aurore - an unusual love story √

part seventy

Siddhi Raichand watched her daughter and son stand at the door of the mansion, when her car swifted through the entrance. She smiled to herself. The driver trod down and pulled open the gate to her side.

She retrieved herself from the car and walked towards them as they came forward with satisfactory glitters in their eyes.

" Happy Birthday my baccha!!  " , she hugged Maya first, who reciprocated warmly.

She then hugged Jai tight, and kissed him on the forehead.
" I missed my babies so much. " , she spoke.

" You ought to, mother! Who leaves like that? " , Jai complained.

The driver had already carried her strollers inside, when the three of them walked in through the door.

" Maya.... So what are your special plans for the night? " , Siddhi smiled at Maya.

" I don't remember having special plans on my birthday though. " , she replied back, erasing every smile from her mother's face. But she herself looked quite calm and uncomplaining.

" I asked her if I could arrange for a party. She blatantly denied. I was hurt, but who cares. " , Jai chattered.

Siddhi passed a smile onto him.

And immediately, her eyes caught the unusual.

A woman, with an unfamiliar face, stood at one corner of the living room.

What almost freezed Siddhi, was the hijab that was tightened around her face. She was smiling at her.

A world of questions buzzed in her head. She shifted her gaze to Maya and Jai.

Jai reassuringly stared at Sonara, who was otherwise in a terrible inner struggle, when Siddhi Raichand gaped at her, measuring every inch.

Maya smiled at her mother.

" Mom, she's Sonara Parvez. Mine and Jai's friend. "

This was the exact introduction they had rehearsed. Breaking of the shell could follow anytime, judging the flow of the wind.

Siddhi Raichand was taken aback more than anything on earth.
Sonara came forward.

" Assalam Walaikum aunty. " , she gestured.

Surprised enough to even utter a word, Siddhi only managed to nod.
What exactly was weaving in the house at the moment, was totally beyond her senses.

" Mom, sit. You must be tired.

Nandini!!!
Bring some tea and snacks for Mom. She's home. " , Maya raised her voice.
Then almost pulled Siddhi down on the sofa while sitting beside her.

While Siddhi couldn't shift her gaze from the hijab clad woman in black, who was time and again staring at Jai, she was more displeased with the fact, that he was reciprocating the glances.

" So, dad isn't returning home for another fifteen days. Right? "
Jai said, still standing.

Siddhi nodded again. Unmindfully.

" What happened Mom? Where did you drift away? " , Maya shot.

Siddhi looked at her once, then at Sonara.

" Is she a friend of both of you? How come? I hardly know of you having common friends, most importantly, friends who are..... " , Siddhi now looked at Jai.

" ....who are Muslims? " , Jai finished, without a slight quiver in voice. But Sonara's face went pale, her throat dry.

Siddhi kept her gaze fixed on him, while he smiled wide.