Page 33 of Stumped

Bash

We said we’d never call women ‘babe’ again.

Samar

My apologies. I forgot about this conversation we supposedly had.

You were drunk out of your mind that day.

Bash

But wait, why are you texting if you’re getting laid?

She’s out at a meeting.

Bash

And you’re…

Naked and waiting in bed.

Samar

*GIF of Mr. Bean wiggling his eyebrows*

Bash

I’m jealous of your life.

I’d be jealous of my life too.

When a knock sounds on the door, I toss my phone aside and rummage around in our discarded clothes for my wallet. Slipping out a few notes, I dip my head and open the door enough so they can push the cart inside. I don’t need themseeing my face and having those rumours flying around the internet. With a quick nod, I hand them the tip. I pull the cart over to the bed as my phone starts pinging again.

With a cup of coffee in hand, I smile at the texts from my siblings. We’re a close trio, leaning on each other in good and bad times, turning to the other for advice and we make sure to see each other as often as possible. The only downside is we’re all professional athletes who travel a lot. Patrick plays field hockey, while Nina is one of the highest ranked badminton players in the country. So when we’re not together, they’re off winning medals and prepping for the Olympics—which is what they both should be doing right now.

Leaning against the cushioned headboard, I FaceTime them. Nina answers first, short dark hair with light blue ends pointing in every direction.

“You could reply to the text, you know?” She yawns and stretches, showing me all her teeth.

“Wanted to see your face. Nice hair,” I tell her, sipping on my coffee.

“Getting into the Team India spirit.” She squints and leans in. “Where are you?”

Before I can answer, Patrick joins the call and he looks as sleepy as the two of us. Even though we’re all in the same timezone and we’re usually up earlier than this for our respective practices, I clearly picked a cheat day for my siblings.

“Why are you naked, Patricia? Put some clothes on!”

My older brother rolls his eyes and sits up, flashing us more his tattooed chest. His beard is unruly and threaded with greys, but he’s still the best looking of us all.

“You don’t have to be jealous of how good I look, Ninan.”

I shake my head at their regular banter. I’m the lucky one with a name that can’t be turned into a different one, so I usually sit back and let them battle it out.

“You’re insufferable.”

Patrick grins, long hair tucked behind his ears. “Love you too, kid.”

“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, what was your question, Neens?”

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