Chapter 17

Shehnaaz buried her face in the pillow, her cheeks warming with a blush as she replayed every moment in her mind. Why did he always have to be so intense? It was like a fire that he ignited within her, leaving her breathless and craving more. She tried to distract herself, thinking of other things, but her thoughts always circled back to those moments they shared. The way he pulled her into his strong arms, his eyes burning with an intense possessiveness, his touch radiating a protective warmth. The way he kissed her, his lips claiming her that said he owned her, that he didn’t need to ask for permission.

She couldn’t help but love the way he took her for granted, assuming she was his, just as he was hers. She adored the way he called her “my Shehnaaz,” his voice dripping with a mix of affection and ownership. She loved how he nuzzled his nose against her cheek, a tender gesture that always made her heart flutter. His grip was firm, yet gentle, never letting her go, as if afraid she might disappear. She cherished the feeling of calling herself Mrs. Shukla and addressing him as Mr. Shukla. It sounded so perfect, like a melody that resonated deeply within her soul. She loved how he pampered her, showering her with attention and care, how he would lift her effortlessly into his arms, making her feel like the most precious thing in the world.

Every touch of his was electric, every sensation he invoked was like a symphony of emotions. She loved the way their relationship had deepened over time, how they had begun to understand each other on a level that transcended words. My Sidharth Shukla, only mine…

God, she already missed him, even though they had parted just an hour ago. Was that even possible? Was she going crazy? Her mind was a whirlpool of emotions, her heart aching with longing. Unable to control herself, she reached for her phone and dialed his number.

Sidharth, who had just walked into his room, felt a smile spread across his face as he saw her call, “Kya hua mera bachha?”

Shehnaaz’s heart melted at his words. She smiled sweetly, her eyes heavy with sleep. He always called her “mera bachha.” It was so soothing, like a balm to her soul, making her feel cherished and protected. “Me thak gayi aaj toh…”

Sidharth’s voice was filled with gentle concern, “Toh mujhe mana karti na jaan… hum kal milte.”

Shehnaaz rolled to the other side of the bed, her voice a soft murmur, “Nahi… mujhse nahi raha jata aap ke bina.”

He closed his eyes, her words bringing a soothing calm to his heart, “Kal aaram ka lena ghar pe… thik hai?”

Shehnaaz’s voice carried a hint of protest, “Aise kaise… kal mujhe mere sare friends ke ghar invitation dene jana hai… Nishu, Ranbir, Anu, Ankita, Mayank… aur fir me…”

“Hold on a second… kya kaha tumne?” Sidharth interrupted, catching her off guard.

Confused and a bit disoriented from sleep, Shehnaaz mumbled, “Mene kya kaha?”

Sidharth’s voice was playful, yet insistent, “Jaan, abhi jo line boli usse repeat karo.”

Shehnaaz sighed, feeling a bit sleep but also amused as she repeated, “Aise kaise… kal mujhe mere sare friends ke ghar invitation dene jana hai… Nishu, Ranbir, Anu, Ankita, Mayank… aur fir me… bas etna bola aur aap ne tok diya mujhe…”

He sat up abruptly, a wave of realization washing over him. Anu… damn, she was coming. Oh my God, he couldn’t believe she was actually going to come home tomorrow.. his home.. her home.. their home. He was lost in a rush of happiness, imagining the joy of having her there. But her words brought him back to the present moment.

Shehnaaz rubbed her sleepy eyes, her voice tinged with frustration, “Sidharth… aap ne abhi tak nahi suna… me fir se repeat karu?”

Sidharth chuckled, the sound deep and warm, “Nahi mene sun liya… tumne mera naam nahi liya… mujhe invite nahi karogi?”

Shehnaaz’s annoyance turned into a playful scolding, “Sidharth, you are family… apko toh mere sath sabko invitation dene ke liye aana chahiye… aur aap hai ke… khud hi invitation mang rahe hai…”

Sidharth groaned inwardly, marveling at how effortlessly she made him feel completely hers every time. Her words were like a spell, binding him to her with such natural ease.

A soft, genuine smile spread across his lips, “Achha ek kaam karo… apne dil par phone rakho.”

Shehnaaz furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, “Kyu?”

Sidharth rolled his eyes, his voice filled with playful exasperation, “Jaan, rakho na.”

Shehnaaz smiled, feeling a rush of affection for him. She rested the mobile just above her heart, feeling a bit silly but also deeply moved. She blushed at her own childishness, but there was something so endearing about it. Meanwhile, Sidharth’s heart pounded as he listened to her calm heartbeat. Her heartbeats were pure, soothing, and they made him forget to breathe. He pressed his phone closer to his ear, listening intently.

“I love you,” he mumbled softly, his words a gentle whisper to her heart.

The soft whisper left his lips, traveling through the phone and straight to her heart. She closed her eyes, feeling a strange peace wash over her. She didn’t hear the words, but her heart felt the calm, and sleep took over her.

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TING TONG.. TING TONG.. TING TONG.. TING TONG.. TING TONG.. TING TONG.. TING TONG.. TING TONG

The persistent ringing of the doorbell echoed through the hallway. Nisha, clearly exasperated, rolled her eyes and yanked Shehnaaz away from the doorbell.

“Kya hai be?” Shehnaaz snapped, annoyed at being pulled away.

Nisha slapped her arm lightly. “Meri maa behri nahi hai.. ek bell me sunayi deta hai.”

Ranbir, equally irritated, interjected, “Toh abhi tak khola kyu nahi door?”

Nisha closed her eyes, trying to maintain her composure. “Arre 1 min wait toh karo…”

Just then, Nisha’s mom opened the door, and the whole gang ran inside, kissing her cheek one by one like excited little kids. Nisha’s mom stood there in shock, bewildered by the unexpected affection.

Nisha rolled her eyes again and dragged her mom in while everyone made themselves comfortable on the sofa.

“Tum log yahan pe party manane aaye ho?” Nisha glared at them, her voice filled with mock irritation.

They gaped at her and announced in unison, “Hell yesss!”

Nisha’s mother shook her head at their childishness. “Tum log betho.. me sabka favourite lati hun.”

Smiling warmly, Shehnaaz stopped her. “Aunty aaj nahi…baad me aakar apse sari khatir dari kar lenge..abhi hume sabke ghar jana hai.” Saying this, she handed her an invitation card. “Aap ko aur unko sare functions attend karne hai.. ye toh wohi rahegi mere sath.” Nisha’s mother took the card and patted Shehnaaz’s cheek lovingly.

Nisha rolled her eyes again. “Yaah right.. waise maa.. Ranbir, Mayank aur Ankita ka ghar ho gaya hai.. ab bachi Anu.. uske baad hume shopping ke liye jana hai.. ye stupid chocolate milkshake kahan pite bethenge?”

Shehnaaz made a pouty face. “Did you just call my chocolate milkshake stupid?”

Anu rolled her eyes. “Agar tum dono aise hi ladte rahe to mere ghar kab jayenge.. mene maa ko ya kisi ko kuchh bhi nahi bataya hai.. I wanna surprise maa.. woh kab se milna chahti hai tum sab se.”

As Ranbir drove, Ankita spoke up, “Tumhare ghar me kaun kaun hai?”

Anu smiled softly. “Maa hai.. 2 bade bhai hai aur me.. bass.”

Mayank looked at her sympathetically. “Aur pap?”

Anu’s smile faded a bit. “Nahi hai.. woh…” Mayank sighed. “Ohh I am sorry..”

Ranbir quickly tried to change the topic. “Tumhare bhai haan.. woh ek Nishu ka diwana Vicky aur…”

Nisha instantly glared at him. “Shut up.. he is not my diwana and all.”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes while Ranbir continued, “Aur ek wo bond.. Jems Bond..” he mocked, and Anu whacked him hard.

Ankita spoke excitedly, “Uske dolley dekh ke toh… hayye rabba…” Mayank twisted his lips while checking his biceps.

Anu grinned. “Mere dono bhai.. two opposite poles hai.. ek strict.. businessman.. angry young man..aur dusra darpok..flirt aur blah blah…”

Shehnaaz smiled, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Aur tumhari maa?”

Anu’s smile returned. “Maa is sweetheart yaar.. she is the only one who can get angry on my big brother… no one else can even dare..”

Lost in chit-chat, Anu asked Ranbir to stop the car, and everyone’s mouths opened wide in shock as they stared at the lavish and luxurious mansion in front of their eyes. Their eyes turned to Anu, who looked at them with a small smile. They knew she belonged to a wealthy family, but this place was like heaven.

Shehnaaz looked at the mansion and felt her heart flutter. For some reason, she felt a rush of happiness, excitement, and nervousness. A sense of completeness filled her heart. She felt a strange connection with this house.

Unaware of her state, Anu held her hand and pulled her in along with the others.

Shehnaaz was the last one to enter. She looked at the entrance, finding everything so royal, yet familiar. She put her right foot in and entered.

The moment she stepped in, a bunch of colorful rose petals fell on her. She stood still, surprised. She closed her eyes in happiness as the petals continued to fall, failing to stay on her soft skin and falling at her feet.

Surprised, she grinned widely and stared at the scattered petals, then looked up as the petals continued to fall.

A pair of eyes filled with love stared at her without blinking. He had wanted to make her first entry into their house special, and this was all he could do at the moment, as none in his family knew yet.

He smiled, watching her grin widely in her typical baby mood, jumping in excitement. He wished he could just go and pick her up in his embrace and hug her close.

Her eyes wandered around restlessly as if she could feel someone staring at her. Everyone stared at her in surprise, but she searched for those eyes. She couldn’t find him as he hid behind a big pillar. She smiled at her own childish behavior, thinking she was imagining him there.

Anu walked to her, and Shehnaaz made a cute, bubbly face.

Sidharth stared at her impatiently. He missed her so much. It felt like ages since he felt her natural cologne, her warmth, and her love.

Anu chuckled. “Shehnaaz.. I am sorry.. ye sab.. I don’t know…”

Shehnaaz giggled. “Hayy Anu.. Kya entry di mujhe tune.. ekdum filmy bro.”

Anu shook her head at her childishness and called out loud, “Nakul bhayya…”

Nakul, along with Rita, came out at Anu’s loud call.

The moment Shehnaaz’s eyes fell on Rita ji, she ran to her, hugged her as tightly as possible, and kissed her cheek cutely.

Rita ji was too shocked to react, or too surprised to say anything. Smiling, Rita ji patted her back lovingly, and Sidharth’s heart throbbed with extreme happiness. It was so sudden. He didn’t realize why she hugged his mother like that, but he loved every bit of it. Her positivity always blurred everything around her.

As Shehnaaz parted after a long hug, Rita ji stared at the beautiful face glowing with a cute smile.

Everyone looked at Shehnaaz and smiled, shaking their heads.

Anu rolled her eyes, watching her mother’s expressions, while Sidharth’s heart skipped a beat in excitement.

Shehnaaz spoke excitedly, “Aap Anu ke maa hai na?”

Rita ji nodded with a smile. She absolutely loved her. What a cute girl. Shehnaaz kissed Rita ji’s cheek again, this time more cutely.

Sidharth chuckled, watching her cute antics. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined their encounter would be like this. He softly grinned, imagining her reaction when she found out this lady was his mother.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened with enthusiasm. “Hayy.. aap ko pata hai aap kitni cute hai.” Saying this, she gave Rita ji a teddy bear hug, and Rita ji couldn’t help but reciprocate. It was like Shehnaaz cast a weird spell around her, filled with love and positivity.

Sidharth was so lost in her. Ohh godd.. can someone be as innocent as his bub…

Grinning, Rita ji patted her cheek. “Humara to nahi pata.. par aap toh bahot cute hai..bilkul pari jaisi.”

Shehnaaz giggled cutely, and Anu smiled along with the rest while Sidharth almost lost his balance with Rita ji’s comment but somehow managed to save himself from falling. Pari jaisi.. His heart felt at peace, realizing his mother liked Shehnaaz. He watched his mother grin. Shehnaaz’s grin was so infectious that everyone around her seemed to catch it.

Shehnaaz asked, “Me apko maa bulau ya aunty bulau ya chachi maa bulau?”

Rita ji kissed her cheek, unable to control herself. She was so cute, so innocent. “Apko jo pasand hai bulayiye.” Shehnaaz nodded her head, then looked confused. “Aap mujhe aap kehke mat bulayiye.. me chhoti hun na..”

“Achha tum bas..” Rita ji said, then looked at the others. “Anu se hum kab se keh rahe the ke apne dosto ko ghar bulao.. I am so happy you all came.”

Sidharth watched as everyone introduced themselves to his mother, chuckling as Shehnaaz introduced herself. “Aur me Shehnaaz.”

Shehnaaz wondered if his mother remembered the name he had told her.

Rita ji knew she had heard this name before, but where? She tried to think when the staff brought a couple in.

Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji came forward, and Rita ji was delighted. She clearly remembered Sidharth’s words about him liking the daughter of Mr. Rajender Gill. “Arre.. Mr and Mrs Gill.. please.. please

come in.”

Shehnaaz stood rooted in her place in shock along with the others.

Rajender ji noticed Shehnaaz and was confused. “Shehnaaz beta.. tu yahan kya kar rahi hai?”

Rita ji looked at the duo in confusion.

Shehnaaz scratched her head like a child. “Me toh yahan invitation dene aayi hu.. par aap dono yahan…?”

Rajender ji’s eyes popped up. What was Shehnaaz doing here? Why would she come to invite Sidharth Shukla and his family? How did she know them?

Rajender ji, “Hum bhi yahan.. Mr. Shukla aur unki family ko shadi ka invitation card dene hi aaye hai.”

Rita ji spoke impatiently, “Aap dono..?” She felt the relation but wasn’t confirmed.

Rajender patted Shehnaz’s head and looked at Rita ji. “Meri beti hai.. Shehnaz.”

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