Smile Mates to Soulmates ✓

Chapter Eighteen

It was the night after Shehnaaz's appointment as the member of the Board of Directors. It was a big day for both Shehnaaz & Siddharth. The meeting that elected Shehnaaz as the newest member of the Board of Directors, was also the meeting where Siddharth took over charge as the Managing Director of the Shukla Group of Industries. 

The couple was beaming. In pride, admiration, their happiness palpable in the way their eyes twinkled and on one particular occasion, watered during the course of the meeting.

Not for themselves, but for each other.

It was almost like a coronation. There was a huge gathering, thunderous applause, the transfer of a responsibility of what could easily be dubbed as a kingdom. 

Sid and His Naaz's kingdom. 

Shehnaaz was smiling the brightest, the widest of smiles that anyone had ever seen and she looked absolutely astonishing. She was clad in a semi formal Red Saree, while her man was dressed in a White Suit, catching the eye of many, yet having eyes for just their better half. 

Siddharth had been surrounded by people throughout the day, some taking signatures, some making small talk, some congratulating him for his achievement but that wasn't what made him smile. 

The one thing that made all the hassle, all the crowd, all the inconvenient meaningless sucking up worth it, was the dazzling smile on his lady's face. 

He watched his father, his mentor and guide, his superhero and smiled on seeing his eyes lighting up in pride. 

He blinked, half thinking that it'll all be a dream. 

His love, his little star.
His father's proud, happy almost ecstatic smile.
His success.

But it wasn't. 

Siddharth walked up to his father, taking his wrinkled hand in his young, sturdy one and kissed it. 

He didn't know what else he could do or say. Words seemed to have failed him, but it didn't matter because his father knew. He understood the overwhelming emotions that his son was going through and he smiled. 

Ashok Shukla pulled his son into a brief yet tight hug. "I'm proud of you, Sid." 

"Thank you, Dad." Siddharth whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

"You'll do right by your kingdom, Siddharth." Ashok Shukla said firmly "Both of you." 

"We'll try not to disappoint you, Dad." Siddharth said, glancing briefly at his other half. The star that had lit up his life so effortlessly with her presence, her positivity, her essence. 

His father patted his back, smiled one last time before pushing him into her direction. 

"It's a big day. Go celebrate." He whispered loud enough for him to hear.

Siddharth didn't need to be told twice. He nodded and walked away. 

Shehnaaz was standing bent over a file, reading maybe, maybe pretending when Siddharth flipped it shut, causing her to look up at him alarmed.

"Come on, leave that. Come with me, right now." Siddharth tugged at her arm. Shehnaaz frowned. 

"What happened?"

"Come on, Saari zindagi kaam hi karna hai. Aa ja abhi mere saath." Siddharth said, dragging her out of the room. She followed without a fuss. 

Once they were in their private parking area, Siddharth held her by her waist, pulling her closer to him. Shehnaaz's eyes snapped up at him. "Siddharth--?"