'Beyond the Horizon': There's more to it...

Chapter - 11

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Shehnaaz was all lite and relaxed now. She was almost over her breakdown during the evening yet a lot silent in her conduct. No, she didn't tell it to anybody at home. Even the news of her talking to him on telephone was only between her and Shahnawaz. Her sister and parents had returned during the night. They had their dinner together when her mother had asked if she had been sleeping all day long because of how puffed her eyes looked. She had half lied that she actually slept for the whole day as even Shahnawaz couldn't pay a visit during the lunchtime. The best thing that came out of the fiasco was, that she was much more relaxed and happier inside. The night was pretty like the previous one, his picture in her hand observing it inch by inch reminiscing their talks from the phone call. The remembrance of him saying 'I want you in everyway I can' had her dying out of shyness now, yes now after almost twelve hours of the event she was all red in her face only imagining the expressions that might have appeared on his face as he stated that. With his cut-out in front of her, the fascination was more of a musing but the tingling sensation she felt was real. She was a gone case now, thinking she closed her eyes, covering her face with her palms, lips under the torment of her teeth with a slight smile in sight. It was suddenly too much to bear for a coy and novice individual like her that her whole body trembled in hopefulness. And that's how dreamy her night went after the 'most beautiful' day consisting of their exchanges, as well as 'most fruitful' day in terms of her getting to learn something from her brother.

They were seated with their mother in the living room with their TV blaring in the space. There was a new show 'Mehendi Tere Naam Ki' airing on one of the most watched channels of the time called 'Z-TV'. It was a repeat telecast of the same since her mother had missed the recent episode owing to their outing the other day. The story highlighted the typical Indian dilemmas regarding matrimony. Inspired by the story line their discussion went ahead to the last similar occasion they attended which was her cousin Shireen's wedding. And the chat taking her to another of a reverie, the most astonishing one.

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Flashback

Sidharth was attending the last function, which was a day after the wedding. Third day in a row and had been throwing quick glances that she had observed first-hand. There is a thing with most of the girls when someone is staring at you even from a distance you can catch it somehow without even looking at them. She had noticed it. At first it seemed a notion again to her like all the other days but with the way he would immediately look somewhere else as soon as she tried to look his way not even properly facing him, was convincing much. A slight movement towards the direction where he was seated, and he would instantly turn to look here-and-there. She couldn't fathom why it was exciting her insides, but it sure did. Soon the recollection of the moments from their first encounter, per her, came washing over the anticipation, she became conscious of his looks and got up from her place to move out of his vision. It possibly was her stupidity from that day which he also must be thinking of.

Sidharth probably collected the discomfort and concluded the reason as him behind her vacating her seat to go out. He had expected at least a greeting exchange with her if not more, but it seemed she wouldn't be interested. And if this was the case, he had no other reasons to stay here in the ceremony. With that he too got up, heartbroken and moved towards his friend.

"Tanay! I will be leaving...Chal Bye!" He informed his friend with whom he was here to attend the wedding. His mother too had joined them in during the day's event but had been a little low towards the evening so couldn't attend the function now.

"Abey! Wait for some more time no...Sath me chalte hain" Tanay prompted.

"No yaar...you have fun, I don't feel like staying anymore...Chal bye!" He reverted, forwarding his hands bidding a fond adieu.