What after That?

Ch 89

It was well past eleven at night, and the workers' room had turned unusually serious. A secret meeting was in progress.

Rahul, unfortunately, got employed with worst job possible: network pakadna.

That meant he was currently standing on the terrace, stretching his phone high above his head like a forgotten mobile tower. "Aree... ruk... ruk! Ek line aayi thi!"

He strained his arm another inch, holding his breath.

"Ab gaya," he muttered, shaking his head. "Saala Bihar ka network bhi constipated hai."

After shifting through three different corners and nearly slipping off the edge twice, the video call finally connected. Back down in the workers' room, everyone crowded around the tiny screen, leaning in all at once.

"Hello? Hello, Shubman?"

On the other side of the screen, sitting side-by-side in a sterile hospital room, were Shubman and Abhi. They looked like two obedient schoolchildren—one had his entire arm wrapped in plaster, and the other had a leg hoisted up in a cast. Mayank sat sandwiched between them, looking far more like an exhausted parent than a friend.

The discussion kicked off immediately. It was time to finalize the plan.

The plan? To kidnap Ishan on his own wedding day.

Dhruv frowned at the screen. "Ek baat bata. Abhi kyun nahi? Abhi hi le aate hain usko—parso tak wait kyun karna hai?"

Mayank blinked, turning his head slowly toward Shubman. "Iska idea hai. Bol na, shaadi wale din hi kyun?"

Shubman straightened up proudly, a huge grin spreading across his face. "Thrilling aur cool lagega... mandap se bhaga ke lana."

Silence.

Eight pairs of eyes stared back at him through the screen. Judging. Very, very judging.

Shubman's grin slowly withered away. "Theek hai... wo only reason nahi hai," he muttered, clearing his throat. He leaned closer to the camera, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

"Mere Chik Chik ji ne bataya tha... poora gaon pagal hai. Sab uski pagal family ko bhi jaante hain, aur unhone rishta bhi kisi ameer pagal family mein karwaya hai. Mere Ishi ko chhodke sab pagal hi hain... in short."

He dramatically spread his one working arm. "So... jab shaadi hogi, toh poore pagalon ki toli free ka khana khane venue mein hogi. Aur isi mauke ka fayda uthake... hum log Ish baby ko utha ke le aayenge!"

He threw his head back and let out an over-the-top villain laugh. "MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Dead silence followed.

Somewhere outside, a lone cricket chirped right on cue—chirrr... chirrr...—sounding like an awkward, low-budget comedy sound effect. Nobody on the call said a word. 

They just kept staring at Shubman with deep concern, collectively wondering if the hockey sticks had damaged his brain alongside his bones.

Finally, Tanmay cleared his throat.

"Plan achha hai..." He paused, rubbing his arms. "...par aise phir mat hasna. Darr gaya main."

The mood turned serious again. They started assigning responsibilities.

Who would create the distraction.

Who would arrange the vehicle.

Who would handle the villagers if things went south.

For nearly an hour, they discussed every possible scenario.