***

  “Not here. Walk with me,” Eli insisted.

  “But—”

  “Lunch is on me.” Eli started moving, closely followed by Ravi, who understood the cue and fell silent.

  They descended the stairs in silence, passing the busy servers and relaxed guests who remained blissfully unaware they were in a gang-run establishment.

  Eli led Ravi to an empty seat in the canteen on the second floor. As soon as they sat, the servers brought over the menu. Eli ordered a burger with a Coke for himself and hot dogs with another Coke and fries to share for Ravi.

  After a gulp of water, Eli drained another glass before settling back, his gaze lingering on Ravi, who hadn’t said a word.

  Eli broke the silence. “How many years has it been since we met?”

  Ravi raised an eyebrow. “Since college, man. Why?”

  Eli sighed, looking down at his glass for a moment before speaking again. “I know I should be grateful for the job. It pays well, but these last few weeks… it’s been a lot. It’s stressful.”

  Ravi grunted sympathetically, “It is what it is, man. No need to thank me. I get it. The job’s not what you expected, but it’s better than nothing, right?”

  Eli nodded, exhaling slowly. “Yeah.”

  He motioned for Ravi to come closer. Ravi leaned in slightly. Eli whispered, “I saw a woman at the site. She looks just like the one Oya… took care of.”

  Ravi shuddered, the weight of Eli’s words settling heavily on him. "So, what are we going to do about it?" he whispered. Eli leaned in and whispered back, "You know the people we need. We just have to find more, use the info to protect ourselves when the time comes."

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Ravi carefully leaned back in his chair, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes playing at his lips. He followed Eli’s lead, taking a moment to subtly accept the couple of hundred-dollar bills offered into his hand—silent, but meaningful. It was a quiet gesture, paying Eli back for securing him the current job, especially with anyone who might be listening or watching in the canteen. Better to be careful than regret later.

  “We’re cool, man,” he said quietly.

  Eli returned the smile, the understanding between them clear without words. “Thanks, dost.”

  ***

  Their lunch arrived, and with vigor, Eli attacked his, finishing it quickly. The last gulp of cola brought him back from his gloomy mood.

  "Good food, good mood," he thought, watching Ravi take his time eating, a hint of envy in Eli’s gaze.

  "Are you not busy?" Eli asked.

  "Well…" Ravi took a moment to chew, then continued, "Everyone’s been told to wait. Something big is going on. By the way, I was told to inform everyone there’s a meeting tonight, in the basement. Don’t leave the premises."

  Ravi slid a room key across the table. "There are snacks, a TV, and some books for you to pass the time."

  "What about you?" Eli asked.

  "I need to take care of some other business. Don’t ask," Ravi replied, his tone cutting the conversation short. Eli nodded—he was still at the bottom of the ladder, after all.

  Eli shifted the topic. "How are your parents?"

  Ravi made a face, clearly exasperated. "They haven’t stopped pestering me about marriage."

  Eli grinned. "You haven’t told them about your firangi girlfriend?"

  Ravi grinned back. "Absolutely not. She’s not firangi, she’s my Anna."

  Ravi hugged himself, his eyes softening as he made a smooching face.

  "Yuck," Eli said, making a disgusted face. "At least play off your parents and introduce her. As a friend, maybe?"

  Ravi nodded, considering the idea. "Sure, El. I’ll think about it. But you gotta back me up. Tell them you were also her friend—yeah, from college."

  Eli chuckled. "Sure. A friend in need is a friend indeed."

  Ravi gave him a fist bump, and just as Eli was about to say something else, Ravi’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, giving Eli a grin as he answered.

  "Jaya Jaya Govinda…" Ravi sang before putting the phone to his ear. "Yes… ok… I’ll be there." He hung up, then stood.

  "Got to go," Ravi said, gesturing to the untouched coke. "Here, finish this."

  "Sure, dost. Later," Eli replied.

  "Later," Ravi said, and Eli watched him leave, his mind drifting back to the cold drink in front of him.

  He stared at the untouched coke, then thought, Why not? He took a sip, savoring the drink this time, without hurry.