Madness and Magic...❤️

20

"I fucking knew it...this thing can't be one-sided" he thought looking at her angelic face.She was in a simple denim and a strappy top, her slightly wavy hair fell around her shoulders. She wore no makeup, yet she looked ethereal. Then their eyes got locked for a microsecond but she didn't smile, and neither did he."nahin aana chaiye tha...why did I come?" She felt suffocated,she didn't feel like getting inside.

"Shehnaaz, you came!"Her stepmother said. She gave a meek smile and looked around.Her eyes fell on her dad,who didn't instantly reacted.

"Get in"she said and shehnaaz stepped inside, her eyes once again met Sidharth's. He could see the amalgamation of many emotions in her eyes.There was reluctance, vulnerability, and some kind of pain that made him want to hold her tight.
"Where is her usual spark? Why does she look so nervous?" Sidharth wondered.

"Come,sit" her father said, his voice sounded warmer than Sidharth had heard few moments back.She walked further into the room. Sidharth's eyes followed her, her walk lacked confidence."Is she not well!" He doubted.

While walking, she looked at the wall which had pictures of her and her mom. He noticed her face losing its color and her unsteady steps as if she might stop entirely. He could sense her discomfort as her face become blank and her hand was trembling.

He too felt restless as he watched her. He knew he was the reason she had come. Though he didn't know the full story of the conflict between her and her father, he was well aware of the impact her mother's death had on her. It was clear that she didn't like visiting this place."breath Shehnaaz,breath" he mumbled internally but she looked even more stiff.

"I can't stand this place,Mom dekh rahi hongi...what would she feel....Naani... naani ne mana kiya tha,Mom would never like it" she was in a strange state.

"I should go back" she halted midway and Sidharth felt that he needed to intervene.He quickly took out his phone and quickly typed a message.She pulled out her phone as soon as she heard the notification,she anyways wanted to distract herself in order to calm herself down.

"Let go of whatever is bothering you and take a deep breathe Shehnaaz, you are brave and very strong."the message read and then she looked at him,she looked stressed "breathe" he mouthed and he himself took a deep breath and she quickly mimicked him, he saw her taking deep breaths repeatedly.

"This is so unlike me," she told herself, the magnetic pull he seemed to have on her was getting too much, a pull that was forcing her to do things,first she came here even though she didn't want to and now she took deep breaths after reading his messages. She went near the sofa and got seated.

"Paani lijie" her stepmom quickly handed her a glass of water, she drank the whole glass at one go.

"Hello Miss Saini,it's great to see you" he said the next moment as he thought engaging her in conversations will distract her.

"Hello Sir, it's nice meeting you too." she said imbetween her ragged breath.

"Shehnaaz, how did you come here?" her father asked.Sidharth's attention quickly shifted to Mr Saini. He seemed happy to see his daughter, but a mask of sternness was still there on his face.

"I drove," Shehnaaz replied nonchalantly.

"You drove?" he said with narrowed eyes.

"How many times have I told you not to drive? Driver kahan hai?" He asked
Shehnaaz rolled her eyes and ignored his question.

"Where is Armaan?" She asked Reema.

"So raha hai." she replied.

"Shehnaaz I asked you something, driver kahan hai?" He asked again.