Frames of Destiny

Chapter 3

Next morning when everyone is in their rooms getting ready for an early breakfast...

"Geeta? Tu bahar kya kar rahi hai? Ja jake breakfast taiyar kar..Sab arahe niche! Samaira ko school bhi jana hai.." says Mom urgently.

"Woh Didi aaj Shehnaaz bitiya banarahi hai breakfast tou mujhse kaha ki main koi aur kaam karlun isliye idhar agayi dusting karne.."... replies Geeta hesitantly..

"Matlab?! Usko tou pata bhi nehi hai ki kaun kya khata hai..!"..Mom becomes surprised to hear that..!

"Haan maine boldiya unko, woh boli ki woh manage karlengi.."..Geeta justifies more..

"Achha theek hai main dekhti hoon.."..Mom says as she heads towards the kitchen.

"Shehnaaz?" she calls out.

"Yes, Ma'am?".. Shehnaaz turns back to reply..

"Beta why are you taking on all this? Tumhe sirf Samaira ka khayal rakhna hai and that's it. These are not required at all!"

Shehnaaz smiles and says.."That's exactly what I'm doing."

"Main samjhi nehi.." Mom says being confused..

"Kal Sam se jab puch rahi thi that what does she love to eat, kehti hai she loves thai noodles and I promised her that I will pack noodles for her lunch today. Tou yahan jab subah aayi tou dekha Geeta Masi was preparing breakfast, I thought jab agayi kitchen mein tou why not cook breakfast as well..! Baas.."..she explains simply..

"Okay.."..Mom nods..

"Aap log baith jaiye, I will serve the breakfast.."..she adds further..

"No dear, you have done enough and honestly I am grateful for your gesture, but let Geeta serve..".. Mom says with a smile and leaves the kitchen.

Shehnaaz sighs, thinking that this house feels a bit robotic. They talk, walk, and smile almost mechanically..!

After a while, everyone gathers around the dining area for breakfast..

Sidharth is surprised to see such a nice spread on the table. "Quite a spread! Koi special occasion hai aaj?"..he asks, taking a paratha and his favorite cheese omelet, topped with oregano and black pepper for a change..

Sana is sitting next to Samaira, helping her cut the omelet..

"Shehnaaz made breakfast today.."..replies Mom..

Sidharth was not expecting this though, however, appreciates her effort.. "Great! It's good. Thank you!"

"Hai na Daddy! Aunty bohot achi hai! Aur aapko pata hai she has cooked noodles for my lunch as well!"..says Samaira excitedly..

"Really? That's very kind of your Aunty! Did you say thank you to her?" he asks gently.

"Thank you Aunty! Aap bohot achhi ho..aap ayogi na mujhe lene school aaj?!"...Samaira already loves her..

"Of course I will beta! And we will have ice cream on the way back..."..Shehnaaz replies lovingly, unaware of what comes next..

"Absolutely not! Samaira has asthma and she is not allowed to have ice cream. Besides, I just took her to an ice cream parlor last week. Mom aapne bataya nehi inko?"..Sidharth says with a firm tone!

"Sidharth relax! She will get the hang of everything gradually! It takes time beta!"..Mom intervenes.

Samaira being an obedient child, lowers her face instantly..

Shehnaaz takes aback by his tone and frowns at him for a moment.."Noted sir! I will be more careful in the future.." though she was absolutely unfiltered during their first meet but gradually understands his nature and manages to digest what comes her way, atleast for the time being..