Another Half Of Me - Chapter 17

After Roshni had come back, Siddha’s days passed in meetings and conferences with stolen moments on the phone with her. The nights were filled with their passion and love.

Siddha was spending most of his time at Roshni’s place. Even though, his friends and family had not mentioned it till now, he knew they would ask him about this soon.

Today especially, he felt Sid being a little jittery around him. He was looking at Siddha as if trying to observe and judge his actions. Siddha was listening intently to what Karan, his long-time friend and head of architectural design was saying, but every time he looked at Sid, he saw him looking at him intently.

Raising his hand he gestured Karan to stop and turned towards Sid. “Do you want to say something?” When Sid shook his head, Siddha said in an irritated tone, “Then concentrate. You will be handling this project eventually and I don’t want any silly mistakes.”

After the meeting was over, Siddha strode inside his office and flopped in his chair exhausted. He opened his phone to check if Roshni had sent any message. One. I love you. He smiled and closed his eyes feeling her love flow through his body.

Siddha opened his eyes and saw every one standing in front of him looking at him with questioning eyes.

“I told you, something is wrong with him,” Sid told everyone.

Karan came to him and looked closely. “Nope, he has not changed. He is same old Siddha,” he said winking.

Siddha couldn’t help but laugh. Getting up, he went and stood next to Sid. Placing his arms on his shoulders, he asked, “You want to know what's wrong with me?” When Sid nodded, he looked past him at Amit and said, “Ask Sudha if she can have all of us for dinner tonight. Should be around 8 people.”

“Why 8?” Amit asked mentally counting only 7.

“You will come to know,” Siddha replied smiling.

*************

“Roshni come on. Someday you got to meet them,” Siddha said trying hard to make her agree to go with him.

“But what if they don’t like me?”

“They will sweetheart, trust me,” Siddha said trying to make her understand. When she shook her head, he took her in his arms and said in a reassuring tone, “They are a part of my life as you are. Believe me when I say this that they will love you.”

As Siddha hugged her tight, Roshni’s doubts started to ebb away a little.

*************

By the time they reached Amit’s place in Malviya Nagar, Roshni was nervous as hell. She was supposed to wait in the car while Siddha would break the news to them. Then, he would come and get her.

Siddha did not like the plan but had given in on Roshni’s insistence. Giving her hand a squeeze, he left her in the car and went inside.

Roshni sat in the car rubbing her wet palms against each other. Rudy looked at her through the rear view mirror and said, “Don’t worry ma’am, they will like you.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just know. I did not trust you eventually, but I did when you came clean on the security check,” Rudy replied. When she looked at him surprisingly at the mention of security check, he said, “That’s my duty ma’am. To protect Bhaiji always. And now my duty is also to protect you.”

Smiling Roshni realised Rudy’s devotion towards Siddha. She was about to say thank you, when the door on her side opened.

Siddha was standing, waiting for her to come out of the car.

“Have you told them?” Roshni asked the moment she stepped out of the car.

Nodding, Siddha guided her towards the main door.

Everyone turned once they saw Siddha enter.

“Hi guys, this is Roshni Thakur. My one and only love,” Siddha said and paused for their reaction. When none of them reacted, he said a proud tone looking at Roshni, “And, if she agrees then I intend to marry her soon, because I can’t possibly survive a single day without her anymore.” 

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