Chapter 22

Simran’s face lit up with gratitude as she exclaimed, “Ohh, Shehnaaz… that’s so sweet of you.”

Sidharth offered a weak smile in response, but his thoughts were elsewhere, still caught on the name Sameer. The mention had stirred something deep within him, a mix of old memories and emotions he wasn’t ready to confront.

Sam, noticing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. She giggled, “Hmm… matlab aaj sirf dadi aur main… koi gal nahi… dadi aur main milke bahot maza karenge, kyun dadi maa?” She gave a playful nudge to Dadi Maa, who immediately smiled, her eyes twinkling with interest.

Shehnaaz couldn’t help but laugh softly at Dadi Maa’s excitement. She teased, “Di, no way haan… aapko Dadi Maa ka khayal rakhna hai… ok?” There was a gentle authority in her voice, one that came from caring deeply for both of them.

Sam rolled her eyes in mock frustration and responded, “Haan baba…”

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As evening turned to night and the darkness slowly enveloped the surroundings, Shehnaaz announced that she had a meeting to attend. She felt a slight tug in her heart as she walked out, glancing back one last time at the warmth of the room. Sidharth stayed behind, waiting for Simran to get ready for their dinner date. He watched Shehnaaz leave, feeling a strange emptiness he couldn’t quite place.

Shehnaaz stepped out into the night, feeling the cool breeze brush against her skin. She knew there was still time before her meeting, so she decided to head to Bandstand. She hadn’t been there in almost a week, and she found herself longing for the solitude it offered.

The familiar path felt strangely comforting as she made her way to the deserted stone at the edge of the rocky shore. She stood there, alone, looking out at the dark ocean stretching endlessly before her. She loved this feeling—the sense of being completely alone, yet feeling like she belonged somewhere.

She perched herself on the large stone, feeling the cold surface beneath her. The waves crashed against the rocks, sending a spray of cool droplets onto her skin. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation, letting the salty mist settle on her face. This place, with its roaring waves and the vast emptiness around, had a way of filling the void in her heart.

Shehnaaz breathed in deeply, feeling the salty air fill her lungs. How did this place, with its raw, untamed energy, manage to comfort her in ways she couldn’t understand? She wondered, not for the first time, what it was about this godforsaken stretch of rocks and water that made her feel at home. Maybe it was the loneliness it offered—a reflection of the emptiness she often felt inside.

She stared out at the horizon, feeling the weight of her emotions settle in her chest. Her thoughts wandered to Sidharth. The way he looked at her sometimes, as if he wanted to say something but held back. The way he smiled but never fully, as if some hidden pain was always lurking beneath. She wished she could understand what he was thinking, wished she could reach out and touch the part of him that seemed so far away.

Shehnaaz tried her best to push the thought away, but she couldn’t ignore the reality that Sidharth and Simran were together at this moment, sharing private moments meant only for the two of them. She let out a soft, bitter laugh at herself, even as a tear slipped down her cheek. This was what she had wanted, what she had planned all along. She had no other choice. She needed Sidharth to shift his focus away from her life and onto his own, to concentrate on building his relationship with Simran. She had made up her mind—she was no longer his responsibility, and she needed him to see that too.

Yet, the ache in her heart was undeniable. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself it was for the best, the pain of letting go was still there, a constant, dull ache that wouldn’t fade. She couldn’t help but feel a sting of jealousy, knowing that Simran would be in his arms tonight, feeling his warmth, listening to his voice, and sharing moments that Shehnaaz had imagined for herself, once upon a time.

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Meanwhile, in the dimly lit restaurant, Simran had been asking Sidharth to dance for a while, her voice playful and persistent. After much insistence, he finally agreed, though his heart wasn’t quite in it. The music was soft and romantic, setting a perfect atmosphere, and Simran’s eyes sparkled with happiness as she took his hand. Sidharth twirled her around gently, bringing her back into his arms as the melody wrapped around them. Everything about this moment was perfect; Shehnaaz had planned it meticulously, every detail falling into place seamlessly.

Simran smiled and rested her head against Sidharth’s chest. But as Simran closed her eyes, savoring the moment, Sidharth felt strangely disconnected.

His mind wasn’t here, not really. It was somewhere far away, lost in thoughts of Shehnaaz. He wondered what she was doing at this very moment. Had she met Sameer? Did Sameer make her laugh with one of his jokes? Did he hug her? The image of Shehnaaz smiling and laughing, her face lit up with joy, played in his mind, and it made his heart twist painfully in his chest.

He couldn’t understand why she had arranged this whole evening when he felt she needed him the most. Why was she pushing him away? Why didn’t she need him anymore? The questions tormented him, filling him with a strange, hollow feeling. He glanced at Simran, who seemed so content in his arms, but he couldn’t shake off the emptiness that had settled deep within him.

Sidharth felt a wave of frustration wash over him. Why couldn’t he enjoy this simple, sweet dinner? Why did everything feel so wrong, so forced? The more he tried to focus on Simran, the more his mind kept drifting back to Shehnaaz, to the look in her eyes when she had told him about the dinner, the way her voice had trembled ever so slightly, as if she was hiding a deeper pain.

As the music continued to play, he held Simran close, but his thoughts remained miles away, locked in a battle he didn’t know how to fight. He was here, with Simran, but his heart was somewhere else, stuck in a place where Shehnaaz’s presence still lingered, filling his senses and clouding his mind. And he couldn’t figure out why.

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Shehnaaz let out a small, bittersweet smile as a few more tears slipped from her eyes. She could feel them trailing down her cheeks, warm against the coolness of the night air. Slowly, she raised her fingers to her face, touching her wet skin, and let the tears willingly roll onto her fingertips. For a moment, she just sat there, staring at the glistening droplets on her hand, each one a reflection of the sadness she felt deep within.

Her gaze shifted from her tears to the endless stretch of water before her, the ocean looking even more enchanting under the soft glow of the moonlight. The waves moved gently, almost as if they were whispering secrets to her, pulling her into their depths. Shehnaaz smiled faintly, feeling a strange comfort in the rhythmic sound of the water. With a quiet sigh, she lowered her hand, letting the tear drops fall into the sea below. She watched as the water instantly absorbed them, swallowing them up and erasing their existence as if they had never been there at all. Just like that, her tears disappeared, lost forever in the vastness of the ocean.

For a moment, Shehnaaz felt as if her pain was like those tears—small, fleeting drops in a much larger, uncontrollable sea. She closed her eyes, feeling a mixture of peace and sadness. She had made her choice, and now she had to live with it.

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Simran looked up at Sidharth with a gentle smile. “After so long, we are spending time together,” she said, her voice soft and hopeful. Sidharth twirled her around once more, trying to match her light-heartedness, but his heart wasn’t in it. As Simran came back to him, she rested her head on his chest, enjoying the closeness they shared.

“Hmmmm…” Sidharth mumbled, attempting to smile back, but it felt forced. His thoughts were still far away, lost in the echo of Shehnaaz’s laughter and the way she had looked at him earlier.

Simran let out a small sigh, sensing his distraction. “You didn’t miss me,” she whispered, a hint of hurt in her voice.

Sidharth hesitated, struggling to find the right words. “Aisi baat nahi hai… bas thoda uljha hai man kuch baaton mein…” he replied softly, trying to be honest without hurting her feelings. His heart was tangled in so many conflicting emotions, and he didn’t know how to make sense of them.

Simran shook her head, a sad smile spreading across her face, confusing Sidharth further. She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “Why are you not angry that I ignored you so much these days?” she asked quietly, her tone almost vulnerable.

Sidharth frowned slightly, unsure of what she meant. “I… I don’t know,” he replied, feeling a strange uncertainty. He had been so consumed by his thoughts of Shehnaaz that he hadn’t even noticed.

Simran’s smile softened, a little sad and understanding. “I was upset initially because I missed you, but you didn’t…” she admitted, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. She paused, gathering her thoughts, and continued, “And after coming here, and what I came to know about Shehnaaz….” Her voice trailed off, her words catching in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to finish, knowing how much Sidharth seemed to care for Shehnaaz, and it made her heart ache.

But the mention of Shehnaaz’s name brought a fresh wave of pain crashing into Sidharth’s heart. His jaw tightened, and his eyes grew dark and bloodshot with anger. “Shehnaaz ke har dard ka hisaab mein lunga us Balraj se…” he mumbled more to himself than to Simran, his voice low and full of determination. The anger simmered inside him, his fists clenching unconsciously as he continued, “Is topic ko maine isliye nahi chheda kyunki sana abhi puri tarah se ubhar nahi paayi hai… Wo kahin na kahin wapas aa rahi hai… meri purani sana… Jaanta hoon main usse…” A faint, almost nostalgic smile crept onto his lips as he spoke. “Ek baar Shehnaaz thik ho jaaye fir dekhna tum… us parivaar ka kya haal karta hoon main…”

Simran watched him carefully, hearing the depth of his feelings and the intensity in his voice. She could sense that there was more to what he was saying, something deeper that even he didn’t fully understand. Gently, she ventured, “Sidharth, you are just worried about her loss, but have you tried to read her inside? I don’t know, but I feel like there is more…”

Sidharth was taken aback by her words, a little shocked. He turned to look at her, searching her face for meaning. “What do you mean…?” he asked, his voice edged with confusion.

Simran sighed softly, trying to put her thoughts into words. She spoke slowly, carefully. “Even I am not sure,” she admitted, “but I feel bringing your old Shehnaaz back will not be easy, Sidharth… I have seen her eyes… it’s like they’re hiding something broken, like she has accepted defeat over something… as if there’s something inside her that will never let her come back to herself…”

Sidharth fell silent, her words echoing in his mind, leaving him speechless. His heart tightened, and his thoughts swirled with a mixture of fear and concern. Is there something more? he wondered, a shiver running down his spine. Shehnaaz herself hasn’t shared a single part of her past… is there something more that I am supposed to know? Even I can feel that defeat in her eyes… like nothing is left for her…

He felt a pang of frustration, his mind racing. But why has she become like this? he questioned himself. *She knows me and Dadi would never let anything happen to her… then why does she keep saying she had to learn to live all by herself? What is going on in her mind?* He closed his eyes briefly, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside him. Why has it become so difficult to each out to you sana?

Simran noticed him lost in his thought and mumbled, “I hope… things will go accordingly..”Sidharth sighed as he understood the depth of her words and he knew… theory is easy but things will not be this easy practically and both drifted to have their dinner.

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Shehnaaz smiled watching her tear drops dissolve themselves in the water…. she smiled halfhearted as the moment remind her something… something beautiful…

#Flashback

Shehnaaz was crying her eyes out while Sidharth rolled his eyes, impatiently waiting for her to stop. But as time went on, it became clear that she had no intention of calming down anytime soon. With a resigned sigh, he pulled her into his embrace, patting her back warmly. She clung onto him, her sobs muffled against his chest, as her tears soaked his shirt. Nearby, Dadi maa watched them with a knowing smile. She shook her head, amused, and quietly left the room, already anticipating the inevitable fight that was sure to follow.

The whole mess had started earlier when Shehnaaz insisted they go watch a movie together. Halfway through, she had sent Sidharth to get popcorn. While he was gone, a teenage boy made a snide comment, teasing Shehnaaz about her salwar kurta. Confused, Shehnaaz had looked down at her traditional attire and asked him why he was making fun of her clothes, to which the boy had sneered and called her “behenji.” The insult stung, and Shehnaaz’s eyes filled with tears just as Sidharth returned and overheard everything.

No one needed to guess what happened next. World War III broke out in the cinema hall between Sidharth and the boy. Sidharth, always fiercely protective of Shehnaaz, couldn’t bear to see her upset. Despite the boy being just 16 and noticeably stronger than Sidharth, he couldn’t help but fight back. In the end, Sidharth managed to emerge victorious, but not without sustaining a severe injury to his right ankle, landing him in the hospital.

“Ab kitna royegi? Chup ho ja na,” Sidharth complained, still holding her close, trying to comfort her.

Shehnaaz cried even harder, murmuring words so fast and jumbled that Sidharth couldn’t understand a single one. “Meri wajah se kitni chot lag gayi…” she wailed, her teary face full of guilt.

Sidharth glared at her, his voice firm, “Teri wajah se nahi, samajhi tu… Aur koi tujhse battamizi karega toh main aisa hi karunga…”

Shehnaaz pouted and lightly slapped his chest, her voice small and worried, “Tu kyun nahi samajhta… Tujhe chot lagti hai na, toh mujhe bahut rona aata hai… sachhi…”

Sidharth couldn’t help but smile at her earnestness and teased, “Jhoot bolne mein toh ek number hai tu…”

Shehnaaz’s face turned serious, and she mumbled, “Sachhi, Sidharth… Wahe Guru ji ki sau… par aisa kyun hota hai? Chot toh tujhe lagti hai… toh mujhe itna rona kyun aata hai jaise ke mujhe hi dard ho raha…”

Sidharth smirked, leaning in playfully, “Simple… jadoo se…”

Shehnaaz gasped, her eyes widening in shock, “Kyaa jadoo… tune jadoo ki hai isliye mujhe rona aa raha hai…?” She immediately started slapping his chest again, accusing him of using magic to make her cry.

Sidharth laughed, catching her hands and pulling her back into his arms. “Tu bhi na… mazak bhi nahi samajhti… arre… tujhe rona isliye aata hai kyunki… umm…” He paused, thinking of the right answer.

Shehnaaz looked at him impatiently, “Kyunki…?”

Sidharth smiled, tugging her cheek gently as he replied, “Ek baar ek thread ne candle se puchha… why do you dissolve yourself when I burn? To which the candle replied… you are in my heart… if you suffer, I am bound to shed tears for you… Ab samajhi?”

Shehnaaz shook her head, still looking confused, her expression innocent like a child.

Sidharth sighed, amused, “I am your best friend… that means I have a special place in your heart. So, when I suffer from injury… you feel pain in your heart, and that’s why you cry.”

Shehnaaz’s face brightened, understanding at last, but then she asked, “Eska matlab… agar mujhe chot lagegi toh tu bhi royega?”

Sidharth tried to suppress his laughter and replied with mock seriousness, “Me kyu rovu? Rona-dhona toh ladkiyon ka kaam hota hai…”

Her eyes flared up with annoyance, and she climbed onto the hospital bed, standing on her knees with her hands on her hips, “Oye… agar mujhe chot lagegi toh tumhe bhi rona padega… Samjhe tum… ye mera order hai, aur tumhe manana padega… warna aaj se tumhara mera best friend nahi…”

That was all Sidharth needed to hear. He pulled her down, exasperated, “Tera best friend main hoon… Samjhi tu… Aur tujhe chot lagegi toh sirf main hi rovunga… koi aur nahi…”

Shehnaaz grinned excitedly and threw herself at him in a playful hug, forgetting his injury until a painful wince escaped his lips. She immediately pulled back, her face turning into an apologetic pout as she found him glaring at her, a mix of frustration and affection in his eyes, ready to scold her again.

#Back to Present

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“I am bound to shed tears for you…” uttered Shehnaaz, her voice barely a whisper as her own words echoed in her mind, pulling her abruptly back to reality.

She blinked, the warmth of the memory fading, replaced by the chill of the present. She mentally scolded herself, annoyed at how she had let herself slip into the past again. Shaking her head to clear the fog of nostalgia, she quickly stood up and turned only to find him standing in front of her.

“Aap?” Shehnaaz asked, her voice filled with surprise as she turned to see Sameer standing right behind her. “Mr. Sameer, aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?”

Sameer smiled, his expression relaxed as he took a step closer and stood beside her, gazing at the beautiful sea shimmering under the moonlight. “Pata nahi kyu, par mujhe aisa lagta hai ke hum dono ki manzil ek hi hai,” he replied, his tone teasing but with a hint of something deeper.

Shehnaaz frowned, confusion crossing her features. “Aap kehna kya chahte hain… aur meeting ka waqt ho raha hai. What are you doing here?” she pressed, clearly not in the mood for riddles.

Sameer looked at her, his gaze steady. “Mera matlab hai ke tumhe ye jagah jitni achhi lagti hai… mujhe bhi utni hi achhi lagti hai. Ek apnapan sa lagta hai is jagah se,” he explained, his words sincere.

An involuntary smile tugged at Shehnaaz’s lips as she looked back at the waves, her expression softening for a moment. “I have to agree with you,” she admitted quietly.

Sameer grinned, pleased. “Chalo, kam se kam kisi baat par to humari soch milti hai,” he remarked with a light chuckle.

But Shehnaaz quickly returned to the point, her expression turning serious again. “Par meeting ke waqt aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?” she asked, her impatience evident.

Sameer chuckled at her directness. “Wohi jo tum kar rahi ho,” he answered, his tone playful.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened in annoyance, her brows furrowing. “Excuse me?” she snapped, feeling her temper rise at his casual response.

Sameer rolled his eyes with a playful grin, “Tumhe itna gussa kyun aata hai? Mazak kar raha hoon main… Meeting ke liye abhi time hai, toh socha thoda time yahan spend karu… par tabhi tum dikhayi di,” he explained, trying to lighten the mood.

Shehnaaz huffed, slightly exasperated but calmer now. “Ohh, okay… We should get going, otherwise we’ll be late for the meeting,” she said, turning to leave.

Just as she was about to walk away, Sameer gently grasped her wrist. Startled, Shehnaaz turned back to face him, only to find Sameer still gazing at the beautiful sea stretching out in front of them, lost in thought.

“Sameer… mera haath,” she murmured, her voice low but firm.

Sameer finally turned to face her, and the intensity in his eyes made Shehnaaz stop, sensing that he was about to say something important.

He took a deep breath before speaking, his tone serious. “Kya hum dost nahi ban sakte…?” There was a note of desperation in his voice, a vulnerability that Shehnaaz couldn’t ignore.

Shehnaaz sighed softly, feeling a mix of empathy and caution. “Dost aur dosti itni aasani se nahi milti, Sameer,” she replied, her voice steady but gentle.

“There’s always a start,” Sameer persisted, his expression hopeful, as if seeking something beyond just casual companionship.

Shehnaaz hesitated, then slowly walked back to stand directly in front of him, meeting his gaze. “Mujhe rishton se thodi si allergy si hai… aur ek buri aadat bhi,” she confessed. “Jab main kisi se rishta jod leti hoon… toh shayad apni tameez bhi bhool jaati hoon.”

Got it! Here’s the revised version with Hindi dialogues left intact:

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Sameer’s lighthearted giggles made Shehnaaz’s lips twitch in a reluctant smile. He chuckled, “Hmmm, matlab… agar hum dono dost ban jayenge, toh mujhe roz tumhari galiyan khani padengi?”

“Exactly,” Shehnaaz smirked back, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Sameer widened his eyes in mock horror, “Ye toh bahot tension wali baat hai.”

Shehnaaz shook her head with a sincere tone. “Sameer, tum ek bahut achhe dost hoge, I’m sure. Par meri zindagi me filhal dosti ke liye bhi jagah nahi hai. Mujhe akele rehna achha lagta hai, aur me apni zindagi me tumhari dosti ko shamil karke tumhari ulzane nahi badhana chahti.”

Sameer’s face fell slightly, and he asked, “Am I that undeserving?”

Shehnaaz shook her head quickly. “Sometimes, reasons are way too different and unbearable to be mentioned.”

Sameer pressed on, “Me tumhari zindagi koi special jagah nahi mang raha hun Shehnaaz. Jab mene tumhe dekha, pata nahi mujhe aisa laga ke mujhe is insaan se dosti kar leni chahiye. Tumhara zindagi jeene ka tarika, tumhara confidence, tumhara chhizo ki taraf different point of view… it motivates me. Ho sakta hai me bhi kuchh sikh pau. Kya tum mujhe apna dost banne ka ek mauka tak nahi dogi?”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, but there was a glimmer of warmth in them. “You never give up, do you?”

Sameer’s response was a cheeky grin and a nod, clearly proud of his persistence.

Shehnaaz sighed, her defenses lowering. “Fine,” she said, extending her hand. “Friends…?”

Sameer’s face lit up with joy as he shook her hand vigorously. “Friends!” he declared, as if he had just won a grand prize.

Shehnaaz’s smile broadened, her earlier reservations easing. “Ab meeting ke liye chale?” she asked, her tone teasing.

Sameer made a show of groaning dramatically, “Do we have to? Meetings are so boring.”

Shehnaaz shot him a stern look, and he immediately straightened up, nodding eagerly. “Alright, alright, let’s go!” he agreed, grinning.

They walked together, the air between them lighter, filled with the promise of new beginnings and shared moments.

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As the car entered through the gate, Shehnaaz’s eyes immediately fell upon Sidharth, who was sitting on a wooden swing in the garden. She was surprised to see him there and wondered what he was doing at this hour. She instructed the driver to park the car and walked towards the garden.

Sidharth sat lost in his thoughts. Shehnaaz was still not back, and it was quite late. He guessed that the meeting must have been extended. After his conversation with Simran, he couldn’t shake off his restlessness. There was a growing unease inside him, a desire to know everything that had transpired in his absence. He wasn’t sure if now was the right time to address it, or if Shehnaaz would even be willing to share with him. Yet, he sensed that Shehnaaz was beginning to mellow, her anger slowly dissipating.

On top of that, he was aware of Sameer’s interest in Shehnaaz. The memory of Sameer’s gaze during the dance, full of emotion, was still fresh in his mind. He knew Shehnaaz was naïve and might not recognize Sameer’s intentions, but he, being more mature, understood exactly what Sameer was after. The mere thought of it fueled Sidharth’s anger. He was so absorbed in these thoughts that he didn’t notice Shehnaaz approaching him until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder, causing him to jerk in shock.

Shehnaaz had placed her hand on his shoulder. Startled, Sidharth quickly removed her hand and stood up abruptly. Shehnaaz looked at him, confused and uncertain about what was happening.

“Tum is waqt yaha kya kar rahe ho?” Shehnaaz asked, trying to bring Sidharth back to his senses.

Sidharth closed his eyes, realizing he had been sitting there for over two hours, lost in thought. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and smiled at Shehnaaz, “Tera hi wait kar raha tha… Meeting mein itni der ho gayi?”

Shehnaaz sighed, “Haan, wo Sameer…”

The mention of Sameer instantly angered Sidharth. His irritation was palpable as he cut her off, “Sameer..? Wo tujhe pareshan kar raha hai kya..? Main usse baat karu?”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes and both of them sat on the swing. “Sidharth, tum bhi na… Har waqt gussa. Usne mujhe pareshan nahi kiya.”

Sidharth sighed in disappointment. Shehnaaz’s casual reaction about Sameer didn’t sit well with him. He was caught up in his thoughts, his smile fading into a look of disappointment. The memory of their dance and Sameer’s flirtatious behavior loomed large in his mind.

“Shehnaaz, tu bahut bholi hai… Isliye main tujhe warning de raha hoon. Us Sameer se door hi rehna. Ek number ka flirt hai wo… Samajh gayi tu?” Sidharth commanded.

Shehnaaz shook her head at his unnecessary anger. “Sidharth, kya tum bhi… Us bechare ne mujhe company di aur tum usko bura bol rahe ho…”

“Company?” Sidharth’s frown deepened.

Shehnaaz smiled a little, “Haan, company. Meeting ke baad… I was so hungry, so he accompanied me for dinner at a nearby hotel. Ohh, that reminds me… How was your dinner date with Simran?”

Sidharth didn’t catch a word after Shehnaaz mentioned having dinner with Sameer. His body stiffened as he realized Sameer was being too smart with Shehnaaz.

“Tujhe uske saath dinner karne ki zaroorat kya thi? Haan? Ek baar mujhse poochh nahi sakti thi?” Sidharth snapped in anger.

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