Chapter 12

#Continuation of Flashback

Sidharth continued  with happiness, “Her name is Simran….”

Shehnaaz’s smile began to fade, gradually, painfully. The vibrant colors of her happiness dulled, shifting to shades of black and white. It felt like her heartbeats slowed and then stopped altogether. She forgot what it meant to breathe, as if the very essence of life was slipping away from her.

Her face, once expressive and full of life, turned blank and lifeless. The realization hit her like a boulder crashing into her chest. It was as if someone had brutally ripped her heart out, leaving her hollow and numb. It felt like her life was being snatched away, a cruel declaration that she didn’t deserve to live, like she was no more.

Had she died? She couldn’t feel her heartbeats; she must be dead. Was she in heaven? She looked around but saw nothing but darkness, as if she were blind. Was this not heaven?

“I am in hell… I am surely in hell… That’s why everything is black… I won’t see Mumma and Papaji here; they are in heaven…” she thought, so lost in herself that she forgot Sidharth was still on the call.

Sidharth smiled, “Dadi maa, maa, say something na. I know you are shocked, but I myself don’t know how it happened. But I love her… Her name is Simran. She is Dad’s friend’s daughter…”

… And then…

Shehnaaz placed the receiver down, ending the call. She walked away, leaving behind a part of herself.

Shehnaaz sat in her room, motionless. Her heart refused to beat, her mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened. She had spoken with Sidharth, and he had told her he was in love with someone. How was she supposed to react?

Should she be happy that her best friend had found love? Should she be sad that she had lost the first love of her life? Should she be angry that he hadn’t asked about her once on the phone? She sat there, thoughtless, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

She didn’t doubt Sidharth, unlike what Balraj had suggested. She knew her Sidharth better than anyone. But now, he wasn’t hers anymore. The realization brought unbearable pain, fresh tears welling up in her eyes. She felt like she had lost everything – her brother, her parents, and now Sidharth as well. Was she destined to lose everyone she loved? What had she done to deserve this?

But she was happy for Sidharth. She respected her love for him and, at the same time, respected his love for the girl Simran. He had the right to choose his partner, even if it wasn’t her.

If he was happy, she would be happy for him. Even if her heart could never be mended again, she would learn to live with it. Even if she could never love someone else, she had a best friend like Sidharth to give her life meaning and contentment. Even if she would die a little each time she saw him with someone else, she was ready to endure millions of deaths if that was the price for Sidharth’s happiness.

What should her reaction be? She was so deeply in love with the idea of love, but her love hadn’t succeeded. Her love had remained unfulfilled.

Sidharth’s words echoed in her mind, each syllable a dagger to her heart. “Her name is Simran….” Shehnaaz’s world had crumbled, leaving her in a desolate landscape of black and white. Her heart, once vibrant with hope and dreams, now lay shattered. But amidst the ruins, a flicker of resilience remained. She would endure, for Sidharth’s sake, and learn to live with the broken pieces of her heart.

Her love remained incomplete. She had lost her first love. Shehnaaz looked up with her teary eyes, only to find Dadi maa standing in front of her, tears welling up in her eyes as well.

Unable to hold back anymore, Shehnaaz ran and hugged Dadi maa as tightly as possible. Dadi maa hugged her back, trying to alleviate her pain.

Shehnaaz cried out in anguish, “Mera pyaar adhura reh gaya, Dadi maa… mera pyaar adhura reh gaya…”

Dadi maa cried along with her, her voice trembling, “Shehnaaz… beta please”

Shehnaaz couldn’t control herself, “Mera pyaar adhura reh gaya…”

Sobbing uncontrollably, Shehnaaz ran from there in tears. She dashed through the corridor, only to bump into Balraj.

She looked at him with tear-filled eyes, while he smirked inwardly, thinking he had successfully poisoned her mind with his lies. He put on a worried expression and said, “Kya huva Shehnaaz? Tu aise ro kyu rahi hai?”

Shehnaaz continued to cry, unable to speak. No words came out of her mouth. Balraj immediately took her to her room, making her sit on a chair. He locked the room from inside, still smirking. Shehnaaz, so lost in her tears, failed to realize his intentions. Balraj sat beside her, a sinister glint in his eyes.

Shehnaaz wanted to be alone. She wanted to cry her heart out so that the pain could lessen, even if just a little. The unbearable agony of knowing that Sidharth was no longer hers made her feel suffocated.

There was no one left she could call her own except Dadi maa. Of course, Dadi maa was there, but Sidharth had held a special place in her heart, and now that place was empty. Balraj, noticing her trying to stand up, immediately made her sit down again, not letting her move.

Balraj sighed dramatically, “Ab yakin hua na tumhe meri baton par?”

Shehnaaz looked at him, confused.

Balraj put on a sad face, “Wo hamesha se tumhara istemal karta aa raha tha, Shehnaaz. Isiliye main tum par aur Sam par gussa karta tha, kyunki tum dono usse baat karti thi. Wo ghatiya ladka hai, Shehnaaz… bahut ghatiya.” He smirked inwardly, enjoying her misery.

Shehnaaz wiped her tears, “Aise baat nahi veerji. Aap Sidharth ko galat samaj rahe hai. Wo aisa nahi hai. Usse achha to koi bhi nahi.”

Balraj’s expression darkened with anger, but he controlled himself. Gently caressing her hair, he said, “Tum mujhe veerji keh kar kyun bulati ho? Balraj keh kar bulao. Mujhe koi Balraj keh kar nahi bulata…”

Shehnaaz looked at him, uncertain, “But veerji… aap to bade hai na… aur Sam di bhi toh aapko veerji bulati hai…”

Balraj put his arm around her shoulder gently. Shehnaaz didn’t like his sudden sweetness towards her. It felt unnatural, like a mask hiding something darker.

Balraj, “Me to uska bhai hun, is liye. Par hum dost ban sakte hain, kyu? Jaise tum aur Sidharth the waise. Ab Sidharth to tumhe dhoka dekar chala gaya, par tum fikar mat karo. Me hu na, tumhara khayal rakhne ke liye.”

Shehnaaz didn’t understand anything. She stood up, feeling even more confused. Balraj stood up too, following her movements closely.

Shehnaaz, “Aap kaise baten kar rahe hai, veerji? Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Mene aap se kaha na, Sidharth ne aisa kuch nahi kiya. Wo vapas aane wala hai.”

Balraj’s anger was building up, but he tried to keep it in check. “Ho sakta hai ke wo vapas aaye, par tab tak uski zindagi mein koi aur ladki hogi. Dekh lena tum.”

Shehnaaz knew there was some truth to his words. Sidharth had found his love, but that didn’t mean he was bad. He had the right to choose his love. But the way Balraj was speaking, it made her feel uneasy, like he was trying to manipulate her emotions.

Shehnaaz sighed, “Toh kya hua veerji, agar wo kisi se pyaar kare… main to uski best friend hu… I will be happy for him.” She tried to sound convincing, but her sad face didn’t go unnoticed by Balraj.

Balraj hugged her instantly, “Ohh Shehnaaz… mujhse tumhari ye haalat dekhi nahi jati. Tum usse bhool kyu nahi jati? Wo tumhare layak kabhi tha nahi.”

For some reason, Shehnaaz didn’t like his hugs; they suffocated her. She tried to move, but Balraj hugged her even more tightly.

Shehnaaz had never been close to Balraj like this before. He had always hated her, and she had always kept her distance from him. This sudden change in his attitude left her confused.

Balraj kissed her head, and Shehnaaz smiled weakly, taking it as brotherly love. But the monster named Balraj had his own plan.

“Thank you, veerji, par main ab theek hu na. Mujhe jaana chahiye,” Shehnaaz said, trying to pull away.

Balraj held her tightly, “Arre… Shehnaaz, tumhe toh bukhar lag raha hai. Dekho, tumhara body temperature bhi badh gaya hai.”

Shehnaaz checked herself and looked at him, confused. Balraj purposely touched her forehead and then her neck, his touch lingering longer than necessary.

Shehnaaz didn’t like his touch. She had never felt this way about Balraj before, but today, his touch was unbearable, like it was burning her, making her feel disgusted. Before Shehnaaz could say a word, Balraj dragged her to the bed.

“Balraj, kuchh nahi sunna mujhe. Toh yahan aaram karo. Tumhe thik lagega,” he insisted.

Shehnaaz tried to protest, “Main thik hu veerji. Mujhe jana hai.”

Balraj didn’t listen, “Kaise baat kar rahi ho… we are best friends now, right? Aur tum Sidharth ke room mein kaise soti thi, bina jhijak?”

Shehnaaz was getting increasingly confused and anxious. Balraj almost pushed her onto the bed, acting as if it was unintentional.

Shehnaaz sat on the bed, feeling trapped and without options. Balraj forcefully made her lie down, caressing her head with his hand. Shehnaaz managed a weak smile, but inside, she was screaming.

“Balraj, tumhe thand toh nahi lag rahi na,” he asked, his voice sickeningly sweet.

Shehnaaz shook her head, indicating no. But Balraj didn’t listen. He sat on the bed beside her, too close for comfort.

Shehnaaz felt trapped, and her mind raced with fear. Who would dare to protest in front of Balraj? Acting as the concerned one, he ordered her to close her eyes and take a nap.

“Close your eyes, Shehnaaz. Tumhe aaram ki zaroorat hai,” Balraj said, his voice deceptively gentle.

Shehnaaz closed her eyes, feeling scared. An unknown fear ran through her body as she felt Balraj’s hand gently resting on her back. She wriggled a bit, trying to move away.

“Balraj veerji, mujhe jana hai,” Shehnaaz whispered, her voice trembling.

Balraj’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Kyun? Tum yahin aaram karo. Tumhe thik lag jayega.”

Shehnaaz opened her eyes, noticing the intensity in his gaze. “Mujhe Uttara se milna hai,” she said, trying to sit up.

Balraj moved closer, blocking her path. “Main hoon na… aao so jao. Tumhe achhi neend aa jayegi,” he insisted, his voice firm.

This time, Shehnaaz protested more firmly, “Nahi, mujhe jana hai.”

He pulled her closer with a sudden jerk, shocking Shehnaaz. Balraj spoke angrily, “Sidharth ko toh kabhi mana nahi karti thi… toh fir mujhe kyu… haan?” Shehnaaz looked at him, scared and started to cry.

Her tears only annoyed him more, but she tried to get up, wriggling in his hold. Balraj’s anger intensified.

“Shehnaaz, daro mat… hum best friends hai na?” he said, trying to sound gentle but failing miserably as he pulled her closer.

Shehnaaz’s voice trembled as she protested, “Mujhe jaana hai… chhodiye mujhe, veerji…”

Balraj’s grip tightened, but Shehnaaz pushed him away with all her strength. “Chhodiye mujhe… aap bahot bure hai,” she cried louder.

Balraj, with a sudden jerk, pulled Shehnaaz closer and threw her onto the bed. The abruptness of his actions made Shehnaaz realize the severity of the situation. Fear overwhelmed her as she cried out, “Ouch… jane do mujhe… Sidhaaaaarth…”

Balraj, his anger palpable, glared at her. “tumhara Sidharth chala gaya tumhe chhodke..nahi aayega wo tumhe bachane…mere paas aa jao….me tumhe koyi dukh nahi dunga…sach Shehnaaz..” he said, trying to sound reassuring but failing to hide his underlying hostility.

Shehnaaz struggled to break free from his hold, her fear growing as Balraj’s touch became more insistent. She tried to push him away, but his grip was firm. The distress in her voice was evident as she cried, “please mujhe chhodiye veerji..”

At that moment, the door creaked, and Sam, hearing Shehnaaz’s cries, quickly ran towards it. Finding it locked, she moved to the window, her fear escalating as she saw inside. Balraj was pressing close to Shehnaaz, who was clearly distressed and trying to get away.

Sam screamed urgently, “Veerji, chhodiye usse!” Balraj, momentarily distracted, glared at Sam with fierce anger.

Shehnaaz, overwhelmed with fear and desperation, continued to cry as she struggled to escape. Seeing Balraj’s focus shift, Shehnaaz grabbed a nearby vase and, with a surge of courage, struck Balraj on the head.

“OUCHHHH!” Balraj yelped in pain, the impact making him stagger and releasing his hold on Shehnaaz. Seizing the opportunity, Shehnaaz quickly moved away from him.

Sam, frantic, tried desperately to open the door, her voice filled with pleas for help. “Mummaaaaaaa! Papajiiiiiiiiiiiii!” She then ran back to the window, shouting towards the outside, trying to get any form of assistance. “Veerji, chhodiye usse… aapki behen hai wo… chhodiye usse…”

Balraj, infuriated and bleeding from the head, roared back, “Sister my foot! Look at what she’s done!” He wiped the blood streaming from his wound, his fury escalating.

Shehnaaz, her heart racing, tried to reach the door but struggled with the upper lock. Balraj’s sinister smile grew as he approached her menacingly.

In the midst of her panic, Shehnaaz’s eyes darted around, desperately searching for any form of help. Her cries and the chaos had drawn Mohinder and Malini to the scene. Their expressions turned to shock as they witnessed the horrifying sight unfolding before them.

Mohinder’s voice thundered through the chaos, “Balraj, tu pagal ho gaya hai! Darwaza kholo!” His command was firm, his frustration palpable.

Sam, in a state of panic, noticed Shehnaaz still holding the knife and cried out, “Throw the knife, Shehnaaz! Tum kya kar rahi ho?” Her eyes were wide with fear, and she desperately tried to direct Shehnaaz away from the danger.

Malini, equally frantic, added, “Balraj, samajhne ki koshish karo! Darwaza kholo!” Her voice trembled with urgency, pleading with Balraj to reconsider and open the door.

Despite the desperate pleas, Balraj remained unyielding, his focus solely on Shehnaaz. He moved closer, ignoring the cries and commands surrounding him. Shehnaaz, her voice choked with terror, begged him, “Please… mujhe jane dijiye… please…”

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#Back to Present

Shehnaaz’s scream of terror pierced the silence, “CHHODO MUJHE!” Her voice reverberated with a raw fear, snapping her back to reality.

She blinked rapidly, realizing she was still standing at her room’s door, gripping it tightly. Her body was drenched in sweat, and she was panting heavily, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The bodyguards nearby exchanged worried glances, their concern evident.

One of them approached cautiously, “Are you okay, ma’am?”

Shehnaaz, still trembling, took a moment to steady herself. “Yes, I’m okay,” she replied, though her voice wavered. She quickly closed the door behind her, trying to leave the disconcerting scene behind. But as she turned to leave, she was startled by muffled shouting coming from somewhere nearby.

The sounds of distress drew her back, and she followed them, only to find a door locked tight. Shehnaaz’s heart raced as she knocked urgently on the door, “Who is there?”

Inside, Sam was both shocked and relieved to hear Shehnaaz’s voice. She had initially thought Shehnaaz’s earlier scream was a figment of her imagination, but now, hearing her again was a mix of hope and disbelief.

Sam’s voice broke through the noise, filled with desperation and tears, “Shehnaaz, it’s me, Sam! Please, get me out of here… please…!”

Shehnaaz turned to the guards, her voice firm despite her lingering fear. “Break the door,” she ordered. The guards, trained and resolute, acted swiftly. Within seconds, the door was breached with a powerful shove.

As the door crashed open, Sam stumbled out, her face streaked with tears. She rushed into Shehnaaz’s arms, clinging to her with a desperate, trembling embrace. Shehnaaz held her close, trying to offer as much comfort as she could.

After a few moments, Sam pulled away, her eyes wide with horror. “Tum yahan kyun aayi? Balraj veerji, maa, papaji… sab ghar mein hain. Tum…”

Shehnaaz cut her off gently but firmly. “I’m fine, but you need to be careful. What happened here…?”

Sam, still sobbing, threw her arms around Shehnaaz again. “Veerji ne mujhe lock kar diya tha… main Sidharth ko sab batane wali thi isiliye…”

Shehnaaz’s face hardened with concern. “Phir aisi galati mat karna, Sam. Tumhe khud ko is khatar se bachana hoga.”

Confused, Sam pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Shehnaaz’s face for answers. “Galati…? Kaisi galati?”

Shehnaaz took a deep breath, her gaze softening. “I will explain everything, but right now, you need to come with me. It’s not safe here.”

Sam’s eyes filled with pleading. “Please, mujhe yahan se le chalo. Main yahan nahi reh sakti… please…”

As Shehnaaz and Sam made their way out with the guards, their escape was met with shock and anger from the rest of the household. Malini and Balraj, standing in the hallway, looked at the scene with disbelief. Malini’s face was a mixture of confusion and fury as she shouted, “Sam, apne kamre mein jao!”

The tension in the house was palpable, with Mohinder looking down, his expression one of deep guilt. 

Sam looked at her mother with determination in her eyes. “Nahi mumma… main Shehnaaz ke sath ja rahi hu…”

alraj’s face flushed with anger. “Kahin nahi jayegi tu… apne kamre mein jao abhi!”

He tried to push past the guards, but they held him back firmly. Malini’s anger was palpable. “Chhodo usse… aur tumhari himmat kaise hui yahan aane ki!”

Shehnaaz gave a cold, sarcastic laugh, her demeanor unyielding.

Sam clung to Shehnaaz’s hand tightly. Shehnaaz gave a subtle nod to one of her bodyguards. Understanding her silent command, the guards intervened swiftly. One of them, following Shehnaaz’s directive, restrained Balraj firmly, preventing any further disruption.

Malini looked at Shehnaaz, her expression a mix of shock and anger. “Shehnaaz, bahot ho gaya.”

Shehnaaz’s voice rang with authority. “Bahotttttttttttttt…?”

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Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers!

Thank you for embarking on this emotional journey with Shehnaaz and Sidharth. As the story unfolds, we delve deeper into the complexities of relationships, the power of resilience, and the courage it takes to stand against injustice.

Writing these intense scenes has been a challenging yet fulfilling experience. I aim to capture the raw emotions and the stark reality of the characters’ struggles, hoping it resonates with each of you. Shehnaaz’s bravery and Sidharth’s unwavering support highlight the importance of standing up for oneself and for those we care about.

Your feedback and support mean the world to me. Please share your thoughts and feelings as you read through these chapters. Let’s continue to explore the depths of love, pain, and healing together.

Thank you for reading 

Also, stay tuned for Baarish, Bhula Dunga, Mora Piya, Beintehaa and Thodasa pyar which will be starting soon along with the rest of the stories. There’s so much more in store, and I can’t wait for you to dive into these new adventures.

Don’t forget to follow me on  Wattpad, Instagram and Youtube  for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Your support on these platforms helps keep the creativity flowing.

With love and gratitude,

Shalaka

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