Forever Yours

Chapter Thirty

Shehnaaz stood by the pillar for a long time, silently watching the children entering or exiting rooms. They smiled, giggled. The children looked happy and yet Shehnaaz felt oddly discontent. Lost in her thoughts Shehnaaz didn't even notice Siddharth returning to the orphanage with a bag full of treats for everyone.  

He frowned.  

She should've been the first one to run up to him with the highest, most beautiful smile on her face and raid the bags.  

He handed the bags of ice-cream and snacks to the kitchen staff and instructed them to get it out for everyone before making his way up to his little bird.  

"Hey.." Siddharth whispered to her, placing his arms around her shoulder. "What are you doing here, alone?" 

Shehnaaz shook her head, leaning against his chest. Siddharth smiled softly. "Mera baccha."  

"Ice-Cream le aaye aap?" She asked hopefully.  

Siddharth nodded. "You didn't notice?" 

"I was.. thinking--"  

Siddharth hmm-ed, pulling her into a hug. He immediately felt her relax under his touch and led her to the dining area where Rita Maa and Samyukta waited for them so that they could all have ice-cream together.  

*** 

Siddharth walked into their room, a few hours after they had returned from the orphanage to see Shehnaaz frowny-face, sitting on the bed. He wanted to laugh at her face but controlled the urge. Instead, he walked up to the bed and sat next to her, kissed her forehead and pulled her on his lap.  

Shehnaaz immediately curled up against him. Siddharth hugged her tightly, his face buried in the crook of her neck and placed feathery kisses on her neck and down her shoulder. 

Shehnaaz grabbed the back of his shirt, pushing herself closer and closer to him.  

"Jab se orphanage se aaye hain, tu aise baithi hui hai. Pareshaan lag rahi hai." Siddharth remarked, "Is everything okay? Orphanage mein koi problem aayi hai?"  

Shehnaaz shook her head. "No. Everything is fine. Jab se Maa Orphanage ko manage kar rahi hai, koi problem nahi aati wahaan." She told him and Siddharth smiled.  

"Then what's on your mind? Don't try to evade it now, because there's definitely something bothering you." Siddharth said sternly. 

She closed her eyes, snuggling into him. "I'm tired."  

Siddharth cooed. "Mera baccha."  

He patted her head gently, humming under his breath.  

"Lori ga rahe ho?" She mumbled, without looking up at him and Siddharth grinned. "Accha nahi lag raha?" 

"Lag raha hai. Continue karo na."  

Siddharth kissed her forehead and continued to hum. A few minutes later, Siddharth felt Shehnaaz relax into his arms and he smiled. He shifted slightly, placing her on the bed and faced her before falling asleep with her head resting on his chest.  

*** 

The next morning, Siddharth woke up to an empty room and a frown appeared on his face. "Shehnaaz.. Shehnaaz!!" He called out  

Shehnaaz responded, "Aa rahi hoon Siddharth. Ek minute ruko."  

Siddharth groaned, burying his face in her pillow. Barely a moment had passed when he heard her running inside the room and settle on the bed. Siddharth grinned like a baby, removing the pillow from his face and slowly moved to her lap.