Standing By You (SidNaaz❤)

Chapter 7

Days rolled on and it was 21st of April. Sidharth had woken up early and was making halwa for Shehnaaz. He knew it she would be sad today and he definitely does not want this.

"Maa. Batao na cheenee kitni daalun", he asked his mother for the fifth time to make sure that he cooks perfectly.

"Beta, kitni baar bata chuki hun. Tu itni baar puch raha hai ab mujhe aisa lag raha hai ki mein hi galat bata rahi hun", she replied tired of his continuous and repetitive questioning.

"Sudha tum nashta banao, mein isse dekhti hun", Asha interrupted.
"Sidharth beta, Sudha sahi hi bata rahi hai. Tu toh aise darr raha hai jaise usse khaana banana hi nahi aata", Asha said opening the container of sugar.

He was visibly embarrassed and whispered a sorry to his mother looking down. Sudha hugged him and said, "Nahi mere bache mein gussa nahi hun tere se. Bass aaj thakaan lag rahi hai thodi isliye thoda chid gayi. Aur haan meri bhi sorry, mere bache ko halka sa daant dia na maine vo bhi uske birthday par."

"Vaise Sudha, aaj Shehnaaz toh badi khush ho jaayegi na", Asha teased to which Sudha laughed making Sidharth's face flushed.

"Maa, aap bahar beitho aapko thakan ho rahi hai na. Mai chai banakar lekar aata hun", Sidharth said slightly pushing his mother out of the kitchen to avoid further teasing.

"Mai bhi jaun kya?", Asha asked trying to maintain a serious face but laughed at last when Sidharth frantically nodded his head in denial. He wondered if she also left who will help him cook for his baby. Note the progress. His baby. Hmm. 😉

☆

"Shehnaaz jaldi 3 cup chai bana kar laa", Kulwant sternly said killing her already non-existent hope of being wished and blessed atleast on her birthday.

"Ji laayi papa ji", said Shehnaaz from the kitchen with a visibly sad face which anyone could easily decipher other than her own family.

Reet was kept on her toes by her husband and in-laws from the time she woke up and in this she had actually forgotten to wish her daughter. This made Shehnaaz sadder as her mother was the only one who loves her and provides her with the required affection. However, she knew her mother was damn busy but afterall she is also a child to feel bad. She wanted to cry to remove the uneasiness from her heart. She quickly served them tea and excused herself. She got dressed in school uniform and left the house without having her breakfast.

☆

Sidharth was waiting outside with Arpita and saw her dull face. He wondered how can someone be so stone-hearted as her family. However, this can be handled later. His priority now was to make her smile.

"Happy Birthday Baby", he said ever so softly and hugged her. Arpita also did the same.

Shehnaaz wanted to cry and smile at the same time. They wished her with so much love and feelings that she forgot how her family behaved with her.

Giving them a beautiful smile, she murmured a thank you. As soon as they reached the school, he pulled both the girls on a nearby bench and opened his school bag. Shehnaaz was trying to peep into his bag like an excited kid. He then took out a big tiffin box and opened it.

"Didu, aapko pata hai aaj bhaiya ne aapke liye halwa banaya jaise aapne unke liye banaya tha na. Par aapko toh khud aata tha banana inhe toh aata bhi nahi hai", she blurted out like any other kid who couldn't keep a single thing to themselves and giggled keeping a palm on her mouth.

"Bass chila chila ke sabko scheme bata de", he thought.
"Sorry Shehnaaz sachi mujhe na zyaada kuch banana aata nahi hai. Khair zyaada kya chai aur Maggie ke alawa kuch bhi nahi aata. Isliye maine Maa aur Badi Maa ki help se banaya hai. Tu ne suji halwa banaya tha na mere liye, mein tere liye kuch special karna chahta tha isliye mein Sudha-Asha special aate ka halwa bana ke laaya. Matlab banaya maine hai unse puch puch ke par recipe unki hai", he spoke in a go thinking she might assume that he repayed her favour back. But was that the case? No. A big No.

Shehnaaz thanked her Waheguru in her mind. She had tears in her eyes but with a beautiful smile on her face. "Thank You nahi bolungi aapko, kyuki yeh jo aapne kara hai na uske liye sirf Thank You kaafi nahi hai", she said being emotional and hugged him tight. The first hug initiated by her. He felt good and different. He too hugged her tightly and remained in the same position for some time.

"Chalo khub ho gaya emotional scene. Ab didu aap khao halwa aur humare aaj ke masterchef ko rating do", Arpita said.

Shehnaaz was about to eat a spoonful of halwa when he stopped her by holding her hand and then he himself made her eat. A gesture which might appear normal to others was a great thing for her. These two people whom she has met only a few days ago are making sincere efforts to bring a smile on her face. And truly they succeeded in their mission. They enjoyed the mini celebration of halwa and chhole bhature.

The day went amazing with the trio enjoying themselves and then they went back to their homes.

☆

Ravindra had organised a small get-together for Sidharth and his classmates on the occasion of his birthday. The Gills were also invited to the party. But Sidharth had something in his mind. He was not at home despite being the host. Everyone was waiting for him including Shehnaaz who was dressed in a pretty pale pink patiala suit and a small bindi enhancing her beauty and innocence.

"Sidharth kaha hai abhi tak nahi aaye. Mujhe unse apni tareef sun ni thi", thought Shehnaaz with her signature pout.

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NOTE : -  Again a new chapter out with a hope to bring a smile on your face. Do tell me the areas of improvement in my writing and story. Also, you can give me some suggestions in my story. And sorry for being too late. I had written 60% of this update 3 days ago but couldn't complete it due to my hectic schedule during my Internship.

One question to you'll and please answer it honestly. If I write one more story with this one, will you read?

{Published on : Friday, 21 January 2022}

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Keep Sidharth and his family in your prayers.

Your writer,
Sudhanya