Chapter 25

Sidharth pulled Shehnaaz into a tight embrace, pressing a soft kiss onto her forehead. Shehnaaz looked up at him with a playful chuckle, “Tu kitna attitude marta hai,” she teased, her voice light yet full of affection.

With a smirk playing on his lips, Sidharth responded, “Jaisa bhi hun baby, zelana toh zindagi bhar ai tuze?” He leaned in and pecked her lips gently, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

But Shehnaaz wasn’t in the mood for playful banter. She sighed in frustration, her voice carrying the weight of her emotions, “Sidharth…”

He knew exactly what was troubling her. Without waiting for her to elaborate, he softly apologized, “Shehnaaz, I’m sorry. But I really didn’t have any other option.”

There was a moment of silence between them as Shehnaaz rested her head against his chest, her voice barely a whisper, “Mujhe dar lag raha hai.” Her words carried a vulnerability that pierced his heart.

Sidharth gently ran his fingers through her hair, his voice soothing as he whispered, “Everything will fall in place, Shehnaaz. Bharosa rakh mujhpe.”

Shehnaaz managed a small smile, nodding her head, but the exhaustion was clear in her eyes. The emotional toll of everything they were facing was weighing heavily on her, and it didn’t escape Sidharth’s notice. He saw the tears gathering in her eyes, and his heart clenched with worry.

Cupping her face with both hands, he tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “Kya hua Naaz?” he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.

Instead of answering, Shehnaaz wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face into his chest as if seeking comfort from the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Sidharth sensed something more, something deeper, in the way she held him. There was tension, fear, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness that he could feel through her embrace.

“Naaz,” he murmured, his voice low, almost as if speaking her name would break the fragile moment between them.

Shehnaaz slowly pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, searching for answers. Sidharth held her gaze, not saying anything, giving her the space to speak her mind.

“Sidharth, agar Sukhveer nahi pichhe hata toh…?” she asked softly, her voice laced with innocent worry, her eyes pleading for reassurance.

Sidharth’s lips curled into a tender smile at her question. “Shehnaaz, then I will back off and you will marry him, as per the condition,” he answered quietly, though the words felt heavy in his mouth.

The moment he said that, Shehnaaz’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “Sidharth, kya bakwas hai ye? Tu kaise phas gaya unki baton me?” she asked angrily, her frustration spilling over.

Sidharth groaned, pulling her closer once again, his arms wrapping around her protectively. “Kisi me itni himmat nahi ke mera pyaar mujhse chhin sake,” he whispered fiercely before pressing a kiss on her forehead. “Naaz, I was only thinking of how to make you mine forever,” he explained softly, his voice gentle now, “Us waqt mere dimag me bas itna hi tha ke main tuze kabhi khona nahi chahta.”

Hearing his heartfelt confession, Shehnaaz sighed heavily, leaning into him even more. “Sidharth, mujhe ye bilkul achha nahi lag raha… Main nahi rehna tere bina…” her voice cracked as she admitted her deepest fear, and she dug her face into his chest, clutching him tightly as if afraid to let go.

Sidharth closed his eyes for a moment, holding her close, feeling her heartbeat against his chest. “Shehnaaz, there is no way out of any problem without taking a risk. Maybe it’s time to prove some things to myself… and also to the world,” his voice trailed off as if he were speaking more to himself than to her, lost in thought.

But Shehnaaz wasn’t in the mood for deep reflections. She looked up at him, clearly unimpressed, “Sidharth, ye philosophy jhaadne ka waqt nahi hai… Shaadi ke baad ke liye rakh… Zarurat padegi tujhe,” she mocked, her frustration evident even in her playful tone, trying to make light of the situation, though her heart still felt heavy.

Sidharth chuckled softly at her comment and kissed her forehead again. “Naaz, jaake so ja baby… main hoon na. Aur kal shaadi hai,” he reassured her, his voice soothing but firm.

But Shehnaaz wasn’t convinced. “Tujhe lagta hai mujhe neend aayegi? Soch soch ke meri halat kharab ho rahi hai! Tujhe kya zarurat thi unki baton mein aane ki? Ab kaise solve karein ye siyappa? Main bol rahi hoon, tujhe kidnap karke bhaga le jaungi!” Her frustration spilled over into a rant, her words coming out in a rush.

Before she could say more, Sidharth silenced her with a soft kiss on her lips, not because he didn’t want to answer her questions but because he could tell she wasn’t in the right frame of mind to understand. She needed comfort, not explanations, at that moment.

“Baby, go and sleep,” he said firmly, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. Then, with a playful grin, he added, “Kidnap promise agar kuch solution nahi mila toh.”

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes at his teasing, her irritation melting into affection. She kissed his chest lightly and mumbled, “Mujhe teri bahon mein sona hai…” Her voice was soft, and Sidharth could sense the tiredness in her words, but he also knew that holding her close right now was tempting him in ways he couldn’t afford at the moment.

“Haan baby… jitna mann kare so lena. But filhaal halat waise nahi hai na… jao, bhabhi pareshaan ho rahi hongi,” he coaxed her gently, trying to get her to rest.

Making a face at him, Shehnaaz reluctantly left, her footsteps dragging as she moved towards the door. Sidharth watched her go, his heart heavy with unspoken emotions, and once she was gone, he headed back to the farmhouse they had booked.

Inside the living room, Sidharth stood still, lost in deep thought. His mind was racing, replaying every word, every emotion of the evening. He couldn’t shake the feeling that despite his reassurances, there was so much left unsaid, so much unresolved.

Time seemed to stretch on as he stood there, unmoving, until the soft sound of someone clearing their throat pulled him back to reality. A glass of water was held out to him, and he blinked, realizing he wasn’t alone.

______________

As soon as Khushi opened the door, her heart skipped a beat seeing Karan standing there, his face clouded with frustration. She blinked in surprise, unsure of why he had come. Before she could say anything, her instinct took over, and she attempted to shut the door, trying to avoid whatever confrontation was about to unfold. But Karan, determined, pushed against it, forcing his way in.

The door slammed shut behind him, the sound echoing in the tense silence of the room. Khushi’s annoyance flared, and she turned away, refusing to face him. She didn’t want this—didn’t want to engage in another argument that would lead nowhere. But Karan, not willing to let her walk away, grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not hurtful.

“Tumhari problem kya hai?” His voice was sharp, frustration dripping from each word.

Khushi tugged at her wrist, her irritation bubbling over. “Haath chhodo, Karan. I had enough,” she said, her voice breaking slightly from the weight of her emotions. She had truly had enough of this back-and-forth, this endless cycle of misunderstandings and unspoken resentment.

Instead of releasing her, Karan grabbed her other hand too, pulling her close, twisting her arms behind her back so that she was pressed against his chest. The sudden proximity sent a shiver down Khushi’s spine, and her breath hitched. His touch used to bring her comfort, but now it only heightened her sense of being trapped.

“Ab tak sab chal raha tha na aise hi… toh ab kya problem hai?” Karan’s voice softened slightly, but the undercurrent of impatience remained. He couldn’t understand what had changed, why she was suddenly pulling away from him when things had been working out so far—or at least, that’s what he thought.

Khushi stopped struggling, her body sagging against his as tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over. She was exhausted, emotionally drained. “Ab nahi hoga mujhse aur…” Her voice was a whisper, fragile and broken.

Karan’s heart clenched at her words. He loosened his grip, sensing her weariness. He had always been strong, but seeing her like this—defeated—made him feel helpless. “I need you… for both of us,” he said, his tone dropping to a vulnerable plea. He gazed into her tear-filled eyes, his own heart aching at the thought of losing her.

For the first time in a long while, Khushi saw the vulnerability in his eyes, the raw need that he rarely allowed to surface. It made her pause. She stared at him, searching his face for answers she couldn’t find.

He looked away, his usual confidence slipping. “Mujhe lagta tha… mera pyaar hum dono ke liye kaafi hai… but I was wrong,” she confessed, sighing in defeat. Her voice was filled with a quiet sorrow, a resignation she hadn’t wanted to admit. It had taken her so long to accept that maybe her love wasn’t enough to fix everything.

Panic flashed in Karan’s eyes. He had always relied on her strength, her patience, her love to hold them together. The idea that she was giving up—that she didn’t feel the same anymore—terrified him. “Kaafi hai, Khushi… tumhara pyaar kaafi hai,” he said desperately, his voice shaking with guilt.

Khushi shook her head, her tears flowing freely now. “Mere liye nahi hai ab…” Her voice was harsh, the bitterness of unfulfilled dreams lacing her words. “I want a normal life, Karan. A normal house, a normal husband. I want to be loved, to be pampered… and I’ve realized we can’t have any of it.”

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. Karan had never realized how deeply she craved normalcy, how much she had sacrificed in their chaotic relationship. He stood there, frozen, guilt and regret swirling inside him. “I’m trying…” he whispered, the truth slipping out in a moment of vulnerability. “Main bata nahi pata… shayad jata nahi pata…” His voice cracked as he struggled to express everything he had kept bottled up inside. He knew he was failing her, but he didn’t know how to fix it.

Khushi, feeling her resolve weaken, tried to pull away again. She had to protect herself, to find a way out before she lost herself completely in him. But before she could break free, she felt his lips on hers—soft, insistent, and filled with a desperation she had never felt from him before.

It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a plea, a cry for her to come back to him, to surrender once more. Karan kissed her as if this was his last chance to show her everything he couldn’t say with words. He needed her to understand, to feel the depth of his emotions, his fears, his love.

Khushi’s mind screamed for her to resist, but her heart ached with the familiarity of his touch, the longing that had been buried deep inside her for too long. Her body betrayed her, melting into his as the kiss deepened, her hands slipping up to clutch his shirt. She wanted to pull him closer and push him away all at once.

_______________

“Aap ab tak soye nahi?” Sidharth asked, his brows furrowed in surprise as he spotted his Dadi maa sitting by the living room window, bathed in the soft glow of the night. Her frail figure seemed oddly powerful against the dim light, as if the burdens of the family rested effortlessly on her old yet strong shoulders.

“water son” she said with a soft chuckle, pointing at the glass on the table in front of her.

Sidharth quickly picked up the glass, took a sip, and handed it to her. After finishing the water, Dadi maa leaned back in her chair, her wise eyes fixed on his face. She noticed the strain around his eyes, the weariness etched on his features.

“Kaafi raat ho chuki hai… I think you should rest, Sid,” she said, her voice calm yet laced with concern.

Sidharth let out a dry, almost bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Dadi maa, even after everything you’ve heard, you still think I can just go and rest?”

“Haan bilkul,” she responded with the calm authority only she could command. “Since when did my pota start worrying about challenges?”

“Aap ab tak soye nahi?” Sidharth asked, his tone filled with surprise as he noticed his Dadi maa sitting in the living room, her soft, wrinkled face glowing under the dim light of the night. Despite her age, there was an aura of calm authority around her, a presence that had always grounded him.

“Paani, beta,” Dadi maa responded with a light chuckle, gesturing towards the glass on the table. Her voice was gentle, yet carried the strength that came from years of experience and wisdom.

Sidharth walked over, picked up the glass of water, and drank from it, more out of habit than thirst. After a moment, he placed the glass back on the tea table, his mind already wandering to the turmoil inside him. He couldn’t help but feel a gnawing unease, despite the apparent stillness of the night.

“Kaafi raat ho chuki hai… I think you should rest,” Dadi maa observed, her eyes searching his face. She could sense the tension in his features, the way his jaw clenched subtly, and the tiredness that lingered in his eyes.

He let out a sarcastic laugh, the sound almost bitter. “Dadi maa, even after hearing everything, you still think I can go and rest?”

“Haan bilkul,” Dadi maa replied with a small smile, her words unwavering. “Since when did my pota start worrying about challenges?” she added, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Sidharth shook his head, his smile fading into something more solemn. “Dadi maa, had this been business-related, I would probably be snoring away in my bed right now,” he admitted, sinking into the chair opposite her. “But it’s not so and—”

Before he could finish, Dadi maa interrupted him. Her voice was soft but firm, cutting through his hesitation. “Yes, this is related to the heart. What I don’t understand is… why you and Shehnaaz are worried about some stranger?”

Sidharth exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. “Dadi maa, you don’t understand because it’s not that simple,” he muttered, his gaze hardening. He could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on him. The complexities of his feelings for Shehnaaz, the looming presence of her family, and now this stranger, Sukhveer—it all felt like too much at once.

Dadi maa’s voice grew slightly more authoritative as she looked directly at him. “You love her, and she loves you… I, Payal, and Abhi have accepted Shehnaaz. I am sure Kabeer and Rita will not mind either. The problem is with her family, especially her Daarji. In addition, the third angle to this whole story is this fellow named Sukhveer. It’s pretty simple. All you have to do now is go and talk to him again. If he does not listen, then use your power and status,” she said boldly.

Sidharth raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement slipping through the tension. “Dadi maa, you are telling me to misuse my power and status?”

Dadi maa chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Jab ghee seedhi ungli se na nikle to ungli thedi karni padti hai… Unless you want to let go of the ghee,” she added, clearly enjoying the playful twist of her own words.

For a brief moment, Sidharth’s lips curved into a faint smile at her joke, but it was short-lived. The gravity of the situation still weighed heavily on him.

Dadi maa’s laughter faded, her tone growing serious again as she leaned forward slightly. “Everything is fair in love and war… and right now, my son, there is war in love.”

Sidharth fell silent, absorbing her words. His mind raced through the possibilities, the what-ifs, the doubts. The silence between them was thick, almost oppressive. He stared at the floor, trying to find clarity amidst the chaos in his thoughts.

Dadi maa, sensing his inner turmoil, smiled softly and broke the silence. “Remember, as of now, everything is in control. This is what you must have said a couple of minutes back,” she reminded him gently.

“I did. That was to comfort Shehnaaz,” Sidharth admitted with a sigh, the weight of the admission settling over him. He had said those words to ease her fears, but deep down, he wasn’t sure he believed them himself.

“I understand,” Dadi maa said, her voice gentle yet filled with understanding. “Tomorrow, talk to Sukhveer. Depending on what they say, we’ll decide what to do next.”

Sidharth thought for a moment, his brow furrowing in contemplation. “Will that work…?” he asked, doubt creeping into his voice as he glanced up at her, searching for reassurance.

“Absolutely,” Dadi maa said confidently. “But I don’t think you will really have to scheme much because he would back off anyway, is what I’m guessing.”

Sidharth looked at her, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “And what makes you think so?” he asked, sitting down on the couch, gesturing for her to join him.

Dadi maa settled beside him, her posture relaxed but her expression thoughtful. “His father has been loyal to the Sharmas for the last few decades. What I am thinking is that his parents are probably unaware of the fact that Shehnaaz is in love with someone else. Once they realize that they are meddling with your happiness, they might think twice before getting their son married to Shehnaaz,” she explained, her words carrying the weight of her years of experience.

Sidharth nodded slowly, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together in his mind. “Dadi maa, I’ve thought of all this, and that’s why I challenged Daarji. I can’t lose Shehnaaz,” he confessed, his voice lowering as the fear of losing her gnawed at him. The idea of life without her, now that she had become so integral to his happiness, was unbearable.

“Lose!” Dadi maa repeated the word, her voice strong and determined. “Does this word not sound strange and new to you, Sid?” She looked at him with a knowing smile, as if she could already see the victory in his future.

Sidharth gazed back at her, a smile tugging at his lips despite the heaviness in his heart. There was something about Dadi maa’s unwavering belief in him that always managed to ground him, to remind him of his own strength. She had always been the backbone of the family, the pillar that everyone leaned on.

Dadi maa smiled, a proud glint in her eyes. “I guess you should get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day for your brother,” she said, her voice softening as she patted his arm gently.

Sidharth stood up, his heart lighter than it had been before their conversation. He bent down and wrapped his arms around Dadi maa, hugging her tightly. She returned the embrace, her hand resting on his back, offering silent comfort.

As she made her way to her bedroom, Sidharth stood alone in the living room, watching her retreating figure. Her words echoed in his mind, filling him with a renewed sense of purpose and resolve. He knew what he had to do, and no matter what obstacles lay ahead, he wasn’t going to lose Shehnaaz.

With that thought firmly in his mind, Sidharth turned and headed to his room, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.