'Beyond the Horizon': There's more to it...

Chapter - 28

***

A gasp and then a serene, comfortable silence followed through. A bunny smile creeping his face as the realization of what he just said, hit his consciousness. Envisioning her reaction, her expressions with her lips under the torment of her teeth and then her scarlet face, was so fascinating to even imagine, what would it be if he would have actually seen and felt her in person. The urge to meet her right away, kicking in knowing well that it wasn't just possible for now.

Being the coast city nearing Sahyadri mountain ranges, Mumbai receives a fairly good amount of rainfall. But that only beautifies the experience of living in the city. This year, the 2K, had seen one of the earliest monsoon onsets in Mumbai and so by now the rainfall was at its peak.

Moreover, 'Monsoon and Mumbai', is a celebrated association. it is said that 'Rain does to Mumbai exactly what traditional clothes do to an already beautiful Indian woman. Personifies the Beauty!' And that's precisely what the rainy weather was doing to a yearning heart for its love, expressing loud on its own. Thundering clouds and the whooshing sound of heavy rainfall, endorsing this crave to be cuddled up inside the soft duvet with the love of his life, where only the mingling of breaths could bring some heat midst the humid chillness. The cold weather drowning him deep into its amorous effect as he pulled another pillow gripping it vertically sandwiched between his knees, while he turned on one side. Snuggling into himself for now, he could at least have a lazy talk with her and so making a move, he decided to break the enduring quietness between them.

"Shehnaaz..." He breathed on the phone's receiver pulling her back from a daydreaming daze of her imagining almost the same, of them being together in person just how he expressed. Going pink under the extreme effect of his words was Shehnaaz.

"Hmm..." She mumbled in response. The Humm too deep for her flu afflicted voice.

"Say something...Tell me...did you miss me?" He continued, just for the sake of it. He was eager to hear her through, these days she would usually surprise him, barely shying away speaking her heart out, at least over the phone she won't.

"I did...! Maine socha ab aapke show ke baad hi baat ho paegi humari theek se..." She replied, much to his satisfaction.

"Par aaj ho gai na..." He reverted, smiling at her innocently truthful disclosure.

"Haan..." Another moment of silence followed and this time she was the one to voice out first.

"Aapko pata hai...Shifa ki baat pakki hui...this Sunday!" She informed, smiling.

Shifa, her loving elder sister had her pre-engagement ceremony officiated the last Sunday. Other party of the alliance were based at Mumbai itself and so the fleetly organized small function at their resident consisting only the close-knit families from both sides. Time was really flying for them now. Another wedding in a span of two years and this time her own sister, so the excitement was justified. More than a month of them settling here, and the good news' were on roll. The Showroom space was finalized, ready to be put in order and get started with the business. And now, Shifa was going to get married, happy much with the choice and decision this time.

"Really? Congratulations to her!" Sidharth conveyed, just when the resolution from two years back, crossed his mind. He had once thought of getting married to her instantly, he still has the same wish though. To move together for a lifetime.

"Thank you! do mahino me shaadi hai...pata hai?" The excitement could be heard.

"Itni jaldi?" He was quick to add. His own mind knitting a folio of thoughts.

"Hmm...aap free rahe to aayenge?" She asked, the anticipation was real. She wanted him to join in, rather was looking forward to their meets, their small talks just how it was at Shireen's wedding.