ITS ALL ABOUT YOU

Mark:

"Yep… let's go. But before that, you really need to take a shower."

Ishana:

"Okay, I'm going."

(I went to my room, grabbed my towel, and headed to the bathroom for a shower.)

Why does my stomach feel so weird today? Even my heartbeat is racing...

Ugh, it must be because of the engagement. Damn—someone save me!

Should I just run away?

But even if I do... where would I go? There's no place I could hide.

(I finished my shower, got dressed casually, and walked out.)

Mark (thinking):

After Ishana left, it was just me and Abhi.

"So... how's it going? And what's with the mark on your face? What are you gonna do about that?"

Abhi:

"Oh... is it red? No worries, I'll just cover it with foundation."

Mark:

"Hahaha, how can you get slapped by my sister?! Don't you know how to handle her? I've never been slapped by my wife!"

Abhi:

"So… you know?"

Mark:

"Yeah, I was standing right there."

Abhi:

"Since when?!"

Mark:

"From the start of your explanation... till the end.

Man, I wish I had popcorn—it was so entertaining."

Abhi:

"You heard everything?!"

Mark:

"Yup. And that was your second time getting slapped! Hahaha. And what was that? You were trying to ki—"

Abhi:

"Uhh—that's enough! I get it. You heard it all. No need to replay it, just forget it, alright?"

Mark:

"Forget it? No way! I'm never forgetting this!"

Yash (thinking):

I was looking for my cousin to help with the arrangements.

I went up to the terrace and found Abhi and Mark talking there.

Yash:

"What are you guys discussing up here?"

Mark:

"Hey bro! Come here—I've got a bunch of funny stuff to tell you. Wanna hear?"

Abhi:

"Bro, I don't think you need to tell him..."

Yash:

"What? What's wrong with your face, Abhi? Why's it red?"

Mark:

"Oh, that? Let me tell you.

Someone got slapped today..."

Yash:

"No way! Seriously?! Was it my sister again?!

Hahaha!"

Mark:

"Yep, it was her.

And guess what? That was the second time. He got slapped before, too."

Yash:

"Before too?! Oh my God, that's news!"

Mark:

"The first time was when he tried to kiss her.

The second time—today—she thought he was staring at her chest.

Man, it was hilarious. I wish you'd been there."

Yash:

"That's insane! Hahaha.

Bro, you need to work harder! Seems like you've got your hands full."

Abhi (thinking):

I was speechless… I had no words.

Dad (thinking):

Where the hell is everyone? Who's going to handle the arrangements?

I searched the whole house. They must be on the terrace...

(I went up and saw all of them laughing. No idea what's so funny.)

Dad:

"What's going on here? Why are you all laughing? Tell me—I want to laugh too!"

Mark:

"Dad! You won't believe it—"

Abhi:

"Hey, hey, hey—enough, guys! That's enough teasing!"

Dad:

"What is it? Tell me, I wanna know!"

Abhi:

"It's nothing, really..."

Mark:

"Nothing? How can you say that? It was definitely something!"

Abhi:

"Nope! Nothing! Absolutely nothing!"

Ishana (thinking):

I came back up to the terrace to see what they were doing—and to remind my brother to drop me off.

When I got there, everyone was standing around: my brother, my cousin, even Dad.

What are they talking about...?

Ishana:

"What's going on here—without me?"

Mark:

"It was all about—"

Ishana:

"—Me? What about me?"

Abhi:

"Nothing. He was just teasing me, that's all."

Ishana:

"Teasing you? About what?"

Abhi:

"Aren't you getting late?"

Ishana:

"Yeah, right... Bro, let's go!"

Mark:

"Hmm."

(We started walking downstairs and headed to my car.)

Ishana:

"Hey bro, should I drive?"

Mark:

"No way! I want to stay alive. You better not drive."

(She drives like she'll crash into any car around—hahaha.)

Ishana:

"I'm not a bad driver! My skills have improved, you know!"

Mark:

"Still—I'm driving."

(I got in the driver's seat, and she took the passenger seat. I started the car.)

Ishana:

"Should I play some music?"

Mark:

"No. I want to talk to you about something."

Ishana:

"Huh? What is it?"