11. ECHOES OF LAUGHTER

                                    

                                          
Haseena came home a little late today. She used the spare key Amar had given her for emergencies. 
Unlocking the door, she stepped into the eerily silent house. She glanced around, expecting to see Amar, Sara, or Papa, but the hall was empty.
The living room was dimly lit, with only the night bulb casting a faint glow. 
Has everyone gone to sleep already? Haseena wondered. She headed towards Amar's room – or rather, their room – searching for him.
.......
She switched on the lights and looked around. No sign of Amar. 
Amar toh humse pehle aaye the,lekin hain kahan?
Haseena decided to change into something comfortable before looking for Amar. She took out a cozy outfit from her suitcase, which she hadn't unpacked due to her chaotic schedule. With her clothes in hand, she proceeded to the bathroom.
********
In Sara's room, the siblings were in a midst of an argument. Sara stood on the bed, while Amar remained on the floor.
Amar- Sara meri shirt tumne fir se le li...wapas karo warna accha nhi hoga...
Sara-(challenging) kya kar lenge aap? Mai nhi wapas karne wali. Aapko pata hai na aapki shirts kitni comfortable hoti hain.
Amar- mai tumhare liye bhi toh laaya tha--
Sara-but bhai, jo shirt aapse cheen kar pehenne me hai wo humari shirts mein kahan?(She sheepishly shrugged)
Amar-(with a sly smirk)aakhri baar keh raha hu, agar nhi diya toh phir kehna mat maine warn nhi kiya.
Sara-(rolling her eyes) Jo karna hai karlein I DON'T CARE.
Amar- Theek hai phir.
He sneaked into the walk-in closet in her room and opened her one of the drawer, revealing the stash of snacks she had bought for herself while coming to Lucknow. Amar swiftly grabbed everything and made a exit. 
"Bhaiiii....! You can't do this!" Sara exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the snacks in his hand. Amar's smug grin only ignited her fury. 
Before she could pounce, he hastily stuffed the snacks into his hoodie and fled for life. 
Sara gave a chase, but Amar managed to evade by locking her in the room. However, she didn't remain trapped for long, as she escaped through her window.
"Bhai, mai aapko nhi chodne wali...!" Exclaimed Sara breathlessly, running through the empty corridors.
Amar, being a police, was faster, he was away from her sight in no time.
Meanwhile, Haseena who changed, dialed Amar's number, but the phone beeped from the room. She disconnected the call and sighed.
Kya karein? Pehle hi iss jagah se waqif nhi hai hum, upar se itna bada ghar, aesa lag rha hai ki mai yahan akeli hu....
Haseena thought to organize her belongings in her designated closet space, till Amar arrives. 
She entered the spacious walk-in closet and slid open the space on the left.
As she gazed inside, her eyes grew wide with astonishment.