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A light is flickering in the living room of Khan Villa. Zoya entered the room with a huge tub of popcorn in hands. She placed pop corn tub on the centre table.
"Now, we need some coke and water bottles and we are all set." Zoya thought alound and looked at the clock which read 7:40 PM. "Still 20 minutes to go." Zoya turned to go to kitchen and noticed that light was flickering.
"Allah miyan, don't tell me that we would have a power cut today." She quickly turned on another light which was fine. She checked lights in kitchen and dining room, and everything was fine.
"What's wrong with this light? Lagta hain bulb badalne ka time ho gaya hain. Let me get ladder." Zoya brought out step-ladder from store room and shouted, "Najma, where are spare light bulbs? Where are you? Come to the living room and hold this ladder."
Najma was yet to respond but Asad heard all this and he came out of their room.
"What now, Zoya?"
"Asad, this light is flickering. I think it is time to change bulb."
"Zoya, that light fixture is a complicated one. I will call an electrician tomorrow morning. Use other lights for tonight."
"No, we have to have this light. It gives the perfect lighting, if you want to watch TV in living room. Baki sab TV pe glare deti hain."
"Then, use TV in our room or in some other room."
"Nahi. Home theatre system to yahin lagi hain, naa? We are going to watch movie here only."
Najma and Dilshaad had arrived and heard the conversation.
"Najma, hold this ladder. Let me see, what needs to be done?" Zoya was already on the ladder.
Asad reached first and held onto the ladder. "Zoya, get down. Let me see it."
"Kyon? Can't I fix it? Kitni baar batana padega, aisi koi cheese nahi jo Zoya Farooqui..ermm.. Khan nahi fix kar sakti."
Asad was still getting used to her new name and always got a small smile on his face. Dilshaad and Najma were used to their bickering by now.
"Why is it so important to fix this tonight? What are you watching that you have made all these preparations?" Asad looked at popcorn, coke cans in living room.
"Bhai Jaan, aaj TV pe ek horror movie aane vali hain – Ek thi Daayan. Hum ne vahi dekhne ka plan banaya hain. Uske reviews kafi achhce hain. Jab wo movie release hui thi, mere exams chal rahe the, is liye dekh nahi paaye the."
"Horror movie – tum teeno ko kitna dar lagta hain! Aankh bandh kar ke movie dekthe ho, aur chale hain horror movie dekhne."
"7:45. Movie will start in 15 minutes." Zoya interrupted.
"Zoya beta, Asad ko chadhne do." Dilshaad was worried for Zoya.
"Ammi, US main aisi chhoti-moti cheezein khud hi karni hoti hain. Aur, vaise bhi aap to jaanti hain, main kitne fields main expert hoon."
Dilshaad turned to Asad, "Beta, use karne do, naa. Vaise bhi she is better than you in such things."
"Ammi..." Dilshaad had already diverted her attention to Zoya on ladder.
"Najma, zara mere room se mera toolbox to la do. I need to open this fixture first."
Najma went to Asad and Zoya's room.
"Beta, you need to wear rubber shoes. Let me get them for you." With that Dilshaad left.
"Vaise aap ko mere horror movie dekhne se kyon problem ho rahi hain? You know that mujhe darr lagta hain, is liye raat ko I will hug you tightly, when we sleep. I very well know how much you enjoy it, Mr. Khan." Zoya teased Asad.
Asad quickly looked at doors and said with a smirk, "I was worried for Ammi and Najma. Not for you. Vaise bhi, aapko bhooton se darr lagta hain, usse jyada bhooton ko aapse darr lagta hoga."
"Achha ji...", Zoya stopped because Najma arrived with her toolbox and Dilshaad came with rubber-soled shoes and new bulb.
Najma gave her screwdriver and Zoya started opening the light fixture.
"Allah miyan, what is wrong with it? Itne saare screws? Andar jaise light bulb nahi chaand chhupa ke rakha hain."
"Zoya, bhai jaan ne ye light khaas Paris se mangvayi thi."
"Kyon? India ke sare light fixtures bananewale mar gaye the ke Paris jaana pada." Zoya fumed as she struggled with opening a tight screw.
"Zoya, you have to turn it in counterclockwise direction to loosen it. You are tightening the screw." Asad said.
Zoya just stared at him for few seconds and then started, "You are standing in the opposite direction. Vahan se ulta hi dikhega. I am turning the screw in correct direction." "Pata nahi, buildings kaise banate honge. Plan ulta pakadte honge to kya hota hoga?" Zoya mumbled while concentrating on task at hand and Asad realized his mistake. She removed outer parts of the light fixture, but the bulb was protected by one more layer of glass.
"Allah miya, kitna complicated hain? Najma, jaldi se mera iPad lao. Go to YouTube and search for this model number. " She gave Najma the model number of the light fixture, but Najma and Asad both struggled to find any video on it.
"Asad, call Raabert. He is good at such stuff. No arguments, Asad. Hurry..."
Najma made a video call to Ayaan. "Mona, aap ye kya kar rahi hain?"
"Raabert, there is no time to explain. Just quickly search for any video that explains how to open this light fixture."
Ayaan gave a confused look to rest of the Khans, but searched for the video on his laptop. Ayaan found relevant YouTube video and started relaying instructions, "You need 2.4 mm screwdriver".
"My laptops battery is dying. Humeria begum, zara hamare laptop ka charger dhoondhiye."
Humeira came to their room and plugged charger. "Aap kab apni cheezein sambhalana seekhenge?"
"Jab aap hain to humein kya zaroorat hain?" Ayaan flirted with Humeria.
"Raabert, focus...focus...", Zoya shouted.
Humeria had no idea that video chat was on. She blushed profusely and then slowly said.
"Ye Zoya baji kya kar rahi hain?" "Humeira, abhi baitho. Baad main samjata hoon."
Finally, Zoya could open the light fixture and change the light bulb.
"Asad, zara switch on kijiye." Asad turned on the switch and new bulb shined.
"Yay...", Zoya clapped and rest of the Khans joined. Asad rolled his eyes at his family's antics.
"Thank you, Raabert. Hey Humeria, didn't see you. Ok...it is 8. We have to watch a movie. Abhi ke liye over and out."
"Over and out", both Ayaan and Humeira said and ended the video chat.
Zoya got down from ladder and she, Dilshaad and Najma settled before TV.
"Aur, ye light fixtures ko bandh kaun karega? Ye ladder kaun hatayega? Ye toolbox kaun hatayega?"
"Woh sab aap karenge, Asad. And, abhi...shush...", Zoya answered with eyes glued on TV.
"I am not doing any of this." Asad went inside his room and banged the door.
"Ammi, he is such a baby sometimes. Don't worry...main baad main manaa loongi. Abhi movie dekhte hain." Zoya said seeing Asad's tantrum.
Three Khan Women got engrossed in watching the movie.
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Just a zany idea that crossed my mind...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
