Meera, known for her lively spirit, nurtured friendships from school, college, and every workplace. She often took the lead in organizing reunions and bringing everyone together.

This time, the girl's gang met at Rekha’s residence, who had recently shifted to a plush apartment in Navi Mumbai. A day of laughter, gossip, clinking glasses, and Instagram reels.

“Meera, Thanks, dear. This hangout was impossible without you. Amidst work stress and other priorities, I wouldn’t have taken the initiative.” One of her friends said.

“No problem! Our priorities may have shifted, but such breaks are essential to recharge ourselves.” Meera replied.

They played games, sang songs, and danced. Time slipped away in the blink of an eye.

Oh my god, it’s already 6 p.m.?” Meera exclaimed, glancing at her wristwatch. “Come on, Dimple, we have to get to Bandra.”

Both rose to leave.

“Ladies, my driver will drop you. Red Mercedes is waiting outside the wing.” Rekha said.

“Ooh, a red Merc! Ah ah… lucky you!” everyone teased.

Waving goodbye, they took the elevator down. The red Mercedes gleamed in the parking area. As they approached the car, the driver, a man in his mid-30s, stepped out and opened the door with a polite smile.

The ladies smiled back and settled in. One asked, “You know where to drop us?”

Yes, ma'am!” the driver replied, turning the music on.

The city lights twinkled. “Sitting in a Mercedes is a different experience, isn’t it?” said Dimple.

“Yup!” Meera replied.

Both women soon got engrossed in animated conversation, laughing until their stomachs hurt, as if time paused for them.

After nearly forty-five minutes, when Meera looked outside the window, she frowned and yelled, “Driver, where are you taking us? This looks like a tunnel.”

“We’re on the expressway. In thirty to forty minutes, we should be reaching your destination.”

“Driver! Stop the car! Both shouted in unison.

The driver flinched. “Madam, I can’t stop the car in this tunnel.

The tunnel stretched ahead. No exit. No way to turn back. They sat upright, their laughter faded, and their lips whispered prayers.

Madam, my boss instructed me to drop you off at Lonawala.

“What instructions? Which boss?” Meera’s voice trembled.

“Why would Mrs. Khanna ask you to drop us off at Lonawala when we had to go to Bandra?” Dimple yelled.

“Mrs. Khanna? You’re guests of Mrs. Iyer, aren’t you?” the driver asked, surprised.

No! We are Mrs. Khanna’s guests.

Oh, no! I got it. Mrs. Khanna and Mrs. Iyer both have red Mercedes. Mrs. Iyer had instructed me to drop her guests, and when you both came, I thought you were her visitors.

The car slowed down and took a U-turn. Soon, the familiar highway came into view. They breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hey, Rekha, we are coming back. Stay at home,” Meera said and disconnected.

On reaching, when they narrated the story, the whole gang burst into uncontrollable laughter, leaving everyone with yet another unforgettable memory to add to their friendship stories.