A Sew Through Time [Bandbudh And Budbak]

24: Bandhbudh aur Budbak

Droplets of sneeze rained over Badri's face. Frosty winds billowed into the room curtains next to his bedside, whose hem tickled over his twitching nose.

Punching the curtain back and rolled to the warmer side, rubbing his nose on the pillow and pulling up his blanket.

From the gap of his eyelids, he saw his mother turning off the fan and yelling,

"Badri! You're late to school again!"

Slamming his hand on his bedside table, he grabbed the clock and checked the time.

It was ten forty-five pm.

"Shit!" Flying out out of bed, Badri dashed into the bathroom, leaving behind bedsheets on the floor, till he arrived again with the toothbrush in mouth, tucking them back.

"Badri!" His mother carried steaming rice to the table, "Your food is getting cold!"

"Araha hu mummy!" He turned off the tap and skipped his regular shower- who showers in such chilly weather? The closet doors creaked open and he pulled out his wrinkled, green school uniform. Slinging over the brown tie around his neck, he grabbed a napkin from the lines, wore his loose socks on the pink sofa and arrived in the living room.

"Hey Bhagwaan! Where are your pants?!" His mother pointed.

He gazed below, covered himself with a grin and tiptoeed back to his room. He returned a few seconds later whilst adjusting his belt. Stuffing in a rolled roti filled with bhindi and smashed potato in his mouth, he grabbed his bag with the previous week's books, looked outside and yelled,

"Mwummy! Extra umbrella?!"

'What happened to your one?" She asked while feeding her daughter.

"Well..." Badri gulped and said peevishly, "The stick broke..."

"And you're telling me this now?!"

"Kya karu matashree, the rain had to come today" he grinned.

Wiping her mouth, she set the empty plate into the sink and rushed inside. The toddler jumped down the table and followed her around, yelling,

"Bhaiya got no umbela!"

"Ey chup!"

"Take this for now" she returned with an old black umbrella which looked prehistoric to Badri, "Give yours to the vendor on your way home"

Dhanyavaad matashree!" He opened it to check the sticks; patting he dust away, "Arre! It's full of holes! How will I take this?!"

His father peeked from behind the newspaper.

"You should had told me yesterday your umbrella broke" his mother said, "And yes. I can't sew your pants everytime. If you tear them again, you're going to school wearing those only. Is that clear?"

Badri nodded though he was busy tying his shoelaces. Tucking them in, he lifted up his schoolbag and grabbed the doorknob.

"Bhaiyaaaa! Kuukuukooo!" His sister jumped around, flapping her tiny arms.

"Kya?!" He grabbed her and flew her round, "What did you say?! What did you say you pesky chuha!"

She kicked her legs around, "Kukudukoooooo!"

"Ghar ane dey mujhe, then I'll get my revenge on you!" he put him back on her feet.

"Ten fifty-nine!" His mother warned.

"Byeee mummy!"

"Bai Bai!"

"Bye smugface!"