EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 15 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 15
Sidharth wanted to be with Shehnaaz for everything she ever needed.. He didn’t want her to stop working entirely..
He thought how to talk to her about it.. He didn’t want her to know that Kaushal told her that..
Sidharth went into his room and saw Shehnaaz sipping on a glass of juice and a bowl of dry fruits on her side table.. He felt good seeing her taking care of herself..
“Shehnaaz, baby kaisi hai?” asked Sidharth, snuggling into her lap.. She adjusted herself on the bed to make sure Sidharth was comfortable..
“Mai thik hu Bubbu..” said Shehnaaz bending down a little and pressing her lips on her forehead.. She then ran her fingers in his hair.. He looked at her in the eyes and he raised his eye brows at her..
“Kya hua?” asked Shehnaaz..
“Kuch bhi toh nahi.. Kya chal raha hai abhi? Projects ka kya scene hai.. Baat hi nai hui apni is baare me kafi time se..” said Sidharth..
Shehnaaz suddenly looked away and he got up from her lap.. He sat right next to her and asked her, “Kya hua baby? Kuch Toh bol..” said Sidharth..
“Mai nai karna chahti kaam abhi.. Mai aur galti nai karna chahti.. Mai pura focus..”

Shehnaaz was half done when Sidharth didn’t let her speak.. “Kya? Galti nai karna chahti? Han? Maine kab kaha tumko ye tumhari galti hai.. Kya bol rahi ho?” asked Sidharth, super furious now..
“Sidharth, jo bhi hai.. Mai abhi pura focus health pe karna chahti hu..” said Shehnaaz..
“Ha toh sab kaam karna chor dete hai? Shehnaaz, kaam nai karne se health perfect ho jaegi ye kisne kaha?” questioned Sidharth..
“Tu bol aise raha hai jaise tujhe kuch pata hi nai hai.. Kaam karte Waqt laparwahi hoti hai.. Nai rehta focus health pe.. Tu force kyu kar raha hai mujhe kaam karne ke liye? Paise nai hai kya mere pass.?” Scoffed Shehnaaz..
“Ha toh tum sirf paiso ke liye kaam karti ho? Han.? Shehnaaz tumhe ho kya gaya hai? Kaha gayi wo passionate Shehnaaz jisko apne kaam se khushi milti thi?” asked Shehnaaz..
“Sidharth, priority badalti hai.. Har baar sirf ek hi cheez pasand nai aati.. Mai nai chahti koi bhi risk lena..” said Shehnaaz..

Sidharth didn’t know this would ever come up.. He was blank.. He wasn’t able to get this information in his head.. He didn’t know what to say.. Shehnaaz was quite clear.. She wanted to have complete focus on just one thing.. HER HEALTH.
“Shehnaaz, tujhe samjh kyu nai Aa rhaa ki tu kaam bhi kar sakti hai.. Abhi pregnancy chalu bhi nahi hui hai..” said Sidharth.
“Sidharth, tu itna samjh chuka hai mujhe toh ab bhi samjh na.. Mai janti hu mai kaisi hu.. Mere Pehle Bhi ye issues hue hai.. Mai set pe bhot alag ho jati hu.. Kaam ke aage kuch dikhta hi nahi hai.. Mai itna zyada Black coffee peeti hu, wo health ke liye bhi sahi nahi hai.. Mujhe shoot ke Naam se neend nai aati, dark circles chupane ke liye, neend bhagane ke liye.. Tu please meri Baat samjh.. Ek baar reports sahi Aa jaenge toh mai pakka kaam firse chalu kar dungi..” said Shehnaaz, standing next to him, rubbing his arm gently..
He melted under her single touch.. He was pissed.. He was angry.. He was irritated.. But her one soft touch on his arm made him soft as jelly..
“But baby, you are fine.. Aisa Bhi kuch nahi hai.. Ye jo latest project tune mana kiya wo bhot alag hai.. Baby, please try and understand.. Don’t let go of such projects.. Its not good for your career.. I don’t want you to sit back just because I want a child..” said Sidharth, who was blaming himself for her not working..
Shehnaaz pulled him towards herself, held his face in her hands and made him look into her eyes..
“Sidharth, meri jaan, bacha sirf tujhe thodi na chahiye.. Mai bhi Maa banna chahti hu na.. Aur mai khush hu Sidharth.. Mujhe career se zyada meri family important hai.. Mai kaam karna band thodi na kar rahi hu, bas ek break le rahi hu..” said Shehnaaz..
“Shehnaaaz, break aap tab lete ho jab aap bhot zyada kaam kar chuke hote ho.. I want you to do bigger projects.. Projects like this, where you have to perform and be a part of a movie as a playback singer and your name being added under a movie’s singers list.. Please, understand my point.. You don’t need to wait for your reports to be normal.. You are fine, baby. You are just a little weak.. That will be managed.. I’m a producer now, we both are.. I don’t have much work, I’ll accompany you to your shoots, I’ll take care of you, My love.. It will be our baby and I won’t let you be alone meri Jaan.. I’ll be with you in every step.. Just don’t stop working.. Please.. For me, for our baby.. Just imagine, jab hamari beti hogi, wo badi ho jaegi toh mai usko tere bare me bataunga.. Kaise tune pregnancy ke time bhi kaam kiya, you will be an inspiration for our daughter..” said Sidharth, who had little tears in the corner of his eyes..
“Sidhaaartthh!” cooed Shehnaaz as she heard him, her heart was exploding with love..
This man had showed her how much he loved her.. It was something which could never be measured.. The way he always motivated her, loved her was at another level.. The way he always made sure to respect her, the way he understood parenthood was not only for mothers.. The way he held her hand and never made her feel that she was alone..
He knew she was strong enough to handle everything. He never interfered in her work until and unless she needed him to..
Shehnaaz wiped his tear and kissed his forehead.. “Mai bata nai sakti aaj tere liye pyaar aur izzat kitna zyada badh gayi hai.. Tu jaise samjhata hai, koi nai samjha sakta.. Mai samjh gi.. Lekin tu bhi meri Baat Maan. Mai zyada kaam nai karna chathi..” said Shehnaaz and Sidharth smiled at her..
“Mera Bacha!” he cooed and wrapped his arms around her.. She felt her world complete in his arms..
Sidharth pulled out of the hug and pressed his lips on her forehead.. “I love you, Baby.” Said Sidharth and Shehnaaz blushed.. “Jab tu bolta hai na toh alag hi lagta hai..” saying so, she dig her face in his chest..
“Tu kab tak aise sharmaegi bey..” teased Sidharth.. “Jab tak tu aise pyaar karta rahega na, mai sharmati rahungi..” said Shehnaaz and pressed her lips on his nose..
“Acha ab tune bho pamper kar liya mujhe, laa Mai tere baalo me tel daal du..” said Shehnaaz and Sidharth grinned like a baby..
She massaged his head and he took his tshirt off.. She knew he wanted a shoulder massage too.. “Baby, peeth bhi dukh rahi hai.. Gym bhot din baad gaya toh thoda wo bhi daba de..” said Sidharth and she pressed his bag as well..
She didn’t realise that he had fallen asleep till she spoke, “Aur karu ya ho gaya?” She got no answer.. She looked at him and saw his mouth slightly open and she could listen to light snores as he was relaxed and had fallen asleep..
“Nona Bacha khud hai aur mujhe Bacha bulata hai..” cooed Shehnaaz as she brushed his messy hair off his forehead and went to the loo to wash her hands.. Once back, she set up the temperature of the air conditioner and covered him with a quilt.. She saw him sleep for a few seconds and felt his huge strong arms pulling her in his embrace..
“Gardening me mehnat kari hai, soh Jaa mere pass..” whispered Sidharth and took her lips in his for a quick peck.. She agreed and they both took an afternoon nap..
Sidharth had held Shehnaaz firmly in his arms.. She felt at peace and they slept well..
Love is such four letter world which can never be expressed completely in words.. It is to be felt.. Felt by heart.. Without any terms and conditions..
Such a situation in a couple’s life is something which needs to be handled with love and extra care.. Men should be like Sidharth who understand this phase of life and not blame the women for their different behaviour..
Problems will always be a part of life.. It depends on how you deal with it.. Also, no one is weak.. But if one has a partner’s support it makes them stronger..
Same was the case with Sidharth and Shehnaaz at the moment.. The way they were communicating and not assuming things.. The way they grew together as they moved forward to being parents soon.. This is one beautiful journey of a couple’s life and not all the men understand it.
Parenthood has both father and mother.. This fiction is different and difficult for even me to write..
I don’t know how will you guys find it but that’s what happens in real.. Not all pregnancies are smooth.. There are many problems like PCOD, PCOS and many more which leads to delay in pregnancy.. I am very emotionally attached to SidNaaz that’s why I’m just showing Iron deficiency and low haemoglobin. I don’t have the guts to put major problems..
Also, this is from my experience.. Not my own. But of my close ones.. I’ve seen people conceiving right after getting married and I’ve seen people trying for 2-5 years and then they have got pregnant..
I’m nervous because this fiction is not a regular one.. Let me know your views below.. Sorry for the long note but I’m really stressed.