Itefaaq

Chapter 12: Unwanted Help

"Tumne mujhe... India Gate leke jaane ke liye blindfold kiya," Mahi stated, with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh god, you are so spoiled, did you know that?" Rajveer said. "Ek taraf main tumhare liye ek special surprise teyaar kar baita hoon aur doosri taraf tum bas complain hi kar rahi ho."

"Okay sorry sorry, this is very nice, Rajveer," Mahi said putting her hands in the air. "Lekin main tourist nahi hoon. Yeh ek gate hai, ek baar dekho toh dubaara jaane ki kya zaroorat?"

"Yeh tumhari destination nahi hai," Rajveer said. "Isiliye maine tumhe blindfold kiya taaki tum guess nahi kar paati." With that, he pulled two tickets out of his wallet and handed one to Mahi.

Mahi gasped, "Elephanta Caves! Main ek baar gayi thi jab main choti thi and I've wanted to go back lekin mauka nahi mila. This is so exciting!"

"You're welcome," Rajveer said haughtily.

"Lekin tumhe kaise pata?"

"I have my sources," Rajveer said evasively.

"Accha! Akaash sir ne tumhe bataya hoga."

"Let's go," Rajveer said, not wanting to admit Mahi had guessed right on her first try.

They headed to the ferry which would take them to the caves but just then Mahi's stomach grumbled.

"Chalo tum pehle kuch khalo phir hum jaate hai."

"No it's okay, main teek hoon, let's go," Mahi said.

"Lekin Mahi-"

"Main teek hoon, we'll miss the ferry," Mahi said as she submitted her ticket.

"Suit yourself," Rajveer said and followed her lead.

There were surprisingly few on the ferry. It was the two of them, an elderly couple, and a young man in his early twenties. The elderly couple were speaking quietly amongst themselves while the man was staring off into the distance. When Mahi and Rajveer arrived, the man nodded at them and the elderly couple stopped their conversation and smiled at them.

"Aap dono ki shaadi hone mein kitna vaqt ho gaya?" the woman asked.

"Nahi hum bas friends hai," Rajveer clarified with a fake smile. I hope yeh pura gainta humare saath nahi gal karne ki koshish karenge.

Mahi had a similar thought and also offered a less-than-convincing smile in the elderly couple's direction. Then she walked over to the opposite end of the ferry and sat down. As Rajveer followed her, the elderly couple looked slightly put off but resumed their conversation shortly afterward.

Mahi looked off into the distance and Rajveer looked at her. "Kya dekh rahi ho?"

"The scenery," Mahi answered simply. Then she sighed pleasantly and, looking over at him, said, "I don't know tumne kaise yeh last minute plan banaya lekin I'm impressed."

"Are you shocked? Main hoon itna talented," Rajveer said with jest in his voice.

"Hmm."

They sat in silence for the majority of the ferry ride. Mahi was enjoying the atmosphere while Rajveer eventually dozed off and attempted to catch up on the sleep he had missed while planning the whole thing.

Once they arrived on the island, they began the climb up to the caves. Surprisingly, they found very few people on the island. Of course, there were the tour guides and other various workers such as shopkeepers and restaurant owners but not so many visitors. Forgetting about her hunger altogether, Mahi trekked ahead and was delighted when they reached the starting of the caves. After paying their fares, Rajveer followed Mahi as she began her self-guided tour.