Forever Yours

Chapter Twenty Seven

Samyukta stood in front of Shehnaaz's closet, looking through her outfits. Shehnaaz stood a few steps away leaning against the door frame, watching her.  

"Tu dhoond kya rahi hai, bataayegi mujhe?" Shehnaaz asked curiously.  

"Saree."  

Shehnaaz frowned, walking up to her. "Tujhe pehen-na hai?" She asked. 

Samyukta shook her head, "Aapko." . 

"Mujhe?" Shehnaaz looked at her, chuckling. 

Samyukta nodded. "Mene aapko kabhi saree mein nahi dekha. Aaj pehno na. Mujhe aapki pictures leni hai. Phir mein maamu ko bhi send karungi."  

Shehnaaz sighed, tapping her chin in an exaggerated motion of deep thought. "Aur isme mera kya faayda hoga?" She qsked playfully.  

Samyukta pouted, "Aapko kya chahiye?" She asked cutely.  

Shehnaaz grinned, sliding open the adjacent cupboard and took out three hangers. "Choose for yourself." 

"Me?"  

Shehnaaz nodded. "It'll be like playing dress up. I'll do your make up and hair too." She looked at Samyukta with so much hope and excitement dancing in her eyes that there was no way for her to deny.  

"Okay. Let's do it, although I don't know how to drape the saree." Samyukta admitted sheepishly. 

"I'll help, tum bas Choose karo." Shehnaaz said pushing the hangers in Samyukta's arms. 

*** 

"Bahot time ho gaya orphanage gaye, haina Preeti?" Rita Maa observed.  

Preeti Di nodded, "Shehnaaz ka birthday tha, tab last milna hua tha Digwijay Uncle se."  

Rita Maa responded affirmatively. "Manager sahab bhi sochte honge, ab Shehnaaz ko unn logon ki yaad hi nahi aati. Bahut waqt hua vaise, Shehnaaz Andheri tak nahi gayi hai. Hamaare Siddharth ne toh shaadi se pehle usse apni nazar se door na karne ki kasam hi kha li hai." She chuckled fondly. 

Siddharth frowned, walking up to the ladies. "Kyon jaane du door usey? Mujhse nahi raha jaata uske bagair! Aur uska flat hai toh yahaan!" He pointed out.  

Preeti chuckled. "Honestly bol, do maheene ho gaye uske birthday ko. Kitni dafa gayi hai woh apne flat pe?"  

Siddharth looked at his sister offended. "Aise baat kar rahi hai jaise saara waqt Shehnaaz mere saath hi hoti hai. Tum log toh kabhi uska time hog karke baith-te hi nahi ho na?" 

Preeti shook her head. Shehnaaz entered the living area to find the trio sitting together. "Kya baatein ho rahi hai?" She asked.  

Rita Maa looked up, smiling at Shehnaaz. "Aa gayi meri gudiya, aaja baith. Kaisa raha aaj dinn?" 

Shehnaaz shrugged, "Siddharth, Rahul sir ka call aaya tha. Bole hai ki "Rihaayi" ka screening Bombay International Film Festival mein ho raha hai."  

Siddharth smiled. "That's a great news Superstar. Bahot exposure milega uss-se." He responded excitedly.  

"Include us." Preeti interjected.  

Siddharth turned to the other two ladies. "Maa yaad hai jab iska aur mera shoot paas-paas chal raha tha. Iske birthday ke aas-paas. Usmein mera chota sa cameo hai, but mostly iske character ke liye central thi "Rihaayi" ki story. It's a huge thing that you managed to get a screening slot at BIFF. I'm so happy for you Superstar!" Siddharth said happily.