Chapter 7

When Sidharth returned home, he noticed Payal talking on the phone. He didn’t know who she was speaking with, but her words caught his attention.

Payal sighed, “Sana, ab bas ho gaya… tu ghar kab aa rahi hai?… Tere ghar aane ka Sidharth veerji ghar aaye ke nahi isse kya lena dena Shehnaaz… Shehnaaz… bachhi, main gussa nahi kar rahi… tu jaldi ghar aaja… mujhe teri fikar ho rahi hai… pakka… acha thik hai… jaldi aa…”

Payal hung up and went to her room, leaving Sidharth with a sinking feeling. It was clear to him that Shehnaaz was avoiding him, and it hurt more than he expected. He didn’t even see her at dinner. Dadi maa was at the dining table, which meant Shehnaaz was in the house, but she didn’t come for dinner. He couldn’t believe how stubborn she could be. To avoid him, she was avoiding everyone. Disappointment washed over him, mixed with a gnawing sense of something else he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Later that night, he wanted to talk to Shehnaaz, but she had already locked herself in her room. With a heavy sigh, he retreated to his own room, feeling dejected.

The next day passed without a glimpse of her. The house felt oddly silent, and he found himself missing her chatter. It had only been a few days, but they had all grown accustomed to each other. Without Shehnaaz’s lively presence, he felt bored and strangely alone.

He knew he was overreacting. She was just his bhabhi’s sister and a friend, nothing more. But her avoidance mattered to him, maybe because he had done the same to her before. Now, he was on the receiving end, and it stung. He felt guilty for making her feel this way.

The day ended with no resolution, and he hoped he could talk to her and apologize before she left. Sighing, he eventually fell asleep.

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#MORNING

Payal and Shehnaaz greeted everyone with smiles. When Shehnaaz’s eyes met Sidharth’s, he felt a sudden fear, guilt, and restlessness. He couldn’t understand why her indifference bothered him so much. He wanted her to talk to him, to give him some sign that she wasn’t angry. He had never been the type to get angry or behave rudely, but with Shehnaaz, he didn’t know what had come over him. Her teasing affected him in ways he couldn’t explain.

He was lost in thought, staring at her. She gave him a small, formal smile and said, “Take care, Sidharth,” before walking out.

Something snapped inside him. It wasn’t just her indifferent behavior; it was the fact that she called him Sidharth instead of Shukla ji. He had grown used to her calling him that, and he realized that when she was upset, she used his first name. It made him feel really guilty. Why did he want her to be herself so badly? Her indifference irritated him; her formality annoyed him.

He kept looking at her as everyone walked behind them. No, he had to patch things up with her, or he would go crazy. They had just started their friendship, and already there was this distance. No, he had to talk to her and make things right.

Determined, he followed them hurriedly. Payal was about to sit at the back when Sidharth said, “Bhabhi, you sit at the front with bhai. I will join Shehnaaz at the back.”

Everyone was confused. Sidharth faked a smile, “Oh, I thought bhai might get bored alone on the way back, so I’ll keep him company.”

Kabeer ji and Rita smiled, as did Abhi and Payal, while Dadi maa looked at him curiously. Shehnaaz seemed disturbed at the back.

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The journey was filled with silence. Usually, Shehnaaz would be up to some mischief or chattering away, but her unusual behavior disturbed everyone. Payal looked through the rearview mirror, “Shehnaaz, are you alright?”

Shehnaaz smiled weakly and nodded. Payal and Abhi got engrossed in their conversation, while Sidharth remained silent at the back, throwing glances at Shehnaaz, who was staring out of the window the entire time.

Something was definitely wrong with her, and Sidharth had to know why she was so upset. Could he affect her this much? He didn’t think so, but her silence was unnerving.

Sighing, he slowly put his hand on Shehnaaz’s that lay on the seat. Startled, Shehnaaz turned to look at him. Sidharth smiled weakly, trying to read her face, “Kya hua? Itni chupchap kyun ho?”

Shehnaaz shook her head as if nothing had happened and turned back to look outside. Sidharth sighed but felt a small comfort that she didn’t snap his hand away.

Sidharth gently pressed his hand on hers, “Itna gussa…?”

Confused, she turned back again, “Gussa…?”

Sidharth sighed again, “I’m sorry.”

Shehnaaz smiled weakly, “Aap sorry mat kahiye, Sidharth. Main aapse gussa nahi hoon.”

For some reason, Sidharth had started to dislike her calling him Sidharth. She always called him Shukla ji, so why Sidharth all of a sudden?

“Tum mujhe Sidharth kehke kyun bula rahi ho?”

Shehnaaz was confused by his behavior. First, he avoided her, and now when she wasn’t bothering him, he had a problem with that too. What exactly did he want?

She never felt this bad before. When Sidharth first didn’t talk to her, she thought he was avoiding her because she annoyed him. But his constant avoidance and indifferent behavior made her realize that she was an outsider in their house, just an unwanted guest in Sidharth Shukla’s eyes. She felt disgusted and upset with the fact that she was staying in someone’s house when they didn’t want her there.

His avoidance made her feel like an outsider, and yes, she was. It was then that she talked to Di about going back. Payal was initially confused, but Shehnaaz insisted, and eventually, Payal agreed.

And now, when she wasn’t bothering him, not annoying him, why was he making an effort to talk to her?

“Aapka naam Sidharth hai, toh zahir si baat hai main aapko Sidharth kehke bulaungi,” she stated matter-of-factly.

Sidharth felt the coldness in her behavior, “Shehnaaz, kya hua?”

Shehnaaz smiled formally, “Kuchh nahi, Sidharth. I am fine, just a little tired.”

With that, she took her hand away from his and closed her eyes, pretending to fall asleep. Sidharth sighed uncomfortably and looked outside.

He had started to understand her. She didn’t know how to express her sadness or hurt. When they had fought in the office, he had seen the hurt in her eyes, but she refused to show it to anyone. She was the kind of person who hid her pain within herself, and that disturbed him. Why couldn’t she let her anger out? Why did she keep quiet when she was hurt? Couldn’t she just ask him why he fought with her? Her silence was worse than her words. No one could understand what was going on behind that silence, and that disturbed him more than it should.

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Once they reached Mohali, both families greeted each other, and Sidharth noticed Shehnaaz’s indifference. So did Payal. As Shehnaaz walked to her bedroom, Payal followed her.

“Kya baat hai, Shehnaaz? Itni pareshan kyun hai?”

Shehnaaz pretended to be busy unpacking, “Kuchh bhi toh nahi, Di.”

Payal sighed and turned her to look at her, “Kya hua? Bata mujhe.”

Shehnaaz couldn’t keep it in anymore. She didn’t know why she felt so emotionally charged all of a sudden.

“Di, I will never come to your sasural again.”

Payal pulled away, shocked, “Kya matlab? Kisne kuchh kaha tujhse?”

Shehnaaz realized what she just said and covered it instantly, “Mujhe maa-papaji ki kitni yaad aa rahi thi wahan… main firse nahi aaungi.”

Payal rolled her eyes and slapped her head playfully, “Chup pagal, jab teri shadi hogi tab kya karegi?”

Shehnaaz pouted, “Main apne dulhe se kahungi ke usse mere ghar pe aakar rehna padega… main kahin nahi jaungi.”

Payal giggled at her answer, and so did Shehnaaz, finally sharing a sweet hug.

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It was afternoon, and everyone was present at the dining table except Shehnaaz. Once again, she was missing. Sidharth was really annoyed now. He hated how much she affected him. Why did he care that she was absent? This girl… he wished he had never met her. Since the day they met, she hadn’t stopped affecting and annoying him. Stupid girl.

He somehow finished his lunch and walked to Shehnaaz’s room, only to find it empty. He searched the entire house but found no sign of her. Thankfully, Daarji was out of town, so there was no one to annoy them with every little matter.

Afternoon passed, evening passed, but Shehnaaz remained immune to Sidharth. He even asked Payal, but she had no clue where Shehnaaz was. This girl… she couldn’t even think that he might be bored alone. Abhi and Payal were spending time together, and he couldn’t disturb them. She couldn’t stay to keep him company? Idiot, insensitive… who gets this angry? God, I’m so bored. I shouldn’t have come. It’s my fault for coming here to apologize… and she doesn’t care about anyone.

Dinner was the same. Sidharth was super angry now. He didn’t know why, but her careless behavior and avoidance made him feel guilty, which only increased his anger.

Abhi noticed Shehnaaz’s absence, “Maa, Shehnaaz kahan hai?”

Jasbeera ji smiled, “Shehnaaz… Shehnaaz to kheto mein bethi hogi… usse wahan bethna bahot achha lagta hai.”

Sidharth listened patiently. Finishing his dinner as soon as possible, he walked to the back of the house, which led to a big field owned by the Gills.

He walked through the dim light and let out a breath of relief when he finally saw what his eyes had been searching for – Shehnaaz. There was an old tractor, and Shehnaaz was sitting on it on a bunch of grass, lost in thought, looking at the beautiful moon.

Already angry, Sidharth strode towards her. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice him until he rudely grabbed her wrist and turned her to face him.

The sudden pull made Shehnaaz stumble, landing directly on Sidharth’s chest. The unexpected momentum caused Sidharth to fall backward onto the grass, with Shehnaaz ending up in his lap. Shehnaaz, dazed and confused by his sudden appearance, tried to pull herself away from him. Sidharth, however, tightened his grip around her waist, forcing her to meet his fiery gaze.

“What the hell are you doing here??” he demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

Shehnaaz, taken aback by his anger, stammered, “Ji… me… woh…”

Sidharth’s day had been a whirlwind of emotions, filled with a gnawing emptiness from not seeing her. The frustration of feeling abandoned and left out had built up inside him, and now he needed answers. Without thinking, he twisted her hands behind her back, causing her to wince in pain. Despite the discomfort, she didn’t fight him off; it all seemed to happen so naturally.

“Answer me, damn it!” he growled, his grip tightening.

Shehnaaz closed her eyes, trying to block out the pain. The confusion of the day’s events and Sidharth’s ruthless behavior was too much for her to process. “Chhodiye mujhe,” she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.

Sidharth grabbed her jaw with his free hand, forcing her to look at him. “Kyu? Taki firse kahin door jakar mujhse chhip sako?” His frustration was evident, but beneath it, there was a hint of vulnerability.

Shehnaaz looked at him, her eyes wide with confusion. “Me aapse kyu chhupungi?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Sidharth twisted her hand more carelessly, causing her more pain. “Oh really? Then why are you avoiding me?”

Despite the agony, Shehnaaz met his gaze. “Why did you avoid me?” she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hurt and confusion. She couldn’t understand why he was being so harsh, and she wondered why she wasn’t fighting back. Maybe it was because pushing him away would seem insulting, she tried to reason with herself.

Sidharth was momentarily silenced by her question. She was avoiding him because he had avoided her. It was as simple as that. How could she do that to him? He had avoided her for a reason, but why was he hurting her now? What right did he have? He needed to let her go.

He released her hands, but his arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, holding her close. Shehnaaz remained just as confused as he was, their proximity both comforting and bewildering.

Sidharth stared into her eyes with intense concentration as she looked down at her wrist, where his fingerprints were already forming. He sighed, feeling a pang of guilt, but his attention was quickly drawn back to her eyes when he saw tears rolling down her cheeks. The world seemed to stop around him; the only thing he could see was her angelic face and those tears.

He let her go immediately, his heart sinking with regret and fear. “Why the tear?” he whispered, more to himself than to her.

What was it about her tears that affected him so deeply? He had never felt anything more painful than seeing her cry. The office incident flashed in his mind, and now this. Why did her tears have such a hold on him? Why did he always end up hurting her? This girl was driving him crazy, and he unintentionally blamed her, feeling as if he had every right to.

Unintentionally, Sidharth held her wrist gently, brushing his fingers over the bruised skin with a soft touch. “Is it hurting?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Shehnaaz was left speechless by his sudden change in demeanor. First, he hurt her, and now he was soothing her pain. She mumbled, lost in his eyes, “Thoda thoda…”

Sidharth continued to brush his fingers over her skin soothingly. “Sorry,” he murmured.

Unable to stop herself, Shehnaaz smiled weakly. “It’s ok,” she said softly.

Sidharth continued, “For avoiding you…”

Shehnaaz’s smile faded as she realized she was still sitting in his lap. A wave of embarrassment washed over her, and she tried to get up, but Sidharth pulled her back.

Confused, she looked at him, but Sidharth made a baby face and held his ears with both hands, a gesture of apology that made her smile. “It’s ok,” she mumbled again.

Sighing, he held her hands in his, taking her by surprise. “Wo tum mujhe itna sata rahi thi… toh mene bhi tumhe satane ke liye…” he trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.

Shehnaaz instantly looked at him, surprised. Was that why he avoided her? Was that the only reason? She felt foolish for overthinking the situation. “Mujhe laga ke me aap ke ghar me bojh…”

She was immediately silenced when Sidharth’s finger rested on her lips. Startled, she looked up to see an angry Sidharth Shukla.

“Shehnaaz, tum pagal ho gayi ho…? agar dobara aisi bakwas ki toh thappad khaogi mujhse,” he said, his voice firm.

“Huh!” Shehnaaz made an O-shaped mouth. “Aap? Raavan Shukla… mujhe thappad marenge?”

“Shut up, Shehnaaz,” Sidharth almost smiled, noticing her being herself again, but then he frowned. “1 min… what did you call me? Raavan?”

Shehnaaz smiled proudly. “Yes… Raavan Shukla… that’s what you are.”

Sidharth angrily stood up, and…

THUD!

Shehnaaz fell flat on the grass. Oops. Sidharth instantly realized his mistake. He made a sorry face, which was of no use as Shehnaaz angrily stood up and threw a killing look at him. “Shukla ji, aapke paas dimag nahi hai wo to me pehli mulakat me hi samaj gayi thi… par kasam se kam aankhen to hai na…”

Huh!

Sidharth was super angry now. Did she just call him brainless? “Shehnaaz, tum…”

Shehnaaz shunned him. “Shehnaaz… Shehnaaz kya… ek toh mujhe apni god me bithate hai… aur fir khud hi girate hai…”

Sidharth looked away, embarrassed. “Mene tumhe god me nahi bithaya tha…”

Shehnaaz hit her head. “Hayy rabba…” then mocked him, “Me toh bhul gayi… aapki memory loss ki prob hai na…”

Sidharth glared at her. “Chup… pehle meri baat suno…”

Shehnaaz glared back. “Kyu… kyu sunu me apki baat? Aapne ladayi ki… aapne avoid kiya… toh me aapse baat nahi karungi… bas…”

Shehnaaz pouted her lips and looked away.

Sidharth shook his head with a smile, but then showed his serious face. “Shehnaaz, mana ki tab galti meri thi… lekin ab… tumne mujhe Raavan kaha isliye mene tumhe… I mean galti se…”

What?

Shehnaaz was annoyed now. “Iska matlab… badala lene ke liye aapne mujhe jaan bujhke giraya…”

“Nahi, Shehnaaz,” Sidharth rolled his eyes. “Achha, woh sab chodo… meri baat suno.”

Shehnaaz sat on the grass in full Punjabi style. “Haan ji… boliye…”

Sidharth sat beside her and took her hands in his. “Shehnaaz, dobara aisa khayal apne man me kabhi mat lana… me toh bas tumhe sata raha tha… wo ghar jitna mera hai utna hi tumhara hai… samjhi tum?”

Shehnaaz smiled sincerely and nodded.

Sidharth smiled back. “That’s like a good girl.” Then he made a mischievous face. “Waise mujhe pata hai… tumhare liye thoda mushkil hai… but apna ye sherni avatar ko jara control me rakho… agar kisi din sher se pala pad gaya na… toh musibat ho jayegi.”

Shehnaaz glared at him for a second and then burst into laughter, followed by Sidharth.

Sidharth held her hand tightly. “Tum hasate huye achhi lagti ho… so keep smiling… ok?”

Shehnaaz smiled yet again, and Sidharth continued. “Achha… I know… humari friendship ki shuruwaat mene kharab kar di (making a sad face)… par kya hum fir se frnds ban sakte hai… this time… no fight promise?”

Shehnaaz looked at him unsure, making him frown. Then she winked at him, taking him by surprise, and finally giggled, making him chuckle. “Friends.”

Shehnaaz smiled teasingly. “Waise Shukla ji…”

Sidharth smiled, knowing something was definitely coming his way. “Bolo ji.”

Shehnaaz looked at him with concentration. “Aap ko itna affect kyu hua?”

“What?” Sidharth was baffled by her question, or maybe he himself was clueless, like her. “What are you saying?”

Shehnaaz smiled uncomfortably. “Aap ko itna kyu feel hua jab me aap se dur rehne ki koshish kar rahi thi

?”

Sidharth first thought Shehnaaz was teasing him, but then he realized he seriously had no answer. What rubbish. It didn’t affect him, did it? No. He was just feeling guilty.

Sidharth cleared his throat. “Shehnaaz, I wasn’t affected. I was just feeling guilty that I made you upset.”

“Achha,” Shehnaaz smiled teasingly.

Sidharth shook his head. “Ab chalo ghar, drama queen.”

Shehnaaz stood up, slightly annoyed. “Aapne mujhe drama queen kaha… Mr. I-m-a-Liar.”

Sidharth smirked. He was enjoying the fight with her. After so long, her indifferent behavior had seriously scared him. “What did I lie about?”

Shehnaaz winked at him funnily. “Yahi… ke it didn’t affect you.”

Sidharth smirked. “Aur… sach kya hai?”

Shehnaaz naughtily put her elbow on his shoulder and made a cute face. “Sidharth Shukla ji… aap ka kahin is nachiz par dil to nahi aagaya…”

Sidharth smiled, knowing she was just teasing him. He looked at her with the same expression. “Tumhe kaise pata chala?”

Shehnaaz gave him a yucky look. “Weirdo,” she said, and started to run.

Sidharth laughed and followed her. “Arre meri dhanno… I mean… nachiz… ruko toh… Anarkali…”

“Shut up,” Shehnaaz laughed annoyingly and ran faster, followed by a laughing Sidharth.