Chapter 24

Sidharth gently took Shehnaaz’s hand, his eyes filled with a tenderness she had never seen before. Slowly, he lifted her hand to his forehead, pressing it softly as if making a sacred vow. His voice was low, full of emotion, “Will you please marry me…?”

For a moment, Shehnaaz felt as if her heart had stopped. Her breath hitched, and tears began to stream down her cheeks, a mix of disbelief and overwhelming joy. She looked at him, her eyes wide with emotion, and nodded her head in agreement. Her simple nod was enough to make Sidharth’s heart swell with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness, as if all the pieces of his life had finally fallen into place.

Unable to hold back, Sidharth stood up, cupping her face with his hands, and gently kissed her forehead. The touch was tender, a soft promise of a future together. Shehnaaz’s eyes never left his, gazing at him with an unspoken love, as if she could stare at him forever and still not have enough.

The room erupted in applause, breaking the intimate moment between them. Shehnaaz, realizing that all eyes were on them, blushed deeply and shyly looked away. The warmth of his lips still tingled on her forehead, and she could feel her heart racing. Sidharth, however, seemed unfazed by the crowd, his eyes still fixed on her, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Anu, noticing the romantic display, rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, “Yeh bhai kya khatarnak hai… in-laws ke samne bhi inhe romance karna hai…” She couldn’t help but laugh at Sidharth’s boldness, amused at how he dared to express his love so openly in front of Shehnaaz’s parents.

Rita ji, who had been observing everything with a fond smile, walked over to Shehnaaz and pulled her gently to her side. She patted Shehnaaz’s cheek affectionately and then looked over at Rajender ji, “Bhai sahab, main jald hi humare pandit ji se milke ek achhe si date fix karti hun in dono ki sagai ke liye…” Her voice was filled with excitement, already planning for the next step, her happiness evident on her face.

Meanwhile, Jasbeera ji, unable to contain her joy, quickly made her way to the kitchen and returned with a tray full of sweets. Her face was glowing with happiness as she approached Sidharth first. She took a piece of sweet and lovingly fed it to him, her eyes brimming with blessings and good wishes for the future. “Khush raho beta,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. She gently placed her hand on his head, blessing him with all the love she had.

In that moment, it felt as if everything had finally aligned perfectly. The elders were chatting among themselves, their faces relaxed and filled with contentment. Sidharth, however, couldn’t keep his eyes off Shehnaaz. Every now and then, he would steal glances at her, his heart fluttering with every look. Shehnaaz, seated with the other girls, could feel his gaze on her, and every time she looked up, their eyes would meet, sending a rush of warmth through her.

After lunch, it was time for Rita ji and Sidharth to take their leave. Rita ji approached Rajender ji with a hopeful expression, “Hum Shehnaaz ko apne saath Mumbai le jana chahte hain…” Her voice was soft, yet firm, expressing her wish for Shehnaaz to be with them.

“Ji…?” Rajender ji hesitated, his voice uncertain. He didn’t want to refuse, but he also wasn’t entirely sure about sending Shehnaaz away. Rita ji sensed his inner conflict and quickly stepped in to ease his concerns, “Bhai sahab… woh ek working girl hai… kal shaadi ke baad usse Sidharth ke saath milkar business handle karna hai, jaise Anu kar rahi hai… woh unnecessary gap nahi le sakti na job se…”

Her reasoning was gentle yet firm, and it made sense. Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji exchanged a glance, and after a brief moment, they nodded in agreement, understanding the practical side of things. It was for Shehnaaz’s good.

Meanwhile, Shehnaaz, standing a little apart from the conversation, remained unaware of what was being decided about her. Her eyes were on Sidharth, and she felt a heaviness in her chest as she realized he would be leaving soon. Her heart ached with the thought that she didn’t know when she would see him again. Maybe not until their engagement… The thought alone filled her with sadness.

Anu noticed Shehnaaz’s crestfallen expression and decided to keep the surprise to herself. She knew how to handle her friend and was rather amused by the sight of Sana’s little pouty face.

As Rita ji and Sidharth walked toward the car with Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji, Shehnaaz and Anu followed closely behind. Each step felt heavier for Shehnaaz, her heart sinking with the thought of Sidharth going away. She was on the verge of tears, her mind racing back to the memories from that morning.

Her thoughts drifted to when Sidharth had playfully “kidnapped” her earlier. She closed her eyes, and the flashbacks came rushing back to her, vivid and intense.

In her mind, she could still feel his warm lips pressing softly against her cheek in a loving kiss. His strong arms had wrapped around her, holding her close. She remembered the way she had smiled, looking at him sideways, her heart fluttering in her chest. She had playfully whispered, “Acha, ek baat batayiye…”

“Hmm…” he had mumbled in his deep, husky voice, his gaze never leaving hers.

Shehnaaz had paused for a moment, searching his eyes. “Agar aap ko sach ka pata na chalta toh…?” she asked, her voice soft but filled with curiosity. Her question caught him off guard, leaving him momentarily puzzled.

Sidharth had felt a shiver run down his spine, thinking about what could have happened if the truth had never come to light. He silently thanked God for revealing everything in time. With a sigh, he replied, “Main khud nahi jaanta ke phir kya hota… main pagal ho chuka tha… tumse nafrat bhi karna chahta tha aur tumse door bhi nahi reh sakta tha… Tumhara dil mujhse bahut bada hai, Shehnaaz…”

“Kyu… aisa nahi hai…” Shehnaaz murmured softly, unable to accept that her heart was somehow bigger than his. Her brows furrowed in confusion, and she looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and stubbornness. Seeing her frown, Sidharth couldn’t help but smile. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, something he loved doing — a gesture that made him feel like he was protecting her.

“Aisa hi hai…” he insisted quietly, his voice filled with a deep tenderness. “Us raat… jab maine tumhara sabse zyada dil dukhaya, tum mujhe chhodkar ja sakti thi… mujhse nafrat kar sakti thi… mujhe khud ko chunne se rok sakti thi… lekin tumne apne aap ko mere naam kar diya. Yeh bhi nahi socha ki agar main tumse nafrat karoon toh… tumse dur chala jaoon toh… itna pyaar kyu karti ho tum, Shehnaaz?”

Shehnaaz rested her head gently against his arm that was wrapped around her, feeling the warmth and comfort of his embrace. She closed her eyes, soaking in the moment, his words echoing in her mind. Sidharth smiled again and kissed her hair softly, amused by how innocent she seemed sometimes, like a little child.

“Pyaar karna toh aap hi ne sikhaya na… aur jab main hi aapki hun, toh mujhe kya haq banta hai khud ko aapse dur rakhne ka… boliye,” she replied with a soft smile, her words filled with simple sincerity and a quiet strength that always touched his heart.

Sidharth’s arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. “Pagal ho tum…” he whispered, his voice full of affection and awe, overwhelmed by the depth of her love.

Shehnaaz giggled softly, a sound so sweet it felt like music to his ears. “Jaisi bhi hun… aap ki hun…” she murmured, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Hearing her words, a fierce possessiveness flared in his chest, and he groaned almost to himself, “Sirf meri ho… sirf… sirf meri… main phaad ke rakh dunga sabko…” His voice was low, filled with a raw intensity, a promise that he would never let anyone come between them.

Shehnaaz didn’t reply; she didn’t need to. She knew his words weren’t just words — they were a truth she felt deep in her heart. She was his… only his.

**End of flashbacks.**

Anu shook Shehnaaz gently, pulling her back to the present. “Kahan khoyi hai, Sana?” she asked, her voice teasing but curious.

“Haan… woh kuch nahi…” Shehnaaz replied, her voice trembling slightly, trying to mask the emotion that threatened to break free. “Tum log kab nikal rahe ho Mumbai ke liye…?” she asked, trying to sound casual but feeling the weight of her heart sinking again at the thought of him leaving.

“Tum log matlab?” Sidharth’s sudden voice cut through the air, catching Shehnaaz by surprise. She turned quickly to face him, blinking her eyes rapidly, trying to understand what he was saying.

There was no smile on Sidharth’s face, only a teasing sternness. “Ms. Singh, if you have forgotten, I haven’t permitted you any paid leave. So, you better be in the office on Monday… or else, you know I am a khadoos boss… that’s what you call me, right?” he said, his tone playful but firm.

Shehnaaz frowned, her brows knitting together in confusion. “Sidharth, main samjhi nahi…” she began, trying to make sense of his words.

Anu rolled her eyes dramatically, unable to hold back any longer while the three elders watched the scene unfold with amused smiles. “Bhai, ab bohot sata liya… ab bas!” she chided, unable to contain her laughter. “Sana, tune kaise socha ke tujhe yahan akela chhodkar hum chale jayenge?”

Shehnaaz blinked again as Anu’s words began to sink in. Her heart leapt with sudden realization. She turned to her parents, and her gaze softened as she saw them smiling warmly at her. Rajender ji gave her a playful wink, signaling his approval.

Her excitement bubbled up, and she quickly looked back at Sidharth, who was standing there with that infuriating smirk on his face. Her eyes widened as she realized he was just teasing her all along.

Her hand flew to her waist as she glared at him, her lips pouting slightly. “Toh aap jaan bujh kar mujhe sata rahe the…” she accused him, annoyed.

Sidharth’s smirk grew wider as he took in her adorable stance, her hands on her waist like a child ready to throw a tantrum. “You want me to lie or tell the truth?” he teased further, enjoying every moment of her flustered expression.

Shehnaaz hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say, and then mumbled, “Umm… truth…”

Sidharth leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well… the truth is that the lie was never the lie, and I was lying about the lie…” he said with a straight face.

Anu burst into laughter, and soon Rita ji joined in, their giggles filling the air. Shehnaaz, however, stood there, her face a mixture of confusion and irritation. She scratched her head, trying to decipher his twisted words. “Menu aap se baat nahi karni…” she muttered in frustration, turning on her heel to walk away.

Sidharth, realizing she was genuinely annoyed, quickly ran after her, his voice full of pleading. “Sorry… baby, please…” he called out worried.

The elders couldn’t help but giggle at the childish banter unfolding before them. Sana’s parents, Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji, were overjoyed to see their daughter smiling so freely, her face lit up with happiness. It had been a long time since they had seen her this way.

Rita ji, watching the scene with a fond smile, shook her head lightly. “Ye bacche bhi na…” she muttered softly, amused by their antics.

—

On their return flight to Mumbai, Shehnaaz was seated beside Sidharth, while Anu and Rita ji sat directly behind them. Sidharth was engrossed in his laptop, eyes focused intently on the screen as he checked through his emails, clearly catching up on the work he had missed. Meanwhile, Shehnaaz was growing increasingly restless.

“Offo, rakho na ye laptop… mujhe bore ho raha hai,” she complained, trying to get his attention.

Without looking up, Sidharth responded absently, “10 minutes, baby…” His voice was distracted, his eyes still glued to the screen.

Shehnaaz sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “Haay rabba… ek aur baar 10 minutes…” she muttered, a pout forming on her lips. She glanced around, feeling more and more annoyed by his lack of attention.

Sidharth exhaled, sensing her frustration but unable to pull himself away from the work that had piled up in his absence. “Why don’t you take a nap?” he suggested gently, hoping to pacify her.

Shehnaaz, however, was not in the mood to be calmed. She started muttering under her breath, “Esse accha toh main Anu ke saath baithti… khadoos insaan…”

Sidharth, with his sharp ears, caught her words instantly. “Ideally, you’re the one who is supposed to do all this, as my secretary,” he shot back, his tone playfully teasing yet a little defensive.

Her eyes widened at his remark, her annoyance flaring up. “Haww… jaha tak mujhe yaad hai… aap ne mujhe terminate kiya hai… fir kaun secretary?” she countered, her tone dripping with mockery.

Sidharth paused, realizing she had a point and was left momentarily speechless. Finally, he muttered, “That’s been cancelled… aur main chupchap kar raha hun na kaam as compensation…”

Shehnaaz, still annoyed, twisted her lips and turned her head away from him, a clear sign that she was in no mood to let go of the matter. Sidharth glanced at her, a small, frustrated smile playing on his lips. Her stubbornness was something he found both exasperating and endearing at the same time.

He tried to focus back on his work, but every now and then, he would glance sideways at her, hoping to catch her eye. But Shehnaaz, being the ziddy (stubborn) girl she was, didn’t even spare him a look. She turned her face to the window, pretending to be absorbed in the clouds outside, but her annoyance was obvious.

The playful argument continued even as they landed in Mumbai and headed back home. Sidharth found himself helpless in front of Anu and Rita ji, who watched the entire scene with knowing smiles. He couldn’t find a way to make up with Shehnaaz, especially with his mother and sister around, who seemed to be enjoying his plight.

When they finally reached home, the staff moved Shehnaaz’s luggage back into her old bedroom. Sidharth’s eyes followed her every movement, his heart sinking a bit as he realized she was still upset. He longed to pull her into a tight hug, to whisper soft apologies into her ear, but he knew she wouldn’t give in so easily.

Dinner had been a quiet affair, with Shehnaaz resolutely avoiding Sidharth’s gaze while he continued to steal glances at her, trying to catch her attention. He could sense the tension in the air, but his attempts to engage her in conversation were met with nothing but silence.

After they finished eating, Shehnaaz quickly excused herself and headed to her room. Sidharth, determined to make amends, followed closely behind her. “Baby… ab bas na,” he called out softly, trying to sound apologetic.

But as she reached her door, Shehnaaz spun around, her expression firm. “I am not talking to you, Mr. Khadus Shergill… Good night!” she declared, her tone full of mock annoyance, before swiftly shutting the door in his face.

Shocked and a bit bewildered, Sidharth stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door of Shehnaaz’s bedroom. He couldn’t believe she had actually shut him out like that. “Uff, the madam is on fire,” he muttered to himself, rolling his eyes in frustration. Not sure how to win her over, he trudged back to his own bedroom, feeling a strange mix of amusement and helplessness.

Sidharth wasn’t used to situations like this. He had never had to “manaofy” anyone before. Relationships, especially those involving emotions and apologies, were unfamiliar terrain for him. He found himself absentmindedly biting his nails, a habit he hadn’t indulged in since he was a child. He missed her already, and she had only shut the door on him a few moments ago.

“Why did I have to argue with her?” he mumbled, irritated with himself. Her silence was unbearable, suffocating even. He hadn’t realized how much he depended on her chatter, her laughter, until it was gone. It was a painful realization, one that struck him with full force now.

Desperate, he called her once, twice… multiple times. But every call was met with a swift rejection. He tried messaging her, typing out a series of apologies and playful lines, but his messages were left on read with no response.

He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair, feeling utterly lost. He needed help — and fast. And there was only one person who could help him navigate through Shehnaaz’s stubbornness. His savior… Anu.

Without wasting another second, he grabbed his phone and dialed Anu’s number. The phone rang a few times before a groggy voice answered, “Haan bhai… aap soye nahi?”

Sidharth cleared his throat again, feeling slightly awkward, “Haan… yeah… not yet… listen, I need… I mean, I need…”

Anu rolled her eyes, still half-asleep but amused at his hesitation. “Bhai, saaf saaf bolo na… Sana ko manana hai, right?”

Sidharth paused, taken aback. “How do you know?” he asked, genuinely surprised.

Anu smirked, sitting up straight in bed now. “Bhai, Sana meri friend hai… of course she told me everything.”

Sidharth’s eyes widened in panic. “Everything? What else did she tell you?”

“Sab kuch…” Anu replied, dragging out the words deliberately to embarrass him further.

Sidharth’s face turned a shade of red. He muttered under his breath, “Shehnaaz… you’re in trouble for this one…” Feeling cornered, he sighed, “Okay, fine. So, tell me what to do.”

Anu chuckled, thoroughly enjoying her brother’s predicament. “Offo, bhai… it’s simple! Pamper her. Take her out for a small outing; you still have Saturday and Sunday in your hands. Make her feel special. Anyway, Sana can’t stay upset with you for too long.”

Sidharth thought about Anu’s suggestion and a smile spread across his face. “That’s pretty simple, yaa…” he mused, feeling a spark of excitement at the idea.

Anu’s voice was light with amusement as she responded, “By the way, bhai, that black saree idea was pretty romantic, haan?” Her laughter was infectious, and Sidharth’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“Anu…” he exclaimed, his tone a mix of exasperation and laughter.

Still chuckling, Anu ended the call, leaving Sidharth to shake his head at their playful exchange. It was early, just 6 in the morning, and he was drenched in sweat from his workout. As he wiped his face with a towel, he heard the soft creak of his bedroom door. Curious, he walked towards the sound, only to see Shehnaaz making her way toward the gym.

In a mischievous move, Sidharth quickly slipped behind the door, waiting for the right moment. As Shehnaaz entered the gym, her eyes searching for him, he silently stepped out from his hiding spot. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and gently covered her mouth with his hand before she could let out a startled scream.

Her initial shock melted away as she recognized his touch, her breath catching in her throat. Sidharth released his hand from her mouth, pulling her into a warm, sweaty embrace. His body was still radiating the heat from his workout.

Shehnaaz held the glass of juice firmly, her fingers gripping it with a gentle determination. She had brought it for Sidharth, a small gesture of care. As he reached out, his fingers lightly traced a path from her shoulder to her hand, eventually wrapping around her fingers that held the glass. “You are mean…” he said, his voice a blend of playful irritation and affection.

With a soft smile, Shehnaaz turned to face him, shifting gracefully into his embrace. She brought the glass to his lips, letting him take a sip of the juice. His fingers tightened around hers, and his eyes, filled with a mix of tenderness and longing, locked onto hers. “I can’t handle it baby..” his words now carrying a deeper layer of emotional weight.

Shehnaaz offered the glass again, her movements gentle and deliberate. She remained silent, understanding that his playful accusations were his way of expressing how much he missed her. Each sip seemed to bring him closer to her, his hold on her becoming firmer with each moment.

As he finished the juice, he watched her with an intensity that made her feel like the center of his universe. She bent slightly to place the empty glass on the nearby table, her movements graceful and fluid. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words, a yearning that had been growing during their time apart.

Sidharth, unable to contain his emotions any longer, leaned in and buried his face in her neck. His voice was a soft murmur, filled with vulnerability, “Don’t do that na…” His breath against her skin was warm, sending a shiver down her spine.

Shehnaaz’s fingers gently brushed through his hair, her touch soothing and affectionate. “Kya kiya maine…” she asked softly.

He sighed, digesting her soothing voice. “Please baby….”

Relenting from her earlier pretense of anger, she kissed his face near the eye as he buried his face in her neck. “Aapne thik se dinner bhi nahi kiya raat ko…”

Taking his face out of her neck, he looked at her with mock irritation. “You didn’t do my plate… you didn’t insist me…”

She cupped his chin lovingly with her palms. “I’m sorry, bass….”

He shook his head, indicating silently that she needn’t apologize further, and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes in peace at his touch and opened them to find him gazing at her intently. “You are not allowed to be angry with me.”

She giggled at his peculiar demand. “Me aisa koi stupid promise nahi karne wali…”

“Kyu…” he asked, showing exaggerated hurt.

Shehnaz rolled her eyes. “Aap pe gussa karna mera right hai… me gussa bhi karungi aur aap mujhe manaoge bhi…” Her baby-like expression melted his heart, and he groaned, rubbing his nose against hers, which made her shout.

“I want to take you somewhere,” he said, as she pulled away from his embrace and surveyed the gym, which was in a complete mess.

Her angry eyes almost intimidated him. “I was in a bad state without you, baby.”

Shaking her head, she threw his vest at him. “We will leave post breakfast.” he decided.

She looked at him and chuckled. “Sidharth, mene abhi tak haan nahi bola hai…”

As Shehnaz turned to leave, Sidharth reached out and firmly grasped her wrist. He pulled her back into his embrace with a gentle, yet possessive thud. The sudden, unexpected movement caught her off guard, and she stumbled slightly, her breath hitching as she found herself back in his arms.

Sidharth’s eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and affection as he looked at her. “Well, too bad, because I never asked… I informed,” he said, his voice rich with playful confidence. His words, spoken with a hint of authority, made her heart skip a beat. It was clear that he was not just making a statement but asserting his feelings in a way that left no room for doubt.

Shehnaz’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting slightly as she processed the sudden shift in the dynamics between them. The frown that appeared on her face was not one of anger but of surprised vulnerability. 

Sidharth, noticing her reaction, couldn’t help but smile at her. His smirk softened into a tender, loving expression. With a gentle touch, he leaned in and placed a sweet, lingering peck on her lips. The kiss was light but filled with sincerity, a silent promise wrapped in a simple gesture. It was as if he was communicating more with that one kiss than words ever could.

Shehnaz stood frozen, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of his actions. The warmth of his embrace and the softness of his kiss lingered on her lips, sending a flutter through her heart. Her emotions were a whirlwind—part of her was overwhelmed by the sudden, intense affection, while another part was filled with a deep, unspoken understanding of the bond they shared.

Author’s Note