MaNan ff - L@nd of $weeties

4. Aftermath

Manik stood in the middle of the auditorium, trying to dust off his blazer, the remnants of the "great ping-pong disaster" still scattered around him.

Principal Rao, still gripping the microphone, looked like he was ready to explode. "MANIK MALHOTRA," he growled again, grinding his teeth so hard that even the front-row students could hear it.

Manik, not one to lose his cool, straightened up, tossed his hair back, and put on his best charming smile. "Well, sir, it's a fine morning indeed, isn't it?" He gave a dramatic gesture toward the shattered frames and fallen statue. "I was just... adding a little character to the decor. You know, school spirit and all."

Rao's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, his patience clearly hanging by a thread. But before he could say anything more, Mukti's voice cut through the tension, trying to salvage the situation—kind of.

"Nice save, prince charming. Real smooth," she muttered under her breath, stepping forward slightly and whispering loudly to Nandini, "I give him about five seconds before Rao sends him to detention for life."

Nandini, always the optimistic one, shook her head. "No way. He's Manik. He'll just flash that innocent smile of his, and boom! Free pass."

Meanwhile, Alya was busy inspecting her hair in her phone's reflection, groaning, "Forget Manik—how's my hair? The wind outside really did a number on it."

Navya, rolling her eyes, tapped Alya's phone out of her hand. "Priorities, woman! The ping-pong ball almost took your head off and you're worried about your hair?"

Alya shrugged, unfazed. "Well, if I'm going to get hit by flying sports equipment, I at least want to look fabulous."

Back with Manik:

Rao finally found his voice again, pulling the microphone closer. "Malhotra," he said slowly, as if trying to resist the urge to scream, "do you have any reasonable explanation for this... disaster?"

Manik's grin widened, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I do, actually! You see, sir, my bag got caught on the statue's sword—" He paused dramatically, "—and then the ping-pong ball, a very precious item I always carry, made a break for freedom. I swear, it has a mind of its own. Clearly, it has issues with authority." He gave the ball a fond look as if it were a beloved pet.

Cabir, unable to contain himself any longer, snorted from the back, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Classic Manik. He could sell snow to a snowman."

Abhi chuckled, whispering, "Or ping-pong balls to a principal."

But just then, Cabir's mischievous streak kicked in. He elbowed Abhi and whispered, "Wanna bet how long before Manik tries to charm his way out of this?"

Without missing a beat, Abhi grinned. "Oh, he's already trying. I give it two minutes before Rao loses it."

Nandini, overhearing their ridiculous commentary, sighed and whispered, "Can you two please take this seriously? Manik's about to get roasted alive."

Cabir flashed her a devilish grin. "Roasted? More like he's going to talk his way out while Rao spontaneously combusts."

Back at the stage:

Manik, who was still trying to maintain his "good boy" act, attempted another explanation, this time with more flair. "Sir, I really think this is all just a big misunderstanding. If you look closely, it was the statue that started it. It wasn't bolted down properly." He glanced at the fallen statue with an almost fond look. "And the ping-pong ball... well, let's just say it's a force of nature."

Rao, now visibly shaking with frustration, snapped, "ENOUGH!" He pointed to the door with all the finality of a judge giving a life sentence. "Out. Detention. NOW."

Manik, knowing he was cornered, put his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. You win this time, sir. But just for the record," he pointed to the fallen medal frame, "that's one less thing for the cleaners to worry about. You're welcome."

As Manik turned to walk out, Mukti, ever the instigator, couldn't resist. "Well, Manik, enjoy detention. Maybe you'll get to practice your 'falling statue' routine for next time."

He turned back and shot her a playful glare. "Careful, Mukti, or you might be the next 'falling statue' in my act."

Alya, still distracted by her appearance, called after him, "Text me the minute you're free! I need your opinion on this new lip gloss."

Manik gave her a thumbs-up as if the most natural thing in the world was to discuss makeup in the middle of a public humiliation.

Just as Manik was about to step out, Principal Rao's voice boomed once again. "Wait."

Everyone froze.

"And you lot," Rao said, glaring directly at Mukti, Nandini,Alya, Navya, Dhruv, Abhi, and Cabir, "do you think I'm blind? Or deaf?"

Mukti exchanged glances with the others, her smirk fading slightly. "Us, sir?"

"Yes, YOU," Rao snapped. "I heard your snickering, saw your faces, and I know you're all part of this. Do you really think I wouldn't notice you trying to sneak out?"

Dhruv tried to save the situation. "Sir, we weren't involved—"

Rao cut him off. "Oh, really? You're telling me the gang that's always together just happened to not be involved in this mess?" He raised an eyebrow. "Detention. All of you. No exceptions."

Cabir's jaw dropped. "What? No way! Sir, I was just an innocent bystander!"

Alya groaned, putting her hands to her head. "My hair cannot take more of this heat! This is injustice."

Navya shook her head in disbelief. "Detention? For what? Laughing?"

Rao gave her a cold smile. "For associating with troublemakers."

Abhi sighed, resigned to their fate. "Well, there goes my free afternoon."

Manik, now standing outside the door with an amused grin, leaned in and called out, "Welcome to the club, guys! Looks like I won't be lonely after all."

Cabir threw his hands up in defeat. "Of course. Of course, we all get dragged down with you."

Manik shrugged, still smirking. "You know what they say: 'Guilty by association.'"

The whole gang groaned as they followed Manik out, making their way toward the dreaded detention room.

As they walked down the hall, Mukti smacked Manik on the back of the head. "This is entirely your fault, you know."

Manik rubbed the back of his head, still grinning. "Come on, admit it—detention's going to be way more fun with all of us together."

Alya rolled her eyes. "Fun? You and I have very different definitions of 'fun,' Manik."

Cabir, always the comedian, threw his arm around Abhi's shoulders. "Well, we might as well make the best of it. I mean, how bad could it be?"

Navya snorted. "Famous last words."

Dhruv sighed dramatically. "I was supposed to go home and nap..."

Manik, ever the optimist, winked at Nandini. "Look at it this way: detention means more memories, and, well, sometimes the best memories are made from the worst mistakes."

Nandini couldn't help but smile. "You're impossible, Manik."

As they reached the detention room, Manik pushed open the door with a flourish. "Welcome, my friends, to the ultimate bonding experience!"

They all groaned, but as they filed in, laughter followed. Detention wasn't going to be so bad—not with the whole gang there to share it.