Doodh garam hai Shehnaaz, dhyaan se!

It had been a long day. She had done almost twice the amount of work that she was used to doing normally and it showed on her face. 

“Kya kar rahe the tum log aaj saara dinn?” Sidharth asked her, placing a glass of water in front of her as she served food for the two of them in a single plate.

“Kaam kar rahe the baby..” She responded, sitting beside him.

Sidharth rolled his eyes, “Woh toh mujhe bhi pata hai buddhu— kya kar rahe the aisa ki itni utri hui shakal leke ghar aayi hai?”

“Ad shoot tha, bataya toh tha tujhe. Tu saath hi jaane waala tha na aj?” She sighed, “Technical error ki wajah se do baar karna pada.”

Sidharth nodded. “Mera baccha—”

“Mujhe roz roz makeup karna nahi pasand, ab 2-4 dinn araam se ghar pe relax kar sakti hu.” Shehnaaz said brightly. 

Sidharth smiled. She is turning into a female version of me. 

He kissed her forehead, “Tu faaltu mein load le leti hai baby, kisi dinn beemar padegi.”

“Tab tu sambhaal lena na mujhe. Terko mene kis liye rakha hai?” She giggled, giving him a childish look of teasing.

“Haan haan— madam ki khatirdaari ke liye toh banda duniya mein aaya hai.” He chuckled, pulling her cheeks.

“Absolutely correct, my boy. Isi ke saath aapko milte hai do hazaar ke chutte..” Shehnaaz announced, “As prize.

“Chindi kaheen ki, prize mein bhi do hazaar diye..” He scoffed.

“Tujhe nahi diye.. Kal parcel aayega teri chutki ka— woh lena hai, tere jacket ki pocket mein rakhe hain paise.” Shehnaaz informed him.

Sidharth nodded. 

How had the tables turned, he mused to himself. The man who had never shared a moment of his life with anyone with such honesty had transitioned so easily into the man who was the other half of this woman, complete and yet incomplete without her.

Once they were done with their dinner, despite the almost constant banter, Sidharth took the plate and glasses and dumped them into the kitchen sink. Tomorrow’s problem.

“Abhi karne hai..”

“Do bartan hai Shehnaaz.. Subaah ho jayenge.”

“Do bartan hai, Sidharth— time bhi nahi lagega. Amma kehti hai ghar mein daridar aata hai..” She said softly. “Tu  ja, paani aur apni book lekar.. Mai yeh karke aati hoon.”

Sidharth shrugged and left the kitchen while Shehnaaz washed the plate and their glasses with a small smile on her face. 

***

Shehnaaz crawled into the blanket and pulled Sidharth’s book away from him, keeping it carelessly on the side table and taking her place in his arms. “So ja ab.”

Sidharth habitually wrapped his arm around her, “Bola tha na tujhe, kal kar lete na do bartan. Kabhi aaram bhi dekh liya kar apna.” 

“Tujhe aadhi raat ko kya argument karne ki khaarish ho rahi hai?” She scoffed, frowning at him. “Thapki de.. sula mujhe.” 

Sidharth sighed, pulling her closer. 

“Tere jaisi paagal hi milni thi mujhe. Mene apni maa ko saari zindagi nakhre kar kar ke pagal kiya hai. Uska hisab bhi toh dena tha mujhe. Bhale ki baat karo, tab bhi khaane ko daudti hai, gadhi.”

Shehnaaz giggled softly. “Sula le.. phir complain kar lena jitni karni hai.” 

***,

The next morning, Sidharth woke up to the most beautiful view in all of creation. 

His Naaz squished into his chest, sleeping like a baby, cocooned in the blanket and his arms. He bent forward, kissed her forehead affectionately.

Pari.. He smiled at the thought as he slid out of bed, arranging the blanket around her. His angel. 

After he was done with his morning routine, he left the room quietly, knowing that Shehnaaz was not at all a heavy sleeper, especially after he had left the bed. To be fair, that particular habit went two ways and afflicted both of them.

She had had a long, tiring day yesterday and she deserved to sleep in today. Sidharth decided to cook her a light breakfast and try not to burn down the kitchen in the process.

Sure, he was spending more of his time in the kitchen nowadays, than he did before, but it was always under strict expert supervision. Something he didn't have access to today. He prayed silently to whatever god was listening. Is challenge mein aur jita dena bas.

Even gods would have smiled at that prayer. The man who never lost, had lost his heart to a woman. 

This was a bad one indeed.

***

A few hours later, Shehnaaz walked out of the room, dressed in a cute pair of shorts and one of Sidharth's T-Shirts. She looked around, hoping to get a glimpse of Sidharth, but found the hall empty. 

She shrugged, walking into the kitchen. The kitchen looked like it was untouched since last night, the only difference being the milk pan resting near the gas-stove. 

Sidharth ne rakha hoga. 

She walked towards the shelf, intending to put the milk to boil when Sidharth walked into the hall, in the middle of a call. He smiled on seeing his baby girl up and ready in her comfort outfit— She looked so adorable in his oversized shirts, his bundle of cuteness. —but soon his smile turned into a frown as he saw her walking towards the shelf. His breath hitched.

“Shehnaaz.. dhyaan se—” He shouted, running across the room. “Doodh garam hai bahot!” 

Too late. Shehnaaz had already reached for the vessel and Sidharth's shout had backfired, instead of warning her, it had startled her. 

The vessel slipped from her hand, landing with a bang on the shelf, spilling boiling milk all over the shelf and the floor surrounding it.

Shehnaaz screamed. Sidharth hissed. He pulled her away from the shelf, just in time. 

“Shehnaaz..” He exclaimed. “Tu theek hai?” 

She shuddered— bewildered. Sidharth cupped her face. ”Naaz..” 

Shehnaaz looked at him wide-eyed. “Mujhe laga..” 

Sidharth nodded. “Tu theek hai..” He asked, for the nth time. “Chot lagi tujhe?”

“Nahi pata..” She responded. Let the surprise wear off. 

”Idhar aa, dikha mujhe mera baccha..” He led her out of the kitchen and made her sit on the dining chair before taking her hands gently on his own.

“Darr gayi tu na?” Sidharth asked, trying to divert her attention. “Kya kar rahi thi tu kitchen mein?”

“Mujhe laga tha boil nahi kia hoga doodh..” She confessed, in a small voice. She hissed softly.

“Kahan pain ho raha hai baby?” Sidharth asked softly.

“Fingers..” 

“Abhi utaara tha stove se mene doodh..” He told her. "I just went out to take a call.” 

Shehnaaz smiled. “Gadhi hu mai bhi.. dekhna toh chahiye tha na..” She scoffed at herself.

“Gadhi toh tu hai—” Sidharth agreed. “Ruk ointment leke aaya abhi. Hilna mat yahan se.” 

Shehnaaz nodded obediently. 

A few minutes later, Sidharth returned with the ointment and began to apply the medicated cream on her fingers. “Do dinn agar tu kitchen mein ghusi na toh hath baandh ke bitha dunga tujhe.”

Shehnaaz pouted. “Merko chot lagi hai, upar se tu gussa kar raha hai. Mai hurt ho jaungi terse.” 

Sidharth raised his eyebrow at her. “Pyaar se baat kar.” 

He smiled, kissing the tip of her nose. “Mera baccha. Tu jaan hai meri, pata hai na tujhe?” 

Shehnaaz nodded. 

He kissed the tips of her fingers. “Tujhe dard hota hai toh mera dil baith jaata hai yaar.” He confessed. 

“I know, baby.” She said softly. After all, it was the same way for her too.

He pulled her into his arms. “Tu theek hai na.” 

Shehnaaz smiled into his chest. “Merko dara diya tune, kutte. Cheekh ke.” 

Sidharth sighed, “Uss time pe kuch nahi soojh raha tha baby. Mujhe laga zyaada chot na lag jaye meri jaan ko.” 

“Nahi lagi zyaada..” Shehnaaz said with a soft smile. She loved him so much, her kullu. “But.. kitchen gandi ho gayi baby.." 

“Mai karta hu saaf. Bhookh bhi lagi hai mujhe, fir breakfast karenge saath mein.” Sidharth said softly.

Shehnaaz grinned. “Deal.”

Hi guys. How is everyone doing?

I hope you enjoy reading this one.

Let me know in the comment section what you think of this chapter!

Love
Your Author

Target: 100 votes and 200 followers till next update.