Smile Mates to Soulmates ✓

Chapter Twenty One

Hours after their engagement, SidNaaz sat in their hotel room, bursting with excitement like never before. They had been talking about everything under the big blue sky from the moment they had returned to the room after their engagement celebration had ended. Shehnaaz was sitting with her head on Siddharth's chest, admiring the engagement ring sitting proudly in her finger. Siddharth was running his fingers through her hair, happily. 

"Khush hai tu?" Siddharth asked hopefully. 

Shehnaaz nodded. "Tu yeh sab bhi kar sakta hai, I had no idea." She said softly. 

Siddharth laughed. "I can surprise you, every once in a while." He shrugged.

"Of course."

Siddharth kissed her hair gently. "I'm not.. rushing you into this right?" He asked.

Shehnaaz frowned, looking up at him. "No Siddharth. You can't imagine how much I wanted this." She said sincerely.

"You did?" Siddharth asked. 

Shehnaaz giggled at the absolutely adorable expression on his face.

"Kabhi kabhi na hum khud nahi samajh paate kay hume kisi cheez ki kitni zaroorat hai, jab tak hum woh cheez paa nahi lete. I don't know if I would have said this before today or not but right now, I can assure you that I've never been happier. Today was one of the most important days of my life and you've just added another beautiful memory to it. Thank you nahi bolna mujhe, because you're mine and apne logon ko thank you nahi bolte." Shehnaaz giggled cutely. 

Siddharth smiled, pecking her lips. "Tu itni smart kab ho gayi baby?" Siddharth asked curiously. 

"Ab mera fiance itna intelligent hai. I will have to do something to match up. Right?" Shehnaaz said teasingly. 

Siddharth sighed, pulling her more tightly into him. Shehnaaz moved her head upwards, resting on his shoulder. "Siddharth?" 

"Hmm?"

"I love you." 

"I love you too." 

"Tu officially mera ho gaya Siddharth." She exclaimed, squealing in childlike ecstasy.

Siddharth chuckled, eyes sparkling. "Haan. Officially tera ho gaya" 

"I can't believe it." Shehnaaz said softly. 

"I can't either. This is easily the best day of my life." Siddharth confessed unabashedly. 

"I'm so happy, I don't know how I'm going to hold it all in." Shehnaaz confessed innocently. 

Siddharth kissed her cheek. "I understand little star." 

Shehnaaz smiled, closing her eyes.

"Are you finally tired?" Siddharth asked. 

She tch-ed. "Mera mann kar raha hai aise baithne ka, teri lap mein." She explained, burying her face in his chest. 

Siddharth smiled knowingly and started to brush her hair gently with his fingers, humming softly under his breath. A few minutes later, Siddharth felt her breathing even out and heard her snoring softly. 

Finally the adrenaline had worn off. 

Siddharth kissed her hair gently, "Good night mera baccha." 

He carried her sleeping form to the bed and fell asleep whilst hugging her tightly. 

A few weeks later, the ladies of the Shukla family (incl. Shehnaaz) had decided to empty their respective partners' credit cards and treat themselves to a full day of retail delight. Siddharth had tagged along with the women, hoping to hold them back from completely bankrupting their husbands but right now, he was busy holding the girls' shopping bags.