Rab Rakha

Chapter 61

A week, it had been a fucking week and Sidharth felt like time was slipping out of his hands like anything. Never got the time right, he never got to set up the stage and just pull out the ring and ask, "Marry me Shehnaaz?" He had been feeling a mix of excitement and frustration by now. He had been trying to find the right moment to propose to her and the delay was starting to get to him.

He had been thoughtful about how to make his proposal special. He wanted it to be perfect, a moment she would remember forever. He imagined all the details: the location, the words he would say and how he would create a memorable experience for both of them. Despite his well-laid plans, the process was not going as smoothly as he hoped.

"Sunna, shaam ko na Mummy aur mai grocery lene jayenge. Thik hai? Tere liye kuch lana hai?" Shehnaaz asked him over a phone call.

"Hmm.. dekh le na tu. Coffee le aana mere liye, aur toh kuch yaad nahi aa raha." He replied.

*Ha, chal thik hai. Text kar diyo tu." She told him before she hung up.

As time went on, his frustration grew. He felt the pressure to make everything perfect and this pressure began to weigh heavily on him. Every day, he thought about the proposal, worrying if it would live up to his expectations and if Shehnaaz would love it. This constant worry led him to feel overwhelmed and stressed. He was so focused on getting everything just right that he started to withdraw from his girlfriend. He became more quiet and less engaged in their conversations and activities.

Shehnaaz, on the other hand, was starting to notice these changes in him. She was used to their open and loving communication, but lately, he seemed distant. She could tell something was wrong, even though he wasn’t saying anything about it. She tried to be understanding, knowing that everyone goes through tough times, but it was difficult for her to watch him struggle without knowing what was going on.

"Kya hua?" Madhu asked her daughter.

"Kuch nahi, chalo." Shehnaaz replied, grabbing the apartment's keys.

"Kuch bola Sidharth ne?" Madhu asked, observing something was off.

"Kuch bol hi toh nahi raha. Ha-nahi se aage kuch bolta nahi ya phir ajeeb ajeeb si shakal bana ke baitha rehta hai." Shehnaaz blabbered.

"Office ka kaam hoga, tension hoga udhar ka kuch." Madhu suggested, easing her daughter's worries.

"Hm. Ho sakta hai." Shehnaaz shrugged and then the two made their way to the supermarket.

Although Shehnaaz kept wondering what else could it be if not work because their recent experiences with Advait had been bright spots in their week. His visit was a welcome distraction and a source of joy for both of them. They had spent two days with him, watching the Marvel movie series and even went to enjoy the re-release of Laila Majnu. They engaged themselves in baking as well.

On the first day, Shehnaaz and Sidharth attended a special event at her office. The event was meant for partners to join in and they spent time drawing portraits of each other. It was a fun and lighthearted activity, allowing them to see each other’s artistic side and laugh at their attempts. The activity brought them closer, and for a moment, he seemed to forget his worries and genuinely enjoy the time spent together.

The next day, they decided to bake a cake again after they had their first successful attempt with Advait. They had all been craving something sweet and baking together was a perfect way to bond. The kitchen was filled with laughter and the smell of freshly baked goods. The cake turned out delicious and they all enjoyed it while sharing stories and having a good time. The simple joy of baking and eating together was a refreshing break from his constant stress about the proposal.