The One With The Road Trip

The one with the betrayal

"Do you think it's a good or a bad omen?" asked Rohit curiously.

"That we left our whole team behind swearing after us?" said Virat, who was cranky because Rahul had sent him a very cold look indeed when he'd realized they would succeed in getting away. "How does it seem a good omen to you, by any means?"

"Because we succeeded," said Rohit emphatically. "We got what we want, and they couldn't stop us."

"They just wanted to come with us," said Virat, "it's not like they wanted to spoil our trip."

"Don't fool yourself, Vi, our road trip would've turned into a babysitting trip if we'd let them come," said Ash. "And I've had enough babysitting in trips to last me a lifetime."

"Your daughters are very well behaved," sniffed Virat. "Don't play the victim card."

"My girls are monkeys," said Ash stoically. "And I'm not playing the victim card."

"Of course he's not," said Rohit. "After all we're not all like Virat."

"What?" demanded Virat.

"Shut up, you both," said Jinks, "please, please, please, stop fighting for just one day and let me have a trip without having to look over you two all the time."

Rohit and Virat fell silent pretty quickly at that.

Remembering that Jaddu had been shockingly silent so far, Bhuvi leaned over the seat to check on him. He had both his hands off the steering wheel and was fiddling with the compass.

"Jad," he said anxiously. "Maybe you should keep one finger on the wheel?"

"I've got everything under control," assured Jaddu.

"What're you doing with that compass?" asked Rohit. "We're going southwest for the NH44, right?"

"Definitely," said Jaddu. "Do let those two continue with their enlightening fights, Jinksy, they're most fascinating to hear."

"No, they're not," said Jinks firmly.

"You guys know what a road trip must have, right?" said Shikhar with a grand air.

"A compass?" said Bhuvi without thinking.

"You really think he's expecting that answer?" said Ash drily.

"Good food," declared Rohit. "That's what a road trip must have."

"So you can go from one and a half figure to two," said Virat brightly.

"What did I just say, Vi?" asked Jinks dangerously.

Virat subsided, abashed.

Jinks straightaway felt guilty and asked, "What's your take on Shikh's question?"

"A road trip must have a stolen car," put in Jaddu.

"Nope," said Shikhar. "We don't have a stolen car and we're doing well enough. Can none of you answer a simple question like this?"

"All right, you tell us," said Rohit.

"A revelation," said Shikhar, eyes gleaming. "A betrayal, long forgotten, rekindled. The friendships on which the trip stands in grave peril, nearly breaking down. A ghastly fight, maybe throwing a phone out of the window-"

"We are not re-enacting ZNMD here," said Ash.

"Aren't we?" asked Jaddu.

"No, Jad," said Bhuvi in a sickly sweet voice. "There's going to be no bull race at the end."