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Chapter 37 - WHAT I DID TO GET SLAPPED

Yash:

"No way—seriously, bro… hahahaha!

What did you do to get slapped on the face?"

Second Brother:

"Wait—bro, are you saying our sister slapped you?!"

Abhi:

(Scratching his head, confused)

"Uhh… I don't know… I don't remember anything!"

(Did she actually slap me? What could I have done to deserve that?!)

Yash:

"Yeah, yeah… of course you 'don't remember.'

Why would you tell us what really happened, right? It's a 'personal problem,' huh?"

Mom:

(Interrupts, stern)

"Where's your cousin? I haven't seen them since last night."

Abhi:

"Maybe… they already left?"

(Suddenly, mark walks onto the terrace, stretching and yawning.)

Yash:

"Whoa! Look who's up early!"

(Grinning)

"So? How was the night, bro?"

Second Brother:

"It must've been sizzling hot, huh?"

Youngest Brother:

"Yeah—and where's cousin-in-law, huh?"

Mark:

(Shaking his head)

"Guys, stop the nonsense.

And don't think I'm the only one who had a 'sizzling night.'"

(Smiling slyly)

"She's sleeping. She didn't get much sleep last night."

(Everyone whistles or raises eyebrows playfully.)

Mark (Noticing Abhi):

"Abhi, man—what's with your face? You look like you saw a ghost."

Abhi:

(Shrugs)

"Nothing. I honestly… don't remember anything from last night.

How about you?"

Mark:

(Laughs)

"All I remember is… it was a long night.

But probably the best I've had."

Yash:

"Brooo… you should have given some time to rest!"

Ishana:

(Speaks up quietly)

"Guys, I'm still here…"

Yash:

"Ohhh, you're here too?

We thought you disappeared.

Why are you so quiet?"

Abhi:

(Teasingly)

"Yeah… why so quiet?

Do you remember anything?"

Ishana:

(Glancing at him nervously)

"No… not really. Do you?"

Abhi:

(Coughs, leans in and whispers to her)

"Let's talk about our private matters later, okay?"

Youngest Brother:

(Watching them closely)

"Ooooo… I knew something happened!

You guys are hiding something!"

Abhi:

(Straight-faced)

"Nope. Nothing happened."

Ishana:

"Yeah… absolutely nothing."

Abhi (To Mark):

"What about you guys? Everything okay now?"

Mark:

"Yeah. We're totally fine."

Mom:

(Sternly)

"Where's your younger cousin? I haven't seen him or his wife."

Yash:

(Sarcastically)

"Don't tell me after all that beer, he jumped off the building!"

Mom:

(Slaps his shoulder)

"What nonsense are you saying?!"

(Everyone rushes toward the edge of the terrace, peering down.)

Mom:

"Hey! Look over there—by the staircase.

The same place Abhi and Ishana were earlier… they're up there!"

Yash:

"Mom, wait!

Don't go there! What if they're in the same position as Abhi and Ishana?!

That's… awkward."

Mom:

"Then who's going to get them?!"

Yash:

"Ishana should go!"

Ishana:

"Why me?! What if I walk in on something again?"

Abhi:

"Come on, Ishana. It won't be awkward for you."

Ishana:

"Why don't you come with me then?"

Abhi:

(Sighs)

"Okay, fine. Let's go."

(They both head up the stairs to the upper level.)

[Upper Staircase – Cousin 2 and Wife 2 Passed Out]

Ishana:

"Bro! Wake up!"

Abhi:

(Squints)

"Everything okay? Can I look?"

Ishana:

"Yeah, it's safe.

Wake up, bro! Sis!"

Cousin 2:

(Groaning)

"Ughh… my head…

Why are you shouting like an alarm clock?"

Wife 2:

(Still half-asleep)

"Who's barking so loud?

This better be a dream…"

Ishana:

"Sis, wake up. Mom's calling you. Come on, let's go downstairs."

Abhi:

"Yeah, morning bro. Time to get back to reality."

[Back on the Terrace – Mom Waiting]

Mom:

"Are you people dumb?!

How can you drink this much that you don't even know where you slept?!"

Mom (Pointing):

"Tell me—what happened last night?!

What were you all doing to pass out in random corners like garbage bags?!"

Youngest Brother:

(Shrugging)

"I honestly don't remember anything…"

Abhi:

"Me neither. Everything's a blur."

Ishana:

"Yeah… I don't recall anything at all."

Cousin 2:

"Same. I don't even know how I got up there."

Wife 2:

"All I remember is sitting with everyone and then… blackout."

Mark:

"I just remember drinking here.

After that—zip. Nothing."

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