Frames of Destiny

Chapter 23

Few weeks later..

The car hums softly as it passes through the quiet streets..The light from the street lamps are flickering across Sidharth’s face. His face seems stiff, his eyes are focused on the road ahead, while he grips the steering tighter than usual! The car behind with security follows them accordingly.

Shehnaaz can feel the tension in the air and this silence between them is suffocating her! She turns slightly in her seat, glancing at him...she is trying to figure out what is going on in his head!

"Kuch hua hai kya?! Aise kyun behave kar rahe ho aap?"..she asks softly..

He doesn't respond immediately..
However, after a long pause, he simply says..."Kuch nehi bas tired hoon.."

Shehnaaz frowns. She knows him too well to be true now! This is not just about being tired, something has been off ever since they left the party..but knowing him to the core, she decides not to press him further for now..

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

Earlier this evening, Shehnaaz has finally managed to convince Sidharth to accept an invitation from her friends and cousins for a get together. After weeks of dodging the paparazzi and trying to keep their private lives intact following their engagement announcement, Sidharth was reluctant to attend any social gatherings! However, Shehnaaz has reassured him that it will be a private affair and just a few close friends and cousins will be there..No outsiders or media will be involved..

The moment they arrive at the party, they are greeted with an enthusiastic crowd of her cousins and friends, who can't help but cheers loudly, whole heartedly, after all she is getting married to a celebrity now!

"Awww just look at them yaar! Yeh tou sach mein Instagram wale Sidharth Shukla hai! How perfect they look together yaar!".. One of her cousins calls out, grinning from ear to ear..!

Sidharth chuckles and shots back to Shehnaaz silently.."Baby teri yeh cousin behosh na ho jaye!"..Shehnaaz nudges him in the ribs, trying to suppress her smile..

They step in and Sidharth surprisingly gells in very quickly with some of her cousins and friends..

A friend steps forward, offering him a drink..."Sidharth Bhai, being a celeb, how does it feel to be in between hum jaise aam log!"

Sidharth smirks, taking a sip of his drink.. “Kya bol rahe ho yaar? Tum log tou mere liye VIP ho! Kyunki tum logo ke paas Shehnaaz ke college ke raaz hain! Lekin I am an open book! Baas insta followers hi hai mere paas!"

Everyone shares a moment of laughter and from a distance, Shehnaaz notices him, feeling a sense of contentment as she sees him gelling in so well with her friends..!

The tension of the last few weeks seems to melt away. Sidharth is finally relaxing, blending into the group and even Shehnaaz looks relieved! She has missed this for a while! She truly missed the way she could be carefree around friends!

But then, something starts to irritate him...One of her friends, Aditya, keeps hovering around her. At first, it seems harmless but every time Aditya speaks to her, he casually touches her arm or places a hand on her back as he laughs..Sidharth has been noticing this and his eyes follow his every move! His mood therefore gradually turns bitter as the evening progresses..

Shehnaaz eventually catches the change in his demeanor..

After the dinner, as they prepare to leave, Aditya being all tipsy, approaches Shehnaaz again and pulls her into a tight hug! Sidharth gets infuriated by his behavior but he manages to keep his calm,  refusing to cause a scene as he appreciates the effort everyone has put here to organize this party for them..yet it's clear that his mood has completely shifted..!