Forever Yours

Chapter Thirty Three

Siddharth sat on the edge of the bed, eyes closed, head resting against the back of the bed. It had been a long day. Siddharth had never, even in his wildest dreamed imagined that something like this could happen at the orphanage.  

It was Shehnaaz's home.  

He knew, or at least he thought he knew what Shehnaaz was feeling and Siddharth didn't really know what to do about it. He had no idea how to help her and that made him, irritated and agitated-- helpless.  

A few minutes into the train of his thoughts, Siddharth heard soft footsteps approaching their room in Shehnaaz's apartment. He opened his eyes and smiled at his baby munchkin.  

Sometime after dinner, Shehnaaz had told Siddharth that she wanted to sleep in her apartment. Siddharth knew that Shehnaaz wasn't entirely okay with what had been happening around them since morning and needed a little alone time, hence he had decided to accompany her to her apartment and sleep there itself that night. 

Hopefully, it'd help her feel better about the whole situation by tomorrow. He thought. 

"Hey there.." He cooed, Shehnaaz smiled back. Siddharth pulled her slightly, causing Shehnaaz to trip and land into his arms.  

Shehnaaz had closed her eyes firmly, too scared to fall and Siddharth smiled at the cute visual in front of him. He kissed her eyes gently and shifted her into a more comfortable position in his arms.  

"Aakh toh khol.." He whispered, caressing her cheek with his thumb. Shehnaaz obliged, opening her eyes very-- very slowly. She looked at him wide-eyed and Siddharth couldn't hold his laughter back.  

Shehnaaz pouted. "Mazaak uda rahe ho mera?"  

Siddharth shook his head, slowly and kissed her nose. "Tu itni pyaari hai.. bilkul ek pari ke jaisi."  

Shehnaaz smiled. "Sacchi?" 

"God promise." Siddharth whispered, tightening his hold on her waist, his arm still wrapped protectively around her

"Pariyaan real nahi hoti, Siddharth."  

"Mere paas toh ek hai. Pari, princess, actually warrior queen. Kisi se nahi darti meri jaan." Siddharth said proudly.  

Shehnaaz chuckled dryly.  

Siddharth sighed, knowing that he had inadvertently plucked a nerve. He wanted to say something, ask something. He had so many questions, so damn many-- but he knew he wasn't getting any answers anytime soon.  

He cupped her face again, just as tenderly as he had before and smiled at her, as if in that simple gesture would somehow console her, relieve her of whatever fears she had.  

Shehnaaz watched him, his attempts at soothing her, cajoling her weren't exactly a secret to her either and she felt horrible seeing him like that.  

This is not something he deserved.  

This was not fair to him, she knew. 

"I'm sorry Siddharth." She whispered to him and felt herself being pulled closer to him. He placed his chin atop her head.  

"Don't apologize." He responded. "We'll figure this out, I promise." 

Shehnaaz rested her head on his chest. "I'm tired." 

"I am too." 

Shehnaaz closed her eyes. "I love you Mi Vida." Shehnaaz mumbled, almost intelligibly as Siddharth patted her head gently to lull her to sleep.