EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 13 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 13

Sidharth wasn’t in the mood to let go of Shehnaaz.. “Sidharth, sab wait kar rahe hoenge bebu..” said Shehnaaz but Sidharth snuggled deeper into her neck.. “I want to be with you, only you..” said Sidharth..
The need of being close to her seemed different.. She knew he was happy that she was getting better but he was still thinking. Sidharth had been very mature and calm and have managed everything alone in the past few days.. He needed her..
Love is as such it makes you strong but you need that person. Your soulmate to be right next to you. You sometimes just need a long hug, a cuddling session.. Just being close to each other and holding hands.. This gives a feeling of belonginess to the heart.. The sudden need for Shehnaaz was only because Sidharth was kind of overwhelmed. He felt light as he finally told everything to Shehnaaz which he kept inside him all the time.. Also, she wasn’t affected in a negative way.. He loved when she showed trust in him and things were smooth..
Sidharth let go off her only when they heard a knock on the bedroom door and Shehnaaz politely said, “Bubbu, Didi ke ghar jana hai. Karwachauth ka muhrat hai. chor de meko..”
He glanced at her from top to bottom and pressed his lips on her forehead, “You’re so beautiful, baby.” Cooed Sidharth and they walked out of the bedroom..
They saw Mom standing at the door and they bent down to touch her feet..
“Khush raho, sath raho, swast raho..” said Mom and they hugged her..
“We love you, Mom..” said Sidharth on behalf of both of them.. “Chale ab?” asked Mom and they left for Didi’s place.
Kavita tai joined them as well.. They reached Didi’s place and saw Kabir, Naira, Neetu Di and Rumi Jiju settled on the couch, chit chatting with Jiju and Preeti Di was in the kitchen..
Neetu Di opened the door and took Shehnaaz in her arms, “Sab thik hai na bache?” asked Didi and Shehnaaz hugged her tighter in response.. “Yes Didi.. Sab bhot acha hai.. Thank Youuu.” Cooed Shehnaaz and Neetu Di was in relief..
“Haa, kar le Sana puran tu.. Bhai dikhta hi nahi hai..” scoffed Sidharth.. “Aaj toh mat jal.. Karwachauth wale din toh biwi ko attention milni chahiye..” said Didi and this made Shehnaaz blush like anything..
Sidharth took her in his arms, “Meri Baby sharma rahi hai.. Dekho zara..” cooed Sidharth and she dig her face in his chest…  “Ab bas karo tum sab..” said Mom and the family had a great time together..
Sidharth walked to Kabir and Naira and spoke his heart to them, “I am sorry guys, I got really busy with my own things, I know something was up with you both too and we had to talk but things just kept happening one after the other..” said Sidharth who was stopped in the middle by Naira..
“Oh, Mamu, come on.. Itna explanation dene ki zarurat nai hai.. We understand.. Calm down, you have bigger things to focus on..” said Naira..
Shehnaaz called Naira to perform the rituals while Sidharth spoke to Kabir..
“Tell me Whats happening?” asked Sidharth, wrapping an arm around Kabir’s shoulder.. “Everything is going well Mamu.. Learning to live together.. Ups and Downs are a part of life and we are experiencing everything.” Said Kabir..
“See, ups and downs are a part of life, I get it.. But I will give you one advice, don’t think much about the downs.. You should always learn from your past mistakes.. Mistakes hui thi, kuch galat hua tha ye yaad rakh ke kuch hoga nai. Remember what’s need to remembered. Learn from the mistakes and move forward young man.. Abhi toh sirf tum do reh rahe ho.. In the future You don’t know what will happen.. Where will you be..” said Sidharth and Kabir happened to understand it well..
“You’re the best Mamu.. Thank you for always guiding me.. I remember the old days where I used to simply freak out listening to the word Mama or Mamu from anyone’s mouth but now you are my go-to person since mom and dad went to Canada.. I Love You, Mamu.” Said Kabir and Sidharth hugged him..
“Always with you, young man.. Also, I just used to pull your leg in the beginning. Never intended to scare you this much, really sorry for that..” said Sidharth..
Jiju came and wrapped an arm around Kabir from the other side, “Damad mera hai, khana mere sath khata hai aur pyaar Mama pe lutata hai.. Acha hai tera, Naira ke raste chal raha hai.” said Jiju and laughed..
The ladies prayed for their men’s long life and good health. They also prayed for the people suffering from Covid and their families.. Festivals are the time where you can ask and pray for others before yourself and that’s what the ladies did..
Mom observed and instructed them on how to do every ritual properly.. Once done, the men walked towards their wives and Sidharth wrapped an arm around his mother and Shehnaaz on the other hand..
“Thank you God for providing us with each other.. Thank you for everything.” Said Sidharth, overwhelmed with the family time and the feeling of being together made his heart swell with love and happiness..
“Bache, you’re an amazing person at heart..” said Mom, who was proud of Sidharth..
Didi looked at Shehnaaz’s Mangalsutra and said, “Wah Shehnaaz, tera Mangalsutra acha lag raha hai..”
Shehnaaz blushed again and Sidharth answered, “Karwachauth gift.”
The family teased Shehnaaz and Sidharth came for her support.. “Meri biwi ke peeche pade ho sare. Zara dekho, Naira ki pehli Karwachauth hai. Zara uspe bhi dhyan do..” said Sidharth, wrapping an arm around Shehnaaz and all eyes were at Kabir and Naira..
The family had an amazing time and the wait for moon was coming to an end.. Since it was lockdown, the Karwachauth dinner was organized in a simple way.
Mom, Didi’s and Naira were setting up the table. Shehnaaz was stopped to work by everyone and she was sulking in a corner.. Sidharth tried to coax her but he understood she might feel irritated seeing everyone work..
They all were extra careful for Shehnaaz and since Didi had already finished cooking there wasn’t much to do..
Sidharth gave little space to Shehnaaz for some time and went to her after a while.. “Meri Jaan..” cooed Sidharth which melted Shehnaaz like a jellybean..
She looked at him and he cupped her face, “Sweetheart, we all care for you na.. Bas kuch din ki baat hai. Nai rokunga fir.” Said Sidharth..
She hummed and rested her head on his arm.. “Mera Bacha.” Cooed Sidharth.. She smiled and looked at him.. “Bhook lagi baby ko?” asked Sidharth..
“Thodi si..” said Shehnaaz.. The others were busy into themselves and Mom saw the moon..
“Bacho, chand dikh gaya.. Idhar balcony me ek-ek kar ke saare couples aao, Rasme karo.. Chand dekho fir Pati ko dekho.. Fir sab pati apni patniyo ko paani pila ke wrat todho..” said Mom..
(In Bombay, balconies are smaller and hence I’m doing this one couple at a time. Just a fiction so agar aisa reality me nai hota toh please adjust. Feel the emotions. Rasme mujhe detail me nai pata hai. Thanks)
“Kabir Naira ki pehli Karwachauth hai unko kar lene do..” said Shehnaaz and the others agreed.. Once done, mom said, “Sidharth Shehnaaz, ab tum dono aao"
Sidharth held her by the shoulder and they stood in front of each other.. There was a different glow on her.. Sidharth was simply clad up in a muscle fit shirt with the sleeves folded till the elbow.. He never needed much to look good. His eyes were stuck at Shehnaaz.. The way she was following mom’s instructions, doing every rasam with her heart..
She did his Pooja which made him a blushy slushy man in front of her.. She looked at the moon and then at him.. As her eyes fell on him through the sieve he mouthed an I love you, making Shehnaaz the blushy one..
She kept it away and then Sidharth kept the glass of water close to her mouth and she took a sip.. He then fed her a sweet and the rasam was done..
Similarly, both the sisters did the needful with their husbands and everyone sat to have dinner..
Sidharth fed Shehnaaz as she was fasting.. “Sidharth, bas ho gaya.. Maa ne bhi bho khilaye the mujhe.. Paani dede.. Khana bas hua.” Said Shehnaaz..
“Darling, bas 2 bite aur.” Requested Sidharth.. She couldn’t deny him and had 2 more bites, gulped in a glass of water and was at peace..
They cleaned up after eating.. Sidharth didn’t stop Shehnaaz from working.. She loved helping the family and Sidharth didn’t stop her because she had eaten properly and took her medicines as well..
Everyone had an amazing family time and they left for home. Mom was too sleepy so she slept off asap.. Sidharth dragged Shehnaaz to the balcony, turned on the dim lights along with the LED lights. He grabbed one of Shehnaaz’s lipstick and put it on her lips, “Bubbu, check karne de sahi lagi hai ya nai..” said Shehnaaz.. Sidharth held her wrist and pinned her to the wall, “Kyu? Bharosa nai hai mujhpe?” he literally asked her in his sexiest voice.. She was numb..
“Chup kyu hai? Han? Bol na..” said Sidharth, completely enjoying his effect on her.. He left her wrist and took his phone out.. He opened the camera and clicked a few pictures..
“Haye Mera Babyy..” cooed Shehnaaz and took his lips in his.. To his surprise, Sidharth happened to press the video button and didn’t realise that he accidentally took a video of them kissing..

What now? Stay Tuned. Idk, I’m losing confidence in writing these days.  Samjh nahi aa raha hai what’s wrong..