Forever Yours

Chapter Fifteen

Shehnaaz couldn't concentrate, her face was contorted into a frown, eyes closed and fingers entwined together, drumming.  

The previous few days had been so hectic, both Siddharth and Shehnaaz barely had any time at all. They did meet for a twenty minute lunch break everyday, and Siddharth still managed to drag her home with himself most days but the way their schedules were packed full of one thing or the other for the last few days, there was little chance of any interaction between the two.  

Since the day of their engagement, Shehnaaz hadn't spent even one day without talking to Siddharth or him, whether on the phone or face-to-face. She always told Siddharth and his sisters that she would never, ever be able to go through a single day without seeing them, talking to them or getting her share of pampering from them.  

Shehnaaz heard a knock on the door of the make-up room. "Come in."  

Adith entered the room, holding a package.  

"Adith bhai--" Shehnaaz stood up from the chair. "Siddharth nahi aaya?" 

Adith smiled softly, keeping the package on a low table. "Siddharth sir ka outdoor schedule tha na bhabhi.. thoda extend hua hai. Shaam ko hi aayenge ab." He told Shehnaaz who pouted sadly.  

Adith patted her head, "Call kara?" 

"Busy hai.." She replied, looking innocently up at him. "Bola tha usne." 

Adith smiled, "It's okay, raat ko toh woh aayenge na aapko ghar leke jaane.."  

Shehnaaz nodded, "Raat kab hogi Adith bhai."  

"Jaldi ho jaayegi, abhi aap yeh kha lo, warna Maa se daant padegi." Adith said, gesturing to the neatly arranged tiffin in the package. "Mein jaata hoon abhi important kaam hai."  

Shehnaaz nodded. "Of course."  

Adith left the room and rushed to the car, switching on his phone. "Kya bhai, uska muh utar gaya tha bilkul." He complained.  

Siddharth sighed on the other end of the call, "Mera chota sa baby.. yaar mein bhi kya karoon usko dekha toh poora surprise khai mein pad jaayega! Tu kucch bola nahi na?"  

"Nahi.. but she was looking very distracted. Usually she's so shy about mentioning you with me, but today she was probably looking forward to this lunch meeting more eagerly than usual. She didn't even mention her birthday. Rita aunty aur Preeti Di toh bole the ki woh bacchon ki tarah excited ho jaati hai birthday ke liye." Adith sounded confused.  

Siddharth clicked his tongue. "Don't tempt me to drag her out of that set and hide her away from this God-awful world. Khaana khayi na woh.."  

"Bolke aaya tha, khaa legi." Adith answered.  

Siddharth hummed, "Chal abhi nikal udhar se. Maa documents ke saath wait kar rahi hai tera."  

*** 

A few hours later, Siddharth stepped out of his car and entered the studio where Shehnaaz was shooting for her short movie. Shehnaaz was still busy, giving a monologue shot. Siddharth grinned happily, having had the opportunity to watch his little munchkin perform.

It was a rare thing to see her like that, all engrossed in her element. He hid himself into the shadows, so as not to draw any attention to himself. He risked glances to his smart watch amid watching her intently.  

A few minutes later, Shehnaaz stepped away from the camera and the crew broke into applause. The director pulled her into a side hug. "Well done Shehnaaz! Brilliant!"