Sidharth was excited as today finally he was going to get his salary. The fruit for all the hard work he and Shehnaaz had been doing since a month. He had set a big list of to-do's after getting his salary and he knew that the first salary won't be able to meet them all but he could atleast tick few out off the list.

When his salary got credited into his account and he got a message on the phone. He happiness turned into dilemma. The question was how to prioritise the needs. On one hand they needed furniture for home, on the other he wanted to buy her earrings since she sold them to meet the shortage of fund. He also had to buy her a phone since she had given him the only phone she had. Everything felt equally important to him.

Sidharth comes home with a huge smile and gives both Aadya and Shehnaaz a big hug.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, here is my ATM card and the pin number. I got my salary today. But I was in dilemma to choose between things, hence I leave it to you. I've already withdrawn money which I would need for my travel expenses.

Shehnaaz: What is the dilemma in it Aadya's papa? First thing is we are going tomorrow to bring back Maaji (mother-in-law) home. Then we will need furniture for home like bed and chair for her.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, I hope you will be comfortable with her after what she did to Aadya when she was born.

Shehnaaz: I don't know about all that but at present she doesn't remember anything from the past and if she had to not do it, probably I wouldn't have met you at all in my life.

Sidharth: Your are right sweetheart, all the pain looks so small when we are together. The regrets which I had once in my life are all disappearing one by one.

Shehnaaz: Everything look like a tapasya (penance) to achieve a perfect pati like you. (Giggles)

Sidharth: And to me it looks like I was on the way of becoming a sage Vishwamitra and you came as Menaka. (Laughs)

She shows him her tongue and teases him.

Shehnaaz: Will Maaji have any problem with my short hair?

Sidharth: I don't think she will have any problem.

Shehnaaz: Did you notice my hair has grown a little bit longer? How do I look? (She stroked her hair infront of mirror)

Sidharth: You look very gorgeous sweetheart. Those hair looks sexy and they drive me crazy. (He kisses her ears while hugging her by her waist from behind and resting his chin on her shoulders)

Shehnaaz: I was thinking, where are we going to sleep once maaji comes home? I think Aadya and Maaji can sleep in the room and we can sleep in the hall. I wish this house had 2 rooms. But the rent would have also been too much. May be once we are settled a bit we can shift to a bigger house.

Sidharth: Hmmm...

Sidharth was gawking at her in the mirror while Shehnaaz was talking non-stop and laughing in between.

Shehnaaz: I think we should buy an armchair as well for Maaji to sit in the boutique with me. She will also feel relaxed and good being out of the house, meeting different people who drop into the boutique.

Sidharth: Hmmm.. (Still adoring her through mirror)

Shehnaaz: Remind me to ask them what medicines to be given her, the diet she needs to follow, etc. when we go there.

Sidharth: Hmmm..

Shehnaaz: What's this? I have been talking since so long and you are just saying hmmm..

Sidharth: Hmmm..

She frowns and shrugs her shoulders. He looks at her.

Sidharth: What?

Shehnaaz: Exactly, what? I've been talking to you and you aren't even listening to me.

Sidharth: Not my fault. You asked me how do I look and then I forgot to look, listen and think about anything else than you. Why are you so beautiful?

Shehnaaz bit her lips smilingly and blushed.

Sidharth: There you go!

He goes to kiss her and Shehnaaz places a palm on his mouth and signals to point at Aadya who was playing with her toys. He makes a puppy face and she pulls his cheeks.
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They board the bus on Friday evening, it was a long journey and they would reach the old age home on Saturday morning. Their plan was to travel back on Saturday evening so that he gets to rest on Sunday before he resumes his work again on Monday.

Aadya took the window seat and slept placing her head in Shehnaaz's lap, while Shehnaaz and Sidharth occupied the middle and aisle. Shehnaaz interlocked her arms with his and placed her head on his shoulder.

Shehnaaz: I never thought when we travelled last month by the same route that we will get married. It's going to be the most memorable day in our life.

He rested his head against hers.

Sidharth: I never knew that I would find happiness again in my life. I could say that I am the happiest person with you two. I know the importance of this happiness because I've gone through the pain to find this happiness.

Shehnaaz: and I feel so safe and secured in these arms. (kissed his arm) I love you.

Sidharth: (kissed the top of her head) Love you too sweetheart!

I wish Maa was not suffering from alzheimer, she would have been happy to see me married again and would at the same time felt guilty of rejecting Aadya thinking that I will not have a better life if she was with me. She would have realised that Aadya is the little cupid and it's because of her that I met Shehnaaz. Nevertheless she will now she Aadya though unknowingly.
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They wake up hearing conductor's voice as he announced that they have reached the destination. They go to a restaurant, freshen up in its restroom and have their breakfast before heading to the oldage home. As they walked towards the oldage home office, Sidharth was sweating out of nervousness.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, I am feeling so embarrassed and awkward to tell them that how I being her son left her in the oldage home.

Shehnaaz: They will understand your helplessness when you tell them. I am sure that there are few children who leave their parents alone just to escape the responsibility. You came back to take her because you worked to take her responsibility.

They enter the office.

Sidharth: Excuse me sir.

Parikshit: Yes.. aaaa.. you are Krishna right? The one who dropped an old lady with Alzheimer last month.

Sidharth: Yes... No.. I mean I did drop the lady but my name is Sidharth. Sidharth Srivastava.

Parikshit: Oh.. okay! Sorry! I forgot your name. (Smiles) Are you here to see the lady?

Sidharth nods yes.

Sidharth: Actually, I want to take her with me. I am..

Parikshit: I am so sorry. But the lady expired two days back.

Sidharth was shocked and couldn't speak a single word. He collapsed landing on the chair behind. Shehnaaz was in shock too. She held him by his shoulder not knowing how to support him and console him in this situation.

Parikshit looked at him perplexed as to why was Sidharth so heart broken and emotional for an unknown lady.

Shehnaaz: Sir, are you sure that you are talking about the same person? Because you mistook his name few minutes back. May be you are mistaken.

Sidharth: No Shehnaaz. He was not mistaken, I had told him the same name when I left Maa here. (He said with heavy and chocked voice)

Parikshit: Maa? Was she your mother?

Sidharth nods. Tears roll down from his eyes traveling over his nose as he looked down on the floor feeling ashamed of himself.

Parikshit: But you said you found her in the park.

Shehnaaz looked at Sidharth who was hurt and mortified to the core.

Shehnaaz: Sir, situations were not very favourable for him as he was bankrupt and had no shelter himself. He left her here only to earn some livelihood before taking her back.

Parikshit: I am really very sorry! We cremated her yesterday evening and I can provide you her ashes to do the rituals.

Shehnaaz: Yes Sir! Please.

Parikshit went out to get the ashes. Shehnaaz hugged him and allowed him to cry. Aadya stood on the other chair and wiped his tears with her little hands.

Aadya: Papa don't cry, Aadya love you.

Shehnaaz stood aside and he hugged Aadya.

Maa, I wanted you to see Aadya but you didn't wanted to see her at birth and you left the world without looking at her face. I am sorry for not being with you while you breathed your last.

Parikshit comes with a container of the mortal remains of Lalita and hands it over to Sidharth. They thank him and leave with a grieving face.
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To be continued.. ❤️❤️