THE DINNER WAS ANNOUNCED.
Raj has behaved throughout the party. Yes Kenny you are right he thought. I'll choose my battles wisely.
Out of the blue Solly's mood has plummeted.
" Did you eat a bad fish or sour cheese", asked Parry.
" I am fine", he grunted.
" He is anything but fine", Maddy whispered to Parry. " And I think no I am sure now why is it so"? He stared where Kenny and Kiara stood with their friends.
" Advocate Shashtri is looking at us", said Myra.
" Alok uncle", Kiara said.
" Nope his son", said Grace.
" He is a manwh*re", said Kiara. " But he does have looks", she shrugged.
" Ugghhh dinner", grimaced Kenny. " Another one boring sessions with royals."
" Why can't we be like prince Rajeev" , said Kiara, "And sit with our friends. Lets rebel".
" Nope", said Kenny. " I already have one rebel to deal with. I don't need another. Girls a fair warning. Prince Rajeev is a difficult and compulsary question in examination for us. Gather your wits. I am introducing my team to him after dinner. Be prepared. Kiara come".
And she left pulling her sister.
" Bring it on", said Myra.
" Yeah he hurt Kenny", said Grace. " We avenge our sister".
Shai looked at Raj's table and smirked.
Well she too had scores to settle.
So the dinner started. And her eyes wandered to him. He was looking at her.As she looked at him she smiled.
Raj was staring at her ever since the dance finished. She did not dance with anyone after him.
Save the last dance for me
She smiled at him. His face broke up into a big smile. He raised his wine glass in her salute. She blushed and looked down.
Rahul looked at this exchange. It pained him. He vowed to win her back.
" Raj go easy on wine", said Solly. " I don't want another tryst with Ms. Gunjan. The last one wore us down".
" Yeah", said Maddy. " The assh*le does not let the poor girl rest in peace. Disturbs her in the middle of the night". He shook his head in irritation swallowing an oyster.
" Imagine she being dead and he calling her to sing lullaby", said Ro.
Raj hit him on the head.
" I am the one with the nightmare you rascal", he said.
" You", said Parry . " Between you and the poor dead girl you will be the one scaring her".
" So how does she die in your dreams", asked Solly.
" A sword impales her", Raj said with a straight face.
" Gruesome", said his friends. Raj shrugged.
" You have Kenny now", said Maddy. " Let Ms. Gunjan rest in peace".
" I hope so", said Raj.
" Speaking of she is coming here", said Solly.
Raj and his friends stood up.
" Welcome Kenny", he said.
" May I sit with you all", she asked.
" Sure", said Raj. " These seats are not reserved."
" I am sorry about the royal seat drama". It was a sincere apology. Something rare the men encountered before.
" Its okay Kenny. I just lack their standards ", he brushed it off. " Lets be seated."
They sat.
" The gave us pretty colourful names", said Parry.
" Uneducated peasants", said Ro.
" Worms and Roaches", said Solly. " Boy I am an anaconda not worm". He was genuinely offended.
" American hippies ", said Parry.
" My favourite..monsters from hell", said Maddy.
" Yeah", the men high fived.
" This music is played on mourning", said Parry. Somebody died?"
" The food is tasteless too. Less spices. In India!" Ro expressed his distaste. And the wine also has no zing in it."
" Who arranged this God damned party", said Solly.
" I did", Kenny said calmly. " And I did notice your grievances. Advocate Shashtri "?
" Busted", chuckled Raj.
" Actually its not that bad", Maddy said.
" Wait", she stopped him. " Listen boys I am all ears if I make mistakes but if you lie to me I cut your tongues and feed them to my dogs. I hope we are clear:."
" Crystal", said Maddy.
" Damn Kenny wicked", said Ro. " I am Rohit..or Ro."
" Hey Ro", they shook hands.
The men introduced themselves one by one shaking hands with her.
" Parry"
" Maddy"
" Solly, but hey", he said. " No need to shake Raj's hands. I'd much rather prefer the introduction we saw at Polo match".
The men laughed out loud as Kenny blushed.
" I have a small team to introduce", she said.
" Kenny", came a voice.
Four girls were waiting. All The men stood up.
" Princess Kanchan ", said Maddy.
" I prefer Kiara. Kanchan means gold. My greedy aunt named me. Its because she couldn't name me bullion or dollars", she said.
" Thank Shiva", said Maddy suddenly.
" Why so", ask Kiara.
" None of you both girls are like your father", he said.
" We are like our father", said Kenny.
In unision she and Kiara said, " Gaurav and Malti Shekhawat are our parents:.
"Noted", said Parry. " Have as seat ladies"..
The girls sat. Maddy saw Solly's face soured again.
He asked the bespacted girl.
" Miss Qureshi right. Are you related to Solly".
Solly hit him on the leg .
" Ouuch".
" Mr. Shashtri.
" Maddy", he said.
" Maddy he is my dearest cousin", she said.
" Hello Solly. How are you"?
" Healthy like a horse", he replied. " How is Caleb?"
Shai shrugged. " Haven't talked to him for days. Zaid bhaijan was asking about you", she said.
" You are Zaid's sister", exclaimed Parry. " Oh my God little Shai. Miss studious. You grew up", he said affectionately.
The men except for Solly all genuinely welcomed her. Raj expressed his deep condolences for Numaan. Shai liked him.
" This is Grace Thomas", said Kenny. " My assistant."
" Hello", said the quiet girl. Ro was instantly attracted.
" I am Rohit Khurana", he said giving her a hand.
" Dr. Khurana", she said breathing fast giving him her hand. She greeted others too but peeped shyly at Ro.
Ro smiled. His experience told him she was attracted. He found out she worked as a nurse in Khurana hospitals.
" I wished to be a pediatrician but life happened", she said sadly.
" I get you", said Ro. Like life happened with Lisa.
" Maa( Ro calls Gayatri his mother as Lisa died when he was young) asked me to visit hospital. I think I will now".
Grace blushed. They continued talking.
" And this is my friend Myra", said Kenny.
" So this is Raj. Meh", said Myra looking disappointed. She picked up a cucumber slice and munching on it she said to Kenny,
" You could do a lot better".
All the girls giggled as Kenny's eyes widened in surprise.
" And what are your qualifications", quipped Parry. " Sarcasm or meddling in other people's business".
Myra gave him a once over.
" He is the assistant", she asked Kiara.
" Yeah Paresh Gupta", said Kiara.
" Funny making his own money by getting in other people's business. And for your information you are wearing my business. I am the dress designer."
" And thank her", said Shai. " For once you all are looking presentable".
" F*ck presentable", muttered Solly.
" Well look Ms. Myra we are fine with the clothes we wear", said Parry.
" I am fine too", said Kiara devilishly.
" Cockiness aside lets agree these guys make a great collection of hunks. I enjoy a good strip show".
The girls burst out laughing except for Kenny who rolled her eyes. The men joined the laugh. Raj held Kenny's hand in his, mouthing," Its fine". He didn't want her to worry.
" Boy I am going to try stripping", said Maddy.
" Solly what about you", asked Shai her eyes dancing. " I know some nice clubs".
" Really did your brother or fiance take you", he said angrily.
Maddy smirked. FIANCE..THIS IS THE REASON FOR SOLLY'S MOOD.
" Caleb enjoys a fine strip show", said Shai.
Solly continued sulking.
" I am fine doing the show but imagine the prudes here. Half of them dies from too much exposure", winked Parry.
" Dr. Khurana can treat them", winked Grace.
Ro threw back his head and laughed.
" Its not their hearts but brains that need surgery", he said.
" This is excellent Kenny", said Raj. " It would be fun working with the team", he said.
" Speak for yourself", said Solly.
" Oh Solly didn't they feed you properly here", said Shai. " Look how thin you are".
" They do say food is bland", said Kenny.
Shai touched Solly's thigh .
" This one here has a strong appetite as I remember ", she said.
" Ate a poisonous fish once", he said looking at her as he accepted her challenge.
" Destroyed my entire health".
This arrongand b*st*rd thought Shai.
" Ahh then cousin you should avoid roadside junk", she quipped. Haa she felt so relieved to call that b*tch Yasmin the name she deserved. Having designs on her man. But for Zaid she would have gouge her eyes out.
Solly was fuming now. Maddy chuckled. Little Shai grew claws.
" Are you overwhelmed ", Raj asked Kenny softly fondling her hand.
" I guess I am", she confessed. " You are going to make this difficult for me right?"
" You bet I am", he replied.
THAT ABSURD CONDITIONS. LETS SEE HOW SHE CAN HOLD THEM UP?
" What if I leave", she teased.
" Oh no Kenny. That ship sailed baby. I gave you a way out. You are bound to me now. I'll enforce the contract", he said.
She has heard it before. And he has enforced a contract on her before too. Suddenly this thought came to her mind.
When did it happen?
" Kenny"
She was back. Gathering her wits she said,
" Then you bet your royal ass your highness. Not only am I making you CEO of Bhishma but the king of Junagarh too. I won't back down".
" That's like my girl", he said.
The team was ready to take on the task. But something else was brewing too....