through thick and thin

Chapter 15

After finishing up their marshmallow break, Just when it felt like things might wind down, someone called out, "Let's play Chinese Telephone!"

Cheers followed, and everyone quickly formed a big, slightly lopsided circle.

The first question was whispered into a girl's ear: "What's your favorite movie?"

By the time it reached the last person, the answer came out loud and proud-
"My goat's name is Samosa!"

The group erupted.

"Oh my god, what?" Aaira doubled over, nearly falling off her log.

Aarav laughed so hard he had to clutch his stomach. "Who names their goat Samosa? That's genius!"

Next round. The starting phrase: "What's your dream vacation?"

The ending? "I love paneer in the swimming pool."

Aaryan just blinked. "Whoever said that-are you okay?"

Shrishti had tears in her eyes from laughing. "I swear this game should come with a health warning."

Rudra grinned beside her. "Laughter-induced injury is real."

Each round turned more ridiculous. Simple phrases twisted into complete nonsense. Someone tried to say "Starbucks" and it came out as "Stomach bugs."

But no one cared. They weren't strangers anymore-they were a chaos-loving, giggle-prone group bonded by night, fire, and complete nonsense.

When everyone thought the chaos couldn't escalate further, someone shouted, "Tongue twister round!"

Groans and laughter echoed through the camp.

"Nooo, I can't even say my own name properly when I'm tired," someone whined, already rubbing their jaw.

But of course, no one backed out.

The rules were simple: pick a tongue twister, say it three times fast. Mess up, and you're out. The last one standing wins... absolutely nothing. Just bragging rights and possible jaw cramps.

Aarav went first, puffing up dramatically. "Easy. Chandu ke chacha ne Chandu ki chachi ko chaandni chowk mein chandi ke chamach se chutney chatai."

He got through one and a half rounds before completely tripping over "chaandni."

Aaira was already grinning. "Haww... tu toh gaya!"

Aaryan smirked. "Let me try one. She sells sea shells by the sea shore."

"Arre English wala?" Rudra raised an eyebrow.

Aaryan nailed it twice before getting tangled in "shells by the sea shore" on the third attempt. "Ugh, it's the 'sh' sounds, man!"

Shrishti went next, confidently attempting, "Kaccha papad, pakka papad."

She made it sound like a rap beat.

Someone from another team even added background tabla beats by tapping on a log.

Then came Rudra with full dramatic flair: "Baarish mein bicycle, bicycle mein baarish!"

It made no sense, wasn't even a real tongue twister, but everyone clapped anyway.

"Papa just made that up!" Aarav yelled.

Rudra gave a mock bow. "Improvisation, beta. Learn from the master."

Just as the game seemed to be winding down, a college student from the back called out with dramatic flair,
"Time for a classic-Betty bought some butter!"