Chapter 36

Shikhar’s hand trembled as he clutched his phone, trying for what felt like the hundredth time to call Anu. With each unanswered ring, the tension in his chest grew unbearable, his breaths coming short and fast. His heart felt heavy, almost suffocating as if the air itself was filled with dread. “Please… pick up the phone, Anu,” he murmured, his voice choked with desperation. Yet again, silence was the only reply he received. Anu wasn’t answering. She wasn’t replying to his messages, either. The realization that she had switched off her phone stung, making him feel helpless and shattered.

Slowly, Shikhar sank down against the wall, sliding until he sat on the cold floor. The silence around him seemed to mock him, increasing the void Anu’s absence had left in his heart. He’d tried everything he could think of to reach her, even calling her from Ritika’s phone, but Anu hadn’t picked up. It was as if she’d vanished from his world, leaving him stranded and painfully aware of just how much he missed her.

“Why, Anu?” he whispered, voice breaking, “You can’t just disappear like this. You can’t push me away… punish me like this.” The thought that Anu might really be serious about ending things clawed at him, making his heart ache with fresh fear. Had she misunderstood him that badly? Did she truly believe he was avoiding her because he didn’t want her anymore? No, he loved her deeply, with every part of his soul. He couldn’t bear the idea that she might believe otherwise.

Just then, Ritika entered the room, her expression softening when she saw her brother. She knew he’d been holed up in his room. He hadn’t been himself, and she could see that Anu’s silence was eating him alive.

“Bhai, aap thik ho?” Ritika asked softly, her voice filled with concern as she took in his distressed face.

Shikhar looked at her with restless, pleading eyes. “Anu mujhse baat hi nahi karna chahti, Riti. How am I supposed to explain myself to her?” His voice cracked, desperation leaking through his words. He glanced at Ritika with a spark of hope, “Tumhara phone uthaya usne?”

Ritika’s gentle shake of her head dashed his hope, feeling guilty for lying and he looked away, his shoulders slumping as the last bit of his spirit seemed to drain out of him.

Ritika tried to reassure him, offering a faint smile, “Bhai, please relax. Woh aapse shayad naraz hai… thik ho jayega sab…”

But Shikhar shook his head, unable to accept that it would be that easy. “I hurt her, Riti,” he confessed, guilt twisting in his chest. “How could I be so stupid? What was I thinking, ignoring her like that? Agar usne mujhse breakup kar liya toh…” He couldn’t even finish the sentence. The mere thought of losing Anu was unbearable.

Sitting down beside him, Ritika placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Aisa kuch nahi hoga bhai,” she said with quiet confidence. “Anu meri bestfriend hai. Main jaanti hoon usse… usne humesha sirf aapse pyar kiya hai.” Her voice softened, a hint of warmth in her gaze. “Jab aap dusri ladkiyon me involved the… tab bhi, woh aap se pyar karti thi.”

Shikhar looked at her, taken aback. He hadn’t realized how deeply Anu’s feelings ran, how much she had loved him even through his mistakes.

Ritika continued gently, “Woh aapke behaviour se hurt hai, bhai. She needs reassurance… work on it. She isn’t leaving you.”

Hearing those words, Shikhar’s heart swelled with both hope and regret. His vision blurred as his eyes filled with tears. He missed her so much it hurt. If she’d just give him one more chance, he would make sure never to take her for granted again. In his heart, he silently pleaded, Please, baby, I’m so sorry. Just talk to me, give me a chance to make this right.

After a moment, Ritika stood up, leaving Shikhar alone in his room. He wiped his tears, resolving that he couldn’t go on like this. It was time to talk to Sidharth. No matter how Sidharth reacted, Shikhar couldn’t afford to lose Anu.

With a renewed sense of determination, he typed a message to Anu, his fingers moving quickly as his heart poured into the words: “Tum mujhse baat karo ya na karo… tum sirf meri ho aur main tumhara. Tumhara gussa sar aankhon par… I love you, baby, and there’s no way I’m losing you ever.”

As he hit send, Shikhar felt a glimmer of hope. Whatever it took, he would fight for Anu and show her that he meant every word. She was his forever, and he would do whatever it took to make her see that.

Taking a deep breath, Shehnaaz mumbled softly, “Agar aapko thik nahi lag raha toh… I mean… me… Umm… me khila du apko…” Her voice trailed off, each word escaping with a nervous stammer as she glanced at him, uncertain.

Sidharth’s gaze lingered on her, watching her every move with a barely concealed intensity. He was holding back a smirk, enjoying her adorable fumbling and shy expression. Her innocence always got to him, but tonight, there was something even more captivating in her awkwardness. His eyes traveled to her lips, soft and trembling, and memories of their first kiss flooded his mind. His gaze darkened, and his heart raced with a newfound, primal urge.

God, he wanted to kiss her again. And this time, he wasn’t sure he could resist.

Lost in his thoughts, Sidharth barely registered that Shehnaaz had no clue about the whirlwind of emotions running through his mind. She only saw his intense stare, and it made her heart race uncontrollably. Her brain seemed to freeze under his unrelenting gaze, and, without thinking, she nervously licked her lips. It was a small, almost unconscious gesture, but it only made his longing intensify, filling him with a restless desire.

“Hmm…” was all he managed to say, a low hum that carried more meaning than any words could convey. His intense gaze held hers, and in that silence, he hoped she could feel everything he was struggling to say. His eyes spoke volumes, revealing that he was done with the walls he’d built between them. He wanted her to know that he was starting to fall for her, and he was beginning to crave these tender, unguarded moments with her. She was bringing something new into his life—a feeling that was both comforting and utterly disarming.

Shehnaaz felt her cheeks flush under his gaze, her heart thumping so loudly she wondered if he could hear it. His stare was too much, too overwhelming, and she had to look away. She bit down on her lower lip, a shy smile creeping onto her face as she tried to steady herself. The thought of him wanting her to feed him stirred something warm and happy inside her.

Sidharth’s restraint wavered as he watched her bite her lip, a soft groan nearly escaping him. He felt a spark of frustration mingled with desire—she had no idea the effect she had on him, how much she was testing his patience.

Shehnaaz gathered herself, picking up a bite of food and lifting it to his lips. Sidharth leaned in without hesitation, his lips brushing her fingers as he took the bite. A shiver ran down her spine, her fingers trembling slightly as she felt the warmth of his mouth against her skin. She realized that feeding this meal to him wasn’t going to be as simple as it had seemed last night; there was a charged, unspoken energy between them, and it only grew with each moment.

Sidharth’s gaze remained locked on her, his eyes never shifting even as she fed him bite after bite. Her heart raced faster, her nerves tingling under his intense stare. The small touches, the gentle brushes of his lips against her fingers, and the silence between them spoke louder than any words. The memories of their recent closeness, their shared moments, kept resurfacing in her mind, making her cheeks burn with a blush that she couldn’t hide.

Her pulse was erratic, her thoughts hazy, and all she could feel was Sidharth’s gaze on her, pure and unwavering. She fed him with a trembling hand, each bite a quiet confession of her growing feelings, and he, in turn, accepted each morsel with a silent promise of his own, his eyes expressing every emotion his lips couldn’t.

Sidharth glanced at her, his voice soft yet searching as he asked, “Vihaan se baat hui tumhari?” He knew it was a simple question, but truthfully, he just wanted to hear her speak. Her gentle voice had a calming effect on him that he loved so much.

A faint smile touched Shehnaaz’s lips, lighting up her face as she replied, “Nahi, jab Anu se baat hui… tab woh so raha tha.” She hesitated, a hint of worry creeping into her eyes. She wasn’t sure how he’d react to their plans, but honesty won over her hesitation. “Hum, I mean… me, Anu, Sanju, aur Vihaan… aaj waterpark jaane wale the. Woh teeno nikal gaye honge waterpark ke liye,” she added, her voice softening with a mixture of excitement and unease.

Sidharth listened intently, nodding after a pause. He had already heard about their plans from her earlier chatter but decided to act curious anyway. “Tum nahi gayi?” he asked, his eyes never leaving her face.

Shehnaaz blinked at him, momentarily taken aback by his question. How could she explain that leaving him behind didn’t feel right? She hesitated, then stammered, “Aapko aise chhodkar main kaise…” Her words trailed off as she caught herself, suddenly realizing how much she’d just admitted. Her eyes widened, and she quickly looked down, hoping he hadn’t noticed the depth of her concern.

But Sidharth had noticed. Her incomplete sentence, the way she cared enough to skip the outing—these unspoken things stirred something warm within him. His gaze softened, a trace of possessiveness flickering in his eyes. He knew she cared deeply, more than she was ready to admit, and it comforted him. He let the moment settle between them, savoring the silent confession that her actions had already revealed.

Shehnaaz kept her head down, nervously focusing on feeding him. She had no idea what he was thinking, but his silence only made her more aware of him. Each bite she offered felt loaded with emotion, each glance holding an unsaid truth.

Once she finished, she tried to get up, only to feel his hand close gently around her wrist, stopping her mid-movement. Startled, she looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn’t expected this from him, and the warmth of his touch sent a slight shiver down her spine, making her heart race.

Sidharth met her gaze, unbothered by her shock. Without a word, he reached over to pick up the landline beside him, dialing the living room. Their house help, Varsha, answered, and Sidharth asked her to send a plate of breakfast upstairs for Shehnaaz.

Shehnaaz blinked, both surprised and touched. His simple gesture left her speechless. She’d come to take care of him, yet here he was, quietly making sure she was taken care of too.

Shehnaaz was caught off guard by the warmth in Sidharth’s voice and his insistence. “Main neeche jaake kha loongi,” she said softly, almost a whisper. But Sidharth’s hand moved to his forehead, rubbing slightly as his headache intensified, a sign that the fever was creeping back in.

“Eat here,” he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of his exhaustion.

Shehnaaz’s gaze sharpened as she caught the slight strain in his movements. Worry flashed in her eyes, and without a second thought, she moved closer, reaching out to feel his forehead. “Aapko vaapas fever chadh raha hai?” she asked, her tone laced with concern. “That’s it. I’m calling the doctor.” Her usual guarded composure gave way to an honest panic, exposing her real feelings.

Before she could pull away, Sidharth’s arm slipped around her waist, his hold gentle but firm as he leaned against her. “I don’t need…” His voice trailed off, his need for rest pulling him closer to her warmth. For a brief, quiet moment, he simply wanted to sleep in her embrace.

Her voice quivered as she looked at him, her emotions barely contained. “Please… aap aise kyun kar rahe hain?” she asked, her words heavy with the pain she could no longer hold back. Tears brimmed in her eyes, revealing just how deeply his refusal to take care of himself affected her.

Sidharth was transfixed, her teary eyes stirring something tender within him. How could he ignore the genuine worry she felt, even if it was “just a fever?” Her pain over his wellbeing brought him a strange sweetness, mixed with guilt for being the cause. He tightened his hold around her waist, pulling her so close she was nearly sitting on his lap. He didn’t know when it happened, but being this close felt completely natural.

“Rona band karo,” he whispered, his voice softer than ever. His hand brushed against her cheek, wiping away the tears, and his lips found their way to her forehead, pressing a light, lingering kiss there. He gently caressed her cheek, his touch as delicate as a feather, leaving her momentarily breathless.

Shehnaaz looked down, feeling both exposed and broken. How had she allowed her emotions to slip so openly? He had warned her to stay away, yet here she was, unable to resist caring for him. Her heart craved moments like these, moments when his actions hinted at a love she wished were real, more than anything else in the world.

But the sound of a knock shattered the delicate moment, jolting Shehnaaz out of her trance. She quickly moved away, her cheeks flushed as she stepped aside, leaving Sidharth’s arms reluctantly. He frowned at her sudden distance, as if something precious had just slipped from his grasp.

The helper entered, carefully placing the breakfast plate on the side table near Sidharth and then left, allowing them to be alone again.

“Sit,” Sidharth’s voice was soft yet commanding as he gestured for Shehnaaz to settle back down.

“Main sach mein kha loongi. Aap please aaram—” she began, but her words trailed off as he made a move to stand up.

Alarmed, she instinctively moved closer, her hands gripping his arms as she softly pressed him back down, her worry spilling into her actions. Their eyes locked, faces mere inches apart, both acutely aware of the tension in the small space between them. Shehnaaz’s heart raced, her lips trembling as if anticipating something more.

Reluctantly, she sank back into her seat, her heart drumming wildly. Sidharth’s arm slipped around her waist, drawing her closer in a way that made her breath hitch. It was as though he was determined to erase any distance between them. What’s gotten into him today? she thought, a mixture of excitement and confusion brewing inside her. She could hardly handle his touch without feeling as if she’d melt completely.

He lifted a spoonful of food and brought it toward her lips, “Eat, and then… you can call the doctor.”

She opened her mouth without a second thought, obediently accepting the bite he offered. She couldn’t believe he was actually listening to her suggestion, a surprising gentleness filling his gaze. Lost in the moment, she found herself forgetting everything else, caught in the intensity of his stare. Each time his fingers brushed against her lips while feeding her, a rush of warmth bloomed in her heart.

As he continued to feed her with an unexpected tenderness, her heart began to melt. Why was he acting this way? Why this sudden care and warmth? A thought, both fragile and terrifying, started to creep into her mind. Could it be… was he… finally accepting her? But she quickly brushed the thought away, painfully reminding herself that he had only ever shown his anger and resentment. He’s just being considerate, she told herself, blinking back the tears threatening to spill.

Noticing the glimmer of tears in her eyes, Sidharth set the plate aside and gently cupped her face, concern flooding his gaze. “Kya hua, Naaz?” he asked, his voice huskier than he intended. His thumb traced her cheek, caressing her skin with a gentleness that set her heart ablaze.

She kept her eyes lowered, swallowing hard before responding, “Aap… aap medicine le lijiye aur rest kijiye. Main doctor ko call kar deti hoon,” she whispered. “Umm… woh… Vihaan ke khane ke liye sandwiches aur waffles banaye hain. Woh dekar… jaldi wapas ati hoon…” Her voice faltered as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.

Sidharth’s hand lingered on her cheek, his gaze searching her face with unspoken words as if trying to understand the storm brewing inside her. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her he saw her care, her worry… but instead, he simply let his hand rest on her cheek, unwilling to let go.

“We’ll go together after the doctor’s visit,” Sidharth stated firmly, making it clear he had no intention of letting her go alone.

“No,” Shehnaaz replied, almost defiantly, surprising them both. Sidharth looked at her, his gaze unwavering, as she continued, suddenly feeling like a nervous mouse under his intense stare. “Aapko rest ki zarurat hai… main bas snacks deke vapas aa jaungi.”

“I said we’ll go together,” he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. Shehnaaz huffed in frustration, bewildered by his persistence. What’s going on with him today? she wondered, trying to ignore the warmth of his arm around her waist, which sent little shivers through her.

Gathering her courage, she finally looked him in the eye. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the depth of his gaze, the rich chocolate brown color making his eyes even more intense. She quickly shook her head, trying to snap herself out of the trance he seemed to have cast over her, while he watched her with barely concealed amusement, keeping his expression neutral.

“Hum dono nahi jayenge,” she said firmly. “You need rest. Main Varsha ko bol deti hoon, woh de aayegi Vihaan ka snacks.” She tried to pull herself away, but his arm stayed firmly around her, his fingers grazing her skin in soft, deliberate strokes.

She knew he’d likely snap out of this unfamiliar tenderness any moment, so she took a steadying breath, trying to regain control. Determined, she placed her hands on his shoulders and gently but firmly guided him to lie back down.

His eyes, dark and possessive, stayed locked on her as he allowed her to take charge, his expression a mix of intrigue and intensity that made her pulse quicken.

She moved closer along with him until he was lying flat on the bed, and she sat beside him, tenderly pulling the duvet over him. She then picked up the balm bottle, unscrewing the lid and taking a small dab of it on her finger. As she began to massage his forehead, Sidharth instinctively moved closer, his other arm encircling her, holding her even tighter.

Shehnaaz continued the gentle massage, letting her fingers work their soothing magic across his forehead. His eyes gradually closed as he relaxed into a peaceful sleep beside her. She kept at it for a few more minutes, her fingers lightly brushing his cheek, feeling the soft texture of his skin with a tender smile. Finally, she carefully removed herself from his embrace and slipped off the bed, casting one last glance at his sleeping form.

Downstairs, she found Rita ji and Tayiji deep in conversation. Tayiji spotted her and smiled, “Sana, idhar aa ja beta…”

“Bas 2 min mein aayi, Tayiji,” Shehnaaz replied warmly before heading to the kitchen. She found Varsha, their helper, bustling about and approached her. “Varsha, main address de deti hoon. Driver ko le jana aur Vihaan ke liye jo food pack kiya hai, woh de aana, thik hai?”

Varsha nodded with a smile, “Ji, Bhabhi. Aap bhi jaane wale the na?”

Shehnaaz gave a small, reassuring smile, “Haan, par Bhaiya ko abhi bhi thik nahi lag raha. Toh main nahi ja rahi. Par tu jaldi ja, main Anu didi ko bata deti hoon ke tum aa rahi ho snacks leke.”

Leaving the kitchen, Shehnaaz returned to the living room where Rita ji and Tayiji were waiting. She approached them, “Ji, Tayiji…”

Tayiji looked at her with concern, “Sid thik hai ab?”

Shehnaaz sighed, “Nahi, Tayiji. Unhe fir se fever chadh raha hai.”

Rita ji immediately stood up, worry evident on her face, “Hey Bhagwan, ise kya ho gaya hai achanak se…

Shehnaaz gently made Rita ji sit back on the sofa. “Maa, aap please pareshan mat ho. Woh abhi so rahe hain. Meri doctor se baat ho gayi hai. Thodi der mein aa jayenge…”

Rita ji visibly relaxed, her worry easing. Tayiji then added with a smile, “Beta, kal tera pehla Karwa Chauth hai. Yaad hai na?”

A blush crept over Shehnaaz’s cheeks, and an instant smile lit up her face. Her first Karwa Chauth… for him, for his well-being. Memories of her own mother observing the fast every year flooded her mind. She remembered how she would ask so many questions about the festival, making it a cherished memory.

Tayiji chuckled at Shehnaaz’s blushing face and continued, “Main aur Rita har saal karte hain. Tu kar payegi na, beta? Poora din bhukha rehna padega…”

A surge of determination rose within Shehnaaz—she would do anything for him. Smiling, she reassured Tayiji, “Ji, Tayiji, main kar lungi…”

Rita ji gave her a fond smile, “Tum bhi kaafi tired lag rahi hai. Ja, thodi der soja…”

Shehnaaz shook her head, “Main thik hoon, Maa, sach mein…”

Tayiji joined in, shaking her head, “Rita sahi keh rahi hai, Sana… Tera chehra ekdum murjha gaya hai. Ja, aaram kar thodi der. Kal fir bhari din hai, aur thak jayegi…”

Shehnaaz’s heart warmed at their concern. “Thik hai, Tayiji… Kuch zaroorat ho toh mujhe bula lijiye ga.” With a soft smile, she headed back upstairs, to where her heart truly lay.

Sanju and Anu were relaxing nearby, keeping an eye on him, and Ritika had joined them, slipping in without Shikhar knowing she was actually hanging out with Anu—oh, the lengths she’d go as a bestie.

Ritika shot a mock glare at Anu, splashing her with a bit of water. “Ab bas, Anu! Aur kitna satayegi mere bichare Bhai ko?”

Anu grinned unapologetically. “Aur tere bichare Bhai ne jo kiya uska kya, huh?”

Sanju rolled her eyes, while Ritika sighed, “I know, Anu… but Bhai bahot jyada upset hai. Kal raat ko dinner bhi nahi kiya. Pura din room mein rehte hain… Mujhe literally Devdas wali feel aane lagi hai. Tere ek call ka intezaar karte rehte hain.”

Concern flickered across Anu’s face. “Dinner kyun nahi kiya? Tune mujhe raat ko kyun nahi bataya?”

Ritika huffed in frustration, her brows knitted together. “I didn’t know how you would react! You always have to overthink everything. Anyway, please, just try to talk to Bhai once. Otherwise, he’s seriously considering going home to have a word with Sidharth..  it’ll turn into a full-blown drama in front of everyone.”

Sanju raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in her voice. “Ghar pe Sidharth se kya baat karega?”

Ritika dropped the bombshell, her tone suddenly serious. “Shadi ki baat…”

Anu’s eyes widened in disbelief, her heart racing. “Are you kidding me? Shikhar avoided me just to dodge this topic, and now he wants to talk to Bhai about it? Has he lost his mind?”

Ritika sighed, frustration lacing her voice. “Tere saath baat na karne se woh bahut jyada affect ho gaye hain. Seriously, if he had his way, he would marry you and take you home right now!”

Anu rolled her eyes, but a soft blush crept onto her cheeks at the thought. “Chalo, kuch toh achha hua… But tell him not to go meet Bhai just yet. Bhai is already not feeling well; I don’t want to add to his stress.”

Just then, Vihaan’s cheerful shout interrupted their serious conversation. “Sanjuuu! Dekh, main kaise kar raha hoon!” he exclaimed, eyes sparkling with excitement as he demonstrated his newfound idea for fun in the swimming pool.

Sanju giggled, her spirits lifted by his enthusiasm. “coming boyfriend!” she called out, dashing towards him with Anu and Ritika following close behind, their worries momentarily forgotten as they joined in the joy of the moment.

Once the khichdi was ready, she brought it to Sidharth, who was propped up against the pillows. As she placed the bowl in front of him, he grimaced at the sight of it, knowing how much he despised its blandness. Yet, when she looked at him with those earnest eyes, filled with a mixture of concern and affection, he knew he had no choice.

“please thodasa kha lijiye..,” Shehnaaz urged gently, her voice soft yet firm.

Sidharth reluctantly accepted a spoonful, the taste registering in his mouth as he forced it down. He hated it, but he hated even more the thought of disappointing her. With every bite, he felt a warmth spreading within him—not just from the food but from her presence, her unwavering support wrapping around him like a comforting blanket.

He felt better after taking the medicine, each passing moment with her a soothing balm for his restless spirit. She had a way of making him feel cared for, and he cherished every second she spent by his side. He loved the little things she did, from adjusting the pillows to the gentle way she brushed a stray hair from his forehead.

As he observed her, he noticed that Shehnaaz was slowly beginning to open up, emerging from the protective shell he had unintentionally placed her in. There was a newfound ease in her demeanor, a growing confidence as she spoke more freely..

His heart swelled with warmth as he watched her fingers glide over the anklet. The way she touched it, a mix of wonder and confusion, was adorable. She thought he was oblivious, but he was keenly aware of her every move. The frown that creased her forehead, the way she bit her lip in thought—it all amused him.

As the effects of the medicine began to take their toll, Sidharth felt his eyelids grow heavy. The last thing he remembered was pulling her closer, the warmth of her body against his bringing him comfort. He murmured, “Meri Naaz…” his voice barely above a whisper before sleep enveloped him, leaving behind her surprised gasp echoing softly in the dimly lit room.

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