Chapter 26

Shehnaaz’s heart raced as Sidharth leaned in closer. His touch was gentle, but it sent a shiver down her spine when he softly wiped away the chocolate stain from the corner of her mouth. It was such a small gesture, yet it carried so much meaning. She felt her body react instinctively, her breath hitching as warmth spread through her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and despite the chaos of emotions flooding her, she found herself surrendering, her eyes closing as she let herself be vulnerable to his touch.

Sidharth’s lips pressed against hers in a kiss that was both tender and consuming. Each kiss deepened, making her feel as though the world around them disappeared. The taste of the sweet chocolate was soon replaced by something far more intoxicating—his affection. He kissed her until she was breathless, her mind spinning with the intensity of his feelings. What had started as a playful game now felt so much more significant. There was no escaping the emotions swirling between them.

His kiss was passionate, filled with a kind of possessiveness that made her knees weak. She could feel the depth of his love in every movement, in the way he held her close. As their lips parted, both of them breathing heavily, Sidharth looked at her with a sense of satisfaction. Her lips, now red and swollen from his kiss, reflected the passion they had shared.

“Would you do that again, baby?” he teased gently, though there was a serious undertone to his words, a question that carried more weight than it seemed.

Exhausted from the emotional intensity, Shehnaaz rested her head against his chest, finding comfort in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. She shook her head softly, signaling a clear “no” with a tired smile. She didn’t have the energy for more teasing right now.

Sidharth smiled tenderly, his hand moving through her hair in soft, comforting strokes. He held her close, wrapping her in his embrace as if to shield her from the world. In that moment, he silently promised to protect her always. “Main tumhe kabhi kuch hone nahi dunga,” his heart whispered, knowing that without her, he would be incomplete. She was everything to him, and nothing mattered more than her happiness and safety.

Elsewhere, Nisha sat lost in thought, the weight of her unspoken feelings for Sidharth hanging heavily over her. She had long accepted that she could never have him, but the pain still lingered. Each time she saw him with Shehnaaz, her heart broke a little more, and she couldn’t help but wonder why life had been so unfair to her. “Kya main kabhi khush ho paungi?” she asked herself quietly, realizing just how far she had sunk into negativity and despair. She didn’t recognize the person she had become, and the realization left her feeling hollow inside.

Her phone buzzed, breaking through her troubled thoughts. She glanced at the screen, and her heart dropped when she saw the name: Manish. Fear clutched at her chest. She stared at the phone, unable to answer. When the call ended, her phone vibrated again—a message. With trembling hands, she opened it, and the words made her blood run cold: “Dare you ignore me, girl. You will be destroyed completely.”

A wave of panic washed over her. Nisha felt tears prick at her eyes as she looked around, unsure of what to do. “Main kis musibat mein phas gayi hoon?” she thought in despair, the tears now flowing freely down her face. She felt trapped, with no way out, and the weight of her choices began to suffocate her. How had she allowed her life to spiral into such chaos?

Back at Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s house, things were much more hopeful. In their absence, Anu and Rita ji had been busy making plans, excited about the idea of surprising the couple with something special. Anu had taken the initiative to call their family pandit ji, eager to find an auspicious date for Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s engagement. They knew it was time to formalize their relationship, and what better way than to surprise them with the news?

After a brief conversation, pandit ji suggested a date that was just a week away. Anu’s face lit up with excitement. “Ek hafte mein sab kuch tayaar karna hoga,” she said, her mind already racing with ideas for the engagement preparations. Rita ji shared her enthusiasm and immediately picked up the phone to call Rajendra ji, eager to confirm the date with him. After a quick discussion, they received his approval, and the date was set.

Rita ji smiled warmly as she hung up the phone, a sense of contentment settling over her. “Sab kuch thik hone wala hai,” she thought, her heart full of hope. She couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise and joy on Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s faces when they learned about the engagement. This was the beginning of a beautiful new chapter for them, and she couldn’t be happier.

Shehnaaz’s family was overjoyed when they heard about the engagement date, and so was Sidharth’s family. The air was filled with excitement, and it seemed like all the pieces were falling into place. For Anu, it was almost like a dream she had long nurtured was finally coming true. She had always hoped to see Sidharth and Shehnaaz together, and now, with the engagement only a week away, her heart brimmed with happiness.

Meanwhile, Rita ji had taken charge of all the preparations. She called Rajendra ji to assure him that everything would be handled perfectly, leaving no room for worry. At first, Rajendra ji hesitated, wanting to take part in the arrangements himself, but Rita ji was firm in her decision. Her determination left no room for further debate, and though he wasn’t entirely convinced, Rajendra ji couldn’t argue with her resolve.

Later that evening, Sidharth and Shehnaaz took a peaceful walk by the riverside, his arms gently wrapped around her. The world seemed to quiet down around them, allowing them a rare moment of tranquility. The soft chirping of birds echoed through the air, and the soothing sound of the flowing river blended into the background, creating an atmosphere that felt magical. The evening was painted in hues of pink and orange as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over everything.

As they walked together in silence, the weight of unspoken words hung between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Instead, it felt like the silence itself was speaking for them, expressing emotions that neither of them needed to voice aloud. Sometimes, words weren’t necessary—just being together was enough.

They reached an old cement structure near the riverbank, a place where they often found themselves during moments like this. Shehnaaz stood facing the setting sun, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Without a word, Sidharth moved closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind, pulling her gently into his embrace. The warmth of his body against hers felt safe, comforting, and she let herself lean into him.

“Where are you lost, baby?” he asked softly, his voice filled with tenderness as he placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder.

Shehnaaz stood still, her gaze fixed on the reddish hues of the setting sun, lost in thought. A question lingered in her mind, one that she couldn’t keep to herself any longer. “Aapko mujhse pyaar kyu hua..?” Her voice was soft but filled with genuine curiosity, a question that had been brewing inside her for a while.

Sidharth, who had been watching the sunset beside her, was suddenly thrown off by her unexpected question. Confused, he turned to face her, his brows furrowed as he tried to understand the meaning behind it. “Yeh kaisa sawaal hai..?” he asked, not sure where this was coming from.

Shehnaaz, still staring at the horizon, repeated herself, this time with a touch more vulnerability in her voice. “Bataiye na… kuch toh mujhme pasand kiya hoga na aapne..?”

Sidharth sighed, slightly exasperated but mostly bewildered. He had no idea how she managed to come up with such strange questions, questions that seemed to appear out of nowhere. With a gentle shake of his head, he answered with a tease, “I liked nothing but everything in you.”

His words were meant to tease her, but they didn’t seem to satisfy her. Instead of calming her down, his answer only added to her confusion. She turned away from him, clearly upset by his response, her face showing the frustration she felt inside.

In her haste to walk away, she twisted her foot slightly. She winced as the pain shot through her, and to make things worse, a sharp thorn from the ground pierced through her thin slipper, digging deep into her skin. She stopped abruptly, her body tensing as she felt a sudden, sharp sting.

A soft cry of pain escaped her lips, instantly catching Sidharth’s attention. He turned towards her, concern flooding his face as he saw her crouching down, clutching her foot. He quickly rushed to her side.

Shehnaaz bent down to inspect her foot, her fingers trembling as she saw blood trickling from where the thorn had lodged itself.

Sidharth knelt beside her, his heart sinking at the sight of her distress. He could see the deep gash the thorn had caused, and without wasting another second, he gently reached for her foot. Shehnaaz shrieked in pain as he slowly, carefully pulled the thorn out, trying his best not to hurt her more than she already was.

He immediately tossed her slipper aside, frustrated that something so small could cause her so much pain. With quick movements, he pulled out his handkerchief and wrapped it tightly around her bleeding fingers, hoping to stop the blood flow. His hands were steady, but inside, his heart ached seeing her in pain.

As he looked up to meet her eyes, his chest tightened. Her face was pale, and her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. The sight of her tears broke something inside him, filling him with a deep sense of frustration. How could she always find herself in trouble like this? How could such a small incident bring so much pain to her?

Not being able to stand it any longer, he scooped her up into his arms, lifting her gently yet firmly. He could feel her slight weight in his embrace, but her pain weighed heavier on his heart. His movements were brisk as he began walking towards the cottage, his pace quickening with each step.

“Har baat par gussa karna zaroori hai kya?” he shouted, the frustration spilling out in his voice. He wasn’t really angry at her—he was upset because he hated seeing her like this, and the helplessness gnawed at him. But his words only seemed to upset Shehnaaz more.

“Aur har baat par mazak karna zaroori hai kya?” Shehnaaz shot back, her frustration bubbling over, and her words only added fuel to Sidharth’s growing anger.

He clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. “Dard ho raha hai… phir bhi ladna hai tumhe,” he groaned, struggling to keep his voice steady. It was unbearable for him to see her in pain, yet here she was, arguing even in her discomfort. Her pain pierced through him, but so did the fact that they were fighting instead of comforting each other.

Her response came swiftly, and this time her voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes. “Mujhe dard ho raha hai… phir bhi daant rahe ho,” she said, her words shaky with emotion, her vulnerability laid bare before him. Those last few words broke through Sidharth’s tough exterior, making him feel completely exposed, his heart aching to see her like this.

Sidharth had always reacted with anger when he was worried or scared, a defense mechanism that wasn’t the best approach, and he knew it. But in moments like this, he felt utterly helpless. He could never stand to see her hurt. A long sigh escaped his lips as he pulled her even closer, enveloping her in his protective embrace, trying to calm both their racing hearts. “Sorry, baby… me pareshan ho gaya na,” he whispered, his voice softening with genuine regret. He knew his anger had only added to her distress, and that made him feel guilty.

His apology and the warmth of his embrace had a soothing effect on Shehnaaz. Her arms snaked around his neck, pulling him even closer as she looked deep into his eyes. In that moment, her anger melted away, replaced by the tenderness she always felt for him. “Mai theek hoon… aap pareshan mat ho,” she whispered, her voice filled with reassurance, though her heart still ached from the pain in her foot.

Sidharth’s gaze softened as he looked into her eyes, those eyes that held so much love, so much trust. His hand gently cupped her face as he whispered back, “Kaise na hoon, mera bachha…” His voice was laced with concern, love, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. She was his world, his everything. The thought of her being in pain, of anything happening to her, was unbearable.

Sidharth carried Shehnaaz straight to the bedroom, his heart pounding with worry. Gently, he placed her on the bed, his movements hurried yet careful, as though any slight mistake would cause her more pain. His mind raced as he quickly reached into his bag, pulling out the first aid box with trembling hands. The sight of her blood soaking through his hanky made his chest tighten with fear, but he refused to let his panic show.

As he knelt beside her, he noticed how Shehnaaz closed her eyes tightly, trying to mask the pain. She didn’t want him to see her discomfort, to worry more than he already was. But she didn’t realize how deeply he knew her. She was his baby—he could sense her pain even in her silence. How could he not?

Gently, he blew on the wound, hoping to soothe the sting before dabbing it with a cotton ball soaked in Detol. The moment the antiseptic touched her skin, Shehnaaz flinched, a sharp gasp escaping her lips despite her best efforts to stay quiet.

Sidharth immediately pulled back, his heart twisting at the sight of her in pain. His gaze shifted to the wound, and what he saw made his chest constrict even more. It wasn’t a superficial cut—it was deep, too deep for his comfort. The blood was still trickling, and it terrified him.

“Lie down baby,” he whispered softly, his voice firm but filled with concern. He didn’t want her to see the wound, didn’t want her to worry as much as he was. Shehnaaz obeyed without hesitation, her trust in him absolute, even though she was still clearly in pain.

He continued tending to the wound, blowing softly as he dabbed the cotton, trying his best to be as gentle as possible. But no matter how careful he was, she flinched again, her body involuntarily reacting to the sting.

Frustration and helplessness surged through him. He threw the cotton ball aside, unable to stand seeing her like this any longer. Sidharth cupped her face with both hands, his touch tender as he pressed his lips to her forehead, silently hoping his kiss would ease her pain, if only a little. She clung to his shirt, her fingers gripping the fabric as though seeking comfort in his closeness.

“Main ab thik hoon… aap kyun pareshan ho rahe hain?” Shehnaaz whispered softly, her voice trying to reassure him. But those words only stirred something deeper in him—anger, yes, but also an ache. How could she ask him not to worry? How could she not understand how much her pain affected him?

Sidharth pulled back slightly, his brow furrowed, and his eyes searched hers with intensity. “Agar tumhari jagah main hota, toh tum ignore kar deti mera dard?” His voice was soft, but the question carried weight, filled with emotion that he couldn’t hide.

Shehnaaz couldn’t answer. His question hit her hard, silencing her in an instant. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes, and slowly shook her head. No, she wouldn’t have ignored his pain. Of course, she wouldn’t.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Sidharth saw them before they fell. It broke his heart. She was trying so hard to be strong for him, but all he wanted was to share her burden, to be there for her, in every joy and every sorrow. He couldn’t stand the thought of her suffering alone, even for a second.

Sidharth’s voice was filled with determination as he said, “I will do it for you, no matter how much time it takes.” His intense gaze met Shehnaaz’s, and in that moment, she felt a surge of love for him. She could see how much he cared, his resolve shining through.

After bandaging her fingers, he went to clean his hands. When he returned, he was startled to find her attempting to get out of bed. His protective instincts kicked in, and he couldn’t help but shout, “Kisne kaha bed se uthne ke liye?”

Shehnaaz blinked at him, confused by his sudden outburst. “Arre… operation thodi hua hai! Aise behave kar rahe hai,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “Aur dinner kaun banayega? 8 baj gaye hain.”

Sidharth made a face, clearly not liking the idea of her exerting herself. “I’ll do it,” he offered.

The uncertain tone in his voice made her raise an eyebrow, and she couldn’t help but doubt him. “Aapko aata hai?”

He looked away for a moment, hating to admit that he lacked in this area. “Well… no…” His expression showed how much he hated not being able to do something for her. “But I will figure it out. It’s not rocket science.”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. Without a word, she started to walk toward the door. Before she could take more than a few steps, Sidharth, already annoyed, scooped her up into his arms.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he muttered, carrying her downstairs to the kitchen. Shehnaaz, caught off guard by his sudden action, looked up at him in surprise.

As he carried her effortlessly, he frowned, “You’ve lost weight, baby.” not liking her getting thin.

“Hayy sachhi? Maine notice hi nahi kiya,” Shehnaaz repeated, her face lighting up with rather happiness. She smiled brightly as Sidharth carefully set her down on the kitchen platform, his protective nature kicking in as he made sure she was comfortable.

“Now dare you move from here,” he warned playfully, still serious enough to let her know he meant it. “Tum mujhe guide karo, I’ll cook.”

Shehnaaz couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his determination. “Offoo, mai kar lungi na,” she said, knowing full well that his kitchen skills were practically non-existent. She highly doubted his ability to whip up a proper meal, but she didn’t want to hurt his pride by saying it out loud.

Sidharth, seeing the skepticism in her eyes, moved closer. His presence loomed over her as he placed both hands on either side of her on the counter, trapping her in the best way possible. His eyes bore into hers, full of playful challenge. “You don’t trust me, do you?” he asked, his tone teasing yet with a hint of seriousness.

Shehnaaz made a cute baby face, one that always made his heart melt. “I do… but mujhe bhukha nahi rehna,” she responded, her lips curving into a small smirk. She couldn’t help but tease him back.

For a second, he pretended to be angry, glaring at her with mock seriousness. But he couldn’t hold it for long. His face broke into a wide grin, and before either of them knew it, they were both laughing uncontrollably. Their laughter filled the kitchen, mixing with the warmth of the moment and the shared happiness that only love can bring.

When the laughter subsided, Sidharth cupped her face in his hands, his touch soft but firm. His eyes softened as he gazed at her, his voice dropping to a gentle whisper. “I freaking love you so damn much,” he said, pressing a light kiss on her nose.

Shehnaaz sat there, completely still, her heart racing as her mind processed what had just happened. Her breath hitched. This was the first time he had said those three magical words—*I love you*—the words she had longed to hear from him, words that carried the weight of everything they had been through together.

Her lips quivered, and before she knew it, she found herself whispering back, “I love you too.” The words escaped her naturally, as if they had been resting on her tongue for ages, waiting for the perfect moment.

As soon as she said it, something shifted between them. Those words seemed to wrap around Sidharth’s heart, squeezing it in a way that he couldn’t quite explain. He felt an overwhelming surge of emotions—love, relief, joy—all crashing into him at once. He looked at her with such intensity that it made Shehnaaz’s heart flutter.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, letting the silence speak. Neither of them needed to say more. It was all there, in their eyes, in the way they held each other. The love they shared, unspoken until now, was finally out in the open, and it was as if the world had stopped for them, just for this one beautiful moment.

Sidharth wrapped his arms around Shehnaaz, pulling her close. His hands found their way to her waist, and he lifted her effortlessly, making her feel as though she was floating. It was as if the earth beneath her feet had vanished, leaving only the sensation of being held by him.

“Dance with me,” he murmured, his voice full of warmth and affection. As he spun her around, the joy in her laughter filled the room, creating a beautiful rhythm between them.

Shehnaaz, her heart racing with excitement, leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “Aur music?”

“Feel it,” Sidharth replied with a grin, guiding their dance with gentle, flowing steps. He never allowed her feet to touch the ground, making their movements seamless and tender.

Shehnaaz’s face lit up with a playful sparkle as she teased, “Kuch kuch hota hai type…”

Sidharth’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Kuch kuch what…?” he asked, genuinely puzzled by her reference.

Shehnaaz looked at him with a look of disbelief, as if he were from another planet. “Hayy rabba, aapne ye movie nahi dekhi?” she asked, her voice filled with mock astonishment. Her gaze was incredulous, clearly surprised that he hadn’t seen a film so iconic in her eyes.

Sidharth rolled his eyes with exaggerated frustration and gently set her back on the kitchen platform. “Mrs. Would-be Sidharth,” he said with a playful tone, “I’m trying to be romantic here, and you’re not exactly helping matters.”

Shehnaaz pouted, clearly disappointed at being set back on the platform. “Bhukh lagi hai, Sidharth,” she said, a hint of urgency in her voice. “Please, kuch bana leti hu…”

Sidharth sighed, his eyes reflecting both frustration and affection. He knew that if he attempted to cook, they would likely end up with an inedible meal and even hungrier. “Are you sure, baby?” he asked, his tone soft but resigned.

Rolling her eyes playfully, Shehnaaz used Sidharth’s support to carefully get down from the kitchen platform. With a determined look, she began preparing food with a quick and practiced efficiency. The rhythmic chopping and stirring brought a sense of normalcy to the kitchen, and Sidharth couldn’t help but watch her with a sense of admiration.

From behind, he slipped his arms around her waist and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. “I want which pasta sauce too, baby,” he murmured, his voice filled with affectionate teasing.

Today, he had taken on the duty of feeding both of them, and he made sure to sit her comfortably on his lap. As she busily worked, she playfully bit his fingers a few times. Each nibble made him wince, but his eyes, though feigning annoyance, were filled with affection. Shehnaaz’s giggles were like music to his ears, and he loved every moment of their playful banter.

Watching her open up to him so naturally was something Sidharth cherished deeply. She was expressing herself freely, showing her emotions, from anger to care, and it all felt so right. This side of her, her openness and candidness, made him realize just how much he had come to rely on her presence. He thought about how his nights would be incomplete without her in his arms and how the mornings would lack their warmth if she wasn’t there to wish him a good day.

His reflections were abruptly interrupted by the sound of something falling. He felt Shehnaaz stir in his lap, her peaceful sleep disturbed by the noise. Startled, she blinked open her eyes and looked around, her gaze searching for the source of the disturbance. The noise came again, more insistent this time.

Sidharth tightened his embrace around her, sensing her fear. “It’s okay,” he reassured her softly, “kuch gir gaya hoga.” He tried to soothe her with his calm voice, hoping to ease her anxiety.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened with rapid blinking as she held onto his vest, moving even closer to him in her fear. The next noise made her shriek, and she clung to him, her voice trembling, “Bbbbbbbhhhhooooootttttt aaammmmaaaaaaa….”

Sidharth’s heart raced as he saw Shehnaaz’s fear escalate. He gently cupped her face, trying to make sense of her distress. “Kya…?” he asked softly, his concern evident.

“Sidharth, yaha bhoot hai,” she said with such earnestness and wide-eyed terror that, for a fleeting moment, Sidharth almost considered the possibility. But then, his inherent sense of humor took over, and he burst into laughter.

He laughed heartily, his joy spilling over in such a way that his eyes watered and his stomach ached. He laughed until he could hardly breathe, while Shehnaaz watched him in bewilderment, as if a ghost had indeed taken over his body.

Seeing her growing more scared and trying to pull away, she cried out, “Ammaaa…” Her fear was palpable, and Sidharth’s laughter, though still bubbling, was tinged with a sense of guilt for frightening her.

Determined to bring her comfort, he pulled her back into his embrace. His laughter softened into a tender, affectionate tone as he began to soothe her. “Woh chandelier dekh, kaise hil raha hai,” he teased gently, pointing toward the chandelier swaying slightly.

Shehnaaz’s eyes followed his gesture, and she saw the chandelier moving. Her terror peaked, and her tears flowed freely as she began to sob like a child overwhelmed by fear. The sight of her breaking down tugged at Sidharth’s heart.

Worried and feeling a pang of guilt, he pulled her even closer, his hands moving soothingly up and down her back. He kissed her forehead repeatedly, murmuring, “Baby, mazak tha na bachha, stop crying…” His voice was filled with genuine concern, and he continued to comfort her as best as he could.

Despite his efforts, Shehnaaz’s sobs persisted, punctuated by hiccups. He held her close, offering all the warmth and affection he could muster. “Here is your bhoot…” he said, his voice now tender and reassuring.

At those words, Shehnaaz looked up, her tear-streaked face searching for the source of his gaze. When she followed his eyes, she saw what he had been looking at—a pair of angry, glaring eyes staring back at them. The source of their disturbance was now clear, and Shehnaaz’s fear began to shift towards curiosity as she tried to make sense of the situation.

Author’s Note