𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚

4.

Upon entering the house Arsalan had something ready for his favourite person in his head as he is the badmash after all and he was about to prove that. He even asked Zaid to pair up with him to which he declines politely.

As they silently entered the house the aroma of Biryani hit their nose instantly making both of their stomachs growl in hunger. Zaid immediately parted from Arsalan not at all ready to hear any scolding for the prank his Arsalan bhai was planning to pull out.

Arsalan tiptoed after removing his shoe and shushing his sister when she saw them entering inside the house and in return, she frowned when she saw Arsalan putting a finger on his lips she ignores his stupid tactics and smiles when sees Zaid coming towards her.  Arsalan went towards the kitchen and as expected his mom was working with the housemaid Shirin who saw Arsalan coming to the kitchen he pointed towards the back door of the kitchen telling her to leave.

Now it was only Malakeh and him in the kitchen. His mothers back was to him as she was busy making raita for the biryani to even sense the presence of her son behind her. Arsalan looked around and found a small empty polythene bag he took the bag and air-filled it through his mouth without making any noise he went near his mother who was still unaware of him too engrossed in her work.

Arsalan then holds the end of the bag so that the air does not escape he brings his left hand near the air-filled bag and with a mischievous smile he slapped the bag with a full-force made a blast like sound and as soon as the sound reached Malakeh’s ear she jumped shouting “Ya Allah!” the spoon from which she was mixing the ingredients of raita falls from her hand.

She fully turned around to see his son laughing like a mad man clenching his stomach with one hand and supporting himself to stand while placing his other on the kitchen counter.

“Arsalan! Badmash kahin k!” Malakeh took the spatula that was lying on the kitchen counter and seeing Arsalan taking a run out of the kitchen still laughing his lungs out she too followed him with a spatula in her hand.

“Come on, Ammi you know how much I love you” Arsalan pulled his little sister in front of him has his shield making Asmara protested to be pulled in between the mother-son duo.

“Asmara hat jao” her mother demanded her to move away as she was coming in between them.

“Mujhe konsa shok hai jabardasti beech me aane ka,” Asmara said stifling a smile that was threatening to form seeing her mother's irritated self.

Zaid was enjoying the free entertainment he has been receiving for the past five minutes when he finally thought of making his Khala Ammi aware of his presence.

“Khala Ammi? Humeri taraf bhi nazar dale zara sa” Zaid said making a pout towards his Khala Ammi.

Malakeh who didn’t notice his presence until now turned around at his voice “Zaid? Aap kab aaye?” she went to his bhanja who was smiling ear to ear at her khala.

Malakeh kissed his forehead lovingly “mera ek hi aacha beta hai joh mujhe bilkul bhi preshan nahi karta” she lovingly runs her hands through his jet black curls and he bear hugs his Khala Ammi.

“Haina. I am a good boy after all” Zaid gave a teasing smirk to Arsalan to which Arsalan roll his eyes “Zameen pe aajao Zaid bhut udh liye aaj tum,” Arsalan said while wounding his hand around his mothers back pulling her to him while placing a kiss on her temple.

“Abhi bada pyaar aaraha hai hai tumhe daarate waqt toh nahi aaya tha” Malakeh hit his son’s hand to let her go but he did not. “Ab aapko preshan kare bina chaan bhi toh nahi milta” he kissed her temple again making his mother shook her head at him.