EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 17 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 17

Sidharth became a snuggly baby as he was curled up into Shehnaaz’s lap.. She wrapped her arms around him, “Mere Bubbu ko kya hua hai?” cooed Shehnaaz, pulling his cheeks softly and pressing her lips on it after every pull..
“Mera Nona Bacha, Gudhhu bachuu, Shukli Babyyyy..” cooed Shehnaaz.. No matter how pissed Sidharth was because of the hate and trolling going on the social media which Shehnaaz wasn’t aware at that moment, Shehnaaz was the only one who could make him smile when he least wanted to..
“Shehnaaz, baby, You’re such a pure soul, Meri Jaan.” cooed Sidharth… “Kya hua hai please bol na Sidhhaartth… Mai janti hu tujhe kuch hua hai.. Tu thik tha jab mai Maa ke pass gayi thi.. Fir tu phone pe tha.. Tera mood uske baad se kharab hai.. Bol de Puthhu.. Kitna bhav khata hai..” said Shehnaaz..
Suddenly, Sidharth got into a mischievous mood, Mom had gone and rain was making Sidharth happier than before..
“Nai batata, jaa..” said Sidharth, pulling her tshirt a little and pressing his lips on her tummy.. She closed her eyes but she didn’t show what she was feeling..
“Fitteh Muh Tere..” scoffed Shehnaaz and was about to get up when Sidharth put all of his weight on her, not letting her go away..
“Acha jaa mat please, bolta hu..” said Sidharth, adjusting her tshirt and getting up from her lap.. He scooted her in his arms making her sit on his lap..
“Ha, ab godi-godi khelte hai.. Pehle tu meri godi me ab mai ter.. Putthu, tu na sachi kabhi-kabhi cute aur hot dono lagta hai..” said Shehnaaz..
“The way you say such things so effortlessly is something which I can never imagine someone else saying.. Jaise you praise me, no one can.. You’re my baby” cooed Sidharth..
Shehnaaz dug her face in the crook of his neck and he spoke finally, “The hate, the trolling.. Kab tak rahegi.. Kuch bhi karlo, ye log samjhte hi nahi hai..” said Sidharth.. “Mai janta hu, nai sochna chahiye.. Lekin yar, hurt hota hai.. Kab tak sun ke lene ka.. Tu khush hai mere sath, mai tere sath.. Itna kya hame drag karte hai log, apni Gandagi me.” Said Sidharth..
“Mai samjh sakti hu Putthu, ab kya kar sakte hai.. Jaane de, hum apni life me focus karte hai.. Jis hisab se Covid chal raha hai, logo ko apni family ke sath time bitana chahiye.. Hum acha karte hai, sirf ke dusre ke sath nai rehte.. Family kitni important hoti hai na Sidharth.. Tujhe pata hai, mai na kabhi-kabhi dar jati hu purane din yaad kar ke.. Kaise rehti thi.. Haye, bimar padhu toh bhi koi nai.. Bhuk lage toh bhi akele.. Agar fridge me khana khatam ho jata tha toh bhuke hi so jati thi.. Waha Bombay jaisa nai hai na aadhi raat ko bhi khana mile.. Haye, Rabba meher kare bas..” said Shehnaaz..
“Mera Bachaaa…” Cooed Sidharth.. “I promise such days will never come back in your life.. We will always be with our families.. I’m so proud of you that you adore the family time.. You always make me realise how perfect you are for me.. I can’t thank God enough for sending you to me, I love you so much Baby..” cooed Sidharth..
Shehnaaz blushed and Sidharth loved it.. “My Blushy Slushy baby..” cooed Sidharth, unable to get over her.. He was just in so much love that his love was exploding and Shehnaaz was taking it all in and in return, she was giving the exact reactions as Sidharth wanted from her..
“Haye, tu kinna kamminna hai..” said Shehnaaz, hiding her face in his chest.. “Gale padh rahi hai tu ek kamine ke..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz got out of his chest and looked at him, “Mazak me bola.. Kuch bhi mat bol.. Log aise hi bhot bolte hai galat hamare bare me..” said Shehnaaz..
“Meri Jaan, abhi mujhe samjha rahi thi thodi der pehle, ab khud mayus ho rahi hai.. Jaane de na.. Bolne de.. Tu aage badh meri jaan.. Do din me tera shoot hai.. Rest as much as you can before that.. Hum bhot time se Little Space nai gaye hai.. Abhi koi hai nai ghar pe, Baarish ke wajah se waha mausam aur zyada acha hoga.. Hamari Little Space me pehli baarish hogi.. Wahi weekend spend karenge.. Maggie ke packets le lete hai.. Thandi hawa aur baarish me garma garam Maggie khaenge..” said Sidharth..
Shehnaaz smiled and Sidharth hugged her tight.. He got up from the bed and Kavita Tai got food on the table.. They ate and Sidharth grabbed an ice cream for her… “Nai chahiye Sidharth, Haldi wala doodh peena hai..” said Shehnaaz..
“Baby, ice cream kha sakti hai… Jab se tujhe pata chala hai tu touch bhi nai kari hai ice cream ko..” said Sidharth, offering her the ice cream once again.. “Abhi mausam aise hi thanda hai aur hum Little Space bhi jane wale hai.. Doodh pee leti hu bas..” said Shehnaaz..
Sidharth didn’t force her and Kavita Tai got the milk.. She gulped in and sat on the balcony’s cushioned couch.. Sidharth tagged along with her.. She pulled him closer and he rubbed her arms, “Sweetheart, please relax na.. Kal jaa rahe hai hum apni duniya me.. Koi disturb karne wala nai hoga..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz smiled..
“Nai soch rahi, mai toh shukar kar rahi hu tere jaise pati milne ki khushi me..” Said Shehnaaz..
“My love, we both are lucky to have each other.. We will make it till the end, together.. I promise..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz couldn’t help but sob a little..
Sidharth scooped her in his arms, “Mera Bacha..” cooed Sidharth, wiping her tears and pressing his lips on her forehead, her eyes, her nose, her cheeks and bit her chin.. She winced, “Chin pe mat kaat. Mera fav hai tujhe pata hai na.” said Shehnaaz..
“Mai toh kahi bhi kuch bhi karunga, tu rok ke dikhaa..” said Sidharth…
Shehnaaz for a change started tickling Sidharth.. It didn’t effect him at all.. “Kar li nautanki? Mujhe farak bhi nai pada.. Ab dekh, mai kya karta hu..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz ran around the room..
Sidharth finally caught her and lifted her in his arms.. She moved her legs up and down but all in vain.. He kept her on the bed and put his hands inside the tshirt and tickled her waist till she cried her eyes out..
“Sidharth. Bas bas.. Please.. Nai Sidharth.. Nai karungi Mai ab.. Hayee, Ammmaa.. Chor de na Khoteya..” said Shehnaaz..
“Acha, Khoteya bolegi.. Ab toh aur nai chorunga..” saying so, he dug his face in her waist and blew air, making her go weak in her knees..
“Sorry Sidharth.. Mai ni bolungi ulte seedhe Naam se.. Khoteya nai, tu toh mera Bebu hai..” said Shehnaaz, getting out of breath..
Sidharth let go of her waist but held her close to him, “I promise to make you smile like this forever.. I won’t let you cry my love.. Kuch bhi ho jaye.. Koi kitna bhi bol le hamare Against, I promise, I won’t let anything come in between us Shehnaaz..” said Sidharth..
Shehnaaz hugged him tight, not leaving any gap between them.. “Hume koi alag nai kar sakta Sidharth.. Wo log jo baith ke Humko hate karte hai, tu soch unke pass kaam hoga nai.. Isliye phone pe baithe rehte honge negativity dekhte.. Jo hamare ache fans hai jo aaj bhi Big Boss 13 ke videos dekh ke Humko Yaad karte hai.. Hum unpe hi focus karunga.. Hamara toh parivar hai na hamare sath.. Sab ek sath rahenge Bubbu..” said Shehnaaz..
They fell asleep, snuffling into each other.. The way they diverted each other’s mind from the negativity, laughed a little and then finished the topic with happy promises.. That’s how a relationship should be..
Shehnaaz woke up early since she had soaked the Chole the night before.. Sidharth was way too sleepy so he didn’t notice Shehnaaz’s absence for a while.. Shehnaaz quickly cooked the chole, Kept some for Mom and Neetu di’s family and some for Kabir and Naira too.. She instructed Kavita Tai to give it to them and also she asked her to start making breakfast..
Shehnaaz washed her hands, went into the bedroom to wake her darling sleepy husband..
“Bubbu, Uth Jaa..” cooed Shehnaaz, laying next to him.. He pulled her close and inhaled her fragrance.. “Soh Jaa na..” said Sidharth..
“Aaj Kal bho tang karta hai uthne ke liye.. Uth Jaa na.. Little Space jana hai.. Tu Uth warna akele chale jana hai maine..” said Shehnaaz..
Sidharth opened his eyes wide and got over her, pinning her hands on her side.. “Akele jaegi? Han? Mere bina jaegi? Tu ruk ab..” said Sidharth and ate her neck like a beast..
Promo- Power cut in Little Space.. Shehnaaz stuck in the dark.. Stay Tuned..