Trinkets

thirty-two

˗ˏˋ dim lights and muted fireworks  'ˎ˗

➷

Mahika is sitting cross-legged on the carpet, mindlessly scrolling through the list of shows on her laptop to find something new to watch now that they've decided that Guardian isn't going to be worth it almost immediately after starting the second episode.

Keerti was probably the most passionate about her blatant dislike, if throwing popcorn at the screen and repeating 'cradle snatcher' every three minutes was any indication on her part.

"I'm telling you we should watch Okja —"

"Absolutely not," Sakshi interrupts Keerti mid-sentence, snatching the bowl of popcorn from her and sticking out her tongue when Keerti tries to bat her away. "We're watching something lighthearted. The last time we took a suggestion from you, I had a headache that lasted like, two days from how hard I cried."

"You cry over everything!" Keerti retaliates, throwing the couch pillow at her that Sakshi just catches and puts behind herself.

Mahika turns to pin Keerti with a 'You Can't Be Serious' look. "You made us watch The Book of Henry."

Keerti leans against the backrest with her arms folded across her chest. "Your point?"

"We value our sanity," Mahika retorts, before turning back to the screen and reluctantly adding, "Well, some days, at least."

Amoli, who was silently watching the interaction with an amused lilt to her lips beside Mahika, leans close to ask, "Is there something wrong with those movies?"

"Not at all," Mahika says through a huff of laughter. "They're great but also just... really sad? Keerti watches the saddest stuff."

"And ropes us into it," Sakshi grumbles, kicking Keerti's thigh with a socked foot before directing her attention to Amoli. "Amo, tell us your comfort movie."

"Um." Amoli scratches her cheek self-consciously, probably a bit surprised at being put on the spot like this. "I have a few? Uh..."

"Don't be shy," Keerti says, pointing a thumb at Sakshi and lowering her voice like what she says next is a secret. "Her favorite movie is Set It Up. So Sak is the only person we judge here."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

Mahika clicks her tongue. "I liked that movie. I don't know what you're on about."

"Ha!" Sakshi smacks her palm against her knee and points a finger in Keerti's face. "Apologize."

"I'm sorry you have no taste," Keerti deadpans and gets kicked again. She doesn't react to it, instead raising her eyebrows at Amoli in encouragement. "So?"

Amoli glances at Mahika for a split second, but it's somehow enough time for Mahika to immediately read the 'help me' in her gaze. "Pride & Prejudice, maybe," Amoli says eventually, and Mahika rolls her eyes when she sees Keerti sit up straighter.