The next week, right in the middle of our rehearsals and practice sessions came up our model practical exams. I was devastated when they brought it up so suddenly.

Okay..it was not sudden. The time table had been put up on the noticeboard for the month.

But still!

They could have put it off until after the show. I was so frustrated! Especially since I'd never been too good at any practical exam.

But when the exams actually started I felt I needn't have worried so much. I easily managed to scrape through Physics on the first day.

We had Chemistry on the second day and I was slightly hopeful. If I managed to get a seat near Mishti, I could easily copy off her.

But unfortunately I was put along with Zoya and Reyansh. Mishti's condition was way worse. She was stuck with Aaliyah! But at least she knew the answers and didn't have to depend on anyone.

We were asked to prepare 250 ml of 0.1 M standard solution oxalic acid.

Whatever that means!

I looked at Zoya who shook her head sadly. Both of us looked at Reyansh hopefully. He had already started. He seemed to know his stuff. Ah, so that's why Mishti had liked him!

He had brought out his watch glass and was now weighing it. The whole setup looked so impressive that we hastened to imitate him.

Half an hour later, I came out of the lab, relieved. I had survived it! We had Biology the next day and no matter how well or worse I did, it would finally be over. And then, after that we wouldn't have to worry about those stupid practical exams until next term.

But some people seemed to think otherwise. And by some people I mean Mishti.

"I am not having anything", she groaned at lunch the next day. The exam was scheduled for the afternoon and she was clutching her textbook tightly as if it would run away if she loosened her grip, "I feel sick".

"Come on, at least have a glass of orange juice", I said.

Mishti slammed the book on the table "Are we on a picnic here?" she glared at me "The exam is in thirty minutes!"

"God! Mish this is not the first practical exam of your life! Coming to get the aloo parathas Zoya?"

Zoya looked at me warily. She was caught between me and Mishti.

"Uh. No I'll just have a glass of juice" she said unenthusiastically.

"Fine." I snapped "I am going to get those parathas and eat them right in front of you two. They have mushroom fry too, by the way."

Mishti looked up at me and shook her head in disbelief.

Half an hour later, we lined up outside the Biology lab. My stomach was full and though I hated to admit it, I was starting to wish, I had stuck with the orange juice too.

Before we went in, our Biology teacher gave us a prep talk.

"There is nothing as simple as dissecting animals. All you need are three D's - determination, differentiation and dissection.

Mishti was hastily hissing instructions to everybody who were bombarding her. Soon her name was called and she went into the lab. I and Zoya were stuck behind in the last row.

Mishti came out a few minutes later. "I think I did alright. Dissection was easy. Just don't forget to label the parts." she said hurriedly.

"We know" I snapped "Don't nag".

Ten minutes later, I was facing a table placed with a dissection rat. I felt sick just seeing that thing, dead in front of me. And I was supposed to cut it open and spread out its parts!

Just great!

I gulped. I was now badly wishing that I had at least skipped the mushroom fry.

Yet I needn't have worried. Inspite of the sick feeling in my stomach, I had gone as far as the rat's abdomen in a few minutes. Another one minute, and I had completed.

I didn't wait for a green signal. My insides were squirming now. I just grabbed my things, ran out of the lab and dashed to the bathroom and over to washbasin.

Every bit of the aloo parathas and the mushroom fry, I had had one hour ago came right back up. How long I stood there heaving, I don't know but I came out of the bathroom feeling much better.

But I was livid. Who on earth started this stupid dissection thing? I mean who wants to open up an ugly rat and see what's inside?!

"AHA! I told you not to eat too much", Mishti smirked at me during break when I told her and Zoya what had happened "But you just went and pigged out!".

I scowled at her. "I wouldn't have puked if it hadn't been for that stupid rat".

"Girlfriend the problem was not in the dissection, it was in the digestion!".

Zoya had the grace to be little more sympathetic.

"Forget it Ri. A lot of people found it tough. Only Mish here did it in two minutes..perfect dissection, desperation, divination..or whatever the hell that is. At least, it's over", she continued seriously, "Now we can focus on the show".

That evening when I returned home, mom told me that an important client was coming over for dinner with her son and all of us were going to pretend that we were a neat and normal, family. I was okay with it. She also asked me to dress up a bit ethnically and not come and sit at the table wearing my sweatshirt and shorts.

I agreed and picked out a green salwar kameez. I even tied my hair in a ponytail. God! Who was that stupid client?! It was more like they were coming to see if I was suitable to be a bride in their family.

I heard the door bell ring and mom ran out to open the door.

I stepped out of my room to see who it was.

I almost died!

It was Reyansh and his mom!

A/N : Hey guys. I really hope you liked this chapter. It was a bit of a break from the show scenario. If you liked it, please do leave me your valuable vote.

Thank you! Lots of love.