Chapter 14

IMP Note – I have replaced the character name Raghav with Shikhar on the genuine request of one of the readers.

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“Mana kiya tha maine..” Sidharth scolded gently, holding Shehnaaz close in his embrace. He couldn’t help but chuckle when she giggled, reveling in the heavy rain. The sensation of the raindrops tickling her skin made her laugh with childlike joy, “Kitni pyaari hai na baarish..”

“Baarish..” Sidharth murmured, his eyes fixated on her drenched face, drinking in her beauty. The rain poured down, accentuating her natural charm. She didn’t need any makeup; her beauty was effortless. Her lips beckoned him, and he couldn’t resist. Moving closer, he rested his forehead against hers, “Meri zindagi ki baarish bhi tum hi ho..”

With tenderness, Sidharth brought her hand to his eyes, touching the back of her palm to each eye in turn. It was as if he was giving her a sacred sajda, a bow of reverence and gratitude for her presence in his life.

Shehnaaz looked at him, mesmerized. She knew how much he loved her, but seeing this depth of emotion gave her goosebumps. “Sidharth…” she mumbled, lost in the sacred moment.

Sidharth smiled, his eyes closed behind her palms, “Haan, mera bachha..”

“I love you..” she whispered, her voice soft and natural, as if these words were the easiest thing to say.

Sidharth stood frozen, her words echoing in his ears and reaching deep into his heart. His eyes fluttered open, and he gazed at her with an intensity that spoke volumes. She was his every breath, the very essence of his existence, his biggest dream, and his every smile.

Those words, spoken countless times between them, felt new and profound in this moment. Her confession, raw and unadorned, shook him to his core.

He pulled her close, so tightly that she clung to him, completely under his spell. He smiled, but tears welled up in his eyes. Even amidst the million raindrops, she recognized his tears.

“I love you, Sidharth..” she repeated, lost in his eyes, his warmth, his love. She felt she could keep saying it forever and still not convey the depth of her feelings.

His lips claimed hers with a fierce urgency, swallowing her words. His arms held her as if she were his lifeline. His grip was so tight that she knew it would leave marks, and the thought made her blush. She let him kiss her as he wished; there was no resistance, no need for words. She didn’t even expect him to say “I love you” back because she knew his feelings better than he understood himself. She knew he was hers.

He kissed her with a passion and possessiveness that declared she was his—completely and utterly his, made for him, forever and beyond.

She finally broke the kiss, gasping for breath. He groaned at the loss of her lips and almost glared at her. She raised her face to catch her breath, and he buried his face angrily in her neck, seeking for her warmth.

“Dance with me..” he whispered. She grinned, remembering their first dance at a party. His moves had been perfect, leading her effortlessly. Now, she stood on his feet, and he moved with the rhythm of the rain, making her giggle.

He refused to lift his face from her neck, finding solace in her embrace. 

She playfully hit his chest, making him laugh. His arms slid down to her knees, and he lifted her, making her feel weightless. Excitedly, she spread her arms wide, letting the baarish pour down on them.

He loved pampering her like his baby. Grinning, she covered his eyes with her palms, surprising him, “jaan, mujhe kuchh dikhai nahi de raha.. dono gir jayenge, baby..”

Shehnaaz giggled, “Pehle bolo Shehnaaz cute hai..”

Sidharth chuckled at her antics, “Cutest in the world..”

His answer made her grin wider. She removed her palms and placed a soft kiss on his hair as he carried her inside.

Putting her down, his fingers reached for her wet hair, gently rubbing them dry. “ab change kar lo.. aur chup chap so jao ab..”

She hugged him tightly, “Aap nahi jao na..”

What could be more beautiful than this? The love of his life asking him to stay with her forever. “Baby, zidd mat karo.. jao, change kar lo..”

Shehnaaz pouted and kissed his chest, feeling his toned muscles under the wet shirt. Then, she walked off, leaving him with a restless heart.

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Anu entered Sidharth’s room, “Bhai..”

Sidharth groaned, disturbed from his sleep. Only he knew how late he had stayed up, “What is it, Anu..?”

Anu was surprised to see her brother sleeping, “I don’t believe this.. Sidharth Shukla sleeping till this late..”

Sidharth sat up, annoyed by her sarcasm, “Maa ne breakfast kar liya..?”

Anu smiled, “Haan, bhai.. sab ne kar liya.. but what is wrong with you..? Aaj kal aap kab sote hain.. kab uthte hain.. kuchh pata hi nahi chalta..”

Sidharth rolled his eyes, “Tumhe college ke liye der nahi ho rahi.. go fast.. I need to freshen up..”

Anu rolled her eyes, “Ok bhai.. waise bhi aaj last day hai..” With that, Anu left.

Sidharth was confused. He remembered Shehnaaz was on leave for her brother’s wedding, but why Anu? He rolled his eyes at the weird situation.

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#Principal’s Cabin

Ranbir, Nisha, Mayank, Ankita, Anu, and Shehnaaz stood in a line while the principal faced them with a serious expression. They glanced at each other before looking down.

The principal looked at Shehnaaz, “What is it?”

Shehnaaz smiled, “Sir, Veerji ki shadi hai.. that’s why I need leave..”

The principal looked at Ankita, “Hmm.. what about you?”

Ankita smiled wider, “Sir, Veerji ki shadi hai.. that’s why I need leave..”

The principal rolled his eyes, “Mayank, you?”

Mayank cleared his throat, “Sir, Veerji ki shadi hai.. that’s why I need leave..”

The principal glared at Ranbir, “And you, Ranbir?”

Ranbir made a baby face, “Sir, Veerji ki shadi hai.. that’s why I need leave..”

The principal closed his eyes, “Nisha?”

Nisha wiped the sweat off her forehead, “Sir, Veerji ki shadi hai.. that’s why I need leave..”

The principal took his seat, “And you, Anishka?”

Anu looked at each of them. They signaled her to repeat the same, “Sir, Veerji ki shadi hai.. that’s why I need leave..”

The principal stared at them with anger and disbelief, “Main sach mein bewakoof hoon ya tum log mujhe banane ki koshish kar rahe ho..?”

Ankita thought over it, “Aap sach mein hain, sir..”

Ankita immediately bit her tongue for her blunder while Mayank nudged her elbow, “Sir, iska matlab hai.. hume samajh nahi aa raha aap kya keh rahe hain..?”

The principal glared at them, “Sab ke Veerji ki shadi ek saath hai..?”

Ranbir chuckled, “No sir.. jinki shadi hai wo hum sab ke Veerji hain..”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, “Sir, wo actually mere Balraj Veerji ki shadi hai aur hum sab kaafi kareebi dost hain like familiar type.. so..”

The principal rolled his eyes, “Hmm.. but I need to talk to an elder of any of you..”

Anu chuckled, “Sir, aap mere bhai se baat kar sakte hain.. you know….” saying this, she winked at everyone.

The principal gulped at Sidharth’s name, “Nahi nahi.. Mr. Shukla ko takleef ho jayegi.. it’s ok.. you all need to submit leave applications.”

All together, “Thank you, sir..”

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Shehnaaz giggled as they walked into the cabin, “Kya baat hai Anu.. tere bhai ki to kaafi chalti hai..”

Ankita grinned, “Haan yaar.. aur uske muscles.. marjavannnnnn..”

Mayank rolled his eyes while Nisha teased him, “Mayank, kaafi tagda competition hai.. bachke rehna..”

Shehnaaz made a baby face, “Anu, tune apne Veerji ko sabse milaya.. aur mujhe nahi.. not done.”

Anu said proudly, “Mere Veerji ko lagataar 4 saal businessman of the year ka award milta aa raha hai..”

Ranbir’s curiosity was piqued. “Tere Veerji ka naam kya tha..? Main bhool gaya..”

Anu flashed a proud smile. “Bhai, bhai ka naam hai Si..”

Before she could continue, a loud voice cut through the conversation. “What yaar, guys.. Tum log last lecture mein kahaan gayab the..?”

Mayank sighed, “Yaah, we were in the Principal’s cabin..”

Shikhar’s face turned puzzled, and he glanced at them, “What do you mean..?” He quickly composed himself as everyone stared at him in surprise. “I mean.. all of you.. so sudden.. Anything special..?”

Shehnaaz was caught off guard by his overly friendly demeanor. “Yes, actually mere Veerji ki shadi hai.. So we all won’t be able to attend college for a few days..”

Shikhar was taken aback, struggling to find a response, when Ankita added, “Tumhe saare lectures attend karne hain, ok.. Taki baad mein hum tumse notes le lenge..”

Shikhar tried to object, but Shehnaaz stepped in smoothly, “Of course.. Isme puchhne ki kya baat hai, Ankita.. He is our friend.. He will definitely do this much for us.. Hai na, Shikhar..?”

Shikhar was now cornered, and with a resigned sigh, he said, “Umm, okkk, Shehnaaz..”

His response was interrupted once more as Shehnaaz’s phone rang, pulling their attention away.

A sudden, radiant smile spread across Shehnaaz’s face as she saw the caller ID. She excused herself quickly, her steps light and eager as she dashed out of the room, leaving everyone behind in a mix of confusion and curiosity. What was it that had made her so happy?

Shikhar’s initial confusion morphed into a frown of concern. Why did Shehnaaz look so elated all of a sudden? Who had called her? Why had she run off like that? His mind raced as he excused himself, determined to find out the reason behind her sudden change in demeanor.

He tracked her down and his confusion deepened. Shehnaaz was in the middle of a vibrant conversation, her laughter ringing out freely. She was giggling, her cheeks flushed, and her fingers playing with the end of her dupatta. She looked utterly enchanted, and the sight only intensified Shikhar’s frustration. Who was making her look so blissful?

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Finally, when Shehnaaz reached a quieter corner, she answered the call. “H-hello..?”

Sidharth’s voice came through, laced with concern. “Kya hua, baby? Tum itni tez saans kyun le rahi ho?”

Shehnaaz shook her head, a playful grin on her face despite her words. “Kuch nahi, baba… Achheee…” She sneezed loudly, causing Sidharth to spring up from his seat. “You’re sneezing? Maine mana kiya tha na? Tumhe sunna nahi hai?” His voice was stern but worry was evident in his tone.

Shehnaaz made a pouty face. “Bas thodi si hai, chale jayegi. Mujhe thodi sinus hai…” She sneezed again, as if to underscore her point.

Sidharth’s eyes widened in alarm. “Sinus? Aur tum abhi mujhe bata rahi ho? what is wrong with you, Shehnaaz?”

“Sidharth…” Shehnaaz’s voice was soft, and she made a face as he continued to scold her.

Sidharth’s frustration was palpable. “Tumhe thandi paani se bachna chahiye tha, jaan. Ye kya bachpana hai? Tumne medicine li? Do you want me to take you to the doctor?”

Shehnaaz groaned, “Mumma ne subah daata tha, ab aap bhi daat rahe hain. Sab mujhe hi daante hain.”

Sidharth rolled his eyes, his tone softening slightly. “Toh kyun nahi bataya tumne? Main tumhe baarish mein nahi jaane deta.”

“Isliye nahi bataya,” Shehnaaz said cutely, making Sidharth shake his head at her. “Mera bachha, tumne medicine li?”

Shehnaaz smiled, “Haan, subah Mumma ne diya tha. Jyada nahi hai, shaam tak thik ho jayega. Achha, mujhe jaana hai, sab mera wait kar rahe honge.”

Sidharth’s voice softened. “Achha suno…”

“Hmm?” Shehnaaz responded, sensing the change in his tone.

Sidharth chuckled. “I love the way you play with that dupatta while talking to me.”

At his words, Shehnaaz’s fingers released the dupatta she had been twirling. “Bye,” she said, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush, and disconnected the call.

Sidharth gazed at his phone with a warm smile, his heart swelling with affection.. pagal..

As Shehnaaz turned around, she saw Shikhar walking toward her.

Shehnaaz looked puzzled. “Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?”

Shikhar offered a friendly smile. “Main woh, dar asal mein ja raha tha… toh socha tumse kuch puchh loon.”

Shehnaaz was intrigued. “Mujhse? Puchho na…”

Shikhar looked at her, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “Umm… Will you come with me for dinner tonight?”

Shehnaaz was taken aback. “Dinner? Thanks for asking, Shikhar, but I really can’t.”

Shikhar’s face fell. “Kyu? Tum kyun nahi aa sakti?”

Shehnaaz struggled to find the right words. “Main kisi ke sath dinner ke liye nahi jaati. Aur ghar mein shadi hai, bahut saare kaam hain.”

Shikhar sighed, his disappointment evident. “Thik hai. Shadi ka ghar hai, baad mein dekhte hain.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Shehnaaz standing there, perplexed.

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Later, Sidharth was deep in discussion with the Project Management HODs about the Batra project. Ritika was taking dictation for the memo when Sidharth’s phone rang. He answered, “Hello…”

As the caller spoke, Sidharth’s eyes widened in shock. “Whattt…??” He quickly left the conference room, heading straight for his cabin.

Vicky, on the other end of the call, tried to calm him. “Bhai, relax. She’s fine now.”

Sidharth was agitated. “Vicky, ye kya pagalpan hai? Kya wo bachchi hai jo aise kuchh kar de?”

“Bhai, Tara ko gussa aa gaya tha. Aur gusse mein… it was a small accident,” Vicky explained defensively.

Sidharth wasn’t convinced. “Vicky, kya tum dono is relationship se khush ho? Kya mujhe wahan aake kuchh karna chahiye?”

Vicky sighed. “I love her, bhai, and she loves me too. Bas, maine kaha ki hume is relationship ko time dena chahiye. Usne break-up samajh liya.”

Sidharth shook his head, his concern growing. “Vicky, kya tum handle kar sakte ho? should I come there?”

Vicky reassured him. “Main handle kar lunga, bhai. Please, maa ko kuchh mat batao.” He disconnected the call, leaving Sidharth to worry about his brother’s complicated situation.

Meanwhile, Nisha, Ankita, and Anu had gone to Shehnaaz’s house right after college. After lunch, Shehnaaz proudly showed them the special lehenga that Sidharth had bought for her wedding.

Anu, Nisha, and Ankita were thrilled, practically swooning over the dress. “Omgggg… Yeh kisne select kiya? Kahan se mili?”

Anu was in complete agreement. “Yaar, tumhari choice par main bas flat hoon.”

Shehnaaz giggled, “Meri choice nahi hai. Yeh toh Si…”

Shehnaaz stopped mid-sentence, realizing her slip. She scratched her head, trying to recover her composure.

Ankita, with a smirk, said, “Chachi maa ne select kiya hoga, isn’t it?”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes. “Achha, by the way, remember Karan and Shweta from the party? They are the organizers for the function, so I think it’s going to be amazing.”

Anu was surprised. “Really? I met Karan the other day, and he didn’t mention it.”

Anu’s phone rang, diverting her attention. “Hello, bhai…”

Sidharth’s voice was stern. “Anu, tum kahaan ho…”

Anu bit her lip, unsure why her brother was upset. “Bhai, I’m just on my way home…” She lied, her friends watching her with concern.

Sidharth took a deep breath. “Come home quickly. I need to talk to you.”

Anu’s anxiety was palpable. “Guys, I have to go. Bhai is not in a good mood. Baad mein call karti hun.” With that, she hurried off, leaving her friends puzzled.

 Soon after Nisha and Ankita left, Shehnaaz lay down on her bed, hugging the lehenga close to herself. It wasn’t just any lehenga—it was a gift from Sidharth. The thought of his hard work and the love he put into choosing it made her feel emotional. She missed him terribly and felt an overwhelming urge to call him.

As Sidharth paced his room, he saw Shehnaaz’s call and answered immediately, “Haan, baby…”

“Sidharth…” Shehnaaz’s voice was bright, but then a sudden movement caused her to knock her nail against the table. The pain was sharp and intense, and she winced, “Aahhh…”

Sidharth’s heart dropped as he heard her pain-stricken cry. “Shehnaaz? Kya hua tumhe? ”

Tears began to stream down Shehnaaz’s face as she struggled to speak through the pain. Sidharth felt a pang of agony hearing her distress. He could manage any life problem, but seeing her in pain was unbearable. “Jaan… tum ro rahi ho? Batao, kya hua? Mere bachha…”

Amidst her tears, Shehnaaz mumbled, “Nail tod gayi hai… dard ho raha hai bahut…”

Sidharth’s frustration mounted. He was supposed to be dealing with other issues, but her pain took precedence. “please rona band karo jaan, main aa raha hoon… don’t cry, please…”

Shehnaaz tried to reassure him, “Nahi, itna bada nahi hai… aap tension mat lo…”

Rita ji saw Sidharth rushing through the living room but didn’t get a chance to stop him before he was out the door. His car sped away, leaving her worried and confused.

Sidharth’s voice came through the phone, “Main bas aa raha hoon. Don’t cry, mera shona.”

Shehnaaz’s heart melted at the endearing nickname, even as she continued to cry softly.

When Sidharth reached her room, he found her sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face. She had been trying to soothe her broken nail by blowing on it. Seeing her like this, he felt a surge of urgency. He sat beside her, immediately examining her injured finger. His heart ached at the sight of the blood and the severity of the injury.

Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, letting her cry against his chest. “It’s hurting…” she sobbed.

Sidharth’s concern was evident as he kissed her forehead gently. “Hold on, I’ll get the first aid box.” He rushed to her washroom, grabbing it and returning swiftly. She flinched away from the Dettol, but he held her close, applying it gently to her wound. Her screams of pain only made him more determined to soothe her.

After cleaning the wound and bandaging it, he held her close. “Bas, bas, ho gaya na?” he murmured, trying to comfort her.

Shehnaaz, exhausted from crying, curled up in his lap, burying her face in his chest. Sidharth wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back and feet to keep her warm. He kissed her eyes, which were red from crying, and whispered softly, “Ho gaya na jaan? Main hoon na…”

As her hiccups subsided and her breathing evened out, Sidharth noticed she had fallen asleep. He brushed her hair back gently, kissed her forehead, and whispered, “Jaan, tum apna khayal kyun nahi rakhti? Tumhara dard mujhe itna pareshan kar deta hai. Dhyan rakha karo na, baby.”

He carefully settled her back on the bed, covering her with a duvet. He stayed by her side until she was in a deep sleep before slipping out quietly, knowing he had more pressing matters to face with his mother.

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Anu arrived home hurriedly and found Rita ji pacing the living room, her face etched with worry. “Maa, aap pareshan lag rahi hain. Kya hua?”

Rita ji let out a frustrated sigh. “Pareshan na hoon to kya karoon? Tumhare bhai jo kabhi kuchh batate nahi hain. Unka behavior dekh kar hum kitni pareshani me hain.”

Anu, who rarely saw her mother so upset, tried to comfort her. “Maa, shant ho jaiye. Baithiye, main paani laati hoon. Aap etni pareshan mat hoiye, aapki tabiyat kharab ho jayegi.”

Rita ji shook her head. “Hum thik hain. Humne Sidharth ko daudte huye dekha. Unka mood kuchh accha nahi lag raha tha aur phone bhi busy aa raha tha.”

Just then, Sidharth walked in and noticed Anu and Rita ji’s concerned looks. He cleared his throat, “Aap dono mujhe aise kyu dekh rahi hain?”

Rita ji’s concern turned into frustration. “Sidharth, tum kahan bhaag rahe the? Hum kitni pareshan ho gayi thi. Tumhara phone bhi busy aa raha tha.”

Sidharth sighed, recognizing his mistake. He embraced his mother tightly. “Maa, please shaant ho jaiye. Galti meri hai. Maaf kar do, main waisa nahi karunga. Promise.”

Rita ji hugged him back, her frustration melting into relief. Anu, witnessing the tender moment, smiled.

“Bhai, aap nemujhe ghar kyun bulaya?” Anu asked, following Sidharth as he headed upstairs.

Sidharth glanced back, “in my room, now” He started to leave, but Rita ji stopped him. “Sidharth, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai. Dinner ke baad mere bedroom mein milna.”

Sidharth knew his mother’s resolve and nodded. “Theek hai maa, abhi ke liye aap aram kijiye, please.”

Rita ji reluctantly left for her room, while Anu trailed behind Sidharth, sensing his troubled mood.

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Shehnaaz’s sleep was disrupted when her phone rang. Groggily, she picked it up and saw an unfamiliar private number. “Hello…”

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Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers!

hank you for reading this chapter! 💖 I hope you felt the intensity of Shehnaaz’s pain and Sidharth’s heartfelt response. Sometimes, it’s the little moments of care that reveal the depth of a relationship, and I wanted to capture that tender connection between them.

Your feedback and support mean the world to me, so please let me know your thoughts. I’m always excited to hear from you and improve the story based on your suggestions.

Stay tuned for more as we continue to delve into the emotional journeys of Shehnaaz and Sidharth. Your patience and enthusiasm keep me motivated to bring you the best!

Also, stay tuned for 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

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