Chapter 26

The marriage rituals were almost completed, and the atmosphere around was filled with joy and emotion. Payal’s heart raced as she looked at herself, her forehead adorned with the sacred *sindoor* and the delicate *mangalsutra* resting around her neck. It was a moment she had dreamed of for so long, and now, it was real. Abhi, beside her, kissed her forehead gently, his voice filled with warmth as he whispered, “Finally, wifey.”

A soft chuckle escaped Payal’s lips, her heart full of contentment. Her happiness was contagious, and soon, Shehnaaz giggled in her signature, cute way, which made everyone around smile—including Sidharth. He couldn’t help but gaze at Shehnaaz, his eyes filled with affection. There was something about the way she laughed, something pure and innocent that always tugged at his heart.

Ever since Dadi maa had planted a little thought in Rita ji’s mind, her attitude towards Shehnaaz had changed. She couldn’t stop herself from looking at Shehnaaz with a newfound affection, as though she was already envisioning her as part of the family.

Shehnaaz, being her playful self, noticed Sidharth staring at her and gave him a cheeky wink. Sidharth was taken aback but couldn’t help chuckling at her mischief. That’s what he loved about her—the way she always managed to catch him off guard with her playful nature. He had no idea what she would do next, and that unpredictability thrilled him.

Shehnaaz, noticing that he was still watching her, mischievously pulled out her phone. She knew exactly what she was doing and that it would get his attention. Without breaking eye contact, she typed a message, her fingers dancing across the screen with a smile playing on her lips.

Sidharth rolled his eyes but felt a smile tug at his lips as his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw the message on his screen: “Shukla ji…”

Smirking, he quickly typed back, “Haan Shuklain ji…” His heart raced as he looked at her again, wishing he could just pull her into his arms right then and there. She looked breathtaking in that saree, and his desire to be near her was becoming harder to ignore.

Shehnaaz’s eyes lit up as she read his response. She bit her lip, clearly enjoying this little back-and-forth, and sent another message: “Mujhe last time se jyada gandi vali kiss chahiye..”

Sidharth’s eyes widened slightly as he read her reply, and a low groan escaped him. Desire surged through him, heating his blood as he glanced at her with a mix of frustration and amusement. This woman—his Shehnaaz—was nothing less than a disaster. But she was his disaster, and he had long accepted that she could turn his world upside down with just a few words.

He glared at her playfully, but Shehnaaz, fully aware of her power over him, only giggled in response. Her laughter sent a wave of warmth through him, and all he could think was, Sidharth beta, you opted for it… now deal with it.

The thought crossed his mind about her playful threat last night when she had joked about kidnapping him. He wondered now, with an amused smirk, if he could kidnap her instead—right here, right now, and whisk her away from all this, just the two of them. His eyes darkened at the thought, but before he could type back a teasing response, Dadi maa called out to Shehnaaz for some work, pulling her attention away.

Shehnaaz shot him an apologetic smile, unable to read his next reply, and hurried off to tend to what Dadi maa needed. Sidharth’s fingers hovered over his phone, the unsent message lingering on the screen, but he sighed and pocketed it, watching her disappear into the crowd. He was still smiling, though, his heart filled with warmth from their little exchange.

As the function neared its end, emotions ran high. The air was thick with sentiment as the reality of the moment settled in. When it was time for goodbyes, Shehnaaz and Payal couldn’t hold back their tears. Both women hugged each other tightly, their tears flowing freely, their bond evident in the way they clung to one another.

Payal’s soft sobs echoed through the room, and Shehnaaz, who had been holding back her own emotions for so long, finally let go. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged Payal even tighter, whispering words of comfort, even though she, too, was feeling the weight of the moment.

Sidharth watched from the side, his chest tightening as he saw Shehnaaz cry. He hated seeing her like this, vulnerable and emotional, and all he wanted was to take her in his arms, kiss away her tears, and tell her everything would be okay. But he stayed back, giving the women their moment, though his heart longed to step forward and be her pillar of strength.

Shehnaaz pulled Payal into a tight embrace, her voice barely a whisper as she said, “Meko bhi jaldi leke chalo yahan se…” Her tone playful, but her eyes reflected the weight of the emotional day.

Payal, despite her tear-filled eyes, couldn’t help but giggle softly. She leaned closer, whispering back, “Bilkul, devrani ji…” The shared joke between them was enough to momentarily lighten the mood, bringing a smile to their faces. They held each other for another moment, letting their laughter and tears mingle, before Payal broke the hug to go embrace her parents.

Shehnaaz stood beside her, watching as Payal’s parents enveloped their daughter in a warm, loving hug. The emotions in the room were overwhelming—goodbyes are never easy, especially when they signify such a big transition in life. Payal’s mother wiped her tears, while her father, Daarji, patted her head gently, his face softened with a mixture of pride and sorrow. Payal then turned to hug Daarji, and for a moment, the room was filled with nothing but the quiet sounds of sniffles and whispers of farewell.

As the evening progressed, guests slowly started to leave, offering their blessings and well wishes to the newlyweds. The Shukla family, along with Payal, were preparing to head to the farmhouse where they would spend the night before leaving early the next morning for Mumbai. A grand reception was arranged there, and everyone was excited about the upcoming celebrations.

Jasbeera, not wanting Payal to feel lonely or overwhelmed with the sudden change, gently insisted that Shehnaaz go with her. Shehnaaz had always been a source of comfort for Payal, and Jasbeera knew her presence would help ease the transition. Though Daarji wasn’t too thrilled about the idea, his grimace evident, he couldn’t object in front of the close relatives gathered around.

As they all prepared to leave, Shehnaaz found herself seated beside Sidharth in the car. A small smile played on her lips as she settled in, knowing exactly what would’ve happened if they had been alone. The idea alone made her heart race a little. Meanwhile, Payal and Abhi sat in the back seat, lost in each other’s company, sharing quiet, tender moments that came naturally to them now that they were officially husband and wife.

Sidharth, ever observant, caught Shehnaaz’s subtle smile. He knew what she was thinking and smirked to himself. He would have enjoyed having her to himself in that moment, but for now, he’d settle for the playful tension between them. He noticed Shehnaaz pulling out her phone and remembered that she hadn’t seen his last message yet.

As Shehnaaz opened her phone, her eyes fell on his text: “Baby mat kar.. meri waise hi nazar nahi hath rahi tere se..”

Her cheeks instantly flushed with warmth. The playful teasing in his words, combined with the intensity of the way he looked at her earlier, sent a thrill through her. She stole a glance at him, her eyes meeting his, and Sidharth, noticing her reaction, winked at her mischievously. Payal and Abhi, still engrossed in each other, didn’t notice the silent exchange happening in the front seat, which only made Shehnaaz blush harder.

By the time they reached the farmhouse, the atmosphere had relaxed, though the emotional weight of the day still lingered. The house was buzzing with activity as everyone settled in for the night. Payal was seated beside Shehnaaz once more, as they were informed that there would be a pooja held after the reception in Mumbai. According to the family’s traditions, the newlyweds weren’t allowed to have their suhag raat before the pooja, a fact that didn’t sit well with Abhi, who grimaced at the news.

He let out a small sigh of frustration, casting a longing glance at Payal before heading to his room.

Shehnaaz paced nervously, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of everything. She had seen Sukhveer trying to approach Sidharth multiple times during the day, but Sidharth had avoided him each time, brushing him off without a second thought. Something was definitely off, and Shehnaaz couldn’t shake the feeling that she needed to find out what was going on before it was too late. Both families were set to leave for Mumbai in the morning, and she knew Daarji wouldn’t allow her any opportunity to speak privately with Sidharth once they left.

“Di, main Sidharth se milke aati hoon… zaruri baat karni hai,” she said, her voice laced with urgency.

Payal looked up from where she was sitting, her brows furrowing in concern. “Sana, kya hua? Pareshan lag rahi hai…”

Shehnaaz sighed and explained how she had noticed Sukhveer trying to talk to Sidharth throughout the day, but each time, Sidharth had turned him away. She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something important was being hidden, and she needed to talk to Sidharth before everyone left for Mumbai in the morning.

Payal nodded, understanding her sister’s worry. “Ja, par jaldi aana. ” she said softly, offering a comforting smile despite the worry in her own eyes.

Shehnaaz nodded gratefully and quickly made her way through the corridor, her footsteps light yet hurried. Her mind raced as she headed upstairs to where she had last seen Sidharth go. The house was quiet, the night settling in with an almost calmness, but Shehnaaz’s heart pounded in her chest, her nerves on edge.

Reaching the landing, she scanned the rooms, her eyes darting from one door to another. She finally spotted an open door at the end of the hallway and, hoping it was Sidharth’s, she quietly stepped inside, closing the door gently behind her.

The room was dimly lit, but her eyes quickly adjusted to the soft glow. Her gaze immediately found Sidharth, sitting on a resting chair, lost in deep thought. He hadn’t even noticed her enter, completely consumed by whatever weighed on his mind. Shehnaaz stood there for a moment, watching him, her heart softening at the sight. He looked troubled, and the thought of him carrying that burden alone made her chest tighten.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward him, her steps slow and measured. Sidharth startled slightly when he finally noticed her standing before him. His eyes widened in surprise.

“Baby, kya hua… tum kab aayi?” he asked, his voice soft but laced with concern.

Without a word, Shehnaaz moved closer and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head against his chest. She could feel the tension in his body, the weight of his worries still lingering in the air. “Tera dhyaan hi nahi hai mere pe…” she murmured, her voice playful but with a hint of sadness. “Abhi se tujhe pakau lagne lagi hoon na main…”

Sidharth’s expression softened as he wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her closer. He kissed the top of her head gently, his lips lingering in her hair. “Nahi, baby… bas kuch soch raha tha,” he whispered, his voice low and comforting.

Shehnaaz tightened her arms around Sidharth’s broad chest, lifting her face to meet his intense gaze. “Itna tension mein kyu lag rahe ho? Kuch hua kya?” she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Sidharth exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. “Abhi tak nahi… par main bas yeh soch raha tha ki Sukhveer tum mein itna interest kyu le raha hai? Na tumne kabhi usse thik se baat ki, na koi personal connection hai… toh achanak se use tumse itni shadi karne ki zidd kyu ho gayi?”

Shehnaaz pondered his words, her brows knitting together as she considered the situation. “Ho sakta hai… uska isme kuch fayda ho. Warna ek normal ladka aise ladki se shadi karne ki zidd kyu karega jo kisi aur se pyar karti ho?”

Sidharth’s thoughts darkened as he remembered the paleness in Sukhveer’s face when he had brought up the topic of fraud with Sharma uncle. He had already dug up a lot of information on Sukhveer through a few reliable sources, and everything pointed to one thing—Sukhveer was a man obsessed with money. His mind raced, connecting the dots as he recalled Sukhveer’s casual mention of wanting to settle in Mumbai. It suddenly all made sense.

Leaning down, Sidharth placed a tender kiss on Shehnaaz’s forehead, his hand soothingly rubbing her back as he pieced together the sinister plan. If Sukhveer wanted to settle in Mumbai, he would need a high-level job. And what better place than Shukla Empire? With Shehnaaz as his wife, he would automatically become family—Abhi’s brother-in-law—and securing a top position would be easy. That’s his game. He doesn’t love her… he just wants the power and money that comes with marrying her.

Sidharth’s grip tightened slightly around Shehnaaz as the realization hit him like a tidal wave. “Tum Payal bhabhi ki behen ho… agar tumhari Sukhveer se shadi ho gayi, toh woh aur Abhi bhai ek rishte mein bandh jayenge. Usne mujhe kaha tha ke woh Mumbai me settle hona chahta hai,” Sidharth muttered, his voice growing colder with each word.

Shehnaaz looked up at him, confusion and worry etched on her face. “Sidharth, tum kya keh rahe ho? Yeh sab kaise…”

Sidharth’s eyes flared with anger, the pieces falling into place with chilling clarity. “Woh tumse shadi sirf isliye karna chahta hai kyunki use Shukla Empire mein achhi job aur badi salary chahiye! Usse sirf paise se matlab hai, Shehnaaz. He’s a bloody fraud! Usko tumse koi pyar nahi… sirf apna faayda dekh raha hai!”

Shehnaaz’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in disbelief as Sidharth’s words sank in. The warmth of his embrace suddenly felt like the only safe place in a world that was quickly unraveling around her.

“Aaj wo tumse baat karne ki itni koshish kyu kar raha tha?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart pounding in her chest.

Sidharth groaned in frustration, his hands tightening into fists. “Because usne Sharma’s mein bhi fraud kiya hai, aur agar main Sharma uncle ko ye baat boldu, toh woh seedha jail mein hoga. That bastard knows it,” he spat, the fury in his voice barely contained.

The horror of the situation sank into Shehnaaz, her body trembling with disgust and fear. She clung to Sidharth, burying her face in his chest as if seeking shelter from the storm of emotions swirling inside her. “Sidharth…” she whimpered, pulling her knees up and curling into his embrace, wanting to feel hidden and safe in his arms. “Baby, main sab theek kar dunga,” he whispered, holding her as tightly as he could, as if protecting her from everything evil in the world.

Tears welled up in Shehnaaz’s eyes as her mind replayed the thought of Sukhveer. “Kitna ghatiya insaan hai woh, Sidharth… itna ganda aadmi!” Her voice trembled with disgust. “Aur uske liye Daarji tumhe bhala-bura keh rahe hain… chhee!” She felt a deep sense of guilt for her Daarji’s behavior, remembering how he had treated Sidharth so poorly. “Unhone tumhe driver jaise treat kiya… mujhe kitna bura laga, pata hai?” her eyes filled up.

Sidharth gently caressed her back, his voice soft and soothing despite his own anger. “It’s okay… main tera driver hi hoon na? 24*7 service,” he joked, trying to lighten the heavy mood, wanting to ease her pain.

Shehnaaz looked up at him through her tear-filled eyes and giggled, her laughter breaking through the tension. “Mujhe bhaga ke le ja na…” she said, half-laughing, half-crying, her demand as sudden as it was heartfelt.

Sidharth chuckled, shaking his head at her strange request. “Pagal hai mera baby… kuch bhi bolti hai,” he replied, his tone playful yet affectionate, admiring her for how she could shift from fear to humor so effortlessly.

“Tera baby jaisi bhi hai, tera hai,” she demanded with a pout, her fingers gripping the hem of his t-shirt and pulling him closer. Her vulnerability, mixed with the determination in her voice, tugged at his heart.

He leaned down and kissed her gently, their lips lingering together as if neither wanted the moment to end. Her lips felt warm and soft, the taste intoxicating. “Mera baby,” he whispered against her mouth, his voice husky with emotion. “Aaj itna pyara lag raha tha… main tujhe hug bhi nahi kar paaya,” he added, his words filled with both regret and adoration.

Shehnaaz blushed, her heart fluttering as she felt the intensity of his gaze and his touch. She could feel his love for her in every word, in every breath they shared. In that moment, all the chaos, the worries, and the fear melted away, leaving only the warmth of their connection, and the comfort of knowing they were in this together.

“Abhi kar le… kisne roka hai tuze?” Shehnaaz said cutely, her eyes twinkling as she teased him, making Sidharth grin against her lips. He kissed her more deeply, the warmth between them growing.

She winced slightly when he gently nibbled on her upper lip, “Tere daant tod dungi ek din… sachchi,” she murmured playfully, trying to sound serious, but her giggles betrayed her.

Sidharth groaned in mock frustration, lifting her effortlessly while keeping her close in his embrace. He walked them over to the bed, their laughter and soft whispers filling the room. Shehnaaz’s eyes widened in surprise, her lips still locked with his as he gently lowered them onto the bed, himself resting on top of her, his weight comforting rather than overwhelming.

“I’ll bite as much as I want, wherever I want,” Sidharth teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “Tune promise kiya tha us din, you wouldn’t complain.”

Shehnaaz’s breath hitched as she felt the tenderness of his touch, her heart racing at the closeness. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the moment, her fingers tracing gentle circles on his back.

“Sidharth, mat kar… siyappa ho jayega,” she mumbled softly, trying to keep the playful tone, though her heart pounded in her chest. His touch sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn’t help but smile at his persistence.

“Yeh sab tujhe sochna chahiye tha jab gandi wali kiss maang rahi thi,” Sidharth whispered, a teasing lilt in his voice as he brushed his lips across her forehead, planting soft kisses that made her giggle.

Shehnaaz’s giggles turned into laughter as he tickled the sensitive spot near her neck, “Sidharth, nahi… gudgudi hoti hai wahan!” she squealed, trying to wiggle away, but he only held her closer, his chuckles filling the air.

“Daarji ko heart attack aa jana hai aaj raat ko,” she teased, her laughter bubbling over, her heart light with the joy he always seemed to bring her.

Sidharth laughed with her, his face softening as he looked at her, his voice lowering into a gentle murmur, “aa jane de..” His fingers brushed a strand of hair away from her face as he gazed at her lovingly.

Her heart fluttered at the tenderness in his eyes. “pyar kar apni sana ko..” she said, her voice soft but firm, pulling him closer by the collar of his shirt, grounding herself in his embrace.

Sidharth bent down and kissed her lips again, but this time it was slow, filled with emotion. The world outside seemed to disappear as they held onto each other, savoring the moment. He gently pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the quietness of the room.

“I’m not letting you go… not now, not ever,” he whispered, his voice filled with love and certainty.

Shehnaaz smiled up at him, her heart swelling with affection. “Sidharth…” she whispered, her voice soft and content, knowing that in his arms, she had found her home.

He loved watching the marks he left on her skin, a testament to their wild chemistry that drove them both crazy.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, massaging his back sensually as he pressed his lips against the swell of her skin, trying to control the surge of emotions within him. “Sidharth, ye action scene jiju aur di ke beech hona chahiye tha… hum kyun kar rahe hain?” she mumbled, laughter dancing in her eyes.

Damn her… He looked at her face and burst into laughter, her contagious giggles pulling him in. He buried his face in her warm chest, laughing until tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. She had an incredible talent for saying the most unexpected things, and it made him appreciate her even more.

Grabbing her playfully, he pulled her closer and nestled his face deeper into her warmth, seeking comfort. Her eyes fluttered shut as she felt his presence enveloping her. She knew how hard it was for him to control himself, and honestly, she might not have wanted him to stop if he continued. But Sidharth respected their relationship and wanted their wedding night to be special.

“Baby, bhaga ke le ja tuze,” he murmured, teasing her.

“Shadi ke din le jana…” she mumbled, grinning like a mischievous child. When he raised his face to meet her gaze, she playfully pecked his lips, lingering just a moment longer. “Why that day?”

Shehnaaz kissed him again, her playful spirit shining through. “Tab bhi aisi koi pooja rakhi toh…?” she suggested with a wink.

He chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Deal… shadi ke baad bhag jayenge.”

He buried his face in the hollow of her neck, resting there as a contented sigh escaped his lips. “Tujhe kho dene ka dar mujhe pagal kar deta hai, Naaz,” he confessed, his voice soft.

Confused, she pressed a gentle kiss to his hair. “Aise kyun bol raha hai, kamine… me kya tyany bol rahi hun?”

He chuckled against her skin and kissed her neck. “Bakwas mat kar…”

“Same to you, Shukla ji,” she replied with a grin, sharing all the silly things that happened throughout her day. But by the time she finished, he had succumbed to sleep, his steady breaths soothing against her neck.

Rolling her eyes, she thought, Aree lo, ye to so gaya… With a soft smile, she wrapped him in the duvet and kissed his forehead, before quietly sliping out to her own room, her heart light and full.

43

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