Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter 9: My Strippers

Banhi and Dhriti had just finished their first mid-semester exams and were buzzing with excitement. The air was filled with a sense of liberation, and the sisters decided to celebrate by watching their favorite movie.

"Come on, Dhriti, let's watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge again!" Banhi suggested, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Why do you always get stuck on romantic movies?" Dhriti teased, though she was just as eager. "But fine, today we'll go with your choice."

Just as they settled down with a bowl of popcorn, loud music and stomping sounds erupted from upstairs, disturbing their moment of joy. Their grandmother, Vasudha, who had been resting, entered the living room with a disgruntled expression.

"Dear, go upstairs and tell them to turn off the music. I can't sleep. Such ill-mannered people! It's so late at night, but they don't care that others might be trying to rest. No, they only care about playing their music," Vasudha grumbled, her voice laced with irritation.

Banhi sighed and glanced at Dhriti. "I'll go. You stay here. Don't start the movie without me!"

Dhriti gave her a playful salute. "Best of luck, soldier!"

Banhi walked up the stairs and noticed that the door to the noisy apartment was slightly ajar. She hesitated for a moment but then knocked lightly. The music was so loud that it seemed no one heard her. She pushed the door open a bit more and peeked inside.

Four men were inside, and they all turned to look at her as soon as she stepped in. A wave of shock washed over Banhi as confusion gripped her. Who were these men, and what were they doing here?

Danish, sitting on the couch with a drink in his hand, saw her and immediately jumped up. Smirking, he got up and walked toward her. Before Banhi could react, he grabbed the back of her head and pulled her into a forceful kiss.

Banhi's eyes widened in shock. She struggled to push him away, her heart pounding with anger and disbelief.

Summoning all her strength, Banhi managed to break free from Danish's hold and slapped him hard across the face. Again! The sharp sound echoed in the room, stunning the other men into silence.

Before Danish could recover from the shock, Dhriti, who had followed Banhi upstairs out of concern, stepped into the room and landed another slap on Danish's other cheek.

"You scoundrel! How dare you touch my sister?" Dhriti yelled; her usual bubbly demeanour replaced by fierce protectiveness. "Wasn't the slap the other day enough to put some sense into you?!"

Danish, now holding both sides of his face, looked utterly bewildered. He had never expected such a reaction. The other men quickly stood up, unsure whether to intervene and get slapped or stay out of it.

"Wait, didn't we call for strippers? Why do I see Banhi and Dhriti?" Ranveer whispered to Pranav as realization dawned on them.

"What? What nonsense are you talking about? No one is coming here for that! Decent people live in this building, understand?" Dhriti's eyes blazed with fury as she heard the conversation.

Banhi, her chest heaving with anger and humiliation, glared at the men in disgust. Dhriti stepped protectively in front of Banhi, her fists clenched. "Let's go, Banhi. There's no point wasting time with these filthy people."

Ranveer, trying to diffuse the situation, approached Banhi and Dhriti with his hands raised in a placating gesture, blocking the door in front of them. "Calm down, calm down. This is all just a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?" Banhi snapped. "What kind of behavior is this?"

"Oh, Danish mistook you for a stripper, that's why he did it," Ranveer replied casually.