The morning at Jugaad Junction was never peaceful, but today… it felt like a disaster waiting to happen. Sunlight slowly entered through the broken windows, falling directly on Raghveer "Ragz" Kashyap's face. His eyes opened with difficulty, and for a moment, he forgot everything.
Then suddenly—
"WAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The loud cry of the baby echoed in the room.
Ragz jumped up in shock.
"OH GOD! THE BABY!"
On the other side of the room, Zoravar "Zoro" Bhasin rolled off the sofa dramatically.
"Why is there an alarm with emotions in this house?!"
Fakira "Fixer" Naqvi sat up slowly, his hair messy, his brain still half asleep.
"Because someone brought a whole human being inside without instructions…"
The baby continued crying, louder and louder.
Ragz picked him up awkwardly, clearly not knowing what to do.
"Why is he crying? What do babies want?!"
Zoro stood up like a hero.
"Don't worry. I have watched many movies. I know how to handle this."
He took the baby confidently… and started making weird faces.
"Goo goo ga gaaa… I am your father now…"
The baby stopped crying for a second…
…then cried even louder.
Fixer sighed.
"Congratulations, you made it worse."
Ragz snatched the baby back.
"Give him to me! You are scaring him!"
The chaos continued for a few minutes—three grown men, completely defeated by a tiny baby.
Finally, Fixer spoke seriously.
"Listen… babies cry for only three reasons."
Ragz looked hopeful.
"Okay… tell me."
"Hunger, discomfort… or existential crisis."
Zoro blinked.
"…Babies have existential crisis?"
"Maybe. Look at us." Fixer replied calmly.
Ragz ignored them and checked the baby.
"Maybe he's hungry…"
Zoro looked around.
"Do we have milk?"
Fixer opened the fridge.
Silence.
"…We have half a lemon and expired bread."
Ragz closed his eyes in frustration.
"Perfect. We can't even feed a baby."
Just then—
KNOCK. KNOCK.
All three froze.
Zoro whispered dramatically.
"…What if it's the baby's real parents?"
Fixer shook his head.
"Or police… or kidnapper… or worse—landlord."
Ragz slowly walked toward the door, holding the baby carefully.
His heart was beating fast.
He opened the door.
And there she was.
A girl stood outside—her face tired, eyes slightly red, but strong. She held a bag on her shoulder, like she had been running for a long time.
Her gaze immediately fell on the baby.
For a moment, everything stopped.
"…Ayaan." she whispered softly.
The baby stopped crying.
Ragz looked confused.
"You… know him?"
The girl stepped forward, her eyes filling with emotion.
"He's my son."
Silence.
Zoro slowly leaned toward Fixer.
"…Plot twist."
Fixer nodded.
"Big one."
Ragz looked at her carefully.
"Then why was he outside… alone?"
The girl took a deep breath.
"Because I had no choice."
Her voice was calm… but pain was clearly hidden inside.
She entered slowly.
"My name is Meher Zainab."
The air inside the guest house suddenly felt different.
Heavy.
Real.
Meher looked around the broken place, then back at the three confused boys.
"I know this sounds crazy… but I need a place to stay."
Zoro whispered.
"We also need a place to stay."
Fixer elbowed him.
"Shut up."
Ragz spoke seriously.
"Why here?"
Meher looked directly into his eyes.
"Because I saw your board."
Ragz frowned.
"…Jugaad Junction?"
She nodded.
"Yes. It sounded like a place where people survive… no matter what."
For a second, no one spoke.
Then Fixer smiled slightly.
"She's not wrong."
Zoro added dramatically—
"We don't survive… we struggle artistically."
Ragz ignored them and looked at Meher again.
"We can't even take care of ourselves… how will we take care of you and a baby?"
Meher stepped closer.
Her voice was calm… but strong.
"I don't need help. I just need a chance."
Silence filled the room again.
The baby giggled softly in Ragz's arms.
As if… he had already made the decision.
Fixer crossed his arms.
"I say we let her stay."
Zoro nodded.
"Yes… more people means more drama… I like it."
Ragz looked at both of them in disbelief.
"This is not a reality show!"
Then slowly… he looked at Meher.
At the baby.
At the broken guest house.
And finally… he sighed.
"…Fine. But only for a few days."
Meher's eyes softened.
"Thank you."
And just like that…
Without any planning…
Without any preparation…
A new member entered their already messed-up life.
But none of them knew—
This wasn't just a new beginning.
This was the start of something…
Strange.