A Sew Through Time [Banbudh And Budbak]

25. Someone is Hungry

The spoils of running was exhaustion. Lying on the ground with arms outstretched, Budh continued gulping pockets of air, watching the night sky lit up in the cityscape. The warm air soothes his pink cheeks, when he traced his hand on the ground, he realized the snow was gone. He turned at one side, discovering his best friend snoring next to him,

"Badri"

His eyes rolled under his lids, "Hmm?"

Springing up, Budh shook him again, "This place! The monster's gone!"

Badri sat up clumsily. They were on the rooftop of a tall building, a red neon banner hit the side of his face. He blinked slowly, letting himself adjust to his surroundings.

Khushi stood near the edge, a leg on the parapet.

"Abey Oye!" He rushed towards her and pulled her away from the dangerous edge, "What if you fall from there?!"

"Look" Khushi's eyebrows flared up, "I'm not so clumsy like you that I'll fall just like that"

"LoOk!" Badri imitated, "I'm nOt sO CluMsy" And he turned towards Budh, "I'm NoT So ClUmSy"

"Chup!"

Snickering, Budh dared to creep from the parapet, as if too calculate how high it was. The sight below made him yell,

"Arre woh dekh!"

They left their bickering and leaned over the parapet. The night air left a serene city street near the building, encapsulated by welcoming street lights, banners and billboards. The children could smell the damp mossy and rusted parapet as their eyes grew wider. A well metalled road stretched from one side to another, marked with cobblestones in some areas. On their left splashed the remnant sprinkles of sea water, as the bigger waves crashed against the shore. Barricaded by a graceful wired fence which bore the salt water and rusted, the city stood on a higher level than the shore. Buildings embarked both sides of the road, some were premature brick houses, some were shops, and some were modern with corporate minimalism, and the street ended with a lonely supermarket tucked away in a corner.

"Surely that monster didn't give a system update to this place na?" Badri hopped off the parapet and waved his hand, "Let's go down"

"Down where?" Budh followed him.

"That market" He replied, throwing off the door which revealed a flight of stairs, "I feel we should get some food ready"

Budh stood perplexed.

"Haven't you seen those movies, where they have a zombie apocalypse?" Badri clawed his hands and hissed like one, "The heroes make a base, and stock food"

His head slightly nodded as he replied, "Lallantap idea partner!"

Khushi's hand flew near her eyes, guarding her sight from the bright banner and she remarked, "Let's go down those stairs and try to find someone"

Budh's trembling hand held his t-shirt, "There will be someone who'll help us right?"

"Arre! Why are you worrying when I'm here?" Khushi said snarkily, "I protected your friend, I also protected you. So don't even think about it!"

"Yes, with a stick" giggled Badri.

"You cannot deny anyways" she shrugged and followed them into the stairs when the duo halted.

Badri pointed at the sign on the door and asked, "Budh, you know what this means?"

"Emargincy eggzit?" he gawked at it, "Of course I do!"

"Then tell us?" He smirked.

"It says, " he turned towards his friends, "If we run out of eggs, we can find them downstairs"