Night of 25TH

CHAP 37: That's All I AM!

Past:

Shubman

As the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, it rudely roused me from my slumber. I groaned in response, struggling to peel my eyes open. As I stretched my arms out, I realized there was an emptiness beside me. Panic surged through me as I quickly scanned the room and shouted, "Chucky!!"

A voice called back from outside, "Oye chilla mat, bahar hu" - it was Chucky. Quickly throwing my blanket aside, I bolted out of bed and made my way to the hall. There, I found her eating breakfast with Mum and Dad, and to my surprise, another family member had returned - Shahneel.

Running my fingers through my dishevelled hair, I took a seat at the table and quipped, "I thought you ran away somewhere."

Chucky chuckled and replied, "I'm not a kid who would run away."

"Well, that fractured hand of yours makes it seem that way," I teased, leaning forward and looking into her eyes with an evil grin. She simply made a face, unable to come up with a comeback.

"Ok, stop troubling her, Shubman. At least welcome me back; I just came from Delhi," Shahneel chimed in, taking Chucky's side and causing me to pout.

"Stop siding with her already. What welcome should I give you? You're just my sister," I said casually, propping my legs on an empty chair, which my mom quickly swatted away, reminding me of table manners.

"That's the reason I'm siding with her. Unlike you, at least she welcomed me with a hug," Shahneel huffed.

"Yeah, whatever," I responded, ignoring her and scrolling through my phone for messages.

"Mum, we're going to the parlour, and I'm going to show Chucky around, so bye," Shahneel said, hugging our mom.

"Wait, you're not going without me, and she's my friend," I protested hastily, looking at both of them.

"Well, she's my friend too from now onwards, and yes, we're going without you. Plus, you haven't even taken a bath yet to get ready," Shahneel declared, locking arms with Chucky, who just smiled at me mischievously.

"Byee Shubman," Shahneel waved her long, manicured fingers laughing at me.

"Oh, Shahu, where are the car keys?" I smirked at her, knowing I had the upper hand. Her face turned confused before her eyes widened, and she turned into the bossy big sister, saying, "Shubman, chabi de mujhe."

But I was equally stubborn as the younger brother. I went into my room and, just before closing the door, I shouted, "Naah, ke ata hu fir saath challenge."

I could hear both of them huff in frustration, and our parents laughed at the morning drama unfolding in the house.

Setting my hair, which had grown quite unruly and desperately needed a trim, I finally emerged from my room. In the living room, I found Shahneel and Chucky engrossed in a discussion about how to design Chucky's otherwise boring and plain cast.

"Shall we?" I asked, grabbing my shoes and indicating that it was time to head out. I noticed both of them narrowing their eyes at me, clearly unimpressed by my sudden enthusiasm. Ignoring their sceptical looks, I proceeded to leave the house, and they reluctantly followed suit.

I settled into the driver's seat of the car, and as I glanced back, I saw both of them making themselves comfortable in the back seat.

"Oh, hello, koi toh aage betho, mein driver nahi hoon tumhara," I quipped, looking back with irritation.

"You're the one who said you wanted to come with us," Chucky responded with a mischievous wiggle of her eyebrows, and Shahneel nodded in agreement while playfully patting my shoulder.