Chapter 30

Shikhar stood there, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and desperation as he looked down, holding his ears like a child caught doing something wrong. “Tumne mujhe maaf kiya na? Sorry baba… maine gusse mein maara… really sorry,” he apologized, his voice trembling slightly, as if he were genuinely remorseful.

Shehnaaz stared at him, her heart racing. The pain in her lip was sharp, throbbing with each heartbeat, but she forced herself not to react. She couldn’t afford to show any weakness; she knew that if she winced, he might try to comfort her in his twisted way, maybe even touch her lip. The thought of his hands on her made her stomach churn. She was certain now—Shikhar wasn’t just angry or misunderstood. He was dangerous, a psychopath who needed medical help. But right now, her priority wasn’t his mental state; it was her own safety. All she could think about was how to escape from this nightmare.

Just then, the shrill ring of Shikhar’s phone broke the tense silence. Shehnaaz’s eyes flicked to the device, a small spark of hope igniting within her. Maybe someone was looking for her, maybe this was her chance. Shikhar casually glanced at the screen, and a shadow of annoyance crossed his face as he saw the name. It was Uttara again. He let out a small, frustrated sigh and disconnected the call without hesitation. But the phone rang again, persistent, almost as if it were trying to save Shehnaaz from her terrifying predicament.

This time, Shikhar’s lips twisted into a strange, mysterious smile as he disconnected the call again and, without a second thought, switched off his phone. The action sent a cold wave of fear down Shehnaaz’s spine. What was he planning now? Her mind raced with terrifying possibilities as she watched his every move, her fear intensifying with each passing second. She knew that whatever he had in mind next couldn’t be good.

Shikhar’s chuckle broke the silence, but it was a sound that chilled her to the bone. There was something sinister in the way he smiled, something dark lurking behind his eyes. “Hmm… waise ye Sidharth Shukla… kamaal ka banda hai… it’s my fault actually,” he said, almost as if he were talking to himself, but loud enough for her to hear.

Shehnaaz’s confusion grew. What was he talking about? She couldn’t make sense of his words, and that only made her more afraid. She could see the way he looked at her, with that strange, obsessive love that made her skin crawl. The thought of what he might do next, of how he might try to touch her, to hold her, made her feel sick. But she knew she had to stay calm, had to keep her wits about her if she wanted to survive this.

Shikhar, lost in his own thoughts, smiled again, almost tenderly this time, as if the very idea of her brought him some twisted comfort. “Maine jab tumhare phone ki battery nikaal di thi… toh mujhe phone bhi apne pocket mein daal dena chahiye tha… ab us Sidharth ne tumhare phone mein nayi battery daal kar Uttara ne tumhe jo message bheja tha wo dekh liya hoga…”

Shehnaaz’s mind raced as Shikhar’s words sank in. Uttara had been the one to ask her to come to the guest room. But why? Was she involved in this too? The thought made Shehnaaz’s heart sink. Uttara had always been someone she trusted, someone who seemed to care about her. Why would she help Shikhar? The confusion swirled in her mind, making it hard to think clearly.

Shikhar noticed the bewilderment on her face and smirked, enjoying the turmoil he was causing. “Itna kyu soch rahi ho… main batata hoon na,” he said with a twisted satisfaction. “Dar asal maine hi tumhe Uttara ke phone se message kiya tha.”

The revelation hit Shehnaaz like a punch to the gut. Her eyes widened in shock, and she glared at him with a mixture of anger and disbelief. How could he do this? 

Shikhar shook his head, almost as if he found her reaction amusing. “Iska matlab… Sidharth ko ab tak pata chal gaya hoga ke hum dono yahan hain… store room mein…”

Shehnaaz felt a flicker of hope. If Sidharth knew where they were, maybe he was on his way to save her. Maybe there was a way out of this nightmare after all. She allowed herself to breathe a small sigh of relief, clinging to the hope that Sidharth would come for her, that he would make everything okay. But that hope was short-lived.

Shikhar’s sudden burst of laughter shattered the momentary calm she had felt. His laughter echoed around the room, a sound so cold and mocking that it sent shivers down her spine. The laughter that stole away her brief happiness, filling her with dread. If Sidharth was coming, why was Shikhar laughing? Shouldn’t he be scared? Shouldn’t he be trying to escape? Instead, he seemed almost thrilled by the idea of Sidharth finding them.

As Shikhar continued to laugh, enjoying her growing fear, the sound of a loud bang made them both freeze. The door shook violently, and Shehnaaz’s heart leaped in her chest.

“Open the damn door now!” Sidharth’s voice roared through the barrier, filled with fury and desperation. The sound of his voice, so close yet still so far away, was like a blessing to Shehnaaz’s ears. But it was also heartbreaking. She could hear the pain, the frustration in his voice, and it tore at her heart. He was fighting for her, but she was still trapped, still in Shikhar’s clutches.

Shehnaaz began to struggle, desperate to free herself, to reach Sidharth, to let him know she was still here, still fighting. But the ropes held her fast, and her efforts seemed futile. Her fear grew as Shikhar watched her with that same unsettling grin, finding amusement in her struggles.

“Relax, baby… easy…” Shikhar’s voice was calm, almost soothing, but it only made Shehnaaz feel more panicked. There was something so wrong in the way he spoke to her, like she was his possession, something to toy with. He wasn’t afraid of getting caught. He was playing a game, and that realization made the terror in Shehnaaz’s heart grow even stronger.

Shehnaaz’s confusion deepened with every passing moment. Shikhar’s behavior was unsettlingly calm, as if he was oblivious to the danger at the door. Sidharth was right outside, furiously trying to break in, yet Shikhar didn’t seem the least bit scared. How could he not realize what was about to happen? Didn’t he understand that his time was running out, that he was going to face the consequences of what he’d done? Didn’t he know that Sidharth would tear him apart?

Suddenly, there was a loud crash as Sidharth, fueled by desperation and fury, pushed with all his strength against the door. The door gave way, collapsing to the ground with a deafening thud. Sidharth didn’t hesitate for a second. “Shehnaaz!” he shouted, his voice filled with panic and determination as he rushed in, moving quickly from one room to another, each connected like the compartments of a train. His heart raced, pounding in his chest, as he frantically searched for her.

And then, he saw her.

Time seemed to stop. His breath caught in his throat, choking him as he stood frozen, unable to comprehend the sight before him. His Shehnaaz—his heart, his love—was tied to a chair, bound cruelly and left in a state of utter despair. Her once vibrant, lively form was now a mess, her spirit visibly crushed by the ordeal.

Sidharth took a step forward, his body moving on its own, as if pulled by some invisible force. He didn’t even register Raghav standing in the corner, relaxed and unconcerned. All he could see, all he could feel, was the overwhelming pain in his chest as he looked at her—his Shehnaaz, broken and bruised.

His eyes traveled down to her feet, noticing the cruel marks left by the ropes, the bruises that marred her delicate skin. He saw the blood stains on the cloth gagging her mouth, evidence of the torment she had endured. And then his gaze met hers—those beautiful hazel eyes that were now swollen and puffy from crying, filled with fear, pain, and an unbearable sadness.

How could anyone do this to her? She was his angel, pure and innocent, undeserving of such cruelty. Why did she have to suffer like this? Why did fate have to punish her, to put her through this hell? Sidharth’s heart shattered with every step he took toward her, each one heavier than the last, each one filled with a grief so deep it threatened to consume him entirely.

As he finally reached her, the reality of what she had been through hit him with full force. The guilt, the anger, the helplessness—all of it twisted inside him like a knife. He had failed her. He hadn’t protected her from this horror. He hadn’t been there when she needed him the most.

And now, seeing her like this, he felt his heart die a little with every breath.

Sidharth never noticed when the tears started streaming down his face, their warmth contrasting with the cold numbness that had taken over his heart. His throat tightened painfully, making it nearly impossible to breathe. The sheer anguish he felt was suffocating him, each breath coming out ragged and uneven as he tried to keep himself together.

When Shehnaaz heard the door crash open, her eyes instinctively darted toward the source of the noise, desperately seeking the one person who could save her, who owned every part of her—heart, body, and soul. But as her gaze landed on Sidharth, her heart sank to her stomach. The sight of him, the state he was in, was a blow she hadn’t been prepared for.

Was he crying? Her strong, unyielding Sidharth was shedding tears? The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. He was her rock, her protector, and seeing him like this—vulnerable, broken—shattered her completely. His hair was disheveled, his eyes red and brimming with tears, and it was clear that he could barely breathe as he moved closer to her. The fear in her heart wasn’t just for herself anymore; it was for him, for the man who was crumbling before her very eyes.

She watched the tremble in his lips, the disbelief etched on his face as he tried to comprehend that she was really there, tied up and hurt. His entire body was trembling, yearning to reach out and touch her, to reassure himself that she was still alive, still with him. But his eyes remained locked on hers, filled with a pain so deep it felt like it would drown them both.

Shehnaaz couldn’t bear to see him like this, couldn’t stand the raw emotion that was tearing him apart. More tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she cried silently, the tears mixing with the dirt and blood on her face. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that it was okay, that she was still here, but the gag in her mouth silenced her, leaving her helpless to do anything but weep.

As Sidharth finally reached her, he collapsed to his knees with a heavy thud, the sound of it echoing in the room like a final, heartbreaking note. Shehnaaz flinched at the impact, her body instinctively reacting to his pain as if it were her own. The rawness of the moment was unbearable, the intensity of their shared suffering almost too much to handle.

Behind them, the family members who had rushed in after Sidharth stood frozen, their own hearts breaking at the scene before them. Jasbeera ji instinctively moved to go to Shehnaaz, but Rajender ji held her back, giving her a look that spoke volumes. This was their moment—Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s—and they needed this time to find each other again, to make sure they were okay.

Sidharth’s hands reached out, trembling as they untied the ropes that bound her.

Shehnaaz’s gaze never wavered as Sidharth worked to untie the ropes that had bound her so cruelly. His hands trembled slightly, betraying the depth of his emotions, but his touch remained gentle, as if he feared causing her any more pain. When he finally freed her feet, he held them tenderly in his hands, his fingers delicately tracing over the red, swollen bruises that marred her delicate skin.

His eyes, bright red from the frustration and pain of seeing her hurt, locked onto hers, silently pleading for her forgiveness. Without a word, he leaned down and pressed soft kisses over the bruises, as if trying to kiss away her pain. Each kiss was filled with love and sorrow, his whispered apologies brushing against her skin as he tried to soothe her in the only way he knew how.

Shehnaaz watched him in awe, her heart swelling with love, pain, and a deep longing that seemed to consume her entirely. She let him do whatever he needed, knowing that this was his way of healing, of grounding himself after the terror of almost losing her. Each gentle kiss he placed on her bruised skin brought a flicker of life back into her, reassuring her that she was safe now, that he was there with her. The sensation of his tears falling onto her skin as he wept quietly broke her heart, and she couldn’t hold back her own tears any longer.

As Sidharth placed her feet gently back on the ground, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him as he freed her hands from the ropes that had bound them behind the chair. The moment her hands were free, she immediately reached up to cup his face, her fingers brushing away the tears that continued to fall from his eyes. She wiped them away as quickly as she could, her heart aching to see him in such a vulnerable state.

This was her Sidharth, her big man. He wasn’t supposed to cry, wasn’t supposed to be broken like this. The sight of his tears, the depth of his pain, tore at her soul. But she also knew that he needed this, needed to let out the emotions that had been tearing him apart since he found her like this. She couldn’t bear to see him hurting, but she understood that they both needed to heal together.

Sidharth gently took her hands from his face and brought them to his lips, pressing tender kisses on each bruise, each mark that had been left around her wrists from the ropes. His eyes, still filled with unshed tears, silently begged her to forgive him, even though she knew he wasn’t to blame. She shook her head immediately, her own eyes filling with tears once more. It wasn’t his fault—none of this was his fault.

The pain in Sidharth’s heart was visible on his face as he cleared his throat, trying to find some semblance of composure, but it was clear that the agony of the past few hours had taken a heavy toll on him. He couldn’t believe how broken he had become in such a short time, how the mere thought of losing her had nearly destroyed him. He was half-dead without her, and the reality of how close he had come to losing the love of his life was almost too much to bear.

Sidharth’s hands moved with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with the violent turmoil he felt inside. As he reached behind Shehnaaz’s head, he carefully untied the cloth that had been cruelly gagging her, wincing as he saw how it had rubbed against her already injured lip. His eyes were glued to the small wound at the corner of her mouth, the sight of it filling him with a deep, aching guilt. He had failed to protect her, failed to keep her safe, and now she was bearing the marks of his failure.

But even as his gaze remained fixed on her injured lip, Shehnaaz’s eyes were locked on his, filled with all the love and longing she felt for him. Despite everything she had endured, all she could think about was how much she needed him, how much she loved him. The pain, the fear, the suffering—all of it faded away in the face of the overwhelming love she felt for this man who was her entire world.

Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji stood watching, their hearts swelling with a mix of pride and relief. To see Sidharth, their strong, resilient Sidharth, kneeling before Shehnaaz and kissing her feet with such reverence and devotion, was a sight that brought tears of joy to their eyes. They had always known that Sidharth was capable of great love, but to see it expressed so openly, so passionately, was nothing short of a blessing.

Rita ji, Vicky, and Anu, who had been so worried for Sidharth, now smiled through their tears. The depth of his love for Shehnaaz was so evident, so pure, that it was impossible not to be moved by it. The man who had once kept his emotions tightly guarded was now wearing his heart on his sleeve, and it was a beautiful thing to witness.

The rest of the group—Ranbir, Nisha, Mayank, Ankita, and the others—watched in awe, amusement, and disbelief. They had always known Shehnaaz as someone full of life, but to see her with Sidharth, to see the love that passed between them, was something entirely new. It was a love that was all-consuming, a love that had the power to heal even the deepest wounds.

Ranbir, who had always been in love with Shehnaaz, felt a deep sense of satisfaction as he observed the scene before him. He had always wanted the best for her, and now, seeing how much Sidharth loved her, he knew that she was in good hands. Tears of relief and happiness welled up in his eyes, knowing that Shehnaaz had found someone who loved her as much as she deserved to be loved.

Nisha, who had her own complicated feelings about love, found herself surprised by the happiness on Ranbir’s face. She hadn’t expected to see him so content, so at peace with the idea of Shehnaaz being with someone else. But the joy in his eyes was undeniable, and it filled her with a sense of hope.

Mayank and Ankita, who had always admired Shehnaaz’s vibrant spirit, now found themselves admiring her even more. Watching her and Sidharth together, they couldn’t help but feel like they were witnessing something special, something pure and unbreakable. They hugged each other tightly, overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment, knowing that they were in the presence of a love that was truly rare.

Sidharth, still focused on Shehnaaz’s injuries, gently raised his hand and touched her lip, careful not to cause her any more pain. His heart broke all over again as he saw the red mark on her cheek, a stark reminder of what she had been through. How could he have let this happen? The guilt gnawed at him, consuming him from the inside. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes, afraid of what he might see there—afraid that she might blame him, even if only a little.

But Shehnaaz’s eyes never left his face. She didn’t care about the pain or the bruises; all she cared about was that he was there with her, that he loved her. Her eyes silently begged him to meet her gaze, to see the love that was still there, untouched and unwavering. But Sidharth couldn’t tear his eyes away from her lip, the sight of the blood and the bruise on her cheek, a cruel reminder of his failure to protect the woman he loved more than anything in the world.

Sidharth could barely find the words to express the anguish tearing through him as he gazed at Shehnaaz. The sight of her pain, the bruises marring her delicate skin, the blood at the corner of her lips—it was more than he could bear. His voice, raw and broken, managed to whisper, “Mera bachha…” The words were barely audible, choked out through the tightness in his throat. All he had ever wanted was to protect her, to pamper her, to ensure she was never touched by even a shadow of harm. But now, she was hurt, and it was his fault. The guilt was crushing.

He needed to feel her close, to reassure himself that she was still there with him, that she was still breathing, still alive. Sidharth wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pulling her so close that their lips were only inches apart. He could feel her breath mingling with his, warm and shaky, as if she, too, was struggling to believe that this was real.

His lips found the corner of her mouth, gently pressing a kiss to the spot where her skin was torn and bleeding. She flinched, not from pain, but from the electric jolt of his touch. It was as though his lips held the power to heal her wounds, to erase the pain she had endured. She knew that with him, she needed no medicine—his love was all the healing she required.

Sidharth continued to place soft, reverent kisses on her lips, his breath hitching as the emotions he had been holding back finally broke free. Hiccups started to escape from his throat, his tears falling freely now, soaking into her skin as he buried his face in her neck, hiding his vulnerability in the warmth of her embrace. He wasn’t just crying for her; he was crying for them, for everything they had endured, for the fear of losing her that had nearly consumed him.

Shehnaaz could feel the depth of his pain, the way his body trembled against hers, and it tore at her heart. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer, holding him as tightly as she could. She knew he needed her, needed the comfort and warmth of her embrace to calm the storm raging inside him. Her fingers gently threaded through his hair as she whispered soothing words, trying to comfort him, to let him know that she was here, that she wasn’t going anywhere.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not Shikhar, not the others who might be watching—none of it mattered. All that mattered was Sidharth, her Sidharth, who was breaking apart in her arms. He had always been her rock, her protector, but now it was her turn to be strong for him, to help him find his way back from the edge of despair.

She held him close, her own tears mingling with his, but she didn’t care. She would cry with him, for him, if that’s what he needed. All she knew was that as long as they were together, they could face anything. As she continued to hold him, she felt his trembling slowly subside, his breath beginning to steady. And she knew, deep in her heart, that they would be okay. As long as they had each other, they would find a way through this, just as they always had.

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Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji’s eyes widened in surprise, their expressions a mix of embarrassment and the slightest hint of a blush. They quickly averted their gazes, feeling a bit flustered by the intimate moment unfolding before them. Baaz, too, looked away, not quite sure how to handle the situation.

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang stared at Sidharth and Shehnaaz without blinking, as if they had never witnessed a kiss before. But then again, this wasn’t just any kiss—it was Sidharth Shukla and Shehnaaz Gill, a couple whose connection was as intense as it was undeniable, making the moment all the more captivating.

Ranbir, however, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. A strange ache formed in his chest, something he couldn’t quite put into words. He turned away, trying to shake off the unfamiliar sensation. Uttara, on the other hand, had her eyes fixed on Shikhar. She noticed the darkness that filled his eyes as he watched the couple, his mood turning more sinister by the second.

Rita ji, observing the scene, couldn’t help but chuckle at Sidharth’s audacity. He was kissing his girl right in front of her parents—something that would usually raise eyebrows—but who in their right mind would dare to scold Sidharth Shukla? The thought amused her, and she found herself smiling despite the tension in the air.

Aadi, completely thrown off by what he was witnessing, couldn’t believe his eyes. His usually stoic and business-like boss caught in such a tender, romantic moment? It was enough to shock him to the core. So much so that he lost his balance and stumbled backward, crashing into Ankita. She, caught off guard by his clumsiness, shoved him away in irritation, annoyed that he had disrupted the scene at such a important moment.

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Sidharth cupped Shehnaaz’s face with trembling hands, his voice breaking as he pleaded, “Maaf kardo apne Jana ko…” His eyes, filled with regret and love, searched hers for forgiveness.

Unable to hold back her emotions any longer, Shehnaaz buried her face in his chest, her tears flowing freely. “Pata hai, me kitna dar gayi thi…” Her voice quivered, revealing the depth of her fear.

Sidharth gently patted her back, holding her close as if to shield her from the world. “Shhh… bas… bas, mera bachha… I am here na…” he murmured soothingly, his voice thick with emotion. “Stop crying, baby… please… for me…”

Shehnaaz clung to him even tighter, her body shaking with sobs. “He slapped me, Jana…” she whispered, her voice broken and fragile, and the words tore through him like a knife.

That was it.

Sidharth’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. His body stiffened, his muscles tensing as a wave of rage surged through him. The tenderness he had shown just moments ago vanished, replaced by a fierce, burning anger. His eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched as he let out a roar that echoed through the room, like a wounded lion ready to strike back. His fury was palpable, a force that made everyone around him flinch, knowing that Shikhar had just unleashed a storm that would be impossible to contain.

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