In front of the sub-registrar court: Kashmere Gate: Delhi: ½ an hour before the marriage:

Manik strides to the crowd gathered in front of the main gate. It's hard to locate someone in that chaos. He was about to fish out his mobile and connect Shahid's number when someone pats his shoulder. He turns back and locates Shahid with a smiling face.

Shahid: (Enthusiastically) "Perfect timing, Manik Bhai. We still have ½ an hour in our hands. Where is Dhruv? Nandini se baat hui aapki? (Have you spoken to Nandini?) When will she come?"

Manik shrugs in despair.

Manik: (Sounds tensed) "I spoke to her last yesternight. After that, it is continuously ringing but madam is not picking it up. Hight of carelessness."

He throws his hands in the air to show his pique. Shahid takes out some papers from his bag and starts checking them.

Shahid: (Unmindfully) "She knows everything, right? I mean the place and the time? Today, there is very rush. We got the appointment with lots of difficulties. If we miss it then the next date will be after 2 months."

Manik: (In a convincing voice) "No, she knows everything. I explained her all last night. Probably she kept her mobile in her bag and couldn't hear. I know it's difficult to come out of that jail. By the way, Dhruv is coming. And I hope Nandini will be here shortly."

He looks at the sky and prays silently. Though he is not showing tension is killing him from inside. Only then, Dhruv approaches them almost running. Manik arches his brow at him. Dhruv rests his hands on his waist. He is slowly panting.

Dhruv: "Bol diya Kunal ko. (I told Kunal) Le ayega. (He will get her)"

Manik: (In a doubtful tone) "What did you tell him? Khulke bata. (Say in detail)"

Dhruv: "I told him a person will stand in front of the Murthy house in pant-shirt and helmet. He has to bring that person here. It's a life and death situation."

Manik: (With a deep frown) "Person? Didn't you tell him that person is none other than Nandini?"

Dhruv roams his sceptical eyes on Manik and Shahid.

Dhruv: "Uski kya zarurat? (What is the need for it?) It must be Nandini."

Manik and Shahid both look at each other and Manik slaps his forehead.

Manik: "Bunch of idiots!"

.....................................

On Harshad's bike: On the way to the court: 20 minutes before the marriage:

Unexpectedly, now, two people are riding the bike. The driver is a mid 50's man and the person in the back seat is none other than Nandini. Manik was right. She gracefully collided the bike with a stray cow, almost had a scuffle with the cow owner and got mercy when it was revealed that she is a girl and finally got him only to drive the bike and get her to the court in time. Because the distance is still long and she is literally an amateur biker. The cow owner now the biker still can't believe that Nandini is a girl and she is dressing funnily like a boy. He is continuously trying to look behind.

Nandini: (Sternly) "Age dekho. (Look forward) Mujhe jaldi pohochna hain. (I have to reach out soon) Agar nehi pohochaya na to cow ko road pe ghumaneke liye complaint kar dungi. (If you won't then I will complain against you for making your cow strolling on the road)"

The cow owner: "Aapne aise kapde kyun pahane? (Why have you worn this kind of clothes?) Aapko court bhi kyun jana hain? (Why do you even want to go to court?) Meri gaay to aapko dekhkehi bokhla gai thi. (My cow freaked out to see you)"

In reply, Nandini releases a deep sigh and glances at her watch.

Nandini: "Long story. Phir kabhi bataungi. (I will tell you some other time) Ab speed barhao. (Now, increase the speed) Dhoom Machaleeee..."

She whoops. The bike whizzes past.

......................................

On another bike: On the way to the court: 20 minutes before the marriage:

Rituja is still struggling so that, the unknown biker stops the ride. However, she is sitting on the front seat and the biker is caging her while griping the bike handle. Rituja starts slapping his forearm. She still can't believe that someone actually can kidnap her.

Rituja: "Stop, Stop! Where are you taking me to? Look, there is some mistake. I am a doctor. You can't kidnap me like this. I will go to the police. Hey, you terrorist."

In reply, the terrorist, I mean the biker doesn't react. It seems that he is a robot and without further instruction, he won't act whatever the situation is. Rituja turns and tries to recognise the face through the helmet glass. Needless to say, her effort doesn't bring any results.

Rituja: (In a softer tone) "Is your wife in labour? Then you could have told me nicely. I would have definitely come with you. What was the need for this kidnapping? Or you wanted to get Harshad. Wait! You were pulling him only. I came in between. That's why you targeted me. But why are you after Harshad? He is a nice boy. He never fights with anybody. You punched him...ohhh...why did you punch him...you idiot!"

She again starts hitting the person in his hand. Because of that, the bike loses its balance a bit. Being irritated, the biker hits Rituja on her back neck with the side of his palm. Rituja makes a cocking sound and immediately slackens on his body.

The biker: (Sternly) "Nuisance! Dhruv, you have to pay for this trouble, Man. It was supposed to be a clear venture. Now, what am I supposed to do with this talking parrot?"

He glances at Rituja's closed eyes.

The biker: (Mumble) "Now sleeping parrot."

His bike stops in front of the court premises.

.....................................

In front of the Magistrate room: Some minutes are left for the marriage time:

The Biker: (In a riled manner)"But you told me that I have to get the person wearing a pant-shirt and helmet. I tried but he refused to come with me. This lady was disturbing in my work. So, I got her. Hey, that man in helmet also hit me. In return, I had to get back to him. You know I can't owe anybody's punch."

He jerks his shoulder in pride

Dhruv: (Helplessly) "But Kunal, I told you to bring Nandini here. Nandini Murthy. She studies at our college. Stays in your place. Remember?"

He points at Rituja who is now lying on a wooden bench, still unconscious.

Dhruv: "She is...she is Nandini's mother. How could you? Bhai apni Saan se shadi karega? (Will my brother get married to his mother-in-law? Ab hum kya karenge inke saath? (Now, what will we do with her?) You just have brought the trouble with you."

He fists his right palm with the other hand.

Manik: "Wait! What did you say? That person wearing the helmet was a man. That means Harshad. Then where is Nandini? She was supposed to be there too. Did you see any other girl...I mean in pant-shirt and helmet?"

Kunal wobbles in denial. Shahid makes a frustrated sound.

Shahid: "We are running out of time, guys. Bara bajnewala hain. (It's about to strike 12)"

Dhruv: "Bara to baajhi gaya hain. (It's already 12 which means all are already messed up)Humare plan ka. (Of our plan) Oh dekho...Aunty hosh me arahi hain. (Look...Aunty is getting her senses)"

Kunal quickly nears Rituja and softly gives a chopper cut on her side neck. Rituja again slips into her unconsciousness.

Kunal: (In a relaxed tone) "Abhi nehi. (Not now)"

Manik rolls his eyes at Dhruv as he is trying to say, "Tujhe aur koi nehi mila? (You didn't find anyone else?)

Only then, a peon comes out and yells in a professional manner,

The Peon: "Manik Malhotra and Nandini Murthy!"

Manik automatically raises his hand.

Manik: (Yells) "Here!"

Shahid: (Sarcastically) "You are here but the bride is where?"

Manik: "Fuck! Nandiniiiii....."

Only then, a bike almost invades the crowd in the corridor and a person gets down from the back seat, fully cladded with oversized clothes and a bolder-sized helmet. The peon gives his second call.

The peon: "Manik Malhotra and Nandini Murthy!"

The person: "Here!"

Author's note: Sorry for the late update. Was stuck in my personal mess. Hope you like the chapter. More confusion and gags to come. So, stay tuned. 🙏❤