chapter 2

The Next Day...

Maya and her grandmother went to the college to complete her admission.

After what felt like signing enough papers to buy the entire college, the admission process was finally over.

Grandma let out a tired sigh.

Maya immediately noticed.

Maya:

"Grandma, wait here. You look exhausted. I'll get you some coconut water."

Grandma:

"Okay, dear."

Maya walked to the nearby coconut stall.

And there he was...

The same six-foot electricity pole from yesterday.

Again.

Only his back was visible.

Maya looked at the sky.

"Dear God... Is this village made only for him?"

She pretended not to notice him.

Maya:

"Anna, two coconuts, please."

The shopkeeper nodded, cut two fresh coconuts, and placed them on the counter.

Maya happily stretched her hand.

Mission: Coconut.

Target: Locked.

Just as her fingers were about to touch it...

A familiar giant hand appeared from nowhere.

Snatch!

The coconuts were gone.

Maya slowly turned her head.

Him.

Again.

She closed her eyes.

"Not again... Please tell me this is a nightmare."

Akshay, completely busy talking on his phone, picked up the coconuts without even noticing her.

Maya's left eye twitched.

*"Yesterday... shampoo."

*"Today... coconut."

"Tomorrow... is this man going to steal the air I breathe?"

Her patience officially submitted its resignation letter.

Without saying a word, she reached forward and tried to pull one coconut from his hand.

Only then did Akshay look down.

His eyes landed on a tiny girl who looked like a strong breeze could carry her away...

...yet she was fiercely trying to steal his coconut.

He blinked.

She blinked.

The coconut stood silently between them, wondering whose side it should take.

Akshay looked down at the tiny girl who was still trying to pull the coconut from his hand.

He frowned.

Akshay:

"Excuse me... what are you doing?"

Maya looked up.

...and up.

...and up.

"Why is this man built like a coconut tree?" she thought.

Without letting go of the coconut, she replied,

Maya:

"I'm taking what's mine."

Akshay looked at the coconut.

Then at her.

Then at the coconut again.

Akshay:

"Your... coconut?"

Maya:

"Yes."

Akshay:

"I paid for it."

Maya:

"You stole it before paying!"

The shopkeeper quietly watched the scene.

"Today's business is better than watching TV."

Akshay sighed.

Akshay:

"I didn't steal it."

Maya:

"Yesterday you stole my shampoo."

Akshay blinked.

Maya:

"Today you stole my coconut."

She narrowed her eyes.

Maya:

"Tomorrow what? My lunch?"

The shopkeeper couldn't hold it anymore.

He burst out laughing.

Akshay finally looked at the shopkeeper.

Akshay:

"Anna... what is she talking about?"

The shopkeeper scratched his head.....as he was the next door shop owner.....

Shopkeeper:

"Sir... actually... yesterday the last shampoo was for this girl."

Akshay paused for a second.

"Oh..."

He looked back at Maya.

She stood there with both hands on her waist, trying to look intimidating.

Unfortunately...

At five feet tall...

She looked more like an angry school kid than a dangerous villain.

Akshay almost smiled.

Almost.

Akshay:

"So you've been angry with me... over shampoo?"

Maya:

"It started with the shampoo."

She pointed dramatically at the coconut.

Maya:

"Now it's personal."

The shopkeeper laughed so hard he almost dropped his knife.

Akshay let out a small sigh and handed one coconut to Maya.

She grabbed it immediately.

Maya:

"Hmph."

She turned around proudly.

Then suddenly stopped.

She turned back.

Akshay thought she was going to apologize.

Instead...

She pointed at him.

Maya:

"By the way..."

Akshay raised an eyebrow.

Maya:

"If we meet tomorrow..."

He waited.

Maya:

"...don't touch anything I'm buying."

With that, she marched away like a victorious queen.

Akshay watched her leave.

After a few seconds...

He looked at the shopkeeper.

Akshay:

"Is she always like this?"

The shopkeeper grinned.

Shopkeeper:

"Sir... she hasn't even been in the village for 24 hours."

Akshay sighed.

"...I'm already tired."

Little did he know...

This was only Episode 2 of "The Great Shampoo and Coconut War."

Maya walked back to her grandmother with the coconut held proudly in her hand.

She handed one to her grandmother with a bright smile.

Maya:

"Here, Grandma."

Grandma:

"Thank you, dear."

The two of them started drinking their coconut water.

Maya took a long sip...

Then secretly peeked in Akshay's direction.

He had already gone.

She smiled to herself.

"Hmph... He must have been scared after seeing my anger."

She took another proud sip.

"Yes... definitely scared."

In reality...

Akshay hadn't even realized she was trying to frighten him.

But Maya's imagination had already promoted herself to 'Village Rowdy No. 1.'

She sat there drinking her coconut water with the expression of someone who had just defeated the final boss in a video game.

Meanwhile...

Her grandmother quietly watched her.

Grandma:

"Why are you smiling at the coconut?"

Maya blinked.

Maya:

"Nothing, Grandma."

"Operation: Scare the Coconut Thief..."

"Mission Successful."

...At least according to Maya.

_________

After finishing the coconut water, Maya proudly threw the empty shell into the bin.

She dusted her hands dramatically.

"One battle... one victory."

Her grandmother looked at her suspiciously.

Grandma:

"Why are you smiling like you won an election?"

Maya quickly shook her head.

Maya:

"Nothing, Grandma."

Grandma:

"Hmm..."

Grandma didn't believe her for even one second.

The two of them started walking toward the college gate.

Suddenly...

A strong breeze blew past.

Maya's already stubborn wavy hair flew in every direction.

One lock of hair landed right on her face.

She blew it away.

It came back.

She blew it again.

It came back again.

Maya:

"Even my own hair doesn't respect me."

Grandma chuckled.

Just then...

A familiar voice came from behind.

Akshay:

"Excuse me."

Maya froze.

"No... not again."

She slowly turned around.

There he was.

Standing with his usual calm expression.

Maya immediately hid her shopping bag behind her.

"No. This time you're not stealing anything."

Akshay looked confused.

His eyes moved from her face...

...to the bag she was hiding...

...and back to her face.

Akshay:

"I was just going to ask if this is your admission file."

He held up a file.

Maya looked down.

Her hands were empty.

She looked at the file.

Then at her grandmother.

Then back at Akshay.

She had left it at the coconut stall.

For three whole seconds...

Silence.

Maya slowly took the file.

Maya:

"...Thank you."

Akshay simply nodded and walked away.

Grandma smiled.

Grandma:

"See? He's a nice boy."

Maya immediately frowned.

Maya:

"Nice? Grandma, yesterday he kidnapped my shampoo."

"Today he kidnapped my coconut."

"I don't trust him."

Grandma laughed so hard she had to hold Maya's shoulder.

Somewhere ahead...

Akshay unknowingly sneezed.

He looked around.

"Why do I suddenly feel like someone is accusing me of a crime?"

Little did he know...

In Maya's court...

He had already been sentenced to life imprisonment...

For stealing a shampoo bottle and one coconut.

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