Ma's face shifts as I enter the room, her hands leaving her neck. 

Faint presses of purple enclose the area she was squeezing; she continues to talk to Kagol.

Her hands return to the peanjch she was cutting, cutting the onion with a boti. Kagol turns around; her face shifts into a mock as I walk up to the basin. Washing my face with the cold water, Kagol and Ma converse in Bangla. I wipe my face with the gamcha sitting on the small metal handle. Both my sister and mother are in bundles of clothes sitting on stools, and the cold October air hits the inside of our house. I don't say anything as I'm not supposed to. My mom and I exchange a look, and without a word, she gets up from the ground. My lanky limbs fill the space again as I start to cut the remnants of the vegetables. My hands run through the unwashed peas. When my hands start to get sticky, I know it's time to stop cutting and to wash. I place the boti up high in a cabinet so nobody steps in it, my sister and mother already gone. It's only me in the room. 

"Kotha bol choto mei, tor naam ki?" The voice of the pet fills the air once again.

"Bhoy peyona, bhoy peyona, tomai ami marbona."

"Hey, Buri." Noyon's face squished up against the glass window of the kitchen pulls me out of my trance. as he stands on his tippy toes; his brother Jogot pulls him into a headlock. "Can we go into the forest today?" Jogot finishes for Nayon; the twins finish each other's sentences like Kagol finishes the rest of the biscuits Ma hides for the guests. 

"Maybe, I have a few things to finish today," I reply.

"Li" Nayone starts. 

"Ke?" Jogot finishes 

As I name chores, something catches Noyon's attention. Kagol walks into the kitchen and grabs a few of the sweet peas I just finished peeling and pops them into her mouth, tucking some of my hair behind my ears so it doesnt fall into my eyes, and starts rummaging through the spices cupboard.

Noyon starts speaking. "Hey Kagol..." he tries flirtatiously, unlike usual. Jogot just stands there inspecting his twin in action. The only thing they don't have in common is their taste in women... well... lovers. shouldn't mention it just in case. Kagol doesn't really care. In her 17 years of living, she's come to me with merely people she thinks look good. but never a boyfriend, or even a girlfriend for that matter. She's never liked anyone. But does that stop her from teasing Noyon right back? Of course not. She winks back at him before she grabs the turmeric and leaves the room; Noyon's eyes speak hearts as she struts.

"Did you see that?" he starts. before I can answer Jogot replies. 

"Kind of hard not to," which earns him a smack on the back of his head. 

He gingerly rubs the spot with ice as they both invited themselves inside the house as soon as Jogot passed out. I have to admit for sure: he's strong. not really a stark difference between the twins, both of them getting their father's burly genetics, growing into tanks by the age of 9, but thank God we became friends before they both turned into bullies. What can I say? I'm an amazing influence.