Chapter 24

As the function drew to a close, Sidharth made sure all the cars, along with the drivers, had left before Daarji could emerge from the changing room. He was deliberate in his actions, planning everything with a quiet determination, knowing exactly what he wanted to do.

Shehnaaz, standing a bit to the side, understood Sidharth’s plan. She waited, though her heart was restless, aware that something significant was about to unfold. Her mind raced with thoughts, yet she remained silent, trusting Sidharth’s judgment.

Sidharth positioned himself patiently by the car, his eyes focused on the hotel entrance. Moments later, Daarji stepped out, with Shehnaaz walking beside him. Seeing them, Sidharth’s face lit up with a warm smile, one that masked the tension he felt inside. He greeted Daarji with genuine respect, “Daarji, main aap hi ka wait kar raha tha.” His voice was calm, though the undertone of his words revealed his intention.

Daarji paused, his eyes shifting between Sidharth and Shehnaaz. Shehnaaz felt a wave of unease wash over her. She stood there, almost frozen, unsure of how to react. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on her.

“Aayiye Daarji,” Sidharth said, his tone polite but firm, as he opened the rear door of the car for him, extending the gesture with a silent invitation.

Daarji, taken aback by Sidharth’s unexpected presence, leaned toward Shehnaaz and whispered, “Yeh kyun ruka hai?” There was an edge of confusion in his voice, mingled with reluctance. Shehnaaz, trying to ease the situation, replied softly, “Daarji, humare liye ruka hai bichara…” She attempted to smile, but her words didn’t carry the lightness she hoped for. Her heart was pounding, unsure of how this moment would unfold.

Sidharth overheard the whispered exchange but didn’t react. Instead, he remained steady, holding the door open with quiet patience, allowing Daarji to process the situation. His calm exterior masked the emotions brewing inside—there was a mix of anticipation, hope, and perhaps even a little anxiety.

As a few more guests exited the hotel, Sidharth gave them a cheerful “Namaste,” loudly enough to be heard. His voice carried a sense of purpose, almost as if he was deliberately drawing attention to the moment. Daarji, hearing the greeting and noticing the guests turning back to look at them, felt the pressure of the situation. Not wanting to create a scene, he reluctantly stepped toward the car.

With no other option, Daarji got into the rear seat of the car. Shehnaaz, still standing outside, quickly said, “Main aage baithti hoon,” her voice filled with a sense of urgency. She moved toward the front passenger seat, eager to avoid any discomfort for Daarji.

But Daarji’s stern gaze stopped her in her tracks. He caught her wrist firmly, his eyes leaving no room for argument. “koi jarurat nahi hai.. pichhe beth.” he said, his voice low but commanding.

Shehnaaz hesitated, her heart skipping a beat. She could sense Daarji’s disapproval, but more than that, she was concerned about how things might look. She glanced at Sidharth, hoping for some support, but Sidharth remained silent, his expression neutral, allowing the situation to unfold as it needed to.

“Daarji, accha nahin lagega… main aage jaati hoon,” Shehnaaz whispered, her voice almost pleading. She wanted to keep the peace, to avoid making things awkward. But Daarji was resolute.

“Chup chap yahan baitho, warna main nahin jaunga iss ghadi mein,” he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. There was a stubbornness in his voice, an authority that Shehnaaz couldn’t defy.

Sidharth gripped the steering wheel tightly as he glanced at Shehnaaz and Daarji through the rearview mirror. Inside, his emotions churned with anger, but he knew this wasn’t the moment to let it show. Patience, he reminded himself. He couldn’t afford to lose his cool now, not in front of Daarji and certainly not in front of Shehnaaz.

Shehnaaz met his gaze through the mirror for a fleeting second, hoping for some acknowledgment, but his expression was completely blank. The silence between them was unbearable, yet she could do nothing but quietly move to sit beside Daarji as instructed. As soon as she settled into her seat, Sidharth started the car, his face impassive, and the drive began in stony silence.

The journey felt endless. Daarji remained quiet, his rigid posture making it clear that no conversation was welcome, and Shehnaaz, feeling trapped, didn’t dare utter a word. She knew speaking would only make things worse, and the weight of the tension pressed heavily on her. As she sat in the back seat, she couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of guilt. Her heart sank as she thought about how she was sitting there, as if Sidharth was merely their driver when in reality, he was so much more. He was the owner of not just this car, but a dozen others—luxurious, expensive cars. How could she have let this happen?

“I’m sorry, Sidharth…” she whispered silently in her mind, her guilt tightening its grip around her. She yearned to say the words out loud, to somehow make things right, but the heavy silence between them wouldn’t allow it.

Sidharth didn’t look back, not even once. Shehnaaz’s eyes flickered to the rearview mirror again, hoping he would glance at her, even for a moment, but all she saw was his cold, unyielding focus on the road ahead. His silence hurt more than his anger ever could. She felt like she was invisible to him, and that thought cut deep.

Beside her, Daarji’s stern face reflected his own inner thoughts, his silence speaking volumes. Shehnaaz could feel the tension radiating from him as well, though his reasons were different. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and turned her gaze outside the window, trying to find something—anything—to distract herself from the pain gnawing at her heart.

A tear escaped from her eye, rolling down her cheek before she could stop it. She quickly wiped it away, hoping neither Sidharth nor Daarji would notice. But the ache in her chest remained, heavy and suffocating.

Finally, they reached the Gill haveli. The imposing structure loomed ahead, and the car came to a halt. Shehnaaz felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she looked at Sidharth again, silently pleading for him to give her some kind of sign—something to let her know that he didn’t hate her for how things had turned out. But he didn’t look back. Instead, he quietly unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car, his movements deliberate and composed.

He walked around to the back of the car, his face still unreadable, and opened the door for Daarji. Daarji stepped out with a gruff expression, clearly displeased with the entire situation. Before Sidharth could say more, Daarji muttered, “Hume bahut neend aa rahi hai,” brushing past him as if the conversation was already over.

But Sidharth wasn’t ready to let it end like this. “Daarji, bus do minute,” he said firmly, his voice steady but respectful. He gently touched Daarji’s hand, stopping him in his tracks, before guiding him toward the chair on the portico of the haveli.

Daarji, while taking his seat, averted his gaze from Sidharth, his expression cold and distant. Sidharth, feeling the weight of the situation, knelt down in front of him, his voice soft and sincere as he began, “I’m sorry, Daarji. Main jaanta hoon ke aap mujhe pasand nahi karte, especially humare last discussion ke baad. Par mera kabhi irada nahi tha ke main aapka, Shehnaaz ka ya Gill family mein kisi ka dil dukhaun.”

Daarji, his face hardening further, dismissed him with a wave of his hand. “Hume aap se koi baat nahi karni. Ghar tak lane ke liye shukriya,” he said, rising from his chair, clearly intending to walk away from the conversation without another word.

Sidharth, refusing to give up, pleaded softly, “Daarji, main sach keh raha hoon.”

But Daarji wasn’t moved. His voice was laced with finality, a barrier that Sidharth’s words couldn’t seem to penetrate. “Koi farak nahi padta. Aur waise bhi, tu ab kyun maafi maang raha hai? Kuch nahi ho sakta,” Daarji said, his words firm and cutting like a sharp blade, as if all hope was already lost in his eyes.

Sidharth’s desperation grew, and his tone reflected the sincerity of his intentions. “Daarji, please mujhe samajhne ki koshish kariye…”

But Daarji’s voice rose, his authority taking command of the conversation. “Mr. Sidharth Shukla, apni hadd mein raho. Tumhari koi bhi koshish poori nahi hogi. Shehnaaz ki shaadi wohi hogi jahan tay hui hai. Is baat ko accept karo aur door raho usse,” he spat out, his glare intense, making it painfully clear where he stood.

Shehnaaz, standing silently by, felt her heart tighten. The tension was unbearable, and the fear of where this argument was headed paralyzed her. Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting her helplessness and the storm of emotions inside her. She had never wanted things to escalate this way, never wanted Sidharth and Daarji to be at odds because of her. Every word from Daarji felt like another chain locking her into a future she didn’t desire.

Sidharth, undeterred, tried once more. “Daarji, koi khush nahi rahega is rishte se…” he began, but Daarji’s hand shot up in front of him, silencing him mid-sentence with a single, commanding gesture.

“Chalo, Shehnaaz,” Daarji ordered, his voice hard, gripping Shehnaaz’s hand tightly and pulling her away. Shehnaaz’s eyes were filled with tears, the emotional weight of the situation becoming too much for her to bear. She wanted to stay, to plead with Daarji, to make him see reason. But she was powerless under his command, her steps heavy as she followed him, her heart breaking with every tear that fell.

Sidharth watched them walk away, his chest tightening painfully. He couldn’t just stand by. He couldn’t let this end like this, not without a fight. His emotions finally took over, and he followed them, his footsteps quickening as he called out, his voice louder now, almost desperate, “Daarji, meri baat abhi poori nahi hui hai!” His tone held a sense of urgency, as though this moment could decide everything.

But Daarji didn’t stop. He didn’t turn around or acknowledge Sidharth’s plea. “Mujhe kuch nahi sunna,” Daarji said, his voice cold and unyielding, his back still turned as he continued walking.

Sidharth, refusing to let them leave without being heard, stepped in front of them, blocking their path. His sudden movement startled Shehnaaz, her breath hitching as she looked at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, unsure of what he would do next.

Sidharth stood firmly in front of Daarji, his arms crossed over his chest, his face serious but laced with a hint of defiance. Daarji shot him angry, disapproving glances, but Sidharth stood his ground. “Agar aapko meri baat nahi sunni, mat suniye,” Sidharth began, his voice steady, “lekin aapke parivaar ke hone wale damad ke rishte se aapko sunna padega.” A slight smirk played on his lips, a mix of confidence and challenge.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened in sheer shock, her mouth falling open as if someone had shoved an entire apple inside. She could hardly believe what Sidharth had just said. Her heart raced as she glanced nervously between Sidharth and Daarji.

Daarji, for his part, looked utterly taken aback, his expression frozen in a mixture of confusion and disbelief. For a moment, he was speechless, just staring at Sidharth as if trying to comprehend the audacity of his words.

“Apni bakwas band karo!” Darji finally snapped, his anger flaring. How could Sidharth say something so bold, so recklessly?

But Sidharth wasn’t backing down. He met Darji’s fiery gaze, his tone turning even more resolute, almost arrogant. “Bakwas main shayad ab tak kar raha tha,” he said, raising his eyebrows slightly. “Abhi shayad kuch logical baatein ho rahi hai.”

His voice softened but still held that edge of confidence. “Aapko dil dukhane ka, ya aapke parivaar ki izzat ko thes pahuchana mera maksad nahi hai… but…” he paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. He was fully aware of the storm he was stirring, but he didn’t care. His heart was laid bare, and he would no longer stay silent about what mattered most to him.

Daarji’s eyes flickered between Sidharth and Shehnaaz, his confusion deepening. He had no idea what was coming next, but he could feel it was something big. Sidharth glanced at Shehnaaz briefly, then looked back at Daarji, his expression unwavering.

“Hum,” Sidharth said, pointing first to himself and then to Shehnaaz, “sachha pyar karte hain ek doosre se. Apni poori zindagi saath bitaana chahte hain.” His voice was filled with conviction, like he was delivering the truth of his very soul. “Isse pehle ke yeh baat hum ghar mein bataate, aapne uski shaadi kahi aur tay kar di.”

Daarji’s eyes widened, and for a moment, it seemed like the ground had slipped from beneath him. He had no words, no immediate reaction—just shock. His face reflected a deep disbelief, almost as if he thought Sidharth was playing some cruel joke on him. He quickly looked toward Shehnaaz, as if expecting her to deny everything, to say that Sidharth’s bold statements were nothing but nonsense.

Shehnaaz felt her throat tight as she swallowed the lump forming there. Slowly, hesitantly, she nodded her head in a small but clear “yes,” confirming everything Sidharth had just said. Tears welled up in her eyes as she glanced at Sidharth, her heart beating painfully. She had been afraid of this moment, of what it would mean for her relationship with her family. But now that it was out in the open, there was no going back.

Sidharth stepped closer, his voice steady but softer now. “Mujhe pata hai aap Shehnaaz ki khushi chahte hain, Daarji,” he said, looking directly into the older man’s eyes, “par uski khushi mere saath hai.”

The weight of his words hung in the air like a thick cloud. Daarji stood frozen, unable to process the depth of what Sidharth was saying.

Sidharth stood firm, his eyes locking with Daarji’s, both men unwilling to back down. “Daarji,” Shehnaaz started softly, stepping forward to hold his shoulders, but before she could speak, Daarji roughly pushed her away. His face twisted with anger, and his voice shook as he shouted, “Koshish bhi mat karna, Shehnaaz! Tu bhool gayi hai kya tay hua tha humare beech?”

“tumhare kisi bhi chhalaveme me nahi fasane vala..”His eyes a mix of frustration and betrayal weighing down his every word.

“Daarji, yeh koi chhalava nahi hai,” Shehnaaz pleaded, her voice breaking.

Sidharth stepped in, his tone calm but resolute, “Agar hum chhalava kar rahe hote, toh aap ki raza mandi ka intezar nahi karte, Daarji. “

Daarji shot Sidharth a furious glare, his face flushed with fury. “Dekha Shehnaaz?” he spat, pointing at Sidharth. “Dekha kaise ghamand se baat karta hai? Yeh ladka kabhi tumhari izzat nahi karega!”

But Shehnaaz, unwavering in her resolve, whispered, “Daarji, mujhe uske ghamand se bhi pyaar hai.”

For a moment, Daarji closed his eyes, inhaling sharply as if trying to gather his thoughts. When he opened them again, his expression was stern but laced with exhaustion. “Toh kya karne ka irada hai tumhara?” he asked, his voice thick with sarcasm. “Is ladke ke saath bhaag ke shaadi karegi tu?”

Sidharth remained silent, his eyes never leaving Daarji’s, choosing his words carefully.

Daarji scoffed, his voice dripping with bitterness, “Mr. Sidharth Shukla, hum bhi dekhna chahte hain Anuradha Shukla ka ladla kis hadh tak gir sakta hai.”

Sidharth took a deep breath, steadying himself before responding. “Daarji, aapke so-called honewale damad, Sukhveer, humari partner company mein kaam karte hain. Uski naukri khatam karne ke liye bas ek call kaafi hota, par maine aisa nahi kiya,” he said, his voice even, betraying no emotion. “Maine use dost samajh ke samjhaya, kyunki main apni personal aur professional zindagi mein farq karna jaanta hoon. yeh hain Anuradha Shukla ke pote ke sanskar.”

He paused, letting his words sink in.

When Daarji opened his mouth to respond, Sidharth quickly cut him off, his voice low and dangerous. “Meri baat abhi puri nahi hui hai,” he said, with an air of finality. Daarji glared at him, his eyes reddening with a mix of anger and fear, but Sidharth was unrelenting.

“Shehnaaz itne din Shukla mansion mein rahi hai… agar meri soch ghatiya hoti, toh main kab ka usse shaadi kar chuka hota, aur aapko pata bhi nahi chalta,” Sidharth nearly growled, frustration evident in his tone. “Par maine aisa nahi kiya… ye hain Anuradha Shukla ke pote ke sanskar,” he continued, now standing taller, his arrogance evident. “Maine Shehnaaz ko apne parivaar ka ek sadasya mana… aur jitni izzat main apni maa aur dadi maa ko deta hoon, utni hi izzat main Payal bhabhi aur Shehnaaz ko deta hoon. Ye hain Anuradha Shukla ke pote ke sanskar,” he concluded, his words hanging in the air.

Daarji blinked, stunned by Sidharth’s boldness, but a flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Sukhveer tumhari partner company mein kaam karta hai?” he asked incredulously.

“Na sirf woh… balki uske father bhi apni poori zindagi wahi kaam karte rahe hain,” Sidharth replied with a slight shrug.

Daarji was taken aback, trying to process the revelation. “Woh yeh baat mujhse chhupa ke kyun rakha?” he questioned, more to himself than anyone else.

Shehnaaz stepped in, her voice steady despite the tension. “Kyunki woh aapse jhooth bol raha hai, Daarji,” she said, pausing briefly before continuing. “Maine Sukhveer se kaha tha ke main Sidharth se pyaar karti hoon… lekin usne fir bhi kaha ke woh mujhse shaadi karna chahta hai.”

Daarji looked at her in disbelief. “Tune usse kaha ke tu Sidharth se pyaar karti hai?” he asked, his voice almost a whisper.

“Ji,” Shehnaaz replied quietly, though her heart raced as she sensed the gravity of the situation.

For the first time in the entire confrontation, Daarji smirked, though it was a cold, calculating expression. “Shehnaaz, tumhari shaadi Sukhveer se hi hogi,” he declared, his words cutting through the tension like a blade.

“nahii,” Shehnaaz responded firmly, her voice steady and defiant.

“Haan, Shehnaaz,” Daarji insisted. “Usne mujhe sab kuch bata diya hai. Tumhari shaadi agle mahine hi hogi.”

“Daarji, aap aise kaise kar sakte hain? Aap jaante hain—” Shehnaaz began to protest, but Daarji interrupted her, raising his hand.

“Haan, hum sab jaante hain,” he said with finality, silencing her.

Shehnaaz stood frozen, shocked by how much her Daarji seemed to know. Meanwhile, Sidharth, standing by, smirked to himself, thinking, “How interesting… This just keeps getting better and better.”

Sidharth and Shehnaaz stood side by side, the tension in the room thickening with every passing second. Shehnaaz’s frustration was evident as her patience wore thin. Her brows furrowed, and her voice grew more urgent as she looked at Daarji, her tone sharp with resolve.

“Wo sab theek hai. Ab aapko pata chal gaya na, ke main Sidharth ke alawa kisise shaadi nahi karungi,” she declared, her voice carrying both defiance and desperation. She had hoped that after all of this, Daarji would finally understand her feelings for Sidharth, that the battle she had been fighting within her own family would end here.

Daarji, however, remained unmoved. His face hardened, his eyes filled with determination and anger. He shook his head as if dismissing everything she said. “Haan, aur yeh bhi pata chal gaya ki yeh ladka hamare damad banne ke layak nahi hai,” he said coldly, his voice dripping with disdain. It was clear that in his mind, Sidharth was not good enough for his beloved granddaughter. He continued with unwavering finality, “Isliye tumhari shaadi Sukhveer se hi hogi.”

Saying this, Daarji turned on his heel, making it clear that he considered the conversation over. Shehnaaz stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding in disbelief. How could her Daarji still insist on this marriage when she had made her feelings so clear? The room felt stifling with the weight of her emotions.

But Sidharth wasn’t going to let Daarji walk away so easily. His voice was steady but carried an undeniable edge of authority, “Daarji, Shehnaaz kabhi shaadi nahi karegi Sukhveer se.” The way he said it, without hesitation or doubt, made the statement feel like a fact, not a question.

Daarji stopped, turning back towards Sidharth, his face a mixture of anger and incredulity. His eyebrows raised as he spat back, “Kyoon nahi karegi? Jawan hai, achha khasa kamata hai.” His voice grew louder as he defended Sukhveer, as if reminding Sidharth and Shehnaaz of what they were passing up.

Sidharth, however, remained cool, barely suppressing a smirk as he responded with a confident quip, “Par mere jitna nahi.” He winked mischievously, a deliberate move to provoke Daarji further. There was a cocky ease in his tone, but beneath it lay a serious challenge to Daarji’s stubbornness.

Daarji’s face flushed with irritation at Sidharth’s audacity. “Chalega humein… shaadi toh Sukhveer se hi hogi,” he declared, his tone showing no room for compromise. His voice had an air of finality, as though his decision could not be questioned.

Sidharth clenched his jaw, the playful demeanor fading from his expression. His frustration was now visible in the way his eyes darkened. “Mujhe samajh nahi aata,” Sidharth began, his voice dropping into a deeper, more serious tone, “Shukla Empire ka maalik khud chalke aaya hai aapki poti se shaadi karne ke liye, aur aap uski shaadi ek doosri company ke kisi chhote employee se karana chahte hain?”

His words were laden with disbelief. To Sidharth, it made no sense that Daarji would reject him, the owner of a business empire, in favor of someone with significantly less to offer. The question wasn’t just about pride; it was about a deep misunderstanding that Daarji held about what was best for Shehnaaz.

Daarji, however, stood firm in his resolve. His eyes were sharp as he met Sidharth’s gaze and spoke with iron-clad determination. “Humein koi farak nahi padta. Hum apni zubaan de chuke hain. Tumhe peeche hatna hi hoga.” His voice was unyielding, making it clear that once his word was given, there was no turning back.

For a moment, Sidharth seemed to falter, turning his gaze away briefly as he processed Daarji’s words. The room grew heavy with anticipation as both Shehnaaz and Daarji waited for Sidharth’s next move. But when Sidharth turned back, his expression had shifted. His face was calm, but his eyes burned with determination. He wasn’t going to let this fight end here.

“Thik hai, Daarji. Main aapki condition manta hoon,” Sidharth said, his voice quiet yet firm, leaving everyone in the room taken aback. There was a deliberate pause after his words, as though he was allowing them to sink in.

Shehnaaz’s heart dropped at his response, her eyes widening as she looked at him. Tears welled up in her eyes, disbelief washing over her face. Did Sidharth just agree to step back? How could he? The fear that she had been fighting so hard to suppress all this time began to surface, and her tears were a reflection of the turmoil she was feeling inside.

Daarji’s expression shifted from anger to a smirk of victory.

However, Sidharth spoke further, “Par meri bhi condition hai,” he said, his tone carrying a sense of finality. “Agar Sukhveer khud pichhe hatata hai, toh aap meri aur Shehnaaz ki shaadi ke liye haan kahenge?”

Sidharth’s eyes remained calm, despite the gravity of the situation. He nodded slightly, his gaze unwavering as he met Daarji’s challenge. “Haan, manzoor. Mujhe nahi pata tha toh itni badi bewkufi karega,” Daarji replied without hesitation, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Sidharth responded with a confident smile, his demeanor unshaken. “Woh toh waqt hi batayega. Good night, Daarji,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance as he stepped aside to let Daarji leave.

Daarji, with a final sarcastic smile, walked away, leaving the room charged with the lingering tension of the confrontation. Shehnaaz stood rooted to the spot, her emotions a complex mix of relief and worry.

As the sound of Daarji’s footsteps faded into the distance, Sidharth turned toward Shehnaaz. He moved closer and enveloped her in a warm hug, his arms a comforting shield against the stress they had just endured. He pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his touch tender and reassuring.

Shehnaaz looked up at him, a chuckle escaping her lips. “Tu kitna attitude marta hai,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood despite the heaviness of their situation.

Sidharth smirked, his eyes twinkling with affection. “jaisa bhi hun baby.. zelana toh zindagi bhar hai tuze..?,” he said with a playful smirk, then leaned in to peck her lips softly.

The touch of his lips made Shehnaaz smile, but her eyes soon clouded with frustration. “Sidharth,” she began, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Sidharth, sensing the turmoil within her, took her hand gently. “Shehnaaz, I’m sorry. But I really didn’t have any option,” he admitted, his voice softening with sincerity.

Shehnaaz rested her head against his chest, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke of her fears. “Mujhe dar lag raha hai,” she confessed, her anxiety palpable.

Sidharth’s hand moved gently through her hair, his touch a soothing gesture meant to comfort her. “Everything will fall in place,” he said softly, his voice imbued with reassurance. “Bharosa rakh mujhpe.”

Shehnaaz looked up at him, a small, hopeful smile forming on her lips despite the tears threatening to spill. She nodded her head in agreement, though her eyes remained glistening with unshed tears. Sidharth’s concern deepened as he cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing away a stray tear.

“Kya hua, Naaz?” he asked softly, his voice filled with genuine concern.

The tenderness in his voice and the warmth of his embrace made Shehnaaz’s heart ache even more. The worry in his eyes mirrored her own fears, and for a moment, she felt both comforted and vulnerable in his presence.

Shehnaaz clung to Sidharth, her embrace tight and desperate, as though holding onto him was the only thing keeping her grounded. Sidharth sensed the depth of her distress through the way she held him. The tension in her grip spoke volumes, and he uttered her name softly, “Naaz,” as he looked into her eyes, searching for the source of her unease.

Shehnaaz met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and hope. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them filled with unspoken fears and unvoiced worries. Sidharth remained quiet, his expression one of patient anticipation, waiting for her to reveal what was troubling her.

Finally, Shehnaaz broke the silence, her voice barely a whisper, “Sidharth, agar Sukhveer nahi pichhe hata toh…?” Her question was soft, yet it carried the weight of her concern.

Sidharth’s lips curled into a gentle smile, his eyes filled with both reassurance and resignation. “Shehnaaz, then I will back off and you will marry him, as per the condition,” he said quietly, his tone calm and composed. The silence that followed his words was heavy with the weight of their situation.