EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 7 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 7

Sidharth held Shehnaaz close to his heart.. He didn’t leave her..
“Shehnaaz, itna panic mat kar na Jaan..” cooed Sidharth.. “Sidharth, jab Baat tujhe aati hai toh mai kaise panic nai karu.. Tu Meri zindagi hai. Tu soch, accident ke time Mai bhi car me thi.. Mujhe kuch chot nai aayi.. Sirf tujhe lagi.. Mai aise kaise bardash karu? Nai Jaa mujhse door.. Mai tujhse bho pyaar karti hu..” Said Shehnaaz, snuggling into his chest and he scooted her in his arms..
“Mera Bacha, mai kahi door nai Jaa raha.. Sirf tere pair ke liye ointment lene Jaa raha hu.. 10 second me Aa jaunga..” said Sidharth, running his hands up and down her back..
She nodded in disagreement and clung onto him even more.. Her ankle was paining but that was unrecognizable for her.. His presence was important for her at that moment..
“Shehnaaz, baby you are in pain.. You are unwell in reality. Please don’t forget that I’m absolutely fine and close to you. You need to calm down, my love.. You can’t be weak.. Come on.. Sit up and I’ll get your ointment.. My strong baby..” cooed Sidharth and spoke sense at the same time..
She looked at him with red, puffy eyes.. She had to agree.. She has to option..
He looked at her for a few more seconds and pressed his lips on her forehead.. “Mai abhi aaya..” said Sidharth and he left..
He remembered that he had left the ointment in the drawing room.. He quickly grabbed it and also asked Kavita Tai to get food for Shehnaaz in a plate..
Sidharth completely forgot that he had invited Kabir and Naira for dinner.. He didn’t give a damn about anyone at the moment.. He wanted his baby girl to be alright.. That’s all what was in his heart and mind..
Shehnaaz had closed her eyes and rested her head on the head board.. The visuals came again and she started panicking again.. “Shehnaaz, I’m here.. Aa Gaya na.. Relax baby.” Said Sidharth as he entered the bedroom.
“Sidhaaartthh! Mai ankh band kar rahi hu toh firse wahi sapna dikh raha hai..” said Shehnaaz, her eyes started to well up..
“Roh mat na darling.. Bol apne aap ko, tera pati tere pass hi hai.. Acha, give me your feet..” said Sidharth and she forwarded the feet which was swelled up..
He applied a little ointment in his hand and massaged her ankle.. “Mai socks pehen leti hu.. Bandage nai bandhana.. Chidh-chidh ho raha hai.. Aisa lag raha hai pata nai kya ho gaya hai.. Mai bho Pagal ho rahi hu..” said Shehnaaz..
She somehow understood that it was just a dream but the whole situation of taking medicines since a long time, then periods and then the lockdown.. The answer Sidharth gave of postponing the baby plan didn’t seem right to Shehnaaz.. She felt there was more to it.. All of this going in her head was making her mad and irritated with the situation..
Sidharth took her in his arms.. “Shehnaaz, kya ho raha hai? Kyu pareshan ho rahi hai..?” asked Sidharth..
Shehnaaz whined, “Mai nai thi aisi.. Kya ho raha hai samjh nai Aa raha hai.. Irritate ganda wala ho rahi hu mai..” said Shehnaaz..
Just then, the doorbell rang.. Kavita Tai opened the door and Kabir and Naira came in..
“Kaise ho Tai?” asked Naira and Tai replied, “Mai achi hu.. Tum dono kaise ho?”
“Hum thik hai.. Yaha kuch zyada shanti nai hai?” asked Kabir.. “Bulati hu mai dono ko.. Ya fir aap andar chale jao..” said Tai..
“Hum jate hai..” said Naira and they walked towards SidNaaz’s room.. Sidharth walked towards the door as he heard a knock..
“Bache, you both came, come in..” said Sidharth, letting them inside..
Sidharth quickly walked back to Shehnaaz who looked at Kaira (Kabir and Naira) expressionless..
Naira looked at Sidharth and raised her eyebrows.. She looked back at Shehnaaz, taking her from Sidharth’s arms… “Mami, kaise ho? Kya hua aapko? Naraz ho?” asked Naira..
“Sabko kyu lagta hai mujhe kuch hua hai.. Thik hu mai.. Naraz hone jaisa hai hi kya? Mai normal insan hu.. Kuch nai hua hai mujhe..” said Shehnaaz, her eyes welling up..
“I need Mom..” said Sidharth under his breath and called her.. “Bache, you will have to learn to calm her down on your own.. Ask Kabir and Naira to leave.. Be with her.. Just you..” suggested mom..
“Mamu, hum baad me aate hai.. You take care.. Do you wanna talk?” asked Naira.. “I don’t know bache.. Uski already ek bura sapna dekh ke aisi halat ho gayi hai.. I had planned to tell her about her condition but I can’t now.. I just can’t.. I will call once I’ll make her sleep.. Also, take food with you.. Kavita Tai already cooked for four people..” said Sidharth, hugging Naira..
“Okay, you relax Mamu, stay strong..” said Naira making her way to the kitchen..
Sidharth walked back to the bedroom and saw Shehnaaz was in the loo.. He sat on the bed, thinking about how to cheer her up..
He saw her coming out of the bathroom with a towel draped around her chest.. He walked close to her and took her in his arms, “Mera Baby..” he cooed, pressing his lips on her forehead..
Shehnaaz felt the warmth and his love.. She felt better.. “Mai thik hu, wo bas thoda irritate si ho gayi thi.. Itna dawai kha rahi hu.. Pair me firse moch.. I am sorry Sidharth..” said Shehnaaz..
He pulled out of the hug and cupped her face, “My love, please don’t be sorry.. I know is time mood swings hote hai.. And let me tell you one thing, you are absolutely fine.. Jo medicines hai wo bas vitamins hai.. If you want, I’ll talk to the doctor and ask her to give you a food chart which has the necessary vitamins for you.. Mera strong bacha hai tu..” said Sidharth..
“Nai, nai.. Mai le lungi medicines.. Abhi aise hi Covid ke wajah se doctors busy hai.. Wo mera bas flow-flow me nikla tha..” said Shehnaaz, pushing herself in his chest again..
He smiled and embraced her in his arms.. “You’re the best.. Thank you for coming into my life, Meri Jaan..” cooed Sidharth.. Knowing that this will make her happy..
“Kapde pehenne de Bubbu ab..” cooed Shehnaaz and laughed.. Oh, her laughter made him feel so good.. “Aise hi khush raha kar.. Tujhe khush dekh ke apne aap khushi hoti hai..” said Sidharth..
Shehnaaz dressed up and wanted to speak to him.. “Sidharth, Bubbu, idhar aa..” cooed Shehnaaz.. She was surprisingly in a great mood.. He obeyed and sat next to her but she pointed to her lap..
“Baby, pain me hai na tu..” said Sidharth but she pulled him.. “Sidhaaarthh.. Khudse aaja.. Mai ni kheech paa rahi tujhe.. Natak mat kar..” cooed Shehnaaz and slightly pouted her lips..
Sidharth happened to get lost in her and found himself crawling into her lap.. He loved being pampered by her.. She ran her fingers in his hair and he smothered kisses on her stomach as he lay on her lap..
“Puchhuu, sunnaa..” cooed Shehnaaz.. “Haa, bol baby..” said Sidharth, sounding relieved… “Tu aaj kal pareshan lag raha hai kafi din se.. Kuch hua hai tujhe?” asked Shehnaaz…
“Mai thik hu.. Nai soch raha.. Bas ye sab Covid ka situation aur kaam ruk gaya hai fir se.. But I’m happy to be with you, Meri Jaan..” said Sidharth, snuggling deeper into her stomach.. “Haye, mera Bada sa Baby hai tu..” cooed Shehnaaz..
Sidharth wrapped his arms around her neck, pulling her in his arms.. “Meri gardan dukh rahi.. Aise jhuk rahi hu toh.. Upar aaja fir rakhle pakad ke..” said Shehnaaz..
“No, teri godi me hi rehna hai.. Tu pass me reh mere.. Mai nai jane dunga tujhe..” said Sidharth..
“Kuchlu, Puchlu.. Gandhu Bachu.. Mera Baby..” cooed Shehnaaz, taking his tshirt off and kissing his neck.. He remained close to her; his face was stuck into her stomach..
Sidharth fell asleep.. She kept brushing her fingers in his hair.. She felt sleepy too and her pain started again.. She closed her eyes and unfortunately, she got the visuals of the dream again..
Her heartbeat increased.. She opened her eyes again and decided to stay up… “Baba Ji, mere Sidharth ko kuch hone nai dena please.. Usko hamesha khush rakhna.. Bas, Sidharth ko kabhi kuch galat na ho.. Mai janti hu wo kuch na kuch cheez se pareshan hai jo wo bata nahi raha.. Uski pareshani door kar do Baba Ji..” said Shehnaaz and rested her head on his..
Sidharth shifted a little in his sleep.. Shehnaaz asked him to shift, “Bubbu, aaja takiye me araam se so ja..”
He groaned and pulled her with him.. “You sleep too.. Pain hai?” asked Sidharth.. “Haa.” Said Shehnaaz.. “Kuch lau tere liye?” asked Sidharth.. “Nai Sidhaarth, so jaa warna neend nai aaegi fir..” said Shehnaaz and he patted her head softly and held her tight..
After praying to Babaji and the way Sidharth had held her tight, Shehnaaz was able to sleep.. Love does wonders.. With Sidharth making her sleep, she slept without any nightmare..

Promo- Shehnaaz wanted to keep a fast for Sidharth.. She told this to Mom and she told her Karwachauth was coming.. What will be Sidharth’s reaction? Stay Tuned for further updates.