18-01-2026, 02:17 PM
The Elephant in the Room
The vodka soda had gone straight to Simran’s bladder. She leaned toward Shikha, voice low over the thumping music.
“Need to pee. Coming?”
Shikha nodded, sliding off her stool with a grin. “Always babes.”
The two women slipped away from the table, weaving through the crowd toward the ladies’ room at the back of the club.
Ravi watched them go, then turned to Preeti, who was nursing her drink, eyes scanning the dance floor.
“How is she holding up, really?” he asked quietly. “Simran. After… everything.”
Preeti set her glass down, expression softening. “She’s much better, Ravi. You can see it—the glow, the energy. That Maldives trip did wonders. The salt air, the distance… it gave her space to breathe.”
Ravi nodded, staring at the spot where Simran had disappeared. “Yeah. She’s laughing more. Sleeping better. But sometimes I catch her staring at nothing, hand on her stomach. Like she’s remembering.”
Preeti reached over, touching his arm gently. “Don’t bring up the baby just yet. Not even casually. She’ll ask you when she’s ready. Trust her timing. Pushing now will only make the wound reopen.”
Ravi exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know. I just… want to give her everything. Make it right.”
Preeti smiled, small and knowing. “You already are.”
A beat of silence passed between them, the bass vibrating through the table. Then Ravi tilted his head. “And you guys? You and Shikha. Any plans on the family front?”
Preeti hesitated—her fingers tightening around her glass for a second—then she let out a soft breath.
“We’ve… planned for a baby,” she said carefully. “Shikha wants to carry. She’s been clear about that from the start.”
Ravi’s brows lifted. “That’s… big. Congratulations. How are you—”
Before he could finish, Simran and Shikha returned, weaving back through the crowd, faces flushed from the walk and the heat. They slid into their seats, giggling about something.
Simran leaned in, eyes wide with excitement. “You won’t believe what we just heard in the washroom. Two girls were whispering—Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani are here tonight. In hoodies, trying to go incognito so no one spots them.”
Shikha nodded, laughing. “They were in the corner stall, literally saying, ‘Hood up, heads down, no selfies.’ Apparently they’re here for a quiet night out.”
Preeti’s eyes lit up. “No way. Shahid and Kiara? Here?”
Ravi chuckled. “Bollywood royalty slumming it in Sector 26?”
Simran turned to him, playful but serious. “Ravi… can you find out if we can meet them? Just say hi? Please?”
Ravi raised an eyebrow, amused. “You want me to go play detective in a club full of drunk people, looking for two celebrities in hoodies?”
Simran pouted, batting her lashes. “Pretty please? It’ll be fun. And you’re tall—you can see over everyone.”
Ravi sighed dramatically, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “Fine. Let me see what’s going on.”
He stood, adjusting his shirt, and disappeared into the pulsing crowd, leaving the three women at the table exchanging excited glances.


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