Chapter 14

Sidharth rushed into the office, his mind already swarming with tasks for the day. As he entered his cabin, he noticed Nisha waiting for him with an impatient expression. He took a deep breath and sank into his chair.

“Sir, this new employee, Shehnaaz,” Nisha began, her tone dripping with frustration. “She isn’t in the office yet. She took leave the other day and now she’s late again. She is taking the office for granted.”

Sidharth, already annoyed by the day’s demands, looked up sharply. “Shehnaaz is currently at the hotel rechecking the preparations for the party as per my instructions,” he said firmly. “Any other complaints that need to be discussed, Nisha?”

Nisha’s face fell, and she nodded in denial before leaving the cabin, visibly irritated.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, Shehnaaz was meticulously overseeing the final touches for the event. Her phone rang, and she saw it was her father calling. Her heart swelled with a mix of joy and anxiety as she answered.

“Beta, I’ll be reaching in an hour,” her father informed her.

Shehnaaz’s first instinct was to rush to receive him, but he gently declined, “Your Mamaji is coming to pick me up. We need to have a conversation that we can’t have in front of you.”

By 1 PM, Shehnaaz’s father had arrived and joined her Mamaji. As they made their way to the flat, her Mamaji continuously apologized for his past behavior. Rajender, Shehnaaz’s father, patted him on the back and assured him, “chal koi na.. ho gaya woh sab.”

They reached the flat where Mamiji was waiting, her eyes filled with relief and welcome. After a hearty lunch, Rajender decided to take a nap, exhaustion and the emotional toll of the day weighing on him.

Back at the office, Anu placed Shehnaaz’s bag in her cabin and waited for her to arrive for lunch. When Shehnaaz finally walked in, the two friends sat down to eat together. As they shared their meal, Anu couldn’t hide her concern.

“Maa bahot upset hai Sana… Tu baat karegi unse?” Anu’s voice was soft, almost pleading.

Shehnaaz decided to call Rita maa once she was free and planned to visit her after her father returned to Mohali. After lunch, she headed back to her cabin and noticed Sidharth engrossed in a meeting with Karan sir and another person. She quickly texted him to check if he had eaten, but he didn’t see the message, too busy to check his phone.

With a resigned sigh, Shehnaaz returned to her work. She had to finish her tasks promptly since she needed to reach the venue early and prepare for the evening’s event. The invitation emails she sent out mentioned a black-and-white theme, and she wanted everything to be perfect.

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As the hours passed, Shehnaaz focused intensely on her work, her mind occasionally drifting to Sidharth and the upcoming party.

Around 5 PM, Mr. Sharma arrived at the office with another man. The receptionist asked them to wait while she checked Sidharth’s availability. Sidharth, upon hearing this, instructed the receptionist to bring them to the meeting room and headed there with Karan and Vikrant.

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Meanwhile, at the hotel, Shehnaaz was double-checking all the arrangements. The clock ticking towards 6 PM made her increasingly anxious. The party was set to start at 7, and she wanted everything to be impeccable.

Feeling the pressure, she pulled out her phone to call Sidharth and see if he had left the office yet. Just as she was about to dial his number, she saw Raj’s name flash on the screen. Puzzled by the timing of his call, she hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Hello?” Shehnaaz said, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Sana… Raj bol raha hu.”

“Haan Raj, bolna… Sastriyakal,” Shehnaaz greeted, her voice light with affection.

Raj’s voice, however, was tense and uncharacteristically serious. “Rajender chachaji Mumbai aaye hain kya?”

Confused by his tone, Shehnaaz responded, “Haan, aaj subah hi…”

Raj’s frustration was palpable. “Tune bataya nahi mujhe… Woh aane wale hai… Bahut kuch chhupane lagi hai tu…” He couldn’t hold back his accusations.

Shehnaaz’s little smile faded away completely. “Tu kya bol raha hai yaar… Main kaam mein busy thi… Dimag se nikal gaya… Waise bhi woh 2 din mein wapas ja rahe hain…”

“Tu mujhe milegi na aaj party ke baad… Main wait karunga tera hotel ke bahar,” Raj demanded, his urgency unsettling her.

“Yaar, hum kal nahi mil sakte? Bahut late ho jaana hai party mein,” Shehnaaz tried to reason, sensing a sudden wave of negativity.

“Nahi, maine aaj hi milna hai… Zaruri kaam hai,” Raj insisted, his tone brooking no argument.

Worried, Shehnaaz asked, “Tu theek hai na, Beera?”

Raj smiled softly at the use of his old school nickname. “Tere se milke ho jaunga… Main intezar karunga. Tujhe meri kasam hai,” he said before abruptly disconnecting the call, leaving Shehnaaz standing there, puzzled and anxious.

Shehnaaz stared at her phone, feeling a knot form in her stomach. Raj’s insistence and the weight of his words left her deeply unsettled. She could sense that something serious was bothering him, something that couldn’t wait. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. She knew she had to stay focused on the task at hand, but her mind kept drifting back to Raj and his unusual urgency.

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Shehnaaz smiled excitedly as she watched herself in the mirror. “Hayy rabba, pata nahi Sidharth kaise react karenge mujhe aise chote kapdon mein dekh ke. Yeh Anu bhi na, kaha phasa diya mujhe. Agar Sidharth ne gussa kiya toh main change kar lungi.”

She was doing the final touch-up when she heard a knock and saw Anu walking in, hooting as she laid eyes on Shehnaaz. “OMG… Bhai toh aaj gaye…”

Shehnaaz was evidently embarrassed. “Offo, tang na kar yaar… vaise hi tension mein hu main… I think mujhe change kar lena chahiye.”

“Bakwas na kar… acchi lag rahi hai. Ab chal,” Anu said, pulling Shehnaaz towards the main venue.

But as soon as they arrived, they stood rooted in shock. “What the hellll…”

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The meeting was heated up with arguments and ugly exchanges. Sidharth stared at both parties with complete disgust for their cheap mentality and money-oriented plan that had dragged the Shergills into this mess. Mr. Sharma refused to share details, while the other person remained unusually quiet, possibly in shock.

Finally, Sidharth got up from his seat, having had enough of the drama. “Tum,” he pointed at Mr. Sharma, “aur tum,” he pointed at the other person who looked at Sidharth with shock and anger, “bohot ho gaya tum dono ka drama. I was trying patiently ke ye matter out of court settle ho jaye kyuki mujhe unnecessary headlines me aana pasand nahi. But ab ye mamla court me jayega. Tum dono ko jail ki chakki na piswai toh mera naam bhi Sidharth Shukla nahi.”

The man got up in anger at being insulted. “Oyy, tu jo bhi hoga, iss tarah se baat karte hain kya?”

Sidharth, seething with anger, was about to give the man a piece of his mind when they heard a knock at the door. Nisha walked in and headed straight to Sidharth. “Sir, we are getting late for the launch party. Can we…”

She paused as she looked at the man standing in front of Sidharth. “Arre, aap… aap Shehnaaz ke Papa ji hain na?”

Absolute shock crossed Sidharth’s face while Rajendra ji looked at Nisha, unsure. “Ji… haanji… par maine aapko…”

Nisha cut him off immediately. “Aap mujhe nahi jaante, par Shehnaaz ne mujhe ek baar aapki photo dikhayi thi. Maine usi se guess kiya. Shehnaaz yahi kaam karti hai, isi office mein.”

Frozen in disbelief, Sidharth mumbled to himself, “Shehnaaz ke papa… but how… why… here with this man? How can that be? Why would he… what is happening?” Hundreds of questions raced through his mind, leaving him completely blank.

“Meri Sana ithe kaam karti hai… iss insaan ke liye jise bilkul tameez nahi hai baat karne ki… kabhi nahi…” Rajendra snapped, giving Sidharth a nasty glare.

Nisha’s face showed shock. “Par aap… Mr. Sharma ke sath…?”

Rajendra filled in the gap. “Ye Sana ke mamaji hain.”

Another wave of shock hit Sidharth as he staggered, processing the realization that they were Sana’s family. “But why would they…” His thoughts were interrupted as Rajendra continued, “Accha, toh ye woh Sidharth Shergill hai, jiske baare mein Anu ne bataya tha… Mohali mein… iski company mein kaam karne vaaste maine apni beti ko ghar se itni door bheja, sheher mein akeli meri ladki…”

Sidharth, still reeling from the previous shock, was struck by another revelation. Shehnaaz had said she stayed with her parents in Mumbai, but she was apparently living alone. Why had she lied? What was she hiding? Who were these people that were torturing him for money?

Nisha watched Sidharth’s shocked expression with an inward smirk as she guided Rajendra ji away, leaving Mr. Sharma behind.

The weight of betrayal crushed Sidharth’s heart, and his anger surged to a new intensity. “Tell me everything… now…”

Mr. Sharma, acting scared, replied, “Dekhiye, main sirf mohra hoon. Meri koi galti nahi hai. Please…”

“Speak,” Sidharth’s voice was cold and threatening, barely controlled.

Mr. Sharma started his tale, explaining that Shehnaaz had encountered Anu in Mohali and devised a plan. Shehnaaz befriended Anu, claiming she needed a job. Anu brought Shehnaaz to Mumbai, where Rajendra and Shehnaaz discovered details of Sidharth’s ongoing projects. One project was conveniently near Rajendra’s land. They promised to give Mr. Sharma 25% of the profit once they got the money from Sidharth.

Shehnaaz had been working there to keep track of information and had used a romantic angle with Sidharth to gain his confidence, ensuring he would never suspect her true intentions.

As Mr. Sharma finished, Sidharth staggered back, barely able to keep his balance. Karan rushed to catch him, while Karan and Vikrant exchanged a look at the mention of the “love angle.” Mr. Sharma smirked, relishing the chaos he had stirred.

Sidharth collapsed into a seat, feeling as if his heart had stopped. The realization of Shehnaaz’s betrayal, combined with the manipulation from those he trusted, left him shattered and disoriented.

Remembering something crucial, Sidharth immediately called Zoya. “Zoya, where are you?”

Zoya, alarmed by Sidharth’s angry tone, responded, “Sir, I’m about to reach the party venue…”

Sidharth, desperate for answers, said, “I’m going to ask one question and I expect complete honesty. I will not ask again.”

Zoya, trembling, replied, “Yes, sir…”

Sidharth asked, “Where did you get Shehnaaz’s resume from, for the interview?”

He hoped against hope that he was wrong this time. He wanted to trust his heart, which had believed in Shehnaaz. He feared he wouldn’t be able to handle the betrayal.

“Sir… Anu, I mean Anishka mam…” Zoya’s words confirmed Sidharth’s worst fears.

In that moment, Sidharth disconnected the call, his heart sinking. “Please take this man out,” he instructed, his voice strained.

Karan and Vikrant immediately moved to escort Mr. Sharma away, as Sidharth stared into nothingness, grappling with the overwhelming sense of betrayal and loss.

Just then, Sidharth’s phone rang. He absentmindedly pulled it out of his pocket and saw that the caller was Shehnaaz. He stared at the phone, a tear rolling down his cheek, breaking him into pieces. “Kyu Shehnaaz… kyu…”

Memories flashed before his eyes—how she had saved a baby during their first meeting, their first encounter in the office when she was in his arms, every eye contact, every hug, every kiss, every touch, every smile, every tear, every fight, every moment of waiting, and every moment of wanting to be with her. Each memory seemed to mock him, revealing the painful truth that he had been brutally deceived.

Her smiling face seemed to laugh at him, whispering, “You are such a fool, Sidharth Shergill.”

He wondered how he could have fallen for someone’s fake innocence, how he could be trapped in such a deceitful scheme after everything he had been through in the past. How could he have trusted someone so blindly?

Last night’s closeness replayed in his mind. “How low can someone stoop to gain someone’s confidence?” he thought bitterly.

It was all a lie.. everything was bloody lie..uski hası jhooti..uske aansun jhuthe..uski masumiyet jhooti..saari baatein jhooti..kyu Shehnaz…Tears continued to roll down and he threw his phone angrily in floor breaking it in pieces..his eyes where blood shot as he looked here and there restlessly…

Unable to bear the weight of his emotions, Sidharth threw his phone angrily to the floor, shattering it into pieces. His eyes were bloodshot as he looked around restlessly. Running his hands through his hair, he took deep breaths, trying to calm his heart which felt as if it had stopped beating.

Sidharth’s heart ached with the realization that the one girl he had fallen in love with, the one he had trusted completely, the one he had wanted to cherish for a lifetime, had betrayed him too.

Nisha walked in, startled by the noise, and was shocked by Sidharth’s state.

Closing his eyes, Sidharth took a deep breath, then composed himself and walked out. He halted when he saw Rajendra and Sukhdev Sharma waiting outside, their mere presence filling him with disgust. “Nisha, I’m going to the launch party. I want you to bring Ms. Shehnaaz’s termination letter when you come there. Is that clear?”

“Right, sir,” Nisha responded, smirking at her perceived victory. She watched shock cross Rajendra ji’s face.

Sidharth threw one last glare at them before walking away, his mind consumed by the betrayal and the crushing weight of his shattered trust.

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Anu arrived at the venue with Shehnaaz and was immediately struck by the scene before her. “What the hell… Ye Shergills ki party hai ya shaadi ka mandap?”

Shehnaaz, frozen and distressed, could only respond, “Anu, ye sab…”

Anu’s frustration boiled over. “Sana, I was very clear about the orchids. Who uses roses at office parties, especially red ones?”

Scared, Shehnaaz tried to defend herself. “Anu, yaar, maine orchids hi lagvaye the. I checked everything just a little while ago. I don’t know how this happened…”

Concerned about Sidharth’s reaction, Anu quickly called the hotel manager and expressed her anger over the mistake. The manager explained that they had received last-minute changes from the Shergills, leaving no time to investigate further. Anu instructed them to make the necessary changes immediately since the party was about to start.

Sighing with frustration, Anu turned to Shehnaaz, who was still in shock. “Chal, koi na. Baad mein dekhte hain ye sab kaise hua.”

Shehnaaz nodded, her face a mask of sadness, and tried calling Sidharth again, but his phone was unreachable. She had been trying to contact him for a while without success.

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As the guests began arriving for the party, Shehnaaz made sure to manage everything smoothly, determined to prevent any further mishaps.

Anu, who was in the middle of a call with a client, received a distressing call from Zoya. “Hi… where did you reach, bro?”

Zoya, clearly shaken, responded, “Anu, sun yaar, bohot gadbad ho gayi hai…”

Anu, growing worried, excused herself from her conversation and stepped aside. “Kya hua, bolegi? Tu theek hai na?”

Zoya’s voice carried a note of fear. “Sidharth sir ka call aaya tha. Unhe pata chal gaya hai tune Shehnaz ki help ki job ke liye…”

A heavy silence followed as Anu realized the gravity of the situation. “Shitt… but kaise… oh no…”

Zoya, equally clueless, added, “I seriously have no idea. He called me for confirmation. Agar main jhoot bolti, meri bhi job chali jaati…”

Anu, trying to stay calm, responded, “Hmm… you don’t need to feel guilty. I will talk to Bhai. Relax. Please, Shehnaaz ko mat batana. Darr jayegi. Main baat karti hu usse…”

Zoya agreed and started heading towards the party venue.

Anu, her mind racing, glanced around for a glimpse of Shehnaaz and finally spotted her. As she began walking towards Shehnaaz, her phone rang again. It was Kajal aunty, her voice trembling.

“Ji aunty…”

Kajal, crying, said, “Anu, bhabhi ji ki tabiyat bohot kharab ho gayi hai. Tu please jaldi aaja. Mujhe darr lag raha hai…”

Anu’s heart sank as she heard the news. Tears streaming down her face, she hurried towards the exit, desperately needing to get to her family.

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In the office, Rajendra ji was fuming with anger. “Ye log samajhte kya hai khud ko… Meri beti ka mazak bana ke rakha hai…”

Mr. Sharma placed a reassuring hand on Rajendra ji’s shoulder. “Maine kaha tha aapse, ye log bohot bure hain. Meri property bhi hadapna chahte hain. Accha hua aapne yahan aake apna badappan dikhaya. Warna in bade logon ke beech ham jaise chote logon ki nahi chalti.”

Rajendra ji nodded, clearly disappointed. “Sahi kaha puttar… Yakinn nahi hota ki Anu puttar ka bhai hai… Vo dil se kitni acchi hai… Aur ye…”

Disappointment was evident on Rajendra ji’s face.

Mr. Sharma smirked inwardly and signaled Nisha to leave, indicating that he would handle things from here.

“Main abhi Sana se baat karta hu… Bilkul job nahi karna hai aisi jagah,” Rajendra ji said, taking out his phone to call Shehnaaz. But before he could make the call, Mr. Sharma snatched the phone from him. “Bhai sahab, thoda dhiraj se. Bacchi darr jayegi aise. Use aaj ghar bula lete hain aur tab baat karte hain. Sab theek hoga. Agar mujhe pehle pata hota ki meri Sana aise ghatiya logon ke beech kaam karti hai, main kabhi bhi use yahan kaam nahi karne deta.”

Irritated, Rajendra ji slammed his hand on the nearby table in frustration and stormed out, followed by Mr. Sharma.

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Manish smirked as he enjoyed his drink. “Your plan never fails, haan…”

The woman responded with a self-assured smile. “Jo mera hai, vo sirf mera hai. Insaan bhi aur paisa bhi…”

Manish raised his glass. “Hey, 50% partnership. I hope you haven’t forgotten.”

“Chill, uncle. I remember everything,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. She then greeted her husband, who approached her and kissed her lips while wrapping his arms around her waist. “Enjoying the party, baby?”

“Very much,” she replied with an alluring smile.

The men engaged in discussions about the project developments.

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Rajbeer sat in a corner of the hotel area, clearly agitated. His mind was occupied with thoughts about Shehnaaz and her safety. He remembered the woman from the other day who had warned him that Shehnaaz was in love with someone and the urgent call he received two days ago about a plan to kidnap Shehnaaz after the party.

Rajbeer’s thoughts were consumed by the threat he had received. The message had warned that involving the police would result in Shehnaaz’s death. The weight of this threat and his fear of losing her had taken a severe toll on him. Despite knowing that Shehnaaz didn’t want to meet him after the party, Rajbeer couldn’t leave her alone. Even if she didn’t love him, didn’t want to marry him, or loved someone else, he was determined to be there for her whenever she needed him. She would always remain the love of his life, and he wanted nothing more than her happiness, regardless of whom she chose.

He scanned the hotel surroundings carefully, keeping an eye out for anything unusual or out of place.

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Meanwhile, Aryan was surprised to see Shehnaaz in a new outfit, looking both professional and beautiful. However, he noticed she seemed worried, frequently glancing toward the entry.

He approached her, “Hey Shehnaaz…”

Startled, Shehnaaz looked at him and forced a smile. “Aryan, hi… Kaise hain aap?”

“I’m good. You look beautiful, I must say,” Aryan complimented.

Shehnaaz blushed slightly and replied, “Umm… thank you…”

Aryan’s gaze softened as he noticed her distress. “Kya baat hai? Itni pareshan kyun lag rahi ho?”

Shehnaz stood in the midst of the bustling party, her face a canvas of concern and anxiety. Her heart pounded with an unspoken fear, her eyes scanning the room repeatedly, hoping for a glimpse of Sidharth. “Woh Sidharth sir abhi tak nahi aaye,” she murmured to herself, her voice trembling. “Unka phone bhi nahi lag raha hai. Ab Anu bhi pata nahi kahan gayab hai.”

The stress was visibly etched on her face, her usual bright demeanor overshadowed by a cloud of unease. Aryan, noticing her distress, tried to offer a semblance of comfort. “Relax, Sana. Main yahan hoon, dad bhi yahan hain. Anu yahi kahin hogi, aur bhai aate hi honge.”

Shehnaz offered a weak nod, though her mind was far from settled. Her gaze darted around the room, finally landing on Zoya, who had just arrived at the party. Shehnaz’s heart skipped a beat as she saw Zoya making her way through the crowd. Excusing herself from Aryan, she hurried over to Zoya with a mix of relief and worry. “Kitni der kar di yaar,” Shehnaz said, her voice barely containing the edge of desperation. “Tension mein marjari thi main.”

Zoya took in Shehnaz’s anxious appearance, her expression thoughtful as she tried to gauge whether Shehnaz was aware of everything that had transpired. “Anu ne kuch baat ki tujhse?” she asked, her tone carefully neutral.

Shehnaz’s innocent inquiry seemed genuine. “Kis baare mein?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of unease. Zoya sighed inwardly, recalling Anu’s instructions to avoid discussing sensitive matters with Shehnaz until Anu herself had a chance to talk to her. “Just aise hi. Waise Anu kahan hai?”

Shehnaz’s face fell further as she looked around the room, her worry palpable. “Wohi toh,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Main bhi kab se dhoondh rahi hoon.”

As Zoya’s eyes fell on Shehnaz’s outfit, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Shehnaz looked stunning—her attire highlighting her elegance and poise. “OMG, how come I didn’t notice,” Zoya said, her tone shifting to a mix of surprise and admiration. “You look hottt, girl.”

Shehnaz’s eyes widened at the unexpected compliment, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She tried to brush it off, but Zoya’s comment made her momentarily forget her anxiety. Zoya chuckled at Shehnaz’s reaction, the sound a brief respite from the tension in the air.

“Ruk, I’ll call her,” Zoya said, deciding to take action. She pulled out her phone and dialed Anu’s number. “Baby, kahaan hai yaar?” Zoya’s voice carried a note of urgency.

Anu’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she sped down the road, tears blurring her vision. Her mind was a chaotic swirl of fear and frustration. “M going home… thodi emergency aagai hai… me baad me baat karti hu,” she said through her sobs, her voice choked with distress. She had tried repeatedly to reach her mother, but the calls went unanswered. Kajal aunty’s urgent message about calling a doctor because Rita ji had fainted due to weakness only added to her panic.

As Anu navigated the dark, empty streets, her thoughts raced uncontrollably. The suddenness of her mother’s collapse was bewildering. Her earlier conversation with Zoya about Shehnaz and the party seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by the immediate crisis at hand. Every honk, every streetlight that flashed by seemed like a reminder of how out of control the situation felt.

At the party venue, Zoya had hung up the phone and turned her attention back to Shehnaz, who was anxiously waiting for news about Anu. “Yaar, woh ghar gayi hai… usko kuch important call aa gayi,” Zoya said, trying to sound calm despite the turbulence of her own emotions. She noticed the worry etched on Shehnaz’s face and felt a pang of sympathy.

Shehnaz’s eyes were filled with concern as she absorbed the news. “Ohh…” she murmured, her voice laced with anxiety. She was desperate for any sign that everything would be okay, and the absence of Anu and Sidharth was only deepening her unease.

Zoya knew that Shehnaz was about to face Sidharth, and she wanted to prepare her for what was coming. She took a deep breath and spoke with a serious tone, “Waise, teri aur Sidharth sir ki kuch baat hui…?”

Shehnaz’s face fell further. “Nahi na… unka phone hi nahi lagra hai…” she said, her frustration evident. She was missing Sidharth intensely, her thoughts consumed by the hope of seeing him soon. “Aane do unhe… I’ll hug him so tight… kahi nahi jaane dungi unhe,” she thought, a determined resolve filling her heart. The thought of finally being able to hold him close and make everything right was a small comfort amidst her growing anxiety.

Zoya noticed the mix of emotions on Shehnaz’s face and realized that she needed to address the looming issue with sensitivity. “Listen, mujhe tumhe kuch important batana hai… but you don’t get scared, okay? We will find a solution,” Zoya said, trying to offer reassurance despite her own apprehensions.

A smile, soft and hesitant, began to form on Shehnaz’s face as she caught sight of Sidharth. Her heart raced, and her cheeks flushed with a deep, rosy hue as her thoughts drifted to their shared moments. The way he looked at her, with a blend of warmth and sorrow, tugged at her heartstrings. Her eyes shimmered with the reflection of the love she felt for him, a love that was undeniable and profound.

On the other hand, Sidharth’s eyes were clouded with pain. The joy of seeing Shehnaz was marred by the heartache that lingered. His expression was a poignant mix of longing and sadness, revealing the emotional turmoil he was experiencing. The love he felt for her was palpable, but so was the hurt from the recent revelations.

HER EYES REFLECTED LOVE….

HIS EYES REFLECTED PAIN….

Author’s Note