regret #3-1

Act I

The mistake

 

 “We FINALLY made it out of the group chat guys!!!” exclaims Sohan in pure joy. The trip was in the planning stage for years and it’s finally time for them to implement it.

The group of six, three boys and three girls in their 20s have been friends since forever. All the families grew together except for Shourya, Shalini’s boyfriend, who was introduced to the pack few years back. Shalini wanted to wait another year before introducing him but the situation wasn’t very advantageous to her. You see, he called her at midnight on her birthday, with everyone around her. It was not a smooth night. While her parents were convinced it was just a friend, the four friends were very suspicious. Knowing she can’t get away with it with white lies, she decided to whip put a power point presentation introducing the boyfriend. Shalini decided to carefully select and highlight his good characteristics while foreshadowing his worse ones. The twins, Kruthika and Karthika gave her the benefit of doubt and congratulated her. Sohan, the usual goofy guy, was happy for her as well. It was Mahesh who was quiet the whole time.

 

Now three years later, Shourya became part of the group as if he was always there from the beginning. They even let him in on the inside jokes, which was a huge deal to Mahesh. “We don’t even know the guy that well, why are we inviting him to our holy grail of group chat already??” vented Mahesh to Sohan. The latter being unwary of the former’s frustration said “chill, its fine. Besides it makes Shalini very happy that we are including her cutesy little boyfriend in our stuff. And what’s so great about our group chat; it’s not like we are gonna die yk, it’s not that big of a deal man.” What Sohan didn’t know was he just triggered something.

 

It was around 6 in the evening, when there was turbulence in the aeroplane. It was so troubling that even Mahesh and Sohan were holding hands (which they later claim was for the other’s safety). “FUCK, this is NOT a good omen.” Swears Karthika. She is an aggressive religious person, while her twin is the opposite. “Maybe this was all meant to be karth, it will be fine” says Kruthika soothing her. “Being deserted in nowhere is meant to be? In what world, kru??” shouts Mahesh angrily. “Hey dude it’s not her fault” Sohan to the rescue. Everyone gets agitated at the situation as they sit in the waiting hall. They are in the middle of nowhere. Not even in their country now. Who knew the trip to Bali would be cut short like this.

 

“I’m sorry everyone but the weather is very bad and it was all very sudden. We don’t think the aeroplanes will be working any time now. Just to be clear, we can only pay for 1 day of waiting. Later than that, we are released from the liability.” Says the sweetest looking airport manager. The beginning of the speech was not bad but the later point- “what the fuck do you mean ‘released from liability’? I never heard that shit before and I travel a lot.” Mahesh says growling, ready to pounce on his prey. “Sir, calm down. While booking the tickets you are asked to accept terms and conditions and as you can see” she whips out a whole fat book “in page 48, point 9 clause 2 its written:

 

‘In case of any disruption leading to a shortened journey and requiring passengers to wait in the airport, the airline’s responsibility for providing accommodations or services is limited to one (1) day. After thirty-six (36) hours from the start of the disruption, the airline is released from any liability to cover costs for new or return journey flight tickets booked by passengers.’

 

Everyone who books a ticket would have accepted the terms and conditions. And you’d think you know that because of experience.”

 

Everyone stuns in shock totally overlooking the snarky remark. Shalini asks, “So what do we do now?” the manager smiles at her sweetly but her words are complete opposite of the tone, “Figure that out yourself.” And she leaves.

 

“Guys, you heard her, how about we book the return flight tickets?” Shourya speaks breaking the ice. “Ya you are one to talk, aren’t you the one who booked the tickets, how the fuck do you not notice that shit a-s point? You probably did that intentionally to fuck us all up because you hate us.” Says yours truly almost shouting. “Hey stop, you saw the ‘book’ of terms and conditions, right?? How can anyone read the whole thing? Even you with experience didn’t know that something like that exists.” Shalini defends her boyfriend whose lips curl with pride. He loves it when she defends him. That’s one of the reasons he fell in love with her. While everyone agrees with Shalini, Mahesh wonders how he can wipe off that fucked up grin on his face. Shourya made an enemy and he is not going down easy.

 

Shourya volunteers to go to the manager and book the return journey tickets, Mahesh without skipping a beat sends Sohan with him to ‘watch him’ just in case. Mahesh would have gone himself but he didn’t want to give Shalini’s “boyfriend” a black eye. The twins roam around the airport in search of some food and water. They didn’t want to sit in the tension and needed fresh air. Before leaving, Karthika whispered in Mahesh’s ear, “I know what you are thinking. But also think about Shalini and her feelings. Don’t fuck it.” she almost warns him. Mahesh chuckles without humour and nods without agreement. She glares at him while Kruthika wonders what to eat. Mahesh always gravitated towards Karthika for her personality. He loves her but not in the romantic way. They were compatible in the best ‘partners in crime’ way.

 

Shalini finds Mahesh smiling, and says “What is wrong with you?? Why are you so rude to him?” “Who? Your boyfriend? Ya, I hate him.” Says Mahesh nonchalantly. Shalini knew that Mahesh didn’t like her boyfriend but to hear him say that out loud sets her nerve on fire. “What?? Why??” “Calm down princess, no one is forced to love everyone. Don’t worry, I won’t kill him, I mean It.” he didn’t. “Like that’s supposed to calm me. I still don’t understand why you hate him. That’s so extreme; he is such a sweet guy.” Says Shalini sadly. “Then why is that you didn’t tell us about the police records?” Shalini’s jaw drops to the floor. Before she can revive herself, Sohan comes back. “So good news, bad news. What do you want?”

 

“Good news” “bad news” Shalini and Mahesh say at the same time. “Ok my bad, forgot I was talking with Miss optimistic and Mr. Pessimist here. I’ll just say it, wait; where are the twins?” Sohan calls for order. “Where is he?” Shalini almost whispers to Sohan. “He’s coming.”

 

Not even a minute passes, the twins return with giggling glee. “Good news!!” exclaims Kruthika as she enters the private waiting hall they all argued with the staff for before. Sohan jumps in before they say anything “noo wait wait. Me first! I was waiting for you guys to come.” Kruthika playfully glares at him, Sohan continues “so, bad news first, we couldn’t book a return journey flight ticket now but the good news is that this place has some tourist spots we can visit. They said that the flight tickets will be available tomorrow post 10am. Sooo, what do you say we explore some unknown?” Sohan waits for any of them to respond, while no one does he starts persuading them on how cool it would be. Everyone agrees half-heartedly. Karthika still thinks it’s a bad omen to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. Sohan argues that at least we can enjoy rather than sitting and sulking.

 

“What’s the good news?” Shalini turns to the twins, mostly Kruthika because Karthika is ‘scary sometimes’. “We found a lot of food and the exchange rate would practically make us millionaires with the money we have!” “Okay not millionaires but fairly rich enough to explore the place comfortably and yes I am in Sohan.” Karthika says. “Never liked you more!!” Sohan comes in for a hug which turns into a side hug.

 

“Hope you guys are ready to explore because I got everything ready.” Shourya comes in with a bunch of brochures and papers. He starts explaining about the places they can visit recommended by the concierge, the exchange rate and the ride to the nearest comfortable hotel. When Kruthika tells about the food at the airport, Shourya dismisses her by saying that airport food sucks and it’s better to eat at the hotel he booked rooms for. They pack their bags while Kruthika excuses to washroom. She takes Sohan with her to accompany her. Whatever would take him out of the chores, he would do it. Kruthika asked for Karthika first but she stayed. Shalini and Shourya giggle talking with each other while they put together the suitcases and look at a brochure he didn’t show everyone before. Karthika comes to Mahesh, not just for helping but to talk. She says in a low voice as to not let the lovebirds eavesdrop “I don’t like him too; saw the way he talked to kru?” “Welcome to the club, we have been expecting you.” Smiles Mahesh cunningly. Before he can say anything, Karthika says “He deserves way worse than that. I looked into those police records, of course by hacking into my dad’s computer. The story is worse than the punishment. All I can say for now is, be on guard all the fucking time. He is not unpredictable but a little weird. Be careful. And don’t tell anyone. I swear if kru gets to know about it-” “no no, I’ll keep my mouth shut. I promise.” He meant it this time. He knew that the commissioner’s daughter would be of some help.

 

 

~The End?~

   20-10-2024

share your thoughts <3

yours lovingly,

rini,

yourorangecloud.

TDD: ten day diary

i made a pen pal!!!!

hiiiii, if youre reading this.

other than that, i have been clicking some really pretty pictures, shooting videos.

life is really pretty, and really good at hiding amazing things in plain sight.

and not just things, people as well.

ive been buying way too many books. have to complete my course books first. ahhhhhhhhhh