Chapter 15

Sam’s sobs echoed through the room, each tear a manifestation of her deep anguish. Her heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces as she pleaded, “Veerji… plzz chhod dijiye usse… warna…” Her voice trembled, carrying the weight of her desperation.

Dadi maa, unable to hide her frustration, screamed, her voice laced with fear. The situation was spiraling out of control, and she felt utterly helpless. She wanted to run, to call the police, but the thought of leaving Shehnaaz alone, even for a second, terrified her. “Abhi ke abhi darwana kholo Balraj… mein akhari chetavani de rahi hun!” Her warning was firm, but there was a crack in her voice, a sign of the fear that gripped her heart.

But Balraj wasn’t listening. He seemed deaf to their cries, his focus entirely on Shehnaaz. Outside, Mohinder pounded against the heavy door, his fists aching as he tried to force it open, his desperation matching Sam’s. But the door wouldn’t budge, trapping them in this nightmarish scenario.

Shehnaaz’s hands trembled uncontrollably, the knife shaking in her grip. Every muscle in her body was tense, her mind swirling in a storm of fear and confusion.

Balraj’s voice cut through the tension, mocking her, “Tumhare toh haath kaap rahe hain… tum mujhe kaise rokhogi? Meri baat mano… fek do usse… aur mujhe apna lo…” His tone was taunting, almost playful, as if this was all a game to him.

Shehnaaz felt a surge of pain at his words, tears streaming down her face as she cried out, “Veerji… mere paas mat aana… warna mein…” Her voice broke, the fear evident in every word.

Balraj’s anger flared, and he shouted back, “Warna… warna kya?”

In a moment of sheer desperation, Shehnaaz brought the knife to her wrist, her voice trembling with both fear and resolve, “Warna mein khud ko chot pahucha dungi…” The room fell silent, the air thick with tension as everyone stared at her in shock and horror.

Except for Balraj. He laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the room. He didn’t believe her—he was certain she wouldn’t go through with it. To him, this was just another bluff. “Achha… chalo… ye bhi try karte hain… maro… maro khud ko…”

Shehnaaz’s heart pounded in her chest as she looked at Balraj, her fear deepening. The knife in her hand felt heavier than ever, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She could see the disbelief in his eyes, the coldness in his laugh, and it terrified her even more. She was trapped in a moment where every decision could change her life forever, and she felt utterly powerless, caught in the web of fear and despair.

As Balraj advanced toward her, Shehnaaz felt a strange surge of determination rise within her. It was a resolve she didn’t know she had, born out of pure fear and desperation. She knew she had to make a decision, and she had to make it quickly.

She tried to block out the cries and shouts from outside, as well as Balraj’s mocking voice. Her entire focus was on the knife she held tightly in her hand. Could she really take such a drastic step?

Yes…

Yes, she could…

waise bhi Sidharth.. usse apna pyar mil chuka hai..meri kisi ko kya jarurat hai….

mujhe apne maa-papaji ke paas chale jana chahiye..

Sidharth had already found his own path, and Shehnaaz felt like she no longer had a place in this world. A deep sense of resignation settled over her. Maybe it was time to leave, to find some form of peace away from this turmoil.

With a heavy heart and without hesitation, Shehnaaz made a decisive move with the knife. As she did so, her strength seemed to drain away rapidly, and she collapsed to the floor. The room erupted in gasps and cries of shock..

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The doctors worked diligently on Shehnaaz, who lay still and lifeless on the table. Their movements were methodical and urgent, but the tension in the room was palpable. Outside, Sam, Dadi maa, Malini, and Mohinder waited anxiously, their faces etched with grief.

Dadi maa’s heart was heavy with guilt, her voice breaking as she lamented, “Mujhe Shehnaaz ko akela chhodna hi nahi chahiye tha… meri bachhi…” Her sorrow was a raw, aching pain, filled with regret and a profound sense of loss.

Malini bowed her head, her face flushed with shame. “Hume maaf kar dijiye, Dadi maa… jo kuch bhi hua…” She spoke softly, her voice trembling as she tried to find words that might offer some solace.

Dadi maa’s anger flared, her eyes blazing with frustration. “Haan, isme tumhari bhi utni hi galti hai, jitni tumhare bete ki… Tumhe hamesha se Shehnaaz ki taraf uska ravayya dekha tha. Tumhe Balraj par nazar rakhni chahiye thi…” Her words were sharp, pointing out the failure to protect Shehnaaz from harm.

Fear clung to Sam’s voice as she spoke, “Jo veerji ne Shehnaaz ke saath kiya… agar mere sath bhi…” The possibility of what might have happened to her sent a shiver down her spine.

Mohinder’s voice cut through the air, harsh and commanding, “Shut up, Sam… and keep quiet…” His frustration was evident, but his tone was meant to bring some measure of control to the chaotic emotions surrounding them.

Dadi maa glared at Mohinder, her eyes fierce and unyielding. “Usse chup karne se Balraj ne jo kiya, wo badal nahi jayega. Usse saza mil ke rahegi…” Her determination was clear; she was resolute in her belief that justice had to be served.

Malini, desperate and pleading, tried to interject, “Plzz, Maaji… Main maanti hoon ki Balraj ne bahut badi galti ki hai. Main usse samjhaungi, usse saza dungi. Plzz, Maaji… usse ek mauka dijiye…” Her voice was filled with a mixture of regret and hope, trying to persuade Dadi maa for a chance to make things right.

Dadi maa’s face contorted with disgust and frustration. “Ek mauka… Agar yahi harkat koi Sameera ke sath karta, to kya tum usse ek mauka deti?” Her words were filled with an intense sense of injustice and anger, questioning whether Malini would have been so lenient if someone had harmed Sameera.

Malini bowed her head, unable to meet Dadi maa’s gaze, the weight of her shame evident in her posture.

Just then, the doctors emerged from the room, their expressions serious yet slightly relieved.

Dadi maa’s voice trembled with anxiety as she asked, “Ab meri bachhi kaisi hai?”

The doctor took a deep breath, trying to offer reassurance amidst the tension. “Dekhiye, Ab wo khatre se bahar hai. Kafi blood loss hua hai, but she is fine now. Humne stitches kar diye hain. But, that’s not the point of concern at the moment…”

Mohinder, with worry etched in his face, interrupted, “kya baat hai doctor?”

The doctor continued, “Kya unhe pehle mansik tanav ki bimari ya koi problem thi?”

Mohinder’s voice was somber as he explained, “Dar asal, jab Shehnaaz 5 saal ki thi, tab uske maa-papaji ka car accident me dehant ho gaya tha. Tab se wo emotionally kafi weak hai, jaldi stressed ho jati hai…”

The doctor sighed, his concern evident. “is hadse ka uske mind par bahot negative impact ho sakta hai.. aise patients me kafi abnormal behaviours dekhe jate hai.. lack of patience, lack of trust, lack of emotions, unable to socialize, short-temepered nature. aur bhi issues ho jate hain. Ab uska brain kaise react karta hai, isi par sab decide hoga…”

The news left Dadi maa in shock. Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, her voice breaking, “Wo thik to ho jayegi na?”

The doctor sighed deeply and said, “Dekhiye, we will try our best. Par mere khayal se, aapko usse kisi achhe psychiatrist ke paas le jana chahiye.”

Sam’s face paled with fear as she asked, “To kya Shehnaaz pagal ho jayegi?”

The doctor quickly reassured her, “No, absolutely not. please don’t get me wrong here.. All I am saying is her nature may chnage drastically. Jab wo hosh me aayegi, tab hi hum kuch andaza laga sakenge.” With these words, the doctor left the family in a state of shock and worry.

#Back to Present

Sidharth slowly started to regain his senses, his mind clouded by a storm of anger and hatred. As he came to, his eyes were ignited with a fierce, burning rage.

Usne meri sana ke sath…

His thoughts raced, the depth of his fury evident. How dare he… that disgusting piece of… The words tumbled in his mind, too raw and powerful to be spoken aloud. Uske himmat kaise hui meri Shehnaaz ko chhune ki…

He clenched his fists, his body trembling with rage and frustration. Aur main…? What the hell was I doing…? The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Kya kya nahi saha hoga usne… aur main uske paas nahi tha… usse bachane ke liye…

Amidst the tears and pain, Shehnaaz managed a sad, fragile smile as she spoke softly, “Sidharth… tumhe yaad hai, tum mujhe London jane se mana kar rahe the… tab maine tumse kaha tha ke Balraj veerji bhi vapas aa rahe hain… aur mujhe unse bahut dar lagta hai…”

Sidharth closed his eyes tightly, a wave of pain crashing over him as he recalled her words. The guilt and self-blame burned within him. He had always seen Shehnaaz as his little princess, delicate and innocent, someone he needed to protect. The thought of her being left alone with a monster filled him with overwhelming anguish. How could he have left her vulnerable to that danger? What was he thinking?

Shehnaaz continued, her voice tinged with both sadness and accusation, “Tumne mujhe gusse mein kaha tha, ke agar uss Balraj ne mujhe pareshan karne ke bare mein socha bhi, to tum uski jaan le loge…” Her words hung heavy in the air, a painful reminder of promises unkept.

A tear rolled down Sidharth’s cheek as he absorbed her words. He felt the weight of his failure crashing down on him. He had promised to protect her, and yet he had failed her when she needed him most. The depth of his guilt was almost unbearable. Will his apology matter now? Can it undo the damage? The pain she endured, her desperate attempt to escape, all while he was far away, living his life…

The mere thought of what might have happened if she hadn’t managed to protect herself from Balraj’s vile actions gripped his heart with a vise-like intensity. What if something worse had happened to her during that horrifying moment? The questions tormented him, each one a painful reminder of his shortcomings. What right did he have to call himself her protector and to ask anything of her, when he had so utterly failed her? The shame he felt was overwhelming.

In a voice filled with deep disappointment, Shehnaaz whispered, “Par… jab mujhe tumhari zarurat thi… tum nahi the, Sidharth. Maine tumhe kitna pukara… Sidharth… bachao mujhe Sidharth, please bacha lo mujhe… Sidharth, Sidharth, Sidharth…” Her voice grew softer with each repetition, sounding like a lost child pleading for someone to save her.

The anguish in her voice shattered Sidharth’s remaining composure. He buried his face in his palms and was overtaken by a loud, uncontrollable cry. His body shook with the intensity of his emotions, his frustration evident in every tremor. His face was flushed red, and his veins seemed to pulse visibly beneath his skin. The tears he shed were a mix of breaking his promise and the profound regret for not being there for her when she needed him the most.

He had nothing left to say. His heart was heavy with sorrow and remorse, a silent testimony to the enormity of his failure and the depth of his love for Shehnaaz.

Everything around Sidharth felt utterly lifeless and devoid of meaning. His relentless pursuit of dreams had left him blind to the suffering of Shehnaaz, who had been lost somewhere along the way. His speed and ambition had come at the cost of her well-being.

In his anguish, he screamed and cried, his voice echoing in the void. But his desperate cries failed to penetrate the walls of her pain, reaching her in only the most fleeting way. Dadi maa, overwhelmed by the sorrow of the situation, broke down and walked away, unable to bear the agony of seeing her grandchildren suffer.

Sidharth felt as though he was a man long gone, his spirit shattered. He was paralyzed by the horrifying realization he had just learned, unable to reconcile with the fact that someone had tried to harm his Shehnaaz. The thought of anyone attempting to touch her, his precious doll whom he had always seen as an angel, was unbearable.

He grappled with his own ignorance, the fact that someone had tried to hurt her two years ago without his knowledge adding to his crushing guilt. How could he have been so oblivious, so detached from her pain?

He felt unworthy of the title of friend. He was sure that he did not deserve her forgiveness, not after failing her so profoundly. The realization of his failure and the pain it caused were too much to bear.

#Flashback

Shehnaaz, her voice trembling with fear, pleaded, “Tu yahan se MBA kar lena… please…”

Sidharth, closing his eyes in frustration and concern, replied, “Shehnaaz, please…”

Her eyes were filled with worry as she continued, “Agar kuchh ho gaya toh…?”

Sidharth, trying to comfort her, pulled her into a tender hug, his arms wrapping around her like a protective shield. “Kya hoga…?” he asked softly, trying to ease her fears.

Shehnaaz, her voice still filled with anxiety, said, “Agar mujhe teri zarurat huyi toh… main tere bina nahi reh sakti…”

Sidharth, trying to reassure her, responded, “Mujhe pata hai, baba… Main jaldi vapas aaunga. Aur agar tujhe meri zarurat hogi, toh mujhe bas ek call kar dena. Main dauda chala aunga…”

#Back to Present

Shehnaaz wiped her tears away, her voice breaking as she said, “Tum nahi aaye, Sidharth… Tum nahi aaye.” With each word, another wave of tears formed in her eyes, her pain palpable.

Sidharth, consumed by frustration and anger, stood up abruptly and slammed his hand against the nearby door. The impact hurt him, but he barely noticed the physical pain compared to the emotional turmoil he was experiencing. Shehnaaz, however, remained unmoved, her expression blank and distant.

It was as though the Shehnaaz who once cared deeply for him had vanished, leaving behind someone who seemed devoid of emotion, like a hollow shell. The Shehnaaz who had been his confidante and friend had seemed to disappear two years ago.

Sidharth banged his hand against the door once more, a groan of pain escaping his lips. “Tune mujhe bataya kyu nahi…?” he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration and hurt.

Shehnaaz shook her head, a cold, sad smile touching her lips. “Kyunki jab mujhe tumhari zarurat thi, tab tum nahi the… aur ab tumhe kuchh batana meri zaruraton ka hissa nahi hai…”

Sidharth looked at her, his heart breaking as he took in her words. He knew, deep down, that he deserved this—every ounce of her pain and anger.

Balraj’s loathsome face flashed vividly before Sidharth’s eyes, igniting a fury within him that burned hotter and more intense than anything he had ever felt before. The rage surged through him uncontrollably, overwhelming every other emotion.

Sidharth’s voice erupted in a fierce roar, filled with raw, seething anger. “Main usse jaan se maar dunga… abhi aur isi waqt…” he declared, his words a promise of vengeance.

With that, he stormed out, his mind consumed by thoughts of retribution.

Shehnaaz, however, remained unmoved by his departure. Her gaze was distant and cold, and she shook her head with a touch of bitter sarcasm.

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Sidharth’s eyes burned with intense pain and anger as he stormed towards Gill Haveli, his steps heavy with determination.

Malini, seeing him approach, stared in shock. His intense demeanor made it clear that he was fully aware of what had happened.

Without acknowledging Malini, Sidharth pushed past her, focused solely on reaching Balraj’s room. Inside, Balraj was resting on his bed, unaware of the approaching storm.

When Balraj saw Sidharth enter, panic flashed across his face. He tried to flee, but Sidharth was quicker. He seized Balraj by the hair and forcefully pulled him, before slapping him hard on the face, causing Balraj to wince in pain.

“teri etni himmat..” Sidharth said, his voice laced with anger. He gripped Balraj firmly, his frustration evident. 

Balraj, feeling the pain where he was hit, pleaded, “Please, Sidharth, jane de mujhe…”

Sidharth, extremely furious, delivered a series of slaps to Balraj’s cheek, making him fall to the floor. He then lifted Balraj and, with intense focus, struck him, causing Balraj to stagger. “teri himmat kaise hui meri shehnaaz ki taraf ankh uthakar dekhne ke.. me tuze jane du ?” Sidharth demanded, his voice reflecting his deep hurt and anger.

Sidharth’s rage was overwhelming as he confronted Balraj. His anger had reached a boiling point, and he was determined to make Balraj understand the gravity of his actions.

Sidharth forcefully struck Balraj, who staggered backward and cried in pain. “dar nahi laga tuze.. us masoom si ladki ko tod diya tune..” Sidharth demanded, his voice trembling with intense emotion.

Malini rushed in, her face pale with fear. She tried to intervene but was frozen by Sidharth’s intense glare. Mohinder stood at the door, deeply distressed.

Balraj, gasping, tried to speak but was met with another firm struck from Sidharth. “tuze saza milkar rahegi..” Sidharth said, tears streaming down his face. “How dare you?”

Sidharth, struggling to contain his anger, gripped Balraj firmly. “You will face consequences for this,” he declared, his voice filled with anguish.

Seeing Balraj on the floor, Sidharth’s frustration did not subside. He continued to show his distress, to express his emotional turmoil. He eventually stopped, breathless and emotionally drained.

Malini, frightened, tried to hold Sidharth back, but his intense gaze made her step back.

Sidharth, still overwhelmed by his emotions, dragged Balraj toward the door. He banged Balraj’s hand against the door repeatedly that tried to do wrong things, his actions reflecting his deep turmoil and heartbreak.

Balraj was bleeding profusely. Sidharth’s anger remained intense, a raging force inside him. He wanted to make Balraj suffer further, to ensure he paid for his actions.

In his fury, Sidharth grabbed a knife from the fruit basket, searching for a way to exact more punishment. Malini, desperate and fearful, cried out, “Sidharth, nahi please..”

As Sidharth prepared to use the knife, a strong hand grasped his shoulder from behind. He turned angrily to see it was one of Shehnaaz’s bodyguards.

Shehnaaz stood by the door, her face emotionless. Mohinder had stepped back, clearly unsettled by the scene.

The bodyguard carefully took the knife from Sidharth’s hand.

“bas ho gaya..” Shehnaaz said quietly before turning and leaving the room, with Sidharth following behind.

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Author’s Note