Love Around Law

Chapter 5

While driving the car Sidharth asks "Is there something special today? Or is it your everyday ritual to go to the orphanage and Gurudwara?"
"No, today is my birthday. I like to give chocolates and fruits to the kids. I used to do in Punjab as well. Mumma says it is good to do charity. And I love being around kids".
"Oh..Happy Birthday".
Shehnaaz says thank you and they reach the Gurudwara.

Sidharth and Shehnaaz enter the Gurudwara. Sidharth ties his handkerchief to cover his head and then Shehnaaz covers her head with her dupatta. She closes her eyes and prays 'Waheguru I don't know what to say but please keep my family safe. I am not in Punjab, so please keep Mumma, Papa and Shehbaaz safe. You know Shehbaaz doesn't study. Please send him some common sense and please see that he studies and passes the exams...and....Sidharth Sir....keep him happy. Even I heard that he misses his dad, he looked so sad. Keep his happy'.

Sidharth closes his eyes, but not knowing what to do he opens his eyes. He sees Shehnaaz looking at him "why are you staring at me Sir? I am not Waheguru. Pray to him". Not understanding what to say he asks Shehnaaz "what will I do? What will I pray?". She dramatically slams her hand on her forehead and says "arey just pray for the people for whom you care. Simple". He closes his eyes, smiles and prays, 'Keep my loved ones happy. You are God, so you should know who my loved ones are. And also, there is a new name in the list of my loved ones...the girl who has brought me here after ten years. You are her Waheguru, so please keep her happy'.

Sidharth and Shehnaaz are sitting on the floor on the Gurudwara, not many people are around. Sidharth's eyes are fixed at the sunset.
Shehnaaz notices him gazing at the sunset for long, she decides to call him "Sidharth Sir? Are you alright?"
Getting no response she taps his hands on his shoulders "Sir?"
He comes back to reality and says "yes what happened?"
"Are you fine? What are you thinking about? Listen if you're thinking about your work and then I would request you to shut your thoughts. Don't think so much about. Enjoy the moment".
He smiles and says "Would you mind if I give you something?"

Shehnaaz is surprised "Me? What?"
Sidharth comes closer to her and hugs her tightly "A hug is all I can give on your birthday. I did not know about your birthday, so I couldn't give you any gift, moreover this is just our second day meeting. Also thank you for bringing me here". Shehnaaz softly reciprocates the hug "Sir, you know this is the most special gift. This is the first time I am away from my family on my birthday. But thank you for giving me this tight jhappi. This....this hug feels so homely."
Sidharth laughs softly. After a pause he says "Can you stop calling me Sir? I feel so old. I know I am about ten years older than you. But please, I'm not sixty years. So you can call me Sidharth, I'm fine with that".
"Accha....Siddharthhh....thik hai ji"
Both of them burst into fits of laughter.
"So friends?" Asks Shehnaaz.
"I thought we were friends already! Because Miss Gill I don't hug strangers", Sidharth says and both of them smiles.

"You know when I was a kid, I used to visit to orphanages with my father. Baba passed away when I was 18. After Baba passed away, now I come here alone. Baba was someone who would not care much about caste or religion. Although I am a Marathi, I used to visit Gurudwaras and even mosques. But after Baba's death this is the first time I visited a religious place. This is the same Gurudwara which I used to come when I was a child. After ten years I have someone who visited orphanage and Gurudwara with me. Thanks Shehnaaz, you relived those memories. I-I c..can't...I cannot express what I am actually feeling...right now". Shehnaaz hugs him slowly pats his head. He calms down and breaks the hug.

"Can I ask you something?", Shehnaaz asks and he nods. "How did you father pass away?"
"Car accident", Sidharth replies in a low voice.
Shehnaaz wraps her small hands around his neck once again and says "Siddhartthhh, don't be so sad. He must be so proud of you, that you are a police officer at such a young age".
Sidharth giggles and says "Tu toh bilkul meri Maa jaisi baate kar rahi hai bey!"
"Because we want you to stay happy. That strict Sidharth is much better than this sad heartbroken Sidharth", Shehnaaz jokes to lighten up his mood.