Chapter 26

Anu and Nisha made their way to the stage, their footsteps hurried as a sense of unease lingered between them. Ankita, however, headed towards the boys, her mind preoccupied with a growing concern that she couldn’t shake off.

Ranbir, always the one to lighten the mood, threw his arm around her shoulder casually. “Kidhar reh gaye thi yaar tum log.. aur tum pagalon ki boss mili..?” His voice carried the usual playful tone, expecting a laugh or a witty retort in return.

But today, Ankita wasn’t in the mood for jokes. The worry etched on her face was impossible to ignore as she looked at him. “Yaar.. Sana kamre me bhi nahi hai.. humne usse sab jagah dekha.. yahan bhi kahin nazar nahi aa rahi.. dance ka time nazdik aa raha hai.. pata nahi kahan gayab ho gayi hai..”

Ranbir’s playful demeanor vanished instantly. His arm slipped off her shoulder as the gravity of the situation hit him. “Tum logon ne har kamre me dekha..? Shayad wo kuchh lene gayi ho.. kuchh kaam ho..” His voice was steady, but the concern in his eyes mirrored Ankita’s.

Ankita sighed, her worry deepening with each passing second. “Nisha aur Anu wohi puchhne Jasbeera aunty ke paas gaye hai.. ke kahin unhone usse koi kaam to nahi de diya..” She was trying to hold on to hope, but the knot in her stomach tightened as she spoke.

Shikhar, who had been quiet until now, couldn’t hide his worry any longer. “Uska phone try karo na..?” he suggested, his voice tinged with anxiety. The thought of calling Sana seemed like the most logical step, but there was an underlying fear—what if she didn’t pick up?

Mayank, on the other hand, was trying to stay calm. He believed they were blowing the situation out of proportion. “Relax, guys.. tum sab itne hyper kyu ho raha hai..? Shadi hai.. usse 100 kaam honge.. woh har waqt hum logon ke sath gappe to nahi ladati rahegi na… don’t disturb her..” His words were meant to soothe the group, to bring some rationality into the conversation, but Ankita’s worry wouldn’t easily fade.

Despite his reassurances, Ankita couldn’t shake off the unease. She hugged Mayank, seeking comfort in his embrace. “I think you are right..” she murmured, trying to convince herself as much as she was agreeing with him. But deep down, the fear for Sana’s well-being gnawed at her, making it hard to fully accept his calm approach.

_______________

Jasbeera ji looked at Anu and Nisha with a puzzled expression, her forehead creasing in confusion. “Nahi beta, mene to Sana ko koi kaam nahi diya.. dekho na, yahin kahin hogi..” She tried to reassure them, her voice gentle, but there was a hint of concern creeping into her tone as she scanned the room.

Anu, her eyes wide with worry, glanced around the area again. “Aunty, hum uske room me bhi gaye the.. par wo wahan bhi nahi hai..” Her voice was laced with anxiety, the unease growing with every passing second as they failed to find Sana.

Jasbeera ji paused briefly to welcome some guests, her attention divided between her social obligations and the girls’ concern. When she turned back to them, she repeated her earlier words, though this time, they sounded more like a plea for reassurance, “Arre beta, yahi kahin hogi.. etne log hai.. kaun kahan hai.. kuchh pata nahi chal raha.. shayad kisi kamre me kuchh kaam ho usse..”

Nisha sighed heavily, her face reflecting the worry she felt deep inside. “Par wo kisi ko batakar bhi nahi gayi..” There was a slight tremor in her voice, the kind that comes when fear starts to take hold.

Just then, Uttara approached them, having overheard their conversation. Her face was calm, but her eyes showed she was ready to help. “Uska cell try kar lo.. pata chal jayega kahan hai..” she suggested, her voice steady, as if this was a simple problem with a simple solution.

Anu, however, was frustrated. She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “We did yaar.. uska phone switch off hai..” Her words carried a mix of helplessness and irritation, the situation becoming more worrying with each obstacle they encountered.

Jasbeera ji, now caught up again with a new wave of guests who had come to speak with her, tried to manage the situation from afar. She looked over at Uttara, her expression apologetic yet determined. “Uttara beta, ab main to yahan se nahi hat sakti.. tum in dono ke sath jakar ghar me dekho lo.. Sana kahan hai..”

Uttara nodded in agreement, understanding the urgency without needing further explanation. With a reassuring glance at the girls, she led them out, their footsteps quickening as they headed off to search the house. 

_______________

Sidharth searched for her everywhere, his heart pounding with each passing moment as panic began to set in. He looked in every corner, every possible place she could have been, but she was nowhere to be found. The more he searched, the more his anxiety grew, tightening its grip on him like a vice.

An unknown fear gripped him, creeping into his mind and refusing to let go. It was a fear he couldn’t quite place, but it was real, and it was growing stronger with each passing second. His thoughts were a chaotic mess, a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

A sudden urge to see her washed over him, so intense it nearly took his breath away. He needed to find her, to see her, to make sure she was safe. The fear of being unable to find her gnawed at his insides, making his heart race. He needed to hold her, to feel her warmth against him, to know she was alright. A desperate wish to see her smiling face filled his mind, the memory of her smile so vivid it hurt.

But along with the fear and desperation, a sudden flash of anger surged through him. Why wasn’t she closer? Why wasn’t she where he could find her? The annoyance of her hide-and-seek game, of not knowing where she was, fueled his frustration. But even that anger was short-lived, quickly replaced by a deep worry for her well-being. Was she okay? Was something wrong?

A small, fragile hope flickered in his heart—maybe she was just busy somewhere, caught up in something important. But the thought did little to ease his mind. The overwhelming need to see her, to be with her, consumed him. He couldn’t shake the sudden thought that ran through his mind, making him restless: He needed to see his Jaan right now.

Determined, he continued his search, his movements more frantic now. He checked every corner outside, hoping against hope that she would be there, waiting for him. But Shehnaaz was nowhere to be found. His heart sank further with each empty spot he uncovered. Desperation drove him to the reception, where he asked if anyone had seen her, but they only shook their heads, unaware of her whereabouts.

Worried sick, his mind racing with a thousand possibilities, Sidharth walked back to where the reception was happening. He clung to the hope that she would be there, somewhere in the crowd, that he would finally catch sight of her. But the worry in his heart was a heavy burden, and as he moved through the throngs of people, his eyes searched desperately for the one face that could bring him peace.

_______________

Shweta walked towards Karan, her annoyance clear in her every step. “Karan, kitni der aur? Reception ceremony kuchh der me khatam ho jayegi… Shehnaz aur baki sab kahan hai?” Her voice was edged with impatience, the worry behind her words barely concealed.

Karan ran his fingers through his hair, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. “I know, man… Shehnaaz pata nahi kaha hai… Let me check with Mayank… Relax…” 

Shweta rolled her eyes in frustration. “Please do… They have laid enough for those preps…” Her voice softened slightly as she watched Karan walk away, a sigh escaping her lips. She could only hope that everything would go as planned, that the evening wouldn’t be overshadowed by this unexpected worry.

Meanwhile, Anu, along with Nisha and Ankita, approached where Ranbir was waiting. Anu’s face was tight with concern as she relayed the latest news. “Yaar, aunty ko bhi nahi pata ke woh…” The sentence hung in the air, unfinished but heavy with implication.

Ranbir’s worry was palpable. He shook his head vigorously, frustration clear in his movements. “Yaar, ye ladki bol ke nahi ja sakti… Eska phone bhi nahi lag raha hai…” His voice was tinged with disbelief, as if he couldn’t fathom how Shehnaaz could simply disappear without a word.

Shikhar, sensing the tension, patted Ranbir’s back in an attempt to calm him. “Relax, Ranbir… She must be here somewhere…” He tried to sound confident, but even his reassurances couldn’t fully mask the worry that was beginning to creep into his mind.

Ankita stood there, not realizing that tears had begun to well up in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “Aise kaha chali gayi bina bole…” The fear and confusion in her voice were heartbreaking, her concern for Shehnaaz growing with each passing moment.

Mayank, noticing her distress, gently brushed her hair back, trying to soothe her. “Baby, relax karegi… I guess tum log overreact kar rahe ho…” His tone was soft, almost coaxing, as he tried to bring some calm to the group. But even as he spoke, a small part of him couldn’t shake off the unease that something wasn’t right.

_______________

A restless Sidharth paced through the corridor, clutching Shehnaaz’s phone tightly in his hand. His mind raced with worry, and every step felt heavier as the anxiety gnawed at him. Reaching out, he steadied himself against a nearby pillar, his thoughts consumed with concern for Shehnaaz.

He groaned in frustration, the tension building within him unbearable. Where are you baby..? His mind churned through possibilities. Maybe wo bahar reception area me chali gayi hogi… Uska phone bhi mere paas hai… Usse contact kaise karoon? The realization hit him hard—without her phone, he had no way to reach her. Phone on kar deta hoon… Shayad usse apne phone ki yaad aaye… Aur wo contact karne ki koshish kare…

Clinging to that small hope, Sidharth attempted to switch on her phone, but it remained lifeless. A frown creased his forehead as he wondered if the battery had died. He decided to check the battery, thinking he could ask his security for a replacement. But as he pried open the back of her BlackBerry, he was stunned—the battery was missing.

His mind reeled with confusion. Why would she take off the battery of her phone? The question echoed in his thoughts, amplifying his frustration. It didn’t make any sense. This is ridiculous… Why would she take out the battery and keep her phone in the guest room? The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. His confusion deepened into a gnawing worry that gnawed at him, making it impossible to think straight.

The urge to see her, to confirm she was alright, grew stronger by the second. It was like a thirst, an unbearable need that only her presence could quench. He needed to find her, just once, to make sure she was safe. The desperation twisted inside him, making his heart race even faster.

Restless and furious, he turned on his heel, deciding to check the guest room again—the last place he knew she had been. As he started to move, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. It was his sister, her voice pulling him out of his frantic thoughts for a moment. He hesitated, torn between his need to find Shehnaaz and the call from his sister, unsure of what to do next.

“Bhai, aap yahan… you going somewhere?” Anu’s voice carried confusion as she approached Sidharth, with Ranbir standing beside her. Her eyes searched his face, trying to understand why he seemed so tense.

Sidharth froze, unsure of how to respond. His mind raced, desperately trying to find a way to ask about Shehnaaz without revealing the depth of his worry. “Ohh… yeah… I was… I was searching for you only… par tum dikhi hi nahi… so I thought of searching you here…” The words felt hollow, but he hoped they would suffice.

Anu sighed, her concern evident. “Woh bhai… meri friend Shehnaz… pata nahi kaha hai…” Her voice trailed off, filled with the same unease that had been gnawing at Sidharth all evening.

“What do you mean??” The words shot out of Sidharth’s mouth, sharp and filled with an anger he couldn’t suppress. His voice was louder than he intended, and the raw edge of panic in his tone caught both Anu and Ranbir off guard.

They stared at him, confused by his sudden outburst. Anu’s eyes widened, her confusion deepening as she saw the intensity in her brother’s gaze.

Sidharth wasn’t in a state to act anymore. The worry that had been simmering inside him was now a full-blown storm, and his heart pounded in his chest, threatening to burst. He glared at Anu, silently demanding that she explain.

Scared by his intensity, Anu began to blabber, words tumbling out in a rush. “I mean… woh kab se mil nahi rahi… pata nahi kahan hai… uske room me dekha… aunty ko bhi nahi pata… hum usse hi…”

Worried and impatient, Sidharth cut her off, his voice tight with anxiety. “Woh party me kahin nahi hai… are you sure?”

Ranbir, sensing the urgency in Sidharth’s voice, jumped in, trying to provide some clarity. “Hum sab ne dhunda use… uska phone bhi nahi lag raha…” His words trailed off, but the gravity of the situation was clear. They were all searching for her, but she was nowhere to be found.

Sidharth’s heart sank further, the fear tightening its grip around his chest. Every second that passed without finding Shehnaaz only intensified his dread. The thought of her being out there, alone and unreachable, was unbearable. The worry was suffocating, and he could barely keep his emotions in check as he stood there, desperate for any news of her.

Sidharth groaned angrily, the sound so intense that Anu and Ranbir instinctively took a step back, fear flickering in their eyes. They had no idea what was wrong with him, but the sudden shift in his demeanor was unsettling.

Anu looked at her brother, her confusion evident. “Aap kuch pareshan lag rahe hai, bhai…” Her voice was tentative, unsure of how to approach him in this state.

Sidharth took a deep breath, trying to rein in the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He grabbed Anu’s hand, his grip so tight that she winced. “Last kisne dekha tha usse?” His voice was low, but the intensity in his words made Anu’s heart skip a beat.

“Umm…” Anu stammered, completely thrown off by Sidharth’s behavior. She exchanged a bewildered glance with Ranbir, who was equally confused. “Pata nahi, bhai… Woh humare sath hi thi…”

Frustration boiled over in Sidharth. He rubbed his forehead vigorously, trying to calm the raging thoughts in his mind, but it was no use. “Damn…” he muttered angrily, his voice thick with worry and anger. Without another word, he stormed off, leaving a bewildered Anu and Ranbir standing in his wake, their confusion only deepening.

_____________

Meanwhile, Karan and Shweta were growing increasingly anxious. The couple’s performance was supposed to have happened long ago, and the delay was making them uneasy.

The announcement for the dance had been made, and in the absence of Shehnaaz, Baaz and Leher had taken the stage. They danced unaware of the turmoil brewing behind the scenes, oblivious to the fact that Shehnaaz was missing and that her absence was sending ripples of worry through those who knew her. The evening was supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, but instead, an undercurrent of tension was beginning to overshadow the event.

______________

Sidharth barged back into Shehnaaz’s guest room with a resounding thud, his entrance marked by a heavy, almost violent intensity. His eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and fear, and his body shook with the tumultuous emotions raging inside him. He had come here with the hope of finding her, but the room remained stubbornly empty, devoid of any sign of her.

The sheer desperation of the moment clawed at him. He longed to see her, to hold her tightly and make sure she was safe. The thought of her being out there, alone, was unbearable. He wanted to scold her for her reckless behavior, to pour out his frustration and concern. Yet, at the same time, he ached to see her innocent face, to melt in her presence and feel reassured. He wanted to warn her, to make sure she understood the gravity of what she had done, but his heart ached with the need to have her close again.

He scanned the room frantically, his eyes darting around in search of anything that could provide a clue about her whereabouts. The room was as he had left it, but his frustration grew as he found nothing to lead him to her. His attempts to find her mobile battery were in vain; it was nowhere to be found.

The mystery of why she would remove the battery from her phone gnawed at him. It didn’t make any sense. The more he thought about it, the more his mind spiraled into confusion and worry. The fear of losing her was consuming him, and his throat felt tight, as though his breaths were trapped, unable to escape.

The unsettling feeling of unease was growing stronger. It was as if something was terribly wrong, as if she was in danger or needed him desperately. His heart cried out in agony. Kaha ho tum Naaz..? The words echoed in his mind, a silent plea for her safety. His eyes wandered restlessly, searching for any sign of her.

Despite having checked with the reception countless times, their lack of knowledge only deepened his despair. The promise he made to himself, that he wouldn’t scold her if she came back, was a desperate attempt to ease his own guilt and fear. Please apne Jana ke paas vapas aa jao… I promise I won’t scold you… Please baby… His heart churned with fear, the weight of his worry almost too much to bear. Every moment without her felt like an eternity, and the fear of what might be happening to her pressed heavily on him.

Amidst his search for the battery, his eyes fell on something that made his heart drop into his stomach. The sight of it was like a physical blow, shattering something deep within him. Sidharth’s breath hitched as he sank to his knees, his whole body trembling with a mix of horror and disbelief.

There, on the cold, unfeeling floor, lay the ring—the ring he had given her, the one she had promised to never remove. It was as if the promise, the bond they shared, had been cruelly cast aside. The ring, once a symbol of their connection, now lay abandoned, its presence a stark reminder of her absence.

The sight of it filled him with a sense of dread. *Hollyy shittttt…* The exclamation escaped his lips in a shaky whisper, a desperate, helpless cry. His mind raced, struggling to process the meaning of this disturbing find. The ring, so precious and intimate, was now just a cold, empty promise on the floor. The sight of it made his worst fears seem all the more real.

Sidharth’s heart pounded violently against his chest as he reached out, his hand trembling, to pick up the ring. The weight of its cold metal in his hand felt like a heavy burden, a cruel reminder of her disappearance. His eyes filled with tears, and he struggled to steady his breathing, trying to push away the overwhelming panic that threatened to consume him.

He held the ring close to his chest, his mind reeling with questions and fears. The ring held precious memory of him and Shehnaaz, and its presence here, alone and discarded, only deepened his anguish. He clutched it tightly, desperately hoping that somehow, it would lead him to her, that it would bring him the answers he so desperately needed.

Jaan….

Sidharth stared at the ring, his mind reeling with confusion and fear. How can the ring be laying here on the floor? The questions spun around his head, each one more distressing than the last. Did she remove it? Did it slip off her finger? He knew Shehnaaz too well—she was someone who would never casually remove the ring, never break a promise, and never be careless with something so precious.

The realization was crushing. He knew that Shehnaaz would never have taken the ring off willingly. It was more than just a piece of jewelry; it was a symbol of their commitment, a constant reminder of their bond. For her to have left it behind meant something was seriously wrong. What was it that I’m missing? The question burned in his mind, growing more urgent with every passing second.

Fear surged through him like a tidal wave. His heart pounded furiously, and his breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps. He felt a cold sweat break out on his skin as the full gravity of the situation sank in. The ring lying there, alone and abandoned, was a harbinger of something dire.

Where is Shehnaaz? The thought hit him with the force of a sledgehammer. The question echoed in his mind, each repetition amplifying his sense of dread. He could almost feel her absence, a gaping void where her presence should have been.

_______________

As the romantic music reached its final notes, Leher gently rested her head on Baaz’s chest, her eyes fluttering closed in contentment. The lights, dimmed to create an intimate ambiance, slowly brightened, illuminating the stage and the surrounding area. Their tender eye-lock, filled with unspoken affection, was abruptly interrupted by a sound that cut through the atmosphere like a knife.

The once gentle hum of the evening was shattered by a voice that erupted with an intensity so fierce it made everyone freeze in their tracks.

Naaaz…..

The voice, dripping with anger and authority, was unmistakably Sidharth Shukla’s. His fury was palpable, resonating with a dangerous edge that sent chills through the crowd.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, their faces registering shock and confusion. The sight that met their eyes was one of sheer astonishment. Sidharth Shukla, usually composed and reserved, was now a tempest of rage. His eyes blazed with a fire that seemed almost otherworldly, and his expression was one of pure, unfiltered fury. He stormed toward the stage with a purpose, each step echoing like thunder in the tense silence.

Sidharth’s presence was commanding, his anger radiating from him like a storm on the horizon. He moved with a sense of urgency and power, his entire demeanor resembling a roaring lion, ready to pounce. The crowd parted instinctively, their faces a mix of fear and bewilderment as they watched him approach.

Jasbeera ji stood frozen, her heart racing as she witnessed the storm that had suddenly descended upon the event. The elegant, composed atmosphere of the evening had been shattered by Sidharth’s explosive entrance, and the once-celebratory room was now thick with tension.

As Sidharth stormed toward her, his anger and desperation were almost palpable. He grabbed her hands with a grip that was both firm and urgent, his eyes—usually so full of confidence—now glistening with unshed tears. The vulnerability in his gaze was a stark contrast to his otherwise furious demeanor, and it struck a deep chord of worry within her.

“Maa… Shehnaaz kaha hai?” His voice, cracked and trembling with emotion, cut through the silence like a knife. The question, filled with raw desperation, sent a shiver down Jasbeera ji’s spine.

_________________