Chapter 22

Sukhveer came and stood beside Shehnaz. Shehnaz’s expression changed instantly. She rolled her eyes in frustration, trying to ignore him, but he wasn’t one to be easily ignored. Sidharth noticed Sukhveer’s presence near Shehnaz, and his jaw tightened. His protective instincts flared, and he was on the verge of marching over to give Sukhveer a piece of his mind when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Dadi maa?” he greeted, startled to see her standing in front of him with a knowing look.

Dadi maa’s eyes twinkled with curiosity as she spoke, “Yes, son… Is there something wrong with you?” she asked directly, her gaze probing, as if trying to read the thoughts swirling in his mind.

Sidharth cleared his throat, trying to hide the annoyance that had crept onto his face. Meanwhile, Shehnaz’s heart raced as she noticed Sidharth being engaged by Dadi maa. Her eyes widened in concern, knowing that if Sidharth saw Sukhveer bothering her, things could quickly spiral out of control. She tried to step away, hoping to avoid a scene, but before she could move, Sukhveer almost grabbed her hand, his grip firm and imposing.

“Arre, kahan ja rahi hai aap, Shehnaz?” he smirked, a hint of arrogance in his voice.

Shehnaz felt a surge of anger course through her veins. She pulled her hand away sharply, her eyes blazing with defiance. “Aaj ke baad agar mujhe hath lagaya toh.. me hath tod dungi!” she snapped back, her voice cold and unwavering. She thanked her stars that Sidharth was still busy talking to Dadi maa and hadn’t seen what had happened. She knew that if he had witnessed this, Sukhveer would probably be on the floor by now.

Sukhveer was taken aback by her fierce response, his face showing a mix of shock and offense. “Shehnaz, ye kya baat huyi? Humari shadi hone wali hai…” he stammered, trying to regain his composure.

Shehnaz rolled her eyes, unimpressed. “Shaadi? Aur woh bhi tumse?” she scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm and disbelief.

Before Sukhveer could respond, a loud, commanding voice cut through the noise of the celebration. “Shehnaz!” Daarji roared as he approached, his eyes narrowing with a stern expression that made Shehnaz’s heart skip a beat. She felt a wave of panic wash over her. She had been bold, but now, seeing Daarji’s angry face, she felt a sudden rush of fear.

Sukhveer, sensing the shift in her demeanor, smirked as he watched her. He turned to look at Daarji, his chest puffed up with a sense of victory.

Daarji reached them and quickly shifted his expression to a fake smile, trying to maintain a façade of politeness in front of Sukhveer. “Sukhveer ji ko kya chahiye… kya nahi… dhyan rakh,” he said, his voice deceptively calm but his eyes sending a clear warning to Shehnaz.

Shehnaz nodded, lowering her gaze to the ground. She felt trapped, a deep frustration bubbling inside her, but she knew better than to argue with Daarji in front of everyone. She forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. Her heart felt heavy, but just then, she felt a gentle hand on her arm. She turned to see Payal, who had come to her rescue.

“Chalo, Shehnaz,” Payal whispered softly, giving her a reassuring smile. “Kuch kaam hai tumse,” she added, providing an excuse to get Shehnaz away from the tense situation.

Shehnaz smiled in gratitude, allowing Payal to lead her away. She could feel the burning gaze of Sukhveer and the cold stare of Daarji behind her, but she chose to focus on the warmth of her sister beside her. As they walked away, Shehnaz silently thanked Payal for understanding her plight without her saying a word.

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Dadi maa waited patiently, her eyes gently fixed on Sidharth, sensing the turmoil in his heart. She had been watching him closely since the day before and knew that something was deeply troubling him. Sidharth had always been her favorite grandson, and she understood him better than anyone else. She could read his silence, feel his unrest, and she knew that he needed someone to listen, someone to understand without judgment.

She sighed softly, breaking the quiet between them. “Bol beta, kyu pareshan tha kal itna…?” Her voice was filled with concern, her gaze searching his face for answers.

Sidharth let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on his chest. Without another word, he moved forward and wrapped his arms around his Dadi maa, holding her tightly. He felt a surge of comfort in her familiar embrace, a sense of peace that only she could provide. “Aap mujhe itna kaise samajhati ho…?” he whispered, his voice filled with both wonder and gratitude.

Dadi maa chuckled, a soft, loving sound that seemed to lighten the mood. “Teri dadi maa huva me… kaise nahi samajhungi…” she replied with a gentle smile, patting his back soothingly. Her words were simple but filled with a deep bond they shared—a bond that needed no explanations, only understanding.

Sidharth smiled back at her, a small, genuine smile that felt like a brief moment of relief in the storm of his emotions. Taking her hand, he led her away from the crowd, guiding her toward a quieter, more secluded spot in the garden. “Kahan le ja rahe hai, Sid? Aisa bhi kya raaz hai tera…” Dadi maa teased, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she tried to lighten his mood.

Sidharth stopped once they were alone, his expression turning serious again. He hesitated for a moment, looking at her with earnest eyes. “Pehle wada karo aap… kisi se nahi kahogi…?” he asked, his tone pleading, almost like a child seeking assurance from a parent.

Dadi maa looked at him, her curiosity piqued by his secrecy. “Thoda mushkil hai humare liye… but tere liye try karenge…” she replied with a playful smile, her heartwarming at his need to confide in her.

Feeling a little more at ease, Sidharth took a deep breath and finally asked, “Aapko Payal bhabhi kaisi lagti hai, Dadi maa…?”

His question caught her off guard. She furrowed her brows in confusion, her expression turning into a glare as she tried to understand his line of thinking. “Kya main ye samjhu ke aapko Payal achhi lagne lagi hai… Are you out of your mind, Sid…?” she exclaimed, half in disbelief, half in amusement.

Sidharth rolled his eyes dramatically, feeling a mixture of impatience and amusement. “Offoo… no, Dadi maa… Kuch bhi bolti ho aap… bolona…” he urged, wanting her to give a proper answer.

Dadi maa smiled warmly, sensing his eagerness. “Bahot pyari… bilkul Reeta jaisi hai… ghar ko sambhal kar rakhegi,” she replied thoughtfully, genuinely appreciating Payal’s qualities.

Sidharth nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, but his heart raced as he moved to the real question that had been lingering in his mind. “Aur Shehnaz…?” he asked softly, his voice almost a whisper, as if he was afraid of the answer.

Dadi maa looked at Sidharth’s face closely, noticing the way his smile widened, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and something more profound. Her own eyes grew wide as realization dawned upon her. A wide smile spread across her face, mixed with surprise and delight. “OMG… Sidharth… kya tu… Shehnaz… sachh…?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment.

Sidharth couldn’t help but giggle softly at her loss for words. He felt a sense of relief flood through him as he saw her joyous reaction. Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her with all the affection he had. “Yes… yes… and yesss…!” he declared with childlike enthusiasm, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders.

As they broke the hug, Dadi maa cupped his face gently with her hands, her eyes shining with a happiness she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Really…?” she whispered, still almost unable to believe what she was hearing. But then, a thought struck her, and her smile faded slightly, replaced by concern. “But Sid… uski shadi tey huyi hai…” she reminded him, her voice filled with worry.

Sidharth took a deep breath, his eyes heavy with emotion, and began to recount the entire story to Dadi maa. He told her how he and Shehnaaz had fallen in love, their feelings growing deeper with every passing day. He described how, despite their love, Daarji had arranged Shehnaaz’s marriage without even asking for her consent. “darji ne toh bus faisla suna diya… bina sooche samjhe… bina usse pucha,” he said, his voice filled with frustration.

Sidharth’s face grew more serious as he continued, sharing how Shehnaaz had been slapped by Daarji when she dared to refuse, his voice shaking with anger and pain at the memory of what Shehnaaz had endured.

Dadi maa listened intently, her face growing more shocked with each word Sidharth spoke. She couldn’t believe her ears. Her heart pounded with a mixture of shock, sadness, and anger. “Woh ghar ke bade hai, apne hi parivar ke saath aisa vyavhar…?” she thought, her fists clenching tightly as she tried to control her fury. “My poor Shehnaaz… kitna sehna pada usse… bina kisi galti ke,” she muttered to herself, feeling a deep sadness for the young girl who had been through so much.

Sidharth watched Dadi maa, waiting anxiously for her to say something, anything. He could see the storm brewing in her eyes, the way her hands curled into fists, shaking with suppressed anger. Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, Dadi maa spoke with a fierce determination, “Main bhi dekhti hoon… woh kaise rokte hain Shehnaaz ko Shukla khandan ki bahu banne se!” Her voice was filled with a steely resolve, the kind that could move mountains.

“Whattttt…!” a voice suddenly shouted, breaking through the tense moment. Sidharth and Dadi maa turned in surprise to see Abhi standing just a few steps away, his eyes wide with shock. He looked utterly bewildered, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just overheard.

Sidharth rubbed his forehead, a weary sigh escaping his lips. “Bhai…” he began, but Abhi was already storming towards them, his face a mixture of confusion and hurt.

“Tune mujhse chhupaya Sid…” Abhi demanded, his voice almost breaking. He looked genuinely hurt, his eyes searching Sidharth’s face for answers.

Sidharth rolled his eyes at his brother’s usual overdramatic reaction. “Haan, aapne bada bataya tha mujhe apke aur Bhabhi ke baare mein,” he retorted, a playful smirk forming on his lips, trying to lighten the moment.

Abhi opened his mouth to reply, but then closed it again, realizing he didn’t have a proper comeback.

Dadi maa couldn’t help but laugh at Abhi’s confused and bewildered expression. His eyes widened, and his lips curled into a slight grin. “Tu sachme… Shehnaz se..? Omg… she is a disaster…” he blurted out, unable to contain his amusement.

At his words, both Dadi maa and Sidharth shot him sharp glares, and Abhi’s smile instantly disappeared. He raised his hands in surrender, realizing his mistake. “Fine, sorry… but damn, I am so happy for you, brother,” he added, a genuine smile spreading across his face this time, his tone filled with sincerity and joy.

Sidharth’s expression softened into a small smile, but there was still a hint of seriousness in his eyes. “Not yet, bhai… I have a big battle ahead,” he replied, his voice carrying the weight of the challenges he knew were coming.

“And we are with you,” Karan chimed in, joining them along with Khushi, who beamed with happiness at finally seeing Sidharth smile again. She looked at Sidharth with warmth in her eyes, knowing how much this meant to him. “Dulhan toh hum hi le jayenge,” Karan added confidently, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Suddenly, Dadi maa giggled, breaking the intensity of the moment. Everyone turned to her, puzzled by her unexpected laughter. “Kya huva, Dadi maa? Aise serious time mein bhi aapko hasi aa rahi hai?” Abhi asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly curious.

Dadi maa tried to control her laughter, wiping a tear of amusement from her eye. “Arre, achanak se sab idhar-udhar se aa gaye… mujhe woh ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ wali feeling aa gayi,” she joked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Sidharth shook his head, a fond smile breaking out on his face as he looked at his beloved Dadi maa. He moved closer and wrapped her in a warm, loving hug. “Dadi maa,” he whispered, his voice full of affection and gratitude.

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Shehnaaz was restless, pacing back and forth in her room, her face scrunched up in frustration. “Heyy Wahe Guru ji… yeh humare Shukla ji… abhi se mujhe bhav nahi dete… shaadi ke baad toh ghanta bhav denge,” she muttered under her breath, feeling a mix of annoyance and nervous excitement.

She plopped herself down on the bed, but her anxious energy wouldn’t let her stay still. She sprang back up, started walking around again, then sat back down, only to stand up once more, exasperated. “Khotta kahin ka… tuze na bola hai kabhi maine… dialogue maarne hai bas… kuch karna nahi hai,” she grumbled, twisting her lips in irritation.

Her restlessness brought her to the window. She leaned against it, looking out as her thoughts spiraled. “Sidhaaarth…” she whispered softly, her voice filled with a mix of longing and frustration.

“Haan baby…” came a deep, familiar voice from behind, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned around in a jerk, and there he was — Sidharth, sitting casually on the window sill like a typical Punjabi munda, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

A surprised smile broke out on her face, and without thinking, she leaped toward him, her arms wrapping around him tightly. Sidharth quickly gripped the window frame to steady both of them, laughing, “Naaz, I know I am irresistible, but control baby… abhi dono gir jaate…”

Her cheeks flushed at his teasing, and she instantly felt annoyed at his smug smile. “Irresistible… aur tum…? Aaine mein shakal dekhi hai… sadu Shukla,” she snapped back, trying to hide her own smile as she walked back into the room.

But Sidharth wasn’t one to give up so easily. He followed her with a grin, slipping his arm smoothly around her waist. Shehnaaz felt her heart race at his touch, and her breath caught as he buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent.

“Dadi maa se kya baat hui…” she whispered, trying to sound casual, but the way his closeness affected her was undeniable.

Sidharth kissed her hair softly and then turned her around in his arms. “Dadi maa ne kaha hai… Dulhan hum le jayenge,” he whispered against her ear, his breath warm on her skin.

Shehnaaz looked up at him, confused, her arms instinctively snaking around his neck as he pulled her closer. “Dadi maa ko Salman Khan pasand hai?” she asked innocently, her brows furrowing in bewilderment.

Sidharth chuckled at her naivety and playfully slapped her head, making her pout adorably. Unable to resist, he leaned in and captured her puckered lips in a kiss, lingering a little longer than necessary. “Meri intelligent wifey, what I meant is that I told Dadi maa everything,” he murmured against her lips.

Her eyes widened with surprise, and she gasped softly, “Hayy Rabba… phir…?”

Before she could finish, Sidharth kissed her again, this time with deeper passion. The kiss was full of longing and affection, reflecting the depth of their feelings for each other. His arms wrapped around her protectively, and his warmth enveloped her, causing her to shiver. “Sidharth…” she breathed out, her voice soft and breathless.

“Naaz…” he murmured back, his tone tender and loving. He gently pulled at her lips, kissing them deeply until they were a vivid red, and her lipstick was smudged on his own. She playfully tapped his arm, needing a moment to catch her breath, but he continued to kiss her, making her feel an overwhelming surge of emotion.

Finally, he let go with a soft groan, moving to her ear and playfully nipping at her earlobe, making her wince. “Dard hota hai na…” She struggled to find her voice, her senses overwhelmed by his closeness. 

He grinned, his lips trailing down to her neck. “Baby, you’ve got to learn to handle me,” he teased, his mouth gently brushing over her locket, which bore her name.

Shehnaaz was lost in his embrace, and she flinched when she felt something cold touch her neck. She opened her eyes and saw his fingers applying the cold haldi, gently making its way down her neck.

Startled, she grasped his hand, her cheeks flushed with the warmth of his love. “Gaalon pe lagani hoti hai na, Sidharth…” she mumbled, a bit flustered.

Sidharth smirked and murmured against her lips, “Tune bola haldi laga, kaha laga ye nahi bola tha…”

Blushing deeply, Shehnaaz buried her face in his chest as he enveloped her in his arms. His fingers continued to spread the haldi, now reaching for her back. “Sidharth, maine abhi nahaya tha…”

He playfully licked her throat, leaving a trail of haldi behind, and continued to cover her back with the warm, golden paste. He admired his handiwork in the mirror, a satisfied smirk on his face.

Gently turning her around in his embrace, he guided her in front of the mirror, pressing his chest against her back. She shook her head, laughing softly at the mess of her he had made. “Pagal hai tu, hain?”

Resting his chin on her shoulder, he chuckled and said, “Tera pyar hun…”

Shehnaaz looked up at Sidharth with a hint of nervousness. “Bata na, kya bola dadi maa ne?” she asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Sidharth smiled and kissed her hair, his eyes following her possessively as she tried to wipe the excess haldi from her skin. “Dadi maa bahut khush hai. Abhi bhai bhi. Tumhe Shukla bahu banake hi rahenge yeh log,” he reassured her.

Her face lit up with a joyful smile. “Hayy sachii? Kasam se?”

He chuckled softly and pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. “Meri cute baby hai tu…”

Turning in his arms, Shehnaaz stood on her toes and placed a gentle kiss on his chin. “Maine aaj kand kiya hai…”

Sidharth looked at her, puzzled. “Kya kiya ab?”

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Shehnaaz turned in his embrace and kissed his chin while standing on her toes. “Maine aaj kaam kiya hai,” she said with a playful smile.

Sidharth looked at her with concern. “Kya kiya ab?”

Shehnaaz chuckled at his worried expression and bit her lip. “Woh Sukhveer ne mera haath pakada…”

Sidharth’s face turned serious. “What… that fucking bastard. How dare he touch you?” He started to move, ready to confront Sukhveer.

Shehnaaz quickly hugged him from behind, stopping him. “Meri baat toh sun, Sidharth…”

He glared at her, annoyed at being stopped. Shehnaaz rolled her eyes and came around to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. As his arms instinctively pulled her close, he groaned, “Kya hai… dimag mat kharab kar.”

Shehnaaz planted a gentle kiss on his lips, making him sigh and hold her tighter. “Maine uska haath gusse se jhatak diya, aur bol diya ke dobara chhune ki sochna bhi mat.”

Sidharth’s surprise melted into a chuckle. “shitt, tune uska aisa bola?”

Shehnaaz giggled triumphantly. “He was like, ‘Are Shehnaaz ji, humare shadi hone wali hai…’ So, I told him, ‘Shadi… aur tumse?’”

Sidharth couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. “Pagal hai, baby,” he said, his affection evident. He playfully nibbled at her nose, making her wince and slap his chest. “Par tabhi waha pe Daarji aa gaye…”

Sidharth lifted her up around the waist, making her bare feet rest on his. He walked her backward until she hit the wall, then leaned his weight against her, eliciting a surprised yelp. “Daarji ne kuch kiya toh nahi?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Shehnaaz looked at him, her gaze fixed on his face, unable to focus on anything else. Her lips puckered softly as she whispered, “Kullu…”

Her tone was full of longing, and it drove Sidharth wild. He groaned, his voice low and urgent. “Naaz, if you do that… how will I control myself?”

Shehnaaz looked at Sidharth with a playful glint in her eyes. “Gandi wali kiss chahiye,” she mumbled, her voice filled with desire.

Sidharth’s eyes darkened with emotion as he leaned in. “Now you feel my plight,” he murmured, his lips grazing hers. “Abhi bhi chahiye gandi kiss?”

Shehnaaz closed her eyes, feeling the passion in his kiss grow. “Last time se jyada gandi wali kiss,” she whispered, lost in the intensity of the moment.

Sidharth kissed her deeply, his touch both loving and urgent. He wrapped his arms around her, and his kisses grew more fervent, causing her to sigh softly. When she lightly tapped his arm to signal for gentleness, he eased his hold but continued to kiss her with tenderness.

“Sidhaaaaaaarth…” Shehnaaz’s voice became breathless as she felt the intensity of his kiss. She pulled back slightly, catching her breath.

“Baby kya hai?” Sidharth asked, his tone a mix of concern and frustration as he gently nuzzled her neck. When she pushed him away slightly, he looked at her with a playful yet determined expression. “Baby not done… kiss abhi tak puri nahi huyi hai…”

“Kullu, teri ye gandi kiss ke chakkar me, siyappa ho jayega idhar,” Shehnaaz said playfully, her voice tinged with concern.

Sidharth, feeling a mix of frustration and longing, groaned. “Mene bola tha na I don’t want complaints,” he said, his voice strained with the effort to control his emotions. He was overwhelmed but chose to let her take the lead, knowing they needed to pause before he lost control completely.

With a sigh, he moved towards the window. Shehnaaz, sensing his frustration, ran to him and hugged him from behind, planting a soft kiss on his back as an apology.

He turned his face towards her and kissed her cheek gently. “Naaz, try to stay near Payal bhabhi so that woh Sukhveer tere paas aane ki koshish nahi karega. Baaki main dekh lunga.”

Shehnaaz hugged him tighter from behind, her voice full of warmth. “Kya hua Naaz?”

“I will not complain next time, promise,” she said cutely, hoping he would continue their affectionate moments in the future.

Turning around, Sidharth cupped her face and kissed her forehead, amused by her insistence. “Next time gandi wali kiss promise,” he said with a smile.

He left her with a smile, and Shehnaaz, hiding her face in her palms with a shy grin, went to freshen up again, thanks to the haldi.

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