Forever Yours

Chapter Seventeen

The whole family was standing around the matriarch of the Shukla house while she discussed with the priest about the dates of Siddharth & Shehnaaz's marriage. They were all currently in the back-room of Siddhi-Vinaayak temple, waiting for the priest to reach a conclusion.  

Shehnaaz was not even trying to look in the general direction of her mother's and was busy fidgeting with her saree pallu while Siddharth held the small of her back, keeping her as near as possible to himself.  

"Do-chaar mahine wait kar loge Siddharth?" The priest asked teasingly.  

"Do maheene ya chaar?" Siddharth asked, slightly embarrassed.  

"Aap bataiye." The priest responded. "Vaise aap dono saath bahot pyaare lagte hain."  

Siddharth shrugged, his face turning pinkish. "Jaise bhi aap theek samjhe Pandit-ji."  

Pandit-ji smiled, "Rita-ji.. choti si pooja hai ek bacchon ke saath iss maheene mein kisi bhi dinn karwa lijiye. Dono bacche Films aur TV mein kaam karte hai, bahot se log apne mann mein negativity paale huye hote hai. Hum bilkul bhi nahi chahenge ki bacche apni nayi zindagi ki shuruat kisi bhi tarah ki negativity ke saath karein. Dates ki baat rahi toh agle chaar maheene dono ki kundali ke hisaab se bahot acche hai, magar dono ko shaadi ke liye zyaada waqt nahi milega." He chuckled.  

"Kaam double hone waala hai." Rajveer jiju grinned.  

"Double se kuch zyaada, Rajveer ji." Pandit-ji responded.  

Siddharth closed his eyes, sending a quick prayer to the almighty. More for his Naaz than for him.  

"Chauthe maheene se, agle 6-8 hafte bahot acche hain. Unn dinon 8 mahoorat hain, mein poori list aapko bhijwa doonga." Pandit-ji informed Rita Maa.  

"Ji pandit-ji." Rita Maa said politely, stood up and touched the older man's feet.  

Following his mother's lead, Siddharth did the same along with Shehnaaz followed by his sisters and their husbands before everyone left the temple premises.  

"Tu chaar maheene ruk jaayega na Siddharth?" Preeti asked teasingly.  

Siddharth rolled his eyes. "Bakwaas mat kar."  

Aarav jiju nudged her softly. "Tu bhi kya baat kar rahi hai Preeti, yeh Shehnaaz ko apne se ek dinn ke liye bhi door nahi jaane deta, chaar maheene chod cheh maheene reh lega. Kaunsa Shehnaaz kaheen jaane waali hai." He said mischievously.  

Shehnaaz pouted.  

Siddharth shook his head at them, held his fiance by her arm and walked off leaving the rest of their family to catch up to them, taking huge steps.  

Shehnaaz giggled, "Siddharth.. dheere baba."  

Siddharth frowned, causing his girl to give him a cute little smile. "Aapko wait nahi karna?" She asked.  

Siddharth shook his head with a sad pout.  

"Abhi kar lein shaadi?" Shehnaaz asked  

Siddharth nodded like a child.  

Shehnaaz sighed, she looked around herself and found a small road-side stall. "Ruko yahaan."  

She ran up to the vendor and picked up a vermillion box and a black-threaded chain with a tiny S dangling from it. She returned to Siddharth and presented him with the things.  

"Shaadi-shuda hone ke sabse important indicators sindoor aur mangalsutra hi hote hai na?" Shehnaaz asked innocently.  

Siddharth touched the box of vermillion and smiled. The family had all assembled around them by them and were watching the two of them keenly. Siddharth looked back at his mother and his eyes filled up. Rita Maa smiled.  

He caressed the black thread gently and looked back at Shehnaaz who stood there smiling softly at him. He cupped her face and rested his forehead against hers. "Sab itna simple kaise kar deti hai tu Superstar? Itni asaani se.. bina kisi hichak ke.. kaise?" He felt his throat closing due to the intensity of the emotions that she had managed to unknowingly invoke in him.  

Without making any elaborate promises, without any fancy words, with just a simple gesture she had promised herself to him. She had just given herself to him.  

Siddharth kissed her forehead. "Meine socha aaj iska special day hai, isko itna pamper karunga, khush kar dunga. Dekho toh.. itni asaani se.. itni effortlessly mujhe ek second mein saari duniya de di isne. Aise kaun karta hai Shehnaaz?" He asked, his voice quivering with emotions.  

"Chalo abhi.. ghar jaana hai na? Siddharth ja baith bacche gaadi mein." Rita Maa said softly. 

Siddharth nodded absently. 

"Preeti, mein tum logon ke saath badi gaadi mein aati hu. Baccha log nani ki god mein araam se baith jayenge. Haina? Yeh dono ko akele aane do araam se." Rita Maa told Preeti and Neetu. 

Preeti nodded. "Haan Maa. Aap aa jao." 

Once Rita Maa had settled into the car, Shehnaaz led Siddharth to their own car. "Should I drive.. Siddharth?" She asked gently. 

"No.. I'll drive." Siddharth whispered. 

"Talk to me baby.." Shehnaaz cupped his face. Siddharth looked at her again and his eyes seemed full of unshed tears. A stray tear found its way out of his eyes. 

Shehnaaz brushed away a tear from the corner of his eye. "If you ever.. even think of leaving me I will go mad. I will go completely insane without you Shehnaaz I swear to God."  

"I'm not leaving. Never." 

"I'm not letting you.."  

Siddharth pulled her into a tight hug, pulling her on his lap and dug his face into her neck. "I am not letting you go. Ever." 

Shehnaaz wrapped her arms around Siddharth and pressed a soft kiss on the top of his heart. "Im here Mi Vida. I'm always going to be here. I promise." 

Sometime in the next few seconds, Siddharth found his way towards her lips and pulled her into a sweet and tender kiss. Shehnaaz found herself in a safe, warm embrace afterwards, punctuated with soft whispers of nothing and everything. 

Siddharth placed feather like kisses down her jawline mumbling incoherent words of affection, breathing against her like she was a drug. 

Shehnaaz whimpered softly as he bit the soft skin of her neck, "Siddharth.." 

Siddharth looked at her. She was breathing heavily, "Naaz.." Siddharth closed his eyes, snuggling deeper into her. 

"Baby.." Shehnaaz ran her fingers through his hair. "Siddharth.. shaant ho jao meri jaan." 

"Aise hi reh do minute." Siddharth breathed against her. Shehnaaz nodded, dropping a soft kiss on his forehead. 

A few minutes later, Siddharth opened his eyes and pulled away from Shehnaaz. 

"Superstar.." 

Shehnaaz smiled. "Hi baby.." 

"Ghar chalein?" 

She nodded, and shifted to the passenger seat. Siddharth entangled his fingers with hers and brought her palm to his lips. 

Shehnaaz leaned back, sighing contentedly. 

"This day is turning into a dream.." She whispered. 

Siddharth smiled. "Yeah. Yes it is." 

Siddharth switched the vehicle into ignition and they drove off. 

***

Here's the next part.

I hope you enjoy this one.

Sunday will have two updates because I feel generous. You'll have one part of this story and one Imagine. So I guess, um be excited.

See you soon

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