Gulabi got married last week, to a businessman making considerable money no less! While the regulars at their bar threw a fit over her no longer working there, the sight of the dancers sure consoled their drunken minds and business remained unaffected.

Bala, on the other hand, was heartbroken and it was visible on his face even with all the effort he put into hiding it.

That annoyed an otherwise elated Bikram to no end.

The clock ticked 2:00 while the two men laid on their bed, both lost in thought – one about his broken heart and the other burning with something akin to jealousy.

No, Bikram never looked at that woman as anything other than a sister. Just the mention of her name brings a bitterness to his mood.

In their small home, it was peaceful. The usually busy morning street outside turned quiet at nights like these where the gentle breeze coming through the windows and the occasional sound of crickets provided some relief.

Staring at the sappy giant's back, Bikram turned to lay on his side with the awareness that they were both wide awake, a weird emotion itching to break free. All the alcohol he'd drunk that night seemed to have long left his system after dealing with his friend's quiet tears.

" Idiot, will you just give up already? "

Receiving no response from the sniffling man only gives him a headache.

" She's married! She's going to have that man's children and she will be happy with grandchildren by the time she dies! But you? You'll just stay a celibate fucker who will keep crying over someone else's wife for the rest of your life – is that a way to live? " barked Bikram, though his voice was much softer than his harsh choice of words.

He could notice the sturdy shoulders tense up under the moonlight before they resigned in defeat.

" You never loved anyone, motherfucker! You wouldn't know what it's like to lose the one you love to someone else, " retorts Bala, no trace of venom in his tone.

Bikram let out an incredulous laugh, " I go through that shit every single day! You think you leave me a choice? "

' If anything, as a senior in this matter, I would know how that feels like! I have felt it since you began fancying her – I am feeling it right now! '

Startled, Bala turned around to face the grumpy male, eyes wide. Bikram could understand which conclusion his friend reached upon before he even opened his mouth.

" No, I am not in love with Gulabi. Quit it! Gulabi this, Gulabi that, Gulabi, Gulabi, Gulabi... I am sick of that name already! "

Although the clarification settled the matter, a frown does make its way onto Bala's plump lips – ones that he doesn't notice his friend struggling to not stare at. Instead, he inquires carefully, offended that he wasn't informed of such a thing, " Who are you in love with? You never told me. "

" What is it to you, Dillon sir? You're busy with your dick standing up for that w– "

That earns him a slap on the arm before the sentence could be finished.

" Forget that and tell me. "

" Is that a demand? "

" Who is that girl? "

" What is it to you? "

" Bikram, don't piss me off– " warned the taller male, taking a breath and leaning on his elbow, looking down at the bearded male. " Who is it? "

A different kind of silence settles around them when their eyes meet. Bikram unknowingly swallowed at the sight of his friend almost hovering over him in this manner. Blanking, he doesn't understand why he could feel heat rush to his face or why his member had an odd twitch, making him look away and turn to the other side.

' It's anger, ' he deludes himself, ' who could sit around and watch their best friend lose their light over some girl? '

Bala furrowed his eyebrows, unaware of his friend's predicament, waiting for an answer. When the silence stretched too long, his gaze failing to coax the name out of the hot-tempered man, Bala just slumped himself over Bikram, spooning him without a worry.

Bikram flinched, another twitch down there, goosebumps rising all over.

" Bikram, tell me... " Voice adamant against his ear, he squeezed closer to the shorter male, trapping him from moving away. " Its not like you to shut that motor of yours. We never had any secrets between us. "

' It's important I keep this stupidity a secret, motherfucker! ' thought Bikram, unsettled by his own bodily and emotional reaction to feeling his friend's chest against his back, and the sheer heat he engulfed him with.

" Where will I find the time to fall in love when I am so busy looking after you, your highness? " he manages to respond with dripping sarcasm.

Bala doesn't appreciate the tone as he usually does, he can tell.

Bikram's chest feels uncomfortable when he doesn't get a matching response instantly.

" ... You would bring a woman between us? And leave me behind? " asked the giant, dull all of a sudden.

Puzzled by his reaction, Bikram twisted in his grip to swat at the face a bit too close to his own – it missed. His mind snickers like a snake whispering curious secrets, ' Maybe there is a reason why neither of us could find the determination to actually spend a night at the brothel? Can't get it up with a woman? '

" You are the one who would have done such a thing had that woman responded to your feelings! " he accused, jaw clenched.

" I never would! " argued Bala. " Not even Gulabi can come between us! You are more important to me, you stupid donkey! "

" ... She's between us right now. "

" I am just sad it wasn't me, but I am happy for her! " Bala is exasperated. " If I really was so determined to marry her, wouldn't I have put in some effort to win her heart? "

Bala further reasons cheekily, trying to console this cranky bastard, " But I am still here, in bed with my fragile parii, waiting to the cut the wings of whoever stole your heart. "

Bikram blushed, staring at his friend with furrowed brows. He swats at his face again, doesn't miss this time.

" Who are you calling a fairy, cock sucker? "

" You, of course, my lovely Bikram, " hummed the taller male, " My hairy fairy with a temper probl– "

Uncharacteristically flustered, the shorter male elbows the other, trying to shove him off but failing, " Are you a fucking rock? Move! "

Bala snuggles up to him instead, holding him securely in his arms, sharing the pillow.

" Who is it? "

" You! " huffed Bikram, tone carrying the same sarcasm along with its unaware truth.

Bala, whether he catches on or not, relaxed against him, spooning against his body without a secondary thought to disturb the unsatisfied curiosity.

" Good. "

Bikram can tell the other must be smiling.

Silence returns, the crickets back to making a noise now that these two settled down for the night.

Bikram resigns in his arms and closes his eyes, at the brink of slipping into dreamland when Bala mumbled his name.

" What? "

" I'm horny. Help me get off? "

Bikram kicks his legs, resuming his slumber only when he heard the sappy man wince.

" You're so distant today. "

" Am I your wife to be all lovey-dovey? "

" Aren't you already? You ask me all the time. "

" Shut up before I throw you out on the street. "

" Okay... "

At least this time around, Bikram fell asleep in a much better mood than he had experienced before.

Entering the decade of the eighties, Bombay wasn't short of new happenings – be it fashion or movies, music or dance, even the not-so-secret world of gangsters.

It hasn't been long since the opening of Yuppy Titli, a cheap bar open for all. Located in the shady underbelly of the Bollytown, it was quickly welcoming customers of all classes, offering local and imported liquor, and of course, drugs.

They were gaining a certain popularity among fellow goons and criminals, for the ground floor was reserved for the regular people and the upper floor for the more heavy-pocketed customers.

It was a warm night at the oddly-named bar when a fight broke out on the second floor, the sound of glass breaking heard despite the rush and chaos of two men throwing punches and colourful curses at one another. The crowd had cleared an area around them that allowed them to enjoy their tiff from a safe distance – some even cheered, a quick betting pool opening.

It was when blood splattered on the floor that the owners finally arrived, pushing through the crowd and witnessing the mess that had been made at their hard-earned business. Exchanging a glance, they dive into the fight, each grabbing the enraged men and separating them with a bored ease while the crowd's excitement toned down.

" Listen... " He tried to be polite. " If you want to fight, go outside, " the taller of the two suggests as he dragged him towards the exit, voice monotone.

" Shout, kill each other, wrestle, sex it up. Whatever you do, we won't get involved as long as it's outside, " the shorter one grinned, despite the injured continuing to struggle in their grip.

Navigating their way down the stairs, the hosts fish a hand in their shirt pocket to take whatever money they had on their person before sending them off with a kick to their back and a warning to use their faces to clean up the mess they made if they ever picked another fight in their bar again.

Counting the cash, the taller one threw an arm around his friend, sporting an annoyed frown as they head back in.

" We need to hire somebody to deal with mess like this. " Bala huffed, " We opened this bar to earn easy money, do we have to keep doing such menial work everytime some drunkard gets his feelings hurt? "

Bikram laughed, speaking over the loud music and snatching the money from his friend to deposit in the steel cash box. " One of the main reasons they come here is because they get their feelings hurt. If we ban them, we lose out money on that front. That's why I tell you to be nice while kicking them out. "

" Was I not nice enough today? "

" Should I kiss you because you did a good job? "

" When you grow some balls. "

" You won't know unless you check. "

Locking the box after counting the earnings so far, Bikram reminded, " You used to beg for my praise when we were kids though? "

They really had been together since childhood, raised on the streets with a love for Bollywood movies and a dream to become respected gangsters. It feels funny now to think instead they cater booze and entertainment to small-term goons and drug dealers, or at best, some big-name gangsters underlings.

' Guess big dreams die as you grow up. '

" I don't like you that much anymore, " responded Bala with a cheeky smile, tugging the other by the open shirt to grab a drink.

Bikram followed with a satisfied smile regardless, patting his friend's ass, " You wish! "

' At least this friendship never changed. '

Not far, bright lights focused on the stage as the music changed. The return of the dancers had everyone cheering, already half lost in their drunk and drugged up state. Bala ensured every night that the heavily muscled guards were nearby to prevent any inappropriate happenings.

One dancer in particular, Gulabi, with her rosy cheeks and cute smile, always had his attention... a lifelong crush he could not openly admit or hold back firmly. Orphans, all three of them, it was Bala himself that had given her the name.

Opening a bottle of rum, Bikram filled their glasses halfway and mixed some soda in, nudging his friend. When he doesn't immediately respond, he followed the taller male's gaze only to suddenly be vexed by the hopeless idiot's pining. He couldn't wait to see it end!

Unaware of the reason behind that annoyance all these years along still, Bikram slapped Bala's shoulder to get him out of his trance.

" Have your fucking drink! " he shoved the glass in his hand, irritation rising when the other sighed as he took a sip, looking like a kicked dog.

" What's with your tone suddenly? " Bala inquired cooly.

" She's getting married soon, get the fuck over it. She doesn't want you. "

" I am over it, " frowned Bala, unconvincing. " No need to rub it in. "

" As if! " Bikram barked a short laugh, running a hand through his hair and drinking the alcohol in one go, hissing at the burn down his throat and chest.

" Then stop staring like she's the love of your life, like you want to build another Taj Mahal for her. "

" It's nothing like that! " he laughed to mask the emotion knocking his heart over. " You act like a jealous wife. "

" I should put a leash on you until she gets married. "

Bikram sounded oddly serious, even to himself.

" When you grow some balls. "

" Do you want to see? Suck me off while you're at it. "

Bala laughed, shoving his friend's chest. Then, he took a sip from his glass, free hand moving to pick up the bottle and fill the annoyed man's empty one.

" You sure have high hopes. "

The touch was enough to cool him but it's Bala's attention diverting from that woman that cheered him up again. ' I'm such a concerned friend, ' he thought proudly, ' he's lucky to have me. '

" Attainable hopes, idiot. "

" Shut up now. If someone heard, they would misunderstand, " pointed Bala with a smile as Bikram downed half the glass, making a satisfied sound.

Then, he suggested as he finished the last of his drink, " It's almost two, should we head back? I'm hungry. "

Bikram hummed, pulling his hair back in a loose ponytail, " I'll go tell Bobby to close up in an hour. " He squeezed his shoulder, " You get the bike out. "

With a nod, the taller male stood, fishing the keys out of his pocket and making his way out of the door. Bikram grabbed the bottle of rum and head to speak to their trusted junior, Bobby, to wrap up soon and ensure to charge extra for the last dance.

Settling the final earnings for the night and tallying how much they'll be earning in the next hour, Bikram took the money out of the cash box and pocketed it for safekeeping, heading out the door.

But not before he threw a last, disapproving glance in the direction of Gulabi – who was once a friend but now somehow became someone he wished to keep a good distance from himself and Bala.

While one was unaware, the other reasoned it's because he worried of his broken heart. But they didn't know then that they would find new clarity to their actions soon.

Stepping out, he's quick to spot his friend waiting and jogged over, sitting on the back on the vehicle.

" Don't think too much about her, " he muttered as they drove off to their place.

Bala remained quiet.

" Do you understand? " Bikram pressed firmly, squeezing his shoulder.

" Yeah, yeah! " Bala rolled his eyes, shrugging his hand off, " I was just thinking of what to eat.. why are you disturbing me? "

" What do you want to eat? "

" You, " joked the heartbroken man.

" Alright, " grinned the shorter one, oddly happy now that the prickly rose was out of their sight.