SOLACE ❤️✅️

33.

The living room was a feast for the senses. Marigold garlands hang from the ceiling in a cascade of orange and gold, while strings of fairy lights add a soft, enchanting glow. The room is suffused with the rich aroma of incense, mingling with the sweet scent of freshly made sweets. An elaborate altar, draped in a richly embroidered cloth, is adorned with meticulously crafted deities, candles, and offerings of fruits and sweets. The floor is scattered with flower petals arranged in intricate patterns...
Shehnaaz was bustling around with a mix of excitement and nerves, adjusting the diya placements and arranging the flower petals in elaborate patterns. Her movements are both hurried and meticulous, reflecting her eagerness and a touch of anxiety. The clock on the wall ticks loudly, adding to her mounting tension.

Just then entered Sidharth, still in his running clothes. His face registers shock and confusion as he takes in the elaborate preparations..

Sidharth: (stunned) Shehnaaz? Yeh sab kya hai?Shehnaaz: (turning with a warm, hopeful smile) Surprise! Aaj maine ek special pooja plan ki hai. Mujhe pata hai ki tumhe yeh sab bahut time se nahi pasand aaya hai, lekin maine socha humare traditions ko phir se jeene ka yeh ek achha tareeka hai...Plzz plzzz...gussa mat karna..m tumhein upset nahi karna chahti bss main chahti thi ki hum dono kuch meaningful share karein, ek nayi shuruaat karein.

With a falling face, struggling with his emotions..Sidharth replied....Oh. Mujhe nahi pata chal paaya ki tum yeh plan kar rahi thi. Tumhe yaad hai na, maine bahut time se religious rituals ko apnaya nahi hai. Tumhe iski zaroorat kyun hai?

Shehnaaz:(her voice soft but firm) Sidharth, mujhe pata hai tumhara nazariya. Lekin yeh sirf ek ritual nahi hai, yeh humare beech ek connection banane ki koshish hai. Main chahti hoon ki hum apne past ko..buri cheezon ko..man mutaav ko peeche chhorein, aur wo cheezein jo humein achhi lagti thi, unhe phir se saath leke chalein. Yeh pooja humare liye hai..

Sidharth was looking around, visibly uncomfortable....but also trying to not make Shehnaaz sad..Mujhe Shehnaaz...I don't know..kaise bolu...tumhara point smjh aa rha hai.lekin mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki main ismein kaise involve hoon. Main pooja aur rituals se itna door ho gaya hoon ki phir se shamil hona mushkil lag raha hai.

Shehnaaz took his hand into hers..her eyes filled with a mix of hope and understanding.Siddharth, main samajhti hoon. Yeh mushkil hai... Lekin kabhi kabhi humare zindagi mein kuch cheezein aisi hoti hain jo humein bahut sochne par majboor karti hain.  Yaad kro..jb tum mere saath mandir gaye the..itna socha tha tumne ? ya kharaab laga ? Ab jab saari misunderstanding khatam ho gyi hain..toh bhagwaan ji se kaisa gila sikwa ?

The doorbell rings, announcing the arrival of their parents maybe. Shehnaaz quickly heads to the door, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves, with a hope that now maybe Sidharth will not be that confused.As their family and friends entered, they were struck by the beautifully decorated room. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of anticipation and emotional weight.

The pooja ceremony begins. Shehnaaz leads with poise, her voice steady and clear as she chants the prayers. Sidharth watches from the sidelines, visibly wrestling with his thoughts. The priest performs the aarti, the flames casting a warm, flickering light that adds to the spiritual ambiance of the room.

Sidharth's face, initially tense, begins to soften as he remembered the past days with his mom. As the priest hands him a diya, Siddharth hesitates, but then takes it. He watches Shehnaaz with a blend of admiration and regret, feeling the weight of past decisions.

As Shehnaaz offers flowers to the deity, she looks at Siddharth with eyes full of silent plea. Siddharth's resolve seems to waver. With a deep, steadying breath, he joins in—offering flowers, lighting a diya, and participating in the prayer. His actions were tentative but heartfelt.This girl is a gem...Said Mrs. Oberoi to Sid's dad