Chapter 9

It's been exactly 17 days since Shrey and Shrithik started living with Sameera.

This 18th day was not much different from any other seventeen day. Their day started with their usual morning bickering and laughter filled breakfast. But there was something different. That was hiccups.

Sameera was having hiccups from the moment she woke up. Non stop.

"Drink water, Sameera."

"Dr --hiccup--ank. Drank."

She said sitting in a corner.

"Where is Mr.Doctor? He should know something."

Shrey asked slightly irritated by the sound of her hiccups.

"Sleeping --hiccup--."

"Sleeping?"

He asked throwing his hands in air.

"Why is he sleeping. This is not the time to sleep."

Sameera rolled her eyes. How will she know why is he sleeping?

"You can go, Shrey. I'll be okay--hiccup--."

Shrey look at her and sighed.

"Are you sure? I can stay longer if you need. There is no problem."

Sameera smiled assuringly.

"Yeah. You can go. I'll be fine."

"Fine. I am leaving. Be okay. And call me if you want anything or that idiot doesn't wake up okay?"

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

Shrey smiled at her and made his way to the shop he worked on. Sameera waited for more half hour, hiccuping, then decided to go to her classes. She cannot miss just because of simple hiccups.

She got up and made her way to Shrithik's room. Slowly opening the door she peeked inside. Shrey was sleeping on his stomach, snoring lightly. She made her way towards him. Shaking him slightly she said

"Old man, old man. --hiccup--Get up old man."

He hummed but didn't wake.

Once again she said softly, but again no response.

"Shrithik!"

She yelled a little louder causing him to lift his head and open his eyes, starteled. Through his one eye open he looked at her and asked

"Why are you shouting, sweetheart. I'm not on Mars."

His voice was hoarse from sleeping. Sexy.

"I just wanted to--hiccup--tell you that -- I am going. I'll lock the --hiccup-- door. You have the key."

He nodded and pushed his face in the pillow.

She sighed but it came out as hiccup, and made her way to her college locking her apartment door.

Her hiccups' loudness was medium. Not small or timid. Not very loud either, just medium.

She made her way to her Chemistry class which she shared with Raj.

Hiccuping she made her way to her desk, behind Raj's.

He looked at her, worried.

"You okay?"

She nodded.

"Yeah just --hiccup-- just hiccups."

He took out his water bottle and handed it to her.

"Drink water. I'll help."

She nodded and once again drank water. Hiccuping in between. But they didn't stop.

"Okay, so from how much time are you um hiccuping?"

She lifted her index finger.

"One hour?"

She nodded and he surpressed his laugh.

"Okay, so it's been a long time. It'll stop soon."

Saying this he turned around as professor came. Her hiccups'were the only thing beside the lecturer's voice in the silent classroom.

After getting fed up off it her professor sighed.

"Sameera, drink water, child. It'll stop."

She scrunched her nose. She's been drinking water but it did absolutely nothing. Instead, she has to go to washroom every 45 minutes.

But she nodded and took a small, tiny sip. Only to show him and not be rude.

But it didn't help.

After her chemistry class she made her way to cafeteria with Raj. Her stomach had started aching because of so much hiccuping.

Everybody, including Pihu and Shrey sat there. She sat down and sighed. She was tired now.

"Hiii."

Pihu beamed and she smiled tiredly and hiccuped. Shrey was itching to ask that whether her hiccups have still not stopped or once again started. But he restrained himself.

Pihu noticed this and said

"You look tired, Sameera. What happened."

"She's been hiccuping for straight 2 and half hours. Non stop."

Raj replied and everybody's eyes widened.

"Oh my god. That's a long time."

Shrishti exclaimed and opened her water bottle. Handing it to her.

"Here, drink it."

Sameera banged her head on the table.

"It's --hiccup-- useless. I have to go --hiccup-- washroom every 45 minu --hiccup-- minutes."

Shrishti sighed and then her eyes lit up.

She immediately went to the canteen and brought a little honey.

Taking one spoonful of it she placed it near Sameera's mouth.

"Eat this, it will surely help."

Sameera sighed and ate it. For a minute or two her hiccups stopped. Everybody cheered but there hapiness was shot lived because she started hiccuping again.

They groaned, then Pihu came up with an Idea. She questioned

"Have you tried peanut butter?"

Sameera shook her head in no.

"I'll bring it."

They nodded and she brought it and unwillingly Sameera had to eat a spoon full. Other thing that she despised was peanut butter.

Her hiccups were still not controlled. Half of the cafeteria was looking. All of her friends formed a circle, except her.

"It's not working."

Pihu said.

"Oh really. I didn't even notice."

Maaya said sarcastically causing Pihu to pout. Raj's pupils visibly dialated seeing her.

"Oh come on this is not the time to fight. Find a way to stop her hiccups."

Shrishti said and they nodded.

"You know, when I was a kid I hiccuped very much. So my father would slap me."

Shrey said.

"Just because you hiccuped? How cruel."

Pihu said and Shrey vigorously shook his head.

"No. To stop my hiccups. My father would slap me so my mind will drift to the slap from hiccups."

"That's a good idea, Shrey."

Maaya smiled and both love birds got into a staring contest.

"What --hiccup-- are you people doing

--hiccup--?"

Sameera asked irritated.

They got out of the trance and once again started planning.

"You have a good idea Shrey, but we can't slap her. It will ruin her impression on this college."

Maaya said causing everybody to think.

"We can pinch her? Yes, we can pinch her. What say guys?"

"Yeah, good Idea. You've suggested you will do it."

Raj said to Shrey causing him to panic.

"No. I can't do that. Touching other girl is a sin for me because I already love someone else. I will not do it."

Maaya glared at him.

"Who is she?"

He smiled shyly.

"You."

"Awwwwww."

Shrishti and Pihu awed at Maaya who was blushing.

"Aaayyyy, you c grade romantic movie actors. What's taking you so --hiccup-- long?"

"So who will do it? Raj?"

He shook his head no.

"Pihu?"

"No."

"Maaya. You have to do this. She will not say anything to you."

"As if she dares to say anything to me. Engage her for a minute and then I'll take her by surprise."

Maaya smirked, on the other hand Sameera gritted her teeth. What's taking them so long. And that peanut butter was so bad, that it literally changed her mood.

They moved and engaged Sameera in their small talks. Like what element was her favourite in chemistry. Now who has a favourite element?

Maaya slowly sat beside her and pinched her with full force.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah. For Devil's sake. Shit!"

She shouted causing whole cafeteria to quite down. It was different to hear someone say 'for Devil's sake' instead of 'for god's sake.'

"Aiyo, why did you do that Maaya. I could have died."

Maaya rolled her eyes.

"Stop it drama queen. Look your hiccups have stopped."

"--hiccup--"

Everybody's face fell.

"No?"

Pihu asked and Sameera shook her head.

Everybody body groaned.

Nobody noticed Shrithik coming. Rubbing his neck and yawning. He managed to hear the important parts that he should hear.

"Ugh... Sameera. When will your hiccup Stop?"

Pihu groaned.

"Seriously, you have been hiccuping for 3 hours now."

His eyes widened, three hours was a very long time.

"We've tried everything. Sorry, girl but it will stop when it wants too."

He ran behind her and whispered in her ear.

"It's me. Shrithik."

Her stiffened body relaxed. He touched her legs causing her to once again stiffen.

"Relax sweetheart. I am a doctor. Remember. Relax and do as I say."

He guided her knees to her chest and folded her arms.

"Sit like this."

"Sameera, what are you doing?"

Shrishti asked.

"Huh? I just, I read somewhere sitting like this --hiccup-- helps."

"Ooh."

"Breath. Take measured breaths."

Saying this he gently started to massage the back of her neck.

She didn't even noticed that her hiccups stopped. She leaned in his touch. She was suddenly feeling tired. And his massaging was not helping at all.

"It stopped."

Pihu pointed out.

"What?" Everyone asked.

"Her hiccups."

They waited two minutes and then cheered.

"Finally. I was so tired."

Maaya mumbled.

"Why are you so tired? I was hiccuping for last three hours. And that pinch of yours is still hurting."

Sameera said rubbing her sides.

Maaya laughed.

"Stop whining."

"Look who is saying. You cried, cried, for straight two days because your friend didn't give you choclate on her birthday. Just because they were over. Still you cried."

Maaya's cheeks redened.

"Was that necessary?"

"Of course it was. It's called revenge Maaya. You are lucky my muscles can't speak."

Sameera dramatically said and Maaya rolled her eyes.

"Thank god, I didn't pinch her."

Raj sighed and Sameera hit him playfully, causing them to laugh.

Shrithik sat at the chair across Sameera. Her face was finally relieved.

Both Shrey and Sameera, along with Shrithik were walking towards their house.

"Your hiccups didn't even last ten minutes after I came. See, I am a good doctor."

Sameera glared at him.

"You should have came earlier. Do you know how much tired I am from it? Do you know. And don't get all high, I know there is no cure for hiccups."

"Oh my goodness. You knew? Really?"

Shrithik said sarcastically.

Shrey rolled his eyes.

"Really, you should have came earlier, but you were busy sleeping. Nobody cares about this fragile girl."

She said pointing to herself.

Both guys scoffed simultaneously.

"Fragile, my foot."

Shrey said, snatching words from Shrithik's mouth.

"Hey, it's not like that. I am a small child."

"Sameera, you are twenty years old. I don't think I have seen a child this big. Have you, Shrithik?"

"No, how will I."

She glared at the ground.

"You both are so mean."

Once again Shrey scoffed.

"As you are any less."

Sameera glared at him and Shrithik threw his hand on her shoulder.

"Only for you sweetheart."

"You are saying, as if you talk to thousands of people."

Shrithik opened his mouth to say something but closed it when nothing came out.

After a while he spoke.

"You've got a point there Sweetheart."

They walked in silence.

"Shrey?" Shrithik asked.

"Hmm?"

"You like challenges right?"

He furrowed his eyebrows. But nodded.

"And you live upto your words right?"

"Yes. But why?"

"What is I say that the one who reached at last will make food?"

Sameera grinned.

"Game's on, old man."

They both took off, not even giving a chance to Shrey to process what's happening.

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish and then rolled his eyes.

"Real mature for 70 and 20 year olds."

He sighed. Then prepared himself for the kinds of dishes he was going to be asked to make.