Chapter 15

Shehnaaz, however, was not easily convinced. She grabbed his arm, her voice tinged with apprehension. “Relax? Agar Di ne puchha ke tum yahan kya kar rahe ho toh…?” Her concern was evident, the thought of facing Payal’s questioning gaze making her anxious.

Sidharth stopped and turned to face her, his eyes softening with sincerity. He cupped her face gently in his hands and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Toh we will tell her the truth…” he said, his voice filled with a calm reassurance that seemed to soothe her frazzled nerves. His gaze was steady and sincere, offering comfort amidst her swirling emotions.

“Nooooooooo!”

Shehnaaz’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the knock on the door again, followed by the familiar voice of her sister. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she grabbed Sidharth, clinging to him as if he were a lifeline. Her grip was tight, and her eyes wide with a mix of fear and mischief.

Sidharth, taken aback by her sudden reaction, looked at her with confusion. Shehnaaz, trying her best to look innocent, made a cute puppy face that she knew was impossible to resist. “Abhi nahi batayenge di ko… main usse ghar jaake bataungi…” she whispered urgently, her voice carrying a hint of desperation.

“Why?” Sidharth asked, frowning slightly. He didn’t like the idea of keeping secrets, especially not from her sister.

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes dramatically, her tone playful but with an edge of frustration. “Tum samajhte kyun nahi…?” she huffed, her expression making it clear she thought he was being dense.

Sidharth couldn’t help but chuckle. She was too adorable for her own good. The way her eyebrows furrowed in mock annoyance, the way her lips pouted—it was almost too much for him to handle. How despo can you get, Sidharth? he mused to himself, trying to keep his cool.

But he wasn’t going to back down so easily. “Toh tum samajh lo na… meri jaan,” he teased, his voice low and playful as he wrapped his arms around her waist. The words “meri jaan” sent a delightful shiver through Shehnaaz, and she felt a flutter in her stomach. It was that giddy, light-headed feeling she got whenever he said something sweet, and it was driving her crazy in the best way possible.

Shehnaaz, ever the drama queen, threw her hands up in mock exasperation. “Hayy Waheguru ji… yeh kuch bhi nahi samajhta…” she complained, casting her eyes to the ceiling as if seeking divine intervention. She was half-serious, half-playing, but her heart was definitely racing. She wanted to keep their little secret just a bit longer, to savor the thrill of it all.

Sidharth watched her with a grin, thoroughly entertained by her antics. Her melodramatic pleas were too funny, and he loved every bit of it. He leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief, ready to steal a kiss. But just as his lips were about to meet hers, Shehnaaz quickly placed her palm over his mouth, stopping him dead in his tracks.

“Tum abhi window se jao… jaldi…” she urged in a hushed tone, her eyes wide with urgency. She was serious this time. The thought of getting caught sent a fresh wave of anxiety through her, but there was also that underlying thrill that made her heart race even faster.

As Sidharth leaned in for a kiss, Shehnaaz, trying to stop him, placed her palm over his mouth. But Sidharth, ever playful, responded by biting her palm lightly, causing her to wince and yank her hand back. “I’m not the hatta katta munda of your Mohali… ye window se jaana aana mujhe nahi aata,” he grumbled, a smirk playing on his lips as he tried to wiggle out of the situation.

Shehnaaz, not one to be easily swayed, pouted adorably at him. “Ae lo… main puchh nahi rahi hoon,” she replied, her tone dripping with mock authority.

Sidharth blinked in confusion, trying to keep up with her shifting moods. “Toh..??” he asked, still puzzled by her insistence. Before he could say more, Shehnaaz slapped his arm playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Bata rahi hoon… you have no option… now go fast,” she commanded, her tone light but firm.

Sidharth rolled his eyes, exasperated but amused by her antics. Leaning in, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, his lips brushing her skin just long enough to make her heart flutter. “What if I fall, Naaz…?” he asked, feigning worry as he inched closer to the window.

Shehnaaz, trying to maintain her stern facade, gave him a gentle push towards the window. “Toh main sabko jalebi khilaungi…” she murmured under her breath, thinking he wouldn’t catch it.

But Sidharth’s ears were sharp, and he wasn’t about to let that slide. He paused at the window, a wicked grin spreading across his face. In a swift move, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her back, pulling her close until her body was pressed against his chest. The sudden motion made Shehnaaz gasp, her heart pounding in surprise. She let out a soft wince, both from the surprise and the slight discomfort.

“So… you’ll be happy with me falling, haan…?” Sidharth asked, his voice low and teasing as he leaned in closer, enjoying the moment of control. His tone was arrogant, but there was a playful sparkle in his eyes that softened the edge.

Shehnaaz struggled against his hold, trying to free her hands, but Sidharth’s grip was firm. She looked up at him with a baby face, her eyes wide and pleading, trying to melt his resolve. “Dard ho raha hai na, Sidharth…” she whined softly, her voice laced with both a real and exaggerated pout.

Sighing softly, Sidharth captured Shehnaaz’s lips in a lingering kiss, savoring every second as if he was trying to etch the memory into his heart. His lips moved gently against hers, taking his time, as if reluctant to part. But eventually, he pulled away, his eyes lingering on her face for just a moment longer before he let go of her hand. With a final, playful grin, he turned and jumped out of the window, disappearing into the night.

Shehnaaz stood there for a split second, her heart still fluttering from the kiss, but reality quickly snapped her back. She hurriedly ran to the door, her pulse racing as she fumbled with the lock. She yanked the door open, her breath catching in her throat as she came face to face with her sister, Payal, who stood there with a suspicious look etched across her face.

“Di, aap…” Shehnaaz stammered, forcing a nervous smile onto her lips. “Jiju ne itni jaldi chhod diya aapko?” She tried to sound casual, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her nerves.

Payal’s eyes narrowed as she studied Shehnaaz, her gaze sharp and probing. “Darwaza kholne mein itni der kaise lag gayi?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

Shehnaaz’s mind raced, desperately trying to come up with a plausible excuse. Turning her back to Payal, she pretended to busy herself with adjusting a pillow on the bed. “Woh… main… haan, main bathroom mein thi na… isliye. Sunayi… nahi diya,” she mumbled, her voice trailing off as she felt the weight of Payal’s scrutiny.

“Ohh…” Payal mumbled, her tone indicating she wasn’t entirely convinced. Her eyes scanned the room, lingering on the slightly ruffled bed and the open window. “Mujhe kamre se kuchh awaazein aa rahi thi,” she said slowly, as if testing the waters.

Shehnaaz felt her heart leap into her throat. A small bead of sweat formed on her forehead as she struggled to maintain her composure. “Woh… umm… haan, woh TV on tha na… isliye sunayi diya hoga,” she blurted out, the words tumbling over each other in her haste to explain.

Payal’s eyes narrowed further, her suspicion deepening. “Agar tum bathroom mein thi toh TV kaun dekh raha tha?” she asked pointedly, her voice calm but with an underlying edge that made Shehnaaz’s stomach twist in knots.

Payal’s growing suspicion was evident in the way her eyes lingered on Shehnaaz. “Haan..?” she prompted, her gaze sharp as she continued to sift through her clothes. Shehnaaz, feeling the pressure of her sister’s scrutiny, started to help her in a hurry, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

“Wo… main pehle TV dekh rahi thi,” Shehnaaz stammered, desperately trying to keep her story straight. “Fir bathroom gayi… isliye TV on tha.” Her voice was shaky, and she could feel the sweat forming at the back of her neck.

Payal didn’t look entirely convinced, and before she could ask another question, Shehnaaz, with a forced laugh, interrupted her. “Di? Aapne koi detective agency kholani hai? Kitne sawal puchh rahi ho,” she said, trying to inject some humor into the situation to deflect attention. Her laughter was nervous, but it did the trick, momentarily easing the tension.

Payal sighed, realizing she was being too much.

Both sisters packed their clothes quickly and headed downstairs for dinner. .Throughout the meal, Shehnaaz couldn’t help but notice Sidharth glancing at her from across the table. Each time their eyes met, she felt her cheeks flush a deeper shade of red. She knew that Sidharth was still thinking about their earlier encounter and was clearly eager to see her again. The thought of their little secret made her heart race, and she wondered how they could manage to meet with her sister around.

An idea suddenly popped into Shehnaaz’s mind, and a mischievous smirk spread across her face. It was so sudden and unexpected that several people at the table, including Sidharth, noticed the strange expression on her face. Shehnaaz cleared her throat, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment, and tried to focus on her food, hoping to avoid further attention.

After dinner, Shehnaaz managed to steer Abhi into a quiet corner of the room. Abhi, slightly bewildered, looked at her with a curious expression. “Kya hua, Sana?” he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes dramatically, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Jiju, aapko realize ho raha hai na… aap kitne unromantic hote ja rahe hain,” she said, her tone both teasing and playful. Her words, though lighthearted, carried a hint of seriousness that made Abhi’s ego prick.

Abhi’s face fell, his pride stung by her words. “Of course, I’m not,” he retorted, trying to defend himself but clearly affected by her comment.

Shehnaaz turned away, her face taking on a faux-sad expression. “Pata hai, aaj mujhe di bol rahi thi… Abhi kitna change ho gaya hai. Mujhe ab akele mein milte bhi nahi,” she said, her voice carrying a touch of melodrama.

Abhi’s guilt was palpable. He had been so engrossed in the wedding preparations that he hadn’t noticed how much he’d been neglecting his beloved Shehnaaz. “Hayy… maine kitna ignore kiya meri tweety ko,” he said, the realization dawning on him. He looked at her with a mix of regret and affection.

Shehnaaz stifled a giggle, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Kal hum vapas ja rahe hain… aap aaj raat hi kuch kijiye,” she urged, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Warna kahin aapki tweety udd na jaye.”

Abhi looked at her, completely baffled. “What…?” he asked, his mind struggling to keep up with her playful hints.

Shehnaz realised what she said, “maylab.. aaj raat kahin ghumane le jayiye di ko.. raat ko sab sone ke baad kisiko kya pata chalega.. thoda kuch special feel karayiye di ko.. but subah sab uthane se pehle di ko vapas room me ane bolna..”

Abhi really liked the idea and hugged Shehnaz tightly, “tu meri sachhi sali hai.. kitni fikar hai tuze humari..”

“Koi nahi jiju.. waqt ane par gadhe ko bhi baap banana padta hai…” Shehnaz said out or blue..

Huh..?? Abhi looked st her confused not sure how this line fitted for this situation..

Letting it go, he hugged her again..

Sidharth, who saw this, glared at them.. why bhai is hugging my Naaz.. he wondered making sadu face..

_________________

Payal paced nervously back and forth in their bedroom, her worry evident in every step. Abhi had instructed her to be ready, but the uncertainty of what might happen if someone found out was gnawing at her. The thought of someone discovering their plan made her anxious, and her mind raced with the possible complications.

Meanwhile, Shehnaaz had cleverly managed to execute her plan. She had followed the same tactic she used with Abhi, ensuring her sister remained unaware of her late-night intentions. Once Payal had left the room, Shehnaaz lay down on her bed, her face lighting up with a smirk. She glanced at her phone as it buzzed with a text from Shukla ji: “Remember my words right?”

A soft blush crept across Shehnaaz’s cheeks as she hugged her pillow tightly, feeling a mix of excitement and affection. She rolled her eyes playfully, thinking to herself about the lengths she had to go to for love. “Ye pyar ke chakkar me kitne papad belne pad rahe hain,” she mused aloud, her thoughts drifting to the idea of balancing her efforts between her own plans and those of Shukla ji. “Sare papad me hi kyu belu… thode papad toh Shukla ji ko bhi belne padenge.”

With a cheeky grin, Shehnaaz typed a reply to Shukla ji: “Shukla ji, mene apna kaam kar diya. Di is not here. Ab aap ki bari hai. Andar aana hai toh window se ana padega.”

Sidharth, who was eagerly awaiting her message, smirked when he read her text. Though he wasn’t entirely sure where Payal had been sent, he was pleased to see that Shehnaaz had used her little brain to their advantage. His smile widened as he prepared for the next step in their covert plan.

He made his way to her bedroom via the window, carefully and quietly. As he slipped into the room, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes in mild exasperation when he saw Shehnaaz seated on the bed, watching Mr. Bean on TV. She was laughing heartily, her infectious giggles filling the room.

The sight of her enjoying herself so freely brought a smile to Sidharth’s face. As he approached, Shehnaaz looked up and saw him. Her eyes lit up with delight, and she raised her arms in the air like an excited child, her joy evident. “Sidharth!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.