Forever Yours

Chapter Twenty Three

"Good Morning, Mi Vida." Siddharth heard his little bird mumble softly against his cheek before pressing her lips on the same spot and he grinned sleepily, knowing that his day had started the perfect way.  

Siddharth moaned quietly, his smile wide, eyes laden with sleep and barely open. Shehnaaz found her way towards his morning curls and began running her fingers gently through his hair. Siddharth shifted closer to her, making it easier for her to continue combing through her hair, her touch soothing and soft.  

"Good morning Superstar." Siddharth mumbled, in a thick, sleepy voice.  

"Ready to wake up yet?" She asked gently, as Siddharth shifted his head to rest on her lap and Shehnaaz kissed his forehead gently.  

Siddharth grinned softly. 

"If you continue to do what you're doing-- not yet." He responded.  

"What am I doing?" She asked, confused.  

"Pampering me-- No don't stop!" Siddharth cried out in protest and guided her small hand back into his hair while Shehnaaz giggled at his child-like antics.  

Siddharth closed his eyes again, snuggling into her stomach as Shehnaaz continued to fondle with his hair.  

"Siddharth, Maa akele kaam kar rahi hai kitchen mein.." Shehnaaz told him. "Mujhe help karna hai unko breakfast mein."  

"Thodi der please.." Siddharth whined softly. "Aise hi reh na." 

Shehnaaz sighed and relented, obviously not wanting to leave just yet either. Siddharth, acting like a clingy child was something of a rarity and she didn't want to miss a second of it. She pressed soft feathery kisses on his whole face and then leaned back on the headrest of their bed, caressing his hair while Siddharth stole another few minutes of peaceful sleep in the arms of his Naaz.  

*** 

Kushal walked out of the guest room, dressed in a grey hoodie and track pants around the same time as Shehnaaz entered the hall, carrying a jug half-filled with water. Shehnaaz smiled at him, setting the jug on the dining table. "Good morning teddy."  

"Good morning doll, tu ready bhi ho gayi?" Kushal asked surprised, pulling her into a side hug and kissing her temple.  

Shehnaaz shrugged.  

"Siddharth kaha hai?" Kushal asked, looking vaguely in the direction of the room.  

"Aa raha hai.. ready ho raha tha." Shehnaaz replied, "Chai piyoge? Maa kehti hai mein bahot acchi chai banati hoon."  

"Of course." Kushal replied eagerly. Shehnaaz nodded with a big smile and rushed into the kitchen after telling him to settle on the couch. 

Kushal chuckled softly, following her to the kitchen. "Good morning beautiful lady." Kushal greeted Rita Maa cheerfully and bent to touch her feet.  

"Good morning baccha. Theek se soya raat ko?" Rita Maa asked softly, guiding him back upright.  

"Bilkul acche se soya Aunty. Bahot miss kiya aapko mene." Kushal told her and Rita Maa cooed at the boy, pulling his cheeks. 

Shehnaaz smiled at the duo, watching them from a distance, while pouring tea into mugs.  

"Tea is ready, chalein baahar?" She asked them.  

*** 

Kushal was lying on the couch, his head on Rita Maa's lap. Siddharth was continuously glaring at the man who had his tongue stuck out at him while Shehnaaz and Rita Maa watched the two children in the bodies of grown men with fond exasperation.