Chapter 11

As the call ended with Raj, Shehnaaz felt a whirlpool of emotions swirling within her. She stood there, lost in thought, the phone still clutched in her hand. Sidharth was already upset with her, and the mere idea of canceling their Sunday plans filled her with dread. She could already imagine his outburst, his piercing eyes filled with hurt and anger. On the other hand, Raj was a school friend who had stood by her through thick and thin. Missing their meeting would feel wrong and unfair to him.

She sighed deeply, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on her heart. She checked her phone again, hoping for a response from Sidharth, but there was nothing. No replies to her messages, no missed calls. The silence felt like a chasm widening between them, an emptiness she couldn’t bridge. She tossed and turned in her bed, sleep eluding her as her mind raced. She yearned to go to his room, to talk to him, to make things right. But she knew the repercussions. If anyone saw her at this hour, questions would arise, and assumptions would be made—assumptions she wasn’t ready to face.

Exhausted and conflicted, she eventually drifted into a restless sleep, her dreams haunted by the fear of losing him..

The next day, the house felt unusually empty. Sidharth was nowhere to be found. She searched everywhere, growing more anxious with each passing minute. She waited for him at breakfast, her eyes constantly flicking to the doorway, hoping he’d walk in with his usual confident stride. But he never showed up. Lunchtime came and went, and still, there was no sign of him. She called his phone repeatedly, but it was switched off.

Her heart sank. She couldn’t believe he was this upset with her. She decided then and there that she wouldn’t leave until he was okay with it. The thought of him being angry and distant terrified her. The unexpected distance between them was like a physical ache, gnawing at her insides. She couldn’t bear the thought of them drifting apart over a misunderstanding.

She spent the entire day waiting for him, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Anu, aware of her growing feelings for her brother, tried to cheer her up, but it was no use. Nothing could lift the heavy cloud of worry hanging over her. Anu’s attempts at humor and distraction fell flat, and Shehnaaz’s responses were distant, her mind always wandering back to Sidharth.

Rita ji, noticing Shehnaaz sitting forlornly on the balcony, decided to intervene. She approached her, seeing the sadness etched on her face, a sadness that reminded her of Sidharth’s own struggles. She sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Where are you lost, beta?” Rita ji asked gently, shaking her out of her reverie.

Shehnaaz startled, looking up at her with teary eyes. “Aunty ji, aap… kuch bhi toh nahi… bas aise hi baithi thi.”

Rita ji handed her a cup of coffee, her eyes filled with understanding and concern. “Woh nahi ayega… jab tak manaogi nahi use… bohot ziddi hai.”

Shehnaaz was shocked by those words, feeling exposed and vulnerable. “Woh… aap kya bol…”

Rita ji smiled warmly, patting her cheek affectionately. “Tum humein bohot pasand ho, beta. Ab jaa, manaale use. I know where he is.”

Blushing, Shehnaaz nodded and got ready to leave, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and anxiety.

The driver took her to a luxurious cottage by the river.

Image by freepik

The area was serene, surrounded by lush greenery. As she stepped out of the car, she couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the place. Sidharth had a knack for finding such peaceful havens, places that seemed to reflect his inner turmoil and need for solitude.

The security guard guided her inside, and she walked through the elegant entrance, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. She knew Sidharth was here; she could feel his presence. The cottage was even more beautiful inside, filled with warmth and comfort, a stark contrast to the emptiness she felt without him.

She walked upstairs to a bedroom with an open door and saw him. Her angry man, sleeping peacefully on the balcony, his face softened in slumber. It was late evening, and she decided to surprise him, hoping to lift his spirits. She quietly went downstairs to the kitchen, setting her dupatta aside, and began preparing dinner with the available ingredients.

Sidharth, stirred by the aroma of food, slowly opened his eyes. He hadn’t asked the staff to prepare anything and hadn’t had a proper lunch. The smell made his stomach growl, a reminder of the hunger he had been ignoring. He followed the scent downstairs, his heart quickening as he recognized the familiar, comforting smell.

He stopped at the kitchen entry, stunned to see Shehnaaz cooking. The sight of her in his space, her presence filling the room, made his heart ache with a longing he couldn’t put into words.

Walking straight to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Burying his face in her hair, he felt his heart calm, the irregular beats steadying. He had missed her terribly and silently prayed this wasn’t a dream.

Shehnaaz, stirring a spoon in the kadhai, smiled as she felt his embrace. She knew it was Sidharth—no one else could touch her like this.

“Gussa hoon main aapse…” she murmured in her baby voice, making him hug her tighter. His lips found her neck through her hair, planting a long, tender kiss. He wanted her to know how much he had missed her. His kiss deepened, making her tilt her head back against his chest, her eyes fluttering closed.

She switched off the gas and tried to turn around in his arms, but he held her tight, refusing to let go. She knew her futile attempts would only make him tighten his grip.

“Accha, main nahi hoon gussa. Bas…” she whispered softly.

How well she understood his unspoken words, his feelings conveyed through his touch. It was a unique connection they shared. As his hold loosened, she turned to face him, his eyes hungry for her presence, his fingers brushing her cheeks, his gaze locked with hers.

Sidharth picked her up and placed her on the kitchen counter, her arms circling his neck, his around her waist. They stared at each other, lost in the depth of their emotions.

She missed him every second, every minute, every hour. The thought of being away from him felt unbearable. He had become her everything in such a short time. She cupped his face, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. He pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering, “Sorry…”

Smiling, Shehnaaz ran her fingers through his hair lovingly. “Agli baar aapko mujhse gussa aaye, toh mujhe daant lena, saza dena, par aap.. please mujhse aise door mat jaana.”

He pulled back slightly, his eyes vulnerable. “Main tumse door jaa sakta hoon kya kabhi? Nahi na…”

She nodded with a bright smile. “I’ve made dinner.”

They had dinner together, their conversation filled with sweet, light-hearted moments. She made sure the staff and driver were fed before they left.

Sidharth surprised her by helping with the dishes. She watched him, her heart swelling with love. It was an adorable sight, and she hugged him from behind sweetly.

Later, he took her upstairs to the balcony where he had been sleeping. He made her sit down and lay his head in her lap. His behavior surprised her; he looked like a small child seeking love. This was a side of Sidharth she had never seen before.

Her hands gently caressed his hair as he gazed into her eyes. Under the dim light, her eyes sparkled with warmth and affection. “You are not leaving me and going anywhere.”

She sighed knowing they eeded to talk about it, “Sidharth, aap please samjho na… mera iss tarah apke ghar me kaise reh sakti hun… kitna odd lagega…”

“Odd kya hai isme? Woh tumhara bhi ghar hai na,” he replied with sincerity.

His words made her feel at home. “Sacchi?”

Sidharth smiled, holding her hand resting on his chest, kissing her fingers softly. “Wada karo, mujhe chod kar kabhi nahi jaogi.”

Filled with emotion, Shehnaaz felt a pang in his voice. “Kabhi nahi,” she promised. He was so vulnerable in that moment that she couldn’t deny him..

“Wada karo ke kabhi wada nahi todogi,” he asked earnestly.

“Kabhi nahi,” she assured him, her tone soothing.

“Main gussa karu, tab bhi nahi… main ruth jaun, tab bhi nahi… tumhe sataun, tab bhi nahi… tumhe rulaun, tab bhi nahi… tumhe…”

His voice choked with emotion. She looked at him with all her love, bending down to kiss his face – his eyes, his nose, his cheeks, his forehead. Her lips finally rested on his, pouring all her love into the kiss.

He let her kiss him, surrendering completely to her. Her kiss spoke volumes – a promise to never leave, to always love him, to take care of him, to be his forever.

She kissed him with all her love..
Her kiss reflected love..

She promised to never go away from him in that kiss..
She promised to always love him in that kiss..

She promised to take care of him in that kiss..
She promised to be his forever in that kiss..

Lost in the moment, she didn’t realize when she cocooned herself in his embrace as he pulled her closer.

In the dead of night, Sidharth stirred, feeling Shehnaaz shifting uncomfortably beside him. His eyes fluttered open, a tender smile spreading across his face. He gently scooped her up, cradling her in his arms, and carried her to the bedroom. As he lay down with her nestled close, he felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. This was the best night of his life, holding her close, feeling her heartbeat against his chest.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of a mobile phone shattered the tranquil silence. Sidharth blinked, disoriented, and realized it was Shehnaaz’s phone buzzing on the side table. Annoyed, she mumbled sleepily, pulling his arm and keeping it draped over her ear, seeking solace in his warmth.

Smiling, he kissed her forehead and leaned over to grab her phone. The screen displayed the name ‘Raj.’ A frown creased his brow as he hesitated, unsure whether to answer the call. He glanced at Shehnaaz, who was still lost in deep slumber. She had mentioned Raj during their dinner date, saying he was a friend. But why was he calling so early in the morning?

“Hello,” Sidharth answered quietly.

“Hello… who is this?” Raj’s confused voice came through the line.

For some inexplicable reason, Sidharth didn’t like the tone. “And who are you?” he replied, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Shehnaaz stirred, her sleep disturbed by the conversation. “Kaun hai?” she asked groggily, looking up at Sidharth.

He showed her the phone screen, and she immediately took it from him. “Raj, hi… pohonch gaya tu Mumbai?” she greeted, her voice tinged with surprise and fatigue.

Sidharth listened patiently as Raj’s puzzled voice questioned, “Abhi tere phone pe kaun ladka baat kar raha tha?”

“Huh… haan… woh… mere boss the,” Shehnaaz lied, glancing at Sidharth with apologetic eyes, who glared at her.

“But woh itni subah tere saath…?” Raj’s voice was filled with confusion.

Shehnaaz scrambled for an excuse. “Woh itni subah… actually, achanak se ek site visit karni thi… hum wahi aaye hain.”

Raj’s disappointment was palpable. “But hum aaj milne wale the.”

Shehnaaz felt a pang of guilt. “Sorry yaar… hum kal shaam ko milte hain na. Accha sunn… main thodi busy hoon, free hokar call karti hoon. Okay? Sat sri akal,” she said hurriedly, ending the call before Raj could respond.

As she disconnected the call, she looked at Sidharth, bracing for his reaction. He remained silent, his face a mask of restrained emotions. “Woh mera school friend tha… Raj… maine bataya tha na… darasal vo Mumbai aaya hai kuch kaam se,” she explained, hoping to ease his tension.

Sidharth’s voice was steady but firm. “Why does he want to meet you?”

Shehnaaz sighed and crawled into his lap, pulling his arms around her like a child seeking comfort. “Sidharth, Raj mera bachpan ka dost hai aur unki family ne bohot kiya hai hamare zarurat ke waqt. Woh Mumbai aaya aur milne bola toh main kaise na bolti directly. Woh bachpan ka dost hai mera.”

“But why did you lie that I’m just your boss?” Sidharth’s tone softened, his anger melting away as he held her close.

Shehnaaz turned to look into his eyes. “Haan, haan bol dena chahiye tha na mujhe ke mere boss kam khadoos mera pyaar hai… taki 2 minute mein vo papaji ko call karta… fir siyappa…” She rolled her eyes playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

Sidharth’s expression softened, a small smile playing on his lips. “Tumne mujhe fir khadoos bola?” he teased,.

She giggled, in his embrace. “Naa, khadoos pyaar bola.”

“Hmm… I like that,” he murmured, burying his face in her neck. Their playful banter was his favorite part of their relationship.

#Morning Mishap

It was Monday, and Shehnaaz had meticulously prepared for the Rathod meeting. She had ensured all necessary documents, paperwork, and the CD required for the presentation were set in the conference room. She double-checked everything, wanting to make sure nothing was amiss.

Nisha, who was scheduled to give the presentation, walked into the conference room, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was watching. She approached the desk where the CD was kept and, standing at an angle to avoid the cameras, discreetly broke the CD. Placing the file she had carried on the desk, she walked out without a hint of guilt.

When Shehnaaz walked in to recheck, her eyes fell on the broken CD, and she was shocked. “Ye kaise hogaya? Maine toh properly check kiya tha… aur nayi CD banane mein toh time lag jayega… meeting bas start hone wali hai…” Panic set in as she didn’t know what to do. She immediately called Anu, her voice trembling with worry.

Anu tried to calm her down. “Shehnaaz, relax. Get another CD made immediately. I’ll go to Sidharth’s cabin and try to postpone the meeting a little.”

Sidharth was disappointed when Anu informed him about the mishap. He received the clients in his cabin, trying to buy some time for the CD recreation. He hated the lack of professionalism and the idea of giving favoritism, but he had no choice.

Once the CD was remade, the meeting started with Nisha leading the presentation. Shehnaaz avoided Sidharth’s eyes, feeling his disappointment like a weight on her shoulders. The disappointment soon turned to anger as he noticed Mr. Rathod’s son, Kabir, staring at Shehnaaz with unprofessional eyes. Extreme anger coursed through Sidharth’s veins, his eyes turning red with rage. No one, absolutely no one, was allowed to look at his girl like that.

He wanted to punch Kabir for daring to ogle Shehnaaz but restrained himself, knowing they were in the middle of an important meeting.

Unable to control his frustration, he shouted, “Shehnaaz, I want you to leave the cabin right away.”

Shocked and hurt, Shehnaaz immediately got up from her seat. She felt humiliated by his harsh words, especially with Nisha smirking in the background. She left the room, her heart heavy with sadness and confusion.

As the meeting ended, Sidharth knew he had overreacted. He shouldn’t have shouted at her like that. But the thought of anyone looking at her inappropriately drove him crazy. She was so beautiful, attracting attention effortlessly, and he realized he couldn’t handle other men around her.

____________

Shehnaaz sat in her cabin, her face a mask of sadness, when she received a call from Raj. It was already 7:30, so she decided to leave without informing Sidharth, still upset with him.

Sidharth, after finally freeing himself from the Rathods, went to Shehnaaz’s cabin, only to find it empty. Her bag was missing, indicating she had left.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He had upset her. He called her, but she refused to answer. He left her a message, asking her to talk to him, to which she replied that she needed time. Her reply shocked him. She had never been angry with him before, despite his occasional missteps. Where was she? He called Anu, who informed him that Shehnaaz had gone to meet her friend Raj.

Sidharth’s irritation resurfaced, the memory of Kabir’s filthy eyes refusing to leave his mind. Now, Shehnaaz wasn’t talking to him, and she didn’t even tell him before leaving. He was her boss, after all. He sighed, missing her terribly.

When Shehnaaz met up with Raj, he was thrilled to see her after so long. He hugged her tightly, but she felt uncomfortable, sensing a different vibe in his embrace. Her mother’s warnings flashed in her mind. She pulled away, sitting at the coffee table across from him.

Raj couldn’t stop staring at her. She looked even more beautiful, still true to her simple, elegant style. They talked for a while, Shehnaaz trying to discourage him from any marriage thoughts, but Raj insisted she consider it seriously.

As time passed, Shehnaaz’s anger towards Sidharth faded. She started missing him, longing to be in his arms, to soothe his restless heart. She wanted to leave, but Raj insisted on having dinner together, and she couldn’t refuse without seeming rude.

They had dinner, but Shehnaaz barely ate. Afterward, she hurriedly left, promising Raj to show him around the city on the coming Saturday. As she left, a girl sitting nearby smirked, having overheard their conversation about marriage.

Shehnaaz took a cab home and tried calling Sidharth, but his phone was switched off. She felt foolish for getting angry and not giving him a chance to explain. She reached home and rushed inside, checking with Anu if everyone had dinner. Anu informed her that Sidharth hadn’t eaten and was in his room.

Without a second thought, she walked to Sidharth’s room, her heart heavy with worry and regret. She opened the door, surprised to find it unlocked…

Author’s Note

Dear Readers,

I hope you enjoyed this deeply emotional chapter between Sidharth and Shehnaaz. Writing this scene was a journey into the raw and powerful emotions that bind these two characters together. Their connection, filled with passion, misunderstandings, and deep affection, is something that resonates deeply within me.

I believe that the essence of any great story lies in the emotions it evokes in the reader. Through Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s journey, I aim to capture the intense, beautiful nature of love. Their story is a proof to the fact that love, with all its complexities, is worth fighting for.

Thank you for accompanying me on this journey. Your support and love mean the world to me. Please continue to share your thoughts and feelings about the story. Your feedback helps me grow as a writer and brings me immense joy.

Looking forward to your responses!

Also, stay tuned for “Baarish,” 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