Zaraar was Sasha's second cousin, or maybe he was her third cousin? Whatever. But what mattered was that he was showing interest in Hana since they met on Salaar and Sasha's anniversary party.
Hana didn't want to continue having feelings for Haris now that he was engaged to someone, someone he loved. So she chose to give Zaraar a chance.
They decided to meet at a Chinese restaurant. And Hana never regretted something as much as she regretted meeting Zaraar. That guy was lecturing her about the origin of chopsticks. She didn't care if Chinese chopsticks are longer than Japanese chopsticks. Both serve the same purpose - to eat food with them.
“How do you I make him stop talking? I can't even eat noodles peacefully with him chattering like an annoying crow,” Hana cried internally.
As if God heard her plea, someone called Zaraar's name. Hana turned around at hearing that annoying American accent. And much to her disappointment, it was none other than Zarmina who was heading towards their table with Haris by her side.
“Hey, Zarmina!” Zaraar stood up and shared a friendly side hug with her.
“Hi, Hana! Nice meeting you again,” Zarmina then side-hugged Hana.
Hana stood there awkwardly. Turns out, Zarmina and Zaraar went to kindergarten together. Makes sense. Both of them are annoying. It must be their kindergarten teacher's fault! Or maybe they are born annoying?
“This Zaraar was already eating my head. Why is she here to feast on it?” Hana internally screamed at the idiots surrounding her, Haris excluded. Calling him idiot is a sin for her.
“Haris and I are here for a lunch date. And you guys?” Zarmina asked with a sweet smile. Just seeing her smile will cause diabetes to Hana.
Hana first glanced at Haris and then at Zaraar. A wide smile was plastered on Zaraar's face as he replied, “We are here for a dat-” But Hana cut off his words immediately. “Actually Zaraar wants to date a friend of mine. So he called me for help,” Hana lied smoothly.
Zaraar was about say something, probably clarify Hana's lie. But Hana again cut him off, “Please enjoy your date! Don't waste your quality time on us.”
“C'mon, Hana. Don't be so dramatic. I know you want us to leave,” Haris teased her and walked away with Zarmina, who waved them bye.
Haris's teasing made her heart flutter but the fluttering dissappeared when she saw Zaraar's face.
Zaraar frowned at Hana, “Why did you lie? It was you who set up this lunch date.” He looked displeased with her behaviour.
Hana was annoyed at him. But then she couldn't deny that she did hurt his feelings by not being willing to admit that they are indeed on a date.
“I'm sorry. Haris is my long-time crush. So I felt embarrassed,” Hana replied honestly.
“Thanks for being honest. I guess, this is our first and last date,” saying so Zaraar sat down again and began eating silently.
Hana too took her seat and ate in peace. At least, he didn't start his lecture again. And she didn't need to give him excuses on why they can't meet on a date again.
✿ ✿ ✿
That evening Hana and Sasha went to eat Gol Gappey. They ended up doing an eating competition. Sasha won by eating fifty-one Gol Gappey while Hana accepted defeat at fifty.
By night, Sasha's stomach was jolting in pain and she ended up puking thrice. Before Hana or Sasha could tell anyone about the Gol Gappa eating competition, their mother declared that her dear daughter-in-law was pregnant. Salaar was confused at first but then he ran to his wife, who was resting in their bedroom.
Hana was massaging Sasha's feet when Salaar entered the room in a jovial mood. Both the best friends were quite shocked to see Salaar smile ear to ear. It was a rarity. That guy was born with a permanent scowl on his face.
“Sasha! Sasha! Thank you so much for giving me such a good news!” Salaar sat down beside Sasha and gave her a tight hug.
“Wait, you are this much happy that I defeated Hana at eating Gol Gappey?” Sasha asked in surprise. Hana also looked at her brother curiously.
That happy smile vanished from Salaar's face as he looked at his wife and sister as if they were aliens.
“What do you mean? You aren't pregnant?” He asked.
Sasha smiled shyly, “C'mon, Salaar, eating fifty-one Gol Gappey can't make me pregnant. It takes a man and his-” Hana cleared her throat in awkwardness to stop Sasha from saying any further.
Salaar stood up from the bed, “So you puked because you ate fifty-one Gol Gappey?”
Sasha nodded.
And grumpy Salaar was back in an instant, “You are fasting for an entire day tomorrow. And no dinner tonight. Which idiot eats fifty-one Gol Gappey!? Is this your stomach or a black hole?”
Then he looked at his sister, “How many did you eat?”
Hana replied meekly, “Fifty.”
“Well, then join your bestie in fasting,” Salaar retorted before running downstairs to stop his mother from calling the relatives.
✿ ✿ ✿
The damage was done. Abida told the entire family that Sasha is expecting. Sasha's mother came running to meet her daughter. So did Haris and his mother.
Both, Sasha and Hana were sitting on the swing with their heads downcast as everyone glared at them from a distance.
Abida served snacks to the guests.“I got too excited hearing that Sasha vomitted. There can be other reasons for vomit other than pregnancy,” Abida explained sheepishly.
“Amma, lock the fridge tonight. And don't leave food on the shelf. Both of them need to fast for at least twenty four hours to get back to health,” Salaar announced.
If Sasha and Hana were not surrounded by others, they would have wailed like babies do.
“I ate one Gol Gappa less. Can I get discount on the punishment?” Hana asked while sniffing.
Salaar glared at her while Haris ended up laughing.
“Salaar, Hana can't be your sister. Her sense of humor is hilarious,” And he kept laughing.
Hana felt offended by Haris's laughter. How can he laugh about it? She was very much being serious.
“I'm being serious. Maybe you can reduce my fast to twenty-three hours and thirty minutes?” Hana asked hopefully.
Salaar smiled, making his sister smile wider, “How about add another thirty minutes to your fast?”
Hana's face fell and she went back to glaring at the grass.
“How I wish I could sell my brother online,” Hana grumbled.
Sasha chuckled, “No one else can endure him other than us.”
•••
Hana and Sasha are so cute 🤣
At least, comment laughing emoji if you enjoyed the chapter 🙂
