Chapter 64: Popcorn

“That’s enough lazing around, don’t you think? Go make dinner.” Aanya’s voice broke the silence after some time.

Gentle snoring noises came from the top of her head, where Aakash’s face was resting.

“Stop acting or I’ll elbow you.” No sooner than the words were out of her mouth that the person leaning against her started.

“Hmm…huhh…ughh.” He mumbled out as he yawned. “Ah, sorry, I think I fell asleep.” Aakash smiled sleepily at his dubious wife who simply shoved him off her before rolling to the other side.

“As if.”

“W-what?”

“Continue acting if you want; just go make dinner.”

“Okay, okay. I’m going.”

“…screw off.”

“You are not getting me with that again.” Aakash was speechless. Wasn’t she angry about what he had said? Was she trying to make him commit the same mistake again?

“Oh.”

“Are you a masochist? You want me to repeat what I said back then even though you hated it?”

In response, Aanya’s hand stretched out towards the pencil holder sitting on the side table.

Noticing the motion, Aakash hastily made a getaway, chuckling all the while.

“Have a good sleep. I’ll wake you up when it’s time.”

******

“It’s movie time!” Aarav pranced around happily as the group waited near the doors to the cinema hall.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone to the hall to watch a movie! This will be fun!” Cabir high-fived Aarav.

“We are in public, keep your voices down!” Aanya sent a cross gaze over to the two who quieted down almost immediately.

“Where’s you dad? Such a slowpoke!” Cabir ignored the look but still lowered his voice. “I was in the washroom for like five whole minutes.”

“Well, there was a huge crowd at the counter so, I don’t know. I saw dad a minute ag- ah, is that him?”

“No, it’s not.” Aanya gently turned Aarav in another direction as she poked Cabir towards the same place, “There’s your precious Aakash.”

“Precious, my ass! I’m not Gollum!” Cabir hissed back.

“Gollum didn’t call ‘people’ precious.” Aanya pointed out.

“That’s not-” Cabir didn’t even continue as he gave her a stink-eye and waved at his best friend who was weaving through the crowd carrying a tray. “What took you so long? The hall’s going to open any minute now!”

“There was a huge queue, what could I do?”

“Cut the queue!”

“…”

“Just what are you saying in front of Aarav!”

“Mom, I know what’s right or wrong. I’m a senior now!””

“Yes, he must have experience in bunking classes by now.” Cabir chimed in.

“That’s-”

“Cabir-”

A hand appeared between the squabbling trio. Aakash shoved the tray into Cabir’s empty hands. “Three popcorns. One medium tub (cheese) for you. One small tub (caramel) for Aarav and one large mixed tub (caramel and cheese) for Aanya and me. Keep it.”

“Ugh, you like cheese popcorn, Uncle Cabir? Yuck.”

“Hey, you like Caramel like your dad and mum. That’s worse but you don’t see me complaining.”

“You are now.”

“Smart aleck.”

“We like both. That’s the best.” Aanya stated firmly between the two’s constant to-and-fro.

“Ugh, a mixture? I never get how the both of you can eat two popcorns of different flavours like that, mom.” Aarav rebutted.

“Yeah, we can be antis but you two are not even in the competition. A mixture? Yuck.”

Aarav and Cabir high-fived and Cabir almost dropped the tray.

“Be careful!” Aakash snapped.

“Yes, sir, yes, sir, with three tubs full? Don’t you worry, I’ll be careful~” Cabir sang.

“…that was surprisingly good rhyming. Though you plagiarised the tune from ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’.”

“…whatever.” Cabir scoffed as he rolled his eyes.

Aakash handed his phone to his wife, “I forgot to forward the tickets to your phone. Just show it to them from my phone if necessary.”

“It won’t be, we already did right there.”

“Just in case. It’s been a while since any one of us has come to the cinema hall.”

“Where are you going?” Cabir asked.

“The washroom. See ya.”

“I see you.” Cabir nodded.

Aakash just shook his head in exasperation and walked away with long strides towards the washroom.