The Journey Within

Chapter 6

Everyone sat at the dining table, fighting over food.

"Mein keh raha hu na ye mei loonga. Choro meri rasmalai ko." Arhaan said, pulling the bowl of rasmalai towards him.

(I'm saying I'll have it. Leave my sweet)

"Abey saale, ye meri hai. Samjhe na tum. De idhar ab." Farhaan added, pulling the same bowl.

(You rascal, its mine. Understand. Now give it to me)

In admist of pulling the bowl, Humaira quickly transferred all her veggies into Arhaan's plate, and told Qasim, "dekha mera jaadu. Tujhe bhi nhi khaane hai toh bata. Arhaan bhai ki plate toh full ho gayi hai, mei Kabir bhai mei daal deti hu."

(Saw my magic. If you don't want to eat it, tell me. Arhaan's brother plate is full, I'll transfer it Kabir brother's plate)

"Haa haa. Ruk, abhi 2-minute mei deta hu, bas Kabir bhai ka dhyaan unke plate se hate" Qasim replied.

(Yes yes. Wait. I'll give it to you in two minutes when Kabir brother's attention won't be on his plate)

Kabir's voice interrupted all the chaos going around the table, "kya kisi paagal khaane se aaye ho? Ek rasmalai nhi share kari jaa rahi tum logo se? Or tum Qasim, sochna bhi mat jo plan kar rahe ho. Chup chap khao. Ek lafz bhi nhi nikalna chahiye tum logo ke mu se ab. Har jagah bas ladna hai." He said angrily.

(Have you come from a mental hospital? Can you not share a sweet? And you Qasim, don't even think about what you are planning. Shut up and eat. Not even a single word should be uttered by you guys. All you want to do is fight everywhere)

Inayat happily munched on her food, and all that she could not eat, she transferred it to Kabir's plate. Just like before.

Qasim's eyes widen at this. "Hame toh bolne se bhi mana kiya hai. Or dekho kaise ye Inayat jo daal rahi hai, woh bhai chup chap kha le rahe hai."

(He forbade us, even to speak. And see now, how he is silently eating what Inayat is giving.)

"Khilau kuch tumhe abhi mei?" Kabir asked, immediately looking at Qasim.

(Should I make you eat something else?)

"Nahi nahi. Khaana kaafi hai." he said, gobbling up all his food.

(No no. Food is enough)

Once everyone was done eating, they all settled on the couch.

"Ludo khele?" Ashar said, feeling bored.

(Let's play ludo?)

"Haa kyu nhi. Mei or Arhaan ek team mei. Qasim or Rahil ek mei. Humaira or tum ho jaana. Or baaki Inayat or Kabir bhai ek mei. What say?" Inayat glared at her brother Farhaan as soon as he finished his sentence.

(Yes why not. Me and Arhaan can be in one team. Qasim and Rahil in another. Humaira and you. And Kabir brother and Inayat in one. What say?)

"Hame itne ache se khelna nhi aata. Kabir bhaijaan haar jaayenge hamare saath khelenge toh. Ham Humaira ke saath team up kar lete hai." She said sweetly, ignoring the glares she felt at the back of her head.

(I don't know how to play that well. Kabir Bhaijaan will lose if he plays with me. I'll team up with Humaira)

Kabir's anger fueled hearing bhaijaan again. Or toh or, she even denied playing with him.

She's itching for a punishment, Kabir thought. How can she call me bhai after everything?

"Nahi Appi, aap toh bohot acha khelte ho. Kabir bhai ke saath khelengi na, toh pakka jeetengi aap." Humaira said, oblivious to the tension between Inayat and Kabir.