𝐏𝐞𝐡𝐥𝐚 𝐏𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐫: Fɪʀsᴛ Lᴏᴠᴇ, Fᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ Tʀᴜᴇ

♡ 3 ♡

*Krish's Pov*

We left the garden the instant Mom's call came. "One minute late, and we are dead," I muttered, already racing towards the nearby market.

The market was buzzing with activity. People were busy bargaining with sellers, their voices rising and falling in a never-ending chorus. Vendors shouted loudly to attract customers, holding up crisp vegetables and juicy fruits. Street dogs wandered through the crowds, sniffing.

We pushed through the people, apologizing as we bumped into shoppers and vendors alike. We dodged a speeding bicycle, its bell ringing out, and sidestepped a stack of colourful fabrics.

We spotted Mom and Kabir amidst the chaos. Mom's bright saree stood out among the crowds, and Kabir's tall frame towered above the surrounding shoppers. They smiled as they saw us, and we ran towards them.

As we reached Mom and Kabir Bhaiya, Mom glared at us. "Kaha pe the tum dono" Mom exclaimed, her voice laced with relief. "What took you so long?"

[Where were you both?]

Parth bhaiya grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Mom. We got held up at the garden."

Kabir's eyes crinkled at the corners. "Garden, huh? Akele akele kya kar rahe the tum dono."

[Garden, huh? Where were you both doing there alone?]

Mom playfully rolled her eyes. "Kabir, baad mein puchna yeh sab. We have to hurry. Tumhare papa ka call aagaya hain guest aane hi wale 8 baje aur abhi khana bhi banana baki hain."

[Kabir, ask all this thing later. We have to hurry. Your dad called me to inform that guests are arriving by 8 p.m. and dinner is yet to be made.]

We fell into step beside Mom and Kabir, navigating the crowded market streets. The sounds and smells swirled around us - vendors calling out, spices wafting, and bicycles ringing their bells.

As we walked, Kabir bhaiya slung an arm around my shoulders. "So, Itne saal kya kiya tune mere bina idhar aur sun ne mein aaya hain ki koi wapas aa gaya hain aur voh aap ke hi school mein hain."

[So, what did you do all these years without me and I got to know that someones back and that person is in your school only.]

One second inko kese pata chala? yeh toh kal hi India wapas aaye but before I could respond, Mom intervened.

[One second how does he knows? He arrived yesterday only.]

"Later, Kabir. First, let's get the vegetables. We can't afford to be late."

We quickened our pace, weaving through the people. Suddenly, Kabir stopped.

"Mom, yeh loo phudina mil gaya." Kabir bhaiya pointed at one stall.

[Mom, look I found the Mint leaves.]

"Pagal, voh Methi hain." Parth bhaiya corrected.

[Stupid, that's fenugreek.]

Huh? He was wrong, yeh na hi phudina hain na hi Methi so I corrected them both. "Arey mere pagal bhaiyo tum dono galat ho. Yeh phudina aur Methi nahi hain, yeh toh dhaniya hain." I felt proud for correcting them.

[This are not mint leaves nor fenugreek.]

[My dumb brothers, you both are wrong. This are not mint leaves not fenugreek, they are coriander.]

Mom glared at us, her expression a mix of frustration and amusement. "Seriously, boys?" She lightly tapped each of us on the head, as if to know some sense into us.

I rubbed my head. "Oww, mom."

"Sab ke sab andpadh gawar hain, palak hain voh mere nalayako."

[Everyone is uneducated. They are spinach, my good-for-nothing sons.]