Episode : Let’s Be Friends
1398 Words
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🌸 Episode 6: Let’s Be Friends 🌸
The cultural fest rehearsals had turned Mimi and Rishi into the college’s hottest gossip. Everywhere they went, people whispered. Every laugh Mimi pulled out of him, every sigh he gave in return, was carefully noted and shared like breaking news.
Mimi, of course, thrived on it.
Rishi… tolerated it.
But behind the banter and bickering, something was shifting. Something even Rishi couldn’t ignore anymore.
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☀️ Morning Surprise
The next morning, Mimi stormed into class earlier than usual. Siya was already there, sipping coffee and scrolling through her notes.
Siya (surprised):
“You? Early? Is the world ending?”
Mimi (grinning):
“Nope. I just need to prepare for a very important mission today.”
Siya (suspicious):
“What mission?”
Mimi leaned close, lowering her voice dramatically.
Mimi:
“Operation ‘Let’s Be Friends.’ Today is the day I make Rishi admit we’re friends.”
Siya nearly choked on her coffee.
Siya:
“Are you out of your mind?! Do you want to get killed?”
Mimi (confidently):
“Relax. He won’t kill me. He… tolerates me. That’s practically friendship in his language.”
Before Siya could argue, the classroom door opened. Rishi walked in, as calm and unreadable as ever. His black jacket hung loosely on his shoulders, and his cold gaze swept the room.
Students hushed instantly.
Mimi’s lips curled.
Mimi (whispering to Siya):
“Target acquired.”
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📚 Step One: The Breakfast Trap
During the mid-morning break, Mimi intercepted Rishi in the hallway. He was heading toward the canteen, hands in his pockets, when she popped out of nowhere.
Mimi (cheerfully):
“Good morning, partner! Did you have breakfast?”
Rishi (frowning):
“…Why?”
Mimi:
“Because if you didn’t, you’re in luck. I brought extra sandwiches!”
She held out a foil-wrapped sandwich like it was a treasure.
Rishi stared at it, unimpressed.
Rishi:
“I don’t eat food from strangers.”
Mimi (mock offended):
“Stranger? Excuse me, we’ve been project partners for a week. That makes us at least… acquaintances.”
Rishi:
“…Acquaintances, not friends.”
Mimi gasped dramatically.
Mimi:
“So you admit we’re not strangers! Progress!”
Before he could reply, she shoved the sandwich into his hand and skipped away.
Rishi stared down at the foil, shaking his head. But later, when no one was watching, he unwrapped it and took a bite. And for the first time in years, he smiled while eating.
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🎭 Step Two: The Script Rehearsal
That afternoon, they sat in an empty classroom to rehearse their cultural fest skit. Mimi was sprawled across two chairs, while Rishi sat stiffly with the script in hand.
Mimi (pouting):
“Rishi, you read like a robot. Put some life into it!”
Rishi (dryly):
“Maybe the script is dead.”
Mimi:
“Nope. You’re just allergic to fun.”
She snatched the script from him and leapt onto the desk. Clearing her throat dramatically, she performed both their lines with exaggerated gestures and silly voices.
The classroom door opened, and two juniors peeked inside. They burst out laughing.
Junior 1:
“Wow, Mimi! You’re hilarious!”
Junior 2 (teasing):
“Rishi, you’re so lucky to have her as a partner!”
Rishi’s face darkened, and the juniors vanished in seconds.
Mimi (giggling):
“See? That’s friendship power. I entertain, you scare them away. Perfect team.”
Rishi pinched the bridge of his nose.
Rishi:
“Why do I feel like this partnership is slowly killing me?”
Mimi (sweetly):
“Because you’re falling for my charm.”
He shot her a look, but she just laughed harder.
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🍵 Step Three: The Tea Shop Incident
A few days later, Mimi dragged Siya and, reluctantly, Rishi to a small tea shop near campus.
Mimi (excited):
“Come on! This place has the best samosas. My treat.”
Rishi (flatly):
“I don’t do crowded places.”
Mimi:
“Perfect. Then you can sit in the corner like a brooding vampire while I eat everything.”
Rishi sighed but followed anyway.
Inside, the shop owner recognized Mimi immediately.
Owner (cheerfully):
“Ah, Mimi! Same order?”
Mimi:
“Yup! And bring extra tea for my… friend here.”
She pointed at Rishi. The word friend echoed like a bomb.
Rishi froze. Siya froze. Even the shop owner blinked.
Rishi (low, warning):
“Mimi…”
Mimi (innocent):
“What? Did I lie? We’re friends.”
Rishi leaned closer, his voice dangerously soft.
Rishi:
“I told you. We’re not—”
But before he could finish, the shop owner returned with steaming cups of tea.
Owner (smiling):
“You two make a nice pair of friends.”
Mimi grinned triumphantly. Rishi glared at his cup like it had betrayed him.
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🏠 Step Four: Family Trouble
That evening, Mimi’s father teased her again as they cooked together.
Father (teasing):
“So, how’s your ‘not-friend’ doing?”
Mimi (rolling her eyes):
“Dad! He’s stubborn. But don’t worry, I’ll break him.”
Father (laughing):
“You sound like a mafia boss yourself.”
From the kitchen, her mother barked:
Mother:
“Mimi! Less talking, more studying!”
Mimi whispered dramatically to her father:
Mimi:
“See? That’s where my enemy genes come from.”
They both laughed so hard, her mother threw a dish towel at them.
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🌙 Step Five: The Rooftop Moment
One evening after rehearsal, Mimi and Rishi left the college late. The sky was dark, stars faint above the city lights.
Mimi tugged his sleeve.
Mimi:
“Come with me. I want to show you something.”
Without waiting, she led him to the rooftop of the college building. From there, the whole city glittered below.
Mimi spread her arms wide.
Mimi (smiling):
“See? This is why I love this place. It makes me feel… free.”
Rishi stood silently beside her, his hands in his pockets.
Mimi (gently):
“You’re always carrying this… weight. But up here, doesn’t it feel lighter?”
He didn’t answer. But for the first time, Mimi saw his shoulders relax.
Mimi (softly):
“You don’t have to be the scary mafia boy all the time. With me, you can just… be Rishi.”
He turned to her, his eyes unreadable.
Rishi:
“You talk too much.”
Mimi (grinning):
“And you listen too much. Balance.”
For a long moment, they stood side by side, the silence between them softer than it had ever been.
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🌸 The Confession (Not That One)
The next day, Mimi cornered him near the parking lot.
Mimi (serious tone):
“Okay, enough games. We’ve been through sandwiches, scripts, samosas, and rooftops. Time to make it official.”
Rishi raised an eyebrow.
Rishi:
“Official?”
Mimi:
“Yes. Say it. Say we’re friends.”
He blinked at her like she’d lost her mind.
Rishi:
“…No.”
Mimi (crossing arms):
“Fine. Then I’ll just follow you everywhere until you admit it.”
And she did. For two whole days, Mimi shadowed him like a mischievous ghost—sitting next to him in class, walking beside him in the hall, even waiting outside the boys’ washroom.
Students whispered, laughed, and stared. Rishi’s patience wore thinner and thinner.
Finally, on the third day, he snapped.
Rishi (gritting his teeth):
“Fine. Fine! We’re friends. Happy now?”
Mimi’s face lit up like fireworks.
Mimi (beaming):
“Ecstatic!”
She threw her arms around him in a quick hug before he could react.
Rishi froze, stiff as a statue, while half the college gasped. Mimi pulled back, laughing.
Mimi:
“See? That wasn’t so hard.”
Rishi muttered under his breath:
Rishi:
“You’re impossible.”
But this time, his voice was softer. Almost… fond.
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🌌 Final Scene of Episode 6
That night, Rishi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. For years, he had pushed everyone away, convinced that closeness was dangerous. But now, one loud, silly girl had barged through his walls and refused to leave.
And worst of all? He didn’t hate it.
Meanwhile, Mimi sat on her balcony, swinging her legs happily. She whispered into the night:
Mimi:
“Mission complete. Rishi the Mafia Prince… is my friend.”
But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.
– Episode 6 Ends –
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- Writer
