EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 10 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 10

Sidharth held Shehnaaz in his arms, pulling her closer.. “Please don’t leave the bed so early.. I need you to sleep peacefully. My love..” cooed Sidharth..
“Soh Jaa Putthu.. Aa gayi hu..” said Shehnaaz and pecked his lips softly and they both fell asleep…
As the morning sunshine entered their bedroom, Sidharth twisted and turned around, digging his head in her chest as he rolled over on the bed.. Shehnaaz wrapped her arms around him and he settled comfortably in her embrace..
Mom had planned to let them sleep for a longer time.. She woke Shehnaaz up, “Bache, Uth Jaa.. Kaam Hai mujhe..” said Mom and Shehnaaz understood.. She made Sidharth sleep on the pillow, he groaned and wanted to pull her back but she patted his head softly, “Maa bula rahe hai.. Tu soh.. Mai Aa rahi hu.” Saying so, Shehnaaz left..
He kept sleeping since he was tired after working out the other day.. “Good Morning Maa..” cooed Shehnaaz, hugging mom as she sat on the couch..
“Good Morning, bache..” wished back mom.. “Tujhe bahar bulai.. Taaki Sidharth ko lage wo zyada so gaya aur tune khana kha liya hai.. Mere bache se mujhe jhoot nai bolna hai.. Lekin, us sapne se mujhe bhi dar lag gaya hai.. Tujhe bhi kuch hone nai de sakti.. Isliye tujhe apne pass hi rakh rahi hu.. Mere dono bache khush rahe.. Bas, meri yehi dua hai..” said Mom.. Brushing her fingers in her hair..
“Aap Maa ho.. Aap kabhi kuch galat nai karoge.. Fikar mat karo.. Sab acha hoga.. Sidharth agar bhadka bhi toh mai sambhal lungi.. Mere pe nai bhadkega zyada..” said Shehnaaz..
The ladies were doing little things since it was lockdown and they couldn’t do much.. All the preparations were done by the sisters this time..
Naira was fasting for Kabir as well.. It was her first Karwachauth.. It was special.. Sidharth sadly had no idea about it..
He woke up after a good 2 hours sleep and his arms searched for his baby.. Shehnaaz walked into the bedroom at the right time and settled on the bed.. His arms found her and pulled her closer.. He pressed his lips on her forehead… “Good Morning, baby..”
“Uth gaya Bubbu.. Chal ab fresh ho ja jaldi se..” cooed Shehnaaz as she sat up on the bed.. As he felt she was seated, he snuggled into her waist..
“Mera Nona Putthu.. Uth ke fresh ho jaaa.. Maa wait kar rahe hai tera.. Chal ab..” said Shehnaaz, running her fingers in his scalp.. He tried to pull her tshirt up but he didn’t realise she was dressed up in a suit..
He looked at her, “Itna tayar hoke baithi hai.. Kaha jana hai?” asked Sidharth, sitting up straight on the bed eyeing her from head to toe..
Shehnaaz had taken a shower and had done slight makeup.. Her sindur was on point and her Mangalsutra hung at her chest.. She had put a small bindi on her forehead and a little eye liner and mascara.. That was enough for her to look like a mesmerizing beauty queen..
“Oh, you look so beautiful baby..” cooed Sidharth and took her in his arms..
“Thank You, Bubbu.. Aaj tere liye hi ready hui hu..” said Shehnaaz.. Sidharth didn’t understand and she didn’t explain it to him as well..
Sidharth got up from the bed, freshened up and came out of the bedroom.. Shehnaaz and Mom set up the dining table and served lunch to Sidharth..
“Direct lunch?” asked Sidharth.. “Haa bache.. Tu soya tha der tak.. Mai sochi seedha khana de deti hu..” said Mom and Sidharth didn’t question..
Mom had eaten already since she was on her own timetable.. Sidharth sat to eat and saw Shehnaaz was just sitting on the table next to him.. “Mai tujhe khilati hu aaj..” said Shehnaaz..
“Aww, my baby..” cooed Sidharth and happily turned towards her and she fed him bit by bit..
Once she was done feeding him, he asked, “When will you eat baby?”
“Tu so raha tha.. Maa akele khaa rahe the toh mai unke sath kha li..” said Shehnaaz and Sidharth didn’t pay much heed because his phone rang..
Kaushal was working about Surbhi’s arrival to India and Sidharth’s and Shehnaaz’s producer documents.. Sidharth got busy with the phone call..
Mom pulled Shehnaaz with her and took her in the bedroom.. “Ab tu araam kar.. Koi kaam nai hai.. Ek choti si puja hai sham ko.. Hum Preeti ke ghar chale jaenge aur ho jaega.. Abhi lockdown me kuch hone nai wala hai..” said Mom and put Shehnaaz to sleep..
Sidharth’s phone call took a long time.. He walked into Mom’s room and saw Shehnaaz sleeping on Mom’s lap.. He smiled at them and continued the phone call..
Once done, Kabir called him.. He had no idea about Sidharth not knowing about Shehnaaz fasting.. He asked him, “Maamu, Karwachauth pe aap Mami ko kya de rahe ho? Mera parcel atak gaya hai.. Lockdown ke wajah se..” said Kabir..
“Aaj Karwachauth hai?” asked Sidharth, surprised.. “Haa, sab ne fast rakhe hai.. Aapko nai pata?” asked Kabir..
“Sab ne matlab? Naira as well?” asked Sidharth.. “Ha, Mami se inspire hoke Naira is also fasting.. Jab aap dono ki sirf engagement hui thi, tab bhi Mami ne rakha tha, aaj shadi ho gayi hai tab bhi rakha hai. Naira is also fasting..” said Kabir..
“Dekh, gift tune order kar diya tha, delay hone se kuch hoga nai.. Mai abhi alag state of mind me hu.. I will call you back..” said Sidharth..
He held his face in his hands.. “Kya karu mai ab? In sab ne mujhse ye chupaye.. Matlab, hadh hi hai..” thought Sidharth to himself..
He went to see where Shehnaaz and Mom were.. They were getting ready and as he entered they looked at him.. “Hum Preeti Didi ke ghar jaa rahe hai.. Ek ghante me aa jaenge..” said Shehnaaz..
“Kuch chahiye ho tujhe toh Tai ko bol dena..” said Mom..
“Sure..” said Sidharth and let them leave.. Shehnaaz didn’t meet his eyes.. Mom saw the tension between them but didn’t interfere..
They went to Preeti Didi’s house and did the necessary small ritual among the family only..  Shehnaaz was feeling okay.. Neither good nor bad.. Neetu Didi saw Shehnaaz’s low face, “Kya hua hai tujhe? Kyu muh utra hua lag raha hai?” asked didi..
“Usse jhoot bolna nai acha lag raha hai.. Mai janti hu uske ache ke liye kar rahi hu.. Lekin wo mujhse kabhi jhoot nai bolta, mai bhi nai bolti lekin abhi mera man baitha jaa raha hai.. Pata toh usko chalega.. Wo kaise react karega nai pata..” said Shehnaaz looking at a random direction..
“Shehnaaz, tu janti hai Sidharth over react karta hai.. Yehi reason hai tera usse chupane ka.. Zyada soch mat.. Ab jo ho gaya wo ho gaya.. Kuch hua toh hum hai na.” said Didi…
Shehnaaz hummed.. Preeti Didi took Mom to her place to see the preparation of Karwachauth and Shehnaaz went back home.. Sidharth was actually waiting for her to come home..
She rang the bell and Sidharth opened the door.. “Sidhaaartthh!” She cooed and wrapped her arms around his neck.. He missed her while she was away.. He hugged her back but remembering the moments, he pulled out of the hug..
He walked into the room, not wanting to say anything in front of Tai.. Shehnaaz followed him. “Kya hua hai?” asked Shehnaaz, sitting next to him on the couch..
“You’re asking me that? Don’t you know it?” said Sidharth.. Shehnaaz crawled closer to him and held his arm.. He didn’t stop her.. “Sidharth, seedhe se bol na..” said Shehnaaz..
“Mujhe pata hai Shehnaaz.. Mujhe pata hai.. Bas itna bata de.. Mujhpe bharosa nai tha kya?? Kya sochti hai mere bare me? Mai tujhse tera mere liye wrat rakhne ka haq cheen leta? Han?” said Sidharth, guilt dripping down Shehnaaz’s eyes..
“Wo, Sidharth.. Tu itna pareshan lag raha tha mujhe leke jab se Sydnye aaya tha.. Mai aur Maa ne soche tujhe nai batane ka.. I am sorry Sidharth.. I am really sorry..” said Shehnaaz, her eyes welled up..
Sidharth didn’t want to make her sad.. He decided to wait till the Karwachauth would be completed and then react.. His heart was different.. He loved the way she gave him importance..
“Do you know Mai itna worried kyu hu? Tujhe idea bhi nai hai.. I’m really disappointed.. Mujhe bata toh deti..” said Sidharth..
Sidharth stepped away from her.. “Sidharth, I am really sorry.. Agli baar kabhi nai chupaungi aisa kuch..” said Shehnaaz..
Sidharth didn’t want to say anything at that moment, “Relax.. Abhi wrat chal raha hai.. Abhi jane de.. Come here..” said Sidharth, opening his arms up.. She snuggled into him and he pressed his lips on her forehead..
“I am sorry, Sidharth..” said Shehnaaz.. “Shushhh Baby..” cooed Sidharth.. He is a man of love and he didn’t want to get angry at his little baby when she was fasting for him..
“Tu kya bol raha tha? Mujhe kuch hua hai?” asked Shehnaaz looking up to him.. What will happen? Stay Tuned.