Jamila and Afroz were brother and sister, and they were more than just siblings—they were best friends. They loved talking, telling jokes, and making everyone around them laugh. If there was ever a dull moment at a family gathering, all anyone had to do was listen for Jamila and Afroz’s loud laughter. Before long, they’d have everyone smiling and laughing with them.
Even though both of them were married with kids, Jamila and Afroz remained as close as ever. They lived just a few streets apart, and almost every day, Jamila would drop by Afroz’s house to chat and joke around.
One day, as usual, Jamila walked over to Afroz’s house. She knocked on the door and shouted, “Afroz! Are you home, or are you hiding in your office, pretending to work?”
Afroz came out of his room, scratching his head. “Why do I need to work when you are here to bother me all day?” he joked. “I was hoping you’d forget to visit today.”
Jamila plopped down on the couch. “Forget? Please! Your day doesn’t start until I walk through that door. Farah even told me how you stare at the clock waiting for me.”
Farah, Afroz’s wife, peeked out from the kitchen, laughing. “It’s true! He keeps looking at the door like a puppy waiting for a treat.”
Afroz put his hand on his chest, pretending to be hurt. “Oh, now my sister and my wife are teaming up against me? That’s not fair!”
“Of course we are!” Jamila said with a wink. “Now, where’s my tea? I came all this way to save you from your boring life. The least you can do is make me some tea.”
Afroz narrowed his eyes and said, “Favorite sister, huh? You’re my only sister.”
“Which automatically makes me your favorite!” Jamila replied, laughing. “Now, hurry up with that tea!”
Grumbling but smiling, Afroz went to the kitchen to make tea. He loved these moments with Jamila, even though he’d never admit it out loud. Jamila kept talking from the couch while he boiled the water.
““Afroz, do you remember how smart you were in your childhood? What happened? Did your brain get lost somewhere between school and college?”
Afroz poked his head out from the kitchen. “I think my brain ran away the day you started talking nonstop. You must’ve scared it away with all your chatter!”
Jamila laughed loudly. “Oh, please! I’m the one who made you funny! You were so boring before I taught you how to joke around. Remember how you used to sit in the corner reading books while everyone else was having fun?”
Afroz came out with two cups of tea. “I think you’re here to remind me how much I need you, huh?”
“Exactly!” Jamila took a sip of her tea and immediately made a face. “Ugh! What is this? Have you forgotten how to make tea too? You’re slipping, Afroz.”
Afroz laughed. “No, no, the tea is perfect. You just have terrible taste.”
Jamila rolled her eyes. “Whatever. So, what’s going on with your kids? Have they driven you crazy yet?”
Afroz sighed and shook his head. “Don’t even get me started. Last week, Ahmed decided he wanted to be an inventor. He took apart the TV remote, the fan, and the blender to ‘create something new.’ When I grounded him, do you know what he said?”
“What?” Jamila asked, curious.
“He said, ‘Dad, I’m not grounded. I’m just a scientist trapped in a boring world!’ Can you believe that? These kids are getting smarter day by day!”
Jamila laughed so hard she almost spilled her tea. “Ahmed is definitely your son! He’s a genius!”
“Oh, sure. But where do you think he gets that smart mouth from?” Afroz said, shaking his head.
Farah came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. “Why don’t the two of you take a vacation from your kids? It sounds like you both need a break.”
Jamila and Afroz looked at each other and laughed.
“That’s a great idea!” Jamila said, pretending to get up. “Come on, Afroz, let’s run away before anyone notices.”
“I’m in! But where would we go? Someplace quiet… Oh wait, that won’t work with you around!” Afroz teased.
“Hey!” Jamila playfully smacked him on the arm. “You can’t escape me. I’m your favorite sister, remember?”
“That’s true,” Afroz said, smiling. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
They sat back, sipping their tea (even though Jamila was still pretending it tasted bad). The room was filled with laughter and playful teasing, just like always. No matter how busy or stressful their lives were, Jamila and Afroz always found time to joke around and enjoy each other’s company.
In the end, they both knew that their bond was special. Sibling love, endless laughter, and a little teasing—this was how they rolled, and they wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
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