A Sew Through Time [Bandbudh And Budbak]

2: Jeeva's cooking classes

"Oye, get my phone na"

Badri's tummy poking failed to rouse Budh from sleep. He was not really asleep, but lazying like a log with the blanket over his head. His phone was under the cover, in his hands, where despite having no internet, he continued scrolling through his gallery. Whenever he found some rare, epic or absurd pictures, he hovered his hand out to show it to his best friend.

Badri would pretend to remember them.

Budh found a picture of them with long hairs and showed.

"Ye kab huyatha?" He took the phone to look closely.

"We should had never returned to civilization after that, hehe" he guffawed and snatched the phone away. After some time, he showed him another, "Remember this one?"

Badri stopped chewing on saggy popcorn and held it, "That's from the school cycle race!"

"Kitna achha din tha na woh?" Budh stretched his hands out, "We came first and Rathi sir treated us with samosas and cold drinks"

"Yeah and took the trophy for himself" Badri laid down, his mirth replaced with empty speculation.

"Yaar partner" Budh put the blanket off his face, "I think we should tell our college principal to organize a scooter racing competition"

"Usse kya hoga?"

"Arre bhondu prize milega!"

"Samosas and cold drink? Naahh" Badri rolled to the other side, "That sounds better in school only"

"It's not the prize that matters," Budh yawned, "Lallantaap cheez hai. Pushing everyone off from their scooters would be so fun!"

"Whatever"

Budh noticed him falling asleep.

"Hey Badri"

"Yeah?"

He caught his arm.

"What're you?" Badri turned back

"Arre show na"

He hesitated.

"I'm seeing your arm, not eating you up"

Somewhat convinced, Badri sat up and showed him. The other held his hand and turned it, taking notice of the dried bruises around his bare pink skin.

"So?" Badri said, "What did you understand?"

"Hmmmm" Budh nodded, "You're healing, good good"

"Yeah right" he leaned back.

"But whatever everyone says, there's one thing that's much better here than at home"

"What's that?"

"At least there aren't any mosquitoes here" his head sank under the cover, "Hojata abhi bicep training, swinging up, down and everywhere!"

Shoes squeaking outside made them glance at the door. Casually draped by a red dupatta with loose yellow threads and a red bindi over her forehead, the toddler Khushi erupted inside gleefully. Noticing them on the bed, she ran towards Budh's side while making her way through unused faux machines, bundled blueprints and their upturned chappals.

Budh kept his phone down and turned towards her, bringing her closer and asking meekly, "Kaun aisa sajadiya Khushi didi ko?"

"Sabina didi ney" she covered her face with the dupatta.

"Sabina didi ney? Awlele, aap toh laapata ladies lagrahe ho" he put the dupatta behind her head and combed her short hair with his fingers.

"Mujhe sari sari khelni hai!"