Frames of Destiny

Chapter 13

3 am

The house is finally quiet after a late dinner..

Sidharth and Shehnaaz linger in the dining room and the warm glow of the chandelier shadows around them softly..

"Ok, it's really late now! Kal Aunty and Sam ko bhi wapas lana hai, tou abhi jake aap so jao.. Yeh sab clean karke main bhi so jaungi.." Shehnaaz says while trying to send him off to bed..

"Tum kyun karogi..? Geeta Masi will do all this tomorrow..! Leave it like this.."...Sidharth replies casually waving his hand as if it is no big deal..

"No, no… she will be overworked then! It's okay.. I will manage… Aap jaake rest karo abhi.."..she insists..

Sidharth pauses for a moment and then says..."Okay then I will help you.."

"Huh?!"...Shehnaaz looks at him in shock! Her eyes widen in disbelief as she has heard from his Mom how lazy he has been all his life!

"Kya?!" he asks calmly..

"N-ne-hi kuch nehi..! You shock me at times!"...she stammers, trying to process these changes!

"Hmmm ab chalo..!"...he says while moving towards the kitchen..

They carry the utensils together and the clinging sound of plates is filling the silence on their way. As they reach the sink, Shehnaaz can't help but giggles..

"Hayeee Rabba! Aap please jaiye yahan se! Mujhe bohot hasi arahi hai!"..she laughs and her voice echos in the quiet kitchen..

"Kyun?! I can do this! Woh scrubber pass karo mujhe! Maine kiya hai yeh pehle bhi...!"...Sidharth says while enjoying the task..

"Achha? Kab?! Kis janam mein?!"...she teases him raising an eyebrow sarcastically..

"I have not been this rich since birth, baby!"...and the word "baby" slips naturally out of his mouth. Consequently, an awkward silence fell between them for a moment. Shehnaaz though quickly breaks the ice with a light-hearted laugh..

Sidharth smiles back to ease it and turns on the tap to wash the dishes but the water gushes out with too much force, splashing all over his t-shirt! Shehnaaz bursts into another uncontrollable laughter..!

"Hayee Rabba! Dish washer bhi hai! Saare haath se nehi karna parta hai!" she gasps between the fits of her laughter..

"Bohot hasi arahi hai na?!"...Sidharth asks carrying a mischievous glint in his eyes..

"You are looking like a cartoon! Hasi kyun nehi ayegi?!"...she continues to laugh..

Some playful gestures spark in him and the naughty child inside him comes out of his solid exterior! He pulls her close with a swift movement of his arm wrapping around her waist and his other hand is still covered in dishwashing detergent which he lifts up to smudge her cheek..!

"Sidharth ji nehi!! Aap ruko! Chorungi nehi main aaj aapko!"...Shehnaaz exclaims, grabbing a bottle of ketchup from the tray and pointing it at him like a weapon..

Sidharth's eyes widen with a teasing grin...."Shehnaaz, this is not fair! Ketchup hai yeh tou! Woh washable tha yeh nehi hai!"....he smirks backing away slowly, maintaining a playful distance..

"Soh lagge! Aaj tou aap gaye Mr. Shukla!"... she declares while approaching him with the bottle and eventually makes a quick move to squirt the ketchup but Sidharth was faster! He grabs her hand just in time but the act makes them lose their balance..

So they eventually crash onto the couch together having Shehnaaz landing on top of Sidharth! In a reflex, Sidharth wraps his arms around her protectively, holding her close to keep her from getting hurt!