Chapter 56

Sidharth stood in front of the mirror, carefully fixing his coat, but his reflection wasn’t the only thing catching his attention. A smile tugged at his lips and refused to leave. He looked like a man completely lost in happiness—something rare, something deeply personal.

He turned towards the locker and opened it gently, pulling out the khandani ring—an heirloom his mother had handed over to him just days ago. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry. It held generations of love, trust, and legacy. Holding the ring in his palm, Sidharth slowly ran his fingers over it, his touch tender, as if honoring its value. His chest tightened with a strange mix of nervousness and joy. He was going to start a new chapter of his life today—with the woman who had become the center of his world.

It wasn’t just about love. It was about responsibility too. But he was ready. After all, he was the son of Viraj Shukla—a man who had been the epitome of everything good. A perfect son, a loving husband, and the kind of father every child wishes for.

Sidharth closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting his mind wander to memories of his father. The way he used to laugh, the way he protected them all, the love he gave without conditions—it was all still so fresh. He prayed silently, “I hope I can be even half the man you were, Papa.”

Taking a deep breath to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside him, Sidharth finally stepped out of the room and made his way downstairs.

The living room was warm with chatter, laughter, and the coming together of two families. As soon as Rita ji spotted her son, her heart skipped a beat. She clasped her hands together as her eyes welled up, a soft smile dancing on her lips.

“Sidharth…” she whispered, her voice choking with love and emotion. She had once feared she’d never see her son this happy again. But then came Shehnaaz, like a miracle. A girl who didn’t just walk into Sidharth’s life, but healed it.

“Maa…” Sidharth walked up to her and gently scolded, seeing the tears streaming down her cheeks. Pulling her into a warm hug, he said softly, “I know you were waiting for this day…”

His words touched her deeply. Rajender ji smiled with pride at his soon-to-be son-in-law, while Jasbeera ji wiped a tear, equally moved.

“Ohh godd, stop it you two…” Sidharth laughed as he playfully dragged Jasbeera ji into the hug as well, holding both his mothers close. The room filled with affectionate laughter at the touching scene.

Just then, the entire space fell into a hush. A silence that had nothing to do with quiet and everything to do with awe.

Shehnaaz appeared at the corridor with Anu, Nisha, and Ankita flanking her sides. Standing at the top of the staircase, she looked breathtakingly beautiful—no less than a vision. The soft lighting seemed to dance around her, casting a gentle glow that made her look even more radiant.

Sidharth froze. he couldn’t look away. It was as if time stood still. His eyes, his heart, his entire being—locked onto her. Every guest might have been staring at her, but to him, she was only his. His pride surged high while a touch of jealousy flashed in his chest seeing other eyes on her.

Slowly, he walked towards the stairs while Shehnaaz carefully made her way down. Each step she took felt like an eternity to both of them. As she reached the last one and stood before him, their eyes met—and the world around them blurred into nothingness.

Sidharth looked nothing less than royalty. Dressed in a tailored black Armani suit that accentuated every inch of his strong frame, he looked like a man who belonged to the stars. Greek God was the only way Shehnaaz could describe him.

And yet… he was hers.

Just hers.

He had done all this… every bit of this… just to celebrate her birthday. Not only that—he had gone a step further and started a charity foundation in her name. Her heart was overwhelmed.

She couldn’t help but stare at him, mouth slightly open in admiration until she realized where they were—and quickly lowered her gaze, blushing a deep pink.

Sidharth, meanwhile, just kept staring. Taking in every detail of the girl who had turned his life upside down and filled it with meaning. Holly fucking shitt… how can someone be so beautiful? he thought.

He had spent most of his life convinced that no one could ever break his emotional walls. And then came Shehnaaz—like the first rain after a drought—soaking his soul in her innocence, her chaos, her love. And now, here she was, standing in front of him, making his heart do somersaults.

Shehnaaz clutched the sides of her dress nervously, her heart pounding. She didn’t dare look up, but the heat on her cheeks betrayed her feelings.

Finally, Sidharth stretched out his hand. His palm lay open in front of her. Without thinking, without questioning, Shehnaaz placed her hand in his. He gently moved her hand to the crook of his arm, anchoring her there. Together, they walked with grace and elegance towards the center stage.

Shehnaaz’s monologue:

“Dreams do come true… I’ve heard people say it all my life. But I thought dreams needed struggle, pain, sacrifice. I don’t know what I did, yet my dream walked into my life and made it his own. Every gesture of his—even the simple ones—makes me fall in love with him over and over again. He is my love… my heartbeat… the only man who made my heart skip, who made me feel things I never knew existed. What did I ever do to deserve him? I don’t know… But I do know this—I am the luckiest girl alive.”

Love—it’s magical. It’s meant to be shared, to be felt, to be cherished. But why are we scared of it? Why do we hesitate? If I wasn’t scared, I would scream it every day—how much I love him. Whether it’s rain or sunshine, I want him to know—this love, this fire inside me, it will never fade. Never die.

This… is my imperfect way of saying—I love you.

Sidharth’s monologue:

“Is this really happening? My heart doesn’t believe it yet. My Shehnaaz, my jaan, is becoming mine… forever. I once thought God hated me when He took Papa away. I blamed Him. I was angry. But today… how can I hate a God who gave me this angel? What did I ever do to deserve her? Maybe Papa prayed for me from up there… Maybe I’m lucky after all.”

She’s beauty in every form. Every season. She doesn’t just light up a room—she lights up my world. Her smile is poetry, her voice is music, her presence is magic. Every time I see her, my heart skips a beat. If someone asked for something rare and precious—Shehnaaz would be the answer.

I would choose her over anything—over air, over life. She’s the owner of my soul. I love you, Shehnaaz.

Sidharth held her hand tightly, fingers entangled, refusing to let go. That physical contact grounded him, reminding him that this—this was real. They were real.

They stood in the center of the stage, surrounded by family, friends, and dozens of emotions in the air.

Some eyes sparkled with joy, others narrowed in jealousy. Some mouths curved into smiles, while others fell silent in stunned awe.

Shehnaaz, with her eyes still on the floor, gently nudged Sidharth’s arm, whispering with a cute pout, “Birthday party me inne logo ko kyu bulaya aap ne… birthday hai mera… shaadi nahi…”

Sidharth stifled a laugh. Even in the middle of a grand celebration, surrounded by people, she found a way to complain cutely. God, she looked so beautiful—he wanted to pull her into a kiss right there. But he controlled himself.

Rita ji stepped forward, holding a mic, and began speaking with pride, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m genuinely thankful to you all for being here with us today… As you might have guessed, it’s the birthday of this beautiful woman standing beside my son Sidharth. And if you noticed his protective hold around her… you know what it means.”

The crowd responded with gasps, giggles, and warm applause. Shehnaaz looked down instantly, her cheeks flushed deep crimson, while Sidharth smirked.

Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji exchanged proud smiles.

“And,” Rita ji continued, beaming, “it’s a proud moment for me to say… please meet the future Mrs. Sidharth Shukla!”

The room exploded into applause.

Sidharth gently pulled Shehnaaz into his arms as tears welled in her eyes. She leaned into his warmth, overwhelmed. Their hearts beat in the same rhythm—both overflowing with love.

But not everyone smiled.

Ritika stood silently, her breath stuck in her chest. The realization hit her like a crashing wave. This girl—Shehnaaz—was perfect for Sidharth. And Ritika? She had only been foolish. Tears slipped quietly down her cheeks, unnoticed by anyone. She had no one else to blame.

Meanwhile, Ranbir smiled, tightening his grip around Nisha. He didn’t feel pain today. No guilt. Only peace.

Rita ji wasn’t done. “And now,” she said, “we have another surprise…”

She looked at Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji, who nodded encouragingly.

Shehnaaz, confused, turned to Sidharth with questioning eyes. He smiled back, that knowing smile that only deepened her curiosity. But in his gaze, she found something that calmed her—a wordless conversation between two hearts.

Rita ji stepped between the couple, holding both their hands. She looked at Shehnaaz and gently placed her hand in Sidharth’s, which he held like the most precious treasure.

“Today,” Rita ji said, her voice full of joy, “is not only the birthday of our bahu Shehnaaz, but also… their engagement ceremony. Please give them a big hand!”

Shehnaaz gasped. She was stunned beyond words. 

Her mind couldn’t process it all at once. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Did she hear it right? It couldn’t be… this couldn’t be real… right?

But the claps—the loud, joyful claps—around her said otherwise.

Her eyes immediately darted to Sidharth, desperate, almost pleading for confirmation. And there he stood… staring back at her with the brightest, warmest, most beautiful smile she had ever seen on his face. Her breath caught.

She needed him to tell her this wasn’t some crazy dream. That she hadn’t imagined it. That it was really happening—their engagement… on her birthday… Oh my God.

A wave of emotions crashed into her—excitement, shock, nervousness, and overwhelming love—all at once. Her body stood still, but her heart was dancing, crying, screaming in joy.

How do I express this? She didn’t know. Her lips trembled. Her throat was tight. Her eyes blurred with tears of joy. She wanted to laugh, cry, scream—but no words would come out.

She slowly covered her face with both hands, overwhelmed, emotional, almost embarrassed as people around her cheered and tried to soothe her. It was all too much… too beautiful.

Sidharth walked toward her, his eyes soft and knowing. He gently pulled her hands away from her face and wiped the tears from just under her eyes with his thumbs.

“Mishty, please… mera bachha…” he whispered, wrapping her in his arms, holding her tightly to calm the storm inside her. His hand moved slowly over her back, trying to give her the warmth she needed.

Shehnaaz leaned into his chest, her eyes shut tightly. She knew he didn’t want her to cry, but how could she stop? She was so full—of love, of surprise, of happiness.

How did he manage to give her this much joy? How did he always know what her heart needed—even before she did? How could one man make every second of her life feel so complete?

As she began to relax in his embrace, Sidharth gently cupped her face and tilted it up to meet his eyes. The way she looked at him—like he was her world—made his heart swell.

He had always known she was his, but he never wanted to do something that might make her feel pressured or unsure. He would only go ahead if her eyes gave him permission. If her soul said yes.

She was his woman… his Jaan. And now, seeing that twinkle of pure joy in her tear-filled eyes—he knew. She loved it. She loved him. And that was all that mattered.

He could go through a hundred battles for her, but he could never bear the pain of her regretting anything between them. Her happiness was his heartbeat.

Shehnaaz was his Mishty—and he knew her better than she knew herself. That was their bond. They belonged to each other, completely. She could take decisions for him, and he for her. That was their love. That was their right.

Their world didn’t run on conditions. It ran on trust, on love. Pure and powerful.

Now, standing at the center of the stage with their families surrounding them, Sidharth and Shehnaaz looked at each other. They had no idea the crowd was watching. For them, this was their moment.

A moment when their souls committed to one another. A moment that would be remembered forever. There would be no going back now. They were each other’s for life.

Sidharth stared deep into her eyes and in that silent exchange, she knew—he loved her. Deeply. Truly. Fully.

Then, to her utter disbelief, he dropped down on one knee. Her heart stumbled in her chest.

“Aap please aise…” she gasped, her voice almost breaking, “mujhe achha nahi lag raha…” Her eyes filled again as she tried to kneel down too, desperate to stop him.

Everyone watched, stunned, mesmerized. This wasn’t just romance—it was love in its purest, most respectful form.

Rita ji and the Shukla family looked at Shehnaaz in awe. Her respect for Sidharth, the discomfort at seeing him on his knees, was so touching. So genuine.

Even Ritika stood shocked. She had never imagined this side of Sidharth—the tenderness, the depth, the quiet respect in his eyes.

What kind of love was this? What kind of connection did these two have?

In a world full of loud declarations and shallow displays, this love stood tall—pure, selfless, real.

But Sidharth wouldn’t let her kneel. With just one firm look, he stopped her. And she listened.

“Let me show the world who Sidharth belongs to,” he said softly. “Let me love.”

She placed her hand in his, and he gripped it tight.

Rita ji stepped forward with moist eyes and lovingly patted Sidharth’s head. Rajender ji and Jasbeera ji stood speechless, watching this man honor their daughter like a queen.

Sidharth slid the ring onto her finger, then brought her hand to his forehead and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

The hall filled with thunderous applause.

Shehnaaz, still in a daze, stared at her finger, the ring shining brightly… just like her eyes. Her lips parted in a wide, emotional smile, and her cheeks were pink with joy.

Sidharth chuckled and gently tucked her hair behind her ear before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

That was all it took.

Shehnaaz looked up at him with tears and a giggle, whispering, “Siyappa ho jana hai aaj… sachhii…”

Everyone laughed softly around them. Leher came forward with the ring for Shehnaaz to put on Sidharth’s finger.

Shehnaaz bit her lip—her nervous habit—and looked up at him. Taking a deep breath, she did something no one expected.

She bent down on one knee.

Sidharth’s eyes widened. “Kya kar rahi ho tum?!” he blurted, trying to pull her up.

But she gently slapped his hands away with a playful pout, “Aap kar sakte ho, fir main kyun nahi?”

His words died on his lips.

The crowd gasped and watched silently. It was Shehnaaz’s simple answer that silenced everyone.

Smiling, she reached for his hand—but it was difficult with his height. She rolled her eyes and glared adorably, “Offo… thoda sa jhuko na aap…”

He laughed, bending down, and she slid the ring onto his finger. Then she stood and beamed.

Sidharth pulled her close instantly, wrapping an arm tightly around her waist, his lips brushing near her ear, “Mera bachha sach me pagal hai…” he whispered just for her.

They were no longer Sidharth and Shehnaaz. They were SidNaaz. This was just the beginning—of a forever.

A promise to stand by each other, love each other, lift each other up, and never let go. To protect. To care. To cherish.

Sidharth watched the glow on her face, the excitement in her eyes, and felt a peace settle deep within him.

Shehnaaz? All she wanted now was to bury her face in his chest and stay there—forever.

Mayank and Ankita brought out the cake while Sidharth stayed protectively by her side, one arm always around her.

Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji had tears in their eyes. Their daughter was no longer just theirs now—she had a new world, a new family.

Baaz hugged Mahi tightly, silently promising to spoil her now, because his sister Shehnaaz belonged to someone else.

Shehnaaz leaned forward to blow the candles—only to watch them relight. She blinked, blew again—and again, they lit up. Embarrassed, she looked around as her friends burst into laughter. Guests giggled at her puzzled expressions.

Ritika smiled too, tears glistening in her eyes. She was truly happy for them.

Sidharth shook his head, amused, while Shehnaaz gave him her best baby face. Again, she blew—and again, the candles sparked up.

Annoyed, she asked in fake anger, “It’s magic candle, right? Who did it?”

Ankita smiled sweetly, “Jiju ne bola… toh humne kiya…”

Sidharth looked horrified. Shehnaaz turned to him with an ‘O’ shaped mouth while he vigorously shook his head in denial.

Everyone laughed as Ankita replaced the magic candle with a real one.

This time, both Sidharth and Shehnaaz blew the candle together and cut the cake as a couple.

Sidharth fed her a piece, and Shehnaaz fed him too—before sneaking a bigger piece for herself and making a happy little moan that had people giggling.

Sidharth nearly groaned. This woman will be the end of him.

Their families, friends, and guests took turns feeding them, and soon Nisha and Ankita playfully smeared cake on Shehnaaz’s nose before running off.

Shehnaaz chased them with mock anger, making a baby face, while Sidharth stood there, watching her with pure love in his eyes. She was his Mishty. His beautiful, emotional, mischievous baby.

And now—forever his.

As Sidharth was chatting with Rajender ji and Baaz, Shehnaaz returned, still sulking, her lips pushed out in a big, dramatic pout. Her nose was dotted with creamy cake, her expression all scrunched up in mock anger. The sight made Sidharth chuckle warmly. God, she looked so irresistibly cute.

“Dekha kya kiya in logo ne…” she whined like a little child, still making a sad face. “Birthday hai na mera… aise koi karta hai kya… sab has rahe honge mujhe… hay rabba… soch rahe honge kaisi atarangi fiance hai Sidharth ki…?” She kept complaining, her words tumbling out in rapid-fire Hindi, making Rajender ji and Baaz break into laughter.

Sidharth felt an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms, kiss her pout away, and whisper that he loved everything about her—especially the madness.

Anu, sensing trouble brewing, quickly dragged Shehnaaz upstairs to wash her face before she could snitch to Sidharth and start another round of drama.

From across the room, Avantika, a long-time friend of Rita ji, observed the entire scene with visible disapproval. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned towards Rita ji and muttered sarcastically, “Rita seriously, I’m still in shock… kya dikha tumhe is ladki mein?”

Rita ji almost rolled her eyes. Avantika had been trying to push her own daughter into Sidharth’s life for years. But Sidharth had never once shown interest.

“Not again, Avantika…” Rita ji sighed.

But Avantika ignored the warning tone and pressed on, “Oh come on, she’s so childish and immature. Look at my doll… beauty with brains! She would’ve been perfect for Sidharth…”

As Avantika’s daughter fluttered her fake eyelashes in a pathetic attempt to look charming, Rita ji struggled not to roll her eyes again.

“Shehnaaz is—” she began, ready to defend her future daughter-in-law when a deep, commanding voice interrupted her sharply.

“Avantika aunty,” Sidharth’s tone was calm, but it carried an unmistakable warning. “You’re here because you’re Maa’s friend. But that doesn’t give you or anyone the right to speak against my wife. I won’t tolerate that.”

Avantika’s face lost all color. Rita ji sighed again, knowing this confrontation was inevitable. Avantika had brought it upon herself.

Sidharth’s eyes didn’t soften as he added, “You’re here to celebrate our engagement. If you can’t do that—” he let the sentence hang in the air before walking away, leaving Avantika speechless and humiliated.

—

Upstairs, Shehnaaz was trying to wipe the cake off her face, still huffing and puffing about the prank. She was scrunching her nose in the mirror when she heard the door click. Her eyes flicked to the side—and then lit up when she saw Sidharth entering the room.

He walked straight to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. She was still wiping her nose with a tissue, pouting like a little girl.

“Ha ha… hasiye… lijiye maze… sab has rahe the niche…” she muttered, clearly still sulking.

Sidharth was about to laugh when he paused. His gaze shifted to the mirror and locked on her reflection. Something in his eyes changed—his playful smile gave way to something darker, deeper, more intense.

“Jana…” Shehnaaz whispered, startled by the look in his eyes. Before she could say anything else, Sidharth swiftly turned her in his arms. Her heart thudded against her chest.

“Shhhh…” he whispered, placing a finger on her lips.

His eyes roamed over her face, slowly, lovingly—as if memorizing her all over again. Her red nose, her cheeks still streaked with cake, and finally… her lips. A small bit of chocolate lingered at the corner of her mouth, and Sidharth’s gaze lingered there. The temptation was unbearable.

He wanted to devour her. Not just the cake, but her—her laughter, her blush, her everything.

Shehnaaz felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Her breathing quickened as Sidharth’s head dipped, his lips brushing her earlobe before gently nibbling it. Then his tongue traced the spot, soothing the sting.

Her body betrayed her. Her knees buckled, and she leaned against him helplessly. His arms tightened around her waist, supporting her as his mouth moved down her jawline.

“Sidharth…” she whispered, barely able to speak.

“Ummmm…” he growled in response, his voice husky and thick with desire.

He kept kissing, teasing—until his lips found hers and kissed her with the kind of need that made her toes curl. Her arms clutched his shoulders for support as he backed her against the wall, his body pressing into hers, claiming her completely.

His hand slid into her hair, massaging her scalp with gentle possessiveness, while the other one gripped her waist firmly, grounding her.

“Bhai! Come out… warna main maa ko bulaungi!” Anu’s teasing voice rang from outside the door.

Startled, they froze. Shehnaaz looked down shyly while Sidharth helped adjust her dress, gently rubbing her blushing cheeks with his thumb.

“Bhai…” Anu knocked again.

Sidharth groaned. “Anu, bas 2 min… stop annoying.”

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened, amused, while Anu giggled, “Bhai, do you want me to call maa?”

Shehnaaz burst into laughter while Sidharth glared at the door like he could burn a hole through it. “Anu… double pocket money this month. How about that?”

Anu gasped excitedly. “Alright! You get 10 more minutes!”

Shehnaaz smacked his chest, mock-scolding him. He chuckled and pulled her back into his arms.

“How was the surprise?” he whispered.

Shehnaaz, overwhelmed with emotions, wrapped her arms around his torso and buried her head in his chest. “Hayy sachhi bolu Jana… mujhe abhi bhi yakin nahi ho raha ke humari engagement ho gayi…”

Sidharth smiled and kissed her hair. He lifted her hand and softly kissed her engagement ring. “You’re happy, na?”

Shehnaaz stretched up and placed a sweet kiss on his jaw before cupping his face with both hands. “Bahot zyada… main bhi kaisi jhalli hoon… mujhe toh birthday yaad hi nahi tha… par aapne ye sab mere liye…”

He kissed her lips gently, silencing her. “Humare liye… mera bachha… aaj ke baad, tumhara ya mera kuch nahi hoga… sab humara hoga.”

Her eyes filled with tears. He was so thoughtful, so kind, so deeply in love. How did she get so lucky?

As if reading her mind, Sidharth tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and said, “I wanted the world to know that we belong together. Calling you mine makes me the happiest person on Earth.”

“I love you, Jana…” she whispered, eyes shining. “Niche chalein? Sab wait kar rahe honge…”

Sidharth simply shook his head, “No,” and bent to kiss her shoulder again.

“Sidharth…” she giggled, his lips tickling her skin.

“Waise, humara dress kaafi achha lag raha hai…” he teased, smirking.

She blushed furiously. “Yeh humara nahi… mera dress hai…”

Sidharth nibbled her shoulder gently and kissed her neck. “Bhale hi abhi na ho… par ek din… kisi bhi chiz ko tumhe chhune se pehle meri izazat leni hogi… samjhi tum?”

Her cheeks were burning. She buried her face into his chest as he held her, smiling contentedly. In that moment, he promised himself—he would never let her go.

—

When they returned downstairs, the gang looked at them knowingly, smirking. Shehnaaz was beet red, avoiding everyone’s eyes, while Sidharth held her hand confidently, proud of the love that made her glow.

Anu, Nisha, and Ankita rushed to the stage.

Anu announced, “As Sidharth bhai and Shehnaaz bhabhi are now officially a couple… this calls for a romantic dance! What say, everyone?”

Cheers and whistles filled the room. Everyone clapped, hooted, and smiled brightly for the newly engaged couple.

Shehnaaz’s eyes sparkled wide with curiosity and surprise as she glanced at the gang. Meanwhile, Sidharth stood beside her, rolling his eyes with a familiar smirk. Singing and dancing? That just wasn’t him. Not his style. Not even close. He had never been the type to break into a song or groove in public — in fact, he barely remembered ever partying with friends.

He couldn’t even recall having a best friend. Maybe one or two in school, long forgotten now. Life had taken a sharp turn when his father walked away. Things changed forever after that. But he never looked back with regret.

Because now, he had everything.

His Shehnaaz.
His love.
His peace.
His chaos.
His sab kuch.

She wasn’t just his lover. She was his best friend, his anchor, his reason. Dost bhi wohi hai… pyar bhi wohi hai… zindagi bhi wohi hai. So how could he not step beyond his comfort zone and do something truly special — sing for her?

With slow, confident steps, Sidharth walked up to her. Stopping just a breath away, he bowed ever so slightly with his hand extended and eyes full of love.

“May I, love?”

Shehnaaz’s heart fluttered. The world slowed down as she looked at him — this man who was a fierce lion to the world but turned into the gentlest soul when it came to her. His gestures, so small yet so powerful, always left her feeling overwhelmed. He didn’t have to do much; his mere presence made her feel like the most precious thing in the universe.

Almost instinctively, her hand slipped into his. Sidharth’s lips curled into a soft smile. He brought his other hand around her waist, gently pulling her into him — not to possess, but to hold her like she was the most delicate treasure.

Shehnaaz’s heart skipped a beat. She had seen so many shades of him — the intense, passionate Sidharth who would yank her close without warning… the protective one whose possessiveness often made her blush… and now this side — soft, tender, vulnerable. Every time he touched her, it felt new. Every gesture made her fall deeper in love with him, as if love had no end when it came to him.

How was it possible to love someone again and again, like it was always the first time? Even after everything they had been through. Even after publicly declaring their love. Still, every glance, every breath they took in each other’s presence felt so fresh, like two teenagers hopelessly in love.

Looking deep into her eyes, Sidharth began to sing — his voice raw, untrained, but full of love that reached straight to her soul.

“Jane ye kya hua… jane ye kya hua…
Hum dono ka yun milna… aise paas aana…”

His words spread like magic. No instruments, no stage, no music — just his voice. Just them.

Shehnaaz stood still, mesmerized. The honesty in his voice, the simplicity of his words… it was like her heart heard a lullaby meant only for her.

Sidharth’s gaze never left hers. As he pulled her a little closer, his hand gently spread across her back, holding her as if anchoring her to his heart. She rested against his chest, listening — not just to his voice, but to the unspoken love he was pouring into every line.

Each word felt like a confession of the journey they had walked together — how fate had brought them close, how destiny had woven their souls together.

“Jane ye kya hua… jane ye kya hua…
Ab har pal anjana hai… dekho hona hai… aur kya…”

He twirled her gently, only to pull her back into his arms again. Her hands rested around his neck while his strong arms circled her waist like a shield. She leaned in without hesitation, standing on his feet like she had done a hundred times before. And as always, he never minded. He adored her quirks.

The entire room seemed to fade away. People watched in stunned silence, completely captivated by the raw energy between the two. There was something otherworldly about them — like they carried the essence of stars, glowing brighter when together. When they danced, it felt like the universe paused to admire.

Shehnaaz smiled softly through misty eyes, and that one smile hit Sidharth like a punch to the chest — not painful, but sweetly overwhelming. Yes, he thought, this is what life is all about. They didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but they knew — whatever came, they’d face it together. Every twist, every turn would only deepen their love.

Karan, sensing the moment, dimmed the other lights and focused a spotlight on them.

“Jane kyu lagta hai…
Dhire se haule se geet hai koi, dil hai gaa raha…”

Karan and Mayank began singing along, their voices merging beautifully. Their lyrics were like whispers of Sidharth’s soul. As the song continued, Shehnaaz buried her face in Sidharth’s neck, not wanting even a sliver of space between them. He held her tighter, kissing her hair gently.

Around them, friends and family clapped. Couples joined the dance — Anu with Karan, Ankita with Mayank. Nisha, overwhelmed with emotions, tried to walk away, but Ranbir stopped her, pulling her into a quiet embrace that made her heart flutter.

Love was in the air. And amidst all of it, Sidharth and Shehnaaz kept dancing, lost in their world.

Suddenly, the music shifted again, and Shehnaaz giggled as she broke into a playful salsa. Her laughter was infectious. Sidharth, ever the silent one, couldn’t help but try to copy her moves. It made people gasp — and then cheer.

Laughter, applause, and joy flooded the room. The couple radiated happiness, the kind that comes from being whole — from belonging.

As the pace slowed, Sidharth pulled Shehnaaz close again. The claps echoed around them.

“Tumhe hai pata…
Maine pehli baar jo dekha tumhe…
Mujhe yeh laga…
Chahu bhi toh kaise paa sakunga tumhe…”

Sidharth suddenly stopped. His voice trembled with emotion as he sang his fear out loud. Shehnaaz looked up, surprised, and her heart clenched. He reached for her face, cupping her cheeks gently in his large palms.

He admitted how scared he had been the first time he saw her — scared that someone like her might never look his way. She had left her mark on his soul from day one, and yet, he had feared rejection.

Feared that she wouldn’t love him back.
Feared a life without her.
Because she wasn’t just a part of his life — she was his life.

Tears welled up in Shehnaaz’s eyes. She whispered, brokenly, “Jaan…”

“Woh sapna tha… ek din toh…
Main hoon tum ho… tum dheere se bolo…
Tumko apna maana hai…
Dekho hona hai… aur kya…”

Sidharth smiled again, urging her not to cry. Her tears were precious to him. He sang how his heart had always dreamed of her… that one day she would be his.

Shehnaaz, overwhelmed, leaned in and kissed his forehead. The applause that followed didn’t reach Sidharth’s ears — all he could feel was her lips on his forehead and the love behind them.

They were written for each other. Maybe it was the rain that day that brought them together. Or maybe it was God’s doing. Whatever it was, it had always been meant to be.

“Jane kyu lagta hai…
Dhire se haule se geet hai koi, dil hai gaa raha…”

Baaz, teary-eyed, watched with a smile. Vicky joined him, both singing softly. They could see Sidharth’s heart in his eyes — so open, so full of love.

Sidharth hugged Shehnaaz from behind, still swaying to the rhythm, as the magic continued around them.

Meanwhile, Tara tried to smile — but her eyes betrayed her. A pang of envy twisted inside. Watching the love between Sidharth and Shehnaaz made her ache. Her relationship with Vicky, though loving, lacked the spark, the madness, the jaan that SidNaaz had. She wondered if something was missing in her… was she any less than Shehnaaz?

“Kahun kya bhala…
Tumhi ko toh main chahta hoon, suno…
Tumhe jo mila…
Maine jaana, main bhi zinda hoon, suno…”

Shehnaaz, shy and flustered, tried to walk away. Sidharth grinned and followed her quietly. Then, he dropped down on one knee.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She tried to lift him up, but he caught her hand and gently placed it on his forehead — a silent sajda. Then kissed the back of her fingers.

Every word that followed was like a sacred promise. He didn’t just love her. He lived for her. She had breathed life into him. Without her, there was no Sidharth.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pulled him into a tight embrace.

“Kahun main kya tumko…
Main hoon tum ho… bas itna sun lo…
Tumpe koi deewana hai…
Hona hai aur kya…”

He lifted her effortlessly, spinning her as the spotlight hit them again. Shehnaaz giggled, glowing. Sidharth? He was lost — lost in the woman who had made his world worth living.

She was his Juliet, his Radha, his everything. But more than that, she was his Shehnaaz. And he was her Sidharth.

Author’s Note