After dinner, Ashok went in his room while SidNaaz came in their bedroom. Sid was too happy today, firstly, Her improvement and secondly, she was getting comfortable with his father, not getting scared of him anymore like she was yesterday.
Sidharth made her have her medicines then made her lay down on the bed. He slide inside the covers, beside her and turned to her.
"Shehnaaz" Sidharth called out for her softly. Shehnaaz look at him and hummed in response. Sidharth shifted close to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Tomorrow i have to go college for sometime. Will you come with me or stay at home?" Sidharth asked her, It was important for him to college since he had to talk to Principal sir to extend his leave and also to give his Stundent Council Head post to someone else as he won't be able to give time to that work
"I'll stay at home." Shehnaaz answered him quietly, not wanting to go out again.
"Pakka? if you want, I'll ask dad to stay with you till i come back-" Sidharth said to her.
"Its okay. I'll be fine." Shehnaaz assured him, in low timid tone. Sidharth smiled down at her softly. He leaned and kissed her forehead.
"I won't take much time, i promise. And you will stay inside the house, okay?"
"Okay." Shehnaaz nodded, making him smile.
"Good, now sleep. You must be tired." Sidharth whispered, Shehnaaz closed her eyes and snuggled into his warmth, liking the protective shield his embrace provide her.
"Good night, angel." Sidharth dropped a long soothing kiss on her head and closed his eyes, the love birds slept in each others arms.
Sidharth stepped out the Principal sir's cabin after talking to him and explain him about his situation, and much to his relief sir understood him. He was walking toward rehearsal hall, to meet his friends.
"Hello, Guys!" He greeted everyone as they entered the rehearsal hall. All stopped dancing and look at him before they all run and pulled him a group hug.
"Thank God you came. We were missing you so much-" Hania beamed in happiness. Sidharth smiled at them.
"Sidharth, tum aaj college mein? You were on leave-"
"Still I'm, Rashmi. Just came here to talk to Principal sir and tell him that i won't be able to handle Head Council duties, so ask him to give this post to someone. And i have suggested Aarti's name for the post." Sidharth said to her, Aarti's eyes sparks up hearing her name from his mouth.
"Thank you, Sidharth." She said to him, smiling at him shyly. He smiled at her then turned to Asim.
"You called me in morning? Sorry, i couldn't attend-"
"Thats okay, Sidharth, I called you to inform you that were are meeting at my place for group studies-" Asim told him.
"Exams? Damn!" Sidharth cursed under his breath, he had totally forgot about the exams.
"Sidharth, aap bhool gaye exams ke baare mein?" Aarti asked him sweetly, he nodded while thinking what to do now? He had to prepare for exams without neglecting Shehnaaz & her health.
"Join us at Asim's place in evening." Rashmi told him, breaking his reverie, he look at her, going at Asim's place means leaving Shehnaaz alone at home which he couldn't afford. Just now Shehnaaz has started showing little improvement and he couldn't take her health granted.
"I'll try to come, but can't promise." Sidharth said to her who nodded in return, not stretching the matter for which he was grateful. They all talked for some more before he left for home.
He pushed the door open and entered inside his bedroom, where he found her sitting on the bed and lost in her thoughts. He moved toward her and sat beside her on the bed. Shehnaaz sensed his presence and look at him with unreadable expression.
"So, frozen, tangled or princess protection program?" Sidharth asked, naming some of her favorite movies. Her brows knitted together in confusion.
"Which one should we watch today?" Sid asked her, raising his one eye brow at her, questioningly. Shehnaaz looked down, thinking hard, then she looked up at him.
"Tangled." Shehnaaz whispered, making him smile at her, happy to get positive response from her. Sid got up and played the movie on the player, then came back to her. He joined her in the bed. They sat there, watching the movie. He was not much in movies, specially animated movies but for her, he watched it.
Sidharth was watching her expression, though he could see she was not that happy or excited like she used to before, but still, Shehnaaz would smile at some funny scenes which was enough for him, he kept talking to her, and she was listening to him quietly. That moment, he missed his bubbly, talkative Shehnaaz more than anything.
After movie ended, Sidharth turned to her who had her head rested on his shoulder and eyes closed. He smiled and dropped a soft kiss on her head. Then there was knock on the door, which caught his attention.
"Sidharth, can you come out for a moment? I want to talk to you-" Ashok said to his son, standing near the door. Sid nodded at his father, he made Shehnaaz lay down on the bed, after covering her with blanket properly, he moved out of the room. Ashok moved to study room and Sid followed his father behind.
"Yes, dad?" Sidharth gained his father's attention, Ashok turned to his son.
"Sidharth, Santokh is back from Uk and i had called him to come home tonight, I want you to tell him about Shehnaaz. He is her father, he has right to know about her." Ashok said to his son. Sidharth was surprised, but nodded in understanding, knowing his father is right.
"But i won't let anyone take her away from me. Her father or not-" Sidharth said to his father, who rolled his eyes at his possessiveness.
"No one is taking her away from you. Once you will tell Santokh about whatever happened, I'm sure, he will support you." Ashok assured his son who nodded in response. He knew her family would surely want her back, but he won't let anyone take her away from him. Shehnaaz is in too delicate state and his heart will never allow her to go away from his sight.
Santokh entered the Shukla mansion, welcomed by Ashok. Both of them moved to drawing hall and settled there.
"Whats the matter, Ashok? Everything alright?" Santokh asked him, he could see his best friend was tensed about something.
"Santokh, did you talked to your daughter? Hows she these days?" He asked him back. At the mention of his daughter, Santokh's eyes shot up. He was confused why he was talking about her.
"Last time i called Jalndhar, maid said Shehnaaz is in Mumbai. I haven't talked to her yet. I'm going home from here, and will meet both the kids there-" Santokh trailed off, from past few weeks, he was so busy with his business, wasn't getting time for his kids.
"Santokh, come with me." Ashok said to him, he got up and walked toward Sid's bedroom. Confused Santokh followed his behind silently.
"In your absence, your daughter has gone through alot." Ashok mumbled, he slightly opened the door and made him look inside, where Sidharth was feeding Shehnaaz, who was staring off into space.
