Chapter 3
Shehnaaz was about to leave when Sameer called out to her.
“Ms. Gill…”
She turned around to look at him, her expression neutral but curious. “Yes?”
Sameer offered a small smile. “Actually, a friend of mine is holding a party tonight… would you like to join?”
Shehnaaz took a moment to consider before responding, “Well, Mr. Wahi…”
His smile widened, a hint of eagerness in his eyes. “I would be happy if you called me Sameer.”
Shehnaaz cleared her throat, maintaining her composure. “Sameer, thank you for asking, but I don’t attend many parties.”
His face fell slightly, showing a flicker of disappointment. “Come on, Shehnaaz…”
She cut him off instantly, her tone firm. “Ms. Gill.”
He was taken aback. “Sorry?”
She made herself clear, her voice steady. “You heard right. Call me Ms. Gill.”
Sameer smiled again, a smirk playing on his lips. He was intrigued, convinced now that whatever he had heard about her was spot on.
“Okay, Ms. Gill. Come on, it will help us know each other better, which will be useful for our business deal.”
Shehnaaz found the suggestion absurd. “I really don’t need to attend parties to understand people. I have my own ways.”
Sameer smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Shehnaaz was about to leave when Sameer’s words rooted her to the spot. “Agar zindagi mein kuchh lamhe mil rahe ho jo hume khush karte ho, toh hume un lamhon ko ji lena chahiye… shayad waqt fir hume woh lamha na de,” he uttered softly. His words ran through her mind, stirring up memories she had tried to bury.
This wasn’t the first time she had heard those words.
Unintentionally, her mind drifted back to a time when those words had meant the world to her.
**Flashback**
“Shehnaaz! Shehnaaz!”
She heard Sidharth shouting as he made his way to her room for the first time after they had become friends.
But she didn’t come out.
Sidharth entered her room, standing beside her. “Shehnaaz, I’ve been shouting for so long.”
Shehnaaz wiped her teary eyes and looked at him innocently.
When Sidharth saw her tears, he moved closer and sat beside her on the bed. “Tum ro kyun rahi ho… haan Shehnaaz?”
She continued to cry. “Mujhe papaji ke paas jana hai… mummma….”
Sidharth had no answer. He wasn’t as talkative as Dadi maa, who could change the topic to drift her mind away. But he tried. “Agar tum apne mumma papaji ke paas chali gayi… toh mere paas kaun rahega? You are the only friend I have. Am I that bad? Tum mujhe chhod kar jaogi?”
She looked at him thoughtfully, his question making her think.
She felt guilty. “Tumhari friend sirf main hu?”
Sidharth nodded, making a baby face.
Shehnaaz felt even worse. “Agar main chali gayi toh tumhara koi friend nahi rahega.”
He nodded again, looking sad.
Shehnaaz moved closer to him, standing on her small knees in front of him. “Tum mujhe chhod ke nahi jaogi na?”
She shook her head instantly. “Nahi, jab mera mumma papaji ayenge na, toh main unhe bhi yahi rehne ke liye bol dungi, right?” she said cheerfully.
Sidharth smiled. “That’s perfect.”
Shehnaaz smiled and kissed his cheek softly. Sidharth kissed her cheek in return and dragged her out of the room.
Shehnaaz winced. “Tum mujhe kahan le ja rahe ho?”
Sidharth continued to drag her. “Dadi maa ne tumhe abhi bulaya hai.”
Shehnaaz made a face. “Toh mujhe kheeche kyun rahe ho? Main chal rahi hoon.”
Sidharth stopped. “Toh pehle bolna tha na.”
Shehnaaz rolled her eyes cutely. “Tumne poochha?”
Sidharth made an annoyed face. “Shanu… mujhe irritate mat kar.”
Shehnaaz made a face. “No Shanu. Shehnaaz.”
Sidharth laughed at her annoyed expression. “Jab tu mujhe irritate karegi, tab main tujhe Shanu hi bulaunga.”
Shehnaaz pouted, making a baby face.
By the time they reached Dadi maa, she noticed their arrival. “You both fighting again?”
Shehnaaz made a face. “Dadi maa, isne mujhe Shanu bulaya.” She made a yucky face.
Sidharth enjoyed irritating her. “Aur tu mujhe irritate kar rahi thi uska kya?”
Dadi maa rolled her eyes. “Okay, jhagada khatam. Ab jaldi se jaake gadi mein baitho. Hum shopping karne ja rahe hain.”
Shehnaaz was still a bit upset. “Dadi maa, mera man nahi hai.”
Dadi maa moved near her and picked her up in her arms. “Shehnaaz, main tumhari Dadi maa hoon. Aur yeh tumhara Sidharth. Beta, agar zindagi mein kuchh lamhe mil rahe ho jo hume khush karte ho, toh hume un lamhon ko ji lena chahiye. Shayad waqt fir hume woh lamha na de.”
Shehnaaz nodded, smiling thoughtfully.
#Back to Present
“Where are you lost?” Sameer’s words brought her back to reality.
She cursed herself for remembering her past once again.
Shehnaaz looked at Sameer. “Tumne yeh baat kisse suni?”
Sameer smiled. “Meri friend ki Dadi maa kehti hai.”
Shehnaaz smiled at the word ‘Dadi maa,’ an emotional smile.
Sameer was surprised to see that flicker of emotion on her face. He liked it.
Shehnaaz sighed. “I’ll try, but I’m not sure. I have some important work too.”
Sameer was surprised. “Do try heartily.”
Shehnaaz nodded slightly. “I should leave now.”
Sameer nodded back. “See you soon.”
They both made their respective ways.
#Meanwhile
Sidharth groaned in frustration. “Where is Shehnaaz, Uttara?”
Uttara was not shocked by his question. She always knew how impossible Sidharth was when it came to Shehnaaz. She looked at Hameer for help.
Sidharth repeated, “Where is Shehnaaz, Uttara?”
Bringing her attention back to him, Uttara looked away. “Well… actually, I also don’t know… umm….”
Sidharth angrily asked again. “Where is Shehnaaz, Uttara?”
Hameer tried to ease the tension. “Sidharth, relax. You…”
Sidharth cut him off again. “WHERE IS SHEHNAAZ?” he shouted, making both Hameer and Uttara scared.
Finally, Uttara spoke. “We are not allowed to tell.”
Sidharth was shocked to hear that. Someone wanted to hide Shehnaaz’s information from him. But who?
“Who?” he asked, seething in anger.
Hameer added, “Shehnaaz herself.”
Sidharth was frozen. Shocked, he stared at Uttara and Hameer, unable to speak. Shehnaaz wanted to be hidden from him. Is that why she wasn’t coming in front of him? Is that why Dadi maa wasn’t telling him anything? But what’s wrong with her? Why is she so angry with me? Two years. Two bloody years.
Sidharth looked at Uttara, unsure. “Woh mujhse itni gussa kyun hai?”
Uttara was shocked. “You don’t know?”
Sidharth was breaking. “I don’t know!” he shouted.
Hameer couldn’t believe it. “Woh aise kyun behave kar rahi hai? Tumhe hi nahi pata?”
Sidharth screamed in frustration. “Nahi pata mujhe! It was just a small fight, but she is behaving like humne Panipat ki ladai huyi ho.”
Uttara laughed like an idiot. Hameer wanted to laugh too. “We should leave now.”
Sidharth wasn’t going to let it go easily. “Of course not. Where is Shehnaaz? Mujhe achi tarah se patah hai ke tum dono jaante ho ke woh kahan hai.”
Uttara looked at Sidharth, scared. “Hum nahi bata sakte.”
Sidharth had enough. “Thik hai. Shayad tum dono bhool gaye. You are denying to Sidharth Shukla. Shehnaaz ko toh main dhoond hi lunga. Ye hide and seek usse bahot bhari padega. Keh dena usse.”
Saying so, Sidharth started to leave.
Hameer risked asking, “What if she is dead?”
Sidharth’s hands immediately clutched Hameer’s collar. His eyes were spitting fire.
“Hameer…” Sidharth threatened him, making him scared.
Uttara somehow managed to free Hameer’s collar. “He is just kidding, Sidharth. Relax.”
Sidharth closed his eyes to calm down. He put his cards on the table. “Waise tum dono ne Shehnaaz ke liye kya shopping ki?”
Uttara, being an idiot, instantly answered. “Kuchh sarees and dresses li hain. Koi fayada nahi. Wo sirf tere pasand ke kapde hi pehenti thi… yaad hai na.”
Sidharth smiled to himself. “Yaad hai. Aur wo sirf wohi kapde pehengi jo main uske liye choose karu.”
His own words made him remember the shopping trip with Dadi maa.
#Flashback
“Dadi maa, Shehnaaz, main tumhari Dadi maa hoon. Aur yeh tumhara Sidharth. Beta, agar zindagi mein kuchh lamhe mil rahe ho jo hume khush karte ho, toh hume un lamhon ko ji lena chahiye. Shayad waqt fir hume woh lamha na de.”
Listening to Dadi maa’s words, Shehnaaz agreed for shopping after asking Mohinder.
Dadi maa took them both for shopping, while Sameera, Mohinder’s daughter, tagged along.
Sidharth didn’t like the idea of bringing Sameera for shopping. He always valued his privacy, and now he included Shehnaaz as a part of his private life, just like Dadi maa. But he kept quiet for the sake of Shehnaaz.
They moved to the boys’ section first. Sidharth picked out all the dresses he liked and those Dadi maa and Shehnaaz liked. He purposely denied the clothes chosen by Sameera, who was trying to befriend him, but Sidharth, being arrogant, refused her choices rudely.
As Sidharth’s shopping was over, they moved to the girls’ section. Sameera chose some dresses for herself, and Dadi maa was okay with it. Dadi maa picked dresses for Shehnaaz, each one approved by Sidharth. If he liked it, only then would he take it for Shehnaaz. She didn’t mind; being a sweetheart and innocent, she liked it.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on a beautiful black dress decorated like Barbie clothes. She loved it but didn’t have the courage to ask Dadi maa for it. She wasn’t fully comfortable yet. Sidharth noticed her eyes on the dress.
“Sidharth?” Shehnaaz turned to look at him. “Kya hai Sidharth?”
He liked the dress too. “Tujhe woh dress achhi lagi?”
Shehnaaz denied reluctantly. “Nahi aisa kuchh nahi hai.”
Sidharth got suddenly angry. He angrily held her wrist tightly. “Dadi maa, hum ghar ja rahe hain. Shehnaaz ki shopping poori hone ke baad aap dono ghar aa jana.”
No one was allowed to speak once Sidharth made a decision. He dragged her to the car, and they both went home. Sidharth still dragged her to his room. Shehnaaz was not understanding him at all.
Her hand was hurting. “Sidharth, kya kar rahe ho? Chhodo na.”
He was still angry. “Pehle mere sath chal. Chup chap.”
The moment they reached his room, he let go of her wrist and reached for his cupboard locker. He took one of the two keys and handed it to her angrily.
Shehnaaz made a questioning face. “Yeh tu mujhe kyun de raha hai?”
Sidharth ordered her. “Yeh aaj se tera aur mera, hum dono ka locker hai. Samajhi tu? Tujhe kisi aur se paise mangne ki koi zarurat nahi hai, nahi mujhse poochhne ki zarurat hai. Tu jaise chahe waise yeh locker use karegi. Samajhi tu?”
Shehnaaz didn’t understand him. “Par mujhe nahi chahiye. Main tujhse maang lungi agar mujhe kuchh chahiye hoga toh.”
Sidharth was angry with that. “Kyun mangegi tu? Yeh tera locker hai. Ek key mere paas aur ek tere paas. Samajhi?”
Shehnaaz nodded, knowing he wouldn’t listen once he decided something. Sidharth smiled, seeing she accepted finally. He kissed her cheek, and she kissed his cheek in return.
“Sidharth, mujhe bhook lagi hai,” Shehnaaz finally said, making a baby face.
Sidharth laughed at the way she said it, and they both ran to the kitchen.
_________________
### Back to Present
Uttara’s moving fingers in front of his face brought Sidharth back to reality.
Uttara smiled sadly. “Pehnegi nahi, Sidharth… pehnati thi…”
Sidharth felt a pang in his heart. “What do you mean by ‘pehnati thi’? And now…?”
“Ab wo mere pasand ke kapde nahi pehenti? Kyu? Am I not her best friend anymore?”
Hameer looked at Sidharth. “Sidharth… we are late. We need to leave…”
Uttara and Hameer started to leave, but Sidharth’s words stopped them.
“Wo thik toh hai na?” Sidharth’s voice cracked as he asked.
Uttara and Hameer turned back to see an emotional Sidharth, lost in his thoughts.
Sidharth smiled sadly, remembering the old days.
“Usse apna khayal rakhna bilkul nahi aata… pata hai na. Sidharth Sidharth Sidharth… din bhar mein sau baar jab tak mera naam na le, mujhe pareshan na kar le, tab tak usse chain nahi aata tha.”
Uttara and Hameer were totally lost in his words, smiling emotionally at the bygone days, while Sidharth was lost in himself.
Sidharth, more to himself, continued, “Kaunsi dress pehenani hai, kaunsi lipstick lagani hai, jhumke kaunse pehenane hai, aur barish mein umbrella kaunse color ka lena hai… ye bhi mujhse puchhti thi… pagal… kitna gussa karta tha main uspe, toh ulta mujpar gussa karti ke main nahi puchhungi to kaun puchhega… main aur sirf main puchhungi… tum logon ka last year ka result day yaad hai…”
He suddenly stopped, remembering something serious which he did not want to recall.
Uttara and Hameer choked on their breaths, trying hard not to cry with the flow of emotions created by Sidharth. Sidharth’s eyes filled with tears.
He missed her so badly, that stupid idiot Shehnaaz who used to irritate him every second, even when he was busy. How much he used to get irritated, but he loved it that much on the other hand. He wanted her, like a drug he had for the past so many years.
“Why did she go away from him? Why will she not let him see her? How can she expect him to survive without her? Why doesn’t she talk to him?”
Two bloody damn years. He only knows how he passed those two years. “Apno se aise bhi koi naraz hota hai… idiot, stupid, dumbo,” he thought.
Hameer looked at his watch. “We need to pack things. We are getting late.”
Sidharth looked at him. “Where are you guys going?”
Uttara replied instantly, “Shehnaaz se…” but shut her mouth immediately with her palm. Hameer’s eyes widened at Uttara’s blabber.
But to their bad luck, Sidharth caught her words. He decided to play with his words.
Sidharth acted confused. “Kya kaha tumne? Fir se kehna.”
Uttara reluctantly said, “Umm… woh… main keh rahi thi… agar Shehnaaz se milo tum… I mean agar use dhund lo tum… to use hamari taraf se bhi daatna… ok.”
Hameer took a little relief, while Uttara gave a weak smile. Sidharth smiled, saying, “Okkk…”
But inside, he very well knew what he needed to do now.
Sidharth sighed. “Ok, then. You guys carry on.”
Hameer and Uttara left, while Sidharth made an important call. Smiling to himself, he reached home. Just then, his cell rang. Sidharth smiled, looking at the number flashing on his cell.
“Heeyy baby…” Sidharth answered.
Simran smiled at his good mood. “Heyy honey… didn’t you tell Sameer that you are back in Delhi? He called me this morning and was asking about you.”
Sidharth closed his eyes and then opened them again. “Actually, I forgot to tell him. Was a little held up with things… and…”
Simran interrupted, “What is it?”
Sidharth smiled. “It’s about Shehnaaz, sweety.”
Simran sighed. “So, did you meet her? Did you ask her why she broke her friendship with you?”
Sidharth got angry instantly. “Simran, enough of it. I have told you many times that she didn’t break the friendship with me. I am her only best friend. It’s just that she is angry.”
Simran sarcastically added, “Is it? That’s why she is not in contact with you for the past two years?”
Sidharth lost it now. “You need some time, I guess…” saying so, he disconnected the phone angrily. Simran fumed in anger, switching off her cell and throwing it in no direction.
Sidharth also fumed in anger, making his way to his room. This whole conversation was witnessed by Dadi maa, who didn’t interfere and walked off without any reaction.
After meeting with Sameer, Shehnaaz made her way to the office. Sasha entered her cabin.
Shehnaaz asked, “What is it, Sasha?”
Sasha replied, “Mam, Uttara did call some time before. As your cell was out of reach…”
Shehnaaz nodded. “Ok. Anything else?”
Sasha shook her head. “No, mam,” and she left.
Shehnaaz immediately called Uttara.
“Kidhar thi yaar tu? Tera cell bhi not reachable aa raha tha,” Uttara said.
Shehnaaz rolled her eyes. “Arre… was attending an important meeting… ignore kar…”
Uttara rolled her eyes too. “Kaam kaam kaam… aur kuchh bhi aata hai tujhe?”
Shehnaaz made a face. “Ab bateyegi… kya huva?”
Uttara said, “Achha sun… hum aaj raat ki flight se aa rahe hain. Hum directly ghar aa jayenge… tu airport pe mat aa… main aur Hameer aa jayenge.”
Shehnaaz nodded while typing something on her laptop. “Ok. As you say. Ab bata… kitne ki shopping ki…”
Hameer heard that from the cell and snatched it from Uttara. “Puchh mat yaar… mujhe bahot jald raste par lane wali hai yeh pagal aurat…”
Shehnaaz smiled, while Uttara’s mouth fell open and she whacked him hard.
“Ouchhhhhh…” Hameer exclaimed.
Uttara smirked. “You deserved that…”
Hameer protested, “Yeh achha hai… ek toh shopping karwao, aur fir maar khao…”
Shehnaaz rolled her eyes. “Will you both stop fighting?”
Uttara said, “Achha sun, bas yahi batana tha… chal ab rakh.”
Shehnaaz interrupted, “Listen…”
Uttara asked, “Kya huva? Jaldi bol… hume packing karni hai.”
Shehnaaz replied, “Actually, there is a party invitation tomorrow. Would you both like to attend… ya main mana kar doon?”
Hameer again snatched the cell. “Arre, jayenge na… tu mana mat kar… hum tino jayenge.”
Shehnaaz smiled. “Alright. Take care and don’t fight.”
Hameer and Uttara said in unison, “Byeeeeeeeee…”
________________
As Sidharth reached his room, his cell started ringing again. Sidharth calmed himself and received the call. It was Sameer.
“There you are…” Sameer said.
Sidharth sighed. “Wassup, buddy?”
Sameer was annoyed. “What is this yaar? Tu London se vapas aaya aur mujhe ek call tak nahi kiya.”
Sidharth knew this. “Was a little held up, yaar… anyways. How are you?”
Sameer smiled. “Better than before…”
Sidharth smirked. “I see… any girl who is responsible for this?”
Sameer laughed. “Not lucky enough like you to have Simran.”
Sidharth rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right… batana…”
Sameer replied, “Nahi yaar… nothing like that. You know me… I am very choosy.”
Sidharth smirked. “I know, I know… so tell me… have you joined the office?”
Sameer said, “Yup, two weeks before… anyways, that’s not important. Tu kal Mumbai aa raha hai… Avinash has held a party and you have to come.”
Sidharth asked, “Avi is in Mumbai? That’s great man… but I can’t come yaar. I have some important things to be sorted as soon as possible.” He said, thinking about Shehnaaz.
Sameer rolled his eyes. “Come on, buddy. Ek din mein kya ho jayega? Parso vapas chale jana… I will not stop you.”
Sidharth sighed. “I wish I could come… I really can’t.”
Sameer wasn’t agreeing. “Come, Sidharth. Simran is also not coming… Avi will be upset.”
Sidharth brushed his hair, unsure. “Hey, please kuchh bahana bana de na… tu expert hai isme. I will try… alright.”
Sameer sighed. “Okay… but try heartily.”
Sidharth replied, “Yeah
… I will.”
Saying so, both disconnected with byes.
________________
Dadi maa was sitting in her bedroom when her phone rang.
“Kaisa hai bachha,” Dadi maa smiled.
Shehnaaz made a baby face. “Thik hu, Dadi maa… but angry with you…”
Dadi maa asked, “Maine kya kiya?”
Shehnaaz’s face fell. “Aap bhi aao na Mumbai… I am missing you…”
Dadi maa sighed. “Bachha, main jarur aati par tujhe pata hai na…”
Shehnaaz nodded. “Mujhe kuchh nahi pata… aap abhi khadus ho gayi ho.”
Dadi maa laughed. “Chup… Dadi maa ko khadus bulati hai… shaitan ladki.”
Shehnaaz smiled. “Dadi maa… please…”
Dadi maa missed her too. “Next time, promise…”
Shehnaaz sighed and felt upset. She was missing Dadi maa terribly but knew Dadi maa couldn’t come to her to keep things out of each of Sidharth.
Dadi maa sighed at her baby girl. “Mujhe woh gana gake suna na… mera favourite wala…”
Shehnaaz closed her eyes. “Dadi maa… mat karo na aise… ab nahi hota mujhse.”
Dadi maa was on the verge of crying, feeling bad for her broken angel. “Please, beta… apni budhi Dadi maa ke khatir…”
Shehnaaz closed her eyes and started singing…
“Dil hai chhotasa… chhoti si aasha…”
Dadi maa’s heart skipped a beat hearing that melodious voice of Shehnaaz. She always loved to hear Shehnaaz singing and watch Shehnaaz dancing.
Shehnaaz started singing again.
Dadi maa was suddenly reminded of all those beautiful moments they once shared. Even in her worst dreams, she never thought life would take such a wrong turn. Things would change like this… neither did she want that.
Her sweet voice once again made Dadi maa remember that sweet, innocent 9-year-old Shehnaaz running around Dadi maa, wanting her to praise her payal, which was making a melodious sound.
That Shehnaaz who used to sing, used to dance, used to smile for Dadi maa… that everything to Dadi maa. That Sidharth who had only one and only best friend. He never needed anybody after Shehnaaz… neither did he want. That Sidharth who used to pamper Shehnaaz to no end, scold her to no end, who fulfilled her every wish… every damn wish.
Dadi maa’s eyes filled with tears, feeling jealous of those old golden times. Why did things change so badly? Why can’t things be like they used to be… Why?
Shehnaaz once again got lost in that beautiful time when she used to play with Sidharth in the garden, on the terrace. She remembered how she used to brush Sidharth’s hair with her fingers, and he would sleep resting his head in her lap. After she came into his life, he never used a pillow for sleeping; it was always Shehnaaz’s lap. She loved it too. And when he would be in a deep sleep, she would slowly replace her lap with a soft pillow, cover him with a duvet, and leave, kissing his forehead. That’s what she did for more than 15 years.
She remembered Sidharth never liked her wearing western clothes. He always loved her in Indian clothes and made her wear them every day. And when he would feel the sun rays too hot, he would carelessly snatch her dupatta and cover himself, leaving her alone in the hot sun. She would angrily complain to Dadi maa, while he would mock her.
Dadi maa remembered that small Shehnaaz with two ponytails with lots of oil in them, sitting in front of Sidharth doing her studies… like a good girl. Sidharth would glare at her angrily if she put a full chocolate in her mouth at once and then write. He would sweetly clear her doubts and give her a kiss on the cheek at last. After completing their so-called class, both would run to Dadi maa, asking for chocolate milkshake and pasta. Well, Maggi pasta for Shehnaaz and Italian pasta for Sidharth… lol.
Tears rolled out from both Shehnaaz’s and Dadi maa’s eyes. Tears of happiness, emotions, sadness… everything was so messed up that tears were also getting confused.
Dadi maa smiled amidst tears. “Thank you, beta…”
Shehnaaz sighed. “Dadi maa, aap thank you bol rahe ho?”
Dadi maa smiled. “I love you, bachha…”
Shehnaaz cutely said, “That’s like a good Dadi maa…”
Dadi maa giggled softly. “Badmash…”
Dadi maa got all emotional. “Shehnaaz… kya sab kuchh pehle jaisa nahi ho sakta?”
Shehnaaz went silent with that…
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Author’s Note
Hello, dear readers!
Thank you for reading this chapter of Shehnaaz and Sidharth’s journey. Your support and feedback mean a lot to me. I hope you enjoyed the emotions and twists in their story.
Please share your thoughts and comments—they inspire me and help shape the story. Stay tuned for more romantic moments and surprises in the next chapters
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