A Sew Through Time [Banbudh And Budbak]

3: Rumours and humours

Khushi found herself lost in the midst of a big fair. The darkness of the night was illuminated with bright lights. Someone was cooking kachoris and samosas from a distance, little kids were shrieking in the rides, customers bickered and crowded in front of various stalls. From loudspeakers boomed songs from the eighties, unfamiliar tunes to her. Her eyes began darting around to find a familiar face.

There was no one.

Deciding on some course of action, she pushed herself through the crowds. She felt dizzy as her legs thwarted into the soft mud, bumping into jittering clowns and monkeys. The aroma made her stomach growl. She called out her parents and her sibling, receiving confused expressions from the strangers. She blinked hard, her nose felt stuffy as she tried to wipe her face with the back of her cold hands.

A hand appeared from the crowds and grabbed her by the arm. She felt startled as she tried to keep her pace in her legs, trying not to trip. She stared hard, tracing her eyes from the hand to the maroon sleeve. He was looking forward clearing the way. They reached an open space far away from the crowd. She found herself on top of a hill with the big figure of Ravan standing in front. A woman hugged her tightly followed by a man patting her hair. The scent was familiar. Down in the fair, Shri Ram pointed his arrow towards Ravan's head. They sat on the grass to watch. She turned her head around to study the people next to her. The guy who had taken her there was wearing a maroon kurta and blue jeans. He took a can of coke and chugged it down in one go, watching the flames. 

Her eyes stared wide into the white ceiling. 

As Dubey Sir taught the formula of speed in class, Budh whispered to Khushi across his row.

"We are going to race the entire school campus on our cycle during lunch break"

"For real?" her eyes sparkled.

"Yup, you will join us, right?" he tilted his head

"Of course!"

"Silence!" Dubey sir roared, making the two shudder, "Khushi! Budh! Eestand up"

They obeyed.

"What were you two whispering about?"

The boy stood silently, trying to avoid his eyes. He noticed Badri tyring to tell something.

"Khushi?"

"Nothing much sir" she grew casual, "He was asking me about a question from this chapter-"

"He will notice a problem only when he would study, which he does not"

The class exchanged impertinent giggles.

"Khushi, I advise you that you stay away five metres from those two, else you'll not improve"

"Okay sir, I'll go to your place and you come here" 

The class gasped in shock. Badri and Budh dropped their jaws, growing wordless.

"Vhat!?"

"Sir, you only said to stay five metres away from them, but you're standing exactly five metres away right now" she giggled, "That's why I said to exchange places sir"

 The class boomed with laughter, making Dubey sir stand petrified. The bell rang, making the trio feel relieved. They sprinted outside to fetch Rockit for a ride.

"Here, you try first" Badri held the cycle in position.

Khushi mounted on the bicycle, tightening her grip on the handles. Her wrong pedaling made Budh yell at her. After a few more tries, she succeeded pedaling the cycle the correct way.