Forever Yours

Chapter Seventy

"Shehnaaz.."  Siddharth exclaimed, pulling the tiny woman in his arms and burying his face in the crook of her neck. "Kahan thi tu?" 

Shehnaaz hugged him back, smiling fondly at his unexpected yet adorable action. "Teddy ke flat pe gayi thi, usko kaam tha mujhse." 

Siddharth hmm-ed, holding her tighter still. Shehnaaz sighed, running her fingers through his hair affectionately. "Kya hua baby?"

Siddharth shook his head. "Bas.. kucch nahi."

"Mukku bata rahi thi aap aur Ridhi bahot acche dost hain.." Shehnaaz raised her eyebrow at him, with a teasing glint prominent in her eyes.

Siddharth grimaced. 

"So, you've met her already?"

Shehnaaz shook her head. "Not really. Kushal ke ghar se aa rahi thi toh Raj bhai aur Ishaan unka samaan leke aa rahe the."

"She's staying?" Siddharth asked, absolutely bewildered. 

Shehnaaz chuckled. "Preeti Di ne bola ki work-related trip hai. She'll be here for the week. Is that a problem?"

Siddharth sighed, "Tu hai na saath. Even if there is a problem, we'll get through it." 

Shehnaaz smiled and kissed his cheek. 

Siddharth smiled and wrapped his palm around her soft yet tiny hand.

***

"Hello, Siddharth!" Ridhi squealed, wrapping her arms around Siddharth, pulling him into a hug. 

Shehnaaz stepped away so as to give them a little space but still stood close enough for Siddharth to continue to hold her hand. 

"Hi Ridhi. Long time." Siddharth responded, reciprocating the hug with one hand.

"Yeah, it's been so long. I think you'll agree that for women, work becomes a priority. A working woman has little time to spare for other things." She said, pulling away from Siddharth. 

Siddharth pulled Shehnaaz back to his side and shrugged at Ridhi. "My women seem to manage both, no matter how complicated."

"Well, yeah, there are exceptions, of course. Preeti aur Neetu bhabhi hain, humaari mukku hai." Ridhi said sweetly.

Samyukta smiled at her. 

The f**k do you know?

"Family ka support kaafi matter karta hai, vaise. Maa-baap ka support nahi ho toh ladkiyan kya hi kar paayengi, na?" Ridhi said nonchalantly.

"Family ke support ke bina, bacche kar sab-kucch sakte hain, Ridhi.. magar unka mann uss cheez mein nahi rehta. Success ho, aur usse baantne waala pariwaar na ho toh woh success adhoora lagta hai. Yeh baat, ladko par bhi utna hi laagu hoti hai, jitni ladkiyo pe. Aur family ka bhi toh farz hai na, bacchon ke liye, apne aap ko accepting bana lena. Bacchon ke sapno ko.. unki ummeedon ko.. unke saath poora hota dekhna. Mumma papa ko hi le lo." Preeti said. 

"Exactly. Preeti ke time pe, job karna-- nahi karna kitna bada debate tha ghar mein. Tera waqt aaya toh sab samajh gaye. Tu bhi apne liye ek life bana rahi hai, tera career hai. Agar debate preeti ke time par nahi chid-ti thi, toh tujhe itni asaani se thodi job karne dete Papa." Rajveer added, in complete agreement with his wife.

Ridhi smiled. 

"Accha chalo, Siddharth Shehnaaz baitho table pe. Khaana lagg raha hai." Preeti exclaimed. 

Shehnaaz pouted. "Bhookh nahi hai Di. Mein ni kar rahi dinner."

Siddharth frowned. "Ay, bhookh kyon nahi hai?"