Hues Of Dusk

Chapter 22. Nice joke

"All the best everyone! You have our best wishes with you," Dean told us and we all nodded our heads. Finally, the D day was here. We were leaving for the science competition and I could feel the weight of everyone's expectations on my shoulders.

"Get on the bus. We will leave in ten minutes. If anyone has to go to washroom, go now," Mayank announced and we all ran to relieve ourselves. We had been standing for nearly one hour listening to Dean's lecture.

We got on the bus and I called up mom. She told me to be safe and do my best. Throughout the ride, Mayank gave us motivational speeches and even made a war cry.

"You are overdoing this. Just sit down and let us rest too," I complained and he gave me a hurt look. I rolled my eyes. He was really exaggerating this whole competition thing. What will happen if we didn't win? We could always try later. But, no. Mayank was determined that we would win this as if his life depended on it.

"Are you realising the seriousness of the matter here?"he asked and I shook my head.

"Please explain then, O'mighty one."

"I got my reputation on line. You understand? My reputation. If we don't win this, dad is going to be so disappointed in me. It's the first time he had given me such a big responsibility and I ain't going to let him hold it against me."

"Since when do you care about what Dean thought?"

He narrowed his eyes at me and mumbled something under his breath. Did I hear that right?

"You are getting married?!" I gasped.

His eyes widened and he told me to keep my voice low. He looked at other occupants of the bus and noticed no one heard me. Was he serious?

"My dad has threatened that if I won't get my act together, he will marry me off. He has even began searching for a bride. Can you believe it? Me and marriage?" He sighed and I giggled.

"I don't want to do it so early. I am just 20. I am not even of legal age to get married. I still have my whole life ahead me and I am not going to waste it like that. Even if I ran away, he will find me out and get me married forcefully."

"The big guy is afraid of marriage. Interesting. Don't forget to invite me. I am always up for the free food."

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" He slumped in his seat.

"Of course I am. But don't worry we will win this," I said and he smiled at me.

"Atleast I can do that much to save the poor girl who would have to get married to you if we didn't."

"Yeah right. Wait! What did you say?!"

I laughed loudly and he smacked behind my head. I continued laughing and others asked what was the joke.

"Mayank is getting married," I announced and they also began laughing. Mayank looked at me in horror and I asked others what they thought about it.

"Nice joke Sandhya," everyone said and I went into a laughing fit. Even they couldn't believe it. Mayank sighed in relief and began chuckling himself. Rest of the ride went smoothly with me making fun of him.

"We are here. Everyone follow me," Mayank commanded as we got down the bus. This time I did as he said. We all reached a hotel and the manager gave us the keys to our respective rooms.

Boys got three rooms and girls got two. Why did they get three? Oh right. Mayank booked one room for only himself. Lucky him. I had to share it with one of my team members and she liked to chat, a lot. Even more than Surbhi.