"That's ok sir" the person replied politely and walked away.
"J.. J.. J..." he stopped Jahaan in his track.
"Kya hua bhai? why were you running like an express train?" he asked grinning as he already knew the reason.
"is she still mad at me?" Zain asked him.
"Of course. And she should be. Aaj to pakka aapki class lagegi" he said patting his shoulder.
"Bhai please tu chal na mere saath" Zain pleaded.
"Main??? sorry.." he turned to walk away.
"J... tu kehta ki jaan haazir hai bhai ke liye" he said in an overdramatic tone.
"to kya aap sach mein jaan lena chahte ho?" he said making a puppy face.
"Wo dekho Gautam bhai.. wo help karenge aapki is khatarnaak mission mein. Meri to abhi shaadi bhi nahin hui hai" he ran away without glancing him back for once.
"J.. sun to yaar" Zain tried to hold him but he ran away.
"Hey Gauti.." Zain waved at Gautam.
"hii Bro.." he said looking at him.
"kya kar raha hai?" Zain asked him as he was busy arranging some papers.
"kya batau yaar. Ye meri aur Aditi ki script intermix ho gayi hai. Ab inhe segregate karna padega" he replied.
"Chal main teri help karta hoon" he picked few papers and started sorting them.
"Tu??" Gautam was surprised as Zain is too lazy at doing such paper works.
"Haan main. Bas tu mere saath use manane chal.. please." he said making a puppy face.
"oh Bhai! tu rehne de. Apni help apne paas rakh. Main nahi jaunga us chalti phirte disaster ko manane" he snatched the papers back from him.
"Bro please" he insisted.
'No way. Last time she poured a jug of water on me. This time she'll break my head" he said.
"Bhai wo doll si ladki..." Zain tried to convince him.
"Doll?? Scary doll.. I m sorry" said Gautam.
Zain got up and turned around to leave.
"Zain.." Gautam called him.
"I knew.. tu sachha dost hai mera" Zain hugged him.
"bhai... I wanted to say.. all the best. Be brave. Be a man. waise bhi you are not at fault." he said sarcastically distancing Zain from him.
" Thanks.. for these taunts.Tujhe duaon mein yaad rakhunga" he gritted his teeth and flashed a toothy smile.
He pulled his collars, rolled his sleeves and walked up the stairs like a soldier entering the battlefield.
He reached her make up room. Slowly opened the door which reads "Aditi Rathore".
As he entered the room he found Aditi standing in front of him. He smiled at her which she returned.
"Yaar na koi jhappi na pappi.. Kaisi dost hai tu?" he asked with a melodramatic sigh turning towards an enraged Nalini sitting in front of the mirror.
"Haan ye le jhappi or ye le pappi" she threw things at him flaring her nose in anger.
He catched the things and before he was attacked with more he held Aditi's hand and twirled her to stand in front of him as a shield.
"Aditi hato" said Nailini aimind her make up brush at Zain.
"Aditi no.." he cluthed both her arms so she couldn't move.
"Guys.. Stop it. Nalini put that down" said Aditi.
Nalilini dropped the brush and Zain let go off Aditi.
"Zain.. she waited for you until 11: 59 before cutting her birthday cake previous night. And you, her best friend was missing. I think you should apologize" she told him.
He winked at her reassuringly and moved towards Nalini.
"Sorry yaar Negi. Was caught in some work" he held his ears and made a puppy face.
"Mujhe nahi karni tujhse baat" she crossed her arms and looked away.
He picked her up in his arms.
"Zain.. put me down. gir jaungi main" she sreamed.
"Pehle sorry accept kar. bol ki maaf kiya" he said stubbornly.
Aditi laughed seeing him behaving so childish.
"Nalini forgive him.. uski back abhi bhi hurt hai, he'll drop you down" Aditi told Nalini.
"Accha baba.. It's OK. Now put me down" she smiled.
He made her stand on her feets flashing a victorious smile.
"That's like a good girl" Aditi clapped.
Zain winked at Aditi thanking her.
He dragged Nalini out with him holding her hand and involuntarily Aditi followed them out. Jahaan and Gautam joined Zain and Nalini and started their "Off screen masti" which has now become a routine.
Their group was different, so stable like a chemical buffer, staying in equilibrium seemingly without effort. In any crisis they were with each other with boots on and never struck around for any "thank you".
We don't party together or post selfies.. That doesn't mean we aren't at good terms. He's among the most genuine person's I have ever met. He can forge a connection even with quietest of people".She told Poonam with a straight face.