Awkward Situations
"Is something burning?" Naina Malhotra asks herself, getting out of bed. She walks out of her room and goes downstairs. She walks into the kitchen, and sees a sight that she never thought that she'd see.
Manik Malhotra, cooking. Or, at least attempting to cook. "Uh, Manik?" says Naina nervously, "You're not trying to burn down the house are you?" Manik turns around, and scratches the back of his head sheepishly. "No, I was actually trying to make you your favorite cheese omelet" explains Manik.
"Aw, that is so sweet!" exclaims Naina, walking over to Manik and hugging. Once she pulls away from the hug, she says "Who are you, and what have you done with my brother Manik?" Manik slaps her arm, and Naina says "Seriously though! When did you become so sweet?" Manik says nothing, and continues to focus on the omelet. And then it hits her. Naina's eyes go wide and she exclaims "Oh my god, did Nandini Murthy turn my brother into a big old softie?!" "Shut up" grumbles Manik.
Naina squeals, something she doesn't do very often, and then her eyes fall on what Manik's cooking. "Manik, why does your cheese omelet look like something conceived by a chicken and a fish?" asks Naina. "What are you talking about?" asks Manik. "So you see, when a chicken and a fish have a baby... chickfish? Yeah, let's go with chickfish" Naina begins to explain, "And then if you take that chickfish and try to cook it, that's what this thing here looks like." "Fine, don't eat it!" snaps Manik, about to throw out all his hard work.
Naina stops him and says "I never said that wouldn't eat it." She takes the "omelet" and puts it on a plate. Slowly, she starts to eat it, as Manik looks shocked. "You just ate my cooking" he says. "Yup" says Naina, swallowing the last bite. "So, how was it?" asks Manik. "It didn't make me puke" says Naina, "But how about I teach you how to make an actual cheese omelet?" Manik shrugs, and follows his sister.
As Naina cracks an egg and starts beating it, Manik asks "Wait, that's how you crack an egg?" "Yeah" says Naina, "Why? How did you crack the egg?" "Well, I kind of just smashed it in my hand and put it in the bowl" explains Manik. Naina sends him an "Are you freaking stupid?" look. She then shakes her head and continues to make the omelet.
When she gets out the cheese that's already opened, she sees that it's moldy, and throws it out. "Why'd you do that?" asks Manik. "Because that cheese was moldy" explains Naina. A wave of panic crosses Manik's face, and Naina asks "You used the moldy cheese, didn't you?" Manik says nothing, and Naina furiously opens up a new pack of cheese.
Once the omelet is done, Manik stares at it in awe. "Now that is how you make a cheese omelet!" says Naina triumphantly. As Manik begins to eat the omelet, Naina slaps his hand away. "You don't get to eat this amazing omelet that I slaved over" says Naina. "But I'm hungry" protests Manik. "You made me eat toxic poison" says Naina. "I thought you said it was a chickfish" says Manik. "That was before I found out that there were egg shells and moldy cheese in it!" exclaims Naina, "No wonder it was crunchy..." "Well, I'm sorry, I tried" says Manik, obviously upset about his failed attempt at cooking. "And it wasn't a bad try" says Naina, trying to make her brother feel better, "I mean, I'm alive so..."
Manik throws a towel at her. "Hey!" exclaims Naina, throwing it back at him.
"You know, you should be glad that I'm even talking to you right now!" Naina blurts out in the middle of their towel fight, "All you've done is ignore me for the past three f**king years!" Manik freezes at mid-throw when he hears this, and lets towel drop to the ground. Naina sighs and says "Look, I didn't want to bring this up, but two of your best-friends didn't even know that I existed until yesterday! If Cabir and Mukti are as important to you as you say they are, then don't you think that they deserve to know about your one and only twin sister?"
"And we haven't even had a proper conversation in the past three years! Did you ever call to see how I was doing? If I'm okay? Well I did. I know that Mukti was depressed. I know that Cabir struggled with being gay. I know how messy your breakup with Alya was. I know that Dhruv was being a complete ass towards you and everyone else. I know that Nandini had to deal with that creepy teacher. I know about Soha the psycho stalker... I know everything! And how do I know everything? I asked, and Alya was more than happy to answer because clearly, you wouldn't."
"And what about me Manik? Did you bother to ask about how I was doing? Did you know that I had to be in the boys' dormitory because of system errors? Did you know that there was a crazy girl out to get me as well? And what about the fact that I've had to spend time with our pathetic excuse for a father and his teenage trophy wife on my own?!"
"We're twins Manik, always there for each other no matter what. We don't keep secrets from each other. And don't you dare deny that there are things you're not telling me. And a cheese omelet isn't going to make up for three years of ignoring me when I needed you the most!"
"I know that this isn't exactly something you wanted to hear first thing in the morning, but I just- You know what, it doesn't even matter. I'll see you later." And with that, Naina walks back up to her room.
Manik runs his fingers through his hair, and is about to throw a plate across the room when he hears "Smashing things is for the broken-hearted, not the frustrated." He turns around and sees Myra standing near the entrance of the kitchen, her folded across her chest. Manik sets the plate down onto the kitchen counter and asks "How long have been here?" "Um, right where Naina started yelling" says Myra. Manik leans against the wall, and Myra says "I am amazed by Naina's ability to go from laughing to yelling." Manik just stares at her, and Myra says "Seriously, not even a half-smile?" Manik lets out a small chuckle, and Myra says "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
"Huh, I didn't know that the resident bitch of SPACE had a heart" says Manik, clearly back to his old self. "There's that Manik Malhotra snark! You feel better now buddy?" Myra asks jokingly, clearly not offended by the fact that Manik called her a bitch. "I will once my sister has the heart to forgive me" says Manik. "You know, you could always just tell Naina the truth about Harshad" Myra begins to say, to which Manik immediately snaps "No!" Myra throws her arms up in defense and says "I swear to god Manik, you put all hormonal girls of the world to shame."
"Myra!" exclaims Manik. "Okay, serious mode" says Myra, "Look, I know Naina. She's not going to stay mad at you forever. But if she finds out that you're lying to her, she will make you feel like crap." "Gee thanks" Manik says sarcastically. "I'm serious!" exclaims Myra, "Naina hates being lied to." "Okay now you're starting to sound like Dhruv" groans Manik. "Well Dhruv is right. Lying to Naina is going to end up blowing up in your face!" says Myra. "Are you like, on Team Dhruv or something?" asks Manik. "In this case, I'm totally on Team Dhruv!" says Myra. "I really hate you, you know that?" says Manik. "Yeah, yeah, love you too" says Myra, turning around, about to walk away.
Until Manik remembers something. "Wait!" he shouts. Myra freezes on the spot and mutters "So close!" She turns around and gives Manik a big smile. "How ya' doin?" she asks. "Yeah, I'm not buying that" says Manik. "Seriously, not even for like a second?" asks Myra. "Nope" says Manik. "Damn" says Myra.
Manik walks up to her and demands "What was that last night?" "What was what?" says Myra, as if she doesn't know what he's not talking about. "Don't play dumb with me" Manik says sternly, "I thought we talked about your drinking." "Why am I not allowed to have one night entitled to me drowning my sorrows in alcohol?!" demands Myra. "One night?!" demands Manik. "Okay, maybe more than one night" Myra unwillingly admits. Manik sighs and Myra protests "Hey, this is just how I deal with my problems. It's not the best way to deal with my problems, but it's still better than keeping it all bottled up inside, or taking it out on other people." "Myra-" Manik begins to say, but Myra cuts him off by saying "You should be more worried about Naina, not me. One sister at a time, Manik." And with that, Myra heads upstairs to the guestroom, which is technically her unofficial room.
"Girls" Manik grumbles as he watches Myra walk away.
SPACE
"Hey Naina!" Nandini exclaims when she sees her boyfriend's sister. Everyone looked at them strangely. Nandini was this sweet, lovable girl, and Naina literally had "I am Satan, I will kill you" written on her forehead. They're a strange pair those two... But then again, strange is exactly what SPACE is known for.
"Hey Nandini!" says Naina. "Wow, Naina smiled at you?" asks Alya, walking up to them "Those are usually reserved for people she actually likes. Oh, and Dhruv." "Okay, when have I ever smiled at Dhruv?" asks Naina. "Lots of times" says Alya. "Name one" Naina challenges. "How about ten?" says Alya, "Oh, and would like them in chronological order, or alphabetical?" "I only asked for one" grumbles Naina, folding her arms across her chest as Nandini giggles.
Suddenly, there's a loud screeching noise that makes everybody cover their ears. "What the f**k is that?!" demands Naina. "Ugh, our PA system" explains Alya.
"Good morning people of SPACE!" a voice declares from the PA system, "Now before I continue with the usual announcements, I'd just like to mention that we are going to fix this ancient machine that's recently been sending people to the hospital with bleeding ears."
"And now that I've mentioned that, we only have one major announcement today" the voice continues, "As you all know, our annual music showcase is coming up. This showcase is an amazing opportunity for everyone to show their talent in front of some of the biggest names in the music business, so sign up to audition now. Also, any questions or concerns you may have should be directed towards Ms. Nyonika Malhotra. This has been your morning announcements, have a nice day."
"At least her voice is more pleasant than that godforsaken PA system" remarks Nandini. "Well, she is one of the best female singers in this college" explains Alya. "She is?" asks Nandini. "Yup" says Alya. "Huh, never heard of her" says Nandini, as the girls make their way to their classes.
Meanwhile
"Hey buddy!" says Dhruv, greeting Manik. "Hey" says Manik. "What's wrong?" asks Dhruv. "Nothing" says Manik. "Lies!" says Dhruv, "Now tell me the truth." Manik sighs and explains "Naina kind of blew up at me this morning. And Myra said that she's on Team Dhruv about this whole lying to Naina thing."
"I know, I got her text" says Dhruv, "We're planning on making t-shirts." Manik chuckles and shoves Dhruv "Very funny!" "I know, I'm hilarious" says Dhruv, "But we actually are planning on making t-shirts." "How exactly did you get Myra to agree about the t-shirts?" asks Manik. "I might've told her that the t-shirts would have "Team Dhurv and Myra" written on them" Dhruv admits, "But the "and Myra" part is going to be small. Really small." "You do know that Myra will kill you if you do that to her, right?" asks Manik. "Please, I've known Naina all my life and I'm still alive!" exclaims Dhruv, "Myra's like a harmless kitten compared to her, and I've see the black eye she gave the last jerk she went out with." Manik shakes his head at his best-friend, and walks to class.
Canteen (Later)
"Okay, you can't seriously be mad at me forever!" Manik exclaims at Naina. Naina doesn't respond. "Naina!" Manik whines, kind of like a five year-old begging for his mom's attention. Naina continues to eat the delicious chicken sandwich she bought. "Lieutenant peanut butter?" Manik says meekly. Naina shoots her brother a death glare for mentioning her childhood nickname, but still continues to shut him out. "Seriously, nothing?" groans Manik.
Meanwhile, Mukti, who was watching this sad, but hilarious, scene unfold with her friends, remarks "You know, I've never seen Manik so- so-" "Desperate?" suggests Nandini. "Yeah that" says Mukti. "Only once" says Nandini.
"You guys, he's pouting!" exclaims Navya, "Monster Manik Malhotra is pouting! This is the best day of my life!" "You're so weird" grumbles Cabir. "Deal with it!" Navya snaps at Cabir, her eyes looking like they were about to shoot lasers. Cabir then turns to Harshad and says "You know, you should be the one having to deal with this." Harshad says nothing.
Dhruv, who was itching to pick a fight with Naina, as well as defend his best-friend of course, says to Naina "Wow, you're being way bitchier than usual about this." Naina snaps her head in Dhruv's direction and says "You do know that I have a spoon right?" "Yeah, I'm just gonna' take that" says Dhruv, taking the spoon away from Naina.
"What's she gonna' do with a spoon?" asks Cabir. "Trust me, you really don't want to know" warns Alya. "Does anyone else notice that Dhruv is actually enjoying the fact that Naina wants to kill him?" asks Mukti, "Or is that just me?" "Dhruv likes picking fights with Naina" explains Alya, "Mainly because he's a suicidal psychopath." "But it's Dhruv!" exclaims Mukti, "Good boy Dhruv!"
While Mukti continues, and fails, to try and understand the effect Naina Malhotra is having on two of her best-friends, Harshad decides to intervene and try and pacify Naina. "Come on Nains!" exclaims Harshad, "You can't be mad Manik forever. I mean, he is your one and only twin brother." "You too?!" demands Naina, "Three against one is hardly fair. Alya, back me up here."
"Sorry Naina, but I think you're being just a little too harsh on Manik" says Alya. "Oh, so you're on their side now?!" demands Naina. "Well..." Alya trails awkwardly. "What if I told you who ate that lifetime supply of chocolate you worked so hard to win in that contest?" asks Naina. Alya's eyes go wide, as the boys curse Naina under their breaths.
"Screw doing the right thing!" exclaims Alya, "You will all now face the wrath of a girl deprived of her chocolate!"
Manik turns to Nandini and begs "Nandini, please help us out!" "Sorry guys but... girl code" Nandini explains awkwardly. "What about the girlfriend code?" "Yeah... Girl code trumps the girlfriend code like every time" says Nandini. Manik, Dhruv, and Harshad all give her looks that make Nandini feel like she just run over a puppy. With a tractor. Nine times.
"But what I want to know, is who this Myra Kapoor is" says Nandini, changing the topic. "Wait, you don't know who Myra Kapoor is?" asks Mukti. "Not a clue" says Nandini. "Nandini, Myra does the announcements every morning" explains Cabir. "And she's our college president" adds Dhruv. "Okay seriously, how have I never even heard of this girl?!" demands Nandini.
"Maybe because you were too busy sucking face with my brother" Naina says bluntly. Everyone turns to look at her, and Naina says "What? I've heard things. Mainly from Cabir, who, by the way, is the biggest gossip I've ever met." Manik glares at Cabir who smiles cheekily at him, as Nandini's face goes completely red.
Before the teasing could start, Manik and Naina both get texts. "Thank god" mutters Manik. "Um, guys, we'll see you later" says Naina. "Yeah, bye guys" says Manik.
Music Room
"Okay Myra" begins Naina, as she and Manik enter the music room, "What's the problem?" "That is my problem" spits out Myra, pointing at the tall guy beside her. Naina's eyes go wide when she sees the guy. "Kunal?!" she exclaims. Unable to contain her excitement, Naina runs up to Kunal and hugs him, a very un-Naina thing to do. Kunal spins her around, then puts her back down on the ground. "What are you doing here?" asks Naina, still smiling. "Ugh, don't ask!" groans Kunal.
Naina rolls her eyes and says "Myra?" "Well, according to your dad, Kunal is my new boyfriend" says Myra, as if she wants to strangle someone, preferably Kunal. "Wait, rewind" says Manik, turning to Kunal "How do you know Naina?" "She was my roommate" Kunal says casually. "Wait, what?!" demands Manik. "We'll talk more about that later" Naina says quickly, "Now can you guys please explain exactly what's going on?"
"Well basically, your best-friend is an idiot, and so his parents decided to find him a goodie-goodie girlfriend" explains Myra. "And that's where Miss Goodie-Goodie comes in" says Kunal, "Her parents are trying to get into my parents' good graces, and she's the poster child for all that is good in the world so... Voil! Instant girlfriend."
"They're not my parents, they're my uncle and aunt" says Myra, gritting her teeth together. "Whatever" says Kunal, clearly not bothered by the fact that Myra's trying to strangle him from behind. "See what I mean!" complains Myra.
"Alright, alright, break it up!" says Naina. "Wish I could" mutters Kunal. Naina just ignores Kunal and asks "But why you? I'm the one who's actually friends with him." "Exactly! You guys are friends, therefore, no one is going to believe that you guys are a couple" rants Myra.
"But the whole good girl thing is just an act" Manik points out, finally speaking up. "Yeah, but it's not like anyone other than you guys knows that" snaps Myra. "Dhruv and Alya know" says Manik. "They're Dhruv and Alya, of course they know" says Myra, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean it's just an act?" asks Kunal. Manik smirks and says "Myra Kapoor is a good girl by day, and a party girl by night." "She's also right here" says Myra, but the guys just ignore her. "Oh, and did I also mention that she can put you through hell if you piss her off?" says Manik. "Oh, so not only am I forced to go out with someone I don't even like, as well as transfer to her college, she turns out to be a total fake" rants Kunal. "Excuse you!" shouts Myra, clearly offended.
"On the bright side, at least I'm here" says Naina, "And so is Aryman." "Wait, what does Aryman have to do with any of this?" asks Manik. "I'll explain it to you later" says Naina.
"You're right!" exclaims Kunal, "And Karan's transferring here too, mainly because he's lonely without us." "Yay, everyone gets a happy ending but Myra!" complains Myra. "Oh boo hoo!" says Kunal. Myra glares at him, and another argument breaks out between the two.
As they argue, Naina whispers to Manik "You want to get out of here?" "God, yes!" hisses Manik, "Chinese food?" "I just want food, period" says Naina, as she and Manik walk out of the Music Room.
The End
Edited by White_Flower - 10 years ago
Cricket
Seher Hone Ko Hai
