Forever Yours

Chapter Forty

Rita Maa knocked at the door of SidNaaz's room, "Siddharth.." and peeked inside. "Disturb toh nahi--"  

She stopped abruptly, seeing Siddharth sitting on the bed, with his head resting against the backrest and Shehnaaz sleeping like a child on his chest. "So gayi?" She asked so quietly that Siddharth could only make out the words because of her lip movements. 

Siddharth nodded and gestured for his mother to come into the room. "Ander aa jao. Nahi uthegi."  

Despite his words, Maa couldn't help but take great care not to make any unwanted sounds. "Mein khaana khaane ke liye poochne aayi thi. Kucch khaaya hai isne kay nahi?" She asked, concerned.  

Siddharth clicked his tongue absently, "I don't think so. Aate hi so gayi aaj toh-- mushkil se ghar ke kapdo mein change kiya, hazaar baar bolne pe."  

Rita Maa bent to touch her cheek affectionately. "Meri gudiya.. kitna thak gayi."  

Siddharth hmm-ed, unconsciously shifting closer to his sleeping fiance. He glanced fondly down at her. "Kitni cute lagti hai yeh sote huye." He thought to himself and pressed his lips firmly on her forehead.  

"Abhi naya-naya start hua hai shoot, pace mil jaayega toh itna exhausted ghar nahi aayegi." Siddharth explained to his mom. 

Rita Maa smiled, "I know-- tere saath yeh sab kucch pehle face kar chuki hoon. Naya naya project hota tha toh apna 200% dene ke chakkar mein-- bilkul aise hi, aate hi bhookh pyaas ki fiqr ke bagair so jaata tha." 

Siddharth chuckled sheepishly.  

"Kushal hota hai na iske saath?" Rita Maa asked, rather abruptly.  

"Haan. Dhyaan rakhta hai woh sab cheez ka." Siddharth informed her, having anticipated her next set of queries. 

"Ek woh hi samajhdar hai-- bina bole zimmedaari samajhta hai." Rita Maa said sarcastically. 

Siddharth shook his head. "Usse apni jaan pyaari hai. Dhyaan nahi rakhega toh saala mere saamne aayega kaise?" He thought out loud.  

Rita Maa chuckled. "Jo bhi ho, meri bacchi akeli toh nahi hai na wahan-- yeh hi bahot hai." She said fondly.  

"Aap na mom, mere alaawa sabki taareef karna aache se jaante ho!" Siddharth whined. 

"Aur tu mooh sadana." Maa retorted. 

Siddharth pouted childishly. 

"Ho sake toh utha dena isko thodi der mein-- bhookhi hi so gayi meri bacchi." She whispered softly. 

Siddharth nodded. 

*** 

"Shehnaaz baith ja yaar idhar-- shaant ho pehle! Kya ho gaya?" Ken watched her walk around the room, agitated.  

"Mujhe nahi pata!!" Shehnaaz whined.  

Ken sighed, a fond smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He stood up from his chair and held Shehnaaz firmly by her shoulder. "Idhar dekh meri taraf-- deep breath."  

Shehnaaz inhaled as Ken tightened his hold on her shoulder and exhaled as he systematically loosened his grip. "Siddharth ko bula duin?" 

Shehnaaz slowly shook her head, but then sighed. "Please."  

Ken smiled at her. "Abhi aaya. Shaanti se baith udhar kursi pe, khabardaar agar stress kiya."  

Shehnaaz pouted. Ken steered her towards a chair and made her sit. "Abhi aa raha hoon mein. Shaant rahegi?"