Taabindagi (Sequel Of Sharar)

Twenty-Seven

Somehow, she managed to get through the rest of the day. It wasn’t until the afternoon that Nomi and Eira finally returned from university.

However, Nomi barely acknowledged her. He dumped his bag on her lap and disappeared into his room. He had a week’s worth of sleep to catch up on. Besides, when Azlan will come home in the evening, and he was bound to ask about his exam. That conversation alone would require all the strength Nomi could muster.

•••

“Kullu! Kullu! Kullu!” Sharfa barged into the shared room with Lily curled comfortably in her arms. Her voice echoed through the quiet room, disturbing the peace Eira had only just started to enjoy as she lay on the bed, exhausted from the day.

The moment Lily spotted Eira, she squirmed slightly, just enough to pretend she might be interested, but then promptly snuggled back into Sharfa’s lap, blinking slowly in satisfaction.

“Lily!” Eira called, trying to tempt the cat her way. But Lily clearly had picked sides today, and Eira wasn’t it.

Sharfa plopped onto her bed. “Pata hai hum kitna bore hue aaj? Yaha aye the vacation enjoy karne lekin yaha kuch nahi karne ke liye. Issey achha wahi rehte, at least mom ke sath hospital chale jate ya dad ke sath office. Bhai ke sath hi kahi ghoom atey, waha bhai bhai rehte hain, yaha akey toh bhai bhi badal jate hain. Hume inform kiye begair hi office chale gaye akele aur ab tak aye bhi nahi. Yeh koi baat hoti hai, Kullu?”

(Do you know how bored I got today? I came here to enjoy my vacation, but there’s nothing to do. It would’ve been better to stay back, at least I could’ve gone to the hospital with Mom or toured the office with Dad. Or gone out somewhere with Bhai. There, bhai is my bhai. Here, he even change after coming. He went to the office without even telling me, and he hasn’t returned yet. Is that even fair, Kullu?)

By now, Eira had already laid back into her resting position. Without even opening her eyes, she said. “Eira! How many times have I told you Eira.” Her voice was flat, tinged with fatigue.

“Do you want to cut something?” Sharfa asked then offered her help, as always. “Hum knife la sakte hain kitchen se.”

(I can get a knife from the kitchen.)

Eira’s brows furrowed, as she opened her eyes, startled. “Main kyu kuch cut karungi?”

(Why would I cut anything?)

“I don’t know, you’re the one asking for a saw,” Sharfa shrugged her shoulders.

“Woh aari hota hai.” Eira said, now fully annoyed.

(That’s aari,)

“Eira kya hota hai phir?” Sharfa leaned in like she was about to uncover a great mystery.

(Then what’s Eira?)

“Mera naam hota hai. Stop calling me Kullu.” Eira groaned.

(Eira is my name.)

“Why?” Sharfa whined, dragging the word.

“Kyuki woh mera naam nahi. My name is Eira.”

(Because that's not my name.)

“Woh toh bahar ke liye. Ghar pe toh Kullu. Jaise bahar ke liye I'm Sharfa but ghar pe Momo.”

(That’s your outside name. At home, you’re Kullu. Just like outside I’m Sharfa but at home I’m Momo.)

“Kisne kaha? Ghar mein bhi tum mujhe Eira hi bulao.” She said with firm irritation.

(Says who? Even at home, call me Eira.)