EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 18 EMBRACING REALITY

CHAPTER 18

Sidharth pecked Shehnaaz’s lips softly and he finally woke up.. “I love you Baby..” said Sidharth.. “Itna zyada pyaar Bubbu..” cooed Shehnaaz.. Sidharth smelled the Chole and asked, “Tu kab uthi?”
“Chole kal bhigai thi na to banana tha.. Uth gayi thi..” said Shehnaaz.. “Time pucha.. Chor ke gayi thi toh time bhi bata mujhe..” said Sidharth, holding her tighter, “Bolo, chup kyu ho?” said Sidharth in his husky voice..
“Har bar yehi karta hai tu..” said Shehnaaz, as Sidharth left her.. “Kya kiya maine? Kuch bhi bina kiye is masoom pe ilzaam, Allah Miya..” said Sidharth..
“Subhe Uth ke ye sab kar raha hai.. Mera Nautanki Putthu.. Jaake ready ho ja.. Mujhe excitement ho rahi hai Little Space ki..” said Shehnaaz, trying to pull him.. He stayed on the bed, stubbornly..
“Kheech mujhe.. Agar tu kheech li toh mai abhi Uth jaunga.. Nahi toh, mai Aadha ghanta aur sounga..” said Sidharth, closing his eyes again..
“Kitna sataata hai tu..” said Shehnaaz.. “Sataunga, mai hi sataunga.. Kyu na satau.. Mai bhot sataunga..” said Sidharth…
“Ughh Sidharth, ye word se irritation ho raha hai mat bol baar-baar.. Uth, jaa naha.. Mai ready ho chuki hu.. Tu uth bhi nahi raha.. Mai wait kar rahi hu..” said Shehnaaz..
Sidharth didn’t tease her more and got ready. He came out to see Shehnaaz sleeping on the dining table, cutely.. “Mujhe utha ke khud soh gayi, gadhi..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz opened her eyes, “Kutte, soi nahi hu.. Tera wait karte-karte thak gayi.. Bas aur kuch nahi.. Baith ab..” said Shehnaaz..
“Aww, mere baby ne wait kiya, mai khila deta hu apne hath se..” said Sidharth and Shehnaaz smiled in happiness.. She served the Bhurji on a plate and he took a piece of roti and shoved it in her mouth loading it with the Bhurji.. A little fell on her tshirt and he quickly took it off it..
“Bubbu, tu over excited ho gaya. Gadha baby hai tu..” said Shehnaaz.. “Tere sath reh ke aisa ho gaya hu, kya karu..” said Sidharth, chuckling at her, earning a little slap on his head..
“Khila ab, khud hi khaa raha hai.. Aaj kyu itna pareshan kar raha hai.. Kya hua hai tujhe?” asked Shehnaaz..
“Pata nai aaj tujhe irritate karne me bhot maza aa rahi hai.. Sorry ab nai karta. Aaja kha le, fir chalte hai..” said Sidharth and they had breakfast in peace after that..
Shehnaaz took her medicines, they grabbed their little bag for the weekend and got into the car, carrying the Chole made by Shehnaaz..
The drive was calm, they were listening to light music and were looking out of the window, “Lockdown ki wajah se ye ek drive bhi kitna acha lag raha hai na..” said Shehnaaz, who’s eyes were still out of the window.. Sidharth just hummed.. Shehnaaz knew something was going on in his mind which he wasn’t saying..
Sidharth suddenly scooped Shehnaaz in his arms and snuggled into her neck.. “Sidharth, Bubbu, sab thik hai?” asked Shehnaaz, rubbing his back softly.. “Intuitions tujhe aate hai hamesha, is baar mujhe aisa lag raha hai kuch gadbad ho jaegi..” said Sidharth..
“Sidharth, soch mat.. Hum jaisa sochte hai waisa hi hota hai.. Tu relax kar na..” said Shehnaaz, running her fingers in his hair..
They both stayed silent and very soon, they reached Little Space.. Adith helped them keep their bag and food in, he went into the extra room and SidNaaz went into the bedroom, straight..
“Sidharth, sochna band karega? Itna acha mausam hai.. Baarish ho rahi hai.. Sooraj nikla hi nahi hai.. Din me bhi candle light dinner kar sakte hai, itna zyada andhera hai. plus, yaha itne pedh hai toh thandak bhi zyada hai Bombay city se..” said Shehnaaz, trying to change his mood..
He suddenly remembered what he had planned for her.. “Mera Baby, hamesha mere mood acha kar deti hai..” said Sidharth, smiling a little..
“Sun, abhi mujhe sona hai.. Please.. Subhe jaldi uth gaye the.. Fir ajeeb-ajeeb soch aa rahe..” said Sidharth..
“Haa, mai bhi 6 baje se uthi thi, Chole banana tha.. Soh jate hai, aise mausam me susti bhi aati hai..” said Shehnaaz, taking out the comforter from the cupboard.. She tried to reach the top shelf, the thundering started at the same time and she jumped out of fear.. Sidharth was quick enough to hold her.. “Meri Jaan, dhyan se..” said Sidharth..
Shehnaaz had closed her eyes and wasn’t opening. “Baby, you’re fine.. Relax kar.. Mai aa gaya..” said Sidharth and that’s when she finally opened her eyes and saw the comforter on the floor..
“Sidhaaarth, mujhe kab dar lagna band hoga..” said Shehnaaz, pouting her lips. “Aree baby, tu daregi nahi toh aise chipkegi nai na jab-jab Bijli kadkegi.. Waise bhi, mai kaha jaa raha hu.. Yehi hu na.. Tere pass..” said Sidharth, rubbing her arm..
She grabbed the comforter from the floor and kept it on the bed.. They were in shorts and tshirt only so they hopped on the bed.. He took her in his arms as the thundering continued.. She had grabbed his tshirt tightly.. “Shushh, relax my love.. Sleep araam se..” said Sidharth, patting her head softly.. He held her tight, she felt secured in his arms and she fell asleep in a while..
Sidharth waited for Shehnaaz to sleep and then kept her head gently on the pillow.. He sat next to her, observing her if she had actually slept.. He pressed his lips on her forehead and went out of the room..
Setting up the closed balcony on the first floor, Sidharth didn’t realise what time it was… He did a beautiful set up, the things he needed were in the extra cupboard which had all the date night preps..

Some fairy lights, cushioned chairs.. A cool set up and the rainfall on the front.. He heated the food and though to wake her up once the lunch would be hot enough to eat.. But suddenly, there was a power cut..
Sidharth turned off the gas and rushed towards the bedroom.. It wasn’t opening.. Inside the room, Shehnaaz had woken up with the sound of the thunder and she got scared more when she found herself alone in the bed.. As she was about to get out of the bed, the thundering increased more.. Sidharth wanted to rush in and Shehnaaz wanted to be with Sidharth..
“Mujhe laga hi tha.. F*ck, why did I leave her alone..” Sidharth cursed himself.. The door got locked from inside and Shehnaaz had covered herself completely and didn’t dare to step out of the bed.. Sidharth had left his phone inside the bedroom too..
Shehnaaz searched for her phone and immediately called Sidharth.. She heard Sidharth’s phone ringing and got even more scared..
“Sidhaaarthh..” She called his name and he heard it.. “Shehnaaz, baby, open the door, meri jaan..” said Sidharth.. “Nahi Sidharth, mai ni utrungi bed se.. Yaha maindak aa gaya hai Sidhaarthh.. Kuch kar Sidhaarth” shouted Shehnaaz…
Little Space was a little out of town and it wasn’t in a building.. It was a private property and it seemed like a bungalow from outside.. Their bedroom, Sidharth’s Conference Room, Shehnaaz’s recording room and everything related to work was on the ground floor.. Sidharth walked into Adith’s room.. “Bhai kya hua? Aap pareshan lag rahe ho..” asked Adith..
“Bahar chal.. Shehnaaz darwaza nai khol rahi hai.. Khidki se andar jana hai.. Mendak andar chala gaya hai wo Bijli se bhi dar rahi hai aur light jaane se bhi sala ek se badhkar ek cheeze ho rahi hai..” said Sidharth, pulling Adith with him and stepping out of the main door..
They walked where the bedroom window was.. He couldn’t open it.. The frog kept changing it’s position, scaring the hell out of Shehnaaz.. Sidharth banged the window, Shehnaaz couldn’t see out because of the rain and thought someone else was outside..
“Sala, ye khul nai rahi toh mendak gaya kaise..” questioned Sidharth, with anger and frustration.. “Bhai, bathroom se gaya hoga..” said Adith..
Sidharth wasn’t understanding how to get Shehnaaz on her foot and how to get into the room.. What will happen? Stay Tuned..