Chapter 23

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Shehnaaz shook her head at Sidharth’s unnecessary outburst, unable to understand why he was so worked up. “Sidharth, kya tum bhi… us bechare ne mujhe company di, aur tum usiko bura bol rahe ho,” she said softly, trying to calm him down.
But instead of softening, Sidharth’s expression darkened further. “Company?” he repeated, a frown deepening on his face as if the word itself was a personal insult.
Shehnaaz smiled, attempting to lighten the mood, unaware of the storm brewing in him. “Haan, company… Meeting ke baad, I was so hungry, so he accompanied me for dinner. Oh, that reminds me… how was your dinner date with Simran?” Shehnaaz asked casually, her smile lingering.
But Sidharth didn’t hear a word beyond “dinner” and “Sameer.” His whole body tensed, his fists clenched involuntarily. Dinner. With Sameer. The words kept echoing in his mind, filling him with a sudden wave of possessive anger. His mind conjured images of Sameer being too close to Shehnaaz, of him taking liberties with her presence, of Shehnaaz laughing with him. The thought of Sameer being over-smart, crossing boundaries, sent a jolt of anger through his veins. He could barely contain it.
“Tujhe uske saath dinner karne ki zarurat kya thi? Haan?” Sidharth snapped, his voice rising as he took a step toward her, his eyes blazing with frustration. “Ek baar mujhse puchh nahi sakti thi?”
Shehnaaz blinked in confusion, startled by the sudden change in his mood. “Sidharth, kyun gussa ho raha hai? I was the one who asked him for dinner,” she tried to explain, her tone soft and confused. “Aur woh tumhara purana dost hai, right? Why are you acting so different?”
But Sidharth was past the point of reasoning. Every word from Shehnaaz’s mouth seemed to fuel his anger further, especially the way she casually mentioned how she had asked Sameer to join her. Asked him—the very thought made Sidharth’s blood boil. She was defending Sameer, and it only drove him madder.
“How am I acting different?” he said, his voice harsh, his frustration clear in his tone. “Tu meri baat dhyaan se sun le, Shehnaaz, aur dimaag mein gath bandh le. Dobara tu uske saath kahin nahi jayegi. Samjhi tu?” His voice was commanding, almost desperate as if the idea of her with someone else was unbearable to him.
Shehnaaz let out a small sigh, realizing how serious he was. It wasn’t worth pushing this further, especially when he was like this—when his possessiveness and protectiveness over her surfaced. “Thik hai baba, nahi jaungi,” she said, trying to ease the tension in the air, her voice gentle. “Ab gussa chhod… Itna muh fulayega toh muh fatt jayega,” she teased him, a playful smile appearing on her lips as she imagined his face literally splitting from all the frowning.
Her soft giggle broke through Sidharth’s anger. He looked at her, still frustrated but unable to resist the smile tugging at his own lips. Her infectious laughter slowly melted the anger away, and he couldn’t help but join her in her light-heartedness. Within moments, they were both laughing together, the tension dissolving into the air as if it had never been there.
Sidharth pulled Shehnaaz into his arms, enveloping her in a tight bear hug. She leaned into him willingly, burying herself in his embrace, finding comfort in the familiarity of his warmth. As they held each other, the weight of their past settled over them—so many moments like this, with Sidharth’s quick temper and Shehnaaz’s calming presence. How many times had they fought like this? And yet, every time, they had come back to each other, just like now.
Sidharth’s heart softened as he held her close, memories flooding back—memories of their childhood, their teenage years, the times they had spent together before everything had changed. He could almost hear the echo of their laughter from those days, could see the younger versions of themselves running around, teasing each other, sharing secrets, dreaming of a future that felt so close back then.
Shehnaaz smiled into his chest, a little wistful, as the memories washed over her too. How much they had missed those days. A quiet wish formed in her heart, a desire to go back to that simplicity, that innocence when everything between them was uncomplicated. She wished they could be kids again, before life had gotten in the way, before misunderstandings and time had pulled them apart.
But as they stood there in each other’s arms, it was enough for now.
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Simran stood silently on her balcony, her eyes following the scene below. A sad smile touched her lips as she watched Sidharth and Shehnaaz laugh and embrace, lost in their own world. She knew she shouldn’t be watching, shouldn’t be letting this affect her, but she couldn’t help it. Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop them, they trickled down her cheeks. Quickly, she wiped them away, refusing to let herself fall apart. She didn’t want to be weak—not now, not over something she had long understood.
Deep down, Simran had always known the truth. She’d seen it clearly, even back when Sidharth was in London. Every phone call, every conversation, it was always about Shehnaaz. He would speak about her endlessly, as if nothing else existed in his world. “Shehnaaz this, Shehnaaz that”—her name had become the constant in every discussion, and over time, Simran had realized that Sidharth’s life revolved around Shehnaaz. No matter what they talked about, it always came back to her.
At first, she had tried to dismiss it as just concern, friendship, or maybe even obligation. But then there were moments—moments when he’d mention Shehnaaz in a way that cut through her heart, moments when the softness in his voice when he spoke about her made Simran feel invisible. She had even felt jealous sometimes—jealous of the way Shehnaaz seemed to occupy a space in Sidharth’s life that Simran could never quite reach. And yet, she had pushed those feelings aside, telling herself that maybe things would change.
But as she stood there now, watching the two of them together, something shifted inside her. The tears that blurred her vision weren’t just from jealousy—they were from the quiet acceptance that had been creeping up on her for so long. She smiled again, but this time it was a sad, resigned smile. This was it—the moment when she truly understood.
Simran knew, with a painful clarity, that she was losing Sidharth. Or maybe, she wasn’t losing him at all—maybe she was finally understanding that he was never hers to lose in the first place. Sidharth had always belonged to Shehnaaz, even if neither of them had fully realized it yet.
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The sun rose slowly, casting the sky in a beautiful reddish-yellow hue as the morning light spread across the horizon. The chilled wind brushed past, causing Shehnaaz to instinctively snuggle deeper into something warm and comforting. She opened her eyes lazily, still feeling the weight of sleep, only to find herself wrapped securely in Sidharth’s arms. Both of them were still on the wooden swing where they had sat the previous night, and he had unconsciously enveloped her in his embrace, holding her close as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Startled by the realization and disappointed in herself for letting it happen, Shehnaaz tried to carefully free herself from his grasp. But her efforts were in vain. Sidharth, still in a deep sleep, pulled her even closer, tightening his hold and shifting slightly as if to settle back into sleep more comfortably. His arms around her were strong, familiar, and filled with the kind of warmth that stirred something deep inside her—a reminder of times long past.
Her mind drifted to the night before. They had sat together on this very swing, reminiscing about their old memories, the beautiful ones that always brought a smile to their faces. They had talked about the little pranks they used to pull, the fun they had as kids. Somewhere in the middle of their conversation, Sidharth had kissed her forehead more than once—an action that felt so habitual, so natural for him. She hadn’t realized when she had curled up in his arms or when they had fallen asleep right there on the swing, as if nothing had changed between them.
A sigh escaped her lips as Shehnaaz stopped struggling for a moment, letting herself remember the countless times they had slept in each other’s arms. It wasn’t unusual for them—not back then, at least. They had spent so many nights like this as children, tangled up in each other’s arms, often snuggling closer to Dadi maa as she told them bedtime stories. Those memories were etched deeply in her heart—memories of innocent times, when the world seemed simpler, and their bond was just… pure.
But now… things were different. She knew that. The weight of the past and the complications of their present made her heart ache in a way that was difficult to explain. She couldn’t let herself indulge in the comfort of his arms, not anymore.
As soon as she felt Sidharth’s grip loosen slightly, Shehnaaz quickly slipped out of his embrace, backing away from him. She straightened herself, brushing off the remnants of sleep, and stood up. Her heart felt heavy, and she silently chastised herself for letting things get so close again. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be anymore.
She was about to head inside when something out of the corner of her eye made her freeze. Her gaze fell on the window, and her breath hitched in her throat. There, leaning against the window, was Simran. She had fallen asleep by the window, her face turned toward the swing where Shehnaaz and Sidharth had been sleeping.
A shock ran through Shehnaaz’s body. Had Simran seen them? She stood there, unable to move, staring at Simran’s sleeping form, her mind racing with thoughts of what could have been going through her head.
Shehnaaz froze at the sight of Simran sleeping by the window. Her heart sank as the realization hit her—Simran must have seen something, or worse, felt hurt by the closeness she had just witnessed between her and Sidharth. A wave of guilt washed over Shehnaaz, making her stomach twist. She never wanted to come between Sidharth and Simran, yet here she was, unintentionally becoming the reason for the distance between them.
Her mind raced with worry. What if Simran had overheard their conversation? The thought made Shehnaaz’s chest tighten. She desperately hoped that Simran hadn’t heard anything that could lead to misunderstandings. Shehnaaz had no intention of causing any friction between them. It pained her to think that her presence could be the reason for any tension in Sidharth’s relationship with Simran.
This is exactly why I need to keep my distance from him, Shehnaaz thought to herself. She always knew Sidharth too well—when it came to her, he could never maintain the boundaries he should. For him, everything about their shared past still mattered, and he often acted without thinking about the consequences for others, especially Simran.
Unable to bear the weight of her thoughts any longer, Shehnaaz quickly rushed inside and locked herself in the bathroom. The cool water from the shower ran over her skin, but it did little to calm the turmoil in her heart. She tried to wash away the memories of the previous night—the warmth of Sidharth’s embrace, the way he had held her so closely—but no matter how hard she tried, her heart refused to let go. The love she had buried so deep inside kept resurfacing, threatening to overwhelm her.
But she couldn’t allow it. She wouldn’t be the reason for any problems between Sidharth and Simran. She knew how important Simran was to him, and she had to respect that, no matter how much it hurt. Shehnaaz forced herself to push those memories aside, determined to do the right thing, even if it broke her heart.
With that resolve, Shehnaaz quickly freshened up and headed toward Dadi maa’s room, hoping to distract herself from the emotional storm swirling inside her. As she approached the room, she found Sam already there, chatting with Dadi maa.
“Good morning, ladies,” Shehnaaz greeted as she stepped inside.
Both Dadi maa and Sam turned their attention to her, offering warm smiles as they wished her a good morning in return. Shehnaaz walked over to Dadi maa and sat beside her, hugging her gently from the side.
Dadi maa, always perceptive, noticed something was off. She smiled and wrapped her arms around Shehnaaz in a comforting embrace. “Kya baat hai, aaj mera bachha Dadi maa se kyun chipak raha hai? Kya hua, Shehnaaz?” she asked softly, her voice filled with concern.
Shehnaaz, with her usual charm, made a baby face and hugged Dadi maa even tighter, “Dadi maa, I love you…”
Sam, standing nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle at her little antics. She rolled her eyes playfully and teased, “Dadi maa, aaj aapki khair nahi… Shehnaaz yeh nakhre tabhi karti hai jab usse koi baat aapse manvani hoti hai…”
Both Dadi maa and Sam giggled at the joke, while Shehnaaz feigned an annoyed baby face, looking adorable as she tried to protest.
“Di, aisa kuch nahi hai, okay?!” Shehnaaz shot back, pouting. Then, she quickly changed the subject, her expression brightening, “By the way, Dadi maa, main soch rahi thi ke aaj ghar mein ek chhota sa get-together rakhu… idea kaisa hai?”
The idea immediately excited both Dadi maa and Sam. Their faces lit up, clearly thrilled at the thought of gathering everyone for some time together.
Dadi maa smiled warmly, “Yeh tumne bohot accha socha, Shehnaaz. Par, mujhe tumse ek zaruri baat karni hai…”
Sensing the shift in tone, Sam realized that the conversation was about to turn serious. She understood that it was something private between Dadi maa and Shehnaaz. Politely, she excused herself, “Main chalti hoon, Dadi maa,” she said, seeking Dadi maa’s permission to leave. After receiving a nod from Dadi maa, Sam walked out, leaving the two of them alone.
As soon as Sam left, Dadi maa gently asked Shehnaaz to close the door. The seriousness in her voice made Shehnaaz’s heart skip a beat. She quickly got up, closed the door, and returned to sit beside Dadi maa, her curiosity piqued.
“Kya baat hai, Dadi maa?” Shehnaaz asked, her voice soft but laced with concern as she settled back next to her.
Dadi maa sighed deeply, her gentle features showing a hint of worry, “Shehnaaz, us din jo humne tumse Delhi mein baat karni chahi thi, wohi baat hai…”
Shehnaaz’s mind raced as the memory of that day in Delhi flashed before her eyes. She remembered they had been about to talk but were interrupted. “Haan, yaad aaya… bataiye na, Dadi maa. Kya hua?” she asked, leaning closer, her concern growing.
Dadi maa gently held Shehnaaz’s hand, her eyes filled with concern. “Shehnaaz… hum apko khush dekhna chahte hai, beta,” she said softly, her voice filled with love.
Shehnaaz’s heart ached hearing those words, but she managed to mask her true feelings with a forced smile. “Main khush hi toh hoon, Dadi maa… Hum sab ek saath hai, main bahut khush hoon…” She tried to sound convincing, but the pain was there, barely hidden beneath her words.
Dadi maa, however, wasn’t fooled. She lightly tapped Shehnaaz’s cheek, her expression a mix of affection and disappointment. “Aap humse jhoot bolna bhi seekh gayi, beta…?” she asked, her frown deepening as she saw through Shehnaaz’s facade.
Shehnaaz sighed, feeling cornered, and stood up, trying to avoid the conversation. “Dadi maa, please…” she pleaded, not wanting to continue this difficult discussion.
But Dadi maa wasn’t about to let her go that easily. With a firmness that only she possessed, she pulled Shehnaaz back down and made her sit beside her again. Her voice took on a stern tone, one that Shehnaaz knew all too well. “Hum kuch sunna nahi chahte, Shehnaaz. Aapko aaj humari baat sunni hi padegi. I want you to move on.”
Shehnaaz’s breath caught in her throat at those words. Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, and she looked at Dadi maa, her emotions finally breaking through the surface. “Kaise, Dadi maa…? Kaise…? Aap samajhti kyun nahi… yeh mumkin nahi hai…” Her voice trembled with the weight of her heartache, her frustration clear as she struggled to explain the impossible.
Dadi maa, though understanding her pain, refused to back down. “Kyun nahi, Shehnaaz? Agar Sidharth kisi aur se pyaar kar sakta hai, toh tum kyun nahi…?” she asked, her words sharp but full of care. She wasn’t trying to hurt Shehnaaz; she only wanted her to see the possibility of happiness again.
Shehnaaz’s frustration reached its peak. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out the emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “Usne jo kiya, so kiya… par mujhse yeh nahi hoga, Dadi maa…” Her voice was barely a whisper, thick with pain. “Aap jaanti hain… main ab Sidharth ki nahi ho sakti… par main kisi aur ki bhi kabhi nahi ho sakti. This is just not possible…”
The truth of her words hung heavily in the room. Shehnaaz’s heart was too deeply entwined with Sidharth’s, and no matter how much time passed, no matter what the world expected, she couldn’t change that. Moving on seemed like an unimaginable task, an insurmountable wall that she simply couldn’t break through.
Dadi maa’s frustration was palpable as she spoke sharply, “Tum sirf ‘nahi, nahi, nahi’ keh rahi ho. Ek baar try kyun nahi karti? Humare liye, apne liye nahi toh kam se kam apne maa-papa ke liye socho. Kya unki aatma ko tum aise hi dukhati rahogi?”
Shehnaaz looked at Dadi maa, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, struggling to contain her emotions.
Dadi maa’s voice grew more intense, “Kya unhe dukh nahi hota dekh kar tumhe? Tumhe jawab do mujhe.”
Shehnaaz stood up and walked slowly towards the window, feeling the weight of Dadi maa’s words. It hurt to know that Dadi maa didn’t understand her deep and unshakeable feelings. For Shehnaaz, loving someone other than Sidharth was unthinkable. Sidharth was the essence of her life; he was her everything. He could move on and love someone else, but she couldn’t.
The memory of the previous night replayed in her mind. Sidharth’s jealousy over Sameer and Simran sleeping near the window had struck a painful chord. She knew Sidharth was insecure, afraid of losing his place in her life. He had always been her priority, and now that she had spoken kindly of someone else, he felt threatened. Yet, Sidharth needed to mature. His childish behavior could harm Simran, who was such a sweet and innocent person.
Shehnaaz realized that whatever happened last night was unacceptable. Simran deserved better, and Sidharth needed to be more considerate and caring towards her. Sidharth had to understand that he was no longer a central part of Shehnaaz’s life. She had to make him see that he was not important to her anymore but rather to Simran.
Shehnaaz’s mind raced with thoughts. If it meant pretending to be close with Sameer to make Sidharth understand his place, she would do it, even if it felt wrong. But she couldn’t bring herself to make a mockery of Sameer’s feelings. It would be unfair and cruel. She pondered whether she should discuss this with Sameer, but then dismissed the idea. She couldn’t risk complicating things further.
The only way forward was for Sidharth to realize that her life had moved on and that his focus should now be on Simran, not on Shehnaaz Gill. She had to act decisively to ensure that Sidharth understood this truth, no matter how difficult it might be.
Determined by her thoughts, Shehnaaz turned to face Dadi maa directly. “Dadi maa,” she said with a resolute tone, “I’m ready to take a second chance.”
With those words, Shehnaaz walked out, leaving behind a Dadi maa who was stunned, surprised, and overwhelmingly delighted.
______________
Shehnaaz was deeply absorbed in checking her email when Dadi maa’s words suddenly rang through her mind. Determined to follow through on her decision, she picked up her phone and dialed Uttara’s number. The call rang a few times but went unanswered. She sighed and tried again, but there was still no response. Growing annoyed, she decided to call Hameer instead.
When Hameer answered, his voice was gruff. “Hello…”
Shehnaaz took a deep breath before speaking. “Uttara mera call kyun nahi utha rahi hai…?”
Hameer’s frustration was evident in his tone. “How am I supposed to know…?”
Shehnaaz chuckled despite her annoyance, recognizing the endearing nature of Hameer’s irritation. “Tum dono etna gussa ho mujhse…?”
Hameer, looking away and pouting, replied, “Hum kyun gussa hone lage tujhse…? Hume haqq thodi hai…”
Shehnaaz smiled, knowing that these two could never stay mad at her for long. “Plzz yaar… mere liye… maan jao na…”
Hameer made a face at Uttara, who was standing beside him, and handed the phone over. “Woh tu Uttara se baat kar…”
Uttara took the phone, still pouting and clearly unwilling. “Mujhe kisi se baat nahi karni…”
Shehnaaz smiled at Uttara’s adorable pouting. “Mujhse baat bhi nahi karegi..? I love you na..”
A tear rolled down Uttara’s cheek, and she sniffled. “And I hate you…”
Hameer, trying to lighten the mood, snatched the phone from Uttara’s hand and put it on speaker. “Sana, iski nose puri red ho gayi hai…”
Shehnaaz giggled at the playful exchange, while Uttara made an exaggerated o-shaped mouth at Hameer and gave him a gentle wak.
Hameer looked at her, his expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. “You still don’t get manners? A girl doesn’t slap her boyfriend.”
Uttara rolled her eyes in response and fluffed her hair with her fingers, clearly unimpressed.
Shehnaaz shook her head fondly, knowing that their playful banter was a constant. “Well, Hameer, in your and Uttara’s case, the story is a little different…”
Uttara smirked in agreement. “Exactly…”
Hameer, feigning seriousness, replied mockingly, “Yeah, right…!!”
Shehnaaz, trying to shift the focus back, rolled her eyes. “Achha, don’t start fighting now. I need both of you in Mumbai by this evening.”
Uttara and Hameer were stunned into silence. “You must be kidding…”
Shehnaaz smirked as she spoke into the phone, “I am not… your tickets are booked. Now run and pack your things quickly. You both have only 2 hours left.” With that, she cut the call and smiled with satisfaction.
Uttara and Hameer exchanged astonished glances and quickly scrambled to pack their bags, their earlier complaints forgotten as they hurriedly prepared for their trip to Mumbai.
**************
Meanwhile, Sidharth paced restlessly. “Dadi maa, Shehnaaz ka phone kyun nahi lag raha hai…” he asked for the tenth time.
Dadi maa sighed, rolling her eyes. “Aa jayegi beta… relax. Maine usse aate waqt sab saman lane ko kaha tha.”
Sidharth gave a frustrated sigh and returned to the preparations, trying to focus on getting everything ready.
In the kitchen, Sam and Simran, with the help of Meera tai, prepared a delectable spread. Sidharth assisted them in setting up the living room and clearing out the clutter. The staff, observing the unusual activity, wondered about the significance of this hurried setup.
By 7 PM, the doorbell started ringing incessantly.
Sam rolled her eyes in anticipation. “Uttara is here…”
Sidharth and Dadi maa exchanged smiles, finding amusement in the commotion. Simran, however, was eagerly awaiting the evening, hoping to get a chance to clarify things with Sidharth and understand his true feelings.
The moment Sam opened the door, Uttara and Hameer burst in with unrestrained enthusiasm, nearly knocking Sam off her feet. Their entrance startled her, and she stumbled back, wide-eyed.
Sidharth, who had been eagerly waiting, stood frozen in place as his gaze fixated on the door. His smile faded instantly when he saw Shehnaaz walk in beside Sameer. A wave of frustration washed over him, replacing his earlier cheerfulness.
Simran, who had been observing Sidharth’s sudden change in demeanor, sighed and stepped forward. She was met with a warm hug from Sameer, who enveloped her in a friendly embrace.
“I missed you, buddy,” Simran said, her voice full of genuine affection.
Sameer grinned as he returned the hug. “So did I. I was expecting Sidharth here, but Shehnaaz didn’t mention you would be joining us.”
Simran laughed lightly, “Well, consider it a pleasant surprise.”
Sameer raised an eyebrow and smirked, “Or a horrible one.”
Simran’s eyes widened in surprise at Sameer’s teasing remark. For a moment, she shot him a mock angry look, but it quickly softened into a smile as she took in his endearing expression.
Shehnaaz handed all the shopping bags to Meera tai, instructing her to arrange the plates and soft drinks. With that done, everyone settled comfortably in the living room, eager to catch up and enjoy the evening.
Uttara’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked around the room. “Hum sab kitne din baad aise ek saath baithe hain, na?” she said, her enthusiasm palpable.
Sam nodded, her smile broadening. “Exactly… thanks to Shehnaaz. Ye hi toh uska plan tha.”
Dadi maa, always fond of Shehnaaz, gave her a gentle pat on the cheek. “Shehnaaz, mujhe apne friend se introduce nahi karaogi?”
As Shehnaaz began to introduce Sameer, Sidharth’s irritation grew. His frustration was palpable. He was already feeling uneasy about Shehnaaz’s friendly demeanor towards Sameer and her choice to sit next to him rather than Sidharth. This behavior stung, especially because he felt he should be the one close to her, not Sameer. Why was Shehnaaz acting this way? Sidharth wondered. He had always been her closest friend, her confidant. She knew he didn’t like her being close to anyone else, so why was she now so comfortable with Sameer? Sidharth’s mind raced, wondering if Sameer had somehow charmed Shehnaaz, making her distance herself from him.
Sameer stepped forward, bowing slightly to touch Dadi maa’s feet in a gesture of respect. “Dadi maa, main Shehnaaz se jyada aapke pote Sidharth ka dost hoon. Aapko yaad nahi, ek baar humne phone par baat ki thi.”
Dadi maa’s eyes widened in recognition. She turned to Sidharth and then back to Sameer. “Ohh, tum wahi Sameer ho! What a coincidence. Really happy to meet you, beta.”
Shehnaaz offered an overly bright smile, trying to maintain the cheerful atmosphere. “Ji Dadi maa, aur wahi uncle ne humari company ke sath jo contract sign kiya hai, use Sameer hi sambhal raha hai. That’s how I know him.”
Dadi maa nodded in delight at the introductions and pleasantries.
Shehnaaz stole a glance at Sidharth and could see the subtle signs of his displeasure. She knew he wasn’t thrilled about her inviting Sameer, but she had her reasons and needed to follow through with her plans.
Sameer played the part of the wounded friend, dramatically pouting. “Par Dadi maa, aapka pota ab mujhe bhool gaya. Can you believe it? Abhi tak usne mujhe hii bhi nahi bola hai.”
Sidharth responded with a weak smile, trying to ease the tension. “Sameer, hum dono itne formal kabse rehne lage? Teri har girlfriend maine hi pata ke di thi, bhool gaya kya?”
Sameer nearly choked on his drink, eliciting laughter from everyone around. The room erupted in giggles at Sameer’s predicament. He managed a weak smile towards Shehnaaz while shooting a pointed look at Sidharth, who smirked back at him.
Hameer, tired of the banter, decided to shift the mood. “Okk, enough of this chit-chat. Let’s play some game.”
Uttara, brimming with excitement, suggested, “Antakshari!”
Sam, not quite on board with the idea, rolled her eyes. “Typical. Kuchh naya khelte hain.”
Dadi maa, always eager to contribute, chimed in, “Passing the parcel?”
Sidharth sighed, “No, Dadi maa, it’s also boring.”
Simran, trying to liven things up, suggested with enthusiasm, “I think we should play Truth and Dare.”
Shehnaaz’s eyes sparkled at the idea, “That will be awesome… sab ke raaz bahar aa jayenge.”
Uttara dashed to the kitchen to fetch a bottle, and soon everyone was seated in a circle, eagerly waiting for the game to begin.
As the bottle spun around, it finally came to a halt, pointing directly between Sam and Hameer, with its neck aimed at Hameer.
Sam, with a mischievous smirk, asked, “Truth or dare, dude?”
Hameer, looking both nervous and resigned, replied with a weak smile, “Dare.”
Sam’s grin widened, clearly enjoying the moment. “Hmm, thik hai… tum sabke saamne, Uttara ki 5 buraiyaan (bad things) bataoge.”
The room fell into a stunned silence. Everyone, including Uttara, looked at Sam with surprise. Hameer, on the other hand, made a pitiful cry-baby face, his shoulders slumping.
Gathering all his courage, Hameer took a deep breath and began, “Okk, 1st thing… she talks too much nonsense…”
with that, Uttara looked at him with all the anger she ever had while every one tried to suppress their giggles..
Hameer cleared his throat, “sorry sweety… 2nd things.. khati (eat) bahot jyada hai…”
huh !! Uttara stood up and waited for him to complete…
Hameer wiped his sweat, “3rd thing… shopping me mujhe kangal kar deti hai…” Uttara closed her eyes.. trying to calm her anger while Hameer made poor face at Shehnaaz…
“4th thing… uska upar wala floar thodasa.. khiska huva hai…”
that was it..
everyone burst into laughter while Uttara almost jumped on her place baffled at his audacity to call her khishka and all in front of her…
Hameer was almost in tears, “5th..mujhe..mujhe bahot marti hai..”
with that, he practically started to run followed by an angry lion named Uttara…
Shehnaaz laughed heartily, her laughter echoing through the room, and Sameer couldn’t help but keep his gaze fixed on her. To him, she looked like an angel, her laughter adding an ethereal glow to her already stunning presence. The sparkle in her brown eyes and the way her pink lips stretched into a beautiful smile made her seem like a princess of beauty, captivating everyone around her.
Sidharth, however, couldn’t help but notice Sameer’s lingering gaze at Shehnaaz. His irritation flared, and he shot a sharp glare at Shehnaaz, silently urging her to control herself. Instantly, Shehnaaz’s laughter subsided, and she rolled her eyes, trying to appear indifferent to Sidharth’s disapproval.
The bottle continued its spin and finally came to a stop, pointing between Dadi maa and Sidharth, with Dadi maa as the chosen one.
Sidharth grinned mischievously and addressed Dadi maa, “Truth or dare, Dadi maa?”
Dadi maa responded with a warm smile, “Truth.”
Sidharth’s smirk widened as he posed his question, “Thik hai, Dadi maa, aap ye batayiye… ki dadaji aur aapki suhagraat par… dadaji ne aapse kya baat ki thi?”
The room fell into a stunned silence as everyone’s mouths dropped open in sheer excitement and anticipation. Dadi maa’s face flushed bright red with embarrassment, her eyes wide with shock.
“What..? No ways, Sidharth, aap kuchh aur puchhiye…” Dadi maa stammered, clearly flustered and trying to avoid answering the probing question.
Sidharth made a face, his frustration palpable, “Come on, Dadi maa, it’s just a game. You can’t break the rules.”
Shehnaaz got up and hugged Dadi maa from behind like a playful child, “Sidharth is right. Aapko batana hi padega… dadaji ne aapse kya romantic baat ki thi…”
Dadi maa, caught off guard, lightly slapped Shehnaaz’s cheek in jest, “Chup badmash…”
Despite Dadi maa’s playful rebuke, everyone continued to press her to reveal the story.
With a resigned smile, Dadi maa stood up and walked a few steps away from the group, lost in her memories. She began reminiscing aloud, her voice softening with nostalgia, “Unhone kaha tha…”
“Anuradha, aaj se hum do sathee hain… jinke raste bhi ek hain aur manzil bhi. Zindagi ki har mushkil ka samna humein ek dusre ka haath tham kar karna hai. Tumhare aansun meri aankhon se bahenge aur mujhe chot lagne par tum ro dogi. Is bandhan ka mahatva shayad hum samajh na paye, par ek dusre ke saath aur ek dusre ke liye jeete jeete shayad ek din aisa zaroor aayega, jab hum dono ke beech na koi baat aur na koi chiz aa payegi. Wohi hoga humara bandhan. Pati patni ke is rishte ki kadar karte hue, hum ek dusre ke jeevan ko pyar ke har rang se bhar denge. Zaroorate puri ho na ho, par humara rishta hamesha ek dusre ko poora karega. Tum dogi sath mera?”
As Dadi maa spoke, her voice quivered with emotion, and tears welled up in her eyes. She raised her hand, as if to emphasize her words, but the enthusiastic applause from everyone brought her back to the present. She quickly wiped her tears and returned to her seat, her cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and embarrassment.
Shehnaaz, too, dabbed at her own tears, her emotions stirred by Dadi maa’s heartfelt recollection. She glanced at Sidharth, who was observing her with an unfamiliar expression—one that was a mix of contemplation and something she couldn’t quite decipher. She tried to mask her own feelings with a casual smile and looked away, her heart racing from the emotional intensity of the moment.
The bottle spun again, coming to a halt between Simran and Shehnaaz, with Shehnaaz as the chosen one. Simran, with a gentle smile, addressed her, “Truth or dare?”
_________________
Author’s Note
Dear Readers,
Dadi maa’s heartfelt revelation brings a touching and nostalgic element to the story. Through her recollection of the vows shared with her late husband, we see the enduring strength of their relationship and the profound impact it has on the present. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the depth and beauty of true love.
Sidharth’s mixed emotions reflect his internal struggle and evolving feelings. His reaction to Shehnaaz’s behavior and his contemplation of her past interactions reveal his deep-seated sentiments and insecurities.
As the story unfolds, these moments build a rich tapestry of relationships, emotions, and personal growth. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we hope you continue to enjoy the intricate interplay of humor, love, and drama in our tale.
Also, stay tuned for Baarish, Bhula Dunga, Mora Piya, Beintehaa and Thodasa pyar which will be starting soon along with the rest of the stories. There’s so much more in store, and I can’t wait for you to dive into these new adventures.
Don’t forget to follow me on Wattpad, Instagram and Youtube for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Your support on these platforms helps keep the creativity flowing.
With love and gratitude,
Shalaka
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