify him as an author. But this time, however, there was something unusual in his appearance. Underneath his eyes, there were dark circles. He didn't look confident or arrogant but looked scared to death.

"Guys! Guys! I really need to talk to you." He came running and placed his both hands on his knees. He panted as if someone was hunting him down. "I'm not here to discourage you like that day. Please come with me to my restaurant. I'll explain everything to you."

Ravi and Sid looked each other and nodded. Just in the vicinity, Nitin owned a restaurant. It was very lavish and frequently visited by VIPs. He took Sid and Ravi from a secret doorway and came to the reserved area where only VIPs get the privilege to eat. Staff members hurried to serve Nitin Kushwa. He ordered the waiter to bring whatever dish Ravi and Sid wished to have.

However, it was only Ravi who decided to make hay while the sun shined. Sid thought something to be fishy before digging in; his mind was jumping to multiple conclusions. Why has he brought us here? Another soul-destroying session? Or maybe he wanna apologize?

***

Ravi's tummy got blown up by having mouth-watering and scrumptious food. He looked at Sid; even he was concerned about Nitin's outstanding hospitality. But who would give up on such great food?

Now, Nitin thought it was the right time to discuss the matter for which he had brought them. "I'm extremely sorry for that day."

His apology sent a mild wave of shock to Sid's heart, whereas Ravi just burped—the digestion alarm.

"Well, you really discouraged us that day," Sid said.

"And I got a punishment, too," Nitin groaned, "Just look at my eyes. These dark circles are not just because of my excessive writing. Someone's not letting me sleep peacefully."

"Someone?" Ravi and Sid repeated in unison.

Even thinking about that someone made Nitin's blood to run cold. "That day!" he began to explain, "When I was off to my bed. I'd seen the most spine-chilling dream ever."

As Nitin narrated his blood-curdling dream, Sid and Ravi were literally able to visualize the scene:

Thinking himself to be glorious and victorious. Nitin collapsed on his bed after an arduous day. Although today a teenager was able to defeat and humiliate him, later he was fortunate to avenge the insult. He dozed off with a feeling of extreme proud.

In his dream, he found himself in the middle of a seminar for the promotion of his book. Within the blink of an eye, he was transmitted to an ancient cave, mostly made up of rock. There were many enormous pillars, one of them was very massive, at which he eyed.

Nitin was still rapturous by the emotional manipulation he had done to Sid. On the spur of the moment, a loud growl erupted from a gargantuan pillar. It was so intense that Nitin's eardrum ripped up and blood spewed out from his ears. The severity of the roar was so fierce that he was tossed several meters away.

That pillar started crumbling down, and a ferocious looking creature emerged from it. His head was almost touching the ceiling, and he didn't have fingers but claws, which were sharp enough to peel off even adamantium. With the face of a lion and the body of a human, wearing a garland of intestines, his eyes were literally emitting fire. The creature would even terrify the death personified. He had a muscular torso, and the lower part was covered with yellow pants. He had four arms and on his head was a helmet with a peacock feather attached to it.

Nitin was on the verge to have a heart attack to behold such a ferocious creature. Running with all of his vims, Nitin didn't turn back to see if that beast was still chasing him. He hid behind a pillar. The ferocious creature screeched and expanded his arms wide long. "Come out, coward! How dared you trouble my devotee!" His voice was like thunder blazing in the storm.

The creature knocked down the whole pillar by the simple swing of his arm. He grabbed Nitin in his claws and scraped them with his chest. Nitin screamed and yelled in pain as if hot boiling lava poured into his chest. The creature spoke again: "I will get him out of this material world." Nitin, even in his dream, fainted due to severe wound.

Sid and Ravi felt a flush of disbelief, however, Nitin's dream was terrifying. Still Sid was curious to know who was that ferocious creature and why he called him a devotee?

Nitin didn't care for anyone, he leaped at Sid's feet and caught them for forgiveness laced with guilty tears. Sid quickly stood up from his chair and freed his leg. "Damn! What are you doing? It's very embarrassing."

"Please forgive me, or else that creature won't forgive me." Nitin pleaded with joined palms, on his knees.

"That was just a dream!" Ravi barged in.

Nitin shook his head in sharp disapproval. "I thought it was just a dream. When I woke up, I was relieved to know I was dreaming, but when I touched my chest, I felt a burning pain there. I took off my shirt, and it was the scratch given by that Lion-man." His body trembled in fear.

"Unbelievable! You're making things up." Sid and Ravi exclaimed in unison with awe plastered across their faces.

Nitin showed them the wound. It was still fresh. The boys stood shocked to the bones. Without wasting another minute, Sid and Ravi forgave Nitin wholeheartedly and prayed that the creature wouldn't harm him again.

A satisfied smile made its way up on Nitin's face since he believed that he could sleep peacefully on his bed. He respectfully bid farewell, and then they departed. I hope I'll get some sleep now, he thought.

"I think that Lion-man," Ravi said while walking out of the restaurant, "he must be our friend, don't you think so?"

"Hm," Sid said, "frankly speaking, I wasn't scared."

*****

The next day Sid and Ravi got prepared for their project submission. Ravi was still unsure if their project will be accepted or not. It's because Sid changed the topic and made his content. From Stock Exchange to Hurry Worry Sorry.

Both of them entered into the class and stood on the stage, facing the audience—consisted of students and professors.

******

A/N: How was that dream Nitin saw and who was that Lion-man? I'm sure you must be excited to read next chapter. Pls vote, comment, and share.