Rab Rakha

Chapter 43

"Aaj ke baad, na tu terrace pe jayegi aur na hi Sidharth ke ghar." Madhu announced, not liking how her daughter had spending time with her new boyfriend more often than her.

It could be her mind telling her not to let an unwed daughter mingle with a man often before marriage but somewhere it was also jealousy. Madhu waited all day for Shehnaaz to get back from work so that the mother and daughter could spend some time together over a cup of tea and perhaps watch any reckless daily soap or two for entertainment. But these days, Shehnaaz would want to hurry to make time for Sidharth.

"Mummy!" Shehnaaz whined.

"Nahi matlab nahi. Bahar jana hai toh jao, ghumo, khao-piyo aur wapas apne ghar aao. Tu uske ghar pe nahi rukegi." Madhu stated, taking a seat on the dining table with a plate load with okra. She started to chop them one after the other.

"Yaar, aapko problem kya hai? Hum baith ke baatein bhi na kare?" Shehnaaz replied, sitting next to her mother with onions and potatoes on her plate as she began to slice them keenly.

"Karo! Maine kab mana kiya? Lekin mere ghar me aur meri aankhon ke samane." Madhu let out her instructions one after the other.

"Aapki na soch kitni wo hai Mummy!" Shehnaaz shook her head, she very well knew what all her mother could think of.

"Woh? Puttar, kabhi hum bhi jawan the!? Mujhe na sikha tu, aisi soch, vaisi soch! Humne bhi pyaar kiya hua hai apne time me!" Madhu told her.

"Acha? Kaha hai aapke pyaar ki nishani? Mujhe toh aaj tak ek bhai-behen dekhne ko nahi mila?" Shehnaaz asked and her mother responded with a smack on her head.

"Oww!" She scowled.

"Thoda na chup karke kaam karle. Maa ke liye time hi nahi hai, sara din office uske baad Sidharth. Mere liye toh time hi nahi hai tere pass." Madhu blabbered, hurriedly chopping the okra.

"Kya?" Shehnaaz laughed asking.

"Oh Mummy, aap ko lagta mai aapse zyada kisi aur se pyaar kar sakti hu? Haaye!" She giggled, dragging her chair close to her mother's to hug her tight.

"Meri mummy." She mumbled, kissing her mother's cheeks. She was about to lecture her mother how she shouldn't treat her as if she was a teenager but now that she understood her mother was feeling left out, she decided that she try to spend time with her as well. Maybe calling Sidharth over to her place would be a nice idea.

"Bas bas. Sabji bana ja ke." Madhu hugged her daughter back and asked her to get back to work.

Shehnaaz obliged, grabbing her phone to the kitchen as well to text Sidharth about her mother's new arrangement for them. She was certain that he'd understand but it bothered her how their intimate moments would be at stake.

Later in the night, the ladies were clearing their kitchen post dinner and the doorbell rang.

"Sidharth? Sab thik hai?" Madhu was surprised to find him at the door.

"Ha aunty, sab thik hai." He shrugged, entering their apartment in his casual tshirt and shorts.

"Toh iss waqt yaha?" She was still confused.

"Ha. Aap ne hi bola tha na, milna toh toh aapke ghar me mil skate hain. Toh mai aa gaya." He answered, waving at Shehnaaz as he made himself comfortable in the living room furniture.

Madhu wasn't expecting this, she had rather believed that the couple would limit their interactions at the terrace area but it looked like they had different plans.

"Thik hai." She shrugged, making her way back to the kitchen.

"Hii." Shehnaaz giggled, as she joined him and hugged him.