Ishq ka rishta💟

Chapter 12

As the eight of them emerged from the principal’s office, the air around them felt heavier than before. A collective groan escaped from their lips as the punishment was announced—cleaning the boys’ and girls’ washrooms on their floor.

“Kaha fass gaye yaar!” Ishika exclaimed, her hands firmly planted on her waist as she stood in front of the girls’ washroom. Her annoyance was almost palpable, her eyebrows knitted together as she glared at the task ahead.

“Chhod yaar, jaldi-jaldi ye sab saaf-safai karke nikal lete hai!” Aarushi chimed in, trying to pacify her friend while patting her shoulder. Her casual tone carried a hint of resignation as though this was just another obstacle in their eventful day.

But then Shanaya, standing a little apart, scrunched her nose in utter disgust. “Yuck! Kitni gandi smell aa rahi hai, yaar! Chiii!” she groaned, waving her hand in front of her face like she was trying to chase away the invisible stench. Her face contorted, making her look like she had just smelled something straight out of a horror movie.

Prachi, ever the grammar police, corrected her with a smirk, “Mehak nahi, usse basana kehte hai.” Her sarcasm was met with a unified roll of eyes from the other three, their exasperation evident.

Ishika, ever the leader of their little group, clapped her hands together to bring some order. “Okay, girls! Masks pehno, gloves lagao, aur start karo mission washroom cleaning!” Her commanding tone left no room for argument as she distributed the supplies.

She took a moment to plan their strategy, her fingers pointing like a general assigning her soldiers. “Shanaya, tu wiper leke floor saaf kar. Aarushi, basin saaf kar stool ke saath. Prachi, tu floor pe pani daalna aur end me spray karna. Aur main mirror saaf karti hoon. Chalo, shuru ho jao!”

With their tasks assigned, they got to work, but not without grumbles. Aarushi, crouched over the basin with a towel in her hand, let out an exaggerated sigh. “Yaar, thoda hype hota toh kaam jaldi hota. Itna boring lag raha hai!” Her complaint echoed in the humid washroom, her voice tinged with mischief.

Shanaya, already armed with the wiper, looked over her shoulder and smirked. “Ruk, yeh dekh!” From her pocket, she produced her phone, the sleek device gleaming like a beacon of rebellion.

Ishika’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Abey, yeh kahan se laaye re suar?” Her expression was a mixture of shock and mock anger, hands flying to her hips as she stared at Shanaya like she’d committed the ultimate sin.

Shanaya shrugged nonchalantly, “Woh tu chhod!” Her carefree attitude only made Ishika’s jaw drop further.

Prachi’s eyes darted around nervously. “Abey, koi pakad liya toh? Seedha school se bahar fek denge humein!” she hissed, her voice dropping to a whisper like she was already imagining the principal’s wrath.

But Shanaya waved her off like a pro criminal dismissing amateur concerns. “Relax, BBG! School ki chhutti ho gayi hai, principal madam office mein busy hain, aur teachers staffroom mein hain. Koi nahi pakdega. Chill!”

Aarushi, ever the hype machine, nodded enthusiastically. “Haan, relax yaar! Chal, ‘Chunari Chunari’ bajaa na, Shanaya!” Her mischievous grin spread across her face, her hands already moving rhythmically as if the music was playing in her head.

Shanaya’s smirk deepened as she searched her playlist. “Ha, ek minute ruk!” she said, her fingers expertly navigating her phone.

Prachi’s face turned beet red with a mix of fear and irritation. “Abey, sathiya gaye ho kya? Agar koi dekh lega toh band baj jayegi!” she muttered, her eyes darting toward the washroom door. Ishika nodded in agreement, her lips pressed into a tight line as if weighing the risks.