Kissing A Devil (Complete and Continuing In The Sequel)

Chapter 21

Two days have gone by like a dream. I am happy. No, that is an understatement. I am euphoric. Why? There are plenty of reasons for that.
First I still think about the kiss. She kissed me..hmm..
Secondly her acceptance of the name, Shehnaaz Raichand. I keep repeating it in my mind. Don't you feel this is a big reason to be happy?

Old story. Fine. I am happy because I see her smiling all the time. Sumit is back and she is elated to be with him. She came to me requesting to take a few days off from work so that she could spend some time with her brother and Dadi. How could I say no to her? She will be away from Ashmit and that's what I really want.

Crazy right?

So these two days went by peacefully. She was happy with her brother and I was blissful looking at her grinning face.

Sidharth returns home early. He could hear the voices of Sana, Sumit and Dadi coming from Sana's old room. They are singing and laughing. Raichand mansion had heard the roars of Raghuvir Raichand, the sobs of Richa and silent sighs of Sidharth. Never had they echoed with laughs and songs. And then he hears her singing, Gum hai kisi ke..
It feels awkward yet soothing. He smiles and shakes his head.

He gets up the stairs when he hears Martha calling him from behind.
"Yes Mary?"
"Sid baba, I know I must not say this but I can't help."
"Mary, please tell me clearly, what do you mean?."
"Can't you hear yourself? This noise has been going on for an hour. They have made this mansion a market. Please stop this."
Sidharth nods his head, "All these years, this mansion was a graveyard. It has witnessed only deaths, hatred, sorrows.. For once let it be filled with laughs."

He turns to leave but then stops,"Mary, do you hate me?"
"Sid baba, what are you asking?"
He stares at her, "I am responsible for Andrew's death. Don't you hate me for that?"
Martha takes a moment and says, "You were more a son to me than Andrews ever was. I won't lie to you, I had secretly blamed you for his death but I can never hate you. Never."
Sidharth nods his head and climbs the stairs.

"Sidharth Raichand ji!", she says as she enters the room. He looks up as he puts his jacket on the chair.
She then says,"You returned?"
"No. This is my spirit, the real Sidharth Raichand is yet to come.", he says sarcastically.
"Hau? Aise thodi koi bolta hai..But of course you can say anything. When you start talking, anything is expected from your mouth.", she says and comes closer.
"If I do, you now know how to shut me up. Right, Mrs. Shehnaaz Raichand?", he looks at her.

Sana's face turns red out of embarrassment, she lowers her eyes and turns away.
"What happened now? If you have nothing to say anymore then leave. Your party is going on in your room.", he says as he puts his gun in the drawer.
Sana turns to face him and says, "I came to invite you to join us. We are having a blast."
Sidharth raises his eyebrows but stays quiet. He runs his fingers through his hair and goes towards the bathroom.
He stops and says, "I think you are inviting the wrong person here. You.. enjoy.."
"Sidharth Raichand ji, I am inviting the right person, only he has to realise that.."
Sidharth shakes his head and goes inside as Sana smiles.

Sidharth sits in the dimly lit office room, with a glass in his hand. His eyes are closed and he hums.

A knock on the door and he looks up to see Sana entering the room.
"You are here. I was looking for you."
"Why? Are you checking on me? Wife's duties?"
Sana giggles and says,"Maybe. Actually I wanted a book from your library. Can you give me one?"
Sidharth raises his eyebrows,"Book?"
"I was not feeling sleepy so I thought I would read something. I am not much of a reader though but reading makes me sleepy."

Sidharth drinks the content of the glass and gets up. He comes to the door and stands in front of her.
Sana stares at him and he says,"You know the books are in the library right?"
"Ahan.."
"Then why are you standing here? Move away from the door."
Sana bites her tongue and moves away allowing him to go out. She then runs after him to match his steps.