Shehnaaz smiled as she waited for Sheena to join the video chat to flaunt her brand new engagement ring.

"Kya kar raha hai Sidharth?! Aana!" She called out for Sidharth.

"Chai bana raha hu." He replied from the kitchen.

"Pata nahi kyu off sound kar rahi thi Mickey? Khair, meri ring dekh ke usne sab bhool jana hai!" She said, admiring her ring for the nth time today.

"Jaldi aa Sidharth!" She called him and saw the screen of her revealing her best friend's face the next moment.

"Hii Mickey!? I have news!" She chirped.

"Good, mere ko bhi kuch batana hai!" Mickey aka Sheena replied.

"Tu bata?" Shehnaaz asked her.

"Tu khush lag rahi hai, kya baat hai? Tu bata!" Mickey replied.

"Tu bolna, itni dukhi kyu lag rahi hai?" Shehnaaz asked, noticing something was off. Her friend looked exhausted. Physically.

Mickey sighed, looked away from the screen to take some time for herself to think. Shehnaaz wondered if she should not push her to share and rather share the news of her engagement to enlighten the mood and tension.

"I want a divorce."

"I'm engaged."

The girls shared their respective news at the same time and looked at each other, completely baffled out of their wits.

"Kya boli tu?"

"Kya boli tu?"

They asked each other at the same time again, where Shehnaaz couldn't believe what she heard and from what she could observe through her friend's face seemed like a matter of concern. Mickey on the other hand couldn't believe her best friend was actually engaged to the guy she had been dating.

"Divorce? Mickey, kya hua?" Sidharth joined them with a tray full of tea and snacks in his hands.

"Yeh Montu kya kar raha hai waha? Sana yaar." Mickey chided.

"Mickey batana kya hua?" Shehnaaz insisted.

"Aaj teej hai. Maine vrat rakha hai uss Gurjot ke bacche ke liye aur-!? Argh!" Mickey angrily sighed.

"Last week uske Mummy Papa ghar aaye, fine by me. They're good people. Uske baad uske relatives bhi aa gaye, Bangalore kitni sundar jagah hai aur yaha ka mausam kitna acha hai, bla bla. Mujhe ghar jana tha, teej ke liye, nahi jaa payi." She told them.

"Bas itni si baat?" Sidharth asked and the girls stared at him. He wasn't allowed to speak until Mickey was done.

"Tu bol." Shehnaaz asked her friend to continue.

"Guru ki Tai ji aayi hai, mujhse 5 baar baccha mang chuki, 4 baar mere work from home ke bare me puch chuki aur kam se kam 2 baar mujhe ghar sambhalne ki tips de chuki hai. Maine socha, kuch din ki baat hai, chale jayenge yeh log. Lekin nahi, yeh drama khatam hone ka naam nahi le raha hai. Upar se yeh Gurjot!" She told them.

"Montu, pata hai, maine life me kabhi fast nahi rakha. Lekin iske liye maine sab rakha. Aur aaj mera pati.." Mickey began to cry and Sidharth was about to dial Gurjot's number to give him a big brother's advice and in fact consult with a divorce lawyer for her.

"Ek baar bhi usne meri side nahi li. Bolta hai, ignore kar sabko. Aaj mera fast hai aur Guru ko office se aane me late ho jayega." She continued.

"Haaye, Mickey. Tu shaant hoja pehele. Chal pani pi." Shehnaaz wanted her friend to calm down in the first place.

"Mai Gurjot se baat karunga, thik hai. Tu pani pi." He told her as well.

Looking at each other, Shehnaaz and Sidharth understood that Mickey was missing her home, her parents and getting overwhelmed by the guests at her place at the same time. It wasn't a big deal but it wasn't easy either with the situation given.

"Oye, mehendi toh dikha aapni. Dekh kitna acha colour aaye hai, ekdum dark!" Shehnaaz tried to divert her friend's attention.

"Hmm.. yeh colour nahi aaya hota na, toh uski band baja deti mai. Ek number ka kamina insaan hai, gharwalo ke samne strict husband banne ke liye mujh se kaam karwata hai." Mickey complained.

"Kaise kaam?" Sidharth curiously asked.

"Kehta hai, pani laa de. Mera towel sukha de." She answered.

"Yeh kaam hai?" He asked her, surprised.

"Maine aaj tak khud ke liye kitchen jaa kar pani nahi liya! Aur aaj uske poore ghar ko chai bana bana ke pilati rehti hu!" Mickey replied.

"No wonder, Anju aunty aur tu humesha kitchen me rehte the." He mumbled, talking to Shehnaaz.

"Suna maine! Sana, isko bhaga yaha se yaar!" Mickey replied when she heard him.

"Sidharth mat bolna aise. Mickey ne kabhi khana nahi banaya, usko interest nahi tha." Shehnaaz hid her smile, glaring at him to shut his mouth.

"Acha chhodo meri baat, mai dekh lungi apna matter. Tu apni ring dikha!?" Mickey mentioned.

"Dekh!!! Haaye, diamond hai! Mere toh vishwas nahi ho raha!" Shehnaaz giggled like a school girl, flashing her ring closer to the camera.

"Oh my God! Montu, kya choice hai! Mera bhai aur meri best friend, I love you guys! Yaar kitni sahi ring hai!" Mickey cheered for them, her mood lightening up with time.

"Haina! Itni badi hai yeh ring, meri toh nazar nahi hat rahi isse! Mai toh isko nikal ke soti hu, galti se dab na jaye!" Shehnaaz replied and they collectively chuckled at her antics.

"Aunty ka kaisa reaction tha?" Mickey asked.

"Madhu aunty ko lag raha tha hum mazak kar rahe hain unke sath." Sidharth chuckled. They began to talk and share everybody's reaction to ease Mickey out of her situation and to make her feel better.

"Mummy! Yeh dekho, Sidharth ne mujhe propose kiya kal raat!" Shehnaaz excitedly shared the news with her mother.

"Mujhe tiffin banane de, chal." Madhu replied. Busy in the kitchen.

"Mummy sach me! Yeh dekho!" Shehnaaz held her mother's face and showed her the ring.

"Sacchi bol!?" Madhu was taken aback. The way her daughter had been around her boyfriend, not to forget their reluctance to get married, she did not see it coming.

"Aap hi bolte rehte the, shaadi karlo, shaadi karlo, maine bola thik hai phir." Sidharth mentioned, joining them in the kitchen.

"Tu meri itni baat maan ne laga tu?!" Madhu smiled at him as she asked, gathering them in a lovely hug. She was getting emotional.

"Aap bolo toh aapse bhi shaadi karlu?" He asked and she replied with a tight smack on his back.

Worried about her daughter, her future, especially after losing her spouse made Madhu more protective regarding Shehnaaz. She always wished her daughter settled down sooner with a partner she deserved.

Talking about Sidharth's family, he had already hinted to his mother about his plans. However, nobody had the slightest idea that he would propose to Shehnaaz in the middle of the night without a single piece of decoration.

Rita Ma was happy for her son, she had been waiting for this moment since Sidharth had asked her to come and meet Madhu long back. Call it motherly instincts, Rita Ma had observed how her son wasn't visiting them often, it was usually when he would be busy with work. She would worry about him, the loneliness in his life, his not so expressive demeanor and his dedication to work were getting him. Shehnaaz was changing it and Rita Ma just knew that the girl was different and special. However, Preeti's reaction was unexpected.

"It's just been 4 months, right?" Preeti asked her brother.

"Almost 5." Sidharth replied as he silently chuckled.

"Thoda jaldi nahi ho gaya? I mean, you guys- na zyada sath rehte ho, na bohot time se ek dusre ko jante ho? Montu, are you sure?" She asked.

"It just feels right yaar. Time ka pata hi nahi chala, kehne ke liye 4-5 months hain. Jab se mila usse, Mickey ke shaadi ke time, feels like-" he aas trying to figure what and how one thing led to another.

"Oho! Beta, tu toh Mickey ki shaadi me apni shaadi plan kar raha tha!?" Ajay teased, playfully shoving his shoulder into Sidharth's.

"Kya yaar?" Sidharth scoffed, looking away to hide his smile.

"And is she about it? Shehnaaz?" Preeti asked and everybody looked at her. They were confused with that question, what kind of question was that?

"Yeah, why?" Sidharth replied.

"She said yes, Preeti!" Ajay informed her in case she didn't get the news properly.

"I thought you liked her?" Sidharth asked, observing how his sister wasn't very happy about the news of his engagement.

"I do like her. Lekin Montu, kya woh bhi yahi chahati hai? Tera situation toh mai samajh sakti hu, you've been quite clear about what you want. What about her?" Preeti finally asked what she had been meaning to.

"Ofcourse. Tujhe aisa kyu lagta hai? Humari ladai ki wajah se?" He further asked but his sister didn't have an answer to it.

Preeti didn't want to hurt his feelings and wanted him to make sure that he doesn't hurry into something too much to get hurt even more later.

"Tu clearly bol na!" He further insisted his sister. Somewhere agitated how she wasn't in support of his choice after she had been after him to get married.

"Kya baat ho gayi?" Rita Ma intervened.

"Yeh Montu chid kyu raha hai? Do sawal puche bas maine!" She snapped at him. Preeti replied. She was his sister, she'd only want the best for him.

"Toh bolna kya problem hai tujhe? Shehnaaz pasand nahi? Pehle toh kabhi boli nahi tu, aaj achanak kyu itna concern dikha rahi hai?" He replied.

"Easy Montu, tu aram se bhi baat kar sakta hai." Ajay kept a hand in his brother in law's shoulder, gesturing to him to calm down and talk like adults.

"I have nothing against Shehnaaz. Woh bohot acchi ladki hai, bas tujhse- thodi chhoti hai. But I don't care as long as you two keep each other happy. I'm happy for you, bas mann me doubt hua toh puch liya!" Preeti spoke.

"Itni si baat tu aram se bhi kar sakti thi beta, tera bhai hai na, tu bol sakti hai. Okay? Montu, tu bhi. Ti tumchya peksha mothi ahe." Rita Ma replied, also asking Sidharth to behave with his elder sister.

"Ti mothi nahi, ti moti ahe." Sidharth replied and Ajay cracked up. Mothi meant elder ones and moti fat.

"Tu kutra! Kahi veles, mala tujha thappad vhayacha asto." Preeti replied, telling him how at times she just wanted to slap her brother. She almost launched herself upon him in order to do so but he ducked and ran to save himself.

"Yeh dono kabhi bade nahi honge!" Rita Ma shook her head. The siblings argued, resolved, called each other names and bickered like children. Some things never change.

"Welcome to this family Shehnaaz!" Ajay sighed and heard his mother in law laugh.

On the vibrant occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Sidharth and Shehnaaz, accompanied by their mothers, visited the famed Lalbaug Cha Raja. The bustling streets of Mumbai were alive with excitement, teeming with devotees and revelers drawn to the grandeur of the festival. The air was filled with the aroma of flowers, incense and festive delicacies.

As they approached the Lalbaug pandal, they were greeted by a sea of colorful lights and intricate decorations. The pandal, an elaborate structure adorned with shimmering fabrics and floral arrangements, was a masterpiece of artistry. The entrance was festooned with vibrant marigold garlands and illuminated with strings of fairy lights, casting a warm, golden glow over the crowd.

Feeling the constant push, Shehnaaz held Sidharth's hand tightly while she held her mother with her other hand. "Mere aage chalo." He told her, making her walk infront of him for avoiding the unnecessary nudges.

"Saman lele." She handed the coconut and flowers to him so that she could hold Rita Ma's hand as well. Together, they made their way through the crowd.

Inside, the centerpiece of the pandal was the majestic idol of Lord Ganesha, resplendent and adorned with rich silks, sparkling jewels and elaborate ornaments. The idol’s serene face and grandeur commanded reverence from the throngs of devotees gathered for darshan. The atmosphere was one of devotion and festivity, with traditional Marathi music playing in the background, enhancing the spiritual ambiance.

The two along with Rita Ma and Madhu, navigated through the sea of people, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and excitement. They offered their prayers, joining in the collective chant of "Ganpati Bappa Morya." The community spirit was palpable, with people exchanging smiles and celebrating together.

Food stalls lined the streets, offering an array of festive treats like modak and puran poli. The couple, savoring the festive foods, engaged in light-hearted conversations with their mothers, who were equally immersed in the vibrant celebration. The evening culminated in a sense of joy and fulfillment, as they took in the vibrant sights and sounds of this cherished cultural celebration.

"Haaye, kitni bheed hai na? Mere toh ghabrahat hone lagi thi?" Madhu mentioned, this was the first time she had witnessed such a grand festival in another city. As much as she was mesmerized, she was getting overwhelmed by the crowd as well.

"Lo pani piyo." Sidharth forwarded her a bottle of water.

"Abhi thik hu." She replied but still had a few sips of water.

"Yaha har ganesh chaturthi aisi mahol rehta hai. Bheed, traffic aur yeh shor. Lekin darshan karke mann ko badi shanti milti hai." Rita Ma mentioned.

"Hanji, mann ko bada acha laga. Itni badi moorti, maine nahi dekhi pehle kabhi." Madhu agreed with her.

"Chalein?" Sidharth asked and they walked a little further to the parking lot, making their way home.

Since the building where they stayed had also welcomed Lord Ganesha, the ladies took turns to prepare prasad each day. Madhu and her friends had planned to make something or the other everyday.

"Aaj pehle din ki aarti hai. Tum dono sath me karoge? Shubh hota hai." Madhu asked Sidharth.

"Thik hai." He nodded. As he thought about it, the people around would come to know that they were together. Well, they'll get to know one day so it wasn't a big deal.

"Kya bana rahi hai?" He asked, watching Shehnaaz bringing out items from the kitchen cabinets. After her mother instructed her something before she took off.

"Modak." Shehnaaz grinned as she began to mix water into the wheat flour.

He mischievously smiled, leaned a little and blew air into the flour.

"Sidharth! Nahi kar." She shouted at him for acting so childish while wiping her face that had flour on it.

"Acha, sorry. Lemme help." He replied, cupping her face and wiping the flour properly.

"Yeh mai kardu?" He asked if he could kneed.

"Tujhe chai se zyada kuch banana nahi aata." She stated, getting started with the kneeding.

"Aisi toh karte hai na?!" He replied, walking behind her and sliding his hands down hers. Their fingers interlinked into the flour.

"Ha, pehle pani mix karenge. Uske baad iska dough banayenge." She replied but with his face next to hers, she was getting distracted.

In the softly lit kitchen, they stood close, their faces inches apart. The warmth of their shared space created a tender intimacy as they kneaded the wheat flour for modak preparation. Sidharth's chest gently pressed against Shehnaaz's back, his breath mingling with hers in a rhythm of closeness.

As she worked the dough, her movements became a subtle dance with him. His hands rested lightly on her waist, guiding her with a soft, reassuring touch. The proximity of their bodies created a heightened awareness, making every brush of their arms feel electric.

Their faces were so near that the heat of their breaths mingled, causing a shiver of excitement that created goosebumps on their skin. The space between them felt charged with unspoken affection.

"Tune pehle banaye hai yeh?" He leaned in closer, his chin grazing her shoulder as he asked.

"Hm. Anju aunty ke sath." She replied .

"Tu kitne ache se kar rahi hai. Sahi hai." He was whispering words of encouragement that sent a thrill through her. As if he was doing everything intentionally, he pressed a small kiss on her cheek as well.

"Sidharth, kaam karne dena." She whined. Getting turned on with every passing moment.

The physical closeness amplified their emotional bond, turning the simple act of preparing modak into an intensely romantic experience. The gentle press of his chest against her back, the warmth of his breath on her neck and the tenderness of his touch all contributed to a sense of deep connection. Every moment felt like an intimate exploration of their feelings, where each shared glance and touch expressed a profound closeness.

"Ahem!" Madhu cleared her throat and the two jumped away. Her arrival was somewhere expected but so sudden.

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Hello there.. happy Ganesh Chaturthi! This is all I could come up with.. nothing very special.. just scenes around the family..

Anyway do lemme know what was the best of all scenes..

Also.. since it is the festival season.. shaadi ka muhurat nikalne me help karo.. kab shaadi fix karni hai? Of course keeping in mind that it'll be a year when Shehnaaz's father passed away.. and they'll get married after that..

Again accept my humble apology for being so late!