The place was a bar club. It was one of the most expensive bar-club in that area and it can be felt by just looking at its interior.
On one end a stage was there on which the speakers and other musical equipment were kept. The Dj was playing the remix of two-three songs making people dance and hoot in excitement.
While on the other hand, There was a bar where people were seated and were watching people dance while having their drinks. The whole bar was crowded with people.
Even those three bartenders were facing a little trouble handling and preparing drinks for so many people at once. Still, they were doing their best to not mess up.
In this crowd, Maya was sitting at a corner of the bar and was having her devil shots.
She was looking at the people who were all sweaty and a little exhausted still were dancing draining all their energy like it's their last time and from tomorrow they will not able to dance.
After shopping and reading the news about the party and Abhinav Thakur's picture, her mind was continuously aching.
Even the coffee wasn't able to calm her mind.
So, at last, the only thing which could calm her senses was some intoxication.
. Whenever she used to feel stressed or lost, she used always to have a strong drink to numb her mind and forget about all the problems she has to deal with.
So, as per her habit, she was in this club having her shots but the picture of Abhinav was coming in front of her eyes continuously. She couldn't get him off her mind even after having some shots.
So, she ordered another set of shots for herself. She was just about to drink her shot when suddenly someone from her behind snatched that shot with a jerk and drink it.
She was already in a bad mood and now when someone snatched her drink, she almost shouted and turned back looking for that person, " WHO THE F*CK TOOK MY..."
But suddenly she couldn't complete her sentence as her gaze met with that person's face.
As that person saw Maya's changed expressions, he smirked and said taunted, " Oh! Did my eyes aren't working properly or is it the same Mrs. Raina Gupta who used to say that she didn't like drinking and now she is drinking like there's no tomorrow?!"
Ignoring his taunt, she tried to grab her shot but in no time, that person drank the remaining drink in that shot making Maya angrier.
Suddenly, her expression changed and the side of her lips curved in a smirk. She also taunted him by saying, " OH! How could I forget that you are the same spoilt brat who tried to misbehave with his sister-in-law? Am I right, Mr Ryan?"
Listening to her taunt, he glared at her and sat beside her but ignoring him Maya continued having her shots when she suddenly stopped as she heard him also ordering devil shots. She stared at him with her narrowed eyes for a moment but then ignoring him, she again started having her shots.
Ryan also took a shot in his grip and was about to gulp it down in one go when he heard her.
In an instant, the drink which was about to go down his throat and spread its burning sensation, that drink instead spilt all over him, when Maya asked," Does this club allow minors to have a drink?"
Although all the drink was split over him still he couldn't help but ignore it and stare at her with an 'Are you an idiot?' expression.
Maya got a little uncomfortable by his continuous staring and weird expression and again asked," What?! I was just curious."
With this, she again started drinking her shot when she heard him asking," Tell me, how old you think am I?"
With this, he again stared at her with amusement.
For a moment, she also got lost in her thoughts and after thinking for a while, she answered, " I think...19 or 20 maybe."
As Ryan heard her answer, he kept staring at her with big eyes filled with surprise and then he burst out in laughter.
"....", Maya didn't know how to respond to his laughter. She was also a little drunk and mind numb, so, her mind was also not working.
When he didn't stop laughing, Maya couldn't bear his taunting laugh and snapped at him, " What are you laughing at, You Little Brat!"
'You Little Brat', as these words fell in that Ryan's ear, he suddenly stopped laughing.
"...." Now, he was in the same situation as Maya was when he was laughing.
He stared at her with a confusing expression but soon, he realised what just happened and what Maya said to her.
His jaws clenched and his grip on the glass got tightened. He glared at her with malice.
People sitting around them also started feeling a little uncomfortable and they left their seats and sat a little away from both of them.
For a while, they both kept staring at each other but then suddenly they both burst out in laughter and kept laughing like an idiot.
The reason for their laugh was still unknown, was it intoxication or something else but whatever the reason was, both are still unknown that this meet-up will benefit both of them in the coming future.
Maya asked while controlling her laugh, " If your age isn't 19 or 20 then how old are you? Hahahaha.. Don't tell me you are under 18. Hahahaha..."
That boy also replied controlling his laugh, " Neither 19, 20 nor I am under 18. Hahaha..I am 23 years old."
Listening to his reply Maya couldn't help but stare at him with big eyes. She said while scrutinizing him from head to toe, " Are you sure? Or you are some immortal like a vampire or anything like that...Hmm?"
For a second, Maya saw his expression changing listening to her but then she noticed him plastering a fake smile on his face but couldn't say anything as she was drunk and thought that it could be her misunderstanding or her eyes and mind was playing games with her.
That boy looked at her with a proud smile and said lifting his one brow, " Oh! So, I look way younger than my real age. I will take it as a compliment."
With this, he drank another shot and asked while staring at her from head to toe, " Now you tell me.. What's the real reason for a sudden change in your behaviour and appearance?
Don't tell me that because of those pills, some short-circuit happened in your brain and now you have multiple personalities."
Maya didn't say anything nor did she spare a glance at him. After taking a sip from the shot, she lowered her head and got lost in her thoughts.
After a moment of thinking, she answered genuinely, " Even I don't know, What? How? And the most important question, Why me only?! Neither you nor Manish or anyone...Just me."
He also got a little serious and said while putting his hand on hers, " Even though it happened to you... I am sure that from now on whatever will happen will be in your favour."
This time Maya looked at him and for a few seconds, she kept scrutinizing his eyes and then replied with a smile, " You know.. I am thinking why didn't I got a sibling like you who would support me in my hard times and also, I could share my happiness with he/she in our happy times."
" Because, a cool, handsome and intelligent brother-in-law was written in your fate." He said with the same proud smile but soon his expression changed and he glared at her as Maya slightly slapped at the back of his head and said, " Shut Up, you little brat and let's drink more."
Ryan wanted to reply to his insult but when he heard the word 'drink', his eyes naturally moved and got stuck on the shots kept infront of him.
For a second he felt like, he shouldn't drink today as yesterday only, he drank too much and when he got up from his sleep with a headache and also an aching cheek.
When he checked in the mirror there was no sign of beating on his face or any body part but still, his cheek was paining like hell.
He tried to avoid those shots by looking here and there but his mind was forcing him to glance at the shots.
And when he lost his control over himself, his hand gripped on a shot and in one go he drank all of it.
***
Manish and Monica were still in the living room with Sushama talking to each other when they all heard the honk of the car.
Sushama quickly stood up and said quickly walking towards the entrance door, " It might be Ryan."
With this, she quickly left the living room. Manish's jaws got clenched in anger and when Sushama said the name 'Ryan', Monica looked towards Manish and asked with furrowed brows, " Who is Ryan, Manish?"
Manish didn't say anything but kept his jaws clenched and his hands turned into fists.
Monica didn't notice his mood and again asked with little irritation, " I am asking something, Manish! Who is Ryan?!"
Controlling his anger Manish was about to say something when suddenly they both Sushama's angry voice from outside
They both first glanced at each other and quickly walked towards the entrance.