BEYOND THE CLOUDS (Completed)

Chapter 7

Sidharth took his seat and leaned back, closing his eyes for some introspection. 

A day ago, He had been livid at his PA, Hazel, for informing him at the last moment that the Jubilee Jet was taken into a shed for some maintenance work. 

His visit to New York however had been imperative and his office had made a last-minute booking for him in Quantum. 

And boy was he glad. 

"Shehnaazzzz" he sighed, her beautiful name rolling out of his mouth with a lisp at the end and a satisfied smile on his lips. 

It was a sheer master stroke of luck to be pitted against the very girl, who had taken him in when Sidharth had been drunk out of his mind and then had been unable to take her off his thoughts.

 But even in his drunk state, he had registered her soft, feminine touch that had evoked some tender and fierce parts in him. 

For the very first time in his life, he felt like someone cared for him, as a person. Not for the Jubilee heir and certainly not for the handsome exterior. 

She had trusted him, and allowed a stranger in her house, just so that he is not at a disadvantage because of being drunk. 

It was a foolish move obviously, considering the dangers involved, but nevertheless, the gesture had warmed him. 

When he had seen their picture at her house, his heart had longed for the kind of love that exuberated from their faces. But mentally he wished them well and had left the house.

Even though he had left his number, She had never called back and Sidharth too had been too engrossed in his work, to bother about it. 

But seeing her again today in the aircraft had knocked the breath out of him. 

Yes he had been a bit miffed at the closeness that She and her partner had, but after careful observation of the way her friends hands moved in a softer, more feminine way, Sidharth had concluded that he swings the other way. 

When he had mentioned it in front of her, her reaction had confirmed he was right. 

A wave of relief washed through him, giving him hope that maybe, just maybe she might be single and he might stand a chance. 

In all his years abroad and back in India, being surrounded by pin up models, actresses, heiresses who were ready and available to throw themselves at him, he had never felt this kind of a strong pull towards anyone. 

But Shehnaaz was different. From the moment he saw her, he wanted her by his side, mind body and soul and he wanted her forever.

Shehnaaz took turns to prep her passengers for the landing, checking for open trays or unfastened seat belts as usual, eventually turning to Sidharth. 

She found him dozing off and the visuals of him resting on her couch, flashed in front of her eyes. Gone was the intimidating demeanor, he looked like a peacefully sleeping baby, with his head titled slightly to a side. 

"Mr. Shukla" She called out for him softly, twice, before touching his shoulder slightly to wake him up. 

"I would love to see this sight every time I wake up" he murmured taking her by surprise. 

"Excuse me?" she asked, glaring at him. How dare he flirt so blatantly. 

"Umm" he cleared his throat, sitting upright "I think I was..umm..sleep mumbling" he covered up. 

Letting out a heavy breath, clearly annoyed, Shehnaaz smiled tightly, as she would at an obnoxious passenger, "We are about to land sir, please fasten your seat belt" her tone was clipped as she turned around to exit, but his voice stopped her.