We got your back

A hailstorm of mud and two slimy eels

"Rohit, these are disgusting," complained Shikhar at the fish market.

(A real fsih market, not a symbolic one.)

"Yes," said Rohit seriously. "I don't like the way these fishes are treated before being killed. I understand that they have to be killed but they should at least have a pleasant few hours before their death."

"I meant the smell, Ro."

Rohit was squinting at a hoard of prawns stirring feebly on a sheet in front of a stall, and appeared not to hear him.

"It's inhuman," he mumbled to himself.

"You're barmy," said Shikhar in even greater disgust.

Who cared about how prawns were being treated when they'd be killed off moments later anyway?

"And might I remind you, Rohit, golden fried prawn is your favourite starter!"

That sobered Rohit up quick.

"C'mon," he said brightly. "I think we should go this way."

He led the way cheerfully enough. Shikhar rolled his eyes and followed him.

********

"Where are all the others, Virat, Jinks?" asked Bhuvi, annoyed, because he had scoured practically the entire hotel and found no one except these two.

"The kids went to the fair next door to buy stuff for the fancy dress competition," said Jinks with a grin.

"A fancy dress competition...?" said Bhuvi, distracted.

"Yes, at the beach tomorrow evening. Turns out that's why Hardik chose this particular hotel," commented Virat. "He's the most excited of all."

"Expected," said Bhuvi. "Well, when are they coming back? Jad and I want everyone on the terrace shortly."

Virat's eyes darkened.

Seeing that Bhuvi was just about to start apologizing again for having 'stolen' Virat's partner, Jinks quickly intervened.

"I'll round them up and come back in five minutes," he promised. "I don't know where Rohit or Shikh are, though."

"Oh," said Bhuvi happily. "We know that."

Virat slung an arm around Bhuvi and said, "Bring them fast, Jinksy."

"Of course, Cheeku."

Jinks darted away before Virat could retort.

**********

Of course Jinks needed more than five minutes to round up five out of control youngsters.

"KULIYA LOOK LOOK LOOK!" Hardik was bellowing when Jinks finally hunted him down in the overcrowded fair. He was holding a dragon outfit against him and wearing what he meant to be a most menacing expression.

"You look silly," said Kuldeep.

"Really silly," added Yuzi.

"What's new in that?" said Jassi from the side, who was examining a monkey costume. "Hey, Harry, I think this one would suit you better than anything."

Hardik let his protests be known in no less words, and as Jinks began to say, "Guys—"

"Hardik I found a costume for you!" cired Rahul, appearing, holding an orangutan outfit.

Jassi, Yuzi and Kuldeep howled with laughter as the former flashed the monkey outfit a Rahul and they high fived.

"LISTEN!" yelled Jinks.