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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 40 - Swap Swap

"Here. Take it."

Karan and Laksh looked up to Ragini holding two cans of coke. They thanked her and took the cokes gratefully. After all, they definitely deserved a treat after the big hurdle that they overcame. They can even proudly buy a T-shirt and write on it -

WE HELPED CUT SANSKAR'S HAIR AND SURVIVED IT.

Yep.

Indeed it was a glorious war, with them and Ansh on one side and Sanskar on the other, protecting his hair. Vivek could have helped, but the guy made an excuse and escaped from the place.

Karan made a mental note to hit him hard when he met him next time.

Saara and Kriti sat opposite to Karan and Laksh. They were trying their best to control their laughter and effortlessly failing at it.

Laksh had many scratches on his face, while Karan had a black eye. Their hands were filled with scratches and red marks. On top of that, both of their hair looked like they had let chickens nest there.

Seeing the girls looking at them with amusement, Karan and Laksh glared at them.

However, they looked more like they were whining and pouting, rather then giving death glares.

Saara and Kriti couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing, holding on to each other to keep upright.

"Arre.... Don't laugh girls. Please." Ragini tried to calm them down. However, it didn't have much effect, as Ragini herself was smiling at their condition. "Sorry. But it's too much. Hehe..."

"Hahaha... I still.... I still can't believe Sanskar alone did this to you two." Kriti spoke in between her laughter.

"Shut up Kriti." Laksh bit out. "You don't know how we managed to keep him still. Only when we tied his hands were we able to keep him in place."

"Sanky bhai doesn't even know how to fight. Yet, he alone managed to do a number on you two. How shameful for both of you!"

"Then you don't know your brother well. He sure knows how to hit. It's like his inner monster came out at that time. I got a black eye to prove it." Karan spoke, placing the cold can over his swollen eye.

"So? It's done?" asked Mr. Maheshwari as he  approached them.

Ragini was about to answer, when the door to Sanskar's room opened and Ansh came out, slamming back the door closed.

"But he's refusing to come out." Ansh huffed out in anger and sat down beside Karan and Laksh. He looked at their faces quizically. "What happened to both of you?"

"You didn't have to do much but cut his hair. It's me and Karan who got the brunt of his anger! It's not fair that you got out unscratched."

Ansh chuckled. "Poor Laksh. What will happen now? Swara might leave you now that your face has so many scratches. Better you borrow Saara's make-up. Same goes for you Karan."

"We shouldn't have tied Sanskar's hands. Then you would be the same as us." Karan bit out, glaring at Ansh.

"Why is he refusing to come out beta?"

"Don't worry dad. He's just being over dramatic over his lost hair." Ansh turned to look at Sanskar's door and shouted loudly."Man up and come out big bro. Be a man!"

"Shut up!" came the reply from inside the room. "I can't believe you did this to me! Are you even my brother? Even my enemy won't punish me this way!"

"Oh come on bhai! I'm sure the girls will still find you as handsome as always." Saara shouted back, trying to coax him to come out. "It doesn't matter if your hair is long or short."

"Saara's right. Besides, you used to look like a churail before. At least now you look human. Most importantly, like me, Ansh Maheshwari. You should feel blessed Sanskar."

The door slammed open and Sanskar stormed out. "Blessed? My foot!"

Seeing him, everyone, except Ansh, gasped.

(The new look on Sanskar 👆 )

Except for some curls on his hair, he looked exactly like Ansh.

"Saara. Pinch me please." Kriti spoke, still looking wide eyed at Sanskar.

"Me too." mimicked Ragini.

Saara just rolled her eyes and smacked both of their heads. "You all already knew they were twins. With same haircut, they are bound to look the same. Why is it such a shock now? It's something to be expected."

"Who said I needed a haircut!? We could have handled the situation even without sacrificing my hair. My poor, poor hair. What did it ever do to you?"

Ansh sighed in frustration. "I already explained it many times. We need to confuse our enemies so that they don't know who's who. That way, they will refrain from attacking you, since they wouldn't know if it's you or me."

"Then why didn't you become like me instead?!"

"I could cut your hair to make you like me. How do you expect me to grow my hair within a day to look like you?!"

"There's a thing called wig you know." Sanskar pointed out grumpily.

Ansh smirked. "True. But it wouldn't be as fun as seeing you scream over your lost hair."

Sanskar wanted to smack him hard. "I can't believe you are my blood. You are Evil! Evil! E-V-I-L!"

"Love you too brother."

Sanskar looked like he was about to explode. He felt like he could really strangle someone right then.

Someone namely his brother.

However, he felt someone come and hold his hand, breaking him from his tirade of mutinous thoughts.

"Sanskar, I think you look amazing." Ragini assured with a smile.

Sanskar scratched the back of his head with a shy look. "Really?"

"Yes, you do look like Ansh. But there is something still there that makes you...you."

"Um...thanks. You really like this look of mine?"

Ragini nodded. "You were handsome before. But now... Now you're downright sexy."

Sanskar turned red at her words. However, he coughed to hide it. Nevertheless, he couldn't hide the small smile that broke out on his lips.

Getting back to character, he looked up proudly. "You should feel lucky to be my girlfriend."

Ragini smiled. "Looks are a bonus, but it's the heart that matters for me. And you, Sanskar, have a heart of gold."

Sanskar smiled a genuine smile at her. "It's yours now."

Ragini blushed. "And mine is yours."

"I must have done something great to get you as my love Ragini." Sanskar spoke looking into her eyes.

In the background, he could hear Saara and Kriti making cute cooing noises at them. Ansh felt a bit uncomfortable seeing them together. But he was happy for them.

"Which you thought you could just sacrifice like it was nothing." Ragini suddenly pointed out, her anger returning remembering the earlier incidents.

Sanskar looked down in guilt. "I'm truly sorry about that Ragini. I didn't realize what I was giving up. I do now."

"Was I just a thing that you decided you could toss around just as you want? Who gave you the right to decide for my happiness!?"

"Its not that Ragini. I just thought that if you were with Ansh, then he would be happy and you would be safe. And since he looks like me, you would eventually be able to fall in love with him."

"Didn't you hear what I just said? Looks isn't my first priority. Did you think I'm that air headed that I would fall for looks, alone?!"

"Well, maybe."

"What!?" Ragini asked, pissed off.

"Oh he's dead. I bet Ragini will end up slapping him." Laksh whispered to Karan.

"Nah. I think Sanskar will be able to handle the situation. Bet of 100/-?" Karan whispered back.

"The bet is on."

Sanskar sighed. "No, it's not that I think you are an air head. But I did once. It's just that I thought it was my looks and fame that had attracted you an-"

Ragini turned to leave, but Sanskar held her back. "Ragini please let me finish."

"1 minute. That's all you get Sanskar." Ragini spoke while glaring at him.

"I thought that way first. But it was because that's how most of my fangirls are. But I realize now that it was just a stereotype. You love me for who I am and I know that you would continue loving me even if I don't have fame or my looks. I'm sorry it took me so long to understand you, but trust me Ragini, you are one of the best things that happened in my life."

Ragini blushed. 'I already know you understood now Sanskar. I just wanted to hear you say it.' she smiled at him. "Fine fine. It's good you realized soon. If you didn't, I was thinking of choosing Ansh just to spite you." Ragini joked.

In the background, Laksh miserably handed a 100 note to a smirking Karan.

"No way! You're mine." Sanskar argued, jealousy evident in his words. "Besides, I was always the better looking twin."

"With no brawns or brains." Ansh helpfully pointed out.

"Shut up Ansh!"

"Whatever! Before you guys make me gag with your lovey-dovey lines, can we get back to business and discuss what we are going to do next?"

"I agree with Karan." Laksh turned to Ansh. "We got you both looking the same. What now?"

"You all are forgetting one important detail. Although Ansh and Sanskar both look alike, your college details haven't been changed." Mr. Maheshwari pointed out. "Outside, it will work. But what about at college? We can't be sure that there isn't anyone from the college involved in all this. They would already know Sanskar as he's the rockstar and you're a Programmer. What if they decide to gang up on Sanskar inside the college somehow?"

"Can't we just hire security for Sanskar bhai?"

"No Saara beta. If we do that, they might go to the extent of using guns inside the campus. I don't want any student harmed."

Ansh thought for a moment. "Then we exchange. Sanskar will attend my classes, while I attend his. Th-" Sanskar's loud laugh made him pause to glare at him. "What's there to laugh?"

"Ansh, my knowledge of computer can be compared to the size of an ameoba. And as for you, even a frog would croak better than how you sing. Not to mention that our behaviour, way of talking, posture.... all are different. You really think the college won't find out?"

"We'll be there with you to help." Laksh stepped forward. "Any one of us would stay with both of you everytime to make sure you stay in character."

"He's right beta. I can also make some wireless ear pieces for Ansh and you. That way you both will be connected to each other and can instruct each other how to behave." Raj Maheshwari paused and looked at Saara. "I think I'll make three. One for you Saara. Only you will be able to stop them from arguing if they end up quarreling with each other."

Saara nodded with a chuckle. "Ai ai."

Kriti clapped her hands together to get their attention. "Alright then. The Fest is over and the college reopens in two days. Ansh and Sanskar can spend these two days together and try to become more like each other. Me and Vivek will alter the schedules of you both so that one among the rest of us is always around the both of you. Agreed?" seeing all of them nod, she continued. "And now that this is out of the way...I'm extremely hungry, so I'll be leaving with Ragini Di. Food calls. See y'all! And stick to the plan boys!" saying so, Kriti grabbed Ragini and headed out without waiting for their replies.

Ansh looked at the exit in disbelief. "Did...did she just talk like she was the boss and we were some little, notorious children? I can't believe she's patronizing us."

Karan sighed. "Don't mind her. You can't tame that girl. Trust me, I tried." He put on his glasses to hide his black eye(courtesy of Sanskar) and looked at the mirror. 'Ah! Handsome as always.'

"Alright boys. Make good use of these two days. Good luck."

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹