[Scene: A tea stall near Liberty Market in Lahore. Zara and Adeel are sitting on plastic chairs, sipping chai and watching birds flutter near a peepal tree.]
Adeel (excitedly pointing):
Zara, dekha?! Two magpies just flew past! Good luck is on our side today.
Zara (smirking):
Adeel, you seriously believe that seeing two magpies means good luck?
Adeel (grinning confidently):
Bilkul! My nani used to say, “One for sorrow, two for joy.” And it’s always true. Every time I see two magpies in the morning, something good happens!
Zara (raising an eyebrow):
Like what? You find a 50 rupee note on the road and suddenly it’s the magpies blessing you?
Adeel (playfully):
Hey, 50 rupees is still good luck in this economy. But no, it’s more than that. Last week I saw two magpies while leaving for an interview — and boom! Got the job.
Zara (laughing):
Or maybe… hear me out… you got the job because you’re qualified? Maybe the HR lady didn’t peek out her window for magpies before hiring you.
Adeel (shrugging):
Maybe. But it gives me a little boost. A sign from the universe that things are aligning.
Zara (leaning forward):
But that’s exactly the problem! Your brain connects random events and makes them feel meaningful. It’s called confirmation bias. You remember the times it “worked,” but forget all the times it didn’t.
Adeel (tilting his head):
Okay fine, Ms. Science Fair, what’s your explanation then? Two magpies together just feel lucky.
Zara:
Magpies are social birds, Adeel! They often move in pairs. It’s not magic — it’s bird behavior. If I showed you a documentary on corvid intelligence, you’d see they’re smart but not psychic.
Adeel (mock offended):
So you’re saying the magpies are just hanging out? Not spreading joy?
Zara (grinning):
Exactly! They’re probably gossiping about where to find the next stash of peanuts.
Adeel (sipping his chai):
Hmm… Still, don’t you think traditions like these give us hope? When I’m nervous or unsure, seeing those birds calms me down. Like a sign that things will be okay.
Zara (nodding sincerely):
That I understand. But the danger is when people start making decisions based on them. What if you see one magpie before your next big meeting? Will you cancel your presentation?
Adeel:
Honestly… I might delay it a bit. Just to be safe.
Zara (sighing):
Adeel, imagine if doctors delayed surgeries because they saw a black cat cross the road. Or pilots refused to fly unless they saw two doves smooching.
Adeel (chuckling):
That’d be a nightmare. Still, traditions are woven into how we live. I can’t just throw them all away.
Zara:
Fair. But maybe just start questioning them? Beliefs should be flexible, not handcuffs. Next time you see one magpie, wave at it and say, “Your buddy will catch up.”
Adeel (laughing):
Or maybe I’ll keep a toy magpie in my pocket so I always have a pair!
Zara (playfully):
Great — walking around Lahore with a fake bird. Super lucky and totally sane.
Adeel (smiling warmly):
Deal. I’ll try to be a scientifically-superstitious hybrid. Happy?
Zara (clinking her chai cup to his):
Very. Just don’t blame the magpies if your cricket team loses again.
Adeel (grinning):
Oh, that’s definitely the fault of evil eye. Don’t even get me started.
Zara (groaning):
Allah bachaye. Here we go again…
[They both laugh, as a third magpie lands nearby, eyeing their biscuits.]
Science Vs Superstition 
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