Shehnaaz was in their bedroom, lost in the thoughts of her child, who was brutally killed when he was growing in its mother's womb and it had killed her, Vindu didn't just killed her child but her too in the process.
While Sid was busy in cooking since servants are on leave. He got disturbed when door bell ringed, Sidharth groaned in frustration, these days he just hates visitors. But nevertheless, he turned off the gas and come out of the kitchen. Walking toward the main door, and opened.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SID!" He was taken back, as his friends shouted and barged inside the house. Sidharth turned to them, but took a step back as all the boys tackled him in a group hug.
"Guys! What are you all doing here, with these party hats on, and cake?" Sidharth asked them once he successfully freed himself from them, his brows knitted in confusion, founding all of them staring at him as if he was some alien.
"Don't tell me, you forgot your own birthday?" Rashmi stepped forward, and asked him, she raised her one eye brow at him, feeling amused that her best forgot his own birthday.
Sidharth shrugged in reply, these days his mind was occupied by her thoughts only, he don't have time for anything else, not for himself too. And even if he had remembered his own birthday, he would never celebrate. His heart is in so much pain, then how can he celebrate, be happy when he is still mourning over the death of his unborn.
"Leave that, Rashmi! And lets cut the cake." Aarti beamed in happiness, looking at him who was standing there, emotionless. Aarti frowned seeing the blankness in his eyes, wasn't he supposed to be happy?
Its his birthday after all. Aarti wondered, but brushing that thought aside, she moved toward Sid, with a knife in her hand while Vishal who had cake in his hand, followed her move and stood besides Sid
"Sidharth, please, cake cut kijiye-" Aarti spoke sweetly to him, her voice broke his trance. Sidharth look at her then at the cake, sudden frustration build up in him, he wanted nothing but push the cake away and leave. But he controlled himself, knowing it will hurt his friends who had come there to celebrate his birthday with so much happiness.
Disinterestedly & keeping his frustration to himself, he cut the cake, for their happiness only. Aarti took the opportunity and fed him some cake when Sidharth didn't made any move. Sidharth pushed her hand back gently.
"I'm not in mood to eat sweet, Aarti. Sorry!" Sidharth apologized to her politely. Aarti, who was hurt by his act, his apology mend it and made her smile at him.
"Thats alright, " Aarti replied with a smile. He gave a curt nod to her, then his gaze shifted at the door of his room, he hopes Shehnaaz doesn't comes out. He doesn't want anyone to get to know about her, because he knew, once his friends will see her, they will again start blaming her since he had left dance team. They will again hold her responsible which he doesn't want. Shehnaaz is already going through alot, and he doesn't want her to face his friend's rude remarks too.
"Sidharth, I need to use washroom, can i go in your room?" Aarti asked him sweetly, looking down at her hand covered in cake.
"NO!" Sid snapped, immediately but then calmed himself and forced a smile at her.
"I mean, you can use other room's washroom, there is some problem in my room's washroom." Sidharth said to her, once again lying as he doesnt want any one to get to know about Shehnaaz yet.
"Okay." Aarti mumbled as she walked away. After some time, when she came back, she found them busy in chit chatting.
"Guys! If this cake cutting ceremony is over, i think you guys should leave-" Sidharth said to them, making them frown at him.
"What? But why? Abhi toh party shuru hui hai- Ali said to him, Sidharth narrowed his eyes.
"Dude! If my dad got to know, leaving his work aside, I'm partying with you all, he will kick me out of the house-" Sidharth answered, mentally praising himself for his excellent lying skill.
"I know i'm doing wrong by lying to them, but i don't have other option." Sidharth thought to himself, feeling guilty for lying to them, but as soon as Shehnaaz's face came infront of his eyes, everything felt right. He knew he is doing all this to keep her away from more pain.
"Dude, its just that uncle or there is something else, that you are hiding from us? I have been noticing from past few days, you are tensed about something. You can tell us, Sid." Asim said to him, Sidharth looked at him then gave a small smile to him.
"Its just that, my dad wants me to join business, along with dance. So, I'm working in our mumbai branch, learning basics of business." Sidharth answered him, which in a way was truth, since he will join his dad's business and learning basics of business from his father's manager in part time but since Shehnaaz is here, he wasn't going office.
"Sidharth, isn't it too soon? I mean, joining office-" Rashmi asked him.
"In less than 6 months, our college is ending, so dad thinks its better i start earlier, it will be helpful for me in future." Sidharth answered her, Rashmi nodded in return. All wished him one more time, and left from there.
"Phew!" Sidharth took sigh off relief once they left. Deciding to check on her, he moved toward his bedroom. Pushing the door open, he entered inside. He was in aw at the sight before him, Shehnaaz was sleeping on the bed, cuddling with the cute teddy bear he had brought for her today. Not disturbing her sleep, he moved out of the room and walked inside the kitchen and finished his cooking.
