• Second Chances •

36. Chole Bhature

It was a coincidence that yesterday's episode also had chole in it. I had written this update a long time ago but never posted it. Anyhoo.

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"Are you sure about this?" asked Aditya as he wiped his sweaty palms over his jeans.

Ram gave him a look. "Yaar. Do you have any other idea?"

Aditya shrugged. "No. Not really."

"Then why are you chickening out now?" Ram frowned. "Let's just do this. It is our best bet."

"Yes, you are right..." mused Aditya and rubbed a finger on his brow.

They were sitting in the waiting lounge of their area's DCP. They had chosen to meet him at his home rather than at the police station. Aditya still didn't think that it was a good idea to make a formal complaint and drive the attention of the goons more. So they had come for an informal meeting with the DCP at his home.

"Mr. Kapoor?" a help called out to them. "Rajput sir will see you now."

Ram nodded and acknowledged the help. "Thank you."

He then nudged Aditya. "Chal, let's go."

Nodding back, Aditya and Ram walked into the living area and saw the DCP sitting on the vintage couch, fiddling with a paperweight. As soon as he saw Ram and Aditya, he got up to greet them.

Ram also extended a gracious hand towards him and shook it. "Mr. Rajput. It is a pleasure to see you."

The DCP smiled. "Mr. Kapoor. Likewise"

Then he turned to Aditya and shook his hand. "Mr. Shekhawat."

Aditya tried to smile graciously as well but his lips quivered in mirth. Looking at him, even the DCP's lips quivered. And then a huge smile blossomed on Ram's face as he defeatedly chuckled, "Arre yaar!"

The DCP and Aditya both burst out laughing. The DCP then yanked Ram into a giant hug and punched Ram's back. "Aur kutte, kaisa hai?"

Ram whined, "Mein theek hu. How are you?"

"Mein mast hu yaar!" the DCP messed up Ram's hair like he always would. Then he hugged Aditya. "Arre tu abhi bhi genda hi hai."

"Chup ho ja, Karan! Have some shame, you are a DCP now!" Aditya punched the DCP's stomach. "At least don't body shame me now."

"Toh?" Karan shrugged. "Being a DCP does not mean that I will stop insulting you!"

"Shhh!" Ram chastised him. "Kya kar raha hai? Dheere se bol. Your staff will listen to our conversation and know what an asshole their boss is."

Karan laughed and motioned for them to sit down. "I think they already know that. I don't need you guys for that."

"You haven't changed one bit..." mumbled Ram as he sat down.

The three of them had been in school together. And even though Karan wasn't exactly their closest friend, he was one of the kids who had been decent with both Ram and Aditya. Over the years, they had remained in touch and had become better friends than they were in the confines of their boarding school compound.

"Toh?" Karan raised a brow. "Kya kaand kiye ab tum dono ne?" 

"Abbe!" Ram feigned anger. "I never do any kaands."

Aditya rolled his eyes. But told Karan. "We haven't done anything. But a group of goons is after our lives. They are threatening us. Remember that file I sent you? It's the same thing. But it has escalated. There are fresh threats every single day."