“Can you believe this? She just asked me how I died” I said throwing her hands in the air due to frustration.
Zoya laughed.
“It’s not funny” I said with a serious expression.
“Hey I am so proud, you know I tell everyone of my friends that my appa was Anarkali” My younger sister Sahana said.
Zoya laughed again.
“Ah............come back to reality guys you are at home and not in Akbar’s palace can’t you see our roof is leaking why don’t you think about fixing the roof instead of thinking about this rubbish” Aisha Nadira’s younger and Sahana’s elder sister said.
“I will fix that now, all of you go for your job” Ammi(Mother) said.
“Ammi I want 300Rs” Aisha said.
“Why?” Ammi asked.
“I wanna apply for a Singing competition 300Rs is registration fees” Aisha said.
“Then don’t apply no” Ammi said without any particular emotion in her voice.
“But ammi.........” Aisha was saying but Fatima stopped her.
“No more discussion” Ammi said and rushed into the kitchen.
“Someone please convince mom” Aisha pleaded looking at her sisters.
“Aisha why don’t you understand after abba’s death there was no savings we lost all our money paying off the debts due to loss in abba’s business” Zoya said.
“But it was not my fault, abba was stupid enough to put all our money in risk” Aisha said.
“Stop shouting at abba OK” I said.
“Appa it is we who should suffer the consequence you will marry your Saleem and go and live in a stunning place while we will stay here fixing Leakey roofs, we don’t know any trick to trap rich guys like you non-of us werel Anarkali OK” Aisha said.
“I am not Anarkali I am Nadira Ahamad daughter of Azaad Ahamad and Fatima begum” I said with tears in my eyes.
“But Nadira appa wasn’t Anarkali’s name Nadira before she was a court dancer?” Sahana said with innocence clearly visible on her voice.
“Shana that’s why ammi and abba named her Nadira because she is the incarnation of Anarkali so the maulvi sahib said her name should be Anarkali but that will be so funny so abba settled with Nadira”
“I am fed up with you guys, I am out of here” I said picking up her bag and shawl and walked out of my home.
“Arey.....have breakfast at least” Ammi shouted from inside the kitchen but I just kept on walking.
*
“Sir but you promised Rs 500” I said to a creepy man in a Safari suit.
“Listen this is a local program you will only get this” He said.
“But Sir you promised...........” I was saying when he cut me.
“IF YOU WANT TAKE THIS OR ELSE YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE” He shouted.
“Sir we had spend the whole month rehearsing for this event do you understand, and what do we get this bloody 100 Rs each”
“If no one wants to see your Kathak then what will I do?” He said and walked away from there.
I stood there almost in tears.
“Listen Nadira he is right no one watch Kathak now a days if you want I will talk to the manager of the bar I work in, there is an vacancy anyway” My close friend Maya said.
“I don’t wanna dace in front of some random guys” I said.
“I know we will not get any respect but it is better than not getting any food think about it” Maya said and left.
I walked back home.
*
“That guy is a cheater” I said.
“It’s OK beta at lest we got 100Rs” Fatima said.
“Ammi if we had got Rs 500 we could have afforded to give Aisha her 300Rs she is a really good singer, how long will she sing at a bar” I said.
“She also works as a music teacher” Fatima said.
“And what about you ammi for how long are you planning to work as a maid?” I asked.
“I will stop working once all of you get married OK” Fatima said.
“But ammi........” I said.
“No more discussion, finish your food and go everyone will be waiting for you” Fatima said.
“OK” I said.
*
“Sorry madam that is a rare piece of art I cannot give you any more discount on that” Zoya appa said she was sitting in the billing area of a shop.
“OK” A fat aunty said as she gave Zoya appa money and left.
“Zoya appa here is your lunch box” I said.
“Hey Nadira how was your show?” Zoya appa asked.
“As usual he just gave us Rs 100” I said.
“Forget the money did you dance well?” Zoya appa asked.
Zoya appa was one of my sisters who didn’t give any importance to money maybe because she lived her entire childhood as a queen and she also saw how we lost everything.
“Yes I did, at least better than last time” I said.
“Good” Zoya appa said and smiled.
*
“Here is your double chicken burger with Pepsi and French fries, do you want anything else sir?” Sahana who was looking really pretty in a waitress costume asked with a grand smile on her face.She was serving food to a cute guy who was just staring at her face.
“Do you want anything else sir?” She asked again with a little confusion.

“Haa......ya.....I mean no” He managed to say finally.
Sahana blushed as she walked back to her counter.
“Ohoo someone is blushing” I said.
“Nadira appa” She said.
“So Miss Sahana will you eat the lunch that I made or your Double chicken burger with Pepsi and French fries?” I asked and laughed.
“Shut up appa” Sahana said as she gestured to another girl to get the next order ready.
“So what is the scene?” I askred.
“There is no seen he just a customer and I am a waitress and if you didn’t leave now then you will not reach CCD on time so it is better that you leave Nadira appa” Sahana said.
“Arey..... CCD will be there all the time, you know what ammi said today? She said she will stop working as a maid when all of us get married and look you will marry that cute guy, Ammi had already found a guy for Zoya appa I think she will fix their wedding soon and Aisha she will run away with someone” Nadira said and laughed.
“I don’t think that Ammi will stop working because even though all of us will get married you will spend your life waiting for you prince” Sahana said.
“No I won’t, I will just marry someone ammi chooses for me” I said.
“No Nadira appa don’t do that what will the prince do without his princess?” Sahana said laughing.
“How many times I have told you there is no prince waiting for me and I am not Anarkali can you stop this bullshit already?” I asked a little irritated.
“Sahana table No: 7” Siya another waitress in KFC said after pushing a tray towards Sahana.
“OK” Sahana said she took the tray in her hand.
“Hey Mirza is hear” Siya said looking at the cute guy.
Sahana gave Siya a staring and walked towards table No: 7 with the tray.
“Do you know that guy?” I asked Siya.
“Ya he is our classmate from collage he is having a crush on Sahana from day 1 he come here almost every day just to see her but this Sahana stupid girl never give him a chance” Siya said.
“I don’t blame her our financial problems really effect her we barley manage to pay her fees and she knows that that’s why she is doing this part-time job after collage unlike Aisha she never ask for anything” I said.
“But Mirza is a good guy he really love her” Siya said.
“I can see that” I said after looking at Mirza.
“Di(Sister) I think you should leave now or else you will get late for your job” Siya warned me.
I checked my watch to find out that I was terribly late.
“Oh! Yes I should leave bye” I took my bag and walked out.
After a little walk I reached Cafe Coffee Day or CCD. Did I mention that I work as waitresses hear? What did you say no; sorry about that so I work as a waitress in CCD I had taken half day leave today to attend that stupid dance show. Usually my Aisha was the one who deliver the lunch box but today as I took a half day I delivered the food so as you can see I got late. I prayed that my boss is in good mood today as I stepped inside.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hey my awesome readers thanks a lot for reading my book tell me your views on the book and sorry for late updates.

With love
Aiswarya Vinod.