Frames of Destiny

Chapter 4

A week later..

Sidharth's phone rings..

"Haan Nayan?"..he receives a call from his Chauffer..

"Woh Sir hum baby ko school se pick up karne aaye the, ab gari start nehi ho raha hai..waise tou security hai sath mein..Madan aur Baby ko taxi karke bhej de?"

"Bilkul nehi! Ek kaam karo, un dono ko bolo wait karneke liye, mera set ekdum paas mein hai, main gari bhej raha hoon..zyada time nehi lagega idhar, wrap up karke eksath chale jayenge ghar"..he replies..

"Theek hai Sir..hum wait karte hai phir.."

"Hmm.."..he hangs up..

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Shehnaaz has been keeping to herself all week and Sidharth has been noticing it all. It's clear from her expression that she is not interested in further interaction. So despite feeling guilty since that day, neither of them has spoken to each other..

On reaching the set..

Samaira is warmly welcomed by the entire team while Shehnaaz feels a little uncomfortable among all unknown faces. She really liked all his films and has been a fan of his work since long now. But what he did the other day has rugged her patience and she feels intoxicated around him now..

"Daddy!!"...Samaira rushes to her father's arms while Shehnaaz feels hesitated to walk further. Samaira on the other side is very happy to visit her Daddy's new set..!

Sidharth kisses on her forehead and asks..."Mera baccha hungry hai?"

"Haan bohot!"...she makes a cute pouty face..

He takes her face in between his hands..."Awww isiliye tou Daddy has ordered pizza..! Aap aur Aunty baith ke idhar shooting dekho and enjoy your pizza, tab tak main kaam khatam karke aata hoon..ok?"

"Okay!"..she replies very sweetly. Samaira looks incredibly cute in her school uniform and Shehnaaz has started styling her long hair in different types of braids every day, making her look even more adorable!

Samaira and Shehnaaz take up a corner to have lunch while watching the shoot. Shehnaaz for obvious reasons, doesn't feel like eating this pizza, however, as Samaira insists, she takes a piece just not to hurt her feelings..

Vikranth has been observing Shehnaaz since she arrived and as soon as he gets done shooting his part, he walks up to Sidharth..

"Dude yeh wahi governess hai na?!"

Sidharth knows this tone and thus gives him a stern look.."Governess hai meri beti ki! Sochna bhi maat!"

"Yaar! Have you seen her properly?! She is so beautiful!"..Vikranth is all driven by her beauty..

Sidharth sighs..
"Yaar Vicky, thak nehi jata tu?! Kabhi tou ek se kaam chala le mere Bhai!"

"Tu dost nehi, dushman hai dushman!".. Vikranth scoffs..

"Whatever!"... Sidharth cares the least..

"Let me go and say a hi to Sam!".. Vikranth trails towards them..

"No Vicky sun!!".. Sidharth tries stopping him..

"Hi Sam!"..Vikranth comes to hold her into a hug..

"Vicky uncle!"..Samaira greets him warmly!

"Areh wah Pizza and all huh?!"

"Haan Daddy ordered! Aap loge?"...she offers him..

"Nehi beta, aap khao.."

"Aap meri Aunty se mile ho?"..she asks..

"Nehi nehi..aap milwado..".. Vikranth can't be more happy on this kid!

"Aunty yeh Vicky Uncle hai, my favorite and Daddy's best friend. Aur Vicky Uncle yeh meri Aunty hai..sabse best hai yeh!"

"Haan beta achhi tou hai!"..Vikranth speaks to himself in his mind!

"Hi! Vikranth here.."..he extends his hand..

"Hi..! Main janti hoon aapko..I have seen your films.."...she shakes hands to reply..

"Areh wah! I am honoured Madam! Waise aapka naam kya hai?"

"Shehnaaz"..she replies..

"Shehnaaaaz!"..he stretches on the name purposely..."Lovely name!"

"Thank you!"..she responds calmly even though it is not her usual demeanor! She loves watching Bollywood movies and gets excited around the stars! However, since last week, her peace of mind has been disrupted and she feels uneasy around him, no matter the place.!

Sidharth wraps up the shoot and approaches them quickly..

"Are you guys done?"..he asks while looking at Shehnaaz and rolling up his shirt sleeves to his elbows..

"Hmm.."..she replies subtly..

"Ok then, let's get going..I am done as well!"

They all say bye to Vikranth and proceed towards the exit..

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On their way home..

Sidharth is sitting in front with the chauffer while Shehnaaz and Samaira are sitting at the back..

Sidharth can still see a dull face of shehnaaz's in the rear mirror and genuinely feels bad for her now. So he decides to break the ice and make it easy and comfortable again..

"Samaira..?"

"Yes Daddy..?"

"Aapki Aunty usdin icecream k bare mein bol rahi thi na?"...he asks carrying a warm smile on his face..

Shehnaaz becomes stiff and surprised from within but doesn't react at all..

"Haan Daddy! Lekin aapne tou daant diya tha unko!"

"Sorry beta, if your Aunty wants, we can make it today.."

Samaira gets all excited and pushes her Aunty to respond..

"Tera maan hai puttu?"..she asks..

"Haan bohot..!"..Samaira replies..

"Okk chalte hai phir!"..it's evident that she is doing it for Samaira only..

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At the ice cream parlor..

Samaira is playing in the kids corner when Sidharth walks up to Shehnaaz to pick up a conversation with her..

"Shehnaaz I know I have been awful that day! Trust me, mera koi intension nehi tha aapko hurt karneka! I won't give any justification, but this is just me, I become  crazy when it comes to Samaira! But that really doesn't mean that I would hurt the sentiments of people around me, specially when I can see clearly that you are doing more than enough for my kid! I am sorry, I genuinely apologize.."

Shehnaaz leaves a long exhale..

"Aapko pata hai Sidharth ji aapka problem kya hai? It's your fear! Life mein agar dar dar ke jiyoge tou life enjoy kaise karoge?!You are a good father and your daughter idolizes you! That realization is enough for a child to stick to the family values. Yeh bacchi kabhi derailed nehi hogi, main likkhe de sakti hoon aapko! Aap ek bar mana karte ho kisi chiz k liye tou zid tak nehi karti hai! Then why this fear?! Samaira knows you love her and she understands how important she is to you! Aap ko pata hai usne mujhse kya kaha?! She said, Mumma nehi hai na tou mujhe pata hai Daddy isliye sad rehte hai! Can you imagine the emotions she feels at this age?! She is fine Mr. Shukla and she will always be fine!"

Sidharth's eyes are about to well up and he turns away to hide his overwhelming emotions! Shehnaaz can sense the pain in his eyes and decides to compose herself and give up on her ego!

"Waise aap ne kamal kardiya!"..she changes her tone..

He looks back at her...

"Itne dino taak sab mujhse puchte rahe, kab jayegi tu set par? Kab story lagayegi and all! Aur aaj jab finally main gayi tou mood itna off tha that I didn't even think of taking a picture! Tou phirse kab leke ja rahe ho?!"

He didn't see that coming and can't help but chuckle...🤭

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