The sweet aroma of freshly blended banana milk still lingered in the kitchen.
She had just poured a cold, creamy glass especially for Masal and placed it carefully on the table.
Before the little girl could even reach for it...
Masa wandered into the kitchen.
Without a second thought, he picked up the glass as if it had been prepared for him all along.
"Hey!"
Masal's eyes widened.
"That's mine!"
Masa looked at her innocently.
"I'm only taking one sip."
"You are taking nothing!"
She rushed forward and smacked his arm.
"Ouch!"
Masa frowned dramatically.
"Amma!"
She turned around just in time to see the two glaring at each other.
"Masal."
She gently held her daughter's ear.
"Why are you hitting your brother?"
"He tried to drink my banana milk!"
Masal pointed accusingly at the glass still clutched in Masa's hands.
"I saw that," she replied calmly.
"That glass was made for you."
Masal folded her arms proudly.
"I made it."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You peeled the bananas?"
"You used the blender?"
Masal's confidence disappeared.
"...No."
"So who made it?"
"...You."
"That's better."
"But you made it for me," Masal insisted, hugging the glass protectively.
"That's true," she said with a smile. "But he's your brother. If he wants one sip, what's the big deal?"
Masal hugged the glass even tighter.
"No."
"It's mine."
She sighed, trying not to laugh.
"It's only banana milk."
"Exactly!" Masal replied confidently.
"And it's my banana milk."
Masa couldn't resist teasing her.
"See? Amma loves me more."
"That's why she wants me to drink it."
Masal's mouth fell open in disbelief.
"What?"
She immediately turned to her mother.
"Amma..."
"Do you love him more than me?"
She closed her eyes for a brief second and looked up at the ceiling.
"Ya Allah..."
"Please grant me patience."
When she looked back at them, both children were waiting for her answer.
Suppressing a smile, she shook her head.
"I love both of you exactly the same."
"Next time..."
"I'll make two glasses."
Masal thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"No."
She held up three tiny fingers.
"Three."
Her mother blinked.
"Three?"
Masal nodded seriously.
"Yes."
"Because we heard Appa once fought his friend over banana milk."
She widened her eyes dramatically.
"And I really don't want Appa fighting us for it."
For a second...
The kitchen fell silent.
Then laughter burst from every corner.
Even Masa laughed so hard he almost dropped the glass.
She covered her face, still laughing.
"Your Appa..."
She shook her head helplessly.
"...is impossible."
Still smiling, she looked at both of them and added,
"I think from now on..."
"I'm making three glasses."
Comming Soon...
ZK 💌