I WANNA TALK ABOUT ABHI

Mark (thinking):

It's not like I want to interfere in her matters, but I just want to warn her. Slapping someone like that... it's not right.

But I don't know how to say it to her...

Ishana (thinking):

He said he wanted to talk... but now he's just quiet. That's weird.

"Bro, is something troubling you?

Is everything okay?

Wait—is it because the marriage expenses are too high? Are we running out of money?"

(sincerely)

"If that's the case, it's totally fine! We don't have to show off. We can just do a registered marriage!"

Mark:

"Hey, hey—stop right there! It's not about money, dumbhead!

Do you really think I don't have enough money to marry off my own sister?"

Ishana:

"I just thought... randomly."

Mark:

"You don't need to think that much about it.

Marriage happens once in a lifetime.

You don't just do a registered marriage—

It should be celebrated like a festival!

And you don't need to worry about money. We're still alive and kicking, aren't we?"

Ishana:

"Okay, okay... I get it. So what was the matter then?"

Mark:

"It's about Abhi."

Ishana:

"Abhi? What about him?"

Mark:

"Look, I don't want to interfere... but I heard everything."

Ishana:

"What exactly did you hear? Be clear, bro."

Mark:

"I was on the terrace... I heard your conversation with Abhi."

Ishana:

"Ohh… Which conversation are you talking about?"

Mark:

"Which one? There was more than one?"

Ishana:

"Yeah, we talked about a lot of stuff. So, what exactly do you want to ask about?"

Mark:

"The slap."

Ishana:

"The slap?! You saw that too?"

Mark:

"Yep."

Ishana:

"Well, it wasn't my fault—it was his!"

Mark:

"Stop! Just listen for a second, Ishana.

It's not right to slap someone over those lousy reasons of yours.

I've never slapped my wife, and she's never slapped me either.

If you have a problem, talk it out—you don't need to raise your hand.

What if Mom or Dad finds out about this? You'll be the one getting scolded!"

Mark (cont'd):

"Abhi is a really sweet guy. Even after you slapped him, he didn't raise his voice or say a word.

Honestly, I don't know what he sees in you.

If it were someone else in his place, I bet he'd have slapped you right back. But he didn't.

And this isn't even the first time—you've slapped him twice now.

That's really bad, Ishana."

Ishana:

"The first time was because he came too close without asking—"

Mark:

"Without your permission?

If I remember correctly, you were the one unbuttoning his shirt!

And don't you think if a girl goes that far, it's kind of hard for a guy to hold back?"

Ishana:

"Huh?! That... I was drunk! I didn't really mean to do that. It just… happened."

Mark:

"Come on. Don't act innocent in front of me. I know you too well."

Ishana:

"I'm serious, bro! It really wasn't intentional."

Mark:

"Intentional or not, I don't care.

What I'm saying is: Don't slap him again.

And if I ever find out that you did… I'll tell Dad.

And you know what will happen then."

Ishana:

"Whatever. I don't care.

And what will they even do after knowing? They fight all the time themselves!

I just don't get it—if they hate each other so much, why don't they get divorced and give all of us some peace?"

Mark:

"Ishana! How can you talk like that? They're your parents!

Arguments happen in every marriage—that doesn't mean it's broken.

But that still doesn't give you the right to slap someone."

Ishana:

"I just don't get it.

If two people are so uncomfortable and always fighting, it's better to divorce than keep suffering.

Because of them, I've started hating the whole concept of marriage."

Mark:

"I know that…

But divorce isn't the solution to every problem.

If people followed your logic, half the world would be divorced.

You need to learn to adjust. That's how you build a peaceful life."

Mark (cont'd):

"You need to grow up, Ishana.

At the rate you're going, I swear you'll end up divorced within a month."

Ishana:

"So what if I do? At least I'll be honest about it.

This isn't even what I want in life..."

Mark:

"Listen—life won't always go your way."

Ishana:

"Nothing goes my way anyway!

I mean, when 90% of people are getting married, what difference will it make if I don't?

Why can't a person just live peacefully the way they want?"

Mark:

"What are you trying to say?

If you get married, what will actually change?"

Ishana:

"Everything.

My freedom, my life, even my home and my parents—everything will change.

What will be left of me?"

Mark:

"You might be right...

But you should also see it from the other side:

You're not losing things—you're gaining double.

Double homes, double parents.

And as for your freedom—Abhi won't stop you from doing anything.

You know that, right?"