EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 9 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 9

Shehnaaz got happy thinking about fasting for Sidharth.. Mom was terrified.. Multiple things were going into her mind.. She knew Sidharth will lose all his calm..
Sidharth came out in the drawing room with Jiju and they all started chit chatting about some random thing..
Sidharth saw Mom’s tensed expressions… He slid an arm around her shoulder, “All good Mom?” and asked Sidharth..
“Haa, bas Shehnaaz ko itne din baad dekhi.. Uska sapna.. Mai khud dar gayi sun ke..” said Mom, which was true..
“Mom, please relax… sab thik hai na.. Mai aap sab ke sath hu..” said Sidharth, hugging his mom.. “Bhagwan tum dono ko hamesha sath rakhe, khush rakhe..” said Mom, her eyes slightly welling up..
“Mom, please kuch negative mat socho.. You have taught me to focus on the positive things and that’s just a dream.. Haina maa?” cooed Sidharth..
“Bache, it’s easy to teach such things.. When it comes to you, I feel weak.. I can’t let anything happen to you, son..” said Mom, resting her head on his chest.. Sidharth rubbed her arm up and down, “Relax Maa.. Stay here for some time fir ghar aa jao..” said Sidharth and pressed his lips on her forehead..
In the midst of discussing the dream and its effect on Mom, the discussion of Karwachauth didn’t start..
Sidharth scooped Shehnaaz in his arms on the way back home and she snuggled into his neck.. He lifted her so that her ankle doesn’t pain..
“Sidharth, halka slip hui thi.. Chalne de mujhe.. Pata chalega fir..” said Shehnaaz.. Sidharth agreed and gently put her on her feet.. She held his arm firmly and took baby steps.. It ached a little and Sidharth urged to take her back in his arms but she stopped him..
“Pehla dusra kadam hai, chalne de.. Agar nai hua toh apni building pahoch ke utha lena..” said Shehnaaz and Sidharth had no option but to agree..
He held her by her waist and she walked slowly but her pain reduced as she took further steps.. “Dekh, ab finally chal paa rahi bina dard ke Sidhaarth, Mai thik ho rahi hu..” said Shehnaaz and looked at Sidharth… She kept walking and was about to trip again..
“Tum bina baat kiye chal nai sakti? Thik bhi hona hai, aur chup rehna bhi nai aata..” scoffed Sidharth.. “Khadoos hai tu.. hamesha rahega..” said Shehnaaz..
She walked ahead but Sidharth held her back, “Khadoos hu, jo bhi hu.. Chup chap sath me chalo..” said Sidharth..
Shehnaaz didn’t say anything.. She obeyed and once they reached home, Shehnaaz stayed silent.. Sidharth knew he had gone over the board…
Shehnaaz went to her bed side table.. She took her medicines and lay on the bed.. Holding a teddy in her arms.. She snuggled into it.. Sidharrth came into the room and saw her in that position..
“Ab manana padega..” thought Sidharth to himself.. “Shehnaaz..” He called her.. She didn’t look at him.. Just Hummed..
“Baby, sunnaa.. Idhar dekh…” said Sidharth, laying on the bed next to her.. “Kya hai?” said Shehnaaz, in the same tone as Sidharth’s a while ago..
“Sorry na baby.. Wo bas flow-flow me nikal gaya.. Maan jaa na..” cooed Sidharth.. Shehnaaz closed her eyes again and pretended to sleep..
“Shehnaaz, Baby, Meri Jaaan.. Sun toh le.. Aankhe khol.. Baat kar.. Mera Bacha..” Sidharth kept trying while Shehnaaz faked a snore..
“Lagta hai aaj mehnat karna padega..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz heard it.. She laughed and turned towards him.. “Tu kitna cute hai Bubbu…” Cooed Shehnaaz, rolling over him and he smiled at her, “Mera Bachaa..” cooed Sidharth, pressing his lips on her forehead..
“Tune jab last me Mera bacha bola na, mai tabhi maan gayi thi, bas dekhna tha agar nai manti toh tu kya karta..” said Shehnaaz, now resting her head on his chest..
“Badmash hoti ja rahi hai tu..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz blushed, “Kamine, badmash bache hote hai.. Mai thodi.. Acha sun, ab mera pair thik ho gaya hai toh mai kitchen..” said Shehnaaz, who was stopped mid-way by Shukla Ji..
“Koi kaam nai karegi.. Wait for one more day, puri tarah se thik hoja, fir kar jo karna hai..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz frowned..
“Baby, I’m saying this for our good..” said Sidharth.. “Our kaise?” asked Shehnaaz, innocently..
“Agar tu achi ho jaegi toh mai bhi acha rahunga na baby.. It’s all ours.. Kuch tera mera nai hai hamare beech..” said Sidharth.. He also decided to talk about babies just so she doesn’t feel bad thinking about it..
“Haye Sidharth, tu bada pyaara hai.. Sachi..” cooed Shehnaaz, laying back in his arms.. “Shehnaaz, jab hamare bache hoenge, tab Mai work from home hi karunga.. Saara bachpan dekhna chahta hu mai bacho ka.. Tujhe Maa ka kaam karte dekhunga..” said Sidharth, Shehnaaz was a blushing mess and suddenly she glared at him.
“Maa ka kaam karte dekhega? Bachpan dekhega? Sirf dekhne wala hai tu? Kaam nai karega? Haye Rabba, mai akeli 2 bache kaise sambhalungi?” said Shehnaaz..
“Abey moti Pehle ek bacha hoega.. Tu do ka soch rahi hai.. Hadh hai.. Gadhi..” said Sidharth hitting her forehead.. Shehnaaz hit him back, “Tu kya koi bache se kam hai.. Gadhi Mai nai tu hai.. Sirf dekhne ke liye work from home karega.. Kutta, matlabi, lazy Baap banega tu.. Sidharth, mai tera muh tod dungi agar tu unko pyaar nai karega sahi se..” said Shehnaaz..
“Pyaar? Kisne bola Mai unhe sahi se pyaar nai karunga.. Meri zindagi ka maksad sirf bacho ko pyaar karna hi hoga..” said Sidharth, taking her in his arms and scooting her closer..
“Hamare bache Sidharth! Soch ke hi ek sukoon sa mehsoos ho raha hai.. Sab ache se ho jaega na?” asked Shehnaaz.. Sidharth rubbed her arm and pressed her lips on her forehead, “Hoga sab ache se.. I promise..” said Sidharth and they spent a few days of the lockdown together..
Mom came back home tha happiness was like Diwali.. Shehnaaz cooked multiple dishes that day and Sidharth helped too.. Tai was happy to see chirpy Shehnaaz back.. Her periods had ended and also, she invited Kaira home again..
She apologized to them only to receive more love and hugs from the two.. The family had a gala time and Karwachauth finally came..
“Maa, mai bhot zyada pray karungi.. Pata nai kyu, wo sapna mere dimag se hath hi nai raha.. Isliye maine dawai bhi leli hu.. Subhe ki dawai mai Sargi ke Waqt le lungi..” said Shehnaaz.. “Mera strong bacha hai tu.. Sab ache se hoga.. Bas Sidharth..” said mom and stopped.
“Maa, aap uski fikar mat karo.. Aadha din toh wo sota rehta hai.. Mai manage kar lungi..” said Shehnaaz..
“Dekhte hai.. Kuch lage toh mere pass Aa jana..” said Mom.. “Aaungi hi.. Kaha jana hai maine aur.. Aapke wapas aane ke baad toh apne kamre me Rehne ka dil hi nai hota..” said Shehnaaz, hugging mom for the 10th time in a day…
“Meri pyari si bachi hai tu..” said Mom, kissing her cheeks and hugging her back..
Mom went in the bedroom to prepare Sargi for Shehnaaz.. Sidharth had been working out since Mom had come back and Shehnaaz wasn’t alone..
He came out of the gym room and saw no one in the drawing room.. He walked into his room and saw Shehnaaz scrolling through the wardrobe.. “Ye toh bahar pehenne wala wardrobe hai.. Waha kya kar rahi hai baby?” asked Sidharth, walking close to her and hugging her from behind.. His hands wandered around her bare stomach as he slid his fingers inside her tshirt.. “Ghar me padhe-padhe bore hone se acha, ache pyare kapde pehen ke photo shoot karu.. Isliye dekh rahi hu..” said Shehnaaz and continued searching for a red outfit..
Sidharth dig his face in her neck.. His tongue doing the magic and Shehnaaz tried hard pushing him away but he was too strong and his after-workout body looked even more hotter and made it difficult to resist..
“Sidhaarth, kaam karne de..” said Shehnaaz and Sidharth bit her neck.. She closed her eyes and lifted her head up..
Sidharth then left her and she frowned.. He said, “Jaa karle kaam..” and laughed hard..
“Kaminaaaa!” She scoffed.. She finally got a red outfit.. A nice pallazo with a sleeveless kurti and a heavy dupatta.. “Ye acha rahega.. Haina Baba ji?” She said and smiled..
At the dinner table, Mom fed her more than usual.. “Mom, aap isko kuch zyada hi pyaar nai karne lage ho?” said Sidharth, sitting in a corner, sulking like a baby..
“Haa, ab ye hai hi itni pyaari.. Kyu na karu mai usko pyaar.. Tu bhi toh karta hai..” said Mom, shoving another bite into Shehnaaz’s mouth and not letting her speak..
“Sahi hai, sahi hai..” said Sidharth, seeing the way Mom was pampering Shehnaaz.. She looked at mom with pleading eyes asking her to stop feeding her.. “Agar nai khaegi toh wrat nai rakhne dungi..” said Mom, in her ears.. She ate as much as mom fed her and finally went to bed..
Sidharth was sleepy and they both slept early.. Shehnaaz woke up as her alarm went off, took a shower and dressed into a nice suit.. She went out of the bedroom and hugged Mom.. Kavita Tai cooked and Mom fed her again.. “Maa, itna khai hu, nai jaega aur.. Sachi..” said Shehnaaz.. “Paani pee leti hu.. Din bhar nai milega..” said Shehnaaz and mom agreed..
The Sargi rasam happened (Not going in detail) Shehnaaz went back to bed and Sidharth pulled her closer, “Itni subhe kaha chali gayi thi.. Soh jaa na..” said Sidharth and slept.. Shehnaaz kissed his nose and prayed to God to keep Sidharth sane after knowing about her fast.. TBC