Chapter 8

Sidharth cut her sharply, “Meeting tumse zyada important nahi hai.. samjhi tum?”

“Ji..?” Shehnaaz was surprised by his words, yet they brought a small, unexpected warmth to her heart.

“I mean..” Sidharth stumbled, realizing the depth of what he had just blurted out.

Sidharth wanted to check if she was okay. “Did you visit the clinic?”

“Ji.. nahi woh..” Shehnaaz’s hesitation made Sidharth’s anger flare at her careless behavior.

“Why.. why are you always careless about yourself? Tumhe koi farak nahi padta na.. lekin mujhe far….” He stopped, the unsaid words hanging heavily between them.

Silence engulfed both sides. Sidharth closed his eyes, mentally berating himself for almost revealing his feelings.

A small smile appeared on Shehnaaz’s face as she deciphered his unspoken words. He cared for her, and that was enough to make her feel better. “Doctor ghar pe aaye the,” she answered softly, addressing his unspoken concern.

Relief washed over him. “If you need any help… I mean, I will get someone from HR team.”

Shehnaaz twisted her lips and murmured, “Huh ye ni bolsakta tha ki Sana.. mein aau tumhara khayal rakhne.. par nahi.. khadoos insaan..”

He heard her murmur and rolled his eyes. “Aisi halat mein bhi tum mujhe khadoos bol rahi ho.. huh.. aur chahti kya ho tum? Main tumhara khayal rakhun?”

“Haan..” Shehnaaz said absentmindedly, then shrieked, “No.. I mean nahi, sorry sir..” She wondered if he had called just to argue with her. “Sir, apne mujhe tang karne ke liye call kiya hai..?”

Sidharth groaned impatiently, “Mujhe fikr ho rahi thi..”

Shehnaaz went silent, hiding her face in a pillow with a blush, while Sidharth realized he had been more honest than intended. “Mujhe fikr ho rahi thi ki mera kaam kaise hoga.. so you better get well soon and join back from Monday..” He quickly ended the call, leaving a grumpy Shehnaaz behind, frustrated at having wasted her blush on her sadu boss.

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The day dragged on for Sidharth, each minute feeling like an eternity. His mind was clouded with thoughts of Shehnaaz, making it impossible to concentrate on anything.

Returning home, his mother, Rita ji, noticed his gloomy face but chose not to bother him. Later, she went to his room to check if he had a fever, concerned by his unusual demeanor.

Meanwhile, Anu had spoken with Shehnaaz in the evening and requested a picture of her anklet so she could help find it. Shehnaaz agreed and sent a photo. Anu, delighted, decided to share the news with her mother.

Anu walked into her mother’s room, where Rita ji was taking her medicine. “Mom, are you sleepy?”

“No baby, come in here,” Rita ji said, setting aside her glass of water.

Anu sat beside her, a sad expression on her face. “Pata hai apko Sana ko fever aaya hai..”

Rita ji’s worry was evident. “Hayee meri bacchi, uska khayal kon rakh raha hoga.. uski family bhi nahi hai yaha..”

Anu nodded sadly. “Main Zoya ke ghar kal stay karne jau.. uska khayal bhi rakh lungi..”

“Bilkul nahi,” said Rita ji, shocking Anu. “Tu use yaha lekar aa.. khud ka khayal nahi rakhti uska kaise rakhegi..”

Anu loved the idea of bringing Shehnaaz home. Bhai and Sana under one roof—full-on entertainment. “Accha, if I give you good news, what will I get?”

Rita ji looked at her curiously. “Am I becoming a grandma?”

“Offoo.. I am not telling then,” Anu replied, annoyed at the joke.

Rita ji rolled her eyes. “Chal, bata ab drama mat kar..”

Anu giggled and shared the entire story of the anklet. By the end, Rita ji was beaming with happiness, a tear of joy escaping her eye. “Tujhe pata hai, us ladki ko jab tu pehli baar ghar le kar aai.. us ladki ko dekh kar mann bol raha tha ki ye mere Sid ki bejaan zindagi ko khushi se bhar degi.. bohot pyaar degi mere Sid ko..”

“Maa..” Anu scolded her lightly, wiping her tears away. “Isme rone ki kya baat hai.. they are meant to be together.. and destiny will make it happen..”

Anu wished her mother goodnight and left for her room.

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Shehnaaz couldn’t sleep, having rested most of the day due to medication. She was grateful to Zoya for taking care of her. Knowing she had to clear things up with Rajbeer, she gathered her courage and called him.

“Sana, itni raat ko call kiya.. sab theek hai na?” Raj’s groggy voice indicated he had been asleep.

“Sorry yaar.. itna late tussi pareshan liya..” Shehnaaz apologized.

“Koi na,” Raj was surprised by her late-night call. “Bolna kya baat hai..”

“Woh Amma ka call aaya tha.. bataya mainu..” She struggled with her words.

Raj understood. “Haan woh.. papa ne mainu pucha mennu.. toh maine haan bol ditta..” He wanted to express his feelings.

Sana sighed. “Raj, hamdono bachpan se dost hai aur.. ye sab.. tu samajh raha hai na..”

Raj smiled sadly. “Main tera mann samjhta hun ye sab enna jaldi hogya.. tu thoda waqt le le.. samajh baaton ko.. fir decision le.. waise bhi mai next week Mumbai aara hu..”

Shehnaaz thought her direct refusal might strain their friendship, so she decided to delay her response. “Ki baat kar raha hai sachhi kis vaste..”

Raj explained his upcoming music album audition, and Sana was genuinely happy for him. They were chatting like old friends when she noticed Sidharth’s call. She quickly ended the call with Raj and answered Sidharth’s call.

“Hello… Sir..” she spoke hesitantly.

Sidharth, unable to calm his worried mind, snapped. “Kisse baat kar rahi thi..?”

Sidharth’s angry tone startled her. “Ji.. wo.. mein Amma se..” She didn’t dare to tell him it was Raj.

Her response confused him. “But you stay with her na..?”

Forgetting her lie, Sana fumbled. “Haan but.. abi wo log Punjab gye hai.. kuch din k liye..”

“Then you are alone.. how are you taking care of yourself?” Sidharth’s worry intensified.

“Huh.. sir.. wo.. actually haa Zoya meri acchi friend ban gyi hai na ab toh.. woh mujhe apne ghar le kar aagyi..”

Her answer didn’t sit well with Sidharth. “Tumne mujhe call kyu ni kiya..”

Sana was at a loss. “Sir, apne kaha tha na HR se help.. toh maine HR se hi help li hai..”

His own words backfired, irritating him. “Abi fever hai kya..?” His voice softened, making Shehnaaz gulp in anticipation.

“Nahi..abi nahi hai..”

“You go to sleep.. call me if you need any help.” With that, Sidharth ended the call before Shehnaaz could respond.

He was lost in his thoughts, unsure why he was so drawn to her, why he felt it was his responsibility to care for her. Irritated, he tried to force himself to sleep.

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Saturday morning arrived, and an excited Anu was already at Zoya’s place to collect Shehnaaz. Zoya, annoyed at being disturbed so early, watched as Anu packed Shehnaaz’s bag and then woke her up.

“Sone do na Amma..” Sana murmured, still half-asleep.

Zoya laughed, while Anu, annoyed, retorted, “Offoo, I am not your Amma.. now get up yaar Sana..”

Sana woke up, still groggy. “Oh.. hi Anu.. Good morning..”

“Chal,” said Anu, pulling her out of bed.

“Kidhar..?” Sana asked, confused.

“Mere ghar.. mom ne kaha hai you will stay with us until you are fine.”

Shehnaaz thought Anu was joking and looked at her nightdress, then at Sana. “Brush bhi tere ghar jakar hi karenge, right?”

Anu replied coolly, “Haan, ab chal..”

Sana rolled her eyes while Zoya yawned and went back to sleep.

“Anu, main theek hu yaar.. plus tere Bhai ke sath ek chatt ke niche rehkar.. mujhe suicide nahi karna hai..”

Anu giggled and called her mother, handing over the phone to Sana.

“Hello.. ji aunty ji.. par main.. suniye toh.. lekin main kaise.. please aap…accha okay.. ji aunty ji..” With that, Sana handed the phone back to Anu, who looked at her curiously.

Sana rolled her eyes. “At least brush karke change kar lu..”

Anu jumped in excitement and hugged Sana.

Anu stopped the car in front of her house, and Sana took a deep breath. She had no idea how she would face her boss, but aunty ji was so adamant she couldn’t refuse. Anu asked one of the staff to take Sana’s bag and place it in the guest room.

Rita ji was waiting at the dining table, excited like a mother welcoming her daughter back from her pag-phere. She laughed at her own thoughts.

Kajal looked at her curiously. “Kya baat hai bhabhi ji.. badi khush lag rahi hai aap..”

Her comment made Aryan look at his badi maa. “Haan badi maa.. you look happy..”

Rita ji tried to appear casual. “No.. nothing as such.. mood accha hai bas..”

They were talking when Anu brought Shehnaaz, holding her hand.

Aryan stood up immediately, smiling brightly. “Shehnaaz.. hii.. kaisi hai aap..”

Shehnaaz smiled lightly. “I am okay.. aap..”

Curious Kajal cut her off. “Anu, ye yahan itni subah..”

Her voice was unwanted, making Sana feel bad.

Anu and Aryan were annoyed, while Rita ji glared at her. “Humne bulaya hai use Kajal.. anyways, aren’t you getting late for your kitty party?”

Kajal made an embarrassed face and walked away with a fake smile at Shehnaaz, who smiled back softly.

Rita ji came forward and hugged Sana. “Kitni weak lag rahi ho beta.. hum tumhe kahin nahi jaane denge..”

Shehnaaz was overwhelmed by Rita ji’s warmth. “Hayy rabba.. main bilkul theek hu aunty ji..”

Aryan looked at his badi maa lovingly, unable to help but stare at Sana.

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Sidharth woke up late and was working out in his home gym when he felt a familiar presence. Restless, he glanced around, expecting to find someone, but the room was empty. Frustrated, he sat on the floor, pulling his knees to his chest and resting his head on them. Sleep had eluded him, leaving him on edge. This was exactly what he feared—his intense emotions being used against him. To protect himself, he often put up a stern front, hiding the vulnerable Sidharth. But this girl… she had seen through his facade and found her way into his heart. He felt helpless, her presence haunting him, yet she wasn’t there.

Annoyed, he got up and headed towards his room, but then he noticed the guest room door was open. Confused, as no guests had arrived, he walked in. The room was empty, except for a lone bag on the floor. The atmosphere felt strange, making him uneasy. As he turned to leave, he bumped into the girl who had been robbing him of his sleep.

In an instant, he enveloped her in his protective arms before she could fall. Downstairs, Anu had directed her to her room, and she had been muttering to herself about facing her boss. Now, here she was, clutching his vest tightly in fear. She didn’t need to open her eyes to know who held her. Sidharth stared at her face with a possessive intensity, his arms tightening around her.

At first, he thought he was dreaming. His breath fell on her forehead, and her eyes were buried in his neck, tantalizing him. She barely reached his neck, her feet no longer touching the ground as she was completely in his embrace. She was so close that he could feel every inch of her, her breath warm against his neck, her heartbeat syncing with his.

His eyes roved possessively over her face. Her lips were painted with a pink gloss that he wanted to wipe away, but not with his fingers. Her kohl-lined eyes were clear today; he wanted to smudge them, but not with his hands. A slight sheen of sweat had formed on her cupid’s bow, drawing his attention. She was breathtaking, and she was taking his breath away.

“Tum samajhti kyu nahi,” he groaned, his fingers digging into her waistline, making her shiver and close her eyes tighter.

He didn’t know what he wanted her to understand, nor did she. But these feelings felt so natural between them. He never wanted to stop, and she had no complaints. Her fingers clutched his vest as his sweat mingled with hers. “Main nahi samajh pa raha ye kashish… jo mujhe pagal kar rahi hai,” he groaned in frustration, rubbing his nose against her forehead.

Every touch evoked a memory in her heart, every word a command in her mind, every breath mingled with her soul. This man—ruthless, possessive, passionate, and heartless. She wanted to be his. The thought scared her, and she opened her eyes, looking up at him.

His eyes reflected pain, passion, possession, fire, and extreme emotions. Was it love? Her body went numb in the embrace of this man who had stolen her peace, taken her away from herself. She had fallen in love.

When her almond eyes met his, she knew she had seen the vulnerable side he tried so hard to hide. His eyes spoke a language of love he wasn’t even aware of. Unable to control his thudding heart, he bent down and bit her earlobe. “Kyu mujhe takleef deti ho tum?” he blamed her again, and all she could do was shiver in his arms. “Mujhse nahi bardasht ho raha… I can’t stop myself anymore… samjhi tum?”

She nodded in agreement to whatever claim he was making, without understanding its meaning. Groaning in frustration, he fought the urge to bite her lower lip, which teased him endlessly. But he couldn’t resist. Every part of him demanded that she was his.

Her complete acceptance of his senseless behavior only made things worse. A strand of hair fell on her cheek, brushing her lips. The sight irritated him—anything touching her apart from him was unbearable. He blew on her face, making the strand move back to its place.

Her heart thudded rapidly. He was awakening emotions within her that she never knew existed. She had lost herself and found a girl who belonged to this man, who held her like his life depended on it. If this was love, she loved love.

Their lips were mere inches apart when Anu walked into the room and saw them. Her eyes widened at the sight of her not-so-romantic brother romancing with her friend Sana. Oh my god, Anu thought, wanting to do a happy dance right then and there. But not wanting to disturb them, she hid behind the wall. However, the door was open, and anyone could see them and get the wrong idea, so she decided to interrupt.

“Sana… mein kya keh…”

The loud voice brought them back to reality, and they immediately separated. Sidharth was startled to see Anu. Sana looked down, too shy to meet Anu’s eyes.

Anu acted innocent. “Are Bhai… aap yaha? Sana se mile aap? Vo kuch din yahin rehne wali hai…”

Sidharth was at a loss for words, still reeling from the moment. “Oh… I mean… I didn’t understand…”

“Mein fresh ho jati hu,” Shehnaz said rapidly and hurried to the washroom to calm her thudding heart.

Anu shook her head at the blushing Sana and looked at her brother, whose heartbeat was racing. His cheeks had a slight blush and a smile that was pure and innocent.

“What I mean is… Sana ki tabiyat thikh nahi hai na… toh maa ne bola use kuch din yahan le aao… so I brought her here… I hope you don’t mind,” Anu said innocently, observing his facial expressions that shifted from a sigh to confusion, then satisfaction, and finally a smile he tried to hide.

“Okay… yeah… I don’t mind… I was just passing by…”

“I didn’t ask,” Anu replied instantly, making Sidharth roll his eyes.

“Right…” he said, walking away with a final look at the washroom door.

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Once Sidharth was in his bedroom, he closed the door behind him and leaned against it, closing his eyes tightly. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing emotions within him. Slowly, a smile spread across his face, a genuine, heartfelt smile that he hadn’t felt in years. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly alive, happiness bubbling up inside him.

The realization hit him with a force that left him breathless. “You are mine, Shehnaaz,” he thought to himself. “Baby, you are so damn mine.” the depth of his emotions shook him inside out…. that woman belonged to him…

Meanwhile, Shehnaaz freshened up and stepped out of her room to find Anu sitting with Rita Ji. Rita Ji smiled warmly at her. “Aao beta, dekho nashta karlo. Tumhe medicines bhi lene honge.”

Shehnaaz felt a flush of embarrassment. “Aunty Ji, aap kyu itni takleef le rahe ho? Main niche aajati na.”

Rita Ji rolled her eyes affectionately while Anu giggled. “Maa ne tujhe bed se uthne allow kiya hai, vo boht badi baat hai.”

Shaking her head with a shy smile, Shehnaaz took a seat beside Rita Ji. She picked up a piece of toast and looked at Rita Ji. “Sorry, mene pucha nahi… aapne khaya?”

Rita Ji gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Shehnaaz’s ear. “Yes, aap khalo and take rest, okay? Bilkul uthna nahi hai bed se.”

After Rita Ji left, Anu and Shehnaaz chatted for a while until they heard a knock on the door. Anu opened it to find Sidharth standing there.

Smirking, Anu asked, “Bhai, aap..?”

Hearing the word “Bhai,” Shehnaaz stopped eating and tried to peep through the door like a curious child.

Sidharth, not expecting Anu to still be there, stammered, “Woh… I… I just came to check if she is comfortable.”

Anu gave a bright smile. “Bhai, aap ekdam chill karo. Main aapki Shehnaaz ka… I mean aapki secretary Shehnaaz ka acche se khayal rakhungi.” With that, she closed the door with a cheeky smile, leaving Sidharth standing there, slightly annoyed and realizing just how smart his sister was.

Anu ensured that Shehnaaz took her medicines and asked her to rest for a while before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Sidharth was in the living room, discussing work details with Aryan, outlining his profile expectations.

In the kitchen, Rita Ji was making sure everything was being prepared perfectly for the day. She glanced into the living room and saw Anu dancing robotically to a song on her earphones, rolling her eyes at her daughter’s antics. “She is an antique piece,” Rita Ji thought with a chuckle.

Manish was out of town, and Kajal, who had come downstairs, watched Rita Ji’s excitement with a hint of displeasure. The positive vibes that Shehnaaz brought seemed like a threat to her, unsettling her more than she cared to admit.

Shehnaaz, having eaten and taken her medicines, lay down to rest. As she closed her eyes, her thoughts drifted to Sidharth. His presence lingered in her mind, his touch, his words, his possessiveness. She felt a strange sense of belonging, a warmth that enveloped her heart. She was scared of the intensity of her feelings, yet she couldn’t deny the happiness they brought.

Sidharth, too, couldn’t shake off the emotions coursing through him. His heart thudded loudly as he thought about Shehnaaz. The way she fit perfectly in his arms, the way her presence calmed and excited him at the same time. He had never felt so connected to someone before, so vulnerable yet so complete.

In that moment of reflection, both of them realized the depth of their feelings for each other. It was a connection that spoke words, a bond that went beyond mere attraction. It was love, pure and powerful, and it was theirs to cherish.

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Author’s Note

Hello, dear readers!

I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. Writing about Sidharth and Shehnaaz’s evolving relationship has been a deeply enriching experience. Their chemistry, struggles, and unspoken connection have made this story truly special for me, and I hope it has touched your hearts as well.

In this chapter, I delved deeper into their raw emotions and vulnerabilities. Sidharth’s internal battle with his feelings and Shehnaaz’s innocent yet profound connection to him are central to their story. Their love is not just about romantic moments but also about finding solace and belonging in each other amidst life’s chaos.

Thank you for your continuous support and love. Your comments, votes, and feedback mean the world to me and inspire me to keep writing. Stay tuned for more chapters as we further explore their journey, struggles, and love.

Also, stay tuned for “Baarish,”  along with the rest of the stories. There’s so much more in store, and I can’t wait for you to dive into these new adventures.

Don’t forget to follow me on  Wattpad, Instagram and Youtube  for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. Your support on these platforms helps keep the creativity flowing.

With love and gratitude,

Shalaka

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