Frames of Destiny

Chapter 15

The next morning..

Sidharth wakes up to find himself neatly covered with a quilt on his bed. He quickly gets up and leans against the headrest, trying to gather the instances of last night. However, his bad hangover from drinking too much makes it difficult to recall everything. He tries to relax but having a moment with her flashes as memories before his eyes and he keeps rubbing his forehead to try and ease the dizziness..

Though he clearly remembers the kiss but he cannot recall what happened next. At the same time he realizes the painful memories, Samaira's tears, his personal failures, and the anguish he felt all hit him at once and it was hard for him to stay composed! Samaira's crying over Meera still lingers in his mind but surprisingly, despite all the discomfort, he feels a sense of contentment and calm when he thinks about that moment he shared with Shehnaaz. Now he is only hoping that it doesn't get awkward for both..

On the other side, Shehnaaz and Samaira are busy getting ready for school..

"Puttu...Meri ek baat manegi?"..she asks softly while doing her hair..

Samaira nods her head being visibly upset..

"Good.. listen, Daddy loves you very much..pata hai, kal woh na bohot roh rahe the kyunki he snapped at you and it was unintentional.. kyunki he can never do that on purpose! Itna tou tu bhi samajhti hai, hai na betu?"

"Hmm.."..she nods again..

"You told me several times that he even gets upset when you get a small scratch. Ab bata woh tujhe kabhi hurt kar sakte hai?"..she asks while looking at her in the mirror..

"Nehi Aunty..I know Daddy loves me..but mujhe na bohot bura laga kyunki woh Mumma k liye tha na!"..she tears up again..

"Nehi beta! Idhar dekh..."..she turns her around and takes her face in between her hands..."Daddy loves you and Mumma equally..! He was just occupied and he didn't mean it bachha! Abhi Daddy needs to go out urgently aur tujhe bhi school jana hai na? Tou just go to his room and sort it out. He is dying to take you in his arms..main udhar breakfast bhejti hoon..theek hai?"

"Ok Aunty.."

"Aise nehi smile karke bol"

Samaira smiles through her tears..

"That's my girl..meri pyaari betu hai tu!"...she kisses her cheeks lovingly..

**************

Samaira enters Sidharth's room and finds him still sitting against the headrest with his eyes closed..

"Daddy..?"..she calls out softly, walking up to him..

Sidharth quickly responds to her voice, opening his eyes and sitting up..

"Haan bachha? Ready ho gayi aap?"..he asks while lowering his legs off the bed and gently pulling her to stand before him..

Samaira touches his face softly with her small hand brushing against his puffed eyes..

"I am sorry Daddy!! You cried so much because of me! Didn’t you?! I am so stupid! I am really sorry!"..she becomes sad..

Sidharth’s heart fills with contentment!He can’t believe how blessed he is to have this little angel in his life! His eyes well up with tears again because he is always unable to hold back when it comes to this precious!

"No mera bachha!! Daddy is the one who is sorry… I am sorry beta!"...He pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly..

"Aapko essay likhna tha na? I will help you with it now… Tell me where to start.." he says while breaking the hug and cupping her chin gently...