" Dhruv, you are going too fast ! "
" Yami, first get a driving license then I will listen to you !"
"Dhruv, she s right, dude. It is pouring. And we are driving on a hill slope.
" Yeah, we don't want to crash in the middle of nowhere."
"Don't worry children. Nothing is going to happen to us."
Dhruv hadn't heard the car horn honking in all this jabbering. The car appeared suddenly and nicked the side view mirror. Dhruv slammed on to the breaks and pulled the hand brake. The SUV spiralled out of control and rammed into a tree at 60 km/h.
" Well done u jackass "
" Hey now quit the smart talk and get of the car."
The six youngsters jumped out of the car into the pouring rain. The inspected the damage car had sustained upon crashing. There was a huge dent where car crashed and one of the front wheel had come off.
"Look at ur work, Picasso."
"Shut up, Zaheer."
"Don't u tell me to shut up, Dhruv. Who told u to drive like this in some street of London in 2 am?!"
" Cut it out, you two. Think how we are supposed to take this wreck of A SUV to town."
"I am actually a little more worried about having to return the car in such a condition."
"Thanks Hayat that really cheered me up, you fat ass." mumbled Dhruv..
"At least show some shame, you clown!"
snapped Neeta.
Dhruv was about to retaliate when somebody called out from behind.
" Need any help?"
"N-" Dhruv started to speak but Zaheer stamped on his foot.
"Yes, please "
A tall man in mid sixties opened a wooden gate and and walked up to the group.
"Crashed car, huh."
"Yes, sir "
" Well u won't get any network on ur cell phones here and in this weather. Why don't you all come inside? Once the rain eases I will radio the police to send a tow truck here and help with ur car."
The group hesitated slightly, and the man smiled.
" Ohh I know what u all are wondering. An old man inviting to his house on this stormy weather. Must be a ghost. Well, I assure u that I am as human as the lady living next doors, maybe more human than that irritating bitch. Come on."
The group followed him into the gate. The old man latched it.
"The strays try to come in." He answered the question before it was asked.
"You stay alone, sir."
" No I stay with my younger brother. Allow me to introduce myself. I m Ranbir Khashayp."
" I am Gautam. This is Neeta, Yami, Hayat, the tall guy is Zaheer and that guy the reckless f1 racer is Dhruv."
Ranbir pushed the door open and everyone stepped inside. The lights came on and there stood a man who looked exactly like Ranbir except his eyes and eyebrows had different color and he didnt limp.
"Ahh, Robin these kids kind of had an accident outside. I told them they could stay here until the rain eases and tow truck is able to make it's way Up here. Kids this is my younger brother, Robin."
" You like aloo parathas?" Asked Robin.
"Yes" they chorused.
"Robin hand towels to the kids. I have already set the fire"
"On it."
Soon everyone was running themselves dry and Ranbir was adding some more logs into the fireplace.
"You both look identical." Dhruv remarked.
" We get a lot of that. We both look like our father. Finally. I was wondering where you'd disappeared, Robin."
Robin appeared with a large tray laden with plates and a large casserole.
"There is pickle and dahi too on the shelf if anyone want it. Drink anyone?" Asked Ranbir.
Seven hands went up. Ranbir smilingly handed Out glasses and a bottle of old monk went around the room.
"Eat kids. Fill up ur tummy and let's wait for the rain to ease."
Everyone tucked in and almost immediately started praising the food.
"How long have u been lived here?" Asked Yami.
" Our entire lives. That would be around 69 years."
"A hill station like Shimla must be having a lot of stories."
" Indeed it does."
"Could u tell us one?"
"Sure. What kind? Lots of stuff happen in Shimla."
" A scary one."
Both brothers looked at each other and smiled.
"Shall I tell them that one." Asked Ranbir.
"Which one?"
"That one!"
"Oh, that one. Yeah. Tell them. They'll like it.
