Photocollage

The living room of the girls

Scene 1:

We can see a living room of a flat that is well-furnished and aesthetically decorated. A cane sofa set is kept in the middle while the background wall is full with some photo collage. There are different types of candid photographs of 5 girls. They are best friends and flatmates. Some artificial plants and artefacts are kept here and there just to emblemise the beauty of the room. It is 9 am on the clock and we can see Mukti is sitting on a single sofa, keeping her legs on the glass centre table and sipping on her steamy black coffee, flipping the pages of a magazine. Only then Aliya storms in and starts yelling.

"Today I will kill that girl. Arrrrrggg. My new Chanel Rouge Coco."

She is almost in tears. Mukti doesn't pay any heed to her whine and keeps on enjoying her morning stimulant. Aliya once again laments,

"Just look at this. She used it as a crayon. Half of its stick has vanished and this shit....She perhaps rubbed it on the ground. All dust and mud are there. Yeeeeeew."

She fists both hands and shakes them in frustration. Without looking up, Mukti mouths in an ignorant voice,

"Navya didn't do anything. Last night I was late for my performance and my hair was looking too black and dull. So, I used it in my hair to create instant streaks. Just look at this magazine. It has so many beauty hacks like these. It might be useful for you too."

Aliya gapes for a while and then asks in a surprised tone,

"Muku..your hair is so dirty! Full of mud and dust. When did you last wash your hair?"

Mukti casually slams the magazine on the table and gets up. She ruffles her hair and indifferently replies,

"Can't remember. Maybe last Sunday. But today I need a long cool water bath. Ufff it's too hot today."

As she was about to pace towards the washroom, Soha enters, drying her hands on her apron.

"You have to wait for some time. Navya is in the bathroom and she will take time."

She says smilingly. Mukti rests her hands on either side of her waist and vexedly asks,

"Why will she take time? Is she doing rain dance with Akshay Kumar inside the bathroom? Tip tip barsa pani, pani ne aag lagai." (Famous Hindi Bollywood song)

Aliya giggles hearing this. Mukti is vexed and an annoyed Mukti is a delight to listen to. Soha chuckles and retorts,

"I don't think her dream came true so soon. It's Sunday and it is her day for laundry. You forgot?"

"Oh Shit, yah...Now she will empty the entire water tank."

Mukti again slouches on the sofa with despondency. Only then, a girl enters from outside and throws her heavy duffle bag on the sofa. All turn at her surprisingly. Aliya and Soha simultaneously utter,

"You? Return so early? It's Sunday!"

Nandini glances at them and replies with a knackered voice while sinks in a sofa,

"Mom and Dad are going to a wedding. They wanted me to join. But I somehow dodged them and fled. Ufff ! These wedding ceremonies, relatives, neighbours, their gossips and their plethora of marriage proposals for me to my parents. Irritating. Spare me the horror."

Mukti giggles and retorts,

"Right! Marriage is like walking in a park. Jurassic Park."

All join the laughter when Navya comes out from the bathroom, carrying a bucket full of wet cloths. Her kurti is wet while her legging is folded till her knee. Mukti instantly leaps up from her seat and dramatically says,

"Thank God the N cube showed some mercy on me and has come out so soon."

Navya winks at her and chuckles.

"Not for you Mukti. I heard that Nandini has come back like a pleasant surprise. So, I quickly planned something."

All the others demand,

"Plan!"

Navya raises her brows with zeal and mouths enthusiastically,

"Let's make the Sunday a funday. Movie, Girls....Let's go to a movie. Akshay kumar's new movie 'Hey Baby' has been realised. First day, first show..What do you say?"

She looks at all in demand of a zealous, YES. But on the contrary, all sound,

"Noooo....not again."

..................................................

Manik's living room

Scene 2:

Another living room of a two-storey house. A dining table kept aside and two guys are sitting over there, having their breakfast. Meanwhile, a lady comes from the kitchen holding a tray of teacups and keeps it on the table. She also sits on a chair and asks the younger boy,

"Manik, where are your friends? They were supposed to come...right? At least Cabir said so. I have made extra breakfast for all. Now, don't tell me that their plan has been changed."

She raises her hands in defeat. Manik passes a morsel of Aloo ka paratha (a famous Indian food) inside his mouth and replies with satisfaction...

"Ummmmmm....Bhabi (Sister-in-law) delicious. Who can ignore this mouth-watering delight? Especially the glutton Cabir. They are coming. But I can't wait for them."

Saying this he takes another morsel and closes his eyes with ecstasy. The other guy smiles at the lady and says,

"Mihika, please give some attention to your poor husband too. I am also hungry. Your brother-in-law has snatched one of my parathas. And he is blaming Cabir as a glutton."

Mihir, Manik's elder brother and Mihika's husband complains. Manik rolls his eyes at him and pouts at his sis-in-law, knowing that she will always support him. Mihika furrows her brows and places a hot paratha on Mihir's plate.

"Don't give an evil eye to his appetite. He has joined the gym. He needs good food."

Mihir widens his eyes and counters,

"Gym and Aloo ka paratha! Good combination. It happens only in an  overprotective Indian  family."

In reply, Mihika was about to protest when a yell of some over-enthusiastic gang startles all of them,

"Aloo ka paratha, bundi ka raita and masala chai (some famous North Indian dishes), what a combination Bhabi! It happens only in foodie Indian family...yahu..yahu..yahu..yahu"

4 boys of almost the same age enter with full gusto.

Author's note: So, this is the introduction of the two opposite houses and their residents. 😁😁😁