Chapter 27

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Shehnaaz was still sniffling, tears slowly drying up, but Sidharth’s warm embrace did wonders to calm her. He cradled her closer, softly whispering, “Here’s your bhoot…” His tone was playful, teasing her lightly in an attempt to lift her spirits.

Shehnaaz, still nestled in his arms, raised her head at his words and followed his gaze. There, by the door, sat a pair of tiny, angry eyes, glaring at them. The sight made her gasp slightly, while Sidharth let out a groan of frustration.

“Oh no…” Sidharth sighed, realizing what was about to happen.

But Shehnaaz, in her usual adorable way, completely ignored his frustration, her eyes lighting up as she softly murmured, “Aww… cutie…” Her excitement was palpable, and she immediately started to pull away from Sidharth’s hold, her mind focused on the unexpected guest.

Alarmed by her sudden movement, Sidharth tried to stop her. “Baby, where are you going?” he called out, his voice laced with confusion. He was still sitting on the bed, not quite ready to let her go yet, but Shehnaaz’s attention had already shifted entirely.

Practically bouncing with joy, Shehnaaz made her way to the door, where the cat sat with its adorable yet indignant expression. “Myaauuu…” the cat meowed, as if to announce its presence.

Sidharth, still watching from the bed, shook his head in disbelief. “Shehnaaz, tumhe already lagi hai… kya kar rahi ho?” he scolded gently, his concern for her injuries clear in his tone. But Shehnaaz was already crouching down beside the little furball, her face filled with childlike wonder.

“Tumhara naam kya hai?” Shehnaaz asked sweetly, as if expecting the cat to respond.

The cat tilted its head and let out another soft “Myaauuu,” staring up at Shehnaaz with curiosity.

Sidharth couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before him, though a touch of exasperation crept into his voice. “Shehnaaz, you can’t be seriou..” he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

But the cat, as if insulted by Sidharth’s words, narrowed its little eyes and let out a sharp “Myaauuu…” directly at him. It was almost as if the cat was challenging him.

Shehnaaz burst out giggling at the cat’s reaction. “Sidharth, gussa mat dilaiye usse!” she teased, her laughter filling the room and lightening the atmosphere.

Feeling playful, Sidharth decided to retaliate in his own way. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he jumped off the bed and lunged towards the cat, his sudden movement scaring it. The startled cat jumped into Shehnaaz’s lap, burying its tiny face into her stomach for protection.

Sidharth stopped in his tracks, staring at the scene in disbelief. He could hardly believe it—he was actually feeling jealous of a cat! A *cat*, of all things! Annoyance flickered across his face as he crossed his arms, watching Shehnaaz cuddle the cat.

Shehnaaz, oblivious to Sidharth’s growing jealousy, smiled tenderly as she wrapped her arms around the cat. Her gentle cooing only added to Sidharth’s frustration, though she had no idea the effect her actions were having on him.

“Baby… kya kar rahi ho?” Sidharth muttered, his voice trailing off. What he really wanted to say was, *Can you please put that cat down?* But he stayed quiet, biting back the irrational request.

Completely unaware of Sidharth’s internal battle, Shehnaaz looked up at him with pure joy, her face glowing as she held the cat close. “Dekho na, kitni cute hai…” she beamed, lifting the cat slightly and gazing into its eyes. “Tujhe bhook lagi hai?” she asked the cat softly, as if she were speaking to a small child.

To Sidharth’s utter disbelief, the cat responded with a soft “Myauuu,” making an innocent face that only melted Shehnaaz’s heart even more.

He stood there, stunned, watching as Shehnaaz and the cat seemed to be having a full-on conversation. How was this even possible? And more importantly, why was Shehnaaz so focused on that *damn* cat instead of him?

“Shehnaaz, yeh kya ho raha hai?” he muttered under his breath, feeling completely sidelined.

Shehnaaz, still grinning, finally stood up with the cat nestled in her arms. She looked over at Sidharth, her expression completely serious as she declared, “Sidharth, isse bhook lagi hai.”

Sidharth let out a deep sigh, knowing all too well that Shehnaaz’s kind heart wouldn’t allow her to leave the cat alone until she had fed her. That’s just who Shehnaaz was—selfless, even when her own fingers were injured. But his concern for her well-being gnawed at him. He couldn’t bear the thought of her going downstairs in this condition.

Meanwhile, Shehnaaz was completely absorbed in her playful conversation with the little cat, giggling at every meow. Sidharth, watching her, made a swift decision. Without warning, he scooped Shehnaaz into his arms, startling her in the process.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and the cat, now sitting in Shehnaaz’s arms while being lifted by Sidharth, let out an shocked, “Myaauuu!” The poor creature seemed to be unsure of what was happening, its tiny face filled with uncertainty and suspicion towards Sidharth.

Sidharth, however, wasn’t having any of it. He narrowed his eyes at the cat and muttered, “I’m bearing you only because of my baby… Dare you show me any attitude.”

Shehnaaz couldn’t help but giggle, looking at Sidharth in disbelief. “Siddhaarthhh… kyu daant rahe hai usse?” she teased, her voice filled with amusement.

The cat, as if understanding she had an ally in Shehnaaz, looked up at her with the saddest eyes and let out another pitiful “Myaauuu,” as if complaining about Sidharth’s harshness.

Sidharth groaned, clearly outnumbered in this battle. “Great… just great,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he carried Shehnaaz into the kitchen. He placed her gently on the counter, then headed to the fridge to retrieve some milk for the demanding cat.

Taking out a small bowl, Sidharth poured a little milk into it and placed it on the floor. The cat, always quick to sense food, wasted no time. It jumped from Shehnaaz’s lap and darted straight for the bowl, eagerly lapping up the milk.

Sidharth smirked, watching the cat for a second before turning back to Shehnaaz. He swept her back into his arms with ease and carried her upstairs, not giving her a chance to protest.

As he placed her gently on the bed, Shehnaaz looked at him suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. “Aap ne jaan bujh ke kiya na…” she said, a hint of playfulness in her voice, as if accusing him of distracting the cat on purpose.

Sidharth didn’t respond right away. Instead, he simply smiled—a smile that was both mischievous and full of affection. He sat down beside her, and in one fluid motion, pulled her close again, his arms wrapping tightly around her, pulling her into the warmth of his embrace.

Shehnaaz’s breath hitched slightly as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his grip around her becoming possessive, protective. His voice, low and filled with emotion, broke the silence. “Tum sirf meri ho… sirf meri,” he whispered, the words coming out like a vow.

Shehnaaz nestled closer into Sidharth’s arms, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. He looked at her with such intensity, and she found herself wanting to tell him how adorable he was at that moment. But she hesitated. Would her serious, often grumpy “Mr. Khadoos” appreciate being called cute? The thought made her giggle softly, and she let herself relax further in his protective embrace.

For Sidharth, holding Shehnaaz like this felt right—natural. Her presence calmed him in a way nothing else could. He pulled her closer, even in his sleep, as if afraid she might slip away. His feelings for her, though intense and complicated, always led him back to this—a need to keep her near.

The peacefulness of the morning slowly began to shift as the sound of birds chirping pulled Sidharth from his slumber. His eyes blinked open, expecting to enjoy a tranquil start to the day, but what he saw beside Shehnaaz made his jaw tighten.

The cat.

It was curled up on the other side of Shehnaaz, clearly having made itself comfortable during the night. Sidharth couldn’t believe what he was seeing. This cat again? He couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of annoyance and jealousy. He carefully adjusted Shehnaaz in his arms, pulling her a little closer to him, hoping to push the intruder out of his mind.

Shehnaaz stirred at his movement, blinking her sleepy eyes open. When she saw him looking at her, she smiled warmly, greeting him with a soft “Morning…” Her voice was gentle, still laced with sleep, and she looked so peaceful that Sidharth felt his earlier frustration melting away.

Even with her hair a bit messy and her face still flushed from sleep, to Sidharth, she looked perfect. There was something pure and beautiful about her that captivated him every time he saw her like this. He wanted to freeze this moment, just the two of them, away from everything else. Without thinking much, he leaned forward, brushing a tender kiss on her forehead, followed by dissolving his lips with hers, letting his actions convey the words he couldn’t quite say.

Shehnaaz smiled at his gesture, her heart fluttering as she gently held onto him. She loved it so much when he wasbeing all gentle and caring. She closed her eyes, letting the peacefulness of the morning wash over her.

But just as they were settling into their moment, an all-too-familiar sound broke the silence.

“Myaauu…”

Sidharth tensed, his peaceful expression shifting to irritation as he turned to see the cat watching them, almost as if it was waiting to be acknowledged. He let out a small groan, his patience running thin. Of course, the cat would choose now to interrupt, he thought, frustrated.

Shehnaaz realized at that very moment that Sidharth and the cat would never get along. It was a funny, but undeniable truth. She could see the stubbornness in both of them, and the way Sidharth looked at the little creature didn’t exactly scream friendship. Fearing for the cat, she quickly cupped his face, gently pulling his attention back to her.

For a moment, Sidharth’s eyes softened as they met hers, but it wasn’t long before his mischievous side took over. Without warning, he buried his face into her neck and playfully bit down, the suddenness of it making her yelp.

“Sidhaarthhh!” she cried, her voice rising in pain and surprise as she winced at the sharp sensation.

He pulled back, clearly satisfied with himself, a smug grin on his face. “It’s gonna leave a mark, baby,” he said, smirking at her with a playful glint in his eyes.

Shehnaaz, her face turning a deep shade of pink, slapped his chest lightly, more out of embarrassment than anger. Her cheeks were burning, and despite the bite, she couldn’t help but blush. His teasing was relentless, and it made her want to hide, but at the same time, it brought butterflies to her stomach.

“Myaauuu…” The cat’s meow interrupted their moment again, this time looking at Shehnaaz with big, innocent eyes as if begging her for help.

Sidharth looked away in frustration, not wanting to admit how annoyed he was by this constant intruder. “I’m not letting you go,” he grumbled, tightening his arms around Shehnaaz. “And I don’t like her.”

Shehnaaz giggled, knowing full well that the cat felt exactly the same about him. The way it stared at Sidharth, almost as if to say, *the feeling’s mutual,* was too amusing for her to ignore.

Sidharth, now officially over the cat, rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically before resting his head against Shehnaaz’s chest, where he could hear her heartbeat. The sound soothed him instantly, helping him forget about the little furball on the side. He closed his eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of her heart, feeling the warmth of her body against his. Everything about her was calming, a balm to his restless mind.

“You know,” he began, his voice low, “I had this plan for us to go camping early this morning. But… since you’re already hurt, I don’t want to risk you getting injured again.”

He was concerned, and it was clear in his voice. The bite he had given her was playful, but when it came to her well-being, his protective instincts kicked in immediately.

“Koi na…” she said softly, her voice laced with affection. “Vaise bhi yeh ghar itna pyara hai ke yaha se jaane ka mann hi nahi karega…” She looked around the cozy space, her eyes shining with contentment. The warmth of the place, the peacefulness—it felt like home to her.

Sidharth looked at her, his gaze softening even more. He reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, the same one that had been teasing her cheek. His fingers lingered for a moment before he bent down to press a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there in a gesture of deep affection. “It’s yours,” he whispered, his voice full of love. “Jab bhi tumhara mann karega… we’ll come here, okay?”

“Sachhi?” Shehnaaz’s face lit up with pure joy when she heard Sidharth’s promise. She absolutely loved the place—it felt like a dream come true.

“Myaaaauuu…” The cat’s persistent meow broke through the tender moment again.

Groaning in defeat, Sidharth finally got off her and flopped onto the bed beside her, burying his face in the pillow. “Go… jao dono,” he grumbled, clearly frustrated but not entirely serious.

Shehnaaz couldn’t help but smile at his reaction. Shaking her head fondly, she bent down and kissed his hair before picking up the cat in her hands. “Shona, baby ko bhook lagi hai… chaloo,” she cooed, gently cradling the cat.

It was nearly time to leave for home, but the two of them couldn’t help getting caught up in their silly banter.

“No… no… no…” Sidharth was firm, his voice laced with a playful stubbornness.

Shehnaaz frowned dramatically. “But cotton akeli kya karegi yaha?” she asked, giving him her best puppy-dog eyes.

Sidharth looked confused. “Who is cotton now?”

Shehnaaz giggled, brushing her hands over the cat’s soft fur. “Hayy, maine iska naam rakha hai… Cotton,” she announced proudly.

Sidharth rolled his eyes in mock exasperation and continued packing up the remaining stuff into the car, while Shehnaaz followed behind, still holding Cotton protectively in her arms.

“She can’t come with us, no way, baby,” Sidharth declared, though his tone was more out of jealousy than practicality. That cat was getting too close to *his* girl.

“But why, Sidharth? Cotton itni choti si hai… hamare bade ghar mein reh legi na?” Shehnaaz pouted, making her case for the tiny creature.

Sidharth’s internal jealousy flared up. *And eat up all the time that’s supposed to be only mine?* he thought. No way was he sharing her attention with anyone else, least of all a cat. “Baby, maine keh diya na, toh nahi,” he stated firmly, crossing his arms.

Sensing the tension, Cotton seemed to understand the rejection. She jumped out of Shehnaaz’s arms and ran to sit at the corner of the steps, looking dejected.

Sidharth sighed and looked away, trying to ignore the guilt creeping up on him as he saw both Shehnaaz and Cotton staring at him with similarly heartbroken expressions.

*Oh great,* he thought, *now I have to manaofy both Sana and her new cat.* He couldn’t believe how far he’d fallen, but people were right—love does make a man a bit of a slave.

Reluctantly, he walked over to where Shehnaaz and Cotton were sitting on the steps, their faces matching in stubbornness. He crouched down next to them, softly calling out, “Baby…”

But Shehnaaz turned her face away, and so did Cotton, both clearly unimpressed with his earlier stance.

Sidharth sighed again. *Fine,* he thought, *if his baby was going to be this ziddi… he’d have to give in.* He knew there was no winning when Shehnaaz was set on something.

Sidharth sat down beside Shehnaaz, his resolve crumbling in the face of her disappointment. He gently kissed her cheek, his voice softening, “Sorry, mera bachha… tum jo chaho, vohi hoga. Bas.”

Shehnaaz, still a bit stubborn, peeked at him from the corner of her eye. But when she saw the sincerity in his expression, her heart melted. She broke into a wide smile and, without hesitation, jumped onto Sidharth, hugging him tightly. Cotton, not wanting to be left out, ran around in playful circles, trying to catch her own tail.

Sidharth chuckled, feeling warmth spread through him at the sight of both Shehnaaz and the silly little cat so full of joy. He hugged Shehnaaz tighter, nuzzling his face into her hair. “Bas, ab khush?” he murmured, though he knew the answer just from her beaming face.

Shehnaaz nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. “Bohot,” she giggled, giving him another squeeze. Meanwhile, Cotton, as if celebrating her own victory, finally caught her tail and sat down, looking at the two with a smug little expression.

_______________

On their way back home, Cotton had drifted off to sleep, so Shehnaaz carefully wrapped her in a warm towel and placed her on the back seat. The gentle rhythm of the car and the cozy atmosphere made the journey peaceful.

Shehnaaz rested her head on Sidharth’s shoulder, her arm intertwining with his, and Sidharth smiled. He leaned sideways, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “Kya hua, baby?” he asked, sensing her quiet mood.

“Woh cottage… bahot pyara tha,” Shehnaaz sighed wistfully, reminiscing about the beautiful place they had just left.

Sidharth, trying to cheer her up, grinned. “Baby, if you want, humare bedroom ka interior bhi similar kar lenge,” he suggested playfully. “Aur jab tum chahogi, we can come back.”

Shehnaaz’s face lit up at the thought. “Hmm…” she murmured, liking the idea but feeling a little overwhelmed by everything.

She tilted her face to look at him, admiring his sharp, toned features. His focus was on the road, but she couldn’t help but marvel at how perfect he looked—every muscle well-defined from his workouts. The sight of him stirred something in her, making her throat dry with desire.

Sidharth, noticing her gaze, smirked. “Kya dekh rahi ho?” he teased, his voice soft and knowing.

Caught, Shehnaaz immediately looked down, embarrassed. “Bas yuhi…”

Shaking his head with amusement, he continued driving, his heart swelling with affection. He knew exactly what was running through her mind, and it made him smile.

After a comfortable silence, he spoke again, his tone more serious yet affectionate. “Main maa se baat kar lunga. Engagement aur wedding ki date jaldi fix karne ke liye…”

The suddenness of his words made Shehnaaz blush a deep red. “Hayy rabba… Sidharth, aap na… kand mat karo sachhi, bata rahi hoon!” she protested in her playful, childish tone. “Sab sochenge hum dono ko kitni jaldi padi hai, hasenge sab!”

Sidharth rolled his eyes, clearly unbothered by anyone else’s opinions. Wrapping her left arm around his neck, he pulled her close into a sideways embrace. “I’m least bothered. Main yeh sab aur delay nahi karunga,” he said firmly, his voice filled with certainty.

Shehnaaz made a cute pout, her eyes wide like a child’s. “Aap samajhte kyun nahi…” she pleaded.

The sight of her baby face, with those pleading eyes, melted his heart. Unable to resist, Sidharth leaned in for a kiss. “Samajh jao na, baby,” he whispered teasingly.

Shehnaaz, blushing but playful, gently turned his face back towards the road and kissed his jaw, making him groan in delight. “Pati ji… thoda control kiya karo ji,” she said with a giggle, her voice filled with teasing warmth.

But Sidharth had other ideas. With a sudden stop, he pulled the car over and hit the brakes. “Woh toh nahi hoga, ji,” he said mischievously, and before she could react, he captured her lips in a passionate kiss, leaving her breathless and flushed.

_____________

It was seven in the evening when Sidharth and Shehnaaz stepped into the mansion, Cotton clinging to Shehnaaz, her little frame trembling as she took in the new surroundings. “Myaavv…” the kitten mumbled cutely, nuzzling closer to Shehnaaz.

Sidharth couldn’t help but make a face, tightening his arm around Shehnaaz’s waist possessively.

Amused, Shehnaaz playfully slapped his hand away just as Anu walked down the stairs, her face lighting up with excitement. “Omgg… I was about to call you guys to check when you’d reach!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

As Anu approached, her excitement grew at the sight of Cotton. “Awe, shoo cutie! Ye kaha mili tuze?” she cooed, scooping Cotton into her arms.

“Myaavv…” Cotton responded with an adorably innocent face, instantly winning Anu’s heart.

Sidharth, feeling a little out of place, decided to head to his room. He shot an annoyed glare at Shehnaaz, who simply shook her head at his antics. “Ye woh cottage mein mili… mene iska naam Cotton rakha hai,” Shehnaaz informed Anu, her excitement bubbling over.

Anu smiled, gently playing with Cotton, who seemed to take an instant liking to her. “Waise, maa bahar gayi hai… but she will be back for dinner,” Anu added.

Hearing this, Shehnaaz held Anu’s hand, her eyes sparkling with ideas. “Hum kuch special banate hain, chalo!”

“Myaavv…” Cotton chimed in, trying to catch their attention, her little stomach growling as she sensed the food preparations.

“Haan, Cotton, tujhe bhukh lagi hai!” Anu exclaimed, and as Shehnaaz brought a bowl of milk for the kitten, Cotton dashed toward it, lapping it up eagerly.

When Rita ji joined them for dinner, she was pleasantly surprised to see everything laid out to her liking. She blessed both girls, her heart swelling with pride as she ate alongside them, enjoying the warmth of family and the lively atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Cotton was running around the living room, exploring her new home and clearly loving every moment of it. Rita ji patted Shehnaaz’s back, commending her for bringing Cotton home. The little kitten seemed to attract everyone’s attention—everyone except Sidharth.

As the evening progressed, Anu took Cotton to her room, but the kitten’s eyes kept searching for Shehnaaz. Sidharth, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation, waved goodbye to Cotton with an overly dramatic smile. The kitten turned away, uninterested in his theatrics.

Rita ji observed Sidharth, bemused by his behavior. Shehnaaz couldn’t help but chuckle as she explained the playful encounters between Sidharth and Cotton, prompting Rita ji to burst into laughter.

______________

A new day had dawned, and Shehnaaz made her way to the office with Anu, followed closely by Sidharth. As they walked in, many eyes paused on Shehnaaz, who had recently learned of her termination but was now back in high spirits.

Zoya approached and hugged Shehnaaz tightly as she settled into her cabin. “Ohh god, I’m so happy you’re back! And congratulations…”

Shehnaaz blushed softly at the unexpected praise. “Thank you, Zoya!”

“I still can’t believe it! You and Sidharth sir? I mean, he doesn’t even look at any girl!” Zoya exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Shehnaaz couldn’t help but smile at that. “Woh kisi ne kuch bola kya mere bare mein office mein? Sab ghur rahe the mujhe…”

Zoya rolled her eyes playfully. “Office mein sabke kaan hote hain. Chill kar, yaar. Do din mein sab bhool jayenge. Achha, chal, tu kaam kar. I’ll see you later!”

With that, Zoya left, and Shehnaaz settled into her seat. She glanced over at Sidharth’s cabin, which was still empty.

Sighing, she turned to her work, but his angry eyes from their last encounter still haunted her. Apparently, Mr. Khadus had called her in the middle of the night, complaining he couldn’t sleep without her in his arms. It was a fact she couldn’t deny, but she also knew she couldn’t let it become a habit because they weren’t married yet. While Rita ji had a modern mentality, it would still look odd. Sidharth, however, wasn’t buying her reasoning at all. Upset, he had disconnected her call and barely spoke to her at the breakfast table.

Once at the office, Sidharth had headed straight to the meeting room, responding to an urgent call from a client. The meeting was unplanned, and in his frustration with Shehnaaz, he had even called Nisha and Karan to attend, wanting to keep himself busy.

After the meeting, he returned to his cabin, his gaze falling on Shehnaaz, who was visibly sad in her own space. That look always melted his heart, but today, he resisted. No, Sidharth, don’t let her win this time. Remember, you didn’t sleep at all last night. Somewhere inside, he acknowledged that what she said during their argument held some truth, but he was also curious to see how she would try to win him back.

With a smirk, he took his seat and began checking his emails when Manish walked in with Simran, shocking Sidharth out of his thoughts.

“What the hell are you doing here…?” Sidharth shouted, directing his anger particularly at Simran, but Manish felt the brunt of it too.

Manish stood firm in front of the desk alongside Simran. “Sidharth, just because I left the house doesn’t mean I’ll stop coming to the office. I hold certain rights, if you’ve forgotten.”

Sidharth’s eyes narrowed at Manish. “I haven’t questioned your appearance in the office because I understand how to balance personal and professional life…” He shifted his gaze to Simran, his expression hardening with pure hatred. “I repeat… what the hell are you doing here?”

Simran smirked, taking a step closer to Sidharth. “Oh, come on, Sid. Don’t you think you’ve stretched our fight long enough?”

Sidharth closed his eyes, struggling to remain calm. “Leave before I call security to throw you out,” he warned, his tone icy.

At that moment, Shehnaaz, who had gone to get coffee for Sidharth as an excuse to visit his cabin, was startled to see Manish and the woman she recognized as one of the client’s wives. The tension in the room was palpable.

Shehnaaz noticed Sidharth’s strained expression, and her heart ached for him. She couldn’t leave him alone to fight this battle; she couldn’t bear the thought of him facing any problem without her support. Even if he scolded her for intervening, she had to be there for him.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Shehnaaz approached his cabin and knocked on the door. When it swung open, she walked in, only to find all three pairs of eyes fixed on her in surprise.

Manish was startled by Shehnaaz’s boldness. No wonder she managed to capture Sidharth’s heart; her confidence was something else. Simran seethed at the sight of her, jealousy radiating from her every pore, while Sidharth felt an unusual calm wash over him. She always had that magic touch.

Manish, refusing to back down, glared at Shehnaaz. “Leave us alone, girl. We’re in the middle of an important discussion.”

Before Sidharth could interject, Shehnaaz stepped in closer, standing firmly beside him. She placed the coffee cup on the desk with a light thud, her gaze unwavering as she looked at Manish. “Well, whatever discussion you’re having, you can have it in front of me. I am family,” she stated, her tone strong yet composed.

Sidharth looked at Shehnaaz in awe, his heart swelling with admiration as she stood her ground. Manish glared at her, clearly taken aback. “Family? And exactly who are you?” he snapped.

Sidharth felt his anger rise at Manish’s arrogant tone. “Uncle, don’t test my patience,” he warned, trying to rein in his irritation.

But Shehnaaz placed a calming hand on Sidharth’s chest, instantly soothing him. With a bright smile, she turned to Manish and said, “Uncle, I would be Mrs. Sidharth, if that’s a perfect answer.”

Sidharth’s jaw dropped in amazement, pride radiating from him. Just then, Simran slapped her palm against the desk, gaining everyone’s attention.

She approached Shehnaaz, but Sidharth immediately stepped in front of her, instinctively protecting the woman he loved.

Simran smirked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “You only love me, Sidharth. You always have. My marriage to Kabeer doesn’t matter to me. Aren’t we tired of these fights?”

Her words were laced with venom, designed to paint a twisted picture of their past relationship in front of Shehnaaz.

Sidharth’s blood boiled, and he reached for his phone to call security, but Shehnaaz took it from him and set it back down, stepping forward to confront Simran. “Mrs. Kabeer, I believe this is not the correct way to talk to someone’s fiancé,” she said firmly, her voice steady.

Simran was momentarily shocked by Shehnaaz’s confidence but quickly masked it with disdain. “Look, girl, he loves me. He can only love me. We had a relationship for three damn years. I know him better than anyone else,” she shot back, her tone domineering.

For a brief moment, Sidharth felt fear gripping him as he glanced at Shehnaaz. He knew Simran represented a painful chapter in his life—one he was desperate to leave behind. The thought of Simran trying to manipulate Shehnaaz’s innocent and pure heart made him sick with worry.

“Baby…” Sidharth mumbled, his voice a whisper behind her.

Shehnaaz turned to him, her loving smile providing the relief he desperately needed. The warmth in her gaze anchored him amidst the storm of emotions swirling around them.

Then, turning back to Simran, Shehnaaz wiped the confidence off the other woman’s face with her fierce determination. “sidharth mere hai.. sirf mere… agar mere Sidharth ki taraf dekha bhi.. me phad ke rakh dungi sabko….” Her voice was calm yet held an edge that sent a clear message.

Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers!

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy the story of Sidharth and Shehnaaz. Their journey is filled with love, challenges, and the ups and downs of relationships.

Shehnaaz’s strength shows how important it is to stand up for love, while Sidharth’s struggles remind us that letting go of the past can be tough. The characters’ interactions highlight the need for trust and communication.

I appreciate your support and feedback as we explore their story together. Enjoy!

Also, stay tuned for “Baarish,” along with the rest of the stories. There’s so much more in store, and I can’t wait for you to dive into these new adventures.

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

With love and gratitude,

Shalaka

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