Qurbat

-19-

"BHAAG BILLI BHAAG!!"

And the kids ran. They ran to nearest safe hiding spot.

Pinky and chuppi hid behind a shrub near a construction area where a half constructed house was left and completely open.

While Bunty, Bubblu and Lambu hid behind a mound beside the shrub.

After struggling to hide Lambu behind the mound which resolved with babblu sitting on the poor soul the kid's attention finally went to an absent figure.

"Billi! Jaldi aa! Wrna pakde jainge!" Bunty shouted.

—————————————————————————-

Half way through the escape run Isha turned to see Osman who just stood clueless. She couldn't help but face palm herself.

She didn't think twice before stopping and running towards Osman.

"Run!"
This was all she spoke before grabbing his hand and dragging him with her in her escape run.

They ran until reached a teeny tiny alleyway near the construction site where they hid.

They both breathed heavily before Osman finally asked her.

"What is happening? Pinky,Bunty, bubbly, billi? What is all this? Why are you guys running? Specifically dragging me with you?! Can you please explain?" Osman bombarded her with many questions as he tried to catch his breath.

"Okay. Dont panic, let me explain." Isha spoke as she also tried to catch her breath.

"So, this is pinky." Isha continued as she pointed at the girl who is dressed in all bright pink.

"This is chuppi." She pointed at the kid who stayed quite until he informed about the tikki girl.

"This is bunty." She pointed at the kids who was chewing bunties anxiously.

'When does he run out them?!'

"Never. He never runs out of them." Isha spoke as if she heard his thoughts. "This is bubblu, not bubbly." She corrected while pointing at a very...uh, round looking chubby kid. He sat on the other lambu kid as he waved sweetly.

"And last but not the least, that is lambu." She finally pointed at the kids under Bubblu who was struggling to stay alive.

"And, who's billi?" Osman asked making a face at the tacky name.

"Uh-, no-noone! No one." Isha spoke nervously.

"Oh...kay-" Osman's unsure nodd was cut off by one the kids calling Isha out.

"Billi!" Pinky spoke making Isha glare at her before looking back at Osman who had his eyebrows raised.

"O-ok. Just promise me you won't laugh!" She said but soon realised he hadn't laughed in his life, so she continued.

"Aik din dadu told them about when I was a third grader, I was in a family play typa thing. And out of all roles I got role of a cat. Tabse yeh log mujhe billi bilate hain." Isha spoke shrugging helplessly.

"You did a play as a cat?" Osman raised his eyebrows.

"Dont laugh!"

"I'm not."

Isha just glared which resulted in Osman coughing, covering his mouth. His hidden laugh underneath it went unnoticed by her.