Siddharth smiled at Shehnaaz as soon as she entered the apartment and stood up from the couch that he was lying sprawled across. 

"Baby.." He cooed at her. "Theek hai tu?" 

Shehnaaz smiled back at him and nodded. "Mein na kitna darr rahi thi Siddharth, injection se." 

Siddharth smiled, wrapping his good arm around her. "Dard hua?"  

"Thoda sa. Amma hoti toh bolti cheeti kaat gayi bas.. kucch nahi hua." 

Siddharth chuckled.  

"Cheeti kaat gayi bas, kucch bhi nahi hua." Siddharth repeated those exact words, kissing her temple gently. 

Shehnaaz looked at him surprised.  

Siddharth frowned. "Tu hi toh bolti hai gadhi ki mein tera sab kucch hoon, maata.. pita.. bhai.. pati-- toh.." Siddharth shrugged, leaving her to comprehend the rest.  

Shehnaaz shook her head fondly. "Gadha hai tu." 

"Gadhi ki sangat mein hoon itne dinn se. Asar toh aana hi tha. Haina?" Siddharth retorted cheekily. 

Shehnaaz pouted. "Chal na ja, araam se baith sofa pe. Tu bhi lagwaa ke aaya hai injection abhi. Mein change karke aayi." 

"Oye.. ruk moti." Siddharth called out, holding her hand. "Pehle yeh juice pee, phir jaana kamre mein. Change karne ke baad waapis aane ki himmat nahi rahegi. I'm also coming with you." 

"Mein theek hoon Siddharth." 

Siddharth smiled. "Phir bhi, juice pee le na pehle." 

Shehnaaz sighed. "Okay." 

Siddharth grinned and handed her the glass of juice. "Tune piya?" 

"Do glass pi chuka hoon." Siddharth informed her. "Now quit stalling, fatafat piyo." 

*** 

Siddharth felt the bed dip beside him and he opened his eyes. He was not exactly sleeping but just half lying against the headrest of their bed with his eyes closed. Shehnaaz had pretty much collapsed on the bed after changing into home clothes exactly like he had predicted.  

Siddharth smiled, running his fingers through her hair. "Tu theek hai mera baccha?" He asked, realising that his voice had started to sound throaty and rough to his ears.  

Well, the vaccination had to show at least some impact or symptoms on him. He was grateful it wasn't something worse since he won't have been able to stay confined to his bed for more than a few hours at best.  

Siddharth frowned when his talkative little munchkin didn't reply soon enough. "Baby.." 

Shehnaaz did reply this time with a soft hmm. 

"Theek hai?" 

And again, hmm.  

Siddharth sighed, shifting slightly and looked at her. Shehnaaz's face was buried in a pillow and she looked absolutely adorable to him. He bent over and placed a long yet gentle kiss on the side of her head. "So jaa." 

*** 

Siddharth frowned as he saw Shehnaaz washing her face in their bathroom. "Tu kab uthi?" 

"Das minute huye. Tu kahan tha?" 

Siddharth gestured to the mug in his hand. "Throat mein irritation tha toh I went to the kitchen to get some warm water. I've got some extra for you too, in case you need it. It's in the thermos." He explained.  

Shehnaaz nodded. "Thank you." 

"Why are you awake though?" Siddharth asked, confused. "Your eyes are quite literally laden with sleep baby." 

Shehnaaz chuckled softly. "Ken aa raha hai yaar. Ek portfolio shoot karna hai. It'll take half an hour, maximum."  

Siddharth frowned. "You're looking so tired, darling."  

"I have to honor my commitment baby. You're the one who taught me that." Shehnaaz said in a manner of assurance. "Besides, I'm not tired at all, trust me." 

Siddharth pursed his lips. "Don't lie to me. Karo kaam.. lekin don't try to fool me. Mein tera face dekh ke sab samajh sakta hoon aur ken ki class lagne waali hai aaj." 

"You won't do anything, Siddharth." Shehnaaz warned him, making him smile.  

"You're adorable, baby." 

"Siddharth bechaare ne kya kiya hai-- commitment toh mera tha na." Shehnaaz pouted. 

Siddharth sighed. "Okay, Fine." He said. "But the rest of the week, no work commitments. You're mine. All mine!" 

Shehnaaz smiled. "I'll be tired and cranky." 

Siddharth shrugged. "I can take it." 

*** 

Shehnaaz squeezed her eyes shut to bite back a whimper. Why on earth was the light so bright? 

Siddharth frowned. "Hey.." He whispered, hiding her face in his chest as a reflex. "Hey.. baby." 

"Too bright." Shehnaaz mumbled.  

Siddharth clicked his tongue, rubbing her back. "Shh.. shh.. it's going to be okay. Is it the light?" 

Shehnaaz nodded.  

Siddharth sighed. "Baby how are you going to complete the photoshoot?" He asked gently. "The room will literally be flooded with light." 

Shehnaaz broke the hug and blinked. "I'll do it." 

"Baby--" 

"Work commitment Siddharth. I can't back off." Shehnaaz said curtly. 

Siddharth led her into the studio where Ken and his team were already waiting for Shehnaaz. "I'll have them figure something out." 

Ken frowned. "Figure what out?" He asked, but before Siddharth could respond in any manner, Shehnaaz brushed it off as nothing.  

"Start karein? Outfit changes nahi hai na?" Shehnaaz asked, addressing the whole team. 

"Final shots mein jacket pehen lena bas. Outfit same hai." Ken informed her. 

Shehnaaz smiled and walked up to the mark after kissing Siddharth's lower jaw gently.  

"I'm here. " 

*** 

Ken and Siddharth looked at each-other, exchanging looks of worry. "Shehnaaz tu theek hai na?" Ken asked, genuinely concerned for his friend at this point. 

Shehnaaz nodded weakly. "Pictures acche nahi aa rahe kya?"  

Ken smiled. "Pictures acche hai barbie girl but-- tu theek nahi lag rahi hai. You're face is looking so pale and dull and.." 

"Those things can be corrected in post-production. There is nothing to worry about." Siddharth informed her, before she could jump to a bizarre conclusion on her own.  

Ken nodded. "The pictures aren't the issue." 

Shehnaaz looked at Siddharth and sighed. "I'm cold." 

"Since?" 

"Since after I got out of bed." Shehnaaz responded quietly.  

"Give her the jacket. She's just had the vaccination shot and she's not rested that much. Do something about the lights too, if you can." Siddharth said softly, rubbing his face with a forced look on his face. 

"Lights?" 

"Too bright." Siddharth responded. "Dim kar de." 

Ken chuckled. "You crazy little girl. Why didn't you tell me? If you won't say something, how will I know to help you?" He asked.  

Shehnaaz pouted.  

"Get that jacket and let's get this done with."  

*** 

"I told you not to." Siddharth said sternly. 

Shehnaaz looked away. "Deadline thi baby. I couldn't help it." She said through a clogged nose. 

Siddharth filled a mug half with hot water and handed it to her. "Upar se pakadna.. dhyaan se. Jale nahi haath." 

Shehnaaz blew at the mug, holding it between her palms. Siddharth smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "Meri gadhi." 

"Mein gadhi nahi hoon.. pyaar hoon tera."  

Siddharth chuckled. "Tu gadhi bhi hai.. pyaar bhi hai, aur meri poori duniya bhi hai."  

"Haaye bebu tu kitni pyaari-pyaari baatein karta hai." Shehnaaz exclaimed cheerfully. 

"Abhi bimaar hai na.. isiliye." 

"Matlab baad mein nahi karega?" Shehnaaz pouted.  

Siddharth shrugged, smirking mysteriously. 

"Kutta." 

"Gadhi." 

*** 

Siddharth helped her back into bed. "Baitho idhar ab, chup karke." 

"Siddharth.." 

"Kya hua?" 

"Tu bhi toh thaka hoga." Shehnaaz said innocently.  

Siddharth smiled. "Mujhe kucch nahi ho raha."  

"Don't lie." 

"I'm not. Teri kasam. I am not tired or anything. It's just my throat that's sore, now settle in and let me bring you something to eat. Then you have to take your medicine." Siddharth said softly. 

Shehnaaz's eyes saddened immediately and Siddharth's heart melted into a puddle. "It'll be okay, baby. Mera baccha kinna strong hai, udaas nahi ho meri jaan." 

"You're ignoring yourself for me na?" Shehnaaz asked quietly.  

Siddharth shook his head, touching her hand gently  "Teri kasam. I'm not feeling unwell." He said sincerely. "And anyway, I'm going to sleep right after our dinner. I'll pull my baby into my arms and fall peacefully asleep. Jo bhi weakness hai, subaah tak gaayab." 

Shehnaaz smiled slightly. "Sacchi?" 

"Sacchi." 

"Tu kyon itna accha hai putthu?" Shehnaaz asked 

"Kyonki mein tera hoon. Isiliye. Tu acchi hai, toh mein accha hoon. Tu shera waali maata ban jaati hai toh mein--" 

"Mera sher." 

Siddharth laughed. "Exactly. Tera sher." 

Shehnaaz smiled. "Kissie karne ka mann kar raha hai." She demanded cutely. 

Siddharth sat on the edge of the bed. "Kar de phir. Kisne roka hai?" 

"Mujhe na yucky yucky sa feeling aa raha hai, pata ni rabb de kede bande ne khunnas kadi aa mere te, tere paas rahungi toh tujhe bhi ho jaayega."

Siddharth smiled. "Arrey aise kaise kucch hoga? Aur agar hoga bhi toh handle kar lenge. Tu apna kaam kar na. Ab merko laalach de ke peeche nahi hatt sakti." 

Shehnaaz grinned. "Mera nona baccha. Tu mera sabse favorite hai, pata?"

"Tu ek dam buddhu hai, pata hai na?"

*** 

"Baitha reh wahaan." Preeti said sternly. "Aa rahi hoon na? Saari zindagi paani tak peene ke liye khud nahi uth-ta tha, ab saare kaam khud karne hai saahab ko." 

Siddharth pouted. "Bhadak kyon rahi hai, beemar hoon na mein?" He cribbed childishly. 

Preeti cooed at him. "Dramebaaz. Medicine le liya tha ki nahi?" 

"Tujhe shak hai?" 

Preeti rolled her eyes. "Tu aur Shehnaaz, dono dawaai se kitna chidte ho hum sabko pata hai. Dekh rahi hoon mein tu kitna rest kar raha hai.." Preeti said curtly. 

Siddharth scrunched his nose. "I hate having to take too many medicine pills at once. Jab important hota hai, tab mein le leta hoon medicine." He defended himself. 

Preeti nodded, handing him the bowl of dal-rice. "Finish that. I'll be right back after checking up on Shehnaaz." 

"She's sleeping." Siddharth informed her. "Mein abhi aaya tha kamre se, usko dekh kar." 

Preeti looked back at him bored. "Mein ander gayi toh tufaan aa jaayega?" 

Siddharth frowned. "Kya bol rahi hai, screw hil gaya hai tera?" 

"Toh tu daal-chawal pe concentrate kar na. Mein dekh ke aayi teri Naaz ko." Preeti told him and made her way into the room. 

Siddharth shrugged and started to eat his food. 

Preeti entered the room where Shehnaaz was sleeping, tucked under a thick, fluffy blanket and smiled at how incredibly tiny she looked in the king-sized bed. She walked towards the bed and settled on one edge. 

"Siddharth.." 

"Mein hoon bacche.. Preeti." Preeti said softly. "Tujhe kucch chahiye?" 

Shehnaaz opened her eyes and peeked out of the blanket making the other woman smile softly. "Hi." 

Shehnaaz pushed herself closer to Preeti and Preeti found herself shifting a little in her direction. Naaz reached for Preeti's hand and wrapped her palm around her hand. 

Preeti smiled at her gesture. "Meri gudiya." 

"Neend nahi aa rahi Preeti Di.." Shehnaaz complained, her voice barely audible above a whisper. "Kitna koshish kar rahi hoon." 

Preeti ran her fingers through Shehnaaz's hair. "Baahar aa ja. Kucch kha le.. paani-waani pee le." She suggested. 

"Himmat nahi.." Shehnaaz said quietly. 

Preeti kissed her forehead. "Chal aaja mere saath. Mein help karti hoon mere bacche ki. Thoda mann badal jaayega tera." 

Shehnaaz smiled, pushing herself into a sitting position with Preeti supporting her. 

"Maa kidhar hai?" Shehnaaz asked. 

"Doosre flat pe. Aa jaayegi thodi der mein." Preeti informed her. 

"Siddharth theek hai?" 

Preeti smiled. "Bahar jaake khud pooch lena. Bade maze se daal-chaawal kha raha hai woh." 

Shehnaaz grinned. "Thank god usko zyaada kucch nahi hua." 

Preeti nodded. 

"Mere se na.. bhagwaan ki koi dushmani hai.. saari problem mere matthe marh dinde rabb ji." 

Siddharth stood up from the couch, reaching his baby in four long strides. "Kya hua?" 

"Uski neend khul gayi.. bechain ho rahi thi toh mein baahar le aayi. Make her sit, I'll get the thermometer." Preeti instructed Siddharth who nodded immediately. 

"Ander se blanket bhi le aana. Idhar hi sula doonga medicine deke." Siddharth called out as Preeti re-entered the room. 

"Medicine nahi khaani." Shehnaaz cribbed. 

Siddharth led her towards the couch. "Baitho." 

"Kaudi hundi dawaai." She complained. 

Siddharth sighed. "Theek nahi hona tumhe?" He asked. "Dawaai nahi legi toh theek kaise hogi beta?" 

Shehnaaz pouted. 

Siddharth smiled. "I know, kaudi hundi eh, but mera baccha.. faayda vi te tera hi karugi." 

Shehnaaz's eyes widened. "Tu punjabi seekh gaya?" 

Siddharth chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Punjab ki sherni ka pyaar hoon. Itna toh banta hai aur yeh toh mummy bol rahi thi last week tujhe phone pe. Toh suna tha." 

Shehnaaz giggled. "Merko har hafte kisi na kisi ke lecture ki zaroorat pad jaati hai." 

Siddharth laughed, resting his head against Shehnaaz's. "Jaldi theek ho ja gadhi." 

Shehnaaz sighed wistfully. 

Preeti returned with the thermometer and handed it to Shehnaaz after cleaning it. 

"Dal chaawal khaayegi beta?" 

*** 

103°F 

Siddharth caressed her hair gently, as if saying that it was okay. Her fever hadn't subsided for hours. It wasn't even going down from 103-04 ever since it had climbed that high and Siddharth was super stressed. 

"Bebu.." 

"Haan jaan." 

"Theek ho jaaungi mein baby.. Amma ko bhi hua tha tez bukhaar, vaccination ke baad. Theek ho gayi thi woh bhi." Shehnaaz assured him. 

Siddharth nodded, pulling her closer. What was she? She was struggling even to move, with how weak she was and with the very last bit of her energy, she found it important to assure him. 

To make certain that he wasn't getting worried. 

"Mujhe pata hai baby." Siddharth responded. 

"Tu mera strong baby hai. Tu sab kucch face kar sakti hai." Siddharth said firmly. 

Shehnaaz nodded, while still snuggled into his arms. A few minutes later, Siddharth shifted an almost half-asleep Shehnaaz into a more comfortable position on the couch. Shehnaaz whined. 

"Siddharth.." 

"Yahaan hi hoon beta. Paani lene jaa raha hoon tere liye, patti rakhne waala." Siddharth said softly. 

"Mat jaa na please." Shehnaaz said innocently. "Tu nahi hota toh mere yahaan pe pain hone lag jaata hai." 

She pointed to the side of her abdomen. 

Siddharth chuckled. "Abhi aa gaya mein meri jaan. Bas tu 10 tak ginn. Mein gaya aur aaya." 

Shehnaaz whined. "Nahi na.." 

"Terko meri kasam. Mera baby hai na accha? Chal count karna start kar, mein aa gaya bas." Siddharth said lovingly. 

*** 

"Finally, utra bukhaar mere bacche ka." Rita Maa said softly, taking the thermometer from Shehnaaz's mouth. "Ab bas rest karegi, theek ho jaayegi jo weakness hai thodi bahot." 

Siddharth smiled slightly. 

Rita Maa sighed. "Don't worry Siddharth." 

"Hona tha toh mujhe ho jaata na.. iske saath kyon itna ho raha hai, jab mein bilkul theek hoon." Siddharth cribbed. 

Maa cupped his face, "Agar tere saath hota, toh yeh same baat mujhse Shehnaaz kar rahi hoti. Tum dono ka dil ek dusre ke liye hi dukhta hai, khud ki dono ko hi nahi padi." 

Siddharth rolled his eyes. "So bhi nahi paati raat ko saheen se." 

"Hota hai bacche. Uska immunity react kar raha hai, kucch ni hota." Maa explained. "Halki weakness hai bas. Bukhaar sambhal gaya na bacche. The major battle is won." 

Siddharth nodded. 

"Sab theek ho jaayega, bas tu sabr rakh. Isko pamper karne ka time mila hai.. faayda utha na, paagal kyon ho raha hai faaltu baatein soch ke." 

Siddharth wrapped his arms around his mother's torso and placed his head in her lap. Maa kissed his hair. "Yaar yeh gadhi na.. saara dinn kood-ti rehti hai. Ab aise dekhna bardaasht nahi ho raha." He confessed. 

Rita Maa chuckled. "Theek hogi toh teri naak mein dam kar degi. Yeh do-chaar dinn ki kasar poori kar ke hi maanegi." 

Siddharth smiled. 

"Ab tu bhi so jaa thodi der, vaccination se koi adverse symptoms nahi hai, iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki khud ki harqato se beemar hona hi hai." 

"Aap raho na idhar hi." 

Rita Maa smiled. "Apne baccho ko chodke kahan jaaungi. Thoda shift ho, mein beech mein aati hoon, dono pakad ke so jao mujhe." She suggested. 

Siddharth grinned happily and moved out of the way. Maa settled herself comfortably between her two children who cuddled up to her almost instantly. "Good Night Maa." 

"Good Night bacche." 

She kissed both their heads and patted their heads rhythmically, eventually falling asleep herself as well.

By the next morning, Rita Maa woke up to find herself sleeping between her kids, who each had one of her hands firmly between theirs. She was covered in a blanket. She couldn't tell who had covered her with the blanket, but she did know that both of them had woken up once or twice to check on the other, and possibly her. 

She smiled softly and kissed both their heads before quietly going out of the room. 

***

Maybe, another sick shehnaaz thing will come because, why not right?

Just let me know.

Hope you enjoyed this one.

Love
Your Author