Ishq-e-Watan

Chapter 27- A Birthday Celebration

CHAPTER 27

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

"Ae zindagi, gale laga le", Suman ji sang. "Ae zindagi, gale laga le."

"Humne bhi tere har ik gham ko gale se lagaaya hai. Hai, na", Koel continued, swaying around the kitchen as she tossed the vegetables into the pan.

"Ae zindagi, gale laga le", Sid continued. "Ae zindagi."

The three paused, looking at each other. "Aage kya hota hai?" Koel asked. They glanced at Monami, who shrugged cluelessly.

"Prem ji!" Suman ji called, leaning over the counter. "Aage kya hota hai?"

"Humne bahaane se, chhupke zamaane se, palkon ke parde mein ghar bhar liya", Bala sang.

Everyone winced. "Rehne do, Bala", Prem ji said. "Koi behra ho jaayega."

He pouted. "Aaj mera birthday hai", he complained. "Aaj toh beizzati mat karo."

"Birthday hai tab hi tujhe itna besura gaane ke liye pakadkar peeta nahi", Koel said. "Itna ganda mat gaa, please."

"Koi aur #song gaate hain", Chitra said. "Any #suggestions?"

Monami hummed a song under her breath, glancing at Sid. He hummed along with her for a couple of seconds, before recognizing the song. "Jo dil se lage, use keh do, 'Hi hi hi'", he started.

"Jo dil naa lage, use keh do, 'bye bye bye'", Koel continued.

"Aane do, aane do, dil mein aa jaane do, keh do muskarahat ko 'Hi hi hi hi', Chitra sang.

"Jaane do, jaane do, dil se chale jaane do, keh do ghabrahat ko, 'bye bye bye bye bye'", Suman ji continued.

"Love you, zindagi! Love you, zindagi!" The six sang together. Monami smiled slightly, humming under her breath as she whipped the batter of the cake. "Love you, zindagi. Love me, zindagi!"

"Kya baat hai?" Faizi said, walking into the mess. He grinned. "Badha pyaar aa raha hai zindagi par?"

"Faizi Sir", Chitra said happily. "Aaj Bala ka #birthday hai, na, toh hum sab party ki taiyaari kar rahe the. Hum bas #enjoy kar rahe the."

He nodded, smiling at them. "Happy birthday, Bala", Faizi said. Bala grinned, thanking him. He leaned over the counter, watching the mix Monami and Sid was making in interest.

She smiled slightly, scooping a little up on a spoon. She held it out to him. "T-Taste k-karke batao, na, S-Sir?"

He grinned, taking the spoon and tasting it. "Bahut achha hai", he said.

"Sir, yeh bhi taste kariye", Suman ji said, holding out a small bowl with a spoonful of pasta. "Suman ji aur Koel ne banaaya hai."

Faizi's gaze lifted to meet Koel's. She smiled slightly, eyes darting to the bowl and then back at him. His lips upturned a little, and he took it. "Bahut achha hai", he said. "Humaare birthday par hume tum logon se yeh hi chahiye. Theek hai?"

"Haan, haan, kyun nahi?" Suman ji said. "Kyun, Koel?"

Koel hummed a little, nodding. Her gaze met his again, and he raised his eyebrows slightly, giving her an impressed look. Her lips upturned in a smile and Faizi's smile widened a little.

A tap on his shoulder made him glance away from his girlfriend. "A-Agar aap K-Koel ko a-aise d-dekhoge, toh s-sab ko p-pata chal j-jaayega", Monami muttered to him. "Aap l-log toh chh-chhupaana ch-chahte ho, na, S-Sir?"

His eyes widened. "Kya?" He said lowly. "Tumhe... tumhe pata hai? Kaise?"

She shrugged, nodding. "K-Koel jab aapke s-saath d-date par jaa r-rahi thi, toh d-dekha tha use. Aur w-waise bhi, aa-aap d-dono ek d-doosre ko d-dekhte r-rehte ho. Sh-Shaq toh p-pehle se hi tha ki aap ek d-doosre ko p-pasand k-karte ho, c-confirm uss d-din hua."