The dinner was a jovial affair with Shehnaaz's endless chatter, Siddharth's exasperated eye rolls. They both exited the restaurant, just like they had entered, Hand in Hand. Shehnaaz was talking, like she always did, nineteen to dozen with a huge smile on her face. They got into their car and drove towards their apartment. Shehnaaz concluded the story that she was telling Siddharth and leaned back into the front seat of his car, closing her eyes.
Shehnaaz nodded, "I'm not going to fall asleep in your car Siddharth." She assured him.
"I won't mind if you did. I'll carry you home." Siddharth said, shrugging nonchalantly.
Shehnaaz chuckled. "I feel like it's going to rain." She said quietly. Siddharth frowned thoughtfully. " Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" He asked.
Shehnaaz shrugged, suddenly she straightened up in her seat as she saw a Ice-Cream seller on the other side of the road. Siddharth, who's attention was just as much on her antics as it was on the road, raised his eyebrow at her questioningly, slowing the vehicle down a notch just in case there was something wrong. Shehnaaz shook her head, silently. Siddharth sighed, "Bata please, kuch toh hai." He said, parking the car on the side of the road and turned to face her.
Shehnaaz was surprised at his gesture. She smiled at him. "Woh.. Ice-Cream stand hai udhar." She told him in the quietest of voices. Siddharth breathed out a laugh, "Konsi khaayegi? My treat. I've heard Ice-Cream is believed to have mood lifting properties. Tera mood bhi theek ho jaayega." He said, trying to cheer her up.
"Mera mood theek hai." Shehnaaz said softly. Siddharth rolled his eyes at her. "Oh please, tu na paanch minute bhi shaanti se nahi baith sakti hai."
Shehnaaz chuckled wearily. "Alright, you got me."
Siddharth sighed, "We'll get back to this okay?"
"Strawberry?" Siddharth guessed her favorite flavor. Shehnaaz groaned, "No! I hate strawberry flavored Ice-Cream. I want a chocolate chip tub. The large one." She said sternly, making Siddharth smile at the sheer adorableness of the girl in front of him. "Your wish is my command." He got out of the car, after dropping a quick chaste kiss on her forehead. Shehnaaz blushed, looking at his retreating form.
After a few minutes, Siddharth returned with a huge tub of chocolate chip Ice cream for shenaaz and a slightly smaller tub of the vanilla flavored one for himself. He handed her a wooden spoon, "Dig In!" He said, and resumed their journey to their home. "Mood kyu kharab hua?"
Shehnaaz shrugged. "Pata nahi. Maybe a mood swing or something." She said quietly.
"Pagli hai tu." Siddharth chuckled, watching her eat the ice cream like a child. Shehnaaz pouted.
"Tu apne mom dad ke saath kyon nahi rehta?" She asked curiously.
Siddharth furrowed his face, "There's no reason whatsoever. I just like having my personal space to myself." He told her. "I moved out of the city for post graduation and by the time I came back, I was really used to living alone. They live in the same city too and I go home every week."
Shehnaaz nodded. "You don't talk about your parents much either, any specific reason?" Siddharth asked.
"They're.. not in the picture for a long while." She responded, in an even quieter voice. Siddharth squeezed her hand comfortingly. Shehnaaz sighed and rested her head on Siddharth's shoulder. The ¾th part of the ice cream tub rested on her lap, it's lid closed. "I've lost so many people who I cared about. It's hard to count." She whimpered, a solitary tear streamed down the right side of her face, into the fabric of his black shirt.
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"You'll never lose another person Shehnaaz, I promise." Siddharth said comfortingly, kissing her head in a manner of assurance.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, Siddharth drove with Shehnaaz's head still resting on his shoulder, quiet. He entered their building, parked the car in the parking area and turned to face her. He smiled, finding her sound asleep on his shoulder. He gently caressed her cheek, and moved her head to the seat so he could get out of the car. He walked upto the passenger side of the car and scooped her gently in his arms. She whimpered quietly, only to be soothed by Siddharth pulling her closer. He took his apartment keys and carried her towards the lift.
He opened the door to his apartment, trying his best to not disturb the sleep of the girl in his arms, and entered his house. He laid her on the bed and covered her with a comforter, tucking her in. Next he went to collect his laptop bag, her handbag and the two tubs of ice cream that were left behind in the car before, because he had to carry shehnaaz home. He kept her handbag and his laptop on the sofa in his room, the ice cream went straight to his fridge before he returned to his room, to find Shehnaaz sleeping peacefully in his bed. He smiled at the innocence of the girl in front of him.
What would he not give to make this a permanent vision for himself. Her, in his bed. Peaceful and happy.
He bent slightly and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, wishing with all his heart, for her to be happy. She grumbled sleepily, causing Siddharth to jump slightly. "Shh Shh.." He mumbled, easing her into slumber. He caressed her, running her hair through her beautiful and soft brown hair. She sighed happily, cuddling into him. Siddharth smiled at her. "Good night sweetheart." He whispered.
Happy New Year 2021
Sorry for disappearing like that. I had lost access of this account. My dumb ass forgot the password. It is completely on me.
Anyway, if you're still reading this story thanks a bunch and spread the word please. Help me get discovered. It'd mean the world to me.
Hope you enjoy this chapter after so long!
Also, do you want me to start a one-shot book.
Comment down below if you want! Also I'd appreciate if you dropped im a couple ideas for one-shots if you end up saying yes.
