Chapter 7

Shehnaaz giggled cutely, “toh hume bhi bin bulaye mehman ki tarah waha jaana chahiye… unki band bajane… it will be dead fun… what say?”

Anu gaped, “Ankita will kill us on the spot…”

Ranbir rolled her eyes, “arre darne ka nahi… it will be rocking fun…”

Nisha, “par vaat kaise lagayange… koi plan…”

With that, the gang started laughing like evils, scaring Anu.

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The farmhouse was beautifully decorated. Mayank and Ankita were sitting near the poolside. Ankita was perched on Mayank’s lap, talking nonsense as usual, while Mayank listened to her ramblings like a good boyfriend, staring at her lovingly.

The gang was hiding in one corner. Nisha noticed a cockroach near her feet and started screaming, but Ranbir grabbed her mouth immediately, silencing her.

Ankita and Mayank started looking around, trying to see if anyone was there.

Shehnaaz, “abbe kya kar rahi hai…”

Ranbir patted her head, “abhi pure plan ka band bajha deti…”

Anu knew this was pure sin, “Guys… I think we should leave…” Sadness crossed her mind as she saw Mayank so close to Ankita.

Nisha chuckled, “chup kar… maza ayega…”

Suddenly, the background music changed…

Ankita and Mayank got up from the poolside and looked around, wondering who changed the music. Before they could realize what was happening, Ranbir, Nisha, Shehnaaz, and Anu ran towards them shouting, “Happy Anniversary!”

Ankita almost fainted in Mayank’s arms. Shehnaaz jumped on a piece of cake, and Ankita ran behind her to save the cake.

“Naughty naughty naughty raat aayi…”

Ranbir danced around Mayank and Ankita. Mayank glared at Ankita for making this plan. He knew they wouldn’t be left alone.

Ankita was all pink with embarrassment, making a baby face at Mayank. Nisha pulled Mayank away from Ankita, who was holding him tight.

Anu pulled Ankita away from Mayank. Ranbir came between them, separating them. Shehnaaz came there with cake, signaling to decrease the volume.

They all danced around Ankita and Mayank. Mayank pleaded with them to stop, but Ranbir patted his head cheekily.

Ankita tried to kill Ranbir from behind. Ranbir looked back, and Ankita made a baby face, heading towards Mayank. Nisha paired up with Mayank, dancing. Ankita boiled in anger.

Ankita separated them, making a grumpy face at Mayank. Anu showed them the time. Mayank and Ankita looked at each other with sad faces.

They tried to come near each other. Shehnaaz came in between, shoving big pieces of cake in their mouths. Everyone danced around them while Mayank and Ankita glared at their mischievous friends with cake in their mouths.

Everyone ran around them. Anu tried to stop them. Shehnaaz was still eating cake, dancing.

Ranbir showed them thumbs down. Nisha showed thumbs down. Anu showed thumbs down.

Shehnaaz showed thumbs down with her sticky hand because of the cake.

“STOP!” screamed Ankita at the top of her voice. Everyone became silent, stifling their laughter.

Ankita huffed, “tum log yahan kya kar rahe ho?”

Ranbir chuckled, “party kar rahe hai Anku baby…”

Ankita glared at him, “tu toh chhup hi beth… mere hath se mar jayega aaj…”

Shehnaaz was still eating cake, “by the way… cake mast hai haan…”

Mayank rolled his eyes, “Sana, pehle yahan aa… cake baad me kha lena…”

Ankita sighed, “Mayank, tumne bataya inko ke hum yahan hai?”

Nisha mocked, “haan… sham me Mayank ko phone aaya tha ke party hai, to hum log aa gaye…”

Mayank gaped at her, “kyyyyyya… jhooti… Ankita ye…”

Ankita started crying like a baby. Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, “oyye drama queen…”

Anu sighed, “achha ab bahot gaya, chalo… ab… couple ko thoda time sath me spend karne do…”

Anu smiled to herself, thinking, “jo mera dil chahta hai… wo na mumkin hai… aur ye dono ek dusre se itna pyar karte hai ke un dono ko door karke me kabhi khush nahi reh paungi… usse to achha dono ko sath dekh kar dard me rahu… mujhe pyar hai… apne pyar ke pyar se…”

Nisha shook her head, “tu kaha kho gayi… aur in dono ko itni asani se to nahi chhodna hai…”

Ranbir agreed, “absolutely… Devi Ankita ji… ab hume yahan na bulane ka khamyaza to bhugatana hi padega na…”

Ankita wanted to punch him, “teri toh me… mere pure plan ki vaat laga di… teri bari aane de… aise badla lungi ki koi bhi ladki teri girlfriend banne se bhi daregi…”

Shehnaaz chuckled, “wo to waise bhi darti hai ladkiya… kuchh naya bol…” Ranbir rolled his eyes.

Anu looked at Shehnaaz amused, “Shehnaaz, tune pura cake khatam kar diya… pagal hai tu?”

Ankita glared at her, “kyaa… Sanaaaaa…”

Shehnaaz made a baby face, “what… it was tasty…”

Mayank shook his head, “achha ab bahot ho gaya… ye idea Ankita ka tha… to plz tum log mujhe mat phasao…”

Ankita made a golgappa face, “you are supposed to take my side… aur tum behti ganga me hath dhoke chal diye…” Mayank rolled his eyes at her.

Shehnaaz cutely said, “achhha ek kaam ho sakta hai… tum dono bach sakte ho par…”

Mayank, “par kya… no… Shehnaaz… 2 din pehle party ki thi…”

Ranbir chuckled, “wo Shehnaaz ki thi…”

Nisha jumped in excitement, “right… we want party… hmm… aaj Thursday hai na… so party on Friday… in disc…”

Anu smiled, “that will be fun…”

Ankita groaned, “leave it… fine, party on Saturday… aur haan, plz insano wale kapde pehen ke aana… ab nikalo…”

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By the time Shehnaaz reached home, it was quite late. She made her way to her room directly and thumped herself on the bed, tired. She checked her phone every day, hoping he would call. She didn’t have his number, but he had told her to keep her phone on, and she assumed he knew her number.

She sighed, finding no missed call. “I hate you…” she mumbled, making a baby angry face, and rested her head on the pillow softly. She missed him so much, and one week without him felt like ages.

She wanted to be in his arms like he held her on their last meet. She brushed her fingers softly on the bed where he had laid, where he had fallen asleep. It felt like she could still feel him.

“I miss you…” she confessed to herself as a tear softly rolled out of her eyes and fell on the pillow. She could never hate him. “Shehnaaz, tu bhi na… bachho jaise behave kar rahi hai… abhi thodi der pehle… etna maza kar rahi thi… aur ab… woh busy honge kaam me… stop crying like a kid now…” She consoled herself and hid under the duvet.

On the other hand, days passed like hell for Sidharth. He was so, so very busy with work. He didn’t even get any chance to miss her, think of her… even though he missed her every passing second. Meetings, clients, calls… he hardly got time to sleep properly.

He wanted to see her, meet her, touch her, hug her… He would have never thought in his lifetime that Sidharth Shukla could miss someone except his maa to this extent. It seemed like his whole world revolved around his Naaz… her smile, her stupid questions, her innocent anger, her cute nakhre, her curly hair… everything about her made him fall for her more and more.

The more he loved her, the more he wanted to love. Like there was no limit… of course, there is no limit to love.

“Jaan… I know you will be angry with me… but… I am so busy here… mujhe tumhari yaad…”

Knock knock…

Sidharth sighed, “What is it?”

Ritika mumbled softly, “Sir, clients are waiting downstairs…”

Sidharth groaned in frustration and made his way out.

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It was 3 am.

Shehnaaz suddenly woke up. She felt as if something had happened. Somewhere, something had happened. Good or bad, she didn’t know, but something had happened.

She missed him like never before. Getting up at once, she drank a whole glass of water in one go. Still, her restlessness didn’t seem to end. What had happened to her all of a sudden, and why had his thought come to her mind?

She feared… she was scared… like she wanted him now. She wanted to be in his arms now. She wanted to be sure that he was fine. But why was she thinking all this at this time? She switched on the light and checked the time. It was 10 minutes past 3 am.

What happened to her… she attempted to calm herself. Is he around…? Why had her restlessness suddenly increased? Why had his breaths started to touch her? Nothing seemed to work.

She switched off the light and rested herself on the pillow again. Closing her eyes, She attempted to soothe herself. His sleeping, innocent face flashed in front of her eyes.

She smiled with her eyes closed and mumbled to herself, “aap kyun mujhe sata rahe hai?”

“Kyunki tum mere bare me soch rahi ho…” his deep voice tickled her senses. She knew it was an illusion again.

“Pairon me abhi bhi dard hai kya…” she could feel his concerned voice. She smiled in her sleep, assuming she was dreaming, “nahi…”

“Toh fir ab tak soyi kyun nahi…” his calm voice was so soothing to hear, “nind toh aap ko bhi nahi aa rahi…”

“Tumhare bina saanse bhi adhoori si aati hai…” Shehnaaz blushed and pulled the spread around her, like he was watching her, like she could feel him. “Mujhe satana itna achha lagta hai…”

“Jo khud itna pareshan ho… wo tumhe kya satayega…” she turned to the other side and dug her face further into the pillow, “achha… aap ko kya pareshani hai?”

“Apne dil se puchho… sab uski badmashi hai…” she wished it to be real but knew it was her sweet dream. She blushed more, rolling on her bed in the spread.

“Kya huva… jawab nahi hai…” She shuddered softly as his voice sent a chill down her spine, “aap wahan koso door hai… fir bhi mujhe aap ki awaaz sunayi de rahi hai… to aap mujhe tang kar rahe hai ya main aapko…”

“Are you sure?” There was a chuckle in his tone that confused her, “Sure about what?”

“Ke asli jadugar kaun hai… main ya tum…” She rolled on her bed cutely till her tummy hit the bed, “Aap ko mazak sujh raha hai… mujhe sona hai… jayiye mere sapne se…”

His voice disappeared, and she saddened in her sleep, “Aap sach me chale gaye?”

“Khud ankhen khol ke dekh lo…” His words confused her, “ankhen khol ke…?” She instantly opened her eyes under her duvet and softly pushed it down to see someone sitting on her bed.

“Mummaaaaa….”

Sidharth slammed his palm over Shehnaaz’s mouth to silence her scream before she could wake up the entire house. “Shhhh… main hoon, baba…”

His touch instantly calmed her. His words tickled her senses, and her eyes lit up with joy as he switched on the bedside lamp, allowing her to see him clearly.

Sitting beside her, Sidharth watched her face intently, his heart finally finding solace in her presence, soothing his restless heartbeat.

Shehnaaz sat up, blinking rapidly to assure herself that he was really there, not a figment of her dream.

He chuckled at her bewildered expression, feeling a wave of peace wash over him. His eyes then noticed her hands, no longer bandaged, almost completely healed. He had yearned to see her, to have her safe and happy in his arms again. Slowly releasing his hand from her mouth, he observed her dressed in a pink satin crop top that barely reached her belly button, innocently sensual and driving his senses wild. Lately, he found himself loving her in satin.

Shehnaaz playfully touched his nose with her fingers, teasing, “Tumhe meri naak se koi problem hai kya, baby?”

She smiled brightly, realizing he was truly in front of her, and excitedly jumped into his lap.

Sidharth’s arm instinctively wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. She fit perfectly in his embrace. His other hand gently brushed loose strands of hair behind her ear, savoring the innocence and radiance on her face that melted his heart with happiness.

She circled her arms around his neck, speaking earnestly, “Mujhe laga ke main fir se sapna dekh rahi hoon…”

Sidharth kissed her forehead softly, quieting her rambling. He loved the feel of her forehead against his lips, allowing them to linger there as she closed her eyes with a contented smile. “aap ka trip kaisa tha?” she asked.

Getting up with her in his arms, Sidharth settled against the bedpost, pulling her closer in his embrace. “Wahan mujhe koi sone hi nahi de raha tha. that’s why  Kaam jaldi khatam karke vapas aa gaya.”

Confused, Shehnaaz asked, “Kaun sone nahi de raha tha?”

Sidharth chuckled softly at her furrowed brows, realizing her misunderstanding. “Oh, koi special hai. Tumhe kya bataun?”

Shehnaaz felt a pang of anger rising within her. “Aap mujhe bata sakte hain. Mujhe kuch nahi hoga.”

Sidharth noticed her eyes fixated on his chest, small lines forming on her forehead as she frowned. She looked incredibly cute even when annoyed. “Actually, koi special hai. Tumhe nahi bata sakta,” he teased playfully.

Shehnaaz fell silent suddenly, her eyes welling up with tears. The thought of someone else close to him, someone special besides her, pained her deeply.. Kya aapke liye koi aur bhi special hai? Kya aapke liye kisi aur ko bhi special hai, mujhe alawa? She struggled to find her voice.

Sidharth was taken aback by her sudden silence, concerned to see sadness clouding her face. He had enjoyed their banter, but seeing her like this made him regret his teasing.. Oh God, why did I have to make such a stupid joke…

She tried to behave normal. “Aisa ho sakta hai… koi special. Har kisi ki zindagi mein koi toh hota hai…” Shehnaaz tried to cover her unease with a smile,.. Main apko jalane ka maza dikhaoongi.. Bas intezaar karo, Sadu.

Sidharth didn’t like the sound of it. “Matlab?”

Shehnaaz grinned mischievously, “Matlab… kisi ke liye tum special ho sakte ho… jaise ki main kisi ke liye special ho sakti hoon… koi mujhke liye special ho sakta hai… aise.”

Sidharth felt a surge of possessiveness.. Kisko special keh rahi ho? Kisko lekar baat kar rahi ho? Tum meri ho, sirf meri..  his mind raced in restlessness.

Unaware of the storm she had stirred, Shehnaaz got off his lap and walked to her closet, pulling out a short dress to show him with a wide smile.

Sidharth looked at the revealing dress in disbelief. “Ye kya hai?”

Shehnaaz declared proudly, “Meri party dress.”

“What?” Sidharth couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was she out of her mind? She planned to wear this skimpy dress to the party? Never. He concluded angrily.

Shehnaaz pushed it further, “Haan. Actually, mere friend ki party hai, club mein. Ye accha lagega, na? Mere friend ne ye dress pasand kiya tha mujh par. Tum kya sochte ho?”

That was it. Rising in anger, Sidharth snatched the dress from her hands and pinned her wrists against the closet door, trapping her in his hold. His eyes burned with fury as he pressed her against the closet, twisting her hands behind her back, his weight crushing against her.

Startled, Shehnaaz stared into his intense eyes, realizing how angry he was. She hated seeing the pain in his eyes, feeling foolish for pushing him too far.

His grip tightened, causing her pain, but she didn’t protest. She never did. She allowed him to hurt her, knowing his pain was a sign of his love. He stared at her as if he would never let her go, as if they would stay in this position until his anger subsided. The closet lock dug into her fingers, but she didn’t protest. She belonged to him. He had the right to hurt her, to love her, to control her, to feel her, to behave however he wanted. She was his, and his alone.

Sidharth’s voice boomed with anger, restrained yet powerful, “Kaun hai ye friend? Main isse bardasht nahi kar sakta, Naaz. Agar koi tumhe dekhe ya chhooe, toh main…”

Shehnaaz murmured softly, “Kisi ne mujhe in kapdon mein nahi dekha… kisi ne bhi nahi… bas mazaak tha…”

He pulled her closer, silencing her. “Aise mazaak dobara mat karna, baby.. Warna main pagal ho jaunga.”

Shehnaaz sighed guiltily and tried to move closer to him, attempting to kiss him, but he restrained her.

“main bas mazaak kar rahi thi… meri zindagi mein koi aur special nahi hai, sirf aap,” she reassured him, cupping his face gently and placing a soft kiss on his lips, leaving him craving for more.

Sidharth kissed her fingers tenderly, one by one, noticing a deep mark on one of them. He sighed, realizing he had hurt her again.

“Main thik hoon… jab tak main apke saath hoon, mujhe kuch nahi hoga. Main jaanti hoon,” she whispered in his embrace.

Sidharth held Shehnaaz closer, his embrace tightening with every moment. “Main hamesha tumhe hurt karta hoon… mujhe nahi pata kya ho gaya hai mujhe… pata hai main tumhare liye possessive ho jaata hoon par…”

Shehnaaz immediately placed a finger on his lips, cutting him off. “Main toh bas aapki hoon… mujhe aur kuch samajh nahi aata.” Her eyes reflected her honesty and love.

Sidharth gently cupped her face, losing himself in her innocence. He longed to kiss her lips, softly pecking them instead. Chuckling, he watched her close her eyes, her lips puckering slightly in expectation.

Smiling, he kissed her forehead and gently pulled her away from the closet.

Confused, Shehnaaz looked at him as he switched on the main light and started tossing her short dresses out of the closet carelessly.

Startled by his sudden actions, Shehnaaz asked, “Aap mera cupboard saaf kar rahe ho?”

Sidharth gave her an exasperated look. “Main tumhari stupid dresses bahar nikal raha hoon.”

Shehnaaz made a grumpy face and muttered to herself, “Stupid nahi, bilkul stupid nahi… Idiot, duffer, khudgarz bhi… Haan.”

Sidharth chuckled. “Mujhe sab sunai de raha hai.”

Shehnaaz pouted. “Par aapne toh almost sara cupboard khali kar diya… mere saare naye kapde bahar fek diye… ab inka kya karoge aap?”

Sidharth’s anger grew at her strange clothes. “Tum inme se ek bhi dress nahi pehnogi… samajh gayi?”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes. “Toh fir kya pehnungi… aapne toh saare bahar fek diye…”

Sidharth shook his head at her drama. “Saare nahi feke… dresses andar hai… aur Saturday ko hum shopping ja rahe hain… tab naye dresses le lena.”

Shehnaaz grinned at the thought of shopping. “Why Saturday… kal kyu nahi?”

Sidharth chuckled as he continued emptying her closet. “Kyunki kal meri teen meetings hai… mujhe koi time nahi milega.”

Shehnaaz looked at him grumpily. “Par Saturday mere friend ki party hai.”

Curiously, Sidharth walked up to her. “Kaunsa friend… aur tum koi short dress nahi pehnogi… Am I clear?”

Shehnaaz nodded cutely. “Yes, boss…”

Smiling, Sidharth lifted her into his arms and carried her back to bed, chuckling when he realized it was just two steps away. He loved pampering her.

Shehnaaz smiled sweetly as he placed her on the bed and sat beside her. “Saturday ko nahi jaana…”

Sidharth groaned inwardly as she pulled him down to lie beside her, resting her head on his arm. He kissed her forehead softly and wrapped his arm around her neck. “Achha baba… Sunday ko chalenge shopping… ab khush?”

Shehnaaz nodded happily and kissed his jaw, making him stare at her possessively.

Sidharth closed his eyes with a sense of peace, feeling her warmth. She tightened her hold around him as if never wanting to let go.

Sidharth slept longer than expected, unable to leave her. She slept peacefully in his embrace, her lips forming a small pout that tempted him to kiss them. Strands of her hair fell on her cheek, making her look like a child. He yearned to protect her, to have her by his side forever. But he knew they had a long way to go. Who would believe such a strong bond could form in just two weeks? It felt like they belonged together forever.

Her agreeing to his choice of clothes was the craziest thing he knew, yet she did so without complaint. He lost his self-control when it came to her.

Crushing her closer, he whispered softly, not wanting to disturb her sleep. “Mera bachha…” Her warmth filled him with a sense of belonging.

Reluctantly replacing himself with a pillow, he lightly kissed her pouted lips and left.

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Over breakfast, Shehnaaz and Mahi were engaged in their usual banter.

Jasbeera ji rolled her eyes, “Achha, Sunday ko Leher aur uske ghar waale dinner ke liye aa rahe hain… toh shaam se ghar mein hi rahna.”

Shehnaaz noticed a sudden smile on Baaz’s face, “Mera toh pata nahi… par veer ji toh subah se ghar mein hi rahenge.”

Baaz glared at her teasingly, “Shehnaaz ki bachchi…”

Shehnaaz grinned mischievously, “I love you so much veer ji… achha ye lo aapka card.”

Baaz shook his head, taking the card from her, “So finally your shopping is over…?”

Shehnaaz giggled and winked at Mahi, “Nahi baba… next week phir se mangna hai… isliye abhi vaapas kar rahi hoon.”

Baaz rolled his eyes, “Maa dekha is ladki ko…”

Jasbeera ji shook her head in amusement while Mahi couldn’t help but giggle, “Humne thodi kaha tha shadi karne ke liye…”

After class, the group gathered in the canteen. Shehnaaz made a face upon realizing she hadn’t received any missed calls. She mentally chided herself for not taking his number the night before; somehow, she always seemed to forget everything when he was around. Her thoughts were interrupted by Nisha’s announcement.

Nisha exclaimed, “Guys, main Saturday ki party mein nahi aa paungi…”

Shehnaaz gasped, “What…? No ways… you are coming!”

Mayank looked at her sympathetically, “Par problem kya hai…?”

Nisha sighed, “Actually, mujhe koi ladka dekhne aa raha hai…”

Everyone’s mouths dropped open in shock. Ranbir burst into loud laughter, much to Mayank’s annoyance.

Ranbir wiped his giggles away, “Ranbir, tu chup bethega…”

Ankita, excitedly, “Hayyy, shaadi…? How romantic… tu kitni lucky hai yaar… Mayank, hum kab shadi karenge…?”

Anu coughed loudly, taken aback by Ankita’s sudden question.

Mayank rolled his eyes, “Baby, yahan baat Nisha ki ho rahi hai…”

Ankita made a face while Nisha chuckled, “Actually, woh dad ke friend ke beta hai… I have met him quite a few times… but yeh sab itna sudden hai… aur woh kal aa rahe hain mujhe dekhne…”

Ranbir was confused, “Par tune toh kaha tha ke usne tujhe dekha hai…”

Ankita rolled her eyes, “Ranbir, college aate waqt kam se kam dimaag sath mein laya kar…”

Anu spoke exasperatedly, “Ranbir, she meant… unki puri family Nishu ko dekhegi, parekhegi, and all… if she is good marriage material or not…”

Nisha got annoyed, “Exactly… am I a showpiece… ke woh log mujhe dekhne aa rahe hain, ke main kahin tuti-futi toh nahi…”

Ankita noticed Shehnaaz lost in thought, “Shehnaaz, kahan kho gayi hai tu…?”

Shehnaaz snapped out of her reverie, “Nishu… uncle aunty mein se koi heart patient toh nahi hai na…?”

Her random question caught everyone’s attention, and she smirked playfully.

Nisha was taken aback, “What… I mean… no… why are you asking…?”

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