Chapter 18

Shehnaaz looked at her father, her voice trembling slightly, “Papaji, ye meri friend Anu ka ghar hai.”

Rita ji’s eyes widened in surprise the moment she heard Shehnaaz call Mr. Gill ‘Papaji.’ Their daughter, Shehnaaz—could it really be? Yes, Sidharth had said the name, Shehnaaz. Rita ji stared at the cute, bubbly angel standing before her and still couldn’t believe it. Sidharth is in love with this adorable girl. A wide smile spread across Rita ji’s face as she felt an overwhelming urge to hug Shehnaaz again. Now she realized the reason behind Sidharth’s relaxed mood these days. This girl was so full of happiness and positivity, she had undoubtedly brought a joyful change in Sidharth. This was perfect.

Unaware of her mother’s thoughts, Anu spoke, “Ji uncle, mein Anishka Shukla.”

Rajender ji looked at her, surprised. “Beta, aap Mr. Sidharth Shukla ki behen hai? Bataya nahi aap ne?”

Shocked, frozen, and horrified, Shehnaaz’s heartbeat stopped. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Anu, her mouth forming an O-shape. She is Sidharth Shukla’s sister? Sidharth ki behen? How did I not know? Is this really happening, or are they talking about some other Sidharth Shukla? Hey Rab ji, ye kya ho raha hai? Everyone around her seemed normal, except her.

Confused, she looked around and her eyes widened even more when she saw…

Sidharth Shukla.

She saw The Sidharth Shukla walking downstairs, making his way towards everyone. His looks were mesmerizing, and his suit hugged every curve of his body perfectly. Shehnaaz’s eyes forgot to blink, her heart forgot to beat, her body became still and numb. The shock turned her into almost a statue.

Sidharth’s eyes locked on Shehnaaz as he descended the last step, his gaze never wavering from her. There was a playful naughtiness in his eyes as he watched her reaction, a smirk on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes. Sidharth really wondered if she would run into his arms and hug him. He wouldn’t mind if she did. No one could take her away from him.

Shehnaaz realized what was happening. She was in Sidharth’s house—no, mansion. Her friend Anu is Sidharth’s sister, and this respectable lady standing in front of her is Sidharth’s mother. Holy crap, she had just kissed his mother’s cheek and called her cute. Oh my God, did she really?

She made a baby cry face as realization dawned upon her. She had just kissed the cheek of her would-be mother-in-law. Wasn’t this the weirdest way for a would-be daughter-in-law to meet her in-laws?

Her baby cry face quickly turned into a deathly glare, which she threw towards Sidharth. He looked away instantly, clearing his throat like an innocent baby.

Rajender ji smiled as he shook hands with Sidharth. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Shukla.”

Sidharth purposely took the blessing of both Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji by touching their feet, which made Shehnaaz even angrier. He knew they were her parents, so he took their blessings, while she had just kissed and hugged her would-be mother-in-law. She was so going to kill him for this. Sidharth chuckled, glancing towards her and the murmuring session that had just started.

Rajender ji was shocked by this side of Sidharth. He always knew Sidharth Shukla as a totally professional and practical person, but this gesture of taking blessings impressed Rajender ji. “Mr. Shukla, you don’t have to…”

Sidharth smiled, “Please uncle, call me Sidharth. Our professional relationship is different, but in our personal lives, there is no harm in me taking your blessings.”

Rita ji chuckled at her son’s way of impressing his in-laws, not that he needed to do that; they already seemed impressed. Rita ji couldn’t take her eyes off Shehnaaz and was surprised to find her upset about something. What had happened to her all of a sudden?

Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji were overwhelmed by this warm welcome from the Shukla family.

Anu smiled, “Shehnaaz, bhai se toh sab mil chuke hain, sivay tumhare. This is my big brother, Sidharth bhai.”

Sidharth looked at Shehnaaz naughtily, while Shehnaaz glared at him.

She remembered hearing him once when she had talked to Anu. She had thought of it as an illusion, but it was really him. Why didn’t he tell her?

Sidharth waited for Shehnaaz to react. He even kept himself ready if she walked up to him in front of everyone. Uff, his baby was so angry.

Anu saw Shehnaaz lost in thought and shook her. “Kahan khoyi hai? Bhai se mil.”

Startled, Shehnaaz looked at Sidharth. “Hello, Mr. Shukla.”

Sidharth knew she was angry; he could hear it in her voice. He raised his hand for a handshake. Shehnaaz unwillingly gave her hand, feeling his firm grip. “Nice to meet you, Miss Gill.”

Shehnaaz didn’t like that. He was supposed to call her Mrs. Shukla. What? Have I gone mad? How can he call me Mrs. Shukla? She blushed at her thought and then cleared her throat, remembering she was angry at him.

Sidharth softly caressed her hand, trying to gain her eye contact, but she didn’t look at him. Restless, Sidharth reluctantly let go of her hand.

Rita ji was confused by the weird behavior between them but guessed Shehnaaz’s family might not be aware yet.

Rajender ji was surprised. “What a coincidence! Ab dekhiye, humare ghar se do invitations aaye hain. Isliye aap sabhi rasamo mein shamil hona hai.”

Jasbeera ji smiled, “Bilkul, hum sabko bahut khushi hogi agar aap pure parivar ke sath sabhi rasmo mein shamil ho.”

Sidharth smiled at Jasbeera ji, reminded of their conversation. “Hum sabhi functions attend karenge, maa ji.”

Jasbeera ji caught that. There was something in the way he said ‘maa ji.’ She couldn’t stop herself from thinking about it, but then she shook her head, thinking she was overreacting. It was quite casual to call her ‘maa ji.’ Jasbeera ji gave him a loving smile.

Rita ji was delighted with the turn of events. “Sidharth thik keh raha hai. Hum sab jarur aayenge. Aakhir ek hi toh parivar hai.”

Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji smiled, oblivious to Rita ji’s intentions.

Anu chuckled, “Is baat par sabka muh mitha hona chaiye. Nakul bhaiya, sabke liye snacks aur sweets le aayiye.”

Nakul went to get snacks while Rajender ji spoke, “Ab hum vida lete hain.”

Rita ji insisted they stay for snacks at least, but Jasbeera ji sweetly declined. “Phir kabhi jarur aayenge. Bahut invitations dene baki hain.”

Rita ji nodded understandingly, and Jasbeera ji looked at Shehnaaz. “Shehnaaz beta, tumne pair chhuye inke?”

Shehnaaz made a baby face and immediately took the blessings of Rita ji.

Rita ji smiled and kissed Shehnaaz’s cheek, “khush raho. Aapko duniya ki sari khushiyan mile aur aapko bahut pyar karne wala pati mile.”

Shehnaaz looked at Rita ji and hugged her again, touched by her motherly affection. Sidharth smiled, feeling euphoric with the two most important people in his life sharing a hug.

Everyone settled on the sofa, and Shehnaaz continued to look down. She felt weirdly embarrassed and blushed profusely. It felt more like her wedding than her brother’s, with Sidharth’s mother in front of her.

Sidharth’s eyes were desperate for a single glimpse of her, but she didn’t look at him. “Jaan, please look at me once. Just once, baby. Jitna chahe gussa karlo, par kam se kam meri taraf dekho toh sahi…” His eyes were pleading, but she didn’t give in.

Everyone made themselves comfortable, while Shehnaaz remained silent and conscious. The shock and surprise were too overwhelming for her to regain her composure. She couldn’t believe she was in Sidharth’s house, and he was right there in front of her, yet she couldn’t even hug him.

Sidharth grew worried as he watched her becoming more conscious, her eyes darting around nervously. His eyes pleaded silently for her to look at him so he could comfort her, but she didn’t. Her indifferent behavior was making him restless with each passing moment.

Rita ji noticed Shehnaaz’s silence too and realized what she must be feeling. She guessed Shehnaaz didn’t know that Anu was Sidharth’s sister and this was Sidharth’s house. The shock was very much noticeable on her face.

Rita ji took a seat beside her and patted her cheek lovingly. “Kya hua beta? Aap itni shant kyun ho gayi?” she asked, giving an angry look at Sidharth for teasing the little angel, while Sidharth rolled his eyes and silently pleaded with his mother to do something.

Shehnaaz smiled a little. “Kuchh nahi, maa… I mean, aunty ji.”

The rest of the group discussed further plans, including shopping and other tasks that Jasbeera ji had assigned to Shehnaaz. Lost in their talks, they didn’t notice the conversation between Shehnaaz and Rita ji.

Rita ji smiled at Shehnaaz’s innocence. “Tumne puchha tha na ke maa bulau, ya aunty bulau, ya kuch aur… mujhe maa bulao… achha lagega.”

Shehnaaz softly looked at Rita ji, wondering if she knew about her. But since Sidharth never mentioned it, she had no idea. She simply nodded with a slight blush.

Sidharth knew he had to talk to her. He couldn’t see her upset like this. He signaled his mother to send Shehnaaz upstairs and left before his mother could react.

Shehnaaz became more conscious when he went upstairs. “Why did he leave? Unhe gussa aa gaya? But galti bhi toh unki hai? Main toh gussa karungi na?” she thought. Of course, she loved everything: his family, his house, his mother, his sister. But she was scared since it was her first day. What if his mother didn’t like her for him? What if Anu would not be happy knowing it?

She was lost in her thoughts and didn’t realize when Rita ji purposely spilled a little juice on her dress.

Rita ji felt bad for her deed, but it was the only way to send her upstairs. “I am so sorry, beta… aapki dress to kharab ho gayi.”

Shehnaaz shook her head. “Nahi, please aap sorry mat kahiye… mera hi dhyan nahi tha shayad.”

Rita ji was in awe of this girl. “Beta, ek kaam karo… upar wo wala Anu ka room hai… aap jakar dress clean karo,” she said, pointing towards Anu’s room.

Anu looked at her messed dress. “Chal, main tujhe leke chalti hun.”

Rita ji rolled her eyes at Anu and thought of something. “Are Anu, wo koi mehman thodi hai… wo to is ghar ki beti hai… usse mehmano ki tarah mat treat karo. Shehnaaz beta, tum jao.” Anu shrugged and sat back to continue with the discussion.

Shehnaaz liked that. She loved the way Rita ji considered her part of the family. Shehnaaz reluctantly went upstairs.

Shehnaaz felt so conscious walking alone in his house. Her heart was beating louder than normal, and her cheeks were turning pink with each passing moment.

She was about to enter Anu’s room when a strong hand held hers. She looked up instantly and was surprised to see Sidharth. He pulled her to the next door, and before she realized it, he had locked the door from inside.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened as she realized this was probably his bedroom. It smelled like him completely. The room was filled with his aroma, filling her heart. Her eyes scanned the room patiently, noticing it was impeccably clean.

A big family picture adorned the wall. The room was spacious and filled with luxurious items. She looked at the far end and noticed a sofa and an adjoining room that appeared to be a gym.

When her eyes fell on the king-size bed, she saw her dupatta lying on it near the pillow, and her cheeks turned warm and pink with a blush.

Her eyes traveled to the dressing table, where her missing earring rested. She realized it was hers, the pair missing since their first meeting in the lift.

There were signs of her presence even though she didn’t live there. Her eyes started glowing with happiness, which didn’t go unnoticed by Sidharth.

Sidharth smiled, watching her facial expressions as she observed the room. He hugged her from behind, making her smile and then fake a grumpy face as she remembered she was supposed to be angry at him.

She crossed her arms over her chest while his arms were tightly around her waist. She twisted her lips in a grumpy face. Sidharth smiled at her innocent anger and wondered how she could look so cute even when angry. He kissed her cheek, lingering there, and she almost melted right there.

But then she remembered what he did and started murmuring to herself. “Is baar main bilkul nahi manane wali… bilkul nahi… mujhe fasakar khud maze loot rahe the… sadu Jana…”

Sidharth smiled, hearing her cute murmur. He rested his chin on her shoulder and pulled her closer in his embrace. “naraz ho mujhse…?”

She blushed in his embrace and didn’t push him away. How could she push him away? He was the only person in the whole world who had the right to do anything with her.

Shaking his head at her innocence, Sidharth kissed the end of her ear while his hands pulled her closer.. She smiled at his possessiveness.

“will you not look at me Love..,” he mumbled in an intense tone that melted her in his hold.

Shehnaaz nodded her head in denial, making Sidharth chuckle as he stared at her face closely. “etna gussa ho apne Jana se?”

Shehnaaz didn’t respond, and he lovingly kissed her hair. Turning her, he embraced her in his protective hug and kissed her forehead.

Without complaining, she placed her hand on his chest, playing with the first button of his shirt. She still didn’t look at him, and he couldn’t understand what captured her attention at his shirt button.

He loved everything about her so much. How could someone be so naive, so pure, like the first drop of rain, like the most beautiful star in the world?

He kissed her forehead again and rested there. “Itna gussa ho ke baat bhi nahi karogi?”

She nodded her head in denial again, but her pink cheeks and her grip on his shirt spoke otherwise. He pulled her closer, tightening his arms around her waist. The proximity was such that she hardly had space for her hand to rest on his chest, so without thinking, she snaked her hands around his neck.

Her lips were still pouted, and her nose was still scrunched, signs of her grumpy face.

Sidharth chuckled at her cute face and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, which was teasing her cheek. “Achha… maa kaisi lagi?”

She smiled, looking down, and he got his answer. “Ghar kaisa laga?”

Hey lovely readers,

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It was an absolute delight to write about Shehnaaz and Sidharth’s adorable, emotional moments. Their journey is all about those little, heartfelt interactions that make their bond so special. I wanted to capture the essence of their love, the raw emotions, and the innocent yet intense connection they share.

Writing this chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions for me too. I laughed, I blushed, and I felt every bit of their love and longing. I hope it resonated with you as well. Your support and feedback mean the world to me, so please do share your thoughts. They keep me motivated and inspire me to write more.

Thank you for being such wonderful readers and for accompanying me on this beautiful journey of Shehnaaz and Sidharth. Your votes, comments, and love fuel my passion for storytelling.

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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