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Sidharth was just getting restless and feeling helpless. Her every single act made him emotional and weak. They say love makes you stronger which is true where you can fight the world for that one person but on the other hand it also makes you weak. Weaker infront of that person.

Loving a person like Shehnaaz made him vulnerable as his love increased in leaps and bounds for her by each passing day. He feared of losing her, of her being hurt anytime or her being not happy with him in anyway.

Why does she loves me so much? What have I done for her till now? Knowingly or unknowingly, time and again, I have been hurting her. I fear of not being able to love her as much as she loves me. I want to give her happiness she deserves but somewhere she has been losing whatever she had with her. I wonder what will make her happy.

He comes back home with the bag full of books and stationary given to him by the school as admission kit.

Shehnaaz looks at the bag with a school name printed on it and her eyes shined bright out of joy. She took the bag from his hand and opened it quickly, touching each and every book with love and excitement. The smile on her face reached both her ears. It looked like the same level of happiness which a starved man since many days would have on his face when looking at the food infront of him.

Sidharth was so surprised to look at her. He looked at her turning the pages of the colourful book one by one showing it to Aadya and when she felt content, she repacked the books in the bag and hugged it. She looked up thanking the God and praying that Aadya achieves great heights in future.

She kept them securely in a shelf and happily hugged him pressing a kiss on his chest. He kissed the top of her head hugging her back.

Shehnaaz: Aadya's papa, I am so happy that finally Aadya got the admission in school. I want her to fulfill all her dreams which I couldn't in my life.

Sidharth: (He felt the sting) What were your dreams, love?

Shehnaaz: I studied until I was in my orphanage. Though they gave me lot of chores to do, for namesake and to escape audit they got us books and we even gave exams. I wanted to study so much that I often sneakily studied on my own when nobody was watching me or during late nights. You know I secured 1st class in my 10th board exam. But after that due to all the unforseen events in my life, I couldn't study further. My dream was to become a teacher and teach little kids.

Sidharth: Honey, better late than never. You are still very young. Why not pursue your dreams now?

Shehnaaz: (giggles) Nice joke!

Sidharth: (straight face) Am I laughing? I am serious.

Shehnaaz: (serious look) It isn't possible now. There are multiple reasons to it. Managing home, business and studies together is difficult, Aadya will need help in her schooling and our financial situation is also not so good.

Sidharth: I am there with you sweetheart. We will share the duties so that you are not burdened.

Shehnaaz: Will think about it, Hubby! Let us first settle down with our work. (She puts her hands around his neck)

Sidharth: (pecks her lips) Shehnaaz, once I start my work, I want you to enroll for open school. You give your 12th exams. Then will get you enrolled for graduation. I will help you, trust me.

Shehnaaz: I trust you my love. (She kisses him again)
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Shehnaaz was waiting for Aadya to sleep. She sighed as Aadya closed her eyes. She turned to Sidharth who was scrolling through the phone. She hugged him by his waist but he didn't react. She ran her hand slowly on his chest doodling down to his torso. He didn't react. She glared at him as that's what he did with her to start the romance.

Sidharth: Look Shehnaaz, this site gives you the details for enrolling for open school and the tips to prepare for exams. I'll bookmark it.

Shehnaaz: (Still frowning) Hmmm.. I am going to sleep. From tomorrow you have to go to office, so you should also sleep.

She turns her back to him.

Sidharth: Hmmm.. you are right. Good night.

He turns his back to her and sleeps. Shehnaaz turns her head to look at him and scowls when she finds his back. She thought that he would hug her and that they could share some intimate moment but he was already snoring. With great difficulty, she sleeps.
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Sidharth was all ready to go to his office. Shehnaaz had forgotten the last night's incident as she was excited for him and wanted him to have a good day at office. She packed him a lunch box and gave it to him with a big smile. He gave both, Aadya and Shehnaaz, a hug and a kiss on the forehead before he said bye to them.

Sidharth was introduced to his team and was asked to shadow the exiting manager, Hema Aggarwal, to take over all the necessary training and knowledge before she left the organisation. He was to share the same cabin until she left.

Hema: Hi Sidharth, care for a coffee?

Sidharth: Sure, why not?

They go to a coffee lounge and she makes coffee for both of them from the vending machine. They sit on the table, sipping coffee.

Sidharth: So Hema, where are you joining next?

Hema: Nowhere! I am taking a break. I just had a divorce and ended a toxic relationship of 7 years. I am fighting for a custody of my child with my ex husband.

Sidharth: I am sorry. I didn't knew this.

Hema: Hey, that's fine. Not many know the reason here. It's just my boss who I submitted my resignation knows about this.

Sidharth: Oh! But you shared it with me!

Hema: Yeah, I didn't feel like hiding it from you besides, we would be working only for 15 days together.

Sidharth: Hmm.. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.

Hema: Thanks. Who is there in your family?

Sidharth: My wife, Shehnaaz; my daughter and my mother.

Hema: Oh!! All ladies gang and you are the only one man army. (Laughs) How old is your daughter?

Sidharth: Aadya is 3 year old.

Hema: Aadya, nice name. Sweet? Naughty?

Sidharth: Sweet and Brave like her mother, Shehnaaz! (He smiles remembering Shehnaaz) Wait, 1 second..

He pulls out his wallet and removes the family picture to show her.

Hema: Aww.. thats a lovely little child and that's..

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, my wife.. (gazes at the picture and smiles)

Hema: Lovely family. She looks very young though.

Sidharth: Hmmm..

He goes to keep the picture back.

Hema: Gunjan?

Sidharth gets shocked listening to the name. The photo under his family picture was of Gunjan's.

Hema: Isn't that Gunjan in that picture?

Sidharth nods yes in surprise.

Sidharth & Hema together: How do you know her?

Hema: Sorry! We were in the same college. How do you know her?

Sidharth: She was my first wife.

Hema: What? Did you divorce? And you still have her picture in your wallet?

Sidharth: No, She passed away in a road accident, 3 years back.

Hema: What? Oh God! I am sorry. We weren't best friends but we were cordial and shared a mutual friend.

Sidharth: Hmmm.. Whatever happened is inevitable.

Hema: So, Aadya is Gunjan and your daughter?

Sidharth: Gunjan is her birth mother but she is more of Shehnaaz's daughter than mine as well.

Hema: Good to see you've moved on in your life. I hope, I too get to move on quickly. Mine was a love marriage turned into disaster.

Sidharth: 7 year long relationship, will take some time but you will overcome. You just need to find your Solace to overcome the pain. I found mine in Shehnaaz.

Hema: You seem to be hopelessly in love with her. I have been observing that you took her name so many times by now. You like to take her name and the smile everytime you take her name says it all..

Sidharth blushes like a college boy who gets caught and teased by his friends about his crush.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️