An Unfading Desire

Paths Recrossed

The afternoon sun cast long shadows through the window as Saaz, his backpack slung over his shoulder, entered his home. Exhaustion from a day of lectures and assignments clouded his mind. As he tossed his bag onto the table, his phone rang. He fished it out, the screen displaying Aahan's name. With a sigh, he answered the call.

"Hello?" Aahan mumbled.

"Haa! Bol bhai kya hua?" Saaz's voice boomed through the speaker.

[Yeah! Tell me brother, what happened?]

"Bhai, mera beta hua hai!" Aahan's announcement sent a jolt of surprise through Saaz's drowsy mind.

[Brother, I have a son!]

"Kya? Pee rakhi hai kya tune? Seedhe seedhe bata kya hua hai warna phone kaat raha hu main," Saaz's voice rose in disbelief, his confusion evident.

[What? What tune do you keep on? Please tell me what has happened, otherwise I am going to end the call]

"Are! Bhai, mazaak kar raha hu. Wo mai keh raha tha ki tu abhi mere ghar aaja padhne ke liye," Aahan's laughter filled the air.

[Hey! Brother, I am joking. I said that you have just come to my house to study]

"Par teri behen ka pogo...I mean pogo waale cartoon ka kya hua?" Saaz regained his composure.

[What about your sister's pogo, I mean cartoon?]

"Wo toh shaam ko dekh legi, repeat aayega tab," Aahan assured him.

[She will see it in the evening, the repeat will come then]

"Badi jaldi yaad aa gaya repeat ka tujhe, accha thik hai mai aa raha hu. Wese, mai kuch lekar aau kya?" Saaz offered.

[Ok ok then. By the way, should I bring something?]

"Khaali haath toh aayega nahi, books aur copy to lekar aayega hi yaar ya fir bhikmango ki tarah aayega bilkul," Aahan teased him again.

[You will not come empty handed, you will definitely come with books and copies. Will come exactly like a beggar]

"Arre! I mean koi chocolates wagera kuch lekar aau kya?" Saaz clarified with amusement.

[Oho! I mean should I bring any chocolates etc.?]

"Bhai, chocolates kyu laa raha hai? Mai kya koi teri valentine thode hi hu jo mujhe impress karega ab?" Aahan retorted, masking a hint of curiosity.

[Brother, why are you bringing chocolates? May there be no one among your valentine whom will you impress now?]

"Bhakk! Gadha, mera matlab teri behen ke liye," Saaz explained with exasperation.

[Bhakk! Donkey, I mean for your sister]

"Bhai, tu meri behen ke liye kyu chocolates laayega, tum dono ke beech kuch chal raha he kya? kabse chal raha he ye sab? yaar tune mujhse itni badi baat kese chhupayi? aur meri behen toh aaj hi college aayi hai toh tu use kese jaanta hai? tell me kya chal raha he....." Aahan's words tumbled out in a rapid-fire stream.

[Brother, why will you bring chocolates for my sister, what is going on between you two? How long have all this been going on? Hey, why did you ask me to talk so much? And my sister has come to college today, so why do you know me? Tell me what's going on...?"]

"What! Kya bak raha hai? And wait for a second, teri behen college student hai?" Saaz's mind struggled to keep up with Aahan's train of thought, his confusion growing with each word.

[What! What are you talking about? And wait for a second, your sister is a college student?]

"Ummm... Saaz, I think there has been a misunderstanding. Listen, I said all this because I thought you like her. Is it true?" Aahan's voice softened, a hint of concern creeping into his tone.