Chapter 5

“Shukla ji…” Nisha asked, her voice tinged with confusion as she glanced between Shehnaaz and Sidharth.

“Arre yaar, tere Sidharth sir…” she continued, her tone reflecting her concern.

“Shehnaazzzz…” Sidharth’s voice was sharp, laced with frustration.

Shehnaaz’s heart pounded as she peeked out from her food packet and saw Sidharth standing before her, his eyes blazing with anger. The intensity of his gaze made her throat dry and her knees weak.

Sidharth turned to Nisha, his irritation evident. “Do we pay you to do chit chat in office?”

Nisha’s cheeks flushed as she looked down, clearly embarrassed. “Sorry, sir…” she murmured before quickly returning to her desk.

Sidharth’s eyes shifted back to Shehnaaz, and she felt an icy dread settle over her. His anger was palpable, and she knew she was the target.

“In my cabin, now.”

Her stomach dropped as she followed him, each step feeling heavier than the last.

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The moment Shehnaaz closed the cabin door behind her and turned, she was stunned to find herself pinned against it. Sidharth’s face was a mask of fury, and he had her wrists gripped tightly behind her back.

“Shukla ji…” she began, her voice trembling.

“It’s Sidharth,” he snapped, his tone cold and unforgiving. “Got it? Sidharth.”

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened with fear and confusion. What could she have done to provoke such intense anger? The harshness of his treatment was unwarranted and deeply hurtful.

Sidharth closed his eyes momentarily, struggling to control his frustration before reopening them with renewed intensity. “What the hell were you doing there, telling our staff member that I have a girlfriend? Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you spread lies about me in my own office?”

Shehnaaz shook her head, trying to explain, but Sidharth cut her off, his anger barely contained.

“No, Shehnaaz, not a word. I’ve never been this angry before. Ever since you came into my life, you’ve brought not just yourself, but also anger and frustration.”

Her heart ached with the sting of his words. “Sidharth, I didn’t do anything…”

Sidharth’s smile was laced with sarcasm. “Oh, really? Shehnaaz Gill never does anything. Keeping a boyfriend and switching him out must be your hobby, not mine. I have a reputation to uphold, and I won’t tolerate any outsider spreading nonsense here.”

The sharpness of his words cut through her like a knife, leaving her heart shattered. She could feel the weight of his disdain and the humiliation it brought. Just then, Sidharth noticed something—tears welling up in her beautiful almond eyes. They shimmered with hurt, a stark contrast to their usual brightness.

Seeing the tears in her eyes, Sidharth’s anger momentarily faded, replaced by shock and remorse. He released her wrists, taking a step back as he struggled to comprehend the depth of her pain. Her once vibrant eyes, now clouded with sadness, held a depth of emotion that unsettled him.

Had he gone too far? His harsh words echoed in his mind. *“Ye boyfriend rakhna aur badalna tumhara shauk hoga…”* He realized the gravity of his mistake.

Ashamed and distraught, he moved toward her, but she turned and walked out of the cabin, her shoulders stiff with hurt. She didn’t spare him a glance, and that look of abandonment pierced him deeply.

Panic and regret overwhelmed him as he imagined the pain he had caused. Desperate to make things right, he searched the office for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Frustrated and anxious, he went to Abhi’s cabin, where Payal was still present.

“Umm, bhabhi, did you see Shehnaaz?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Payal looked up, a gentle smile on her face. “Sidharth veerji, Shehnaaz ka call aaya tha. Woh ghar chali gayi.”

Sidharth’s heart sank. The realization hit him hard. His actions had driven her away. He returned to his cabin, his mind consumed with regret. He had overreacted, and now he was haunted by the image of her tear-filled eyes.

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

At dinner, Shehnaaz’s absence was noted. When Dadi maa inquired, Payal informed everyone that Shehnaaz had gone to bed early, exhausted from the day.

Sidharth knew deep down that his actions were the reason for her avoidance. He finished his meal quickly and made his way to her room before Payal could catch him.

He knocked softly on the door. When Shehnaaz opened it, her surprise was evident. She hadn’t expected to see him.

“Ji… Aap yahan?” she asked, her voice soft and weary.

Sidharth, surprised by her calm demeanor, felt a pang of guilt. “Can I come in?” he asked hesitantly.

Shehnaaz nodded, her expression unreadable, and stepped aside to let him in. Sidharth’s eyes fell on her suitcase, half-packed and lying on the bed. Confusion and concern mingled in his mind.

“Shehnaaz, why the packing?” he asked gently.

Shehnaaz offered a bittersweet smile. “Haan, woh… Main ghar ja rahi thi. Mujhe Amma se jyada din door rehne ki aadat nahi hai na. Isliye unki bahut yaad aa rahi hai.”

Sidharth’s heart sank further. He realized that his harsh words had driven her to leave. He had insulted her deeply, and now she was retreating because of him.

As Shehnaaz turned to pack more clothes, Sidharth gently took her hand. She looked at him, puzzled.

“I’m sorry. Seriously, very sorry,” he said, his voice filled with genuine remorse.

Shehnaaz shook her head, trying to downplay her emotions. “Aap aise maafi kyu mang rahe hai? Office wali baat ko lekar… nahi Sidharth… it’s ok. I am fine. Galti meri hi thi. Mujhe ek staff ke sath aise personal baten nahi karni chahiye thi… actually I am sorry…”

Sidharth looked at her, overwhelmed by her resilience. She was like a puzzle, more complex than he had imagined. He had thought of her as just a cheerful, childish girl, but she was hiding her pain and trying to protect her dignity. He had wounded her deeply, and now she was leaving because of him.

“Shehnaaz, you don’t need to lie. I know I overreacted. It was all my fault. Please, don’t leave because of me,” he pleaded, his voice trembling with sincerity.

Shehnaaz’s smile was soft, though a single tear betrayed her true feelings. “Aisi koi baat nahi hai Sidharth. Relax… and I have to go. I am missing Amma terribly. If I don’t see her by tomorrow, I’ll start crying.”

As she giggled through her tears, Sidharth was struck by the depth of her emotions. It was clear she was trying to hide her pain behind a smile. Unable to hold back, he reached out and gently wiped the tear from her cheek with his thumb. She looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise, then quickly looked away.

“Agar tum chali gayi, toh main samajhunga ke tumne mujhe maaf nahi kiya. Plzz ruk jao. I’m honestly sorry. Now you are making me feel very bad,” he said, his voice filled with genuine regret.

Shehnaaz, moved by his words, finally relented. “Sidharth aap aise…”

Sidharth’s voice was earnest. “Shukla ji jyada achha lagta hai tumhare muh se.”

Shehnaaz chuckled softly. “Thik hai, I am not going. But you don’t need to feel guilty about it. Ugh, now I’ll have to repack everything.”

As she began unpacking her suitcase again, Sidharth watched her with a smile despite the situation.

Noticing his gaze, Shehnaaz asked, “Aap aise kya dekh rahe hai?”

Sidharth shook his head, his smile widening. “Friends?”

Shehnaaz’s smirk was playful. “Well, soch ke bataungi.”

Sidharth rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress his grin. “Achha ji?”

Shehnaaz looked at him, and they both burst into laughter. She extended her hand, her smile radiant. “Of course, friends.”

Sidharth’s heart lifted as he watched her beautiful hazel eyes shine with happiness. The earlier tears were now a distant memory, replaced by a smile that warmed his heart.

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Dadi maa was seated on the sofa, lost in her own thoughts. The room was quiet, the only sound being the soft rustle of the curtains in the gentle breeze. Her eyes were distant, reflecting a mind occupied with memories and reflections of bygone days.

Suddenly, the calm was broken by the cheerful voice of Shehnaaz as she entered the room. “Dadi maa…” Shehnaaz called out, settling beside her with a warm, welcoming smile.

Dadi maa was jolted from her reverie. Startled by Shehnaaz’s sudden presence, she fumbled for words. “Beta… aap… hum toh dar gaye…” Her voice was a mix of surprise and amusement.

Shehnaaz let out a soft giggle, the sound like a light chime. “Aap kya soch rahe the? Batayiye na…”

Dadi maa’s expression softened as she recalled her thoughts. She chuckled softly to herself, shaking her head. “Puchhiye mat beta… jis umra mein hume Bhagwan ka naam lena chahiye… us umra mein humare pote humse plans banane ke liye bol rahe hain… Kya zamana aa gaya hai…”

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened in curiosity. “Plans…?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

Rolling her eyes with a hint of exasperation, Dadi maa continued, “Aapke jiju… Abhi ji ko apni Payal ji ke sath movie dekhni hai… Ab boliye…”

The absurdity of the situation hit Shehnaaz, and she burst into laughter. The infectious laughter soon had Dadi maa laughing along, the room filling with their joyous mirth.

“Oh God… Ye jiju bhi na… Har waqt unhe kuchh na kuchh sujhata rehta hai… Wahe Guru ji bhali kare Di ki…” Shehnaaz managed between her giggles.

Dadi maa’s laughter subsided into a giggle as she nodded in agreement. “Wohi toh… Ab humse keh rahe hain ke papa ka patane ke liye koi plan socho…”

Shehnaaz’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Toh fir kya socha aapne?”

Dadi maa looked puzzled. “Kis bare mein?”

“Uncle ko patane ke bare mein…” Shehnaaz’s tone was full of playful intent.

The gravity of Shehnaaz’s words made Dadi maa pause. She looked at Shehnaaz, a mix of shock and amusement in her eyes.

“Oh my God!” Shehnaaz exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth. Her laughter erupted again, this time uncontrollable. “Sorry Dadi maa… Main us matlab se nahi bola… I mean, movie ke liye patane ke bare mein…”

Dadi maa sighed dramatically, a blend of relief and frustration. “Wohi toh… Humein kuchh idea hi nahi aa raha…”

Shehnaaz’s mind began to churn with ideas. Dadi maa, too, was deep in thought.

Just then, Sidharth walked in, greeting them with a cheerful “Hi ladies… What’s up?”

Shehnaaz and Dadi maa exchanged knowing glances, their eyes twinkling with a shared plan. They looked back at Sidharth with an intensity that made him twitch his eyebrows in confusion. “What…?” he asked, puzzled by their weird glances.

Shehnaaz and Dadi maa smirked mischievously, their smiles widening. Sidharth’s senses were on high alert. He could feel the weight of the impending mischief.

“Whoa,” he muttered to himself, realizing he was in for something he wasn’t quite ready for. As he turned to leave, he heard, “Shukla ji…” and sighed in resignation.

“Huh!! No ways…” Sidharth’s voice cracked with horror as he protested.

Dadi maa, with a firm yet playful tone, forced him to sit down. “Stop overreacting, Sidharth, and listen further…”

Shehnaaz’s smile was almost childishly innocent as she chimed in, “Yes, Shukla ji, you better act well…”

Sidharth, eyes wide with alarm, protested, “You both have gone crazy. No way am I going to be part of this evil plan…”

Dadi maa’s voice was stern as she warned, “Sidharth…”

Sidharth slumped on the sofa with a puppy-dog face. “What is it…”

“That’s like a good Shukla ji…” Shehnaaz grinned, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.

“What?” Both Sidharth and Dadi maa looked at her, bewildered.

“I mean, good boy…” Shehnaaz quickly corrected herself.

Sidharth’s face fell further into a sad puppy expression, his frustration palpable.

“Ahem ahem…”

Sidharth cleared his throat again, trying to get Kabeer ji’s attention.

Kabeer ji looked up from his file, his face a picture of calm. “Kya hua, Sidharth?”

Sidharth forced a smile. “Kuch nahi, papa. Main baad mein aata hoon…”

But before he could leave, Dadi maa and Shehnaaz appeared, guiding him back into the room.

Kabeer ji looked at Sidharth with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. “Sidharth… What is it? You want something?”

Sidharth, now feeling cornered, mumbled, “Umm papa… Woh… Mujhe aapke library se ek book leni thi…”

He bit his lip, bracing himself for the inevitable scolding from the two ladies waiting outside.

Kabeer ji smiled warmly. “Toh isme itna darne ki kya baat hai… Jaakar le lo jo book chahiye…”

Sidharth managed a weak smile, standing his ground.

Kabeer ji, sensing something was amiss, stood up. “What’s wrong, Sidharth?”

Sidharth gulped, feeling the pressure of the situation. Sighing, he said, “Papa woh kal office…”

“Haaan… Woh kal Mehta’s ke sath humari meeting hai… Yaad hai na tumhe… Aur tum Aditya se presentation ki saari files fir se check karwa lena. I don’t want any problem to take place…”

Sidharth nodded vigorously, his mind racing. He was about to leave when the stern faces of Dadi maa and Shehnaaz flashed in his memory.

“No, no, no…” he blurted out suddenly, startling Kabeer ji.

Kabeer ji looked at him, alarmed. “Sidharth, are you alright? I think you need rest…”

Sidharth mentally kicked himself for getting involved with Dadi maa and Shehnaaz. Clearing his throat, he scrambled for an excuse. “Papa, woh… Agar kal mein aur bhai office nahi aaye to chalega… I mean…”

Kabeer ji’s gaze turned serious. “Kya hua, Sidharth? Is there some problem?”

Sidharth’s mind raced for a convincing excuse. “Sidharth…”

“Woh Dadi maa ki tabiyat thik nahi hai… Hum dono Dadi maa ko doctor ke paas le jaane ki soch rahe the…” he blurted out, mentally cursing himself for such a ridiculous reason.

Kabeer ji’s concern deepened. “Maa ki tabiyat thik nahi hai… Kya hua maa ko? Mujhe kisine bataya kyun nahi…”

Sidharth floundered, stumbling over his words. “Woh… Woh…”

Dadi maa and Shehnaaz, hiding just outside the door, cursed Sidharth silently for his ridiculous excuse. They knew he was running out of lies.

Kabeer ji’s patience snapped. “Sidharth, speak up. What happened to maa? Leave it… I’ll go and check myself…”

Sidharth’s panic reached its peak. “Dadi maa gayi…”

“What?!” Kabeer ji’s shock was underestimate, while Dadi maa outside nearly had a heart attack. Shehnaaz, struggling to suppress her laughter, held Dadi maa back.

Kabeer ji’s voice was filled with distress. “What do you mean gayi??…”

Sidharth, feeling embarrassed and desperate to correct himself, said, “I mean, so gayi… Papa, Dadi maa is sleeping…”

Kabeer ji sighed in relief. Dadi maa, on the other hand, was ready to unleash her wrath on Sidharth for his foolishness.

“Thik hai… Main kal meeting handle kar lunga… Tum aur Abhi maa ko doctor ke paas lekar jana aur baaki cheezo ka bhi khayal rakhna…”

Sidharth’s face brightened with a huge smile. “Ji papa… Of course…”

Kabeer ji eyed Sidharth suspiciously, puzzled by his sudden cheerful demeanor.

Sidharth cleared his throat and, adopting a more serious tone, said, “I mean… Don’t worry papa… We will take care of everything…”

Kabeer ji sighed. “Hmm… I will handle the meeting tomorrow. Now you go and take rest…”

Once outside, Sidharth received a sharp smack on his arm from Dadi maa.

“Ouch!” he winced, making a pitiable face, while Shehnaaz rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.

“Shukla ji… You are such a drama king… Dadi maa ki tabiyat ka natak kyun kiya?” Shehnaaz’s innocent face was at odds with the mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

Dadi maa, fuming with righteous indignation, mimicked Sidharth’s words with scorn. “Dadi maa gayi…”

Sidharth made a poor face, while Dadi maa scoffed. “Abhi se mujhe upar pohochane ki tayyariye chal rahi hai…”

Shehnaaz giggled. “Dekha Dadi maa… Kitna chalak hai aapka pota… Aur ek mein hoon… Bechari… Bholi bhali… Najuk… Masoom si…”

Dadi maa patted Shehnaaz’s cheek affectionately, while Sidharth, gritting his teeth, felt an urge to strangle her with every word.

“Ek toh maine tum dono ki help ki… Aur tum dono mujhe suna rahi ho… Abhi jaake papa ko batata hun… Ye sab tum dono ka plan tha…”

Both Shehnaaz and Sidharth screamed in horror, “NO!!!”

Sidharth smirked triumphantly. “That’s like good ladies…”

The couple, accompanied by three others, went to the movie. Abhi, grumbling, said, “Dadi maa… Maine help karne ke liye bola tha… Aapko movie ke liye invite nahi kiya tha…”

Dadi maa rolled her eyes and slapped his arm playfully. “Oyye… Ek toh tumhari wajah se mujhe kal se tabiyat kharab hone ka natak karna pad raha hai… Aur tum ho ki…”

Abhi rolled his eyes, and they headed into the theater.

The seating arrangement was as follows:

Abhi – Payal – Dadi maa – Shehnaaz – Sidharth

Sidharth’s irritation was evident as he glanced at Shehnaaz, who, along with Dadi maa, was laughing heartily at the comedy film.

Abhi tried to divert Payal’s attention towards himself, but she was too engrossed in the movie to notice. He and Sidharth exchanged exasperated glances and whispered in unison, “Shehnaaz…”

The comedy movie had been Shehnaaz’s idea, despite Abhi’s preference for a romantic film. Shehnaaz was adamant, and thus, they were watching a comedy.

As Sidharth watched the film with a mix of interest and irritation, he felt a gentle, firm pressure on his wrist. Surprised, he turned to see Shehnaaz’s hand gripping his tightly. She was completely absorbed in the film, her face lit up with joy and laughter.

Her laughter was like music to Sidharth’s ears. “She’s mad… but kind of cute,” he thought, captivated by her expressive face. Her big almond eyes and animated expressions conveyed every nuance of the film’s emotions. She didn’t need to speak; her face said it all.

Sidharth smiled at his own thoughts and turned his attention back to the screen.

As the movie took a sad turn, the ladies were already on the verge of tears, tissues being passed around mechanically. Abhi handed his handkerchief to Payal, while Sidharth, resigned, gave his to Shehnaaz.

Dadi maa, also crying, glared at her grandsons in frustration.

Abhi and Sidharth frantically searched their pockets for another handkerchief, but alas, they had none. They glanced at Dadi maa, who was now completely engrossed in the film, and sighed in relief.

The night concluded with a mixture of amusement and exhaustion, as the movie experience came to an end.