Kissing A Devil (Complete and Continuing In The Sequel)

Chapter 65

Sidharth stands leaning against the taxi with his hands crossed across his chest. There is a smile pasted on his face as he looks at Shehnaaz who plays in the rain. He walks up to her and holds her by her waist.
Pulling her closer, he whispers,
"Yeh baarish ki boondon ko
Tumhe chute huye jab dekhta hun.
Toh tis si jagti hai dil mein
Yeh sirf mera haq hai, inhe main kehta hun."

"Acha? Toh ab mujhe koi nahi chuyega?"
He shakes his head and kisses her cheeks.
"Tere dil pe, tere jism pe,
Haq sirf hai mera.
Mohabbat tu hai meri,
Ibaddat karu main tera.

Kisiko dekhne na dun,
Iss tarah chupa lun aghosh mein tujhe.
Jala ke rakh dun us hawa ko bhi main,
Chun jaye jo tujhe."
He cups her face and captures her mouth.

Sidharth takes Shehnaaz to marine drive. They walk hand-in-hand by the ocean in the rain. She giggles every time a vehicle passes by, throwing water on them from the puddles in the road. They sit there for hours, she with her head on his broad shoulders, looking at the waves crashing. He then takes her on a drive by the ocean to Juhu beach. She plays in the water as he watches her with his hands in his pockets.

The rain had stopped by then. He takes her to the Gateway of India. She forces him to take photographs there. After an initial reluctance he agrees for them. Shehnaaz calls one of the photographers and holds his arm to pose for a few snaps. She also makes him take selfies with her as well.
"Sid.. oops Papu, Mere ko bhook lagi hai."
Shehnaaz says, suppressing her laugh.
"Hmm.. lunch is in the car. I had packed something for us."
"Why? Can't you take me there?"
She points at the Hotel Taj behind him.
He smiles,"You chose the wrong day to ask for that. You should have bought Sidharth Raichand with you. This driver, your beloved Papu, neither has the money nor the attire to even stand at the doors of this hotel."

Shehnaaz nods her head, "Hmm.. woh toh hai."
"Repenting? You can always end this adventure here. I can call Ibrahim now and we could change our clothes and go inside."
Shehnaaz wraps her hand around his arm, "No. Not interested. Champakali ko Papu ke saath aur ghumna hai. Let's go."
He raises his eyebrows, nods his head and takes her to the car.

He drives around the city, showing her different places that she had never visited in all these years in the city. She gets her wish of having street foods as well. He declines her offer to have them and even pulls her away from places he feels are unhygienic.
"Shopping. Maine toh shopping kiya hi nahi. Aye driver, mereko achi shopping market pe le jaa jahan I can get stuff at bargain price."
"Excuse me. Driver?"
"Yep. You are the driver na."
"And you are this driver's mehraru? "
"What? "
He smiles, "Bayko, Joru, biwi, patni, l' épouse, wife.. samjhi."
"Yes baba. Samjhi. Take me to shopping patidev..please.."

"Baby, you can go tomorrow. I will ask Manas Malhotra to bring his entire latest collections home. You can buy anything you want. Let's go home now. It's getting late. Ibrahim will meet us sometime."
She makes a sad face.
"Today was supposed to be my day. It's still incomplete. Chalo na.. SRji, please.. Papu please na.."
She wraps her arms around him, kissing him on his cheek. He finally gives out a deep breath and nods his head.

He takes her to a busy street market. Excited seeing so many colourful clothes, bangles and artificial jewelry, Shehnaaz's face brightens up. She checks different shops and picks up things she likes. She bargains for the prices and buys them.
"Bhau, Main 200 dungi. Aur ek bhi paise jyada nahi."
She says holding a pair of pretty oxidized earrings.
"Na didi, nahi hoga. 300 last price."
"220.. Last price."
"No didi, 290 se Kam nahi hoga."
"Kya bhaiya, dedo na. Papu tum bolo na kuch.."
Sidharth, now irritated with everything, pulls out a 500 rupees note and says, "Keep the change."

He grabs her wrist and takes her away from the shop.
"Papu, stop. Stop na."
She releases herself from his grip.
"You said, let's pretend to be someone else. You said, those were your words. Then why are you behaving like you are the same old rich Sidharth Raichand?"
"I am not. I.. This bargaining thing was getting on my nerves. I am just tired now."
"Papu, bargaining is the birth right of every woman. "
"Right."
"Yep. Abhi chup chap rehna and let me bargain."
"Are you going to continue this shopping spree? I said I am tired.."
"My day swami. My day.."