Meant to be

Chapter 2 : And can it be?

The house was a crazy pulsating place to be in. The contestants were locked in with people who never really knew each other well enough but now they have to trade these set of strangers in for a consummate collection of every other relationships they had outside. Friends, foes, family, co-workers, strangers and contestants. One had to learn to belong , yet not. For Shehnaaz she was a very instinctive person she relied heavily on her instinct and on her gut and emotions. This trait of her had hurt her many times before but had also shaped her and her journey and made her hard but not heartless.

Sidharth was someone who studied, took measured decisions and right now was extremely focussed on the game, this was his reality and for this reality he had started now spending time with people who he knew would play well and play fair. Arti was an acquaintance outside he did not know what advantage she brought to the game but he also knew that she would not do any harm. The rest it was too early to say anything but he quite adored Sana and her energy. Was able to identify with Asim and his current struggle so was more inclined to spend time with him. He somehow flinched whenever Paras spoke, to Sidharth he seemed very loud and a tad bit foolish in the way he spoke about how well he knew the game.
He had long learnt to ignore Rashmi and her presence did not affect her but he was acutely aware of her just to defend himself just in case. He had been part of this industry for quite a while now so he was able to see through the pretense of most of the contestant, he detested their vain nature which was always clothed in fake value and humility.

One morning he was sitting outside and contemplating all of these things and he heard a shuffling and lifted his head to find Shehnaaz humming to herself and coming towards the garden bench with a cup of tea in her hand. When she noticed Sidharth she quickly apologised, " oh sorry aap idhar akela baith na chahthey ho shayad. Maine aapko disturb kardiya. Par itnay se ghar mein bandha akele toh all the time ho bhi nahi saktha. Tho mein jaoon ya rukoon???"
With a chuckle to himself and a fake loud sigh he looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes and asked her "do you ever need anyone else to have a conversation? Ya bas formality ke liya doosron ko include kar deti ho?"
With a big smile she settles down at the other end of the couch and asks "Kya soch rahe thay?" Sidharth who has not yet learnt to trust her is still wary and uses his usual tact of getting more info that giving any away. "Soch raha tha ke Shehnaaz Gill jaisi superstar kaisay inn nacheezon Kay show mei kar Kya rahi hai" Shehnaaz giggled on hearing this and loves it that he is being familiar enough with her to speak like this.

She quickly settles in further and tells him, " aapko patha hai mere bhai aur Mai iss show ke itnay baday fans hain. Aur jab mera call aya tha producers ka to mainay socha ki shahebaaz Majaak mein prank call kar raha meko khush karne ke liya. Call aya aur mein chillarahi hoon 'kuttaya mera baapu baitha hai na Bigg Boss ke office mein jo meko call aanewala hai. Unhonay bohot samjaaye prank call nahi hai and mein maaani nahi rahi thi, phir unhonay mujhe landline se call liya tab jaa kay meko yakeen hua. Aur superstars tho bohot mil gaye unko ek do super flops chaiye thay tho bulaaliya meko!" She said this with such innocence and no trace of malice that it tugged at his heart. He wanted to hear more, know more and just as he was going to needle her more they heard the announcement asking all house members to gather in the living room area.

Before they knew it the hospital task was announced, things unfurled soon and they unfurled ugly. Everyone literally had their game face on. The task as such though dramatic and tv worthy was largely uneventful for the participants. It did give each other a glimpse of how much they would go to win.

At one point during the task Shehnaaz says "zindagi mein bohot kuch seh liya yeh bhi seh lenge." When she said this something stirred In Sidharth and he suddenly remembered her saying that her brother to make her feel better pranked her. There was something hearty in this girl that pulled him to her. He brushed it aside as the fact that it had been years since he met anyone who did not have an agenda or was not contrived and fake.

After day 1 of the task Fifi and she were sitting and having an intense conversation about love and life. Sitting by the couches just outside the bedroom, he could see that Fifi would say something she would giggle but then also
Nod seriously and then again fifi would giggle. Just looking at her chat with others brought a smile to his face. He as usual is gravitated towards her and manages to get into the conversation. "Kya baatein chal rahi hain. Madamji aaj Kya gyaan baat rahi hain?"

"Oho kuch nahi I was asking her what her plans are post bb" fifi says.

"Abhi toh dekhenge ki kitna der present bb chalta tabhi toh post mein kuch dum hoga." She says laughing heartily at her own joke.

Sidharth who bursts out laughing quickly gives her a high five and strangely wants to keep holding her hand so quickly after the slapping of hands gently holds her hand and gives it a soft assuring squeeze.

The house around then is winding down and everyone is settled into their pockets of discussion and sana is filling her water bottle when Sidharth comes
Upto her and say "chal na mein cigarette peenay jaa raha hoon
Chal aakey meko entertain kar, badi bolti hai entertainer hoon dekthe hain kisme hain kitna hai dum"

She quickly fills her bottle up and say "chalo ji aaj yeh bhi kartey hai !" And before she could say anything he quickly says " tu bura nahi maaeygi to ek baat bolun?" She looks straight into his eyes and nods eagerly. "Tujme naa talent hai aur personality bhi hai aur ek xfactor hai. Tum in cheezo ke vajahse Punjab se Bombay is show ki contestant bani ho. Mein inn cheezo ke baarey mein zyaada baat nahi karna chahtha hoon lekin tumhe pata bhi nahi hai ki kitna bada lobbying chalta hai idhar tak phonchnay Kay liye. To apne aapko kisi se bhi kam nahi Samajna aur kisi ko apne apse dumb bhi nahi samajna!" Saying this Sidharth himself chuckled at the sudden unintended humor he ended this rather serious line on.

Sana was listening carefully and with each word this hulk of a man spoke she found a sincerity she did not often see or receive. He spoke to her with a sincerity she had forgotten existed. She smiled widely at him. And mock saluted him and "jee sir, lagta hai jo aapke lungs toh gaye kaam se lekin dimaag ki to baath hee kuch aur hai' wah wah wah wah!"

They both laugh loudly at this and Sidharth can't help smack her head fondly at this.

After his cigarette both of them walked back to the bedroom with wide grins on their faces and hearts. Sana just before getting into her bed quickly goes upto Sidharth and gives him a quick awkward but sweet side hug and says "shuklaji goodnight see you on the other side of tomorrow" she giggles looks up at him, he is looking at her sweetly a bit disappointed that the hug was over even before he could hold her back. "Goodnight darling" he softly says before getting into his bed.

The both smile into their slumber because of the unexpected familiarity they found in each other.

Like I said in my description, will focus only on the crucial journey points in the sidnaaz story. I found that initial days they had no idea what was brewing between them but definitely Shuklaji was more besotted than sana. Hoping to spin a good angle to their reality with my story. See you tomorrow with my next update. Cheers!