Chapter 17

Raj stood there, stunned by the revelation Anu had just shared. His mind was racing, trying to piece together everything he had heard. The thought that Shehnaaz might have feelings for someone didn’t shock him as much as he had expected. After all, she had every right to her emotions, just like anyone else. What truly mattered to him was her happiness. He had always wanted the best for her, and if she had fallen for someone, then so be it. As long as it brought her joy, that was all he cared about. But there was something else gnawing at him, something that made his heart ache for her.

“Jo insaan Sana pe bharosa nahi kar paya… vo kya pyaar karega Sana se… he terminated her, right?” Raj’s voice was filled with a quiet bitterness, his words laced with the pain of someone who had seen too much of life’s cruelty. It was clear that he couldn’t understand how someone could claim to love Shehnaaz and then turn their back on her when she needed them the most.

Anu felt a pang in her chest at Raj’s words, knowing deep down that he was right. How could someone who truly loved Shehnaaz not trust her? But she didn’t have an answer for him, and the silence that followed was heavy with unresolved emotions. “Abhi mujhe ye nahi samajh aara hai ke Rajendra chacha ji kyu aaye office..? Jitna main jaanti hu… Sana ke mamaji ne unhe property me dhoka diya hai… woh log toh baat bhi nahi kar rahe the… fir aisa kya hogya..?” Anu’s confusion was evident, her thoughts swirling as she tried to make sense of the situation. Everything seemed so tangled, and she couldn’t find the thread that would unravel it all.

Zoya, who had been listening quietly, was just as lost as Anu. She didn’t know the full story, and the pieces she had heard only made her more perplexed. Raj, too, was at a loss, his mind grappling with the same questions that plagued Anu. She was right—there was something more to this than what they could see.

As they stood there in silence, a voice interrupted their thoughts, catching all three of them off guard. “Can I say something…?” The voice was calm, yet it held a note of urgency that made them turn around to see who had spoken.

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Shehnaaz had drifted off to sleep, nestled in the warmth and safety of his embrace. Sidharth couldn’t take his eyes off her, watching her with a tenderness that he barely recognized in himself. She looked so peaceful, so innocent, and he found himself gently tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered there, resting against her skin, as a storm of emotions swirled inside him.

He couldn’t understand why he was doing this. He had made the decision to terminate her from his life, yet here he was, holding her close, unable to let her go. His mind was a battlefield of conflicting thoughts—he had been betrayed before, and the pain of that betrayal had left scars that were still raw. But what he felt for Shehnaaz was different, deeper, and it scared him.

Sidharth realized that even if Shehnaaz were to hurt him, he would still protect her from the world. He would shield her from everything, even from himself if he had to. But why? Why couldn’t he let her go, even after everything? The answer eluded him, slipping through his fingers like sand.

As he watched her sleep, the weight of his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Destiny, it seemed, had once again played a cruel joke on him, giving him a taste of happiness only to snatch it away. He had found something in Shehnaaz, something precious, and now it felt like it was slipping away, leaving him with nothing but the hollow ache of loss.

he loved Shehnaaz with an intensity that took him by surprise. The very thought of her leaving tore at his heart, making it hard to breathe. When she had turned to leave from the party, it felt as if she was taking a piece of him with her, a piece so vital that he wasn’t sure he could survive without it. The idea that he might never see her again, never hold her close or hear her voice, was unbearable. It was like a sharp blade slicing through his heart, leaving a wound that might never heal.

In that moment, he couldn’t let her go. Driven by an instinctive need to keep her close, he had ran after her, desperate to stop her from leaving. He didn’t care about the hurt they had caused each other, didn’t care about the misunderstandings or the pain that had built up between them. All he knew was that he needed her by his side, needed to feel her presence, to reassure himself that she was still there.

But as much as he loved her, there was a deep, gnawing frustration within him. He was annoyed at himself for being so helpless, so utterly at the mercy of his emotions. He knew he had hurt her, just as she had hurt him, and that knowledge weighed heavily on his heart. The pain of their shared wounds was almost too much to bear.

Feeling suffocated by his own emotions, Sidharth pulled away from her embrace, needing some space to breathe, to think. He began pacing back and forth, his mind a chaotic mess of thoughts and feelings. Each step felt heavy, burdened by the intensity of what he was going through. It was then that his eyes fell on the fridge, a distraction from the turmoil inside him.

Without thinking, Sidharth walked over to it, his hand reaching for the handle as if on autopilot. He opened the door and grabbed a bottle of hard liquor, something strong enough to numb the pain, even if only for a little while. His fingers trembled slightly as he uncapped the bottle, the cold glass against his skin a stark contrast to the heat of his emotions.

He brought the bottle to his lips and began chugging it down, not stopping to savor the taste or think about what he was doing. All he wanted was to forget, to drown out the overwhelming emotions that were threatening to consume him. The burn of the alcohol as it slid down his throat was a welcome distraction, a temporary escape from the heartache that was tearing him apart.

Shehnaaz’s peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted when she felt a gentle tug, pulling her back from the comfort of sleep. As her eyes fluttered open, the first thing she noticed was that she was enveloped in Sidharth’s strong embrace. For a moment, she blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of where she was, only to find herself lost in his deep, intense gaze.

His eyes bore into hers with a mix of emotions—love, pain, and something else she couldn’t quite place. Shehnaaz’s heart skipped a beat, and just as she was about to speak, she caught a whiff of something familiar on his breath. The realization hit her, and she whispered with a mix of amazement and mild irritation, “Hayy Rabba… aapne pii rakhi hai?”

Sidharth’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes still locked onto hers with a possessiveness that both comforted and unsettled her. He didn’t look away, didn’t even flinch as he murmured a simple, “Hummm…” His voice was low and heavy, carrying the weight of everything he was feeling but couldn’t say.

There was something so raw, so honest in his gaze that Shehnaaz found it impossible to look away. His eyes, usually so guarded, were now wide open, revealing a vulnerability that tugged at her heart. She could see the love there, pure and unfiltered, and it made her chest tighten with an emotion she couldn’t quite name.

“Kyuu…” Shehnaaz’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she tried to understand why he had resorted to drinking. She could see that the pain that had been etched on his face earlier was now faded, replaced by a softer, more tender expression. She knew the alcohol was responsible for this change, but it didn’t make the moment any less painful.

Sidharth’s answer was quiet, yet it carried a depth of emotion that struck her to her core. “So that I could come to you…” The words hung in the air between them, laden with the truth of how much he had struggled, how much he had fought against himself, only to lose in the end. He had drunk just enough to loosen the tight grip he had on his emotions, to let himself be vulnerable in front of her, to allow himself to come to her without the barriers he usually kept up.

Pal Pal Mera Tere Sang Hi Bitana Hai..

As Sidharth’s arms tightened around Shehnaaz’s waist, she felt a sudden pressure that made her wince, her eyes squeezing shut for a brief moment. The intensity of his hold was almost overwhelming, as if he was afraid she might slip away if he didn’t keep her close enough. But before she could fully process the sensation, she felt his other hand gently cup her chin, lifting her face so that their eyes met.

His touch was firm yet tender, a contradiction that mirrored the turmoil in his heart. When Shehnaaz looked into his eyes, she saw a storm of emotions swirling within them. His gaze was intense, speaking a language his body seemed to deny. There was a harshness in the way he held her, as if he wanted to be distant, to keep a barrier between them. But his eyes betrayed him, reflecting a deep, unspoken need, a longing that he couldn’t hide.

Shehnaaz could feel the tension radiating off him, the internal battle he was waging between wanting to protect himself and wanting to give in to the undeniable connection they shared. The conflicting signals left her breathless, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to decipher what he was feeling.

Without realizing it, her fingers tightened their grip on his shirt, clutching the fabric as if it were the only thing grounding her in that moment. The anticipation of what might come next made her pulse quicken, and she could feel the heat of his body seeping into hers, igniting a fire that spread through her veins.

“Chahe kitni bhi nafrat kar lijiye, par iss dil se khud ko nahi nikal payenge aap…” Shehnaaz’s voice was soft yet firm, her words carrying the weight of her unwavering belief in the love they shared. She never broke eye contact with Sidharth, her gaze steady and filled with a quiet determination. She could see the impact of her words on him, the way a flicker of something—satisfaction, maybe even relief—crossed his face. It was subtle, but it was there, and it told her that deep down, he knew she was right.

As if in response, Sidharth’s grip on her waist changed. The harshness, the edge that had made her wince just moments ago, softened into something more protective, more possessive. It was as if her words had reached a part of him that he had been trying to keep hidden, a part that couldn’t help but respond to the truth she spoke.

Slowly, a smile began to form on his lips. It was faint, almost hesitant, and Shehnaaz knew it was the alcohol loosening the tight hold he had on his emotions. But there was also pain in that smile, a deep, aching pain that she could sense but didn’t fully understand. Shehnaaz’s heart ached as she realized that despite being so close to him, she had no idea what was hurting him so much, what had caused him to lash out at her the way he had.

Shehnaaz wanted to reach out and soothe that pain, to make everything better for him, but she didn’t know how. What had happened to make him behave so badly with her? What had caused the rift between them? She wished she could peel back the layers of his heart, to see the wounds he was hiding, to understand the torment that was driving him to act this way.

Sidharth bent down slowly, his movements filled with a quiet desperation, and rested his forehead against Shehnaaz’s lips. It was a silent plea, a wordless request for comfort, for reassurance. He needed to feel her love, to be anchored by it, even as his mind struggled with doubts and fears. Without hesitation, Shehnaaz responded, pressing soft, tender kisses to his forehead. Each kiss was filled with love, with a promise that she would be there for him no matter what. She kissed him repeatedly, pouring every ounce of her affection into each touch, hoping that it would be enough to break down the walls he had built around himself.

As her lips brushed against his skin, Sidharth felt a wave of emotion surge within him. Tears, heavy with the weight of his turmoil, welled up in his eyes and spilled over, rolling down his cheeks and landing on her neck. The warmth of his tears against her skin made Shehnaaz’s heart clench. She could feel his pain, his internal struggle, and it tore at her soul. He was hurting, and she knew that no matter how many times she kissed him, she couldn’t take that pain away entirely.

“You’re not real… you’re just an illusion…” Sidharth’s voice was choked with emotion, his words a reflection of the confusion and disbelief that had taken hold of him. He was fighting against the love he felt, struggling to reconcile the depth of his feelings with the fear that she might not be real, that their love was too good to be true. As he spoke, he buried his face in the curve of her neck, his breath warm against her skin.

The accusation in his words stung, but before Shehnaaz could respond, Sidharth’s lips found her neck. His kisses were urgent, almost frantic, as if he was trying to prove to himself that she was real, that she was there with him. The sensation sent a shiver down her spine, her breath catching in her throat. His touch was hot, burning her skin with the intensity of his need, but it couldn’t reduce the ache that lingered in her heart.

Shehnaaz’s voice trembled with a mix of sadness and resolve as she spoke, her words carrying a deep truth that had been instilled in her since childhood. “Pata hai aapko… mere Daarji hamesha kehte hai… ek rishta sirf pyaar se nahi banta… par vishwas se poora hota hai.” She wasn’t sure why she was saying this to him now, especially when he was in such a vulnerable state, clouded by the effects of alcohol. But somehow, the words flowed out of her, a quiet plea for him to understand the foundation of any true relationship.

She expected him to be too intoxicated to grasp the meaning behind her words, but as soon as she said them, she noticed a shift in his gaze. Sidharth looked into her eyes, and she saw the way her words struck a chord within him. A layer of guilt began to settle over his features, his eyes darkening with the weight of what he had done. The realization of how deeply he had hurt her, how his lack of trust had fractured the bond between them, began to seep into his consciousness.

Shehnaaz saw the sadness in his eyes, and it tore at her heart. She hated seeing him like this, consumed by guilt and sorrow. She wanted nothing more than to take it all away, to soothe the ache that had taken root in his soul. But she knew that words alone wouldn’t be enough. He needed to feel her love, to be reminded of the connection they shared, the bond that was stronger than any doubts or fears.

With a deep sigh, Shehnaaz made a decision. She couldn’t stand to see him suffer any longer. Gently, she raised her face to his, closing the small distance between them. She could feel his breath on her lips, warm and ragged, filled with unspoken apologies and regrets. Without hesitation, she pressed her lips to his, a tender and deliberate kiss that was meant to convey everything she couldn’t put into words.

In that kiss, Shehnaaz poured all of her love, all of her forgiveness, and all of her hope for their future. She wanted to take away his pain, to replace it with the warmth of her love, to fill the void that his doubts had created. Her lips moved against his slowly, reassuringly, as if to say, “I love you..”

Shehnaaz kissed him with all the depth of her love, her lips conveying a promise that went beyond words. Each kiss was a gentle reassurance, a silent vow that she would always be by his side, no matter the challenges they faced. She kissed him not just to comfort him but to reaffirm her commitment to their bond, to make it clear that she would stand with him through every high and low.

As her lips moved tenderly against his, she wanted him to understand that her love for him was unwavering. There was no room for disrespect or mistrust in her heart.

Her kiss awakened something deep within him, stirring a strong and urgent emotion. As their lips met, he drew her closer, their bodies in close proximity with a deep intensity. The kiss was a sincere expression of his feelings.

He kissed her with great emotion, his touch conveying a profound connection. Shehnaaz felt herself giving in to the moment, her body responding to his warm embrace. This kiss was a clear affirmation of their bond.

He continued to kiss her with urgency, his movements reflecting his feelings. Despite the intensity, Shehnaaz found herself drawn further into their connection. His kiss was a way of reconnecting and reaffirming the love they shared.

As he held her close, the experience was deeply moving. The combination of his kiss and his warmth created a strong impact that left her breathless. The depth of his feelings and his desire to restore their relationship were evident in his touch.

In that moment, Shehnaaz found their lost love. The passion and urgency he displayed reminded her of their deep love and the need to heal the rift between them. She embraced the moment fully, accepting the genuine emotion and depth of their shared affection.

Their kiss continued, a meaningful expression of their love and commitment. It was a moment of complete emotional connection, reaffirming their bond and deepening their relationship.

Leaving her lips, his mouth gently explored her face, kissing her cupid’s bow, her cheeks, her eyes, her forehead, and her earlobe. He moved softly along her jawline, causing her to moan softly. She tilted her face upward, giving him space to show his affection.

As he continued to kiss her, she felt his fingersmaking it’s magic on her. Her breath caught, realizing the significance of the moment. She wanted him to understand how deeply she trusted him and how much his previous doubts had hurt her.

He carefully adjusted her dress, revealing her shoulder. He kissed her shoulder, expressing his emotions through his touch. Her skin reacted to his closeness, stirring a strong response in him.

He not only revealed her skin but also communicated his feelings through his actions. He saw her skin flush with his touch, and she gently held him closer. The marks of his kisses were visible on her.

When he noticed her birthmark over her heart, it struck him with its personal significance. Her breathing was heavy, and her eyes met his with anticipation and vulnerability.

His gaze and the urgency in his touch conveyed his deep emotions and reaffirmed their connection.

She closed her eyes tightly, her breath catching as he focused on her with a deep, intense kiss. His lips moved over her skin, and his touch expressed a powerful connection. In that moment, she felt completely vulnerable and deeply connected to him. The closeness between them was overwhelming, and their bond felt stronger than ever.

When he finally released her, her skin was marked with the intensity of his affection. The marks left behind were a testament to the depth of his feelings.

He not only kissed the visible parts of her but also touched the deeper, more hidden emotions within her heart. His embrace and gestures conveyed his true love and commitment. She gave herself fully to his love, and in return, she felt a deep sense of unity and connection with him.

His hand possessively moved, drawing her closer in his protective embrace, the placed where she belonged.

“Sidharth,” she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of emotions, surrendering to him completely.

“meri ho tum.. sirf meri” he murmured, his words flowing with a deep sense of ownership and affection.

She closed her eyes, feeling a rush of emotions as he continued. The intensity of the moment overwhelmed her, a blend of pain and new found connection.

He stayed close, deeply connected with her. He pulled her into his arms, gently kissing her forehead and brushing away her tears. His eyes revealed his vulnerability, reflecting the pain and emotional depth he was experiencing. She tenderly wiped his tears and kissed him, expressing, “me sirf apki hun.. pyar karti hun ne aap se…”

Here he was.. her Sidharth.. only her Sidharth.. who didn’t hate her.. who loved her.. 

In that moment, Sidharth’s love and care enveloped her. He allowed her to comfort him, and their bond grew even stronger. She felt deeply connected to him, their embrace reinforcing their profound connection and love.

His tears continued to fall, and he pleaded, “keh do ke sab jhuth hai.. keh do ke mera bachha kabhi aisi harkat nahi jar sakta.. keh do na please…”

She was unsure of what he meant but gently brushed her fingers over his face to comfort him.

He moved with intense emotion, their connection deep and profound. His presence was full of passion and commitment. He held her close, their bond evident in the moment.

As they embraced, their feelings were clearly expressed. The intensity of their shared experience brought them to a deeply emotional moment.

Tears of emotion flowed as they felt a ultimate connection. He relaxed, smiling contentedly as he heard his name from her lips repeatedly.

In their embrace, their connection was strong and deeply felt, reflecting the depth of their relationship.

He gently rubbed his fingers over her chest, aware that his earlier actions might have caused her discomfort.

He enveloped her in his embrace, and she instinctively nestled closer to him, seeking comfort and closeness.

The effect of alcohol had faded, and he was captivated by the scent that lingered between them.

He felt a sense of unity with her, as if they truly belonged together.

He gently wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead, encouraging her to open her eyes and look at him. She did, her heart responding to his silent request.

Her eyes were filled with so much love that it deeply moved him. He noticed the marks on her skin, and a small smile of satisfaction appeared on his face.

He kissed each mark tenderly, hoping to ease her discomfort, and returned to her lips, which were already sensitive.

When she didn’t meet his gaze, he felt a pang of restlessness.

“Tum sirf Meri ho.. koi tumhe mujhse chhin nahi sakta.. tum bhi nahi..” he said, possessively raising her chin to meet his eyes.

She simply smiled.

She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes with a deep sense of happiness and sadness, feeling completely connected to him, but at the same time, broken.

He held her close, enveloping his love in his embrace, silently vowing never to let her go.

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