Frames of Destiny

Chapter 11

Next day..

Around 11 pm.. after a long day of shoot, Sidharth returns home to find the house unusually quiet. Samaira is asleep in her room and Shehnaaz is sitting in the living room, watching TV and possibly waiting for him..

As Sidharth walks in, she looks up and finds him really exhausted..

"You look very tired...Chai piyenge?"..she gives a warm refreshing smile..

He smiles back at her, nods and sits down heavily on the couch, rubbing his forehead in exhaustion..

Shehnaaz feels the awkwardness is finally fading as he no longer hesitates to sit close to her..!

With a happy heart, she heads to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea in silence, giving him the space she senses he needs..

After a while when she returns with the tea..
"Yeh lijiye.."..she passes him the cup..

He stays silent for a while, sipping his tea at intervals but Shehnaaz can sense that something heavy is weighing on him! He seems deeply disturbed..

"Koi pareshani hai kya?"

"Not really.."..he replies hesitantly..

"Come'on..we are friends now! Remember?! Kya baat hai..bataiye.."..she insists..

"Maat pucho yaar! It's hard to deal with new faces at work! Yeh Ayesha, she is a dumb!"..he scoffs recalling his new actress..

"That new actress?"..she asks..

"Sadly yes! Worst decision of my life!"..he replies frustratingly..

"Koi na! Sikh jayegi bichari..I am sure you are trying to help.."..she sits comfortably on the couch, pulling her legs up and turning to face his side while he leans fully against the headrest. The scene makes it clear that they are no longer uncomfortable around each other..🥰

"Hmmm.."

Shehnaaz can still sense something is burdening heavily on his mind..

Though she is a little hesitant now but asks him gently again..."Sab theek hai na?"

For a change, unexpectedly, he gets captivated by the softness in her voice and looks at her..

"Kya baat hai? Bataiye na.."..she fixes her gaze at his..

He is not used to sharing his burdens, especially with someone who isn’t his family, but there is something in her gaze, probably her quiet concern and the patience she always shows, makes him want to open up, even if just a little..

He lets out a heavy sigh, slowly running a hand through his hair..."Kya bolun? Some days are harder than others..!"..his voice strains..

"Main samjhi nehi.."..she looks at him more curiously..

"It’s just… everything Shehnaaz! The work, responsibilities, the memories…sometimes it all gets too much for me..!"

Shehnaaz can see the cracks in his strong exterior, probably the vulnerability he tries so hard to hide..!

"Are you missing her?"..she asks gently..

He smiles subtly..."I carry her here..it's not that! Woh tou chahti thi ki main phirse start karun..but kabhi kabhi mujhe sab kuch pointless lagta hai, aisa lagta hai ki I am running without any purpose!"

She listens to him intently and reaches out placing a gentle hand on his arm to show a silent gesture of comfort..

He looks at her surprisingly..!

"Why are you so surprised?! Dost mante ho na? Toh itna haq tou banta hai..! Ek baat bolun?"..she asks softly..

"Hmmm.."

"You don’t have to carry it all on your own..! It’s okay to lean on someone else once in a while.."..she gives out a healing smile..

Sidharth feels a wave of emotion that he has been suppressing for so long! He tries to be composed but the weight of his grief and the years of loneliness finally break through!

And without thinking much, he reciprocates, covering her hand with his, holding on it into a tight grip..

Shehnaaz is totally moved by his action and shifts closer to him, her hand is still resting under his..."Aap ne jo kiya hai mere liye, shayed hi koi dost karta hai..so ek baat yaad rakhna, you are not alone in this anymore!"

He feels a huge stone has just been lifted from his heart..this is probably the first time he has allowed himself to express this level of vulnerability in front of anyone since Meera’s passing..!

She adds..."Dekhiye I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you, Aunty and Samaira but you are doing the best you can and trust me Sidharth ji it is more than enough! It really is! It’s okay to miss her, it’s okay to grieve. But it is also okay to allow yourself to heal..!"

Sidharth smiles looking at her..."Ek jhalli si ladki jo meri beti k sath ek bacchi ban jati hai, maine kabhi socha nehi tha that I will open up to you in this way! Trust me I was searching for judgment in your eyes but I found none! You are a gem Shehnaaz! Mom was right about you!..."..he tightens the grip of his hand. He knows he should pull it way and create the boundaries again but at this moment, he just can’t! He is craving for this comfort..

After a long moment, Sidharth gently releases her hand..."Thank you! But I don't want to burden you with this.."

Shehnaaz shakes her head..."You are not a burden! Kuch bhi! Kaha na I am here for you, whenever you need..!"

"You know what your strength is?"..he asks gently..

"Kya?"...she looks at him with a subtle smile on her face..

"You are a bundle of positivity..thank you!! I am grateful for your support.."

"Thank you ji! Lekin abhi I think it's late, we must have our dinner.."

"Tumne abhi tak kyun nehi ki?"..he asks..

"Aunty nehi hai, aap late aaye ho..I can't be this irresponsible na?!"

He smiles again and says.."Theek hai main fresh hoke aata hoon.."

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As the night deepens, they keep talking about their life, challenges and insecurities while sitting comfortably around each other in the garden. He feels a sense of calm that he has not experienced in a long time..!

"Sona nehi hai tumhe?"..he asks smirking..

"Nehi na! We won't get to do this from tomorrow..Aunty will be back na?"..she makes a sad face..

He laughs out audibly..

"Hayee Rabba! Mera woh matlab nehi tha..main bhi na!"..she justifies..

"Relax! I understood..lekin abhi it's almost 4 am..jao jaake so jao..Kal Sam ko school drop bhi karna hai...Mera kya hai, I will sleep peacefully.."

"Hmm..theek hai..aap bhi so jana..aur zyada smoke karneki koi zaroorat nehi hai.."

"Madam, main Samaira nehi hoon, I am her father.."..he smirks..

"Pata hai mujhe Daddy ji! Theek hai, chalo goodnight.."

"Goodnight.."

As he watches Shehnaaz leave for the night, he feels a surreal peace! At the same time, probably for the first time, he can’t help but feel a small, unspoken connection between them, a connection that both scares and comforts him!

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