STRINGS and STANDOFFS

2: Plot Twist - Same College, Same Chaos

#I hate you so much, I could write a whole essay on why you should not exist in my orbit... but I'm too busy trying to survive the next 10 minutes with you.

Playlist:

"Bad Blood" – Taylor Swift

"Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe" – Dil Chahta Hai

"I'm Not The Only One" – Sam Smith

"Dil Dhadakne Do" – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

"Heathens" – Twenty One Pilots

"Take The Power Back" – Rage Against The Machine

*

The sun's barely up, but Radha's room is already buzzing with energy. Rishi and Kavya arrive outside in Rishi's car, honking loudly. Kavya rolls down her window, grinning like a maniac.

"Radha! Hurry up! ", Rishi yells cheerfully.

Inside, Radha's voice rings out from her room, still getting ready.

"Can't hear you over the sound of my beauty sleep, Rishi. You'll have to wait!"

Rishi and Kavya exchange glances, smiling. It's always a show with Radha.

"I bet she's still fighting with her closet. I've never seen someone debate over outfits as much as she does."Kavya rolls her eyes playfully.

"She's probably deciding whether to slay the universe or break its heart. Give her time."Rishi grins.

"True, true. A legend in the making."

Meanwhile, Radha walks into the living room where her parents are. Her mother, Ruchi Deshpande, is tidying up, while her dad, Shalva Deshpande, is lounging with his morning coffee.

"Alright, folks, I'm about to head off to conquer the world ,wish me luck!"

"Oh, look at you, already acting like you're some big deal. Are you sure you don't need a chauffeur?", Shalva teases as he hugs her and places a kiss on her forehead.

"Baba, I'm not some helpless child. I just... can't drive yet. It's called being responsible, unlike some people I know who skip traffic lights like it's a sport." Radha says,sassy as ever

Her father chuckles, clearly enjoying her sass.

"Have fun, beta. Make sure you don't break anyone's heart or your GPA." Ruchi says warmly,her eyes showing lot of worry in them.

"Don't worry, Ma."

*

Rishi was behind the wheel, flashing that sunbeam grin of his. He waved with both hands, despite having no business letting go of the steering wheel. Kavya leaned over the passenger seat window, sunglasses perched dramatically over her head like she was being papped outside YRF studios.

"Come on, juvenile," Kavya called. "We don't have all day."

Radha sighed dramatically and turned to her parents, who were standing by the door like it was her vidai.

"Are you sure you don't want to follow me with a dhol-tasha?" she quipped.

Shalva chuckled, hugging her tightly. "You'll always be our little girl, Radha. Go make the Deshpandes proud."

"Just not in the crime section of the newspaper," added Ruchi Deshpande, kissing her forehead. "Eat something before you say anything mean to anyone."

"Then I'll be mute all day," Radha muttered, slipping into her shoes.