Frames of Destiny

Chapter 8

Few days later..

Shehnaaz took an urgent day off and left the house hurriedly in the morning, telling Sidharth's mother that she would be back by early evening. However, now it's well past 11 pm, and she has not returned yet. Besides, her phone is switched off, and Sidharth, who came home early, has been trying to reach her but can't get through as well..

"I am very worried Sidharth! I hope she is okay!"...Mom shows her concern..

"Kya kar sakte hai Mom?! Girls these days! She could have atleast dropped a message!"..it seems like an attachment has grown unknowingly, causing him to reveal his concerns as well..

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After a good while around 11:45 pm, she steps in..

"Would you be kind enough to say kaha thi tum?!"..he asks sternly..

"Woh main bolke gayi thi, took an official leave.."..she replies without having any eye contact..

"Woh sab mujhe pata hai..that's not the point, the point is why are you so late?"..he questions with a surreal right in his tone!

"I am so-rrry..I didn't realize.."..it seems like she has no strength in her body to explain anything further..

"Yeh achha hai, do shits and then just say sorry! And why the hell is your phone switched off?"

"Pata nehi..it went out of charge shayed.."..she is clearly not in a mood to buy this interrogation now..

Her attitude agitates him..
"Mom was worried here Shehnaaz! She became all restless..!"

"Kaha na sorry?! Kya chahte ho aap? Kya karun main?!"..she turns around to face him..

"What sorry?! Sorry cannot be a justification for everything!""..he almost tones up..!

"Sidharth! Stop it...! Tujhe dikhai nehi de raha hai kya? Pareshan hai!"...Mom intervenes..

Mom turns back to Shehnaaz..
"Kya baat hai beta? Tum bol sakti ho humein..may be we can help..!"

"Kuch nehi Aunty..I am good..I am sorry..mujhe aapko inform karna chahiye tha.."..tears fill her eyes..

"Arehh please don't cry! I am so sorry! Yeh Sidharth bhi na! Actually woh bhi bohot pareshan ho gaya tha na isliye he couldn't keep his calm.."

"Nehi Aunty it's absolutely fine! Its just that main khud bohot disturbed hoon abhi and I can't process anything! I will resume my duties from tomorrow and I am sorry that you guys had to go through a tension period for me!"...she folds her hands before her..

"Maat kar yeh sab beta, we consider you as a part of this family now! Do you think, yeh duties and all would affect us even an inch?! We were concerned about your well being..! Anyway, tum abhi baat nehi karna chahti ho, that's absolutely fine..lekin kal hum is bare mein baat karenge. I am very worried..okay?"..Mom asks gently, cupping her chin..

"Hmm.."..she hums..

"Ok..jao fresh hoke ajao, dinner karenge ek sath.."..Mom suggests..

"Sam kaha hai? Did she have her dinner?".. shehnaaz asks..

"Haan, she is sleeping..Kal school bhi jana hai, tou so gayi.."

"You are right. Aunty mera maan nehi hai kuch khane ka. I will skip dinner tonight..please.."..she requests..

"Theek hai main force nehi karungi...jao jake fresh ho jao and get a good sleep..we will speak tomorrow.."

"Thank you, goodnight.."

"Goodnight beta.."

Mom turns back to Sidharth now..
"Yeh koi tarika hai?! Kab sudhrega tu?!"

Sidharth leaves a long annoying exhale and walks away..