Frames of Destiny

Chapter 16

Sidharth stumbles outside on the patio being still a bit groggy..! The previous night is still a blur but flashes of it, particularly of Shehnaaz's, comes back to him in fragments! He sees her there, sitting quietly with a dull expression..

"Why are you up this late?"..he asks with a puzzled tone..

She glances up and becomes all startled! She wasn’t expecting him to be honest and his sudden presence makes her aware..."Kuch nehi... baas, neendh nehi arahi thi..."..she fumbles..

Sidharth stares at her..he can totally sense that something is abruptly wrong with her! So he narrows his eyes, trying to read her expression but she avoids his gaze again..!

"Kya...?"...she asks while feeling this continuous intense gaze..

"Yeh tou tum bataogi..!"..he replies firmly..

She looks at him and tries to keep her calm while it’s clear that she is holding something back..

"Kya bataun?"...she sounds a little defensive now..

"Ki kya ho raha hai yeh subah se?!"..he matches her tone..

Her hands shakes slightly as she tries to maintain her calm and quickly looks away, pretending to be unaffected..."Pata nehi kya bol rahe ho aap! Waise bhi its late, Sam bhi akeli hai, mujhe jaake sona chahiye.."

She attempts to walk past him but he rightfully steps in front of her by blocking her path..

Her breathing rate increases again and her heart starts pounding..!

"Ek second! What do you think you are doing?!"..he asks with a hint of frustration..

Shehnaaz looks up at him after a pause.."Ab kya kiya maine?!"

Sidharth takes a long deep sigh and turns his gaze back to her..."You are only making me feel miserable Shehnaaz!!"

Shehnaaz too takes a deep breath, trying to content the emotions rising within her..."You are overthinking... aisa kuch bhi nehi hai!"

"Tou nazre kyun chura rahi ho mujhse?!"...he asks more impatiently..

Their eyes meet for a moment and Shehnaaz doesn’t look away! She then nods, finally letting her guard down..

"Hatiye... mujhe sona hai..."...she states softly almost being defeated...

"Chali jana... but I just need you to tell me what is bothering you? I knew it would be awkward for both of us but the way you are behaving, it's making me feel guilty now!"...he says with a pleading tone..

Shehnaaz turns away and a vulnerability flows through her face..."I am sorry but I had no intention to make you feel guilty..!"

Sidharth looks at her more intensely to search for clarity and says gently..."If I am not wrong, it was reciprocated from your side equally! Hai na?"

Shehnaaz lets out a small, bitter laugh and of course the smile is not reaching her eyes..!...."Men!! Why is it always about this stupid male ego?! For once, could you keep it at a side and think neutrally?!"

Sidharth is taken aback by her sudden outburst.."What do you mean?"..he is unsure of what she is implying..

"What do I mean?! Woh kya hai na main koi mahan atma tou hoon nehi but I have certain respect for genuine relationships! Kal aap bilkul hosh mein nehi the towards the end, so I helped you go downstairs... adhi neendh mein bhi aap Meera ji ko yaad kar rahe the... unse maafi mang rahe the..! And trust me, I have no issues regarding that! You loved her, infact you still love her and I respect that! But..."

Sidharth listens intently, hanging on her every word, feeling a mix of emotions he can’t quite place but when she stops, he can’t help but push her to continue.."But...?!"

She hesitates and her eyes well up slightly as she struggles to speak..."But I was not ready to witness a sight of rejection from you in the morning... so I thought it's better that I distance myself... kyunki na main kabhi unki jaga le paungi aur na hi main lena chahti hoon..!"

Sidharth's heart melts at this realizing how much she has been holding in! A small, tender smile appears on his face as he watches her intently..!

He then lets out a sigh, sits down and leans back to breathe a sign of relief! Shehnaaz stands there and watches him while giving him his space..

After a moment, he looks up at her and asks her gently.."Shall I be sorry?"

"Soh lagge! Bol ke tou dekho! Phenk na dun main aapko yahan se tou mera bhi naam Shehnaaz nehi hai!"...she sounds almost serious!

He chuckles...

"Kya cartoon hai!!"..he speaks to himself..

"Huh? Kuch kaha aapne?!"..she asks..

"Nehi.. kuch nehi.. what was there for dinner?"...he is trying to make it lighter now..

Shehnaaz looks at him shockingly by the sudden change in his tone..!

Sidharth grins at her, clearly enjoying her changed facial expressions!

"Hayeee Baba ji! Maaf kardo mujhe aap! Sharam karo! Jake dekhlo freeze mein... kaisa banda hai yaar!"...she replies dramatically..

Sidharth finally gets up and reaches out to gently pull her to sit beside him..."Okay enough, ab idhar aake baitho..."

"Koi bakwaas maat karna phir...!"...she warns..

"Baith meri Ma!"..he chuckles to widen his eyes..

He then prepares to say something important while Shehnaaz watches him curiously..

"Kuch kehna hai tumhe..?"..he asks..

"Mujhe? Nehi tou..!"..she clearly denies..

"Hmm lekin mujhe bolna hai kuch.."..he states..

"Hmm?"..she waits..

"Meera has left a void which I felt no one can fill! But you are a beautiful feeling Shehnaaz! And I feel content around you..."..he admits..

"Phirse peg marke tou nehi aaye ho na?!"..she can't believe her ears..

Sidharth rolls his eyes irritatingly..."You need help!!"

He gets up and almost ready to leave when she quickly speaks up in her quirky playful tone..."Mujhe bohot pehle se pata hai yeh tou!"

Sidharth pauses again and turns back.. "Kya?"

"That you feel good around me..."..she replies smiling..

"Tou phir yeh nautanki kyun kar rahi thi subah se?!"...he asks immediately without any hesitation now..

"Awww aapko bura laga?!"...she asks in her teasing tone..

Their eyes meet again with a gaze of mutual understanding now..

"Nehi lagna chahiye tha?!".. he asks with a warmth that he has never shared before!

"Self-defense baba! I just can't let myself get hurt you see..."...she replies lovingly..

"That was unnecessary! Maine pehle bhi kaha hai, don't change! Your personality sets you apart!"...he means it..

Shehnaaz smiles while finally feeling at ease! She can see the sincerity in his eyes, and it brings her a sense of relief now!

"Meera will always be there! I can't..."...he speaks up when Shehnaaz quickly stops him, placing a finger on his lips..

"Maat bolo... mujhe pata hai..!! Main expect bhi nehi karti honestly aur isi rejection se mujhe darr tha isliye I was acting weird since morning! I am okay now, trust me!"..she gives out a healing smile..

He holds her hand..."Itna bhi drunk nehi tha..I remember your reply when I asked if you will be there for Sam.."..he smiles..

"Hamesha..."...she smiles back at him while connecting her fingers with his to intertwine their hands..

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