SidNaaz Reclaimed Love

chapter 9: The family gathering

The following week passed in a blur of activity as Sidharth and Shehnaaz prepared for Aryan's first family gathering since the revelation of his parentage.
It was a significant step for all three of them-one that Sidharth hoped would solidify their bond and introduce Aryan to a world that was now his by birthright.

Rita maa, Sidharth's mother, had been eagerly awaiting for  this moment, her heart full of love and anticipation for her grandson.

As the day approached, the atmosphere in the Shukla household buzzed with excitement.
Shehnaaz had thrown herself into planning the event, determined to make it special for Aryan.
Together with Sidharth, they organized a small gathering of family and close friends in the backyard-a place filled with memories of laughter and joy.

Colorful decorations adorned the garden, and the scent of delicious food wafted through the air, promising a feast that would delight everyone's taste buds.

On the day of the gathering, the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the preparations.
Aryan, dressed in a smart little shirt and shorts, darted around the garden, his laughter ringing like music in the air.

Shehnaaz watched him with a smile, her heart swelling with love and pride. Sidharth stood beside her, a look of adoration on his face as he observed their son.

"Can you believe how much he's grown?" Sidharth mused, his voice laced with wonder.

Shehnaaz nodded, her gaze never leaving Aryan.
"He's amazing, Sidharth. I still can't believe he's ours."

Sidharth turned to her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I want to be the best father I can be for him. I want to make up for all the time lost."

Shehnaaz's heart ached at the sincerity in his voice. "You already are. Just being here with us means the world."

As the guests began to arrive, the garden filled with laughter and chatter, creating an atmosphere of warmth and celebration.

Sidharth and Shehnaaz moved seamlessly through the crowd, introducing Aryan to their loved ones.

The little boy was a natural, quickly warming up to everyone, charming them with his infectious smile and curious nature.

Rita maa , beaming with pride, took every opportunity to dote on Aryan.

"Look at you, my darling boy! You're just like your father," she exclaimed, scooping him up in her arms.

Aryan giggled, clearly enjoying the attention from his grandmother.

Sidharth watched the scene unfold, a wave of emotion crashing over him. He had always longed for this connection-a family that felt whole.

The sight of his mom  and Aryan together filled him with a sense of fulfillment he hadn't known he was missing.
It was a moment he wanted to freeze in time, to cherish forever.

As the afternoon wore on, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Sidharth noticed some guests whispering, exchanging curious glances.
It was clear that the news of Aryan's parentage had spread, and while most were supportive, he could sense a few skeptics in the crowd.

It made him uneasy.

Later, as everyone gathered around for lunch, Sidharth found himself seated beside Shehnaaz and Aryan.

The food was delicious, laughter echoed, and for a brief moment, everything felt perfect.

But then, a distant voice cut through the chatter.

"So, is it true? You've just discovered you're a father?" one of the guests asked, his tone probing.

Sidharth's expression darkened slightly, but before he could respond, Shehnaaz spoke up. "Yes, it's true. And we're grateful for this new beginning."

Another voice chimed in, "But how do you know he's really your son?

You were apart for so long..."

Sidharth felt the heat rise in his chest, anger flaring at the insinuation.
He turned to the speaker, a family friend whose skepticism grated on his nerves. "That's not fair.
Aryan is my son,
and I don't need to justify my relationship with him to anyone," he said firmly.

Shehnaaz placed a calming hand on his arm. "Let's focus on celebrating today, not digging up the past."

But the murmurs continued, the tension thickening around the table.
Sidharth felt his heart race, the protective instinct for Aryan kicking in.

"This is about family," he said, his voice steady but charged with emotion.
"Aryan is my family, and no one can take that away from me."

As Sidharth spoke, Aryan looked up at his father, sensing the unease.
"Dad why are people talking?" he asked innocently, his big brown eyes wide with confusion.

Shehnaaz's heart broke at the question. She bent down, cupping Aryan's face in her hands.
"They're just excited to meet you, sweetheart.
This is a special day for all of us."

Sidharth's heart ached at the innocence of his son.
He took a deep breath, his gaze shifting back to Aryan.
"That's right, buddy. It's all about you. And you have a whole family who loves you."

With that, Sidharth rose from his seat, taking Aryan's small hand in his.
"Let's go show everyone your favorite game!" he declared, redirecting the focus.
Aryan's face lit up, his earlier confusion forgotten as he bounced up, ready for adventure.

As they moved away from the table, Shehnaaz felt a sense of relief wash over her.
Sidharth was protective, and in that moment, she admired his strength. She followed them, a smile returning to her face as she watched the father-son duo engage in a playful game of tag.

For the next hour, the tension eased as laughter returned, and Aryan's joy became infectious. Sidharth chased him around the garden, both of them bursting with laughter.
Shehnaaz watched from a distance, her heart full as she witnessed the bond forming between them-a bond that felt unbreakable.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, the guests gathered around a fire pit for s'mores.
Rita maa  called for everyone to join, and Sidharth scooped Aryan up into his arms, settling next to Shehnaaz as they joined the circle.

With marshmallows roasting over the fire, Sidharth's anger from earlier had dissipated, replaced by a warmth that radiated through him.
He wrapped an arm around Shehnaaz, pulling her closer as they watched Aryan's eyes widen in excitement.

"Look, Mommy! Look at my marshmallow!" Aryan exclaimed, his voice full of glee as he held up his sticky treat.

"It looks delicious, baby!"
Shehnaaz said, her heart swelling with pride as she leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek.

Sidharth looked at them, his heart brimming with love.
"I'm so lucky to have you both," he murmured, just loud enough for Shehnaaz to hear.
She turned to him, their eyes meeting in a shared moment of understanding and connection.

As the evening wore on, the laughter and joy surrounding them felt like a balm for the wounds of the past. Sidharth's protective instincts were awakened, but more importantly, he felt a sense of belonging he had longed for.

This was his family, imperfect yet beautiful in its own right.

With the stars twinkling above and the warmth of the fire enveloping them, Sidharth realized that the path ahead might still be challenging, but it would be worth it-because they would face it together.

__________________________________________

I hope u all are liking my story .please leave your votes and comments and let's me know your thoughts on this story ❤️.

Don't forget to follow me ,to get all the updates  ,follow me and get all the latest updates .

Thank you 🫶🏻
Writer Sunshiny_x