[Shiv-Gauri] The Oldest Story... - 3 (END -p. 134) - Page 77

devi sridevi un thiruvaai malarndhoru vaarthai solli vidamma ,

Chapter 108: The Return of the Arabian Nights – 3

They had been at the bar for a few hours and had been having a surprisingly good time, especially given that the gathering had not an inkling of the typical activities associated with a bachelor party. No tucking bills into the skirts of undulating hips, no gambling, no bar hopping… just regular ol' male bonding over drinks, and no one was complaining. It was a good little group, Shiv thought, and he himself was quite tame in behavior compared with any previous times when he had been in charge of throwing bachelor parties. In fact, he was quite infamous for them. It was of course by some misfortune that he had missed out an opportunity to have his own, although if he had been marrying Gauri the old fashioned way, he couldn't imagine how his own last night of being unmarried would have looked any different from this night.

He saw Rathan talking to Shashank and Dhruv and Vicky with Aarya, who had come a bit later than the rest. He himself had been catching up with Maan, mostly about how things have been since Dev and Tara's twins came home.

He could have seen the conversations going well into the night as they nursed their fifth or sixth drinks if not for what happened afterwards.

The manager of the venue came up between him and Maan and said, "Your private showing is all set, sirs."

Maan looked at Shiv in confusion, which mirrored Shiv's own.

"A private showing? I am sure you're mistaken." Shiv finally said, looking back at the man who was dressed in quite a spiffy suit.

"Oh, I am not, Sir. You're Mr. Shiv Kapoor, are you not? And this outing…" he stressed the word outing in a way that made Shiv give a quick glance to Maan. "…is in honor of Mr. Rathan Kapoor who is to be married in two days' time. Do I have this wrong, Sir?"

Shiv slowly shook his head no, but insisted, "I have not requested a private showing though."

"Well, it's arranged expressly for you all. So, if you all would follow me…?"

Shiv looked at Maan before they both looked back at their little crowd and now noticed that they had two waiters standing next to the rest of them, evidently having alerted them of this little surprise that was clearly a mistake.

"So, all that talk of no drunken debauchery was for naught. You couldn't resist planning something like this, huh?" Rathan came over to Shiv's side to ask with a chuckle.

"I have no idea what this is all about." Shiv answered with a shake of his head.

"Oh yea, I am sure." Rathan clearly wasn't buying it.

"Bro, honest to God. When have I ever not volunteered to take credit for planning something deviant or decadent?"

Rathan finally seemed confused and he asked again, "Seriously? It's not you?"

Shiv shook his head before giving a puzzled look to Maan who seemed just as mystified by the turn of events.

They looked back at the man in the suit who was patiently waiting. "If you are ready, sirs?"

Shiv glanced at Rathan in question. Rathan narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but nonetheless said, "Well, you know what they say. Curiosity killed the cat. So, let's not keep everyone waiting."

Rathan was the first to follow the manager and Shiv turned back to gesture to Dhruv, Shashank, Vicky, and Aarya.

They were taken up two flights of stairs through what Shiv thought was a discreetly placed elevator and then escorted down a long hallway that had only minimal lighting.

"I feel like I am on Godfather. Like Brando is going to meet us in that room when we walk in and say I am going to make you an offer that you can't refuse."

It was telling that Rathan just looked at him blankly without offering any jabs back that it was just as perplexing to him.

"What the hell is this place?" Maan finally asked when they turned a few more randomly placed corners and kept going.

"I think we have happened upon Dawood's hide-out. Don't you think? I mean who would ever find their way out of this maze?"

"I want to know where you are taking us." Maan's voice had changed into that send-chills-down-your-spine tone that he occasionally used, which Shiv was convinced was half the reason why the man had the reputation he did.

The manager paused for a moment – likely to collect his bearings, Shiv thought with amusement – before he looked back and answered, "It's right around this corner, Sir. We aim towards discretion for our guests, but I promise you that it's nothing…" he paused to search for the right word and Shiv filled in the blank in his head - Seedy or shady like the lair of an underworld don. "… like you may be thinking." He finished and Shiv rolled his eyes at that damp squib.

And finally they were escorted into a room that was lined with the plushest couches Shiv had ever seen. There were small circular tables on either sides of the couches that had tumblers and flasks as well as a fully stocked bar on the side. The other side of the room had an elevated rectangular platform that looked like a stage of sorts. The walls were covered with ancient looking Persian paintings with exotic women. "Oh Lord, like this isn't a cliche! Which movie set is this from? Baadshah? I think Amitabh and Sridevi were lounging on these exact couches, don't you think?" Dhruv piped in now, taking a look around with an expression of wonder that was in complete contrast to his words.

"If you all would have a seat? The show will begin shortly."

"And what show would that be, man? Don't keep us in suspense!" Shiv finally said in exasperation.

"I am sorry, Mr. Kapoor. I have no other knowledge of this aside from escorting you into this room. I am afraid you will have to find out on your own."

"Well, if my wife finds out about this and kills me in my sleep, I swear to God I will come back and haunt you until your petrified soul decides to leave your mortal body behind!"

When the man's face blanched, Rathan laughed and patted his shoulder. "My brother is a drama queen. Don't mind him."

"I do not kid!" Shiv said emphatically even as he plopped himself down on the couch in the center and poured himself a drink.

"Well, we are here. So, let the show begin!" he said as he raised his glass in salute.

-----------------------------------------------

After a very long time - Im finally first lol :) SO glad you updated - I kept refreshing this page all day yesterday

finallyyyyyyyyyy Devi..........but the waiting is seriously killing me -

😆 Oh please let the show begin already! I think from all guys Shiv's reaction would be priceless.. I think the rest of guys can imagine their respective other half to pull an act like this...

Originally posted by: -pixie-

Oh how I miss Maan...you are extremely wicked- making a poor soul choose between Maan and Shiv....I could ponder over that all night and still not reach a decision 😆

I cant wait for their reactions when they see their wives/better halves😆

So I say, let the show begin!

oh lord!!!! how much more we have to wait till d final showdown