Where every word breathes Love….

Chapter 33

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Sanju had ordered food from the hotel, knowing her cooking skills weren’t exactly what anyone would be excited about. She didn’t want to risk keeping everyone hungry. But still, there was a part of her that wanted to do something special for Vihaan. She knew how much Shehnaaz adored him, and somewhere along the way, she had grown to care for him just as much. So, she decided to make pasta for him, after learning how to from a YouTube tutorial. She hoped he’d like it. She really did.

As she stood in the kitchen, stirring the pasta, a smile crept onto her face. It had been a long time since she felt this content, this light. Everything had been so heavy lately, so complicated. But today felt different. She was happy. Happy that Anu was coming over too along with shehnaaz and vihaan. From what she had seen, Anu seemed like a fun-loving girl, and Sanju could use a little more fun in her life. Things had been too serious for too long.

Sanju couldn’t pinpoint when Vihaan had become so important to her. It just sort of happened. He had snuck into her heart the way little kids do—with their innocent smiles and endless energy. He wasn’t just Shehnaaz’s son anymore; in many ways, he felt like her own nephew, like family. And it wasn’t forced; it was as if he had always been meant to be a part of her life. Her heart warmed at the thought of him.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. Sanju’s smile widened, and she rushed to the door, her excitement bubbling over. As soon as she opened it, Vihaan, as always, was the first one inside. He ran straight towards her, and Sanju scooped him up in her arms, kissing his chubby little cheeks repeatedly.

Shehnaaz and Anu followed behind, both chuckling at the sight of Sanju showering Vihaan with affection. The boy giggled, squirming in her arms, “Sanju, you’re tickling me!”

Sanju laughed, finally setting him down. “I missed you, boyfriend,” she said with a playful wink, before turning her attention to Anu. “Welcome, Anu! You can put your bags in Shehnaaz’s old room while I set the dinner table.”

sanju grinned hearing an I missed you too girlfriend from vihhan before he dashed towards the kitchen.

Before Anu could respond, Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, “Bakwas mat kar, hum sab saath mein karte hain,” she said, handing Sanju a carry bag. “Maa ne bheja hai. Kuch snacks hain, aur tere favorite palak parathe bhi.”

The familiarity and warmth in Shehnaaz’s voice were enough to make Sanju feel at home. Together, Sanju and Shehnaaz moved to settle the bags, their movements synchronized from years of friendship, while Anu stood a little apart, checking her phone with a heavy sigh.

Her phone hadn’t stopped buzzing since yesterday. Three times she’d already had to charge it, and it seemed like it wasn’t going to stop anytime soon. She opened the latest message from Shikhar, her heart softening instantly despite herself.

“Baby, please, you’re not allowed to be this upset. Kyun kar rahi ho mere saath aisa tum? Mujhe tumse abhi milna hai. Please baby. Jo tum chahogi waisa hi hoga. Just pick up the phone…”

Her breath hitched as she read the next one. “Anu, I’m going mad here. Pick up the bloody phone, damn it.”

And then another message popped up. “Either you pick up the call, or I’m coming home. You’re mine, and I’ll be damned if I lose you. Please let me talk to you, baby…”

Anu quickly shut off her phone before her resolve could weaken. She could already feel the pull, the urge to run into his arms and tell him that everything would be okay. But no. He had ignored her, and he needed to learn a lesson. She clenched her phone tightly, forcing the thoughts of him away. She couldn’t let him off the hook so easily.

She missed him already, though. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach, an ache that only grew stronger the more she tried to suppress it. But this time, she wouldn’t cave. He had to know that avoiding her had consequences.

Slipping her phone into her pocket, she took a deep breath just as Shehnaaz approached, her warm presence like a soothing balm to Anu’s chaotic thoughts.

______________

As Sidharth’s car rolled through the gates of the mansion, a wave of relief washed over him. The familiar sight of home brought a strange sense of comfort, one he hadn’t expected. He told himself it was because he was feeling homesick, missing the familiar walls and quiet corners. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t the mansion he was looking forward to. There was something more, someone more—*her*. A small, irrational hope had begun to rise in his chest, a hope that he might catch a glimpse of Shehnaaz. Yet, he tried to brush the thought away, convincing himself that his return had nothing to do with her.

Stepping out of the car, he motioned to the helper, “Take the bag upstairs,” he said, his tone clipped but distracted. His fingers twitched around the small, delicate object he was holding in his hand. The momentary panic that it might break under his strong grip made him quickly slip it into his pocket. His heart raced slightly as he checked to see if it made any sound—nothing. He was relieved, but also frustrated with himself.

*What on earth is wrong with me?* he thought, shaking his head. Sidharth was not the kind of man to go shopping for someone, especially not for a woman he claimed to despise. His mind was spinning with the contradiction of his actions. He had never, in all these years, bought anything for anyone other than Vihaan. But here he was, with an anklet he had picked out for Shehnaaz. The irony wasn’t lost on him.

Sidharth clenched his jaw as he remembered the strange urge that had overtaken him earlier. He hadn’t planned to go to a jewelry shop. He had barely even thought about it. In fact, he was on his way to the airport when his eyes had fallen on a toy store. Instinctively, he had pulled over, buying an electric car for Vihaan—something he was certain his son would love.

But it wasn’t the toy store that threw him off. As he stepped out, his gaze wandered to the shop next door—a jewelry store. He had no reason to go in, no intention of buying anything. Yet, something tugged at him, a quiet but insistent need to get something for Shehnaaz. He had tried to ignore it, had tried to brush it aside, but the pull was too strong. Before he knew it, he had walked into the store, his eyes scanning the delicate pieces on display.

Sidharth had no idea what he was doing when they first asked him what he wanted at the jewelry shop. He stood there, feeling out of place as he scanned the displays, his mind wandering. He absentmindedly looked through various pieces—rings, necklaces, bracelets—but nothing seemed right. Then, almost by chance, his eyes landed on a delicate anklet.

 

 

As soon as he saw it, an image flashed in his mind: Shehnaaz’s ankle, graceful and beautiful, adorned with the simple piece of jewelry.

Startled by his own thoughts, Sidharth shook his head physically, as if to brush the vision away. What am I doing? He felt foolish, standing in a jewelry store, buying something for a woman he kept telling himself he didn’t care about. But despite his inner conflict, he couldn’t stop himself. He purchased the anklet in a matter of seconds, clutching it tightly in his hand like it was something precious, something that mattered far more than he was willing to admit.

He didn’t even know if she liked anklets. But the thought of her wearing it, of seeing that tiny piece of jewelry on her ankle, had been enough to make him buy it.

His heart raced as he left the store, the small box tucked safely in his pocket. He didn’t know if Shehnaaz would like it—or worse, he had no idea how he would even give it to her. They barely spoke. He had kept his distance, convinced that avoiding her was the right thing to do, but a part of him—a part he never admitted to anyone, not even himself—longed for her voice. He craved the sound of her sweet, gentle words, the way she looked at him with those innocent, hopeful eyes. It was maddening, this contradiction inside him.

*Why?* he questioned himself again, frowning deeply. Shehnaaz was supposed to be the woman he couldn’t stand, the woman he had told himself over and over that he hated.

Sidharth shook his head, trying to snap himself out of it. This doesn’t mean anything, he told himself sternly. He wasn’t buying her affection, and this certainly wasn’t an act of kindness. It was just… a moment of weakness, nothing more.

But as he walked into the mansion, the feeling of the anklet sitting in his pocket wouldn’t let him rest. No matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, he couldn’t deny that the thought of seeing her face when she saw the gift had stirred something in him.

As Sidharth walked through the main door, his eyes instinctively searched for Vihaan, but the little boy was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his gaze fell upon his mother and Tayiji, both sitting comfortably on the sofa, engrossed in some papers. His mother looked up first, her eyes lighting up with surprise.

“Sid, aa gaya tu? Tu Sunday aane wala tha na?” she asked, her voice filled with mild surprise as she set aside the files she had been reading. The papers were related to an old shelter project she had been supporting for years, her work always close to her heart.

Tayiji also glanced up from her file, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Aja, beth,” she said, motioning for him to sit beside them. She then called out to Varsha, “Varsha, Bhaiyya ke liye paani aur nashta le aa, beta.”

Sidharth nodded, moving towards them, but his mind was elsewhere. His fingers brushed against the anklet in his pocket, his thoughts circling around how he could possibly give it to Shehnaaz without making a fool of himself. What am I even thinking? he chastised himself silently. But no matter how much he tried to distract himself, the thought of seeing her reaction—whether she smiled, or if her eyes lit up at the sight of his gift—kept creeping back into his mind.

Sidharth gave his mother a warm hug and respectfully touched Tayiji’s feet before settling into the seat beside them. “Kaam jaldi khatam ho gaya, Maa… Vihaan kahan hai?” His eyes scanned the room, and the silence felt out of place. Usually, the house was full of chatter and the playful sounds of Vihaan. But today, it seemed unusually quiet. His eyes instinctively searched for Shehnaaz too, but there was no sign of her.

Rita ji noticed the confusion on his face and realized that Sidharth wasn’t aware of the weekend plan. She hesitated for a moment, unsure how he would take the news. “Sid, Vihaan Anu aur Shehnaaz ke saath Sanju ke ghar gaya hai,” she said carefully, her eyes lingering on the toy car Sidharth was  holding in his hand. She had assumed he would have known about the plan. But clearly, he didn’t.

Sidharth’s brows knitted together in a familiar frown as he processed his mother’s words. Shehnaaz hadn’t told him anything about taking Vihaan to Sanju’s place, even though he had asked her to keep him updated about their plans. The realization frustrated him, but then, just as quickly, he remembered that he hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with her either. He had kept his distance and left to Ahmedabad without giving her single hint of it.

“Okay… kab tak vapas aayenge woh log?” he asked, standing up to head to his room. His voice was calm, but there was a tightness to it. “Me tab tak fresh ho jata hoon,” he added, trying to brush off the unease building inside him. He wanted to appear casual, but the thought of not seeing Vihaan or Shehnaaz for a few more hours left a bitter taste in his mouth.

But his mother’s next words stopped him in his tracks.

“Woh log Sunday ko vapas aane wale hain, Sid…” Rita ji said gently, choosing her words carefully as she noticed the frown deepening on Sidharth’s face.

At first, it was as if Sidharth hadn’t fully processed what she had just said. He stood frozen for a moment, his mind spinning. *Sunday?* The word echoed in his head, and slowly, the weight of it began to sink in. He had thought they would be back in a few hours, but they wouldn’t be back until Sunday? That was three whole days away. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, and frustration surged through him.

What? Freaking hell.

He stood there, completely silent, his expression hardening as the shock and frustration overwhelmed him. His mother’s voice barely registered anymore. A storm of emotions brewed inside him—frustration, confusion, and something else he didn’t want to name.

Sidharth’s mind whirled with frustration and confusion as he processed the fact that Shehnaaz and Vihaan had gone away for three whole days—*three* long days. The thought felt absurd to him. What was the need for this? And why hadn’t she thought it necessary to tell him? But then, his own conscience shouted back at him, reminding him of the irony. *Tu bhi toh 3 din ke liye gaya tha, bina bataye.* He had left without informing her, hadn’t he? Still, it unsettled him that she hadn’t said a word.

Something snapped inside him. He had cut his trip short because he was missing them—*missing them both*. He had craved the warmth of his son’s presence, the sound of Vihaan’s laughter, and  the quiet comfort that Shehnaaz brought into his life. He had come back, hoping to spend the weekend with them, to be close to them, and now, they were gone.

Last night had been restless for him. He had barely slept, tossing and turning, his mind filled with thoughts of home. Now that he was here, the emptiness felt unbearable.

“Kya hua, Sid?” Tayiji’s concerned voice broke through his storming thoughts. Her eyes met Rita ji’s, exchanging a silent communication about his shifting mood.

Rita ji, noticing the growing tension on his face, tried to explain. “Sanju thodi upset hai kisi baat ko leke. Isliye Shehnaaz gayi hai. Vihaan bhi jaane ki zidd karne laga, isliye usse le gayi.” She spoke softly, sensing her son’s mood darkening.

“I’ll freshen up,” Sidharth murmured absentmindedly before heading upstairs, leaving behind a worried Rita ji and Tayiji.

__________

He moved up the stairs lifelessly, knowing that the house was empty, that the people he wanted most wouldn’t be there to greet him. His heart sank the moment he entered his room. The silence was deafening, and the absence of Shehnaaz and Vihaan weighed on him like a ton of bricks. Their giggles, their presence, still echoed faintly in the room, teasing his mind.

He sat heavily on the bed, feeling the weight of his emotions dragging him down. His energy, his earlier excitement, seemed to have evaporated. The happiness he had felt about seeing them, the hopes he had carried on his way back—all of it now seemed distant, as if it had slipped through his fingers.

He placed the car toy on vihaan’s study desk and anklet in his wardrobe drawer. He lay down on the bed, feeling an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. His body felt tired, but it wasn’t physical fatigue—it was the absence of the two people who he was missing like anything.

All he wanted at that moment was to hold them, to have Vihaan’s tiny body cuddled close, and to feel Shehnaaz’s warmth against him. He had almost forgotten how comforting her presence was, how her scent wrapped around him like a blanket of safety. He loved burying his face in the crook of her neck as he slept, her soft warmth lulling him into peace.

But why hadn’t she called him? She had his number—she could’ve informed him that they were leaving for three days. Didn’t she think he needed to know? Didn’t she think she would miss them.. miss her..

He realized, in that moment, that he didn’t need to worry about Vihaan as long as he was with her. Somewhere along the way, he had started trusting Shehnaaz with his son, and it had happened so naturally that he hadn’t even noticed.

One of the scarf of shehnaaz was at the other end of corner. He pulled it to himself instantly. The sight of it made his chest ache with longing. He missed her even more.

He wanted to see her, hold her. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and sleep with his head resting against her, his arm possessively around her waist, his leg carelessly draped over hers. He craved the comfort of her aroma, her warmth surrounding him like a sanctuary.

But none of that was happening. Instead, he was here—alone, the room cold and empty, with only his thoughts for company.

Why did it hurt so much to be alone?

 _____________

Rita ji glanced at the clock, worry tugging at her heart. It was well past 10 PM, and Sidharth still hadn’t come downstairs for dinner. She sighed softly, her maternal instincts kicking in as concern clouded her mind. Sid had been acting strange since he returned home earlier than expected, but he had seemed excited when he walked in, clearly looking forward to something. Now, he was holed up in his room, and she hadn’t heard a sound from him since.

Her heart ached with unease, imagining him lying there, not eating or taking care of himself. She couldn’t just sit and wait anymore. Determined, she pushed herself up from the sofa, feeling the familiar ache in her knees as she climbed the stairs to his room.

As she reached his door, Rita ji gently knocked but didn’t wait for a response. She opened the door softly, expecting to find Sidharth working or maybe reading like he usually did when he needed space. But to her surprise, there he was, lying on the bed, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. He was already asleep—or at least, she thought so.

Itni jaldi so gaya? she thought to herself, surprised. Aur bina kuch khaye? Her worry deepened.

“Sid…” she called softly, moving closer to the bed. She sat down gently beside him, her heart heavy with motherly concern. There was no response from him. He lay there, his face unusually pale, his strong frame looking unusually weak.

She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against his forehead, intending to push his hair back like she used to when he was a child. The moment her hand touched his skin, she froze. His forehead was burning up. Her heart skipped a beat as panic swelled in her chest.

“Sid! Tujhe toh bukhaar hai!” Rita ji exclaimed, shaking him softly to wake him. “Sid, uth beta… tujhe theek nahi lag raha? Kuch kha le, aur dawai le le. Main doctor ko bulati hoon,” she added, her voice trembling with worry.

Sidharth stirred slightly, his heavy eyes blinking open as he looked up at his mother. His gaze was distant, a little hazy from the fever, but he tried to manage a reassuring smile for her.

“Nahi maa, mene dawai le li hai already… bas thodi thakan hai. Aap jaake so jaiye,” he muttered weakly, his voice hoarse from exhaustion.

Rita ji frowned, unconvinced by his words. She could see how drained he looked, and the fact that he was dismissing her concern only made her worry more. She didn’t want to leave him like this.

“Par Sid… tu theek nahi lag raha,” she tried to reason with him again, her voice softer this time, as if hoping he’d listen.

But Sidharth shook his head slightly, closing his eyes again as if the conversation itself was tiring him out. “Please maa, main theek hoon… just need a little rest. Aap jaake so jaiye, main bilkul theek ho jaunga,” he reassured her again, though even his words lacked conviction.

Rita ji could only sigh, knowing her son too well. He wouldn’t let her fuss over him, no matter how much she wanted to. She gently pulled the duvet over him, tucking it around him as if he were still the little boy she used to care for. Her fingers lingered on his forehead once more, brushing his hair back affectionately.

She got up slowly, casting one last worried glance at him before leaving the room, closing the door behind her. But as she descended the stairs, her heart was still heavy. Something wasn’t right. Why had Sid suddenly fallen ill? What was going on that he wasn’t telling her?

She reached the living room and sat down, her mind racing. She could feel her worry intensifying with every passing minute. She picked up her phone, her fingers trembling as she scrolled through her contacts. There was only one person she could call at a time like this—Shehnaaz.

______________

Shehnaaz gently ran her fingers through Vihaan’s soft hair as he slept beside her, his small chest rising and falling peacefully. The calmness in his face should have soothed her, but instead, Shehnaaz felt an overwhelming loneliness that had been gnawing at her all evening. It was a strange emptiness, one she couldn’t shake off despite being surrounded by her closest friends and her son.

She had spent the whole evening with Anu, Sanju, and Vihaan, laughing, chatting, and playing games. On the outside, everything seemed perfect. But deep inside, her heart felt distant, as if a part of her was somewhere else entirely. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of Sidharth, and no matter how much she tried to distract herself, he kept creeping back into her thoughts.

Woh Ahmedabad mein thik toh honge na? Pata nahi thik se khaya bhi hoga ya nahi… mujhpe gussa toh nahi honge na?

Her heart felt heavy with an unknown worry, one that she couldn’t put a name to. It wasn’t unusual for her to miss him—especially after the moments they had shared recently—but tonight felt different. There was an uneasiness, a strange sorrow that was slowly taking over her.

Shehnaaz was lost in these thoughts, her eyes absently staring at the ceiling, when her phone suddenly rang, jolting her out of her reverie. She quickly reached for it, switching it to silent before it could disturb Vihaan’s sleep. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller ID: Rita Maa.

Why is she calling this late? She wondered, her fingers quickly swiping to answer the call as she tiptoed a little away from Vihaan, ensuring he remained undisturbed.

“Hello… Maa?” Shehnaaz’s voice was soft but laced with curiosity and concern.

Rita ji’s voice came through the line, but it wasn’t the usual bright and cheery tone Shehnaaz was accustomed to hearing. There was a heaviness to it, a worry that she couldn’t miss.

“Sana beta, tum so rahi thi kya?” Rita ji’s voice was unusually soft, almost hesitant, as if she didn’t want to worry her.

Shehnaaz immediately picked up on the change in her tone. Something was off. “Nahi maa, bas Vihaan ko sulane ki koshish kar rahi thi… Aap itni pareshaan kyu lag rahi hai? Kuch hua kya?”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, followed by a sigh. Rita ji seemed reluctant to share whatever it was that was bothering her, but she couldn’t hide her worry any longer.

“Woh… darasal, Sid Ahmedabad se vapas aa gaya hai… usse thoda bukhaar hai,” Rita ji finally said, her voice tinged with concern.

Shehnaaz’s heart stopped for a second. Her eyes snapped wide open, her pulse quickening. Sidharth had returned? She hadn’t expected him back so soon. But even more alarming was the next part—he had a fever.

“Kya?” Shehnaaz’s voice came out louder than she intended, and she quickly covered her mouth, casting a glance toward Vihaan, who thankfully was still fast asleep. “Par achanak kaise, maa? Woh kal hi toh gaye the… ekdum theek the…” Her mind was racing, a mix of confusion, worry, and guilt flooding her at once.

Rita ji shook her head, her voice full of worry. “Pata nahi beta, maine kaha usse main doctor bulati hoon. Par tu jaanti hai na woh kitna ziddi hai… bola dawai le li hai.”

Shehnaaz paced restlessly, her frustration bubbling inside. Sidharth’s stubbornness was getting on her nerves today. Ye kabhi kisi ki sunta kyun nahi hai… hamesha apni hi manmani karni hai.

Her mind raced with thoughts of him being all alone, burning with fever. Par Sidharth raat bhar bukhaar mein akele kaise rahenge? The very idea sent a pang of fear straight to her heart. She could already feel the tears threatening to spill. She couldn’t let him be alone. She wouldn’t be able to handle the thought of him suffering while she did nothing.

“Maa, main abhi aa rahi hoon,” Shehnaaz said, her voice firm with determination.

Rita ji was taken aback. “Nahi, Sana, main hoon na yahan. Tum tension mat lo.”

But Shehnaaz was resolute. “Nahi maa, aap raat bhar kaise jagi rahengi? Aapko bhi toh aaraam chahiye. Main abhi aa rahi hoon,” she insisted, her mind already made up.

Rita ji could hear the conviction in Shehnaaz’s voice. She knew when Shehnaaz made up her mind, there was no stopping her—just like Sidharth. “Thik hai, main gaadi bhijwa deti hoon.”

But Shehnaaz shook her head. “Nahi maa, meri car yahin hai, Sanju ke ghar par. Main aa jaungi.” With that, she quickly disconnected the call, her mind focused on one thing—getting to Sidharth as soon as possible.

She hurried towards the other room where Sanju and Anu were fast asleep. She gently shook Sanju.

“Sanju, uth na,” Shehnaaz whispered, her voice urgent.

Sanju stirred slightly, rubbing her eyes in confusion. “Huh… kya hai Sana? Sone de na yaar, Shanti se…” she mumbled, trying to drift back to sleep.

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, feeling a wave of impatience. There wasn’t time for this. She tugged Sanju’s arm, pulling her back up. “Sun meri baat! Main abhi ghar ja rahi hoon.”

Sanju’s eyes flew open at Shehnaaz’s words, her sleepiness vanishing in an instant. “Kya? Abhi? Kyun?”

“Sidharth wapas aa gaya hai… aur unko fever hai,” Shehnaaz explained, her voice tight with worry. “Tu jaake Vihaan ke paas so ja. Main kal subah tujhe call karti hoon, bataungi kya hota hai.”

Sanju’s expression softened as she realized the seriousness of the situation. Without a word, she reached out and hugged Shehnaaz tightly, hoping to calm her down. “Okay, but tu dheere jana, theek hai? Car jyada fast mat chalana.”

“Never,” Shehnaaz whispered back, giving a weak smile. She knew Sanju was worried, but she had already made up her mind. She wouldn’t take any risks. After all, she had already learned her lesson about that once before.

By the time Shehnaaz arrived at the Shukla mansion, the clock had long passed 11:30 PM. The house was quiet, but a couple of helpers were waiting for her in the living room, their expressions weary from the long night.

Surprised to see them still awake, Shehnaaz asked, “Are tum dono sone nahi gaye? Thak gaye honge na? Jao sone, main yahan hoon.” Her voice was gentle, but she felt the urgency in her heart.

One of the helpers replied, “Ji bhabhi, aap hi ka intezaar kar rahe the. Maaji sun nahi rahi thi, sohne kaha toh badi mushkil se mani hai. Aapko kuch chahiye bhabhi?”

Shehnaaz shook her head softly, “Nahi, tum dono jao sone. Jake aaram karo.” She wanted to ensure they took care of themselves, especially since they had been waiting up for her.

Once they took their leave, Shehnaaz made her way to the kitchen, her mind racing with worry for Sidharth. She filled a bowl with cold water and added a pinch of salt, recalling the simple remedy.

Reaching Sidharth’s room, she found the door locked. Thank God she  had the keys.. she thought, relieved. She quietly opened the door, careful not to make any noise that might disturb his rest.

As she stepped inside, her heart sank at the sight of him. He lay on the bed, his body twisted in discomfort, his expression etched with pain. He was sleeping on his back, one arm awkwardly bent behind his head. The lines on his forehead were a clear indication of his restlessness, and the way his brow furrowed made her want to reach out and smooth them away.

Her chest tightened at the sight. his discomfort feeling like a physical ache in her own heart. It hurt her to see him like this, and she wished she could take his discomfort away.

Kneeling beside the bed, Shehnaaz looked closely at his face, noticing the slight sheen of sweat on his forehead. *Should I give him coffee?* she wondered, hesitating. She knew he loved his coffee, but she also remembered that it might not be good for him right now, especially with a fever.

“Sidharth..” she called out softly, hoping he would wake up.. she wanted to know whether he had actually taken medicine. he seemed very careless about his health.

but she didn’t got any response..

Shehnaaz quickly took a seat beside Sidharth, placing the bowl on the side table. With a gentle touch, she dipped a cotton napkin in the cool water and pressed it against his forehead, hoping to soothe his fever.

As she watched him, Sidharth let out a slight moan, his body wracked with ache. Her heart sank at the sight of him in pain; she hated seeing him like this, vulnerable and suffering.

Feeling the urge to help him more, Shehnaaz shifted to the end of the bed and began pressing his legs with a medium pressure, wanting to relieve some of his discomfort. She could feel the tension in his muscles, and she continued to massage his legs, her hands tingling from the contact. Slowly, she noticed his moans began to subside, bringing a sense of relief to her heart.

As he turned slightly, she moved up to his shoulders and back, applying gentle pressure to ease the strain in his muscles. Tears began to roll down her cheeks; she longed to gather him in her arms and wrap him in her warmth, but deep down, she knew he wouldn’t appreciate it right now. She wanted to protect him, to take away his pain, but she felt a helplessness wash over her.

Though Sidharth was half asleep, the medicine dulling his senses, he found comfort in her touch. A part of him thought he was dreaming, floating in a haze between consciousness and sleep. He relaxed into her gentle ministrations, feeling the weight of his discomfort lift just a bit.

Eventually, he moved back to lying on his back and, almost instinctively, he pulled Shehnaaz closer to him, his arm tightening around her. The sudden movement surprised her, and before she could react, he had her lying beside him. As she reached for his forehead to change the napkin again, she couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth at their closeness.

Her fingers moved to massage his forehead, hoping to ease whatever pain lingered there. However, at some point, Sidharth woke up with a start, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her beside him.

“Naaz…” he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. Their faces were only inches apart, and in a moment of confusion and longing, he instinctively swung them around, htaking her beneath him. She felt her heart race as he dipped his head down to meet hers.

 

 

Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers!

Thank you for reading this chapter of Shehnaaz and Sidharth’s story. As I delve into their journey, I strive to capture the complex emotions and deep connections that bind them together. The moments of tenderness, vulnerability, and longing that Shehnaaz experiences showcase her unwavering love and concern for Sidharth, especially during his time of need.

In this chapter, I aimed to highlight the contrast between Shehnaaz’s inner turmoil and her desire to be a source of comfort for Sidharth. Their relationship is filled with unspoken feelings, and I wanted to portray the warmth and intimacy they share, even amidst the challenges they face. The emotions expressed in their interactions reflect the raw reality of love—how it can be both beautiful and painful.

I appreciate your support and hope you continue to join Shehnaaz and Sidharth on this emotional journey, exploring their growth and the evolution of their relationship. Your feedback means a lot to me, so please feel free to share your thoughts!

Thank you for being part of this story!

Also, stay tuned for Baarish,  Bhula Dunga, Mora Piya, Beintehaa and Thodasa pyar which will be starting soon 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

Chapter 32
Chapter 34

81 thoughts on “Chapter 33”

  3. Konica Arora

    Woh uska sukoon h
    Woh aayi to uska sukoon wapas aa gya
    Yehi to khaas baat h dono k rishte ki
    Hamare sidnaaz
    Loved 🥰 it
    Waiting for more and more

    Reply
  11. Mousumi

    “As Sidharth’s car rolled through the gates of the mansion, a wave of relief washed over him.”

    Ab unko ye kya maalum ke jis ke liye doude chale aaye hain…wohi sukoon ghar pe nahin hai…
    Ab kya karenge aap….shikhar ke jaise message karenge ki sidha sanju ke ghar pahunch jayenge…🙃

    Reply
  12. Mousumi

    “But here he was, with an anklet he had picked out for Shehnaaz. The irony wasn’t lost on him.”

    Wahh ji wahh….Anklet….not bad….ab dekhna hai ki hath me denge ki khud pehnaenge…🤭🤭🤭

    Reply
    2. Simran

      Lovely update….iss chapter main sidharth ko Sana ki kitni need hai …ye toh pta chl Gaya…bas ab sidharth accept kr le apni feelings….or thoda express kre😅..
      Baki…aaj ending aese moment pr hui hai ki…next update tk..
      Hume neend nhi aayegi💛😉

      #storieswithshalaka

      Reply
  15. Mousumi

    “Sid! Tujhe toh bukhaar hai………. Main doctor ko bulati hoon,”

    Aap bus Shehnaaz ko bula lijiye…fever aap ne aap thik ho jayega….

    Reply
  23. Kiara Puri

    O God ,,, what a update ,, you left at a point where craving for the next have been increased to next level… please next update aaj h dedo

    Reply
  29. Sunita goyal

    🩵🩵💙💝💝💝💙🩵🩵🩵💙💝💝💝🩵🩵💙💝💝💝💙💙🩵👌👌👌🩵💙💝💝💙👌👌💙💝💝💝🩵💙💝

    Reply
  30. Sunita goyal

    💗💗💞💞👍💓💓💜💜💜🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷💜💜💓👍👍💗💗💞💗💗👍💓💜💜💜🩷🩷🩷🩷💜💓💗💗🤣

    Reply
  31. Sunita goyal

    🧡❤️❤️🤍♥️🤎🤎♥️🤍🧡❤️❤️🧡🤍♥️🤎🤎♥️🤍❤️👌👌❤️🧡🤍🤎🤎🤍🧡❤️👌🤍🤎

    Reply
  32. Sunita goyal

    💘💞💞💝💙🩵🩵💙💝👍💞💝💙🩵🩵💙💞💞💝💙🩵🩵💝💖💘💛💛💖💘💝💙💚🩵🩵💝💝💚💚🩵💝💘💖💖💝💙💚💚💙

    Reply
  65. Sreena

    Surely Sidharth had fallen for her hardly, aag dono taraf se lagi hai can’t wait for next chapter to see how he will react in the morning 😀

    Reply
  70. Bhavita

    Last part padh ke toh sach mein bb13 ki yaad aa gayi. These two were and still are pure love. 😘😘
    #storieswithshalaka

    Reply
  75. Lohita

    Waise maine hi bola tha ki Shukla ji ko tadpao 😏4 din sana ko Sanju ke ghar rakho 😯but bande ki takleef bhi dekhi nahi jati kya kare mar jaye 🙃

    Reply

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