Jaadu

6. Unicorns and Pizzas

The soft notes of Jivaan's flute drifted through the chilly air, blending with the crackling sound of the fire. The music had a calming effect, almost hypnotic. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the melody wash over me. My body swayed gently in time with the rhythm, the shawl wrapped snugly around me, offering the only warmth in the cooling night.

Manika, nestled in her blanket, watched Jivaan with a quiet smile. She looked so relaxed, so at ease, a stark contrast to the unease I still felt deep within. But as I listened to the flute, something about the simple beauty of the moment calmed me, even if only a little.

I let my thoughts drift as the music continued, wondering how long this peaceful feeling would last before the world outside this firelight came crashing back in.

As the music flowed through the air, I turned to Manika with a mischievous grin.

"Hey," I whispered, trying to hold back a laugh. "Do you think Jivaan secretly wants to be a wizard? Like, he could totally play a magical tune and summon some ancient beast to do his bidding. Maybe a dragon? Or, I don't know, a really sassy unicorn?"

Manika blinked at me for a moment, her face completely straight. "If he summons a unicorn, I'm asking it for a ride. But only if it promises to never judge me for eating half a cake alone at midnight."

I burst into laughter, practically rolling off the bench. "Oh my God, Manika, that's it! That's the dream. A unicorn that doesn't judge your late-night cake binges. Can you imagine the kind of judgment-free zone that would be?"

She tilted her head, a look of deep contemplation on her face. "Honestly, I'd pay top dollar for a unicorn that doesn't look at me like I'm a monster for finishing off an entire pizza by myself. Like, just mind your business, right?"

I couldn't contain myself anymore. I was on the ground, rolling with laughter, clutching my stomach. "You're telling me... you're telling me a unicorn would be your personal therapist?! 'Hey, I ate an entire pizza and a half gallon of ice cream.' And the unicorn just nods like, 'Yeah, I get it. No judgment here.'"

Manika doubled over, her face contorting with laughter. "Exactly! It'd be like, 'Oh yeah, I feel that. I once ate an entire bucket of fried chicken by myself and didn't feel bad about it at all.'"

I gasped for air between fits of laughter. "Manika, if this unicorn exists, it's going straight on my Christmas list. Along with a lifetime supply of chocolate and an unlimited Spotify subscription for when I need my 'mood music' while I eat a week's worth of junk food."

"Oh, don't forget the yoga mat for when we're both too full to move," she said, wiping away tears from laughing so hard. "We'll just lay there, slowly digesting while the unicorn gives us life advice. 'Listen, guys, don't stress about it. It's okay to be one with your food.'"

I was practically choking on my own laughter at this point. "Manika, I swear, if this is how we're spending our night, we might just have to stay here forever. No need for college. Just me, you, and our judgment-free unicorn therapist. It's the life we deserve."

Manika finally took a deep breath, still giggling. "Yeah, I can already see it. We'll be the most successful, satisfied people alive, just lying on our yoga mats, eating pizza and ice cream, while our unicorn gives us life lessons on how to embrace the beauty of gluttony."

I wiped my eyes, still laughing. "I think we've cracked the code, Manika. Who needs life advice from a person when you can have a unicorn?"

"Dr. Rice."

I paused and looked at her, "oh for sure, he's the OG."

She nodded solemnly, though the smile on her face betrayed her. "Exactly. A unicorn and Dr. Rice is everything we need in life, and more."