Second Chance (Vol.1) Squandered

2: Zoya, Zeher

Zoya smiled as Noor finished typing her SMS to Ammi.

Ameena Aunty had asked Noor earlier that morning, "Where are the love birds?" Noor had snapped back, "There is only one Angry Bird at home..." Noor was now officially the Angry Bird of the 2 familys.

Yes, Noor was a very angry bird these days. Her dear Kohinoor!!! She seemed to be scowling 24X7. She hated her new workplace. She hated her boss. She hated Arshad. She hated the Habibs...

But Noor was by her side when she needed her. Also she had stopped begging Zoya to patch up with Aditya. Zoya suspected she had Ammi to thank for this.

In fact Aditya had simply disappeared not just from Noor's conversations but from Zoya's life for some few days now. She should have been relieved and happy but she felt neither. Was she hurt? What was that pain? Her heart was held in a tight fist and it was crushing her heart. She shook her head to snap out of this mood.

She checked her mobile for any new SMS. But the last SMS from Aditya was "Dont miss me too much. I will be away for 15-20 days". That was several days ago.

Zoya was jolted back to earth. Noor had just kicked her shin. A fat baby was making funny faces at Noor and Noor was making faces back at the baby.

Zoya grabbed Noor's wrist and dragged her away

Zoya: Let's take a walk

Noor: Are we checking if your would-be better half's clinic is operating to his high standards?

Zoya: No. We are exercising my numb feet

Noor: When Arshad says 10 minutes...on which planet...
Zoya: Try calling him Jiju...
Noor made a face and gagged...
Zoya: He is a doctor...
Noor: Hey that's Chintu...

Noor entered a ward. Zoya rushed after her.

Noor: What happened Chintu?
Chintu: (Made a face) Dengue. And... Its my birthday today

Zoya knew Chintu from the Little Homes orphanage. He was a smart naughty adorable kid roughly 12-13 years old. He was a bundle of hyper-energy and all things contrary. He was the Siddiqui sisters favorite. All their efforts to remain impartial failed when it came to Chintu. And he was always in some trouble at the orphanage. She tried to cheer him up.

Zoya: So this is your worst birthday. 13 is really unlucky number for you. Which was your best birthday so far?

Chintu: Last year. When Adi Dada took me flying in that small plane. It was a special treat because 1...I kept my promise and made friends with maths 2... I made 3 goals in football match against Adi Dada and Arjun Dada's team and 3... Because it was my birthday

Arjun: Happy Birthday Chintu

Zoya and Noor whipped around...both were shocked to see Arjun with a huge gift wrapped box. He went around the 2 dumbstruck sisters to Chintu's bed and handed over the box to Chintu.

Chintu: Thank you Arjun Dada

Chintu ripped the wrapper and whooped on seeing the massive 250 pieces 3D jigsaw puzzle of an aircraft model

Arjun and Chintu started reading the instructions. Some other kids joined them. Just then Arjun got a call on his cellphone.

Arjun: Haann Bhai...Haan mere saath hai...boliye
(Yes bro...he is with me...speak here...)

And Arjun put the phone on speaker...

Zoya quickly turned and left the ward. Noor fled after her. As the door shut behind them, Zoya caught the cacophony of Aditya singing Happy Birthday and Arjun and the other boys joining in...