Tashan-E-Ishq -A Sidneet ff

58. The Morning After

The candlelight flickered dimly across the room as Sid stared at the ceiling, his arms wrapped tightly around Avu, who had finally calmed down after her mini-rant.

Sid (grumbling): "Fattu kahike... kya dialogue tha yaar."

Avu smirked against his chest.

Avu: "Sach hi toh bola... karne wale ho nahi, sirf chedte raho bas."

Sid: "Yeh toh tumhare liye tha romantic plan."

Avu lifted her head slightly.

Avu: "Romantic plan? This place is the thumbnail version of hell."

Sid chuckled and kissed her forehead.

Sid: "Toh fir chalo... escape plan banate hain. Jaise movies mein hota hain."

Avu: "Haan... jaise tum army man ho aur main hostage."

Sid (in a deep voice): "Private Siddharth reporting on mission 'Save Avu from Sex Dungeon'."

They both burst out laughing. It was ridiculous, but that made it better.

Next Morning

The sun peeked in through a crack in the curtains. Avu stirred, feeling the warmth of Sid beside her. She was still in his oversized T-shirt, her legs tangled with his.

Sid (groggy): "Good morning, Mrs. Half-Married."

Avu (half-asleep): "Shut up."

Sid smiled and kissed her shoulder.

Sid: "Sorry for last night. I mean, not the cuddles... just the... posters and props."

Avu: "Poster? That was a horror show."

They both sat up. Avu rubbed her eyes.

Avu: "I swear Ri and Anu are dead today."

Sid: "Agreed. But... it was kind of fun, na?"

Avu smiled a little.

Avu: "Yeah... only because you were there."

Just then, a knock came on the door.

Anu (from outside): "Alive ho dono?"

Avu: "Zinda hain. But if you don't open the door now, you won't be soon."

The door clicked open and Ri stood there grinning, holding breakfast on a tray.

Ri: "So... how was the honeymoon suite?"

Sid threw a pillow at him.

Sid: "You're sick."

Ri: "You're welcome."

Avu was finally resting in her room again, and Sid decided to talk to Dadi about the whole confusion in a calm, respectful tone.

Sid stood outside Dadi's room for a second, collecting his thoughts before walking in. She was sitting on her wooden chair, rosary in hand, lost in thought.

Sid: Dadi, ek minute milega?

Dadi looked up calmly.

Dadi: "Bolo."

Sid: "Woh... Leela wali baat... main usse shaadi nahi karna chahta."

Dadi's expression didn't change.

Dadi: "Kyun? Tumhe kuch problem hain us ladki se?"

Sid: "Problem nahi, bas... woh mere type ki nahi hain. Main use jaanta bhi nahi. Aur yeh sindoor girne waali baat bhi... kaafi ajeeb lagti hain mujhe."