Brotherhood

Part : 2

When Prince stepped into the house, the aroma of freshly cleaned kitchen tiles mixed with a faint hint of masalas filled the air. He saw Arya leaning against the kitchen counter, her brows furrowed as she stared at the fridge like it was a math problem she couldn't solve. Vivek, meanwhile, had his phone pressed to his ear, pacing a little as he tried to speak louder over the crackling background noise.

Prince (grinning, with a dramatic bow): "To mere shero, war ke liye ready?"
["So, my lions, are you ready for war?"]

Vivek (shooting him a playful glare while suppressing a laugh): "Hmm, aaiye aap bhi shahid hone ke liye." He placed a finger on his lips. "Now shh... uncle se sab poochhne do."

["Hmm, come, you too should become a martyr." He placed a finger on his lips. "Now shh... let Uncle ask everything."]

(From the phone's other side came the loud rattling of a train, whistles blowing in the distance. Uncle's voice was practically a yell.)

Uncle: "Ha beta bolo! Kuch sunai hi nahi de raha!"

[Uncle: "Yes, beta, speak up! I can't hear anything at all!"]

Vivek had to raise his voice too, half-shouting, half-laughing:
Vivek: "Uncle! Help chahiye!"

(The echo of his voice filled the kitchen, making Arya cover her ears and laugh helplessly. Prince, completely unbothered, drummed his fingers like a tabla on the countertop, swaying his head as though enjoying a music beat.(ofcourse cause prince used to with this range of vivek's voice whenever he scolds prince)

Uncle (still yelling): "Help? Yaha se? Kaise? Batao toh!"

Vivek explained the whole mess, his voice competing with the train. Arya leaned her cheek on her palm, torn between laughter and nerves, while Prince observed every word with a mischievous smirk.

Finally, Uncle burst out laughing from the other end.
Uncle: "Oh! Ha ha ha... Poor my kids ! Achha suno, mai phone pe hi tumko sab measurements likh ke list bhej deta hu. Daal, chawal, sabzi, roti - har cheez ka! Arya ko kehna tension mat le, mai namak aur paani tak ka measurement likh dunga."[Oh! Ha ha ha... Poor my kids!
Alright listen, I'll send you the entire list with all the measurements over the phone-dal, rice, veggies, roti-everything!
Tell Arya not to worry, I'll even include the measurements for salt and water!]

The call cut with a sudden hiss of static. Vivek sighed in relief.
Vivek: "Uncle bhej rahe hai list... bas ab wait karna hai."

Arya nodded slowly, chewing her lip nervously.
Arya: "Hmm..."

Vivek tilted his head, watching her face.
Vivek: "Can you please change these expressions? It's too demotivating."

(Arya shrugged, her voice small.)

Arya: "Mujhe tension hai, Vivek."

Vivek (firm, but gentle): "Tension lene se khaana jaldi nahi hoga Arya."

(Prince, who had been balancing a spoon on his pinky finger, jumped into the conversation.)

Prince: "Sahi kaha. Tension toh unko lena chahiye jo yeh khana khane wale hai. Teen chef, aur teeno ka cooking experience zero."

[Prince: "Well said. The ones who should really be worried are those who have to eat this food. Three chefs-and not one of them has any cooking experience!"]

(Arya let out an unexpected giggle, )

Vivek (smiling at her): "Dekha? Exactly. Mujhe daal-chawal banana aata hai - Uncle ne sikhaya tha. Main woh sambhal lunga."

[Vivek (smiling at her): "See? Exactly. I know how to make dal and rice-Uncle taught me. I'll handle that part."]

He pointed at Arya with a small grin.
Vivek: "Aap sabzi aur roti bana lena."