Hona Tha Pyaar ✔

4. Prepping the Desi way

I heard a gasp. "Such a liar. When ever I showed her something, she'd say 'it's lovely. I'll take it'. And now, you're complain to your father?" Mom stood glaring at us, but more at me with her hands on her hips.

Dad moved to glance at me, and I give him a sheepish smile.

All of us went back to opening the bags and mom showing everything we got.

For the bride, the groom, bade papa's family, dad's sisters, their husbands, their children, mom's in laws, her nieces and nephews, dad's nieces and nephews, his in laws, his friends, Maqsood Abdullah's family, the caretaker of the house, the cook, the watchman and some more for the entire neighborhood. And if we have something left for someone, then add that too.

My mouth fell to the floor, on seeing so much luggage. And how mom was trying to fit a handbag she bought, into an already overflowing suitcase.

I roll my eyes at her Desiness. If it weren't for all the ZaidAli's desi videos I had watched, I would think that all this, the things she's doing now, is normal. But they are not!

"Okay! We're done." Dad said, after neatly arranging the luggage in the corner of the room, looking at the stacked suitcases by the wall. Packed and weighed.

"We'll leave tomorrow midnight, inshallah." He announced, before turning to head upstairs to his room.

Suddenly, a gasp left my mouth as the realization hit me. I am going to India. To Hyderabad.

I will be away from home, from Bhai for a whole 2 months!

"Kiya hua?" Bhai asked me with furrowed brows. "Did you forget anything?"

"I am going, bhai. I won't be seeing you for 2 months." I tell him.

He rolled his eyes and muttered, "Now the drama begins."

"I won't be sleeping on my bed for 2 months, I can't eat Takis, or Halal Guys, or Dunkin', or Sagar Chinese or Junior's cheesecake. I can't just take a subway to Manhattan. I can't spend hours in Time Square gazing at the screens mindlessly. I can't go to Six Flags. I can't do so many things!" I pause, holding my head in my hands. Panicking at the sudden thoughts.

"Does Netflix work in India? Can I order stuff from Amazon using my account? Can I--"

"SAIRA!"

"What?" I snap. Bhai made his way towards me, and sat on the couch, taking my hands in his.

"Calm down. Close your eyes and take a deep breath." I do as he says, shut my eyes and take several deep breaths.

When I open them again, Bhai looks at me, with a smile on his face. "Better?"

"Much." I say honestly.

"Now, it will do you no good, to stress on that tiny brain of yours. You'll see everything for yourself, once you go there. About staying 2 months away from home, you'll be fine. I promise. Mom and dad will take care of you. You will have so many people around you that, you'll forget all about here." He cajoled, giving me an encouraging smile.

I nod my head in understanding, opening my mouth to say something but he beat me to it.

"And about Manhattan," He paused, his eyes glinting with mischief. "We have a whole day tomorrow."

"You mean..." I trail off. Bhai nodded his head, lifting my mood.

"Yay!" I jumped up and down in my seat, hugging Bhai.

He stopped me, mid air, holding my arms. "But, on one condition."

I blink my eyes at him, asking what the condition is.

"A hot oil massage. Tonight."

"What?!...no."

"Choose wisely, bachi. A hot oil massage can take you to Manhattan for a day." He smirked.

Urgh! Why does he have to be the smart ass he is!

A hot oil massage! Really?

I can't even think about dipping my fingers in that thing. It's so greasy. Eww! And bhai, the desi boy he is, likes a coconut oil massage with the 'Tail Malish' song running in the background. I don't know how do people bear that thing on their head. The coconut oil! It smells horrible.

I scrunch my nose in disgust. While bhai wiggled his brows at me. Waiting for my answer.

Like I will do it! Yeah, right. I scoff mentally.

But, the idea of spending a day in Manhattan was way too tempting. And even if it wanted me to give Bhai a head massage... I will do it.

"Fine." I huff, while bhai shot me a goofy smile.

XOXO

~𝓓𝓲𝓱𝓪