Chapter 42

Sidharth groaned with frustration, each passing moment making him feel more restless. He sat in the meeting, but no matter how hard he tried, his mind just couldn’t focus. His client had already noticed his distraction, and it only made him feel worse. He couldn’t help but regret not bringing Shehnaaz along with him. She was his world, and every part of him longed for her presence. It was crazy, but it felt like she had become more essential to him than even the air he breathed.

Shehnaaz wasn’t just someone he loved; she was the rhythm to his heartbeat. The very thought of her smile, her scent, the way she looked at him — it was like an addiction. He couldn’t believe how much he craved her. He hadn’t even talked to her all day, and the ache in his chest was almost unbearable. His heart was yearning for her, and it made him restless.

The day had started so early. Sidharth didn’t want to disturb her sweet sleep with a phone call, even though every part of him had wanted to hear her voice. And then, the day just got busier than he expected, taking up more time than he had planned. Meetings, calls, work — they had all consumed him, but none of them could take his mind off Shehnaaz.

Finally, unable to hold back anymore, he excused himself from the meeting. He knew she was at home, and he’d made sure that his security team was keeping an eye on her, texting him updates. He quickly dialed her number, anxious to hear her voice.

Shehnaaz had just stepped out of the bathroom when she heard her phone ringing. The moment she saw his name flash on the screen, a smile formed on her lips. She answered with excitement bubbling in her voice, “Janaaaaaaaaaa..”

And there it was. That simple greeting melted all his tension away. Just hearing her voice was enough to calm his restless heart. It felt like peace had finally returned. “Haan, mera bachha,” Sidharth replied, his voice thick with emotion. He couldn’t explain it, but his throat felt tight, and his chest ached with the need to be near her. He missed her so much, it was hard to believe it had only been 24 hours since they last saw each other.

Shehnaaz immediately sensed something in his tone, her voice filled with concern, “Kya huva aap ko?”

Sidharth smiled, her caring nature already lifting his spirits. “Kuch nahi baba,” he reassured her softly. Just hearing her, feeling the warmth of her concern, was enough to ease the restlessness he had been feeling. “Lunch kiya tumne?” he asked, hoping she had taken care of herself.

Shehnaaz blew the strands of hair away from her face, huffing playfully. “Bas lunch karne hi ja rahi hoon.. achha.. suniye na..” Her voice turned curious, making Sidharth listen more intently, wondering what she wanted to say next. “Aap ko pata hai mumma papaji aaj maa se milne ja rahe hai..”

Sidharth raised his eyebrows in surprise, realizing instantly what the meeting could be about. But he kept his tone casual, not wanting to give anything away. “Umm.. I don’t know baby.. it might just be a family moment,” he said, biting his lip, feeling guilty for not telling her the whole truth.

Shehnaaz sighed dramatically, her pout almost visible through the phone. “Achha.. koi na.. mujhe toh koi bulata hi nahi..” she complained, her voice laced with disappointment as she twisted her lips, making sure Sidharth could hear her exaggerated sigh.

Sidharth couldn’t help but chuckle at her words. “It’s your home, Mrs. Shukla,” he teased, smiling as he imagined her adorable pout, “Why do you need to be invited?”

Shehnaaz grinned from ear to ear at his playful reply, feeling a warm rush of happiness. Before Sidharth could scold her for her silly question, he was interrupted by a call from work. “Jaan, I’ll have to go for now.. by the way, I’m returning tonight.” And before she could say anything in response, he disconnected the call, leaving her both excited and surprised.

Shehnaaz’s heart raced with excitement. *He’s coming back tonight!* She couldn’t contain her joy as she hurried downstairs to the dining table, where her mother-in-law, Jasbeera ji, was sitting.

“Mumma, aap ne bataya nahi.. aap log maa se milne kyu ja rahe hai achanak?” Shehnaaz asked nervously, trying to mask her excitement. As she took her first bite of food, her mind raced with thoughts. *If mumma and papaji go out for dinner, what about my plan? Sidharth is coming back tonight!* The timing seemed all wrong, and she worried how things would work out.

Jasbeera ji poured her some water before replying, “Rita ji ko phone aaya tha.. dinner ke liye bulaya hai sabko, including you.. toh hum mana thodi na kar sakte hai beta..”

Shehnaaz listened as her mother explained. Jasbeera ji knew the real reason they were going, but as per Sidharth’s instructions, she couldn’t tell Shehnaaz about the surprise he was planning for Ranbir and Uttara.

“Ohh…” mumbled Shehnaaz softly, her face clouded with worry. Her plans seemed to be hanging by a thread, unsure and uncertain. She bit her lip, her mind racing with the thought that everything she had hoped for tonight might not go as planned.

Jasbeera ji, sitting across from her, immediately noticed the shift in her expression. Concerned, she leaned forward and asked gently, “Kya huva, Shehnaaz? Tum pareshan lag rahi ho… tum nahi jana chahti dinner ke liye?” Her voice was soft, full of motherly care. She hated to see her daughter stressed about anything.

Shehnaaz quickly realized her worried face had given her away. She took a deep breath and relaxed her expression, trying to appear more casual. “Nahi mumma… aisa kuchh nahi hai,” she replied, forcing a lightness into her tone. “Main toh bas awehi kuchh soch rahi thi…”

But inside, her thoughts were far from calm. Shehnaaz was trying to balance her excitement about Sidharth’s return and the sudden family dinner. She didn’t want to miss a moment with him, and now everything seemed out of her hands. But she didn’t want to worry her mother, so she pushed down her anxiety and smiled softly.

Jasbeera ji watched her for a moment longer but decided not to press the issue. She trusted Shehnaaz to share her concerns when she was ready.

___________

Meanwhile, at an office nearby, Karan and Shweta were deep in work, focused on their new project. The atmosphere was one of quiet concentration until Karan’s phone rang, breaking the silence.

“Hello,” Karan greeted, his voice casual at first, but within seconds, he went completely silent. For the next 15-20 minutes, he listened intently to the caller, a growing smile of excitement spreading across his face as the conversation went on.

Finally, he ended the call with a simple, “Done. Thnxx,” and hung up. His eyes sparkled with excitement, but when he looked up, he found Shweta staring at him with a curious, confused expression.

“What?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

Shweta shook her head slightly, trying to act as if it was nothing. “Kuchh nahi… tum kisse baat kar rahe the?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. She had never seen him so animated after a phone call.

A grin spread across Karan’s face, and he replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Seems like… god also wants my love life to be on the right track.”

Shweta’s confusion deepened as she furrowed her brow. “Kya matlab…? Kahin Anu ne tumhe date pe toh nahi bulaya?” she asked, half-joking but also wondering if there was some truth to it.

Karan’s grin only widened, making Shweta roll her eyes in exasperation. “Well… ab ye toh kal hi pata chalega… ke kise kaun date pe bulayega,” he said cryptically, enjoying teasing her with his vague answers.

Shweta gave up with a sigh, shaking her head. “Tumhari ye gol-gol baatein meri samajh se bahar hai…” she muttered, clearly annoyed but also a little amused by his antics. Then she quickly shifted her focus back to work. “Nwz… look at this one. Are you convinced with this design?”

Karan smiled, the excitement still lingering in his eyes, but he turned his attention back to the project. They had a lot of work to do, but whatever had been said on that call had clearly lifted his spirits. For now, though, work was waiting, and he buried himself back into the task at hand, while Shweta continued to throw him curious glances from time to time, still wondering what had just happened.

______________

The evening slipped by quickly as the Gill family arrived at the Shukla’s house for dinner. The air was filled with light-hearted conversation, giggles, and the kind of relaxed fun that only close families share. Around the dinner table, there was masti, mazak, and warmth, creating a pleasant and joyous atmosphere.

Rita ji, Jasbeera ji, and Rajender ji sat with their usual grace, smiling and laughing along with the younger members of the family. Despite the laughter, they all shared a silent understanding not to mention Sidharth’s plan, especially with Shehnaaz and Anu present. The dinner wasn’t the right moment to discuss something so personal and significant.

However, when Anu excitedly pulled Shehnaaz away from the table and up to her room, Rita ji and the Gill family took that opportunity to discuss Sidharth’s thoughtful plan for Ranbir and Uttara.

Leher, couldn’t hide her amazement. Her eyes widened as she processed Sidharth’s gesture, the depth of his thoughtfulness. She had never expected someone to go to such lengths for her sister. As the conversation continued, she felt her emotions rise, and soon, tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes.

The tears weren’t just for Sidharth’s kindness, though. As she sat there, shame and guilt wrapped themselves around her heart like heavy chains. She remembered her cold behavior towards both Sidharth and Shehnaaz at the hospital, how she had been distant and skeptical. The memory of her harsh words stung her now, and she couldn’t help but feel regret. This man, whom she hardly know, was doing something so selfless for her family. The contrast between his kindness and her previous attitude weighed heavily on her soul.

Upstairs, Anu shut the door behind her with a quiet click, then turned to face Shehnaaz with a sharp, suspicious look.

“What…?” Shehnaaz asked, trying to keep her tone light, even though she could feel Anu’s gaze piercing into her. She attempted to appear casual, like nothing was amiss, but she knew her best friend far too well. There was no hiding anything from Anu.

Anu practically dragged Shehnaaz to sit on the bed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. She couldn’t contain herself and almost begged like a typical girl dying to know some juicy secret. “Shehnaaz… mujhe bewkoof mat bana… batana Nish ne tujhe kya plan bataya?” she demanded, her tone full of anticipation.

Shehnaaz mentally cursed Anu for having such a sharp memory. Couldn’t she just forget that topic and move on? Ugh… now what was she supposed to say? There was no way she could spill the truth, not yet.

But then, an idea sparked in Shehnaaz’s mind, and she chuckled mischievously. “Yaar, kaisi kamini dost hai tu! Kabhi mujhe ghar pe sleepover ke liye nahi bulati… abhi aa hi gayi hoon toh ruk jaoon, hai na?” She grinned widely, remembering Sidharth’s comforting words—how he had assured her that this was her home too. Inviting herself for a sleepover was just the perfect distraction.

Anu raised an eyebrow, eyeing Shehnaaz suspiciously. “Tera hi ghar hai, meri pyari bhabhi… ab bata, ke plan kya hai?” she insisted, clearly not fooled by Shehnaaz’s playful diversion.

Shehnaaz smirked but didn’t give in easily. “Pehle meri mumma ko convince kar,” she teased, knowing full well that Anu wouldn’t let this go anytime soon. Without waiting for a response, Shehnaaz grabbed Anu’s hand and practically dragged her downstairs toward the living room.

As they descended the stairs, Shehnaaz tried her best to keep her mischievous grin hidden, but it was too obvious. She could feel Anu’s gaze on her, full of curiosity and a little bit of confusion. Anu wondered how her big brother, Sidharth, was going to survive with this lively, unpredictable girl in his life. And, truth be told, Anu couldn’t help but smile to herself. Sidharth was in for quite the adventure, and she was all here for it.

______________

“Par beta…” Jasbeera ji hesitated, unsure about Shehnaaz staying overnight at her future sasural. It wasn’t that Shehnaaz had never stayed out before, but this was different. She glanced at Rajender ji, who seemed perfectly okay with the idea, then shifted her gaze to Rita ji. Rita ji, however, was smiling warmly, looking more than pleased.

“Jasbeera, itna kyun soch rahi ho? Rehne do na bachhi aaj ka din… uska apna hi ghar hai na,” Rita ji said with a smile that melted Jasbeera ji’s heart instantly.

Shehnaaz, blushing hard, couldn’t help but smile as Rita ji winked at her playfully. Anu, standing beside her, nudged Shehnaaz cheekily, trying to hold back her own excitement.

Jasbeera ji, finally convinced, nodded in agreement. With that, the Gill family left shortly after, leaving Shehnaaz with a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her.

Anu, entangling her arm with Shehnaaz’s, grinned. “Chale bhabhi? Ab teri baari,” she teased.

Shehnaaz swatted her arm playfully, “Tu upar ja, main do minute mein aayi.” Anu huffed dramatically but obediently made her way upstairs, leaving Rita ji chuckling at the girls’ antics.

Once alone, Shehnaaz knelt in front of Rita ji, her heart filled with affection. Rita ji, noticing the gesture, cupped her face gently, her eyes filled with concern. “Kya hua, bachha?” she asked softly.

Shehnaaz smiled. The way Rita ji said “bachha” reminded her of Sidharth, and without thinking, she hugged Rita ji around her waist, resting her head in her lap like a little child seeking comfort.

Rita ji, smiling at Shehnaaz’s innocence, brushed her hair lovingly. “Sid ki yaad aa rahi hai?” she asked, her voice gentle and knowing.

Shehnaaz nodded her head shyly, causing Rita ji to shake her head with amusement. “Woh aa raha hai na aaj…” she reminded her.

Shehnaaz lifted her face and smiled, though her cheeks flushed with color. “Woh… maa, mujhe unke liye kuch special karna tha,” she began, her voice trailing off as the blush deepened on her cheeks.

Rita ji giggled softly, ruffling Shehnaaz’s hair in a playful manner. Shehnaaz leaned closer, then whispered her plan into Rita ji’s ear.

Delighted by what she heard, Rita ji kissed Shehnaaz’s cheek and smiled warmly. “Aww, that’s so cute, Shehnaaz… of course I’ll help you,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Shehnaaz beamed, standing up. “Main Anu ke paas ja rahi hoon, maa… woh aaj pakka meri jaan le legi,” she laughed, imagining Anu’s impatience.

With a final smile, Shehnaaz dashed upstairs, leaving a fondly smiling Rita ji behind, her heart full of warmth at the sight of her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

_______________

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes as she entered the room to find Anu standing on the bed with her hands on her waist, looking like an impatient kid. “Itna kya tera privacy hai, be? Bata na!” Anu couldn’t handle her curiosity anymore.

Shehnaaz groaned, feeling trapped in Anu’s relentless questioning. **Nish kahan phasa diya tune mujhe…** she thought, sighing.

Trying to divert the conversation, Shehnaaz giggled awkwardly and avoided making eye contact. “Kuchh nahi yaar… bas awehi… kuchh khaas nahi. Wo sab chhod, tu ye bata, teri kitna portion ho gaye padh ke?” she said, hoping Anu would take the bait.

But Anu wasn’t one to be easily distracted. She swatted Shehnaaz’s arm playfully, “Abe oyy! Topic mat badal. Mujhe bata, warna main bhai ko tere plan wali baat bata dungi… so tera plan pehle se hi flop!” Anu smirked, knowing she had hit a nerve.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened in horror at Anu’s threat. She stared at her with a mock murderous look, while Anu grinned mischievously, enjoying her upper hand.

“You’re a monster, you know that,” Shehnaaz grumbled, her face scrunching up like a child caught in trouble.

“I do know,” Anu giggled triumphantly. “Ab bata, what’s the plan?”

Reluctantly, Shehnaaz sighed. “Actually wo… Nish ne mujhe bataya ke…” She began to fumble for words, trying to explain without giving too much away. “Dar asal… Sidharth 2 din ke liye bahar gaye hain na… toh Nish ne kaha ke… mujhe unke liye kuchh special karna chahiye…”

Anu rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Ye mujhe pata hai! Aage bata…”

Shehnaaz swallowed nervously, “Toh woh… usne kaha ke…” But before she could continue, Anu’s phone started ringing, interrupting the moment.

Shehnaaz sighed in relief, while Anu made an annoyed face and answered, “Kya hai, Karan?”

Karan’s chuckle echoed through the phone. “Kya hua? Phone uthate hi meri class shuru kar di?”

Anu couldn’t help but smile despite her irritation. “Nahi yaar… bas yunhi. Tum bolo, aaj meri yaad kaise aa gayi?”

Karan smirked at her playful taunt. “Why do I hear complaints about not calling for a few days?”

Anu rolled her eyes at his flirtation, “Karan, Shehnaaz is here with me. I need to talk something important with her, and here you are wasting my time with this nonsense and annoying me…”

Shehnaaz, who was thoroughly enjoying Anu’s flustered state, playfully whacked Anu’s arm, giving her an annoyed look for being rude to Karan.

Anu glanced at Shehnaaz, a look of confusion flickering across her face as she registered the playful nudge she had just received. She rolled her eyes, knowing full well why Shehnaaz had interrupted her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Karan was relishing the sight of Anu’s annoyance. There was something about pushing her buttons that brought him immense joy. With a playful tone, he said, “Achha, thik hai, sweetheart. I’ll get straight to the point.”

Anu’s eyes widened in surprise. “Did you just call me sweetheart? Karan, I’m going to kill you for that!” The mix of disbelief and irritation was evident in her voice.

Shehnaaz couldn’t suppress her grin as she watched Anu’s animated reaction. She enjoyed the banter, but she also knew better than to interrupt the unfolding drama. However, Anu shot her a quick look, a playful warning not to distract her.

With determination, Anu focused back on the call, her brow furrowing as Karan’s next words took her completely by surprise. “Go out with me.”

“What?!” Anu exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief. She felt her heart race, unsure of how to respond.

Karan reiterated, “Go out with me.”

“NO WAYS!” she retorted, a smirk playing on her lips as she feigned confidence. Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, knowing this was just Anu’s bravado.

“YES ways,” Karan challenged, his tone teasing.

“NO,” Anu shot back firmly, crossing her arms as if that would strengthen her stance.

“Yes,” Karan insisted, refusing to back down.

“No,” Anu repeated, her annoyance growing.

“Yes,” Karan chuckled, clearly amused by her persistence.

“No,” Anu said again, feeling the urge to laugh at the absurdity of their back-and-forth.

“NO,” Karan replied with mock seriousness.

“YES!” Anu declared triumphantly, throwing her hands up in exasperation, her playful spirit shining through.

“Okay, get ready. I will be there in minutes.Bye, sweetheart!” Karan’s voice rang with laughter as he disconnected the call, leaving Anu in a state of confusion and disbelief.

Anu stared at her phone, bewildered. “Ugh! I was saying NO! So why did I end up saying YES?” she fumed, making a baby face that made her look even more comically frustrated.

Shehnaaz couldn’t help but giggle, her amusement bubbling over as she recognized how Karan had playfully turned the tables on Anu. With a sly smile, she decided it was the perfect moment to slip away, knowing Anu was too confused as to what happened with her.

Anu remained lost in thought, mentally grappling with the unexpected turn of events, unaware that Shehnaaz had left her to ponder what had just unfolded. She was saying no right..?

_____________

Karan finally succeeded in coaxing Anu out of the Shukla house, a small victory that marked a promising beginning for both Nish and Shehnaaz. Nisha had gathered all the necessary items for their plan, while Rita ji discreetly helped Shehnaaz with the final touches before retreating to her room, not wanting to embarrass them.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as they made the arrangements, each detail meticulously falling into place. All that remained was the grand finale: Sidharth’s entrance.

_____________

By the time Sidharth finally landed in Mumbai, it was late, and a sense of dread washed over him. He knew he was in trouble; he hadn’t managed to call Shehnaaz since their last conversation that afternoon. He switched on his phone, only to be met with disappointment—no missed calls or messages from her. “She must be tied up with her studies,” he thought, letting out a heavy sigh as he settled into the driver’s seat of his car, closing his eyes in frustration.

God, how he missed her. It was hard to believe that just two days apart felt like an eternity. Two seconds without her had seemed like a small eternity, and two days had been nothing short of a nightmare. Despite his busy schedule filled with meetings and problem-solving, the void she left was palpable.

His heart raced at the thought of seeing his mishty again; the desire to fly to her right that moment was overwhelming. Yet, he recalled her firm command: she had insisted he rest today and not come over. The memory made him chuckle lightly; it was typical of her to worry about him, even when he was itching to be by her side.

How could he deny her command? She was the owner of his soul. Yet, at the very least, he could reach out and tell her that he was back—her Sidharth was back. The thought felt beautiful, almost intoxicating, like he truly belonged to her. A smile crept across his face as he dialed her number, eager to hear her voice.

But for the third time, he was met with disappointment. “The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later.”

Sidharth sighed and tried again, but it was the same frustrating message. Concern gripped him as he immediately called the security team, who reassured him that Shehnaaz was at home and doing fine, just as she had told guards.

Still, why was her phone off? Had she been angry with him for not calling? God, jaan, I miss you, baby. He wished he could simply go to her, but he couldn’t go against her wishes.

As he settled into his car, he felt an unbearable longing for morning to arrive, when he could finally wrap his arms around Shehnaaz again. He was determined to make it up to her.

“Sir, we are home,” the driver announced, pulling Sidharth from his thoughts.

He blinked in surprise, realizing he hadn’t even noticed the journey back. Shaking his head at his childish behavior, he stepped out of the car and made his way inside.

As he walked through the living room,  the space was eerily quiet—empty. Sighing, he made his way upstairs, to his room quickly.

Shrugging off his unease, he headed to his room.As he opened the door, he was left utterly speechless.