Chapter 59

Sidharth chuckled softly, his lips curving into an involuntary smile as his eyes lingered through the glass wall at the little world inside the cabin next to his. There sat his Mishty, his adorable baby, completely lost in her work. A pen was tucked carelessly at the corner of her ear, her face scrunched up in deep concentration as if the entire universe depended on what she was writing. She chewed at her lower lip unknowingly, brows knitted together, trying hard to form the right content.

God, how could someone look so innocent and so tempting at the same time?

It had been a little more than two weeks since that night—the night he had given her the first true taste of intimacy, the night when she had experienced the most vulnerable yet beautiful moment of her life in his arms. Just the thought of it now sent a shiver of desire running through every vein in his body. His breath grew heavy, and his chest tightened with the same craving. Only he knew how he had controlled himself that day. Only he knew how hard it had been to stop when all he wanted was to drown himself in her. But he had pulled back, because one wrong step, one moment of recklessness, could have been something they both might regret later.

There were certain things he believed in—principles he never crossed. And more than anything, he knew her. Shehnaaz might put up a bold, cool face for the world, but he had seen the real her—the introvert, the shy girl, who still blushed when he looked at her for too long. Ever since that encounter, she hadn’t been able to meet his eyes properly. And if she did, she would turn beet red, stutter, and then try to hide her face somewhere as if the earth could swallow her whole.

And every single blush of hers made him fall harder. Every little moment with her was pure bliss. His days had found a new rhythm ever since she joined the office. Watching her across the glass, catching her small antics, hearing her laugh faintly with Nisha—it had become his daily dose of peace. She wasn’t just his love anymore. She was his happiness, his calm, and his madness, all together.

Her college was now over, and honestly, there was no other reason left to wait. Her internship would be done in a few months, and then she would join him permanently, working alongside him and Anu. But more than her career, what Sidharth longed for was her presence beside him—not as an intern, not as a colleague, but as his wife. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep himself away from her. It wasn’t just about physical closeness anymore. It was the emotional bond, the comfort of her being by his side, the intensity of the love that had grown between them.

Somewhere along the line, he didn’t even realize when she had become his best friend too—the one who could make him laugh like a child, the one he could pour his heart out to after a long tiring day, the one he could share his secrets with. It had been more than three months since their engagement. Sometimes he wondered if he had rushed her into it, but then whenever he looked at her, she seemed happy, glowing even. That eased his heart.

Sidharth had purposely given Shehnaaz the cabin right next to his own. The reason was simple—he just couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted her in front of his eyes the whole day. And she was really there, right now, like a dream turned into reality. Making those cute faces when she was stuck, rolling her eyes when Nisha teased her, biting the pen absentmindedly, or sitting on the desk like a careless kid. Sometimes she would steal glances at him, and he, acting busy, would let her stare as much as she wanted. He loved how she thought he didn’t notice.

But oh, he noticed everything. He deliberately pretended to be immersed in files just so she could drool over him without interruption. Sometimes he had to stop himself from storming into her cabin, grabbing her into his arms, and crushing her against him, never letting her go. She had turned him into someone crazy—restless and utterly lovesick.

And she was no less. He would often catch her staring dreamily at him, lost in thoughts, until Nisha playfully slapped her arm to bring her back to reality. That amused, embarrassed look on Shehnaaz’s face—it was priceless.

Even he behaved like a teenager around her. He would randomly stroll near the canteen corridor whenever she was there with Nisha and other staff. He had no real reason to go there, but he loved watching her animated expressions, her eyes sparkling as she got engrossed in gossip. God, she was such a chatterbox, a typical gossip lover. He rolled his eyes in amusement, but secretly, he adored that side of her too.

Both of them were hopeless. Neither of them ever missed a chance to secretly admire the other. And though the whole office had sensed their silent interactions, people chose to remain blissfully ignorant. He sometimes felt childish for acting this way in office, but he didn’t care. Shehnaaz brought out the child in him, and he loved every second of it.

Two days ago, he had called her to his cabin under the excuse of dictation. She stood there with her head bent into the notepad, trying to focus on his words, when suddenly he walked around and hugged her tightly from behind. She had gasped in shock, her eyes wide, glowing with surprise. She slapped his arm, whispering, “It’s office!” But Sidharth Shukla being Sidharth Shukla had leaned forward and silenced her with a hard peck on her lips.

The way she had looked at him after that—her mouth wide open, eyes big and round—he swore she was the cutest creature alive. He had declared it in his heart right then and there: she was the most adorable thing on this earth.

And honestly, he wasn’t sure how long he would keep himself from kissing her again and again, especially when she looked at him with her lips parted like that. He had even whispered his naughty thoughts into her ear, making her blush so hard that she had instantly closed her mouth with the most adorable puppy face. Every single expression of hers had the power to drive him insane, and he was helplessly addicted.

Another day, during lunch, she had made one of her cutest faces and demanded, “Take me out for lunch.” How could he ever deny her? But unfortunately, he had a meeting in thirty minutes. When he explained, she scrunched her nose, stormed out of his cabin with a red pouty face, and took both their tiffins with her. Poor Sidharth was left without food, and worse, without his Mishty.

“Jaan… baby… shona… Mishty…” He had tried every single sweet name, tried every innocent expression to win her back, but she had royally ignored him. For the first time, it took him hours to pacify her. Usually, she melted within seconds, but this time she kept sulking, making him realize how tempting even her angry face looked. But he dared not say that aloud—unless he wanted to die under her glare.

Finally, running out of ideas, he had ordered chocolate cake from the canteen to be delivered to his cabin. The moment it arrived, he called her in with a notepad. As soon as she stepped inside, he swept her into his arms, making her squeal in shock, and placed her on the desk beside the cake.

Her eyes immediately sparkled at the sight of it, her mouth almost watering. Chuckling, he dipped his finger into the melted chocolate and slowly brushed it over her lower lip. Without giving her time to react, he leaned forward and shamelessly licked it away.

She stared at him like he was some alien. But before she could speak, he crashed his lips onto hers, letting her taste both the chocolate and his love. Shehnaaz smiled against his lips despite herself, blushing furiously. That one smile made him kiss her with even more passion, and soon they were lost, lips messy with chocolate, hearts burning with desire.

She even dipped her own fingers into the cake, giggling, and he licked them clean, growling at the sweetness mixed with her taste. Who needed knives, plates, or manners when love was this messy and beautiful?

And then, his breath hot against her ear, he whispered, “You know what I want to do right now?”

She trembled, clutching his shirt tightly, and asked in a shaky voice, “W…what…?”

His eyes burned into hers with intensity as he whispered his desires in her ear..

Her cheeks flushed deep crimson. She closed her eyes, overwhelmed, clutching his shirt buttons tighter. She was out of words, out of breath, melting with every single syllable he spoke.

His nose brushed her jawline, his voice low and demanding. “Maybe not now. But one day, Mishty, I will. And nobody will stop me—not even you.”

The authority in his tone, the raw desire in his words made her shiver. He cupped her cheek gently, softening his touch, and then pulled her into his chest. Making her sit comfortably on the desk, he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back tenderly. “Mera bachha…” he whispered, cocooning her in warmth.

Minutes passed like that, with soft teasing, stolen touches, and muffled laughter. Until finally, the cake became a weapon, and a dangerous, messy, chocolate-smeared fight broke out between Jaan and her Jaanaji.

And well, no words were enough to describe how naughty and sweet that fight turned out to be… 😉

It was a typical Friday evening. The office had gone quiet, but Sidharth’s cabin was still lit. He sat back in his chair, eyes glued to the laptop screen as he scrolled through the pile of important emails waiting for his attention. His head throbbed painfully; he rubbed his forehead again and again, but the headache refused to go away.

The day had been hellish—meetings back-to-back, deadlines hovering, and to top it all, the afternoon meeting that had gone terribly wrong. He had been looking forward to the presentation prepared by Shehnaaz, Anu, Nisha, and one new joinee. They had worked together for an entire week, but what he saw had left him furious and disappointed.

And that’s when everything had spiraled.

# FLASHBACK

Shehnaaz’s soft voice echoed in the conference room, “…and this is how—”

But before she could finish, the large screen in front of her suddenly went blank. Shehnaaz blinked in shock, her throat going dry as she turned to face everyone. That’s when she saw it—the remote in Sidharth’s hand. He had switched it off himself. He stood there, his tall frame rigid, eyes blazing with anger, while the rest of the senior members also stood, sensing the storm brewing.

A shiver ran down Shehnaaz’s spine. Her heart pounded against her ribs. “S-sir…” she stammered nervously, her voice barely audible.

“Is this some sort of joke?” Sidharth’s roar thundered across the room. His voice was so sharp, so cutting, that Shehnaaz flinched instantly. The silence that followed was deafening. Every pair of eyes turned toward him in fear. Even Ritika, who was used to Sidharth’s temper, looked stunned. Never had she seen him shout at Shehnaaz.

Shehnaaz’s hands trembled as she clutched her notepad. Her eyes instantly dropped to the floor. Her cheeks burned, and shame crept up her throat. She wanted to vanish into thin air.

Sidharth’s jaw tightened. “This was anything but a presentation! No in-depth details, no perfection, no sincerity… What the hell have you people been doing for the past one week?”

“Bhai…” Anu whispered cautiously, hoping to calm him.

But his glare turned on her. “Right now, I am not talking as your brother, Anu. This discussion is between employer and employee.”

Anu’s face fell. Realizing her mistake, she nodded quickly. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“Sorry? Do you have any idea what this is? You wasted an entire week of office hours on this… this nonsense? You wasted my precious time! I do not attend meetings of new joinies unless I’m directly involved. And you four… you’ve really disappointed me today.”

His words sliced through the air, leaving the team numb. Out of habit, Sidharth had spoken his disappointment harshly, not realizing how each word landed like a knife on Shehnaaz.

When his eyes fell on her again, he froze. Shehnaaz stood motionless, her head bent low, her shoulders stiff. Her eyes were glistening, but she blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears from falling. The sight pierced his heart.

He had been harsh before, but never with her. Seeing her like this made something twist painfully inside him.

His voice softened slightly, though his face remained hard. “Work on it again. I’m giving you 24 hours. If you fail, you’ll be removed from the project.” His eyes stayed on Shehnaaz, silently begging her to look at him. But she didn’t. Not even once.

Frustrated with himself, Sidharth stormed out of the conference room, his chest tight with guilt.

# BACK TO PRESENT

Sidharth slammed his laptop shut and leaned back heavily, hitting the back of his head against the chair. The silence of the cabin echoed his guilt. He had hurt his baby. He had shouted at her like everyone else, forgetting she wasn’t just another employee—she was his Shehnaaz, his Mishty.

She hadn’t called him, hadn’t texted him since that moment. He hadn’t even seen her face all day because she was working with the rest of the team in Anu’s cabin. He had given them only 24 hours, and she had buried herself in work.

But him? He was suffocating. He missed her so much it hurt. He longed to pull her into his arms, to tuck her into his lap, to hold his ears and apologize. He wanted her to scold him, to cry, to hit him even—but not this silence. Not her distance. He couldn’t bear her fear of him.

Unable to hold it in anymore, he picked up his phone and dialed her number. His voice came out strained but firm as he said, “Come to my cabin. Now.”

Moments later, a soft knock echoed at his door. His heart stumbled.

When Shehnaaz stepped inside, his breath hitched. She stood quietly, eyes lowered, hands nervously clutching her dupatta. The sight of her trembling form made him ache.

Without a second thought, he walked to her, locked the door behind, and pulled her into his arms. He buried his face in her hair, showering random kisses on her head. His arms wrapped around her tightly, as if trying to shield her from every hurt—including his own harshness. Her body was stiff, unresponsive, and it tore him apart.

“Maaf kar do na apne Jana ko…” His voice broke as he whispered, pulling back just enough to look at her face.

Her eyes were glassy, tears barely hanging on. But what killed him was that she didn’t hug him back.

Cupping her face desperately, he forced her to meet his eyes. “Please… mera bachha…” His gaze pleaded with hers, restless, unblinking, waiting.

She shook her head softly, her lips trembling as she whispered through her tears, “I failed you na…”

His heart stopped. “Heyy…” he murmured, horrified. He finally realized the weight his words had left on her. She thought she had failed him. That thought shattered him.

Sidharth didn’t wait another second. He lifted her off the ground and carried her to his chair, sitting down with her on his lap. His arms cocooned her, his chin pressing into her hair. She resisted no longer—her walls broke, and she buried her face into his chest, sobbing freely.

“Pagal hai meri Mishty…?” he scolded softly, brushing away her tears with his thumb. He kissed her trembling lips gently, tasting the salt of her tears. “That was not failure. I just lost my temper. That’s how I am in office… you know that na, mera bachha?” His voice cracked as he rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs.

She nodded faintly like a child, and he kissed her lips again, more firmly this time. “Then listen to me carefully. You can never fail me. Never. I’m proud of you, Shehnaaz. Always.”

Her eyes searched his in doubt. “Sachii, Jana…?” she whispered, like an innocent child asking for reassurance.

His chest tightened painfully at her uncertainty. Without answering in words, he crushed his lips on hers, kissing her with desperation, with a hunger that spoke louder than any promise. Her hands fisted his shirt so tightly that the buttons nearly popped. Their breaths mingled, their souls tangled, and he claimed her over and over until she melted against him.

Breaking the kiss, she blushed furiously and hugged his chest tightly. His hand remained trapped between her soft curves and his own chest, but he didn’t move it away. Instead, he groaned in her ear, “Ask me stupid questions like that again, and next time I’ll punish you harder.” She shuddered at his husky tone.

He stroked her hair, calming her, holding her as if she were made of glass. “In that room, I wasn’t your Jana. I was Sidharth Shukla, your boss. Don’t ever take it personally, Mishty. You know my temper. Sometimes, you’ll just have to bear it.”

She tilted her face up, kissed his chin softly, and smiled through her tears. She never challenged him. She only loved him. Her thoughts were simple—agar pyar karne ka haq hai, toh gussa karne ka bhi hai. If he had the right to love her, he also had the right to be angry.

“Tum gussa nahi ho mujhse…? I shouted on you in front of everyone…” His voice was quiet, almost guilty.

She looked at him in disbelief, her big eyes widening. How could he even ask that? To her, he was everything. He was her world, her universe. The thought of being angry at him for scolding her seemed absurd.

“Hayy rabba… main kyu gussa karu apne Jana pe… jab galti meri thi?” she said softly, her innocence melting him.

His arms tightened around her instantly, his cheek resting against her head. “Aur jab galti meri ho…? Tab kya karegi?” he whispered hoarsely.

She only smiled through her tears, her silence giving him the answer he already knew—she would still forgive him, still love him.

For the next hour, he explained everything patiently. What mistakes the team had made, what points were missing, how they should research, divide responsibilities, and present properly. She listened intently, nodding, soaking in every word.

After a long while, he rubbed his forehead again, the headache returning. Shehnaaz noticed immediately. “Aapka sar dard kar raha hai?” she asked in worry.

He sighed. “Tumne hi mana kiya na baar baar coffee peene se…” he teased, taking her delicate fingers and placing them on his forehead.

Shehnaaz pressed gently, massaging his head in silence until he finally relaxed. His body loosened, his face softened. When she tried to move away, he only tightened his hold, pulling her back against his chest. Resting his head against her warmth, he closed his eyes, letting himself drift into a few peaceful minutes of sleep in her embrace.

# Meanwhile…

Ritika had gone to Shehnaaz’s cabin to fetch a file. But what she saw through the glass wall froze her.

Sidharth, her Sidharth, asleep in Shehnaaz’s arms. His lips brushing her hair, her fingers stroking his head with love. The sight ripped her heart apart.

She had thought she could bear this pain, thought she could keep it buried. But watching them together like this—it killed her. It was like knives digging into her chest.

She loved him too. Maybe as much as Shehnaaz did. But why did he never look at her that way? Why did his eyes only soften for Shehnaaz? Why did his heart only beat for her?

Her eyes stung with tears as she whispered to herself, *Why not me? Why not me?*

The glass in her hand shattered as she threw it on the floor. Blood oozed from her foot when shards cut her skin, but she didn’t feel it. Her pain was far greater.

The words stabbed her deeper. That was it. Ritika broke.

Shehnaaz had whispered, “I love you, Sidharth.”

And he had replied, without hesitation, “I love you too, Shehnaaz.”

Ritika’s legs gave way. She collapsed onto the floor with a thud, her world crashing. The truth was clear now—she was not Shehnaaz. And she would never be.

Her love was doomed. Forever.

It was late in the evening. The soft yellow light of the lamp glowed faintly in the corner of the room as Jasbeera ji paced back and forth, her mind heavy with thoughts. The conversation she had earlier with Rajender ji replayed again and again in her head.

Finally, she stopped walking and sat slowly on the edge of her bed. Her eyes fell on the photo frame lying on the side table. With trembling fingers, she picked it up. It was an old family picture, one captured on Mahi’s 10th birthday. In the photo, little Shehnaaz was standing near the cake, her innocent eyes glowing with mischief, her hair tied in two messy ponytails.

A smile stretched on Jasbeera ji’s lips, but it didn’t take long before her eyes blurred with tears. She traced her daughter’s face gently with her fingertips as if she could feel that childhood softness again. Her heart ached deeply. *Bas ab kuch hi din… meri beti apne ghar chali jaayegi.*

The thought pierced her chest. It reminded her of the day she herself had left her mother’s home, years ago. At that moment, she longed for her own maa, wished she could hug her tightly and whisper an apology. Maybe she had been so consumed by her children and household responsibilities that she never gave her mother enough time. Now, standing at the threshold of handing over her own daughter to another family, she finally understood how hard it was for her mother back then.

Her heart weighed down with the reality of what was coming. No more Shehnaaz running into the kitchen, asking for chocolate milkshake at odd hours. No more hearing her giggles when she massaged her papa’s tired feet with hot oil, boasting that her hands had “magic.” No more evenings spent chatting with her daughter about silly things. The house would feel so empty, so lifeless, without her Sana.

Blinking away tears, Jasbeera ji quickly picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.

“Bhabhi ji, Jasbeera bol rahi hoon,” she said softly.

On the other side, Rita ji’s voice instantly brightened, “Arre Jasbeera! Tum yakin nahi karogi, main bhi tumhe hi call karne ka soch rahi thi. Main bilkul thik hoon… tum kaisi ho?”

A small smile formed on Jasbeera ji’s lips. “Ji main bhi badhiya,” she replied, her tone gentle. They exchanged a few pleasantries, catching up about health and home matters.

Then Jasbeera asked curiously, “Waise aap mujhe call karne wali thi, kis liye?”

Rita ji chuckled softly, her voice filled with warmth. “Arre bhai… ab humari bahu de do hume.”

The words made Jasbeera ji smile, but her heart twisted painfully. “Bhabhi ji, beti hai na… mann karta hai bas kuch din aur… bas kuch din aur…” Her voice cracked as emotions spilled.

“Arre yeh kya Jasbeera,” Rita ji gently scolded, “yeh toh khushi ka mauka hai. Shaadi hone se uska rishta aapse khatam thodi hoga. Balki beti ke saath ek aur beta bhi milega.”

Jasbeera wiped her tears. She knew Rita ji was right. “Sach kaha aapne bhabhi… Sidharth jaisa ladka kabhi dekha hi nahi hai. Agar kabhi Sidharth se na milti toh yakin hi nahi hota ke itna sachcha insaan hota bhi hai.”

Rita ji smiled proudly. “Arre, meri Sana kya kam hai? Chirag le kar dhundo toh bhi aisi ladki nahi milegi.”

The dramatic tone made Jasbeera ji giggle through her tears. It warmed her heart to know Shehnaaz was loved for her innocence, her sweetness, her very nature.

After some more laughter, Rita ji invited Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji to come to Shukla mansion. She wanted their family Pandit ji to visit and look for auspicious dates for the wedding. Jasbeera agreed instantly.

Meanwhile, Shehnaaz was busy in the office. She had shared every tip and suggestion Sidharth had given her with her team. This time, their presentation went smoothly, and everyone appreciated it.

But what made her heart flutter was the look in his eyes—the quiet pride, the faint smile tugging at his lips. She lived for those little expressions of his.

Later in the evening, when the office had almost emptied, Shehnaaz stayed behind to complete some work. By the time Sidharth returned from an external meeting, it was already 8 p.m.

Walking through the corridor with Ritika beside him, Sidharth stopped outside Shehnaaz and Nisha’s cabin. Ritika quickly excused herself to her cabin while he stepped inside to find Shehnaaz still working on her laptop.

As soon as she saw him, her face lit up. “Achha hua aap aa gaye. Main soch hi rahi thi ke aapko call karu,” she said, getting up and instantly wrapping her arms around his torso. She rested her head against his chest, her smile warm.

Sidharth sighed, his exhaustion melting as he kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers through her silky hair. “Tum abhi tak ghar kyu nahi gayi? Late ho gaya hai, jaan.”

She raised her face, her innocent eyes gazing into his with mischief. “Offooo… aap bhi toh abhi tak kaam kar rahe hai. Toh main aap ke liye ruk nahi sakti kya?”

The sweetness of her question made his heart clench with love. She really had a way of making his tiredness disappear. Cupping her cheeks, he pressed a kiss to her pouted lips. “Mera bachha… mujhe toh adat hai.”

“Toh mujhe bhi pad jaayegi,” she giggled and pushed him gently toward the chair. Taking out a sandwich she had packed, she held it to his lips. “Mujhe pata hai aapne kuch nahi khaya hoga. Haan, magar coffee jarur pee hogi. Hai na?”

Sidharth chuckled at her scolding tone. “Nahi pee, baba. I had watermelon juice.”

Her eyes lit up. “Hayy rabba! Mere Jana ji toh sudhar gaye!” she teased, only to squeal when he pulled her onto his lap. His arm locked around her waist while his other hand lifted her chin firmly.

“That’s not the way you talk to your Jana. Do I need to remind you who holds the power?” His deep, desire-laced voice sent shivers through her.

Her cheeks flushed a deep pink. Before she could answer, his lips brushed her earlobe with a sharp bite, making her whimper. Her Jana cared so much—even about her noticing whether he had too much coffee or skipped food. She acted like his wife already, and he loved it.

Shehnaaz bit her lip unconsciously, and Sidharth’s eyes instantly caught the gesture.

“Jana…” she whispered, closing her eyes as his lips brushed the corner of her mouth. She turned her head slightly, giving him access.

Groaning in satisfaction, he captured her lips in a passionate kiss. She tasted of chocolate, while he of sandwich and spice. Their mouths moved hungrily against each other, until a knock on the door made them break apart unwillingly.

Shehnaaz jumped up, embarrassed, while Sidharth looked away in frustration as Ritika entered.

“I’m sorry… I just came to say bye,” Ritika mumbled, her face pale, before quickly leaving.

Clenching his jaw, Sidharth muttered, “Get your bag, baby. We’re leaving.”

Soon, they were in the car. Sidharth had informed Jasbeera ji that he’d drop Shehnaaz home. As he drove silently, Shehnaaz watched his stiff profile. She knew he was angry at being disturbed.

Leaning closer, she kissed his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his left arm. “Jana…”

“Hm?” he hummed softly.

She hugged his arm tighter, making him exhale slowly and finally smile. He kissed her head gently. “Kya hua, mera bachha?”

Her voice turned small, almost like a child. “Kitne din ho gaye… humne sath mein bilkul time spend nahi kiya. Mujhe nahi jana ghar.”

He glanced at her, his heart softening. “Ghar toh jana padega, baby…” Still, he took a sudden turn, deciding on a quiet place.

Her next words cracked. “Mujhe aapke paas rehna hai…”

His chest tightened. With one hand on the wheel, he pulled her closer with the other. “Are… main hoon na, meri jaan. Tumhare paas hi hoon.”

She nestled into him, inhaling his cologne, feeling safe.

He drove out of the city, chatting with her to distract her. She blabbered happily, her innocence melting his heart.

Finally, he stopped near a small hill. The darkness made her clutch him tightly, so he kept the car lights on. Sitting on a rock, he pulled her onto his lap. Together, they looked at the city lights twinkling far away.

“Kitna sundar hai na, Jana,” she whispered.

“Hm,” he hummed, hugging her tighter when she shivered in the cold breeze.

“Waqt kitni jaldi beet jata hai na,” he murmured.

“Aise kyu bol rahe hai?” she asked softly.

He kissed her cheek. “Aur nahi toh kya… abhi toh mile the, pyar bhi ho gaya, engagement bhi ho gayi…”

“Hm,” she giggled. “Mujhe baarish ki yaad aa rahi hai. Hum baarish mein hi mile the na? Baarish se ek emotional attachment ho gayi hai.” She rested her forehead against his.

Sidharth smiled. “Main soch raha hoon maa se jaldi baat kar lu…”

“Kis baare mein?” she blinked, confused.

He chuckled, bumping his forehead with hers. “I want to be a happily married man soon.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. Before she could respond, he groaned, lifted her in his arms, and placed her back in the car. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he leaned over and crashed his lips onto hers, silencing all her questions.

# A few days later…

It was Monday evening when Jasbeera ji and Rajender ji were welcomed warmly into Shukla Mansion by Rita ji. Both families couldn’t stop smiling. They sat together, happiness evident in every word. Today was special—they were finally discussing marriage dates for their children.

Soon Pandit ji arrived. With folded hands, they handed him the kundalis of Sidharth and Shehnaaz. He studied them carefully, brows furrowing in concentration.

Jasbeera ji’s heart raced, her palms cold. Rajender ji gently held her hand, whispering for her to calm down. Rita ji was just as anxious but equally excited.

After drinking a glass of water, Pandit ji finally spoke, “In dono ki sagayi ho chuki hai?”

“Ji Pandit ji,” Rita ji smiled. “Paanch mahine ho gaye.”

Pandit ji nodded, then looked at them seriously. “Dekhiye… ab main jo kahunga, dhyan se suniye.”

Jasbeera ji’s voice trembled, “Pandit ji… koi problem toh nahi hai na?”

He lifted his hand reassuringly. “Ghabrayiye mat. Bas meri baat dhyan se suniye.”

Everyone leaned in closer.

“Aj se thik 45 din baad, shaam ke 7:40 baje… in dono ki shaadi hokar rahegi. Isse koi badal nahi sakta.”

Both families broke into wide smiles. Relief and happiness spread in the room. But before they could celebrate fully, Pandit ji paused and said gravely—

“Lekin…”

Author’s Note