Layers of Us

Chapter 105: Stuck Between a Hard Place 😈

Next Morning

Tripura was at her clinic, deep in discussion with Ireen about a new case.

The two of them were going over therapy strategies — debating session frequency, emotional triggers, and the best approach to move forward.

Everything was calm and clinical…
Until —
The door slammed open.

In marched Bhoomi — red faced, huffing like an active volcano ready to erupt.

Tripura and Ireen both froze mid sentence, eyes darting toward the dramatic entrance.

Tripura blinked. “Bhoomi? What happened?”

Bhoomi didn’t answer right away.

She marched up to the table, voice firm, “Maa, can I borrow your lawyer?”

That earned her a very confused look — from both Tripura and Ireen.

Tripura frowned, trying to process. “Lawyer? Why, baby? What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“No maa,” Bhoomi snapped, hands on her hips, “I am not okay! I have been mentally harassed by your junior doctor!”

Tripura blinked again, this time more confused than concerned. “Wait… what?”

Bhoomi huffed, “I want to file a mental harassment case on Merwin!”

Tripura raised a brow, completely lost now. “Bhoomi, what are you saying!? What happened?”

Instead of answering, Bhoomi dramatically placed a medium sized velvet box she’d been clutching till now, onto the table and gestured toward it.
“Open this, maa. Then you’ll understand.”

Tripura exchanged a puzzled glance with Ireen, who just nodded, silently urging her to go ahead.

So Tripura cautiously reached out, opening the box.

And instantly — POOF!

Two mini barbie dolls — one male and one female — popped out, sprinkling tiny heart shaped paper confetti all over the desk.

Tripura instinctively leaned back, a surprised gasp leaving her mouth, while Ireen covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

The dolls were dressed very specifically — the girl barbie in a red bridal lehenga, complete with matching jewelry, and the boy barbie in a cream sherwani, looking like a perfect dulha.

But before either woman could say anything, the true chaos began.

From the box, a song started playing. Loudly. And painfully off-key.

🎶 “Red Dupatta… tan ta na na na na…
Red dupatta fly ho gaya re mera air ke jhonke se…
Mujhko piya ne watch kar liya… haaye re cheating se…
Maana ki mera heart lega woh, magar apna heart dega woh...” 🎶

Tripura froze, halfway between horror and hysterics, while Bhoomi dramatically threw her hands in the air, frustrated.

As the dolls gently swayed to the tinny tune, a tiny ring popped out, attached to a sticky note that said in bold letters:

“Marry Me.”

For a few seconds, there was only stunned silence.

Then —

Tripura looked at Ireen.
Ireen looked at Tripura.

And in perfect sync, both of them burst out laughing.