Chapter 23

The preparations for the Haldi, Sangeet, and wedding at the hotel were grand, with an air of excitement hanging around. The Sangeet function was just about to begin, and most of the guests were already dressed and ready for the evening. But amidst all the hustle and bustle, Sidharth was still lost in the memory of the afternoon, his mind wandering back to the moments he had spent with Shehnaaz. The way she made him feel, the way she looked at him—it all drove him crazy. Sometimes he felt like she had the power to unravel him, and despite his efforts to stay composed, she always left him shaken, caught between desire and affection.

While others were focused on the upcoming festivities, Sidharth’s thoughts drifted back to the intimacy they had shared. He could still feel the warmth of her touch, the way her laughter rang in his ears, and the way her mere presence had an undeniable effect on him. It was overwhelming sometimes—how one person could evoke so many emotions in him. He knew he was supposed to focus on the evening ahead, but it was hard to shake off the lingering thoughts of Shehnaaz.

As he wandered through the hotel, trying to clear his mind, he found Sukhveer sitting with a cup of tea, looking relaxed before the big event. Sidharth joined him quietly, a smirk playing on his lips as he sat down.

Sukhveer, noticing Sidharth’s presence, smiled a little, trying to place him. “Aap Abhi ji ke chhote bhai hai na?” he asked politely, recognizing Sidharth from the family.

Sidharth, with his usual confident demeanor, smirked and nodded, “That’s correct.. Party shuru hone me abhi time hai… Let’s have a walk around,” he suggested.

Sukhveer looked at him, a little confused but unwilling to decline. There was something about Sidharth’s presence that commanded attention, something almost intimidating. He couldn’t quite figure out what it was, but there was no denying that Sidharth had a certain dominance in his aura that made others hesitate to refuse.

As they walked around the hotel grounds, Sidharth kept the conversation casual, “You are CS in Sharma Enterprises, right? In Delhi?” he asked, breaking the silence with a question that caught Sukhveer off guard.

Sukhveer blinked in surprise, unsure how Sidharth knew about his position. “Ji… sahi kaha… lekin aap ko kaise pata?” he asked, his curiosity piqued. It wasn’t common knowledge, after all.

Sidharth shook his head slightly, as if it was no big deal. “Sharma’s are our business partners,” he explained casually, his tone steady, but his mind still clouded by the memory of Shehnaaz’s laughter and the way her eyes sparkled when she teased him.

Sukhveer was stunned, his demeanor changing almost instantly.  “Ohh wow… that’s amazing… ab toh hum rishtedar banne wale hai!” he said with a newfound enthusiasm.

Rolling his eyes slightly, Sidharth couldn’t help but chuckle, though the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Achha..? Wo kaise?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm as he tried to mask the growing irritation brewing within him.

Sukhveer smiled, unaware of the storm he was about to walk into. “Ab Shehnaaz ji se shaadi ke baad… humara parivaar aur aapka parivaar bhi ek tarah se rishte me jud jayega,” he said, beaming, as if he’d just shared the most wonderful news.

The mention of Shehnaaz’s name by this man made Sidharth’s blood boil, though he kept his face calm, his jaw tightening slightly. *The nerve of him,* Sidharth thought to himself, suppressing the growl rising in his throat. He was possessive of Shehnaaz in ways he didn’t fully understand yet, and hearing someone else talk about her as if she were an object in their plans felt like a personal attack.

With a calm exterior that betrayed none of the anger simmering inside him, Sidharth forced a smile. “Well, aage ke kya plans hai…?” he asked, his tone casual, but his mind already calculating how many times Sukhveer had dared to take Shehnaaz’s name.

Sukhveer, oblivious to the rising tension, took the opportunity as an opening to discuss his own ambitions. He believed this was his chance, a golden opportunity to align himself with someone as influential as Sidharth. “Ji, Daarji keh rahe the, next month ki last week mein achhi dates hain shaadi ke liye… toh maine PL abhi se daal di. Waise, main bhi Mumbai mein settle hone ki soch raha hoon… Shehnaaz ki shaadi ke baad,” he said, his voice full of excitement.

Each time Sukhveer mentioned Shehnaaz’s name, it felt like another spark fueling the fire inside Sidharth. His fists clenched slightly at his sides, his control teetering on the edge. 

Without missing a beat, Sidharth responded, his voice low but carrying an unmistakable edge. “Waise koi zaroorat toh nahi padegi… PL waste ho jaayegi,” he said, a sly smile playing on his lips, though his eyes held a warning.

Sukhveer looked at him, clearly confused. He didn’t quite grasp the meaning behind Sidharth’s words. Before he could ask, they were interrupted by Karan, who approached them with his usual energy.

“Sid…” Karan called out, his excitement evident.

Sidharth turned towards him, chuckling at the way Karan’s voice carried a playful tone. Achhi acting kar leta hai ye… awehi khadoos bana firta hai, Sidharth thought to himself, shaking his head. “Kya hua, Karan…?” he asked, glad for the distraction.

Still grinning, Karan added, “Soch raha hoon, India aaya hi hoon, toh teri sagai ke baad hi jaun…”

Sidharth smiled cheekily at Karan, their eyes briefly locking in silent amusement as they both glanced at Sukhveer’s confused expression. The man was clearly out of his depth in this conversation, unaware of the undercurrents flowing between Sidharth and Karan.

Rolling his eyes, Sidharth gave a casual shrug. “Woh toh dekhenge… filhaal tu apna aur Khushi ka sort kar…” he teased, enjoying the way Karan immediately bristled.

Karan glared at him, clearly annoyed that Sidharth had brought up Khushi. He knew exactly where to hit. “Kya yaar, Khushi upset hai… tune abhi tak usko aur Shehnaaz ko properly greet nahi kiya,” Karan shot back, taking his turn to throw the dart.

At the mention of Shehnaaz, Sukhveer perked up, glancing between them, trying to understand what was being said. But the deeper meaning escaped him entirely.

Sidharth sighed, realizing he had indeed forgotten about greeting Shehnaaz and Khushi earlier. His mind had been so consumed with everything else—especially his earlier moments with Shehnaaz—that the social niceties had slipped his mind. “Damn… first thing I’ll do once the function starts,” he muttered, feeling a slight pang of guilt.

Karan gave him a nod of approval before his phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. With a quick wave, he answered the call and walked off, leaving Sidharth alone with Sukhveer.

As soon as Karan left, Sukhveer, still seemingly lost in his earlier thoughts, returned to his own agenda. “Ji, aap mere PL ke baare mein kuch keh rahe the…?” he asked, trying to steer the conversation back to his personal plans.

Sidharth shook his head, his focus now firmly back on Sukhveer. “Well, leave that… main ye jaana chahta tha… shaadi ko haan karne se pehle… ek baar Shehnaaz se baat karni chahiye thi na…?”

Sukhveer frowned, not quite catching the point. “Matlab…?” he asked, his confusion deepening.

Sidharth stopped walking, his intense eyes locking onto Sukhveer’s. There was a quiet but unmistakable authority in his voice when he spoke. “Basic hai na… arranged marriage hai… ladka-ladki ko pehle baat karni chahiye… ke ek doosre ko pasand karte bhi hain ya nahi…” His words were calm, but the edge in them was impossible to miss.

Sukhveer stiffened, immediately disliking the way Sidharth’s tone questioned his relationship with Shehnaaz. He forced a smile, his pride pricked. “Hum dono pasand karte hain ek doosre ko,” he said, though the confidence in his voice faltered slightly under Sidharth’s penetrating gaze.

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The vibrant sound of Bole Chudiya filled the air, and Shehnaaz was lost in her world, dancing with pure joy. Her bright smile, playful moves, and the way she almost pointed at Sidharth from across the room made him chuckle. The way she moved, her anklets jingling in rhythm, it was as if she was performing just for him, teasing him.

Sidharth couldn’t help but admire her spirit. Here she was, dancing so confidently in front of everyone, even with Daarji watching. It wasn’t just bold; it was incredibly endearing. He noticed Dadi maa winking at her, giving a subtle thumbs-up of approval, and it made him grin wider. Shehnaaz’s energy was infectious, and Sidharth found himself captivated by her every move.

As she danced to the lines, “lejja lejja..” her sweet smile pierced straight through his heart. That smile, it was everything to him. He could see the happiness glowing on her face, and it warmed his soul to see it back after everything they had been through.

But underneath that warmth, Sidharth felt a pang. His heart tightened as he thought about what could have been. What if he had lost her? The mere idea made his chest hurt. Shehnaaz wasn’t just someone in his life—she was everything. His little ball of energy, his happiness in human form. Life without her? It was unthinkable. He couldn’t, he wouldn’t survive without her infectious smile, her silly antics, her pure heart. She completed him in ways he hadn’t even realized until now.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, his eyes suddenly widened when he saw Daarji making his way towards Shehnaaz. He instinctively straightened up, wondering what Daarji might say or do. But just as quickly, Sidharth let out a quiet chuckle as Dadi maa swooped in, seemingly out of nowhere, to intercept Daarji. She stood firmly in front of him, shielding Shehnaaz from any possible scolding. Sidharth had to hand it to Dadi maa—she always had Shehnaaz’s back.

Shehnaaz, still lost in her joyous dance with her cousins, was twirling around when suddenly Sukhveer stepped in and joined them. His wide smile was directed straight at Shehnaaz, and she looked at him with visible confusion. Her happy dancing faltered for a moment, unsure of why Sukhveer had suddenly entered her space.

Sidharth stood frozen, rage simmering beneath his calm facade. Just minutes ago, he had tried to make Sukhveer understand that Shehnaaz was with him, that she was involved in his life. And yet, here was Sukhveer, still making his advances, clearly not taking the hint. It was infuriating to see how oblivious—or perhaps how audacious—he was being.

The scene before him was almost maddening. Shehnaaz, caught up in the dance, had clearly made her displeasure known. When Sukhveer tried to grasp her hand amidst the rhythm, Shehnaaz shot him a fierce glare, her eyes brimming with unspoken frustration.

“Mana kiya tha na mera haath pakadne se,” Shehnaaz’s voice was sharp, cutting through the festive music. Her words were a clear boundary, but Sukhveer seemed to think he was above it all.

Sukhveer merely chuckled, still dancing as if oblivious to the tension, “Aadat pad jayegi aapko, Shehnaaz ji…”

The change in his demeanor confused Shehnaaz. She tried to make sense of the situation. “Sidharth ne dos diya na… samajh nahi aaya…” Shehnaaz’s voice trembled slightly, a mix of confusion and irritation coloring her tone.

Sukhveer’s gaze was unsettling. It felt invasive, making Shehnaaz feel a creeping unease. His smirk, however, was the last straw. “Aap meri hone wali biwi hai… main yeh kisi ki baaton mein nahi aata,” he declared, his words dripping with a sense of entitlement that was both disturbing and infuriating.

Shehnaaz’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Toh sun lo… main, Shehnaaz, pyar karti hoon Sidharth se aur sirf usi se shadi karungi. Agar khush rehna chahte ho toh yeh rishta tod do…” Her voice was firm, her resolve clear. She was not about to let anyone encroach on what she had with Sidharth.

Sukhveer’s response was a dismissive shrug. “Aur main aapko pasand karta hoon. Tastes change… aap bhi mujhe pasand karne lagengi…”

The audacity of his words made Shehnaaz’s blood boil. She felt a surge of anger, so strong she almost wanted to slap him. Just then, a glimmer of relief washed over her as she saw Sidharth storming toward them, his anger palpable.

Before Sidharth could confront Sukhveer, the scene took another turn. Abhi, Payal, and Raghav joined the dance, and Khushi, sensing the tension, pulled Shehnaaz away from the unpleasant encounter.

Sidharth, though fuming, had no choice but to follow as Khushi guided Shehnaaz away from the situation. The groan of frustration he let out was a clear sign of his displeasure. His heart raced with a mix of anger and protective concern, but for now, all he could do was keep Shehnaaz close and ensure that Sukhveer’s unwelcome advances were firmly put to rest.

Once in Khushi’s room, the tension began to ease as Khushi greeted Shehnaaz with a warm smile. Before Khushi could say much, Shehnaaz, overwhelmed by the emotional whirlwind of the evening, hugged her tightly. “Aap Khushi hai na? Sidharth ki friend?” she asked, her voice filled with relief.

Sidharth soon joined them, his frustration evident in every step. He entered the room with a growl, almost like an injured lion, his eyes flashing with anger as he glared at Shehnaaz. “Main usse jaan se maar dunga…” he muttered through clenched teeth.

Khushi sighed, sensing the storm brewing between them. “Shehnaaz, tum dono baat karo… main andar dekhti hun…” With that, she left the room, giving them some much-needed privacy.

As soon as Khushi was out of sight, Shehnaaz turned to Sidharth, her concern and affection evident. She hugged him softly, trying to soothe his anger. “Woh sathiya gaya hai… chhod na…” she murmured, her voice gentle.

Sidharth’s eyes were blazing with fury as he continued to glare at her. “Chhod na..? How dare he come close to you? Fucking shit… agar bhai ka sangeet na hota na, I swear I would have killed him…” His anger was palpable, his frustration spilling over.

Shehnaaz responded by rubbing her palm soothingly on his back, her touch meant to calm him. She kissed his chest tenderly, trying to provide comfort. “Maine usse kaha ke main tumse pyar karti hoon… pata nahi kya kharish hai usse…?” Her words were soothing, meant to convey her own confusion and dismay at the situation.

Sidharth closed his eyes, trying to find solace in her presence. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder as he sought to calm the storm of emotions raging within him. “I thought ke woh samajhane se samajhega… but nahi… uska rainbow banana hi padega…” he murmured, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and resignation.

Chuckling softly, Shehnaaz playfully wrapped her arms around Sidharth, her touch gentle and affectionate. Sidharth’s grip on her waist tightened instinctively as she tilted her head up, her breath warm against his flushed face. “Hayy… ek toh tu aaj itna handsome lag raha hai… upar se tera gussa… hayy… kitna charming lag raha hai tu…” she teased, her voice filled with admiration.

Sidharth’s anger began to dissipate almost immediately, replaced by a mix of disbelief and amusement. He stared at her, dumbfounded by her bold compliment. Was she really admiring him like this? It felt unusual for him to be the one receiving such praise.

He leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur. “Aur tarif kar…” His words carried a hint of playful challenge.

Shehnaaz chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Woww… tu ekdum hero lag raha hai sachchi… your eyes… your messy hair… and your smile… uff… mujhe toh tumhara yeh gussa bhi acha lag raha hai…” Her words were filled with genuine admiration, her gaze warm and affectionate.

Sidharth’s frustration was melting away under the weight of her compliments. He found himself drawn to her, her playful praise turning his anger into a soft, amused smile. She always had a way of surprising him, making him feel cherished even in moments of frustration.

Pulling her closer, Sidharth’s intense lips met shehnaaz’s. Their lips brushed together as he teased, “Part 2 of gandi wali kiss starts..”

Sidharth’s lips met hers with a fervor that took her by surprise. Shehnaaz’s eyes widened, but she quickly closed them, feeling his passion. His arms enveloped her, drawing her closer as his hands rested gently on her waist. Shehnaaz found herself backed against the wall, feeling the weight of his presence around her.

His kiss was deep, savoring the taste of her lipstick, which had a hint of strawberry. Shehnaaz gripped the collar of his kurta, her fingers reaching to touch his shoulders, seeking support as she held onto him.

When she tried to pull away for a breath, Sidharth’s hold remained firm. He gently nibbled on her lip, causing a soft mumble to escape her. Shehnaaz’s response was a mix of surprise and desire, evident in her quickened breath.

smiling, Sidharth gradually pulled back, his lips moving to her chin and then trailing down her neck. His kisses were tender and exploratory, moving with a deliberate pace. Shehnaaz’s skin flushed pink under his touch, and she felt a blend of warmth and excitement.

Sidharth paused, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of affection and desire. “Are you okay?” he murmured softly, noticing her slightly breathless state.

Shehnaaz’s eyes met his, and she nodded, her expression reflecting a mixture of anticipation and reassurance. She placed her hands on his face, guiding him back to her lips with a gentle touch.

They continued to kiss, their connection deepened by the moment’s intimacy. Sidharth’s touch was careful yet passionate, and Shehnaaz responded with equal fervor, their hearts beating in sync.

As they finally parted, both were breathless but content, their bond strengthened by the shared experience. The moment was filled with unspoken understanding and mutual affection.

39

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Daarji smiled weakly at Dadi Maa, feeling a mix of hesitation and obligation. Since their arrival, he had been deliberately avoiding conversation with her. Dadi Maa had an uncanny ability to leave him speechless with her directness and pointed remarks.

Dadi Maa’s face brightened with a wide smile as she greeted him. “Are bhai sahab, kaise hai aap?”

Daarji responded with a slight shake of his head, struggling to keep his tone neutral. “Ekdum changa ji, aap kaise hai?”

Dadi Maa’s smile faltered just a bit as she made a slightly sad face. “Hum bas thik hai. Hume toh laga aap humse baat hi nahi karenge. Kuch upset hai Shukla parivaar re?”

Daarji tried to decipher her expression, hoping to catch any hint that she might know about the ongoing issues with Sidharth and Shehnaaz. However, her face remained impassive, giving away nothing.

He let out a resigned sigh, trying to smooth over the tension. “Are behen ji, aisi koi baat nahi hai. Shadi wala ghar hai na, bas kaam mein phas gaya tha.”

Dadi Maa chuckled softly, her tone tinged with a hint of sarcasm. “Haan, kitne kaam hote hain shadi wale ghar mein. bachhon par haath uthana, unki marzi ke khilaf unki shadi karwana… Bahut thak jate honge na?”

Daarji’s expression grew serious as he absorbed her choice of words. It was clear that she was hinting at knowing more than what was being discussed openly. His patience began to wear thin. “Ji, aap humare Payal ke sasural wale hai. Main aapse binati karta hun ke humare ghar ke mamle mein na pade.”

Dadi Maa’s irritation was evident as she looked at him. “Waise baat toh sahi hai, aur hum padte bhi nahi. Agar baat humare pote ke pyar ki na hoti…”

Daarji’s frustration was palpable. “Kya pyar, kaise pyar, kaunsa pyar? Jo aaj is par, kal us par…”

Dadi Maa’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Mujhe nahi pata aap ka kis tarah ke logo se uthana-baithana hai, humare ghar mein is par us par nahi chalta. Ek hi hota hai, aur humesha ke liye hota hai.”

Daarji’s gaze shifted away momentarily before he faced her again. “Aap ko pata bhi nahi. Aapke pote ne kya kiya hai? Sukhveer ko dhamaki dene ki koshish ki, Shehnaaz se door rehne ke liye, Shehnaaz ka naam kharab karne ki koshish ki, ye bata ke woh dono ek dusre se pyar karte hain.”

Dadi Maa’s expression hardened as she rolled her eyes, her tone stern. “Ise naam kharab karna nahi kehte Mr. Gill. Ise kehte hain, 3 zindagiyan barbad na hone ki koshish karna. Humare Sidharth ne Sukhveer ko samajhane ki koshish ki taki woh baat zyada aage badhane se pehle sambhal jaye, taki uski, Shehnaaz ki aur Sid ki zindagi barbaad na ho.”

Daarji was not convinced. “Shehnaaz ka roka ho chuka hai. Main apne dost ko jaban de chuka hun.”

Dadi Maa chuckled softly, her voice tinged with frustration. “Shehnaaz khush nahi hai us rishte se. Woh Sidharth se pyar karti hai aur uske sath apni zindagi bitana chahti hai. Dukh toh is baat ka hai ke ye baat hume aapko samajhani pad rahi hai.”

Daarji’s resolve remained firm as he looked away. “Dekhiye behen ji, apne pote ko samjhaayiye ke woh meri poti se dur rahe.”

Dadi Maa sighed deeply, her frustration evident as she tried to reason with Daarji. “Aapko samajhna hi nahi bhai sahab. Aap apne jhoothe guroor ke liye apni poti ki zindagi kharab karne par tule hain. Ek taraf Sukhveer hai, jo ek company mein CS hai, mahine ke jyada se jyada 1 lakh kamata hoga. Aur ek taraf Sid hai, jo Shukla Empires ka 50% owner hai. Aur baat sirf paiso ki nahi hai. Ek sahi insaan jise pyar karta hai, uski khushi mein khush rehta hai.”

She continued, her voice gaining strength with each word. “Sidharth ko jab Shehnaaz ki shaadi ka pata chala, usne pehle Shehnaaz ko kya chahiye woh samjha. Agar Shehnaaz is rishte se khush hoti, toh woh kab ka step out kar chuka hota. Woh isliye koshish kar raha hai kyunki Shehnaaz usse chahti hai. Aur rahi aap ke Sukhveer ki baat, ye janane ke bawjood ki Shehnaaz aur Sidharth ek dusre se pyar karte hain, usne shaadi todne ke bajay, aapko aake Sidharth ke khilaf complaint ki. Uske liye Shehnaaz ki khushi mayane nahi rakhti. Itni si baat aap samajh nahi pa rahe?”

Daarji’s irritation was evident as he struggled to maintain his composure. “Sukhveer achha ladka hai Sana ke liye.”

Dadi Maa’s eyes narrowed with irritation. “Aur Sidharth se kya problem hai aapko?”

Daarji’s frustration became more apparent as he responded, “Nahi pasand mujhe woh.”

Dadi Maa let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Toh aapko nahi shaadi karni hai, aapke poti ko karni hai aur use pasand hai.”

Daarji glared at her, clearly upset. “Sana ki shaadi mein dost ke pote hi honge.”

Dadi Maa met his glare with one of her own. “Shehnaaz ki shaadi humare pote se hi hogi.”

As the argument reached a peak, Rajender, who had been observing the escalating tension, stepped in, his concern for the situation apparent. “Chachi ji, koi problem toh nahi na?”

Dadi Maa turned to Rajender with a reassuring smile, attempting to ease the tension. “Nahi beta, sab theek hai.”

With that, she walked away, leaving behind a seething Daarji and a heavy, tense atmosphere hanging in the air.

______________

Khushi was making her way back to the venue when Karan reached out and grabbed her hand.

Without a second thought, Khushi yanked her hand away and turned her face, trying to avoid his gaze. “Kya hua?” she asked, her tone cool and distant.

Karan, taken aback by her reaction, looked at her with a mix of hurt and frustration. “Khushi, main koshish kar raha hoon na…” he said, his voice tinged with desperation.

Khushi’s lips curled into a sad, mocking smile. “Koshish hi toh kar rahe ho tum… but aur koshish mat karo…” she replied, her voice laced with a mix of resignation and irritation.

Karan’s face fell, a wave of negative emotions washing over him. “What do you mean?” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Khushi squared her shoulders and met his gaze with a defiant look. “Let’s get separated,” she declared, her words sharp and final.

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, leaving Karan standing there, pale and stunned, the weight of her words sinking in as he watched her retreating figure.