The unusual siblings

Shubhi was in college when she met Sarfaraz for the first time. After numerous sweet moments of care, love and affection, Sarfaraz had become Saifu bhaiya for Shubhi. Actually, he was a bit elder. Time was passing by happily and even after the college ended, they remained in contact. Their families knew well, the kind of bonding they had. Sharing experiences with each other, they had actually become an amalgamation of cultures and it was nearly impossible to judge their religion.
But religion became a big hindrance between them when riots broke down in a part of their district and quickly engulfed the whole district striking heavily upon the sensitive areas. No one remained calm- most were worried and some were active in causing such worries.
Shubhi had to be confined to the house for weeks. She was tensed because Saifu bhaiya lived in a locality with Hindu majority and was not even replying to her messages. She found herself helpless until one evening when she got a mail reading,
"Dear Shubhi I reached back Allahabad from Delhi right now and to my surprise found my house locked. All my kins' phones are switched off and there is no other way I can contact them. By the way how are you and your family? I pray that you be safe and sound because the situation here is very tense. I am staying here on a rent room in a Muslim colony."
Shubhi at once replied in that typical younger sister style," You didn't pick my phone neither did you reply to my messages. Did you know how worried I was bhaiya? By the way, we are safe. How are you? I feel your family must have gone to your native town because the situation here is very unsafe. But how are you living. How will you pay the rent. You can get no cash as ATMs, banks are all closed. May I help you in some way?"
"Dear I lost my phone with SIM and everything so couldn't reply you. I had thought to see you after my return but the situation turned adverse. And yes I have no cash but I will talk to the landlord if he can afford to get the payment later or through e-wallets, may be. You don't worry I will handle." Sarfaraz assuaged her.
Shubhi was a bit relaxed. But the very next day another message came,
"Shubhi the landlord didn't agree, he too was in need of cash. So, I am leaving this house. I will get you informed as soon as I get another one." Shubhi was craving at heart to call Sarfaraz her home but then she was called from behind,
"Shubhiiii"
"Yes mom" she answered looking at her mother who stood just behind her.
"Beta.. In case you get a message or call from that Saifu bhaiya of yours, do not reply because I don't want you and us in any trouble." her mom ordered.
Shubhi turned pale and thought," if mere thought of replying to him worries mom, she is gonna kill me if I call him home for his safety." and quickly asked her mom, "Okay Mom. Leave that. Tell me one thing...Can I call a hindu friend of mine here for his safety? He lives in a Muslim majority area alone as his family left him and went and...."
" Shut up Shubhiii....I don't want any sort of trouble. A male friend in home....No chance" verdict was given.
" But mom he is like a brother...." she filed the review petition.
"What's his name?" Mom's mood changed.
"Sarrrr............vesh.....I mean Sarvesh" Shubhi lied like never before.
"Okay. let me ask your dad." said Mom.
So the case was transfered to higher court and after lots of arguments and some emotional appeal, permission was granted. Shubhi quickly messaged Sarfaraz, who had by now thought not to disturb her anymore, " Bhaiya you have to come to my house till the storm passes.....na..naah....I will not hear a 'No' in any case."
" But how is that possible Shubhi. If anyone got to know, you and your family will be in extreme trouble."Sarfaraz replied.
" This is what I needed to talk to you about." and she told Sarfaraz the whole story. At first he strictly denied but who can ever deny a wriggling younger sister. Sarfaraz had to accept the proposal and everything was planned.
It took some 500 rupees to turn Saifu bhaiya into Sarvesh bhaiya. He got his beard shaved, moustaches sharpened, hairs trimmed and an orange angauchha wrapped around the neck. A new dress was not required, his kurta pajama worked well. Actually the new look was needed also because Shubhi's parents had seen him once before, though just in a college function video.
And then next day in the morning there was a ting tong at the door. Shubhi was already awake and ran to the door, threw open it but found a stranger standing. All her excitement washed away.
"Whom do you want?" she asked rudely.
The guy just smiled....a wide, innocent, affectionate smile. Now Shubhi made no delay,
"Bhaiyaaaaa.....upp" Sarfaraz shut her mouth before she could announce it to the colony.
"How can you be so excited to see a brother whose even the name was not known to your parents before? Remain casual dear." Sarfaraz advised with a naughty smile.

"Who's there beta?" Mom asked from inside.
"Mom Sarrrrr...vesh bhaiya has come." Shubhi was close to spoiling it again but luckily handled it.
"Namaste Aunty" said Sarfaraz to Shubhi's mom, who had by now come out into the veranda.
"Oh come beta come in..." Mom said but she expected something else.
As Sarfaraz bowed down to pick his bag, Shubhi stared at him indicating something. All conversations were done through eyes quickly. In answer to the lifted eyebrows of Sarfaraz, she pointed towards her mother's feet with the movement of pupil. Sarfaraz at once turned and said, "Sorry aunty in tension I just forgot to touch your feet." and he bent down touching her feet.
With intense motherly touch, Shubhi's mom rolled her fingers into his hairs saying, "You don't need to take any tension beta. This is your home and I am like your mother. You can even address me Maa instead of Aunty."
Shubhi was clueless,"Such love as if they were separated in Kumbh." she thought.

But this time it was Sarfaraz who was going to spoil the game when he said enthusiastically, "Okay then I shall call you Ammi" but quickly realised and said," ....i mean Amma"
Mom said," You can call me whatever you are comfortable at" and went in smiling. Sarafaraz took a sigh of relief.
"Ah...all safe....Let me show you your room bhaiya" said Shubhi and they went in.
Things went well. The conversation with Dad was fine. No one entered Sarfaraz's room thus he could do all his namaaz secretly. And for the rest, he had acquainted himself with the Hindu culture nicely.
One day, Mom called Shubhi," Go and give these laddoos to bhaiya."
 But before Shubhi could get off the chair her Dad intervened, "Don't distub him now. He is doing his namaaz right now."
Shubhi was shocked and slowly lifted her eyes towards her dad. He was busy in his newspaper without a trace of anger. Shubhi thought, "I must be dreaming", but then her mother replied calmly, "Okay ....then Shubhi after he has done his Namaaz, go and give him this."
Shubhi could not understand whether her parents were mocking her or they wanted her to vomit the truth out of fear. She was struck in her chair and began to cry intensely without uttering a word.
In the meantime Mom called on, " Sarvesh"
"Just coming Amma" and he came down quickly just to find his sister weeping like hell. Shocked Sarfaraz at once knelt down before Shubhi holding her hand and wiping her tears,  "What happened bachcha?" he asked. Shubhi just sobbed looking at her parents. Sarfaraz understood the story. He turned and very politely yet firmly said, "Ammi it was I who compelled her to offer me refuge. She had strictly denied but it was me..... It's all my fault. You can give me whatever punishment you like but please cause no harm to her."
At this Dad closed the newspaper and said, "I hate lies and you people spoke it twice."
Sarfaraz and Shubhi heard with face down.
"But this is the first time I do not feel like hating your lies." Dad smiled.
Her Mom, already in tears said patting Shubhi lovingly, "Pagli!! If I had a problem with him being here why would I allow you to call him even after seeing your mails? Yes... we knew from day one that he is Sarfaraz but just to enjoy seeing you two handle a secret, we kept mum." said Mom with a naughty smile on her face and then moving towards Sarfaraz she said, "and you are so fortunate to have such a brother who will take all accusation just for your safety." All were in smile by now. Dad hugged Sarfaraz celebrating the Id of their relation.
Days and weeks went by happily though an underground search for Sarfaraz's kins was on. Even Dad and Mom helped a lot in their efforts and finally an information was obtained. A cousin had come to his place to carry away some valuables so that they can be sold for a living for the time the tension passes. He had all the information of where they were secretly staying but would not answer anything over phone. One thing was sure that they had not gone to native town as it was not safe to travel on that route. Plans were made again but there was a big problem. Sarfaraz did not look like Sarfaraz anymore. For half a decade he had not clean shaved before this and now that he had swiped all hairs off his face, it would take time to regain old look. It would not be easy for his cousin, Ashfaque, to recognize him, not in such tense conditions at least. Shubhi came to rescue and said, " Ashfaque will recognize me bhaiya. We have met before. I shall wear a burqa...."
" Not at all....no...no..not again." interrupted Sarfaraz. Shubhi wriggled again but this time Sarfaraz was adamant as he knew how risky it was.
"No means No Shubhi. You are not going anywhere." said Sarfaraz as his voice turned louder naturally. Mom came in, curious and Sarfaraz told her everything. To his surprise she asked Shubhi, "Promise me you won't return from half way."
"I promise" said the delighted Shubhi and Sarfaraz had to agree with it.
But Shubhi kept the promise forever. She never returned, neither did Sarfaraz.
News came that Sarfaraz had shot her dead and then killed himself. But Shubhi's parents believed at heart that this can't be true. And neither it was. After peace was attained an eyewitness told what had happened that day.
A burqa clad women was rushing out of the street when two men dressed in some agressive hindu attire came on bike and shot her dead shouting some aggressive hindu slogan. A moment later a worried hindu guy, as he appeared by his attire, came searching her and broke into a cry, "Ya allah....why on Earth did I bring you here? If only they knew you are a hindu they would not have killed you. But now I am not going to spare anyone who killed you." He picked up the gun lying beside her. His white kurta had already got some blood stains. He rushed in anger but again moments later two people now in aggressive muslim attire dragged him from bike and as they found the women's corpse lying they shouted, "He is the murderer of our sister." And shot him dead.
Thus a hindu murdered a hindu, a muslim murdered a muslim in the war of so called protection of one's own religion.
Sarfaraz laid beside Shubhi with his hand on her head and her head beside his shoulder. God was their common parent because God is one. They were the true siblings but unusual for Earth and God knew they were too precious for Earth.
Because people on Earth are too young to identify the human through his/her deeds, they can only identify humans through names and attire giving it the banner of religion, the God's principles (which were actually not even created by Him).