TADAP

Chapter 20 - Rollercoaster & Reality

Sidharth's POV

"Sidhaaarthhhh..." Shehnaaz called out, in a moderately high tone as I sat on the couch a few feet away from her.

I instantly turned towards her, "Haan baby"

The moment I saw, I wasn't able to take my eyes off her as she did the most mundane chore. Shehnaaz was trying to stuff her bag with her things & struggled to zip it. She was simultaneously muttering incoherent words on how she wasn't able to do things faster since she was running late to reach home. She looked like magic.

From the moment I realised that I love her, I could literally feel inexplicable things within me. All I wanted to do was just see her in front of my eyes, safe & secure.

"Aisa toh nahin tha ki usse zaada khoobsurat ladki maine dekhi nahin thi, par pata nahin kyun uske chehre se meri nazar hatthi nahin thi"

Shahrukh Khan's dialogue played on the TV resonating my current plight. The kids, grandparents, their care takers & of course Meeti sat in front of the TV watching the movie Veer Zaara intently.

The hall was filled with many but my eyes refused to leave the girl who had captured my soul in her. I knew nothing as I continued to be lost in admiring Shehnaaz.

A bit of a forceful hand jiggle on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. It was Shehnaaz who stood towered over me, keeping her hand on my shoulder as she looked at me confused.

"Kaha khoye ho? Kuch hua kya? Kab se mei boli ja rhi hu aur tune kuch reply bhi nahi kiya Sidharthhh... Are you okay?"

"Uh yeah... I'm okay. Kuch bhi toh nahi...Tera ho gaya ho toh let's leave?" I asked, pressing my palm on her hand that still rested on my shoulder.

"Vohi toh bol rhi thi baba... chalo I'm already late. Amma wait kar rhi hongi Sidharth" she urged removing her hand off me and fidgeting her fingers. I could sense that she wasn't herself, something bothered her. Perhaps getting late? Or her mom? Or her mom waiting for her? I couldn't put my finger on what exactly but I just knew that she was tensed.

"Right. Veer se mil leta hu...then let's leave. Don't worry I'll drive fast aur time pe ghar drop kar dunga" I assured and got up from the sofa.

"No no, tu tension na le. Teri gaadi already Adith se bolke ghar pe drop karwa diya hai. I will drop you home phir vahi se I'll go home..." Shehnaaz instantly denied what I suggested. For me, it seemed strange. Was she avoiding me dropping her home yet again? Didn't she want me around her family? Did something happen that I wasn't aware of? I had questions shooting in my mind.

"Acha, but why'd you take a long route when it's already late? Mera ghar Oshiwara mei hai and yours in Pali hill. Doesn't make sense to first drive to oshiwara and then go to Pali hill na? Toh let's do one thing, hum yaha se direct tere ghar jayenge & I'll call up Adith to pick me from your place. Aise tu ghar bhi jaldi pahunchegi aur we can skip this ghar ghar ghoomna. What say?" I suggested a fairly better idea but she seemed not so pleased with it.

"Kya hai Sidharth?! Bol rhi hu na I will drop you home first phir chali jaungi apne ghar! Bas ho gaya, chalna hai toh chal nahi toh I'm leaving" and she stormed off to take her belongings leaving me flabbergasted.

I couldn't understand what was my mistake for her to scream on me and leave like that. However I did get that she was not comfortable with me going to her place but for reasons unknown.

I chose to stay quiet and not take this further as I knew if I spoke a word further it would mess her up more.

I quietly went up to Veer who was sitting on his tiny chair & lifted him up in my arms. I saw that Shehnaaz was talking to Beeji & Daarji from my peripheral view.