Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

XXXV. ziddi baccha & princess

anupamaa :

I edged a little away as the atta dough was finally made.
He stared at me, almost smitten.

"Aap ab rehne dijiye.. mai roti bana dungi.", I said softly.
Our proximity was somehow heartwarming.
I wanted him close, why I did not know.

He had grown a slight stubble, and looked magnetically hot.
I remembered how my knees would be weak before him whenever he walked down to me, with that.

He immediately went to wash his hands.

"Nehi nehi.. mai green flag hu, mai madat karunga.", He said immediately.
I facepalmed.
"Ek toh apne already atte ke saath holi khel li aapne.. madat karenge.. bade aaye.", I said grinning.
He placed his hand on his cheek, realising.

"Arrey yaar..", He said irritably wiping off his cheek like an angry child.
I smiled at him.

A big baby, for sure.

I proceeded to pull out the belan.
"Arrey Anu ek second na.. mai kar deta hu. Tumhe dard ho raha hoga, tum baith jao.. waise bhi aaj dance academy bhi jaana hoga tumhe.", He said immediately rushing down to me.

"Aap chinta mat kijiye.. mujhe saalon ki aadat hai.", I said softly.
"Ha toh? Saalon ki buri aadat chod do na.. humesha devi banke duniya ka bhala karne ki zaroorat nehi hai. Mai hu na.. mujhse kaam karwao.", He said stubbornly.

I sighed and stepped aside.
He immediately took the belan and stared at the atta ball on the chakla.
He gulped.
Obviously, because he had zero idea about what to do.

I went and sat back on the chair.
Let green flag ji suffer.

He reluctantly put some loose atta on the dough ball.

"Aata hai mujhe.. itna bhi nausikiya nehi hu..", He mumbled, trying to act brave.
"Hmm.", I said pursing my lips as he started pressing the atta ball with the belan, giving it shape.

I was a little impressed with the fact that he knew how to put the loose atta so that it doesn't stick.
Not that novice, I guess.

After a while, he was done. The while seemed like ages.
He picked up the almost roti.
The shape was definitely Australia's map.

He did not look too happy.

"Dhat.. nehi hoga mujhse yeh sab. Tum hi karo.", He said disappointed.
I smiled and walked down to him again.

He stood aside looking down in annoyance.
Jaw clenched. Blinking away his tears of frustration.
I could bet he wanted to punch the dough in anger already.

Nevertheless I took the almost roti he had made and put it on the tawa.
"Arrey kyu bana rahi ho.. ek toh dikhne mein itna bura hai.. khane mein pata nehi kaisa hoga.", He said.
I glanced at him.

He looked back down angrily.
"Aapko pata hai.. jab Maine pehli roti banayi thi.. isse bhi buri thi.", I said honestly.
He looked up with a raised brow.
"Sach?"
"Aur nehi toh kya.. practice se behtar bante hai.. aap roz banayenge toh aap bhi gol rotiyan bana payenge.", I said as I flipped the roti on the tawa.

He walked down to me again and stood beside me.
"Lo bann gaya.", I said as I put the roti in the casserole.

"Yeh sekhna mai kar deta hu.. tum bel do.", He said, looking a little happy that I approved his roti.
"Theek che.", I said with a soft smile as we proceeded to make rotis together.