Khushi: Hmm...
Mark: Okay fine, I'll go.
(I just can't believe I'm returning this phone at this hour. Ugh!! I get down from the bed, button my shirt back up, take the phone, and head out of the room...)
Should I really knock? I can't believe I'm the one disturbing them after making all these arrangements for them to stay alone...
Anyway, let's just knock since I'm already here.
And I'll get to know what they're up to... hmm...
Knock! Knock!
Abhi: Bro!?
Mark: (After some time, Abhi finally opens the door. I look at him—he looks flustered, like he has a fever. Then I notice his shirt is unbuttoned. Oops... I guess I did disturb something...)
Umm, sorry to disturb you at this time.
Abhi: No, no, it's fine. We were just...
Mark: Uh, well... I'm just here to give Ishana her phone. She left it with Khushi, and her mom keeps calling her, so I thought I'd return it.
Here you go...
(I hand the phone to Abhi. Then I see Ishana walking towards us. She also looks flustered—her face is red...)
Ishana (internal monologue): I took a deep breath. Thank God someone came to save me. I thought I was going to... do that... with him tonight. I'm saved. I got up and walked to the door when I heard the voice—it's my brother.
Bro? What brings you here?
Mark: Just came to return your phone.
(I notice a lot of roses stuck in her hair... and in Abhi's too.)
I guess I should leave. Continue what you were doing.
Ishana: (I notice Abhi forgot to button his shirt, and now my brother probably thinks we were...)
It's not like that, bro!
Mark: Hmm, I get it.
You don't have to explain. Go back to... whatever you were doing.
Abhi: (I don't know what's wrong with me. My body temperature just keeps rising...)
Mark: Abhi, your nose!
Abhi: What?
Mark: Your nose is bleeding...
Abhi: Oh...
Mark: Ishana, go get some tissues!
Ishana: (I look at Abhi and see blood coming out of his nose...)
Oh! I'll get it—
Abhi: No, it's fine. I'll go in...
(He hands the phone to Ishana and heads into the bathroom to take a shower.
Must be the heat from... whatever happened before.)
Mark: (Am I overthinking this? Abhi did sound a bit rude just now... Anyway, anyone would be flustered. My mood's ruined too—thanks to this stupid phone...)
Look after Abhi. I'll take my leave now.
Ishana: Hmm.
Mark: What are you looking at? Close the door.
Ishana: I'll close it once you leave...
Mark: First you close the door, then I'll leave. Now—close the door.
Ishana: Huh? Okay... Bye, then.
(I close the door.)
Mark: (I have a gut feeling someone's going to sneak out of that room... Am I overthinking again?
Anyway, if I feel that way, I'll just wait for five minutes...)
Ishana: (I really don't want to stay in this room now. What should I do?
My brother must be gone by now. Let's see if I can get another room...)
Mark: (As I thought... After a while, the door opens. Just like I expected—here's my little sister trying to sneak out.)
You look like you're in a hurry to go somewhere?
Ishana: (I slowly open the door and immediately get a knock on my forehead—yep, that's my brother. He didn't leave...)
Uhh... I was just going to eat something. I'm hungry!
Mark: Oh? But you could've just ordered food, right?
Ishana: I... wanted to get some fresh air too.
Mark: Do you think I'm stupid? Whatever it is, don't you have common sense? Do you even know what you're wearing—and where you are?
Ishana: Why are you shouting at me?
Mark: Do you expect me to compliment you for this? You need to learn to face things. Why do you always try to run away first?
Ishana: I was just...
Mark: Just what!?
Listen—I've told you a thousand times. If you have any problem, just speak to him! You'll get a solution.
Ishana: Bro, don't you think you're going too far?
Mark (internal monologue): (I may sound rude now, but I know—if I don't speak to her like this, she'll try to run away again.)
Whatever it is—just stay in that room. And don't you dare step out again.
Ishana (internal monologue): I don't get it... why is he so angry at me?
Hmm...
Mark (internal monologue): She slammed the door after that... Now I know she's not coming out again. I'm finally free to go.
I do feel sorry for her... but what else can I do...?
Ishana (internal monologue): I can't believe he shouted at me like that... over nothing.
I go back inside and sit on the bed.
I'm not going to talk to him. ...