Chapter 20

#Mumbai

Returning from the camping trip, Sidharth climbed the stairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. His muscles ached, and his mind was clouded with exhaustion. Just as he reached the top of the stairs, Rita ji’s stern voice pierced through the silence. “Stop right there, Sidharth…”

The command stopped Sidharth in his tracks. He turned slowly to face his mother, confusion and a hint of fear flickering in his eyes. Rita ji rarely used his full name unless she was deeply upset, and the tension in the air was palpable.

Rita ji stood before him, her anger barely contained. Her eyes, usually warm and comforting, were now sharp and unforgiving. She reached out and gently touched the bruise near his forehead. Her fingers traced the mark with concern, but her gaze was filled with frustration. “Where have you been? It’s been a week.”

Sidharth’s heart sank. He avoided meeting her eyes, unable to hide the pain and weariness etched into his features. “Maa… I’m tired…” His voice was strained, the exhaustion of the past week evident in every syllable.

Rita ji’s frustration erupted. “You should have thought about that before wandering around in the deserted jungle like a fool,” she retorted, her voice sharp and filled with disappointment.

The heated exchange caught Anu’s attention. She came running downstairs, drawn by the rare and alarming sound of her mother’s angry voice. As she approached, she saw the scene unfold—her brother standing with his eyes cast downward, looking defeated, while her mother, with an expression reminiscent of Sherawali Mata, stood in front of him, her anger barely masked.

Anu’s heart ached with relief and joy at the sight of her brother’s return. Despite the tension, she was glad he was back, having been unable to reach him for days. The sight of her brother, though looking worn out, was a comfort. She smiled slightly, feeling a mixture of happiness and concern.

“Maa, I’m sorry… I was…” Sidharth began to explain, but Rita ji’s anger cut him off once again. Her patience was wearing thin, and she wasn’t ready to listen to excuses.

“I am surprised you still have the audacity to explain yourself,” Rita ji said, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and frustration. “What you’ve done is absolutely baseless. Anything could have happened to you. Where were you, Sidharth? Do you have any idea how worried we were?”

Sidharth looked down, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Maa… and I’m fine, see… I really needed to be alone.”

Before Rita ji could respond, Anu spoke up, trying to mediate. “Bhai is right, Maa. He wanted to be alone, so he left. Shehnaaz is out of his life now, and he’s not concerned about what storm she’s going through.”

_____________

#Mohali

Shehnaaz sat quietly in a corner of the room, her posture reflecting a mixture of patience and melancholy. The room was filled with the soft, earthy scent of mehendi as the woman sitting in front of her meticulously applied the intricate designs to her hands. The engagement was just two days away, and though the anticipation was palpable, a sense of emptiness lingered in Shehnaaz’s heart.

Anu had been in regular contact with her, updating her on the developments, including the unsettling news that Sidharth had disappeared without a trace. Shehnaaz tried to remain composed, but the news was a heavy blow. Anu had made it clear that Shehnaaz could only marry her brother, reinforcing the emotional connection they all shared.

Despite the clarity of Anu’s words, Shehnaaz had smiled it off, her emotions a whirlwind of hope and despair. It had been more than two weeks since Sidharth last reached out, and even longer since they had spoken to each other. Their silence was deafening, yet their hearts remained intertwined in a way that surpassed physical presence.

Every time Sidharth experienced pain, Shehnaaz felt it too. Her heart ached with every bruise he endured, every tear he shed. In the silence of the night, when tears rolled down her cheeks, she imagined his gentle fingers brushing them away. She had never doubted his love; she believed in it with all her heart. To her, he was still a part of her, embedded deeply in every corner of her soul. She was convinced that he must be missing her as intensely as she missed him, and that his absence was a source of his own suffering.

The formalities of their situation felt insignificant compared to the depth of their connection. Shehnaaz’s resolve was unwavering; she refused to reach out, believing that their bond was strong enough to withstand this separation. She waited, hoping for the moment when he would come to her, to whisk her away to the life they had envisioned together—a life that belonged solely to them.

In her mind, there was no question of belonging to anyone else. The thought was inconceivable. She knew that Sidharth would never let her be with anyone but him. Yet, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her. She missed him profoundly—his heartbeat that once matched her own, his reserved smile that made her heart flutter, and the way his messy hair felt under her gentle touch as she would brush her fingers through it. She longed for her ‘khadoos’ Sidharth, who had a way of being infuriatingly charming.

The mehendi artist’s question broke through Shehnaaz’s reverie. “Ji, kiska naam likhna hai?”

Shehnaaz, lost in her thoughts and memories of Sidharth, smiled absentmindedly. Her voice was soft but resolute. “Sidharth…”

_______________

The name “Shehnaaz” had an immediate, visceral impact on Sidharth, causing his heart to skip a beat. The mention of her name brought a wave of emotions crashing over him, mixing anxiety with a deep sense of longing. But it was Anu’s next words that truly frightened him, their weight pressing down on him like a ton of bricks.

“Storm…? What do you mean? Kya hua use?” Sidharth’s voice was laced with panic, his hands clenching into fists as he struggled to control his rising dread.

Anu’s eyes were filled with an intensity that matched his own concern. “Don’t you think you should be aware of what’s happening in the life of the girl whom you love?”

The word “love” hung in the air between them, and despite Sidharth’s reluctance to fully embrace it, the acknowledgment made Anu and Rita ji exchange knowing smiles. For Rita ji, this was a flicker of hope in the midst of her heartache. She had been deeply upset when Anu informed her that Shehnaaz’s parents were pushing for her to marry someone else. Rita ji had grown to love Shehnaaz as if she were her own daughter, envisioning a future where Shehnaaz and her ‘khadoos’ son would be together, just as Shehnaaz had once wished in her playful, teasing way. The thought of their separation felt like a personal betrayal.

Rita ji had been heartbroken, watching her dreams of a happy family with Shehnaaz slip away. She couldn’t understand why her son seemed intent on self-destruction, distancing himself from the one person who cared deeply for him. Was he planning to retreat to the Himalayas or something? Her frustration was palpable, but she clung to the hope that Sidharth could still make things right.

Anu’s frustration was evident as she demanded answers. “I will tell you, but first, you need to clear one thing up: do you want Shehnaaz back in your life or not?”

Sidharth’s eyes fell to the floor, his face a mask of guilt and self-loathing. “I have hurt her… insulted her… mistreated her… I don’t deserve her pure love.” His voice was heavy with remorse, each word a reminder of his failures and the emotional scars he had inflicted upon Shehnaaz.

Oh God, he missed her so much..

Rita ji sighed heavily, her patience wearing thin, while Anu’s face showed clear annoyance. “That’s clear then,” Anu said with a sharp edge to her voice. “What’s happening in Shehnaaz’s life should not concern you, since you’ve decided to let her go.”

Sidharth was torn between the need to know what was happening and the desire to maintain his stance of emotional detachment. His sister’s refusal to let him off the hook was making him increasingly agitated. As Anu pretended to leave the room, Sidharth’s restlessness became apparent. “Anu, stop being difficult. You are not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”

Anu’s eyes rolled again, her irritation evident. “Is it too hard to accept your feelings, Bhai? Well, you better do something fast because your future father-in-law is getting his daughter married to someone else. That means he won’t be your future father-in-law anymore.”

Sidharth’s face twisted in confusion at Anu’s words, but as he pieced the information together, a wave of realization hit him. His anger surged uncontrollably. “What? She is mine. How dare…”

Rita ji interrupted sharply, “Sid, respect…”

Sidharth squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to steady his pounding heart. The idea of Shehnaaz marrying someone else was incomprehensible to him. It felt like a knife to his heart, slicing through his chest and making it difficult to breathe.

The pain was almost unbearable. Shehnaaz belonged to him in every sense—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The very thought of another man laying claim to her, of her being with someone else, was infuriating. He felt a fierce protectiveness rise within him, a primal urge to defend what he believed was rightfully his. His thoughts were filled with a burning rage and an intense need to assert his claim over her.

“She is mine,” he thought furiously. “Only mine. She belongs here, in this house, in our room, wrapped in my embrace. No one else has the right to possess her.”

Sidharth’s anger was a raging storm within him, a tempest that churned and roared, pushing him to the brink. It felt as if every ounce of his being was consumed by a fierce, uncontrollable fury. The thought of Shehnaaz being taken away from him, of her marrying someone else, ignited a blaze of intense emotions. The storm inside him wasn’t just anger—it was a tumult of betrayal, frustration, and a desperate need to reclaim what he felt was rightfully his.

His heart pounded with an almost unbearable intensity, each beat echoing his turbulent thoughts. Every breath he took seemed to stoke the fire within, fueling his resolve to act. The idea of Shehnaaz belonging to someone else was anathema to him, a concept that he could neither accept nor tolerate.

Anu’s words hung in the air, charged with urgency and affection. “So you better do something to ensure what is yours remains yours only,” she said, her voice softening as she pulled her brother into a warm embrace. Her gesture was a blend of sibling love and gentle reprimand, a recognition that sometimes tough love was necessary, even if it meant being a bit harsh.

As she held him close, Anu’s heart ached with empathy. She knew her brother needed this push, a reality check that came from a place of care. Her anger had been a cover for her concern, and now, with the weight of the situation pressing down on them, she was relieved to see him finally stirred into action.

Sidharth turned his gaze to his mother, searching for her approval and support. Rita ji’s eyes were filled with a mix of warmth and determination. Her smile was both reassuring and commanding. “Go,” she said, her tone brooking no argument. “Get my bahu. You are not allowed to come back without her.”

Sidharth felt a surge of emotion at his mother’s words. The promise in her voice, the expectation that he would bring Shehnaaz back, gave him a renewed sense of purpose. He walked over to Rita ji and embraced her tightly, his heart brimming with gratitude and resolve.

“I will, Maa. I promise,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. The simple but profound promise to his mother carried the weight of his commitment.

As he pulled away from the embrace, Sidharth’s mind was already racing ahead, envisioning the path he needed to take. The thought of Shehnaaz, of their love, was the driving force propelling him forward. His heart ached with longing and determination.

“I am coming, baby,” he thought, a fierce and tender declaration in the quiet of his mind. “For you, for us, for our love.” The words resonated deeply within him, wrapping around his heart like a comforting cloak. The storm of emotions had settled into a resolute calm.

Sidharth’s heart pounded with a rhythm that felt both foreign and familiar, as though he was rediscovering its beat after what seemed like an eternity. The intensity of his emotions was almost overwhelming. Shehnaaz was not just a part of his life; she was the very essence of his being. She was his everything, and he was determined that she would remain his, now and forever.

Despite the mistakes he had made—hurting her, failing to trust her, and letting misunderstandings create rifts—his resolve was unshakable. The weight of his past actions pressed heavily on him, but it only strengthened his determination. He was ready to spend the rest of his life apologizing for the pain he had caused, for the doubts he had sown, and for the times he had let her down. Yet, he was equally resolute in his conviction that he could never let her go.

Shehnaaz was more than just a person in his life; she was his world. Every heartbeat, every breath, every thought was intertwined with her presence. The idea of a future without her was inconceivable. She was the light that guided him, the anchor that held him steady amidst the stormy seas of his emotions. Her laughter, her tears, her very essence—everything about her was embedded in his soul.

Sidharth felt a deep, unwavering certainty that Shehnaaz was meant to be his, that their connection was too profound to be broken by any obstacle. The love he had for her was all-encompassing, a force that bound him to her in ways that went beyond mere words. It was a commitment to a shared future, to a life built together, despite the hardships they had faced.

His heart ached with a mixture of regret and hope, but above all, with a fierce determination to make things right. He was ready to fight for their love, to prove that despite his failings, his love for her was steadfast and true. Shehnaaz was his existence, his world, and nothing—no matter how challenging—would ever change that.

I will not let our story remain incomplete like that, baby..

I love you and I will prove it to you..

_______________

Sidharth and Anu arrived at the bustling Chandigarh airport, and the vibrant atmosphere instantly enveloped them, a clear sign they were in Punjab. The familiar sights and sounds of the region were a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil Sidharth was experiencing. His heart was a tangled mess of anticipation and uncertainty.

He had refrained from calling Shehnaaz, hoping to surprise her instead. The idea of speaking to her made him nervous; he wasn’t sure what he’d say, or how he’d express the whirlwind of emotions he felt. The mere thought of her voice, which he missed so deeply, was both a comfort and a torment.

As they settled into the car they had booked, Anu’s unexpected call to Shehnaaz made Sidharth’s heart race. He watched as Anu’s phone lit up with Shehnaaz’s name, and his discomfort grew. It was clear to him that Anu’s call was a deliberate move to make him squirm, to stir up his feelings and remind him of what he stood to lose.

“Hi Sana, kaise ho?” Anu’s voice was warm and casual, but it only heightened Sidharth’s unease. He was desperate to hear Shehnaaz’s voice, to bridge the gap that had grown between them, but he felt helpless as Anu spoke on the phone, clearly enjoying his visible agitation.

“Are, teri awaaz kyun itni utari hui hai? Tabiyat theek nahi hai kya teri?” Anu’s words were filled with concern. The worry in her voice tugged at Sidharth’s heartstrings, making him ache to be closer to her.

Unable to contain his anxiety, Sidharth tried to grab Anu’s phone, but she deftly moved it out of his reach. “Accha, okay,” Anu said into the phone, her voice taking on a dismissive tone. “Me and zoya have arrived in Chandigarh and are on our way to Mohali. I’ll call you back once we reach.”

Anu ended the call and turned to face Sidharth, who was now glaring at her. His frustration was evident, his eyes sharp with irritation. “Kya hua, Bhai?” Anu asked innocently, though she knew exactly why he was upset.

Sidharth rolled his eyes and muttered, “I will speak to her myself.” He reached for his phone, but Anu stopped him with a firm but gentle hand. “Bhai, not the right time,” she said. “People are around her.”

Sidharth’s confusion was apparent as he glanced at Anu, unsure of what she meant. “People?” he asked, his tone tinged with frustration.

Anu sighed, understanding that this was a hard pill for him to swallow. “Her engagement is tomorrow,” she finally revealed, her voice carrying a mix of sympathy and regret.

The words hit Sidharth like a physical blow. The realization that Shehnaaz was on the brink of marrying someone else left him reeling. The anguish in his chest was palpable, his heart aching with the weight of the impending loss. He felt as though the ground had shifted beneath him, the certainty of their future together slipping through his fingers.

“Hmmm…” Sidharth’s hum was a low growl, reflecting his simmering frustration. The revelation about Rajbeer only added fuel to the fire burning within him. He felt a mix of jealousy and helplessness, as if someone was encroaching on what he considered his—Shehnaaz’s love and their future together.

_____________

Sana’s mother, Jasbeera ji, was bustling around the room, her voice insistent as she urged Sana to try on the engagement lehenga sent by Raj’s family. The lehenga was a beautiful, intricate piece, but Sana was lost in a world of her own. She glanced absentmindedly at her hands, still marked with the mehendi that had been applied earlier.

Her friend Bani, brimming with excitement, took Sana’s hands in hers to admire the deep, rich color of the mehendi. “Hayy rabba,” she exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise. “Yeh Sidharth kon hai? Raj ka naam kahan hai?”

Sana’s gaze followed Bani’s eyes to her hands, where the name ‘Sidharth’ was clearly visible. A soft smile touched her lips at the mention of his name, but the joy was fleeting as she saw her mother’s horrified expression.

In an instant, Jasbeera ji’s face turned pale. Her eyes widened with shock and dismay as she processed the sight of Sidharth’s name emblazoned on her daughter’s hands. Acting quickly, she rushed to fetch more mehendi, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to cover up the name. But Sana, with a mix of sadness and defiance, pulled her hand away and held it tightly to her chest. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her mother, silently pleading for understanding.

Jasbeera ji’s heart sank as she saw the tears streaming down Sana’s face. The sight was unbearable for her, and she quickly excused herself from the room. She sought out her husband, Rajendra ji, among the guests, pulling him aside to a quieter corner.

“Suniyie ji,” Jasbeera ji began, her voice laced with frustration and concern. “Main kya keh rahi hoon, ab bhi kuch nahi bigada. Ek baar soch toh lijiye. Sana khush nahi hai.”

Rajendra ji closed his eyes, a deep sigh escaping his lips. He turned to face Jasbeera ji, his expression a mix of resignation and resolve. “Oyye dushman nahi hu main uska. Uski bhalai ke liye kar raha hoon sab. Woh ladka… sahi nahi hai uske liye.”

Jasbeera ji’s heart ached at his words. “Par Sana ki khushi…” she began, her voice trembling. The pain in her eyes was evident as she struggled to reconcile her husband’s decisions with the happiness of their daughter.

Rajendra ji’s voice took on a final, unyielding tone as he spoke. His words were sharp, cutting through the tense silence with a resolute edge. “Jise bado se baat karne ki tameez nahi… jo bina soche samjhe use ek pal me naukri se nikal de… woh kaise khush rakhega Sana ko. Do pal ki khushi ke liye uski puri zindagi daav pe nahi lagane dunga main.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Rajendra ji’s gaze was steely and unrelenting as he finished speaking. With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Jasbeera ji standing there, her face a mixture of helplessness and deep worry.

_______________

By the time Anu and Sidharth reached Mohali, the afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the quaint village. The simplicity of the surroundings, with its lush greenery and peaceful ambiance, struck Sidharth deeply. It reminded him of Shehnaz in ways he hadn’t expected—her gentle spirit, her connection to this place, and the life she had here.

Sidharth’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The thought of finally confronting the situation, of standing up for Shehnaz and their love, filled him with both anticipation and apprehension. He was eager to make things right but also fearful of the unknown—how would Shehnaz react to his sudden appearance? More importantly, how would her family handle it?

They had booked a villa just outside the village, a quiet spot that provided them with a necessary retreat from the hustle and bustle of the ongoing preparations in the village. After freshening up in their room, Sidharth’s mind was focused on one thing: clearing the air with Shehnaz’s father, “I will speak to Shehnaz’s father and clear all the misunderstandings. We need to make sure this engagement mess gets canceled today,” Sidharth declared, his voice firm with determination.

Anu, who had been listening quietly, rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. “Bhai, it’s not that simple. First, this is a village, and they have guests at home. If you go directly to speak with them, it will create a scene, and that’s a big deal here. Second, I think you should meet Shehnaz first and talk to her. She knows her father the best and can guide us on how to handle this situation.”

Sidharth nodded, though his agreement was more out of obligation than conviction. The thought of Shehnaz’s engagement gnawed at him relentlessly. He couldn’t shake the image of that man—Rajbeer Sethi—standing in his place, marrying the woman he loved. The anger bubbled inside him, a fierce, uncontrolled fire that made him want to confront Rajbeer directly, to demand how dare he even think of taking Shehnaz away from him.

Anu noticed her brother’s simmering rage and sighed, her eyes rolling slightly. “I’ll go to her house and try to bring her out so you guys can meet. You stay here and don’t do anything rash,” she said, her tone a mix of exasperation and encouragement.

As Anu left for Shehnaz’s house, Sidharth slumped onto the bed, his mind racing. He was torn between the overwhelming urge to storm into the situation and the need to follow Anu’s more strategic approach. The thought of Shehnaz with someone else felt like a knife twisting in his heart, and he struggled to contain his frustration.

Unable to control his emotions any longer, Sidharth pulled out his phone and typed a message to Shehnaz. His fingers hovered over the screen as he struggled to find the right words to convey his feelings. Finally, he hit send, his message a raw outpouring of his possessiveness and desperation:

“No one is allowed to even think of you. Shehnaz belongs to Sidharth. Samjhi tum?”

Author’s Note