Location: Mumbai. "Where are you guys taking me to?", said Suresh, in a worried manner. He was apprehensive of the fact that it wasn't a regular affair.

"Nothing, macha. Just wanted to introduce you to some friends. Don't worry!". Shastri retorted. He was getting late for his work. And now he needed a candidate badly. A limited time in hand and his friends already being furious, he has no other option but to choose Suresh.

Shastri then hired a taxi from Dadar and then they went to a Dandia concert in Vile Parle where his friends were waiting. Suresh converses again in the taxi out of excitement. "Macha, are you sure that this is nothing dangerous?".

"Don't worry, macha. My friends are nice people. They won't do anything bad. They just need something from you and then, you are out of the place."

Having come from a middle-class upbringing, Suresh grew up to become an engineer in Bangalore. His classmate, Shastri was just in front of his attendance rolls. Whenever there were assignments and exams, Shastri always flocked towards Suresh for his intelligence. And so, they became the closest of friends while studying. When Suresh got a job in Mumbai in a private firm, he shifted his family.

Shastri also had similar ways of life, only that he had the passion to earn quick money. When his family business bankrupted due to false commitments from non-payers, Shastri opted to study Engineering and thus, landed in Bangalore. An outright extrovert, proactive and selfless heart towards friends, he and Suresh then glued to become the best of friends. The slang of togetherness was evident of the macha word. Being placed in the same company, Shastri followed Suresh, only that his family was based in Bangalore. Of the work done for 3 years, he became frustrated and opted out of service and projected that he was doing some part-time job.

"Where have we come to?"

"It is my friend's show. He is DJing there. Look!". And there was DJ Harpreet doing the dance tracks. The DJing was a common trend in Dandia events. People thronged at the venue with traditional Garba dresses, Dandia sticks in hands and a dancing eagerness to celebrate the event. After waving to Harpreet, Shastri then took Suresh through the crowd.

"I am pretty scared, man. I came only because I believed you."

"Oh! I know. Come over. You need a drink?"

Hesitatingly, Suresh picks up one and watches the crowd. In a moment, he thinks of his parents. Wonder what they would be doing at the house.

After sailing through the crowd, Shastri leads Suresh to a narrow way. The way smelled of betel leaves and cigarettes. And then, he sees a small stall-like getup where he finds some people, boys and girls dancing to an iPhone.

"Guys, Meet Suresh. My closest friend. Suresh, this is Neha, Divya, Krish, Udi, Shiamak, Parvin and the Vinod. Our leader."

Vinod looks at Suresh strangely but ignores him and continues to dance. He was high on marijuana and was giggling throughout. Suresh sensed something is wrong.

And then, Krish pulls him in, and snatches his wallet. Shocked by the happenings, Suresh panics. With people surrounded and no escape route, he remains silent.

"Well now, Suresh. Are you ready?"

And then his life changed forever...

"How are you, Aunty? How was your journey? Hope your flight was alright."

Aunty gave a look of satisfaction. She was quite impressed with the flight Suresh booked and they had serviced her well. So she was silent and began to survey the new apartment. Suparna went in to make some tea for all and Suresh continued with his reading.

"I got a letter from the Mumbai Police yesterday. Thought of sharing with you." And handed it to him. Suresh opens it with a sweaty palm. Suparna runs out of kitchen and joins Suresh to read it.

Both Suresh and Suparna were shocked to see the contents of the letter. Was it for the past 10 years' curse that was to re-run again?

"What's the matter?", Aunty asked.

No answer.