-prologue-

There was a nostalgic wave and a cozy vibe on that particular evening. The buttery smell of popcorn filled the room and three dorky teens, Aahan, Chandrajit and Sakshi, were in the kitchen preparing snacks. The house was filled with chaos and chatter.

"Alright guys, get into one place, imma take the picture" Aahan's mom said in a sweet manner.

She took the camera and stood in front of them. "Ready?"

Aahan wrapped his hands around Chandrajit's shoulder and held the 'v' sign above Sakshi's head. Then he gave the his goofy crooked teeth grin and faced the camera.

"Aahan stop that!" His mother shouted.

"Okay okay.. I'm not doing it."

"It's okay aunty, you really can't exoect much from a Neanderthal, can you? If he had the ability to think, he would've clicked the picture already. But oh well." Sakshi taunted with a calm yet sharp tone.

Chandrajit pressed his lips into a line, trying not to laugh while Aahan was left speechless.

"Let's click the picture aunty" she said with a sweet smile like she didn't just break the ego of an 16 year old teen just now.

Chandrajit tried very hard not to laugh but eventually he did and covered it up with coughs even though it was obvious he was laughing.

"Hey what'chu laughing at??!" Aahan pulled him close in a way he thought was threatening.

"Nothing nothing I was just coughing"

"Main kya idhar chutiya dikh raha hu?"

"AAHAN LANGUAGE!" Aahan mother shouted at Aahan.

"Neanderthal actually, if you know what that means." Chandrajit teased even more.

"Teri toh..!"

Aahan started chasing Chandrajit inside the kitchen like a cat would chase a rat. While Sakshi stood in the corner, leaning against the wall, enjoying the chase.

Suddenly she felt something creeping on her leg. A shiver ran down her spine. She looked down to see what's creeping on her feet.

And to her horror, it was a cockroach.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH THERE'S A COCKROACH!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs and swatted the bug away from her feet.

"COCKROACH? WHERE?" Aahan shrieked and jump onto Chandrajit, holding him tight. Aahan hated bugs, especially cockroaches.

But a certain boy felt tinge of butterflies when the other jumped onto his arms.

"Am I in heaven?" Chandrajit murmured to himself.

"NO CHANDU YOU CANT GO THERE YET!!"

"EEEEEE ITS FLYING!!!!!" Sakshi shrieked.

"WHAT?!?!"

"OH FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GET IN ONE PLACE!!!" Aahan's mother shouted at them but they were too busy running away from the bug.

"AHHH ITS COMING TOWARD ME!! ITS COMING TOWARD ME!!!"

"Us, you mean." Chandrajit said with a dead pan expression. He crushed the cockroach under his slipper and swatted it away with his legs.

"Now are you planning to get down or stay in my arms, not that I complain" Chandrajit teased Aahan while secretly hoping that he is going to stay there forever even though it's not possible.

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting down." Aahan said, a bit embarrassed.

Aahan's mother sighed. These kids are crazy. May lord give her patience cause if they give her strength she is going to need bail money.

"Are you guys done?" She said, her expression dead serious.

Everybody stiffened and came into one place.

"Ready? Class 10 batch 2016, say cheese~"

"CHEESEE" The trio said in union and much triumph. After all they have just given one of the most important exams of their lives, 10th boards. The trio planned to hangout at Aahan's place to celebrate their hard work.

The camera flashed and they took their goofy poses, enjoying the little photo shoot session.

"Hey guys do you smell that?" Chandrajit asked.

The smell of something burning filled the kitchen walls, a black smoke could be seen coming out the pot which was siting over the stove for God knows how long. The trio looked behind them.

"OUR POPCORN NOOOOOOOOO" Aahan cried put dramatically.

"HOLY SHI— TURN OFF THE GAS" Sakshi said as she tried to look for heat resistant glove or kitchen towel.

Aahan's mother put off the fire while Sakshi took the pot aside. When the pot lid was opened all they could see is smoke and black ashes.

Well, their popcorn got burned.

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