Episode : Forced Friends
938 Words
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🌸 Episode 5: Forced Friends 🌸
The morning sun spilled across the college courtyard, lighting up the buzz of activity. Groups of students clustered together, chatting, gossiping, and—of course—keeping their eyes on Mimi and Rishi from afar.
Rumors had already reached every corner of campus. Some said Mimi had tamed the untouchable mafia heir. Others said Rishi was only tolerating her until she crossed the line. Either way, people couldn’t stop watching.
Mimi, of course, loved every bit of the attention.
Mimi (to Siya, grinning):
“See? We’re like celebrities now. Next thing you know, they’ll make a fan club for us.”
Siya (horrified):
“No. Don’t even say that. The universe listens to you, and I don’t want to die.”
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🎯 The Professor’s Announcement
That day, Mimi’s mother—Professor Arpita—walked into the classroom with her usual stern look.
Professor Arpita:
“Listen carefully. The annual cultural fest is approaching. Each student must participate. I will assign you partners for projects and performances.”
Groans filled the room. Nobody liked “assigned” partners.
Arpita’s sharp gaze swept the class, then landed on her daughter. Mimi straightened, already dreading it.
Professor Arpita (firmly):
“Mimi. Your partner will be… Rishi.”
The classroom collectively gasped. Siya slapped her own forehead. Mimi’s eyes widened, then sparkled mischievously.
Mimi (loudly):
“Wait—you’re pairing me with him? The silent mafia statue?”
Rishi’s head snapped toward her, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Professor Arpita (coldly):
“Yes. Exactly him. And I expect both of you to behave. No excuses.”
Mimi pressed her lips together to hold back a laugh, while Rishi leaned back in his chair, clearly annoyed.
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🤝 First Forced Meeting
Later, in the library, Mimi plopped down across from Rishi, dragging a pile of papers with her.
Mimi (grinning):
“Well, looks like we’re partners. Congratulations! You’re officially my friend now.”
Rishi (flatly):
“We’re not friends. We’re partners. For one project.”
Mimi (leaning forward):
“Partners, friends, frenemies… details, details.”
Rishi sighed and rubbed his temple.
Rishi:
“This is going to be painful.”
Mimi (cheerfully):
“For you. For me, it’s going to be hilarious.”
She started doodling on the project paper instead of writing anything serious.
Rishi (snatching the paper):
“Are you a child?”
Mimi (innocently):
“No, I’m twenty-one. But thanks for noticing my youthful energy.”
He groaned, already regretting every decision that had brought him here.
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🍴 The Canteen Scene
Their partnership quickly became public knowledge, and everyone kept watching them.
At lunch, Mimi sat right across from Rishi again.
Mimi (teasing):
“Since we’re partners, shouldn’t we eat together? Team bonding and all.”
Rishi (glaring):
“I don’t bond.”
Mimi:
“Perfect! Then I’ll bond for both of us.”
She grabbed a fry from his plate without asking. The entire canteen gasped. People whispered like it was a crime scene.
Rishi froze, staring at the stolen fry. His deadly silence made Siya nearly faint at another table.
Mimi (smirking):
“What? Sharing is caring.”
To everyone’s shock, Rishi didn’t explode. Instead, he calmly picked up his drink, took a sip, and muttered:
Rishi:
“You’re insufferable.”
Mimi (grinning wider):
“And yet, you still sit with me. See? Progress.”
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🎠Practice Disaster
As part of their cultural fest project, they had to prepare a short stage performance. Mimi was thrilled; Rishi, not so much.
Mimi (excited):
“Okay, so I was thinking—we could do a comedy skit! You’ll play the serious guy, and I’ll be the silly one. Perfect, right?”
Rishi (deadpan):
“That’s not acting. That’s just… life.”
Mimi:
“Exactly! Natural talent!”
During rehearsal, Mimi exaggerated every line, making the other students laugh. Rishi stood stiff, delivering his lines in the flattest tone possible.
Mimi (hands on hips):
“Rishi, you’re supposed to act! Put some emotion in it!”
Rishi (calmly):
“This is my emotion.”
Mimi (mock gasp):
“Wow. Tragic. Someone call the emotion police.”
The crowd of watching students burst out laughing. Rishi scowled, but a tiny twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed him.
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🏠At Home (Funny Father Talk)
That evening, Mimi told her father about the partnership while he was chopping vegetables.
Mimi (dramatically):
“Dad, guess what! I’ve been forced into friendship.”
Father (mock serious):
“Oh no. Forced friendship? That’s worse than an arranged marriage.”
Mimi burst out laughing.
Mimi:
“Exactly! He’s grumpy, scary, and refuses to admit he enjoys my company.”
Father (teasing):
“Sounds like someone’s in love.”
Mimi threw a pillow at him.
Mimi (laughing):
“Dad!”
From the kitchen, her mother’s voice thundered:
Mother:
“What are you two laughing at? Mimi, go study!”
Both father and daughter rolled their eyes in unison.
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🌌 Final Scene of Episode 5
The day of their next rehearsal, Mimi and Rishi were the last two left in the classroom. She was scribbling jokes into the script, while he packed up silently.
Mimi (softly):
“You know… this is kind of fun. Having a partner. Having… you.”
Rishi paused, his back still turned.
Rishi (quietly):
“Don’t get used to it.”
Mimi leaned back in her chair, smiling to herself.
Mimi (whispering):
“Too late.”
The stage was set—not just for their performance, but for the kind of friendship that could never stay just friendship.
– Episode 5 Ends –
- Writer
