Chapter 9

Abhi smiled as he received the call, “Haan Shehnaaz.. bolo..”

Shehnaaz sighed, unlike her usual chirpy mood, “Jiju.. Sidharth kaha hai?”

“Sidharth toh campaign ke liye gaya hai. Teen din ho gaye..” Abhi himself sounded worried.

“What?”

She thumped on the bed in shock. She couldn’t believe Sidharth could be so adamant. First of all, he didn’t contact her for three days—bloody three days—and now a campaign? What the hell is wrong with him? I was just teasing him, he knows it. Is this the way to react? Impossible Shukla…

Ughh.. what to do now? She didn’t even know if he left because of her or for some other reason… “Hello Shehnaaz… are you there?”

Shehnaaz concentrated on the phone again, “Yeah, Jiju, I am here. Woh campaign ke liye kahan gaya hai? Aur kya Loveli ji bhi saath gayi hai?”

Abhi sighed, “No Shehnaaz, he was too off the other day, then he suddenly left to XYZ camp site and didn’t even take Loveli along.”

“Oh no..” Shehnaaz mumbled worriedly.

Abhi sounded concerned, “kya huva shehnaaz.. tum dono firse lade..?”

Shehnaaz made face but didn’t want to involve anybody into this, “nahi jiju.. me bas awehi puchha.. uska phone nahi laga na.. isliye..”

Abhi was convinced “Ok then, I will catch you later.”

“Yeah,” with that, the call went off.

She tried to keep herself busy with other work, but nothing seemed to work. These days she had become so habituated to him that three days without talking to him… she couldn’t explain how she felt. And she was definitely worried for him. He didn’t even take his bodyguard along. What if something happens to him? No, no… why is she being so dramatic? He is mature enough to take care of himself.

But then, something kept her restless inside. She couldn’t convince herself that he was fine. She shouldn’t have teased him. Guess she went overboard. But why did he have to react so hastily…

She tried his number again and again, but it never connected.

Her anxiety made her more restless, and not knowing what to do, she decided to go there and meet him. She had to do it at any cost…

But Daarji? The mere thought scared her. If Daarji comes to know, he will kill her on the spot. God, it’s so tough…

But she had to do something, and an idea struck her mind…

Shehnaaz instantly ran to her mother, “Maa, aapko meri friend Seema yaad hai na? Uska accident ho gaya hai. Kya main usse milne jaaun? 2-3 din mein wapas aa jaungi.”

Jasbeera ji was first concerned about her friend but was unsure about 2-3 days, “Beta, Daarji… tu jaake unse poochh..”

Shehnaaz sighed and went to Daarji, “Daarji, woh meri Shimla ki friend Seema hai na… uski tabiyat theek nahi hai. Kya main usse milne jaaun? Main jaldi wapas aa jaungi.”

Daarji looked up, “Kaun Seema..?”

Shehnaaz breathed hard, “Woh meri college friend…”

Daarji, “Kya hua usse?”

“Umm… uska accident ho gaya hai… chhota sa…”

Daarji nodded, “Main aaun chhodane?”

“Nahi, nahi Daarji,” Shehnaaz acted fast, “Aap abhi abhi aaye hain bade safar se… main khud chali jaungi. Main jau?”

“Thik hai,” Daarji sighed, “Wahan pahochate hi phone kar dena… aur 1-2 din mein wapas laut aana. Samjhi?”

“Ji Daarji,” Shehnaaz was doing bhangra mentally but wiped her smile and hurriedly left…

The jungle is not exactly the place where you can find somebody easily, she realized it then. She searched and searched for him, but there was no sign of him anywhere near the area. It had been more than 5 hours she was searching for him, but he remained elusive. The sun started to set and fear began to creep into her mind. Where will she go now? Where will she stay? She looked around and realized she had come far from the rural area, mostly near the jungle side…

Oh my God, it was then her mind finally stuck up… she was in the jungle all alone…

Her body started to shiver in fear. Where had she landed herself in? How could she be so stupid? Sidharth is a man, all built up, who can fight for himself, but what about her? How will she fight if any problem occurs?

Shehnaaz was lost in her thoughts…

“aye Ladki…”

A loud sound stirred Shehnaaz’s ears, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned in a jerk to look around, only to find two well-built men standing behind her…

Scared, she walked backwards and noticed an evil smile on their faces…

“Aye ladki, tum yahan jungle mein kya kar rahi ho?”

Shehnaaz tried to sound confident, “Main… main apne pati ka intezar kar rahi hoon. Woh yahan paas mein hi gaye hain… aate hi honge…”

“Ohh,” the men smirked and walked towards her…

Shehnaaz instantly took a few more steps back, “Bhai sahab… aap…”

“Arre daro mat, hum madad kar rahe hain tumhari..”

Shehnaaz stammered, “Mujhe koi madad nahi chahiye..” With that, she turned and started to walk fast. But the sound at her back made her realize they were following her, and her fast walk turned into a run as she practically ran for her life, followed by the goons who tried their best to catch hold of her.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as Shehnaaz ran for her life, screaming, “Sidharth…”

She ran through the road and finally turned and ran inside the jungle. Her feet were giving up, but she didn’t stop.

She ran and ran until her body bumped hard into someone…

In horror, she clutched his chest over the clothes until her tears drenched his shirt…

“Sidharth…” she whispered with her eyes closed but then was surprised at herself. Why did she feel it was Sidharth? But her doubts were confirmed when the person she was clung to hugged her tightly in his protective embrace.

The goons stopped at some distance and ran back, noticing a guy with her…

Shehnaaz was still shivering…

Shehnaaz was still crying…

Sidharth was walking over the riverside when he felt a body bump into him. He tried to look at her face and was horrified to find Shehnaaz clung to his embrace, crying her heart out. It was then his eyes fell on the goons, and anger ran through his blood. He instantly took her in his hug and shot a deathly glare at the goons…

When they ran away, no one realized as Shehnaaz was lost in his chest with her eyes closed, and Sidharth caressed her back, trying to soothe her, still wondering what on earth she was doing here…

“Naaz, relax, woh chale gaye…”

That calmed Shehnaaz as she slowly took her face out a little and looked up to meet his face. A relief ran through her shivering body, and she started to cry like a kid and hugged him again. Instantly, Sidharth pulled her closer and kept assuring her everything was fine…

“Stop crying, Naaz, just relax…”

Shehnaaz slowly stopped crying but was still hiccuping. Sidharth smiled at her and caressed her cheeks gently, “Main hoon na..”

Shehnaaz nodded, still not willing to leave his chest…

Sidharth sighed and kept her close, “What are you doing here?”

Shehnaaz remembered her motive for coming here. She looked up at his face innocently, and another tear rolled down, “Maine tumhe manane aayi thi..”

Her simple yet special words left him breathless. Yes, he was angry at her for teasing him and angry at himself for getting so frustrated. And then he decided to come here… but three days without talking to her made him realize how much he missed her. In fact, he was planning to return today itself, and here she bumped into him…

“Mujhe manane?” Sidharth mumbled, wanting to hear it again. It felt so special… she came here just to pacify him…

Shehnaaz innocently nodded her head and crunched her red nose, “Itna gussa kyu?”

Sidharth looked away, trying to revive his anger, “Tumne mujhe gussa dilaya..”

Shehnaaz made an innocent face, “Achha…” then grinned lightly, “Kab?”

Sidharth glared at her, “Naaz..”

Shehnaaz made a puppy face, “Achha, ok, I am sorry… ab maan jao na..”

Sidharth ignored her sorry, though inside he was smiling shamelessly, “Tum yahan kaise aayi? And your family… Daarji?”

Shehnaaz made a cute naughty face and confessed, “Umm, maine sabko ullu bana diya…”

Sidharth rolled his eyes, “Naaz..”

“Toh main aur kya karti..” Shehnaaz pouted her lips and continued, “Tum Mr. Shaitan Shukla ke jaise yahan chale aaye.”

Sidharth sighed, “Toh…” he ignored Shaitan Shukla. It’s quite usual to hear her calling him different words…

Shehnaaz looked at Sidharth with confusion. “Toh kya, tumhe manane ke liye mujhe yahan aana pada?”

Sidharth’s eyes softened as he replied, “Aur wo goons?”

Her face tensed with fear as she tightened her grip on him. Sidharth sighed, “Shehnaaz, wo chale gaye hai. Relax, baba.”

Shehnaaz sighed, “Umm… wo main tumhe dhund rahi thi aur rasta bhatak gayi…” She pouted, looking like a worried child.

Sidharth’s frustration surged. How could she put herself at such risk? He pulled her closer, his voice filled with concern, “Naaz, are you mad? Tumhe yahan aane ki kya zaroorat thi, aur wo bhi akele? Kuchh ho jata toh…?”

“Zaroorat thi…” Shehnaaz snapped back, her voice firm.

“Really?” Sidharth’s irritation was palpable.

“Yes,” Shehnaaz insisted stubbornly.

“Naaz…” He was exasperated with her stubbornness.

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes and retorted, “You are an idiot.”

Sidharth shook his head, knowing she was impossible but also realizing she had left a storm behind at home. It was safest to get her back as soon as possible. “Chalo, I will drop you home.”

Shehnaaz stood her ground, “No, pehle batao, tum maan gaye na?”

Sidharth tried to stay annoyed, but her adorable pout made it impossible. “Haan, baba. Ab chalo.”

He took her hand protectively, and as they began walking, a drop of rain landed on Shehnaaz’s cheek. She stopped and touched her face in surprise.

“Kya hua?” Sidharth asked, turning to look at her.

Shehnaaz’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Lagta hai barish honewali hai.”

Sidharth smirked, “Achha… aur kuchh?”

Shehnaaz playfully smacked his arm, “I am serious.”

“But you told me not to take you seriously,” Sidharth teased with a grin.

Before Shehnaaz could respond, the sky darkened, and the rain started pouring heavily. The storm roared with wild winds, and the once-clear sky turned a menacing gray. Shehnaaz’s dupatta flew away, and they both stood frozen as the torrential downpour drenched them.

Shehnaaz, thrilled by the first rain of the season, jumped with joy. “Is saal ki pehli barish! Omg, omg!”

Sidharth was momentarily lost in the sight of her. She was absolutely breath taking. He averted his gaze but couldn’t resist glancing back at her. The way her wet hair locked in curls.. the water droplets tracing her soft skin.. and her cheeky smile drove him insane.

Shehnaaz’s playful splashing in the water only intensified his feelings. His heart raced with emotions. All he wanted was to hide her in his warm embrace..

Unable to control himself, he wrapped his arms around her wet waist and pulled her closer.

Shehnaaz landed against his chest with a soft thud, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly. Her eyes met his, and she gasped. He looked like a Greek God drenched in rain, his face fierce with intense emotions.

Next, his lips found hers with a strong clash….

Shehnaaz shut her eyes tightly as an intense shiver coursed through her entire being. The feeling of Sidharth’s lips crashing against hers was so overwhelming that she could scarcely comprehend it.

The moment was impeccably perfect. The touch was tender, yet fervent. Every emotion, every nuance, was seamlessly woven into the fabric of that kiss. It was as if the universe had conspired to make this encounter flawless.

His body trembled with a raw intensity as her warmth seeped into him, transforming what could have been a harsh, impersonal gesture into something profoundly special. She felt as if her lips were being kissed by something as delicate as rose petals, a tender contrast to the fierce storm raging around them. Sidharth’s lips, damp from the relentless rain, pressed against hers, sending waves of sensation through her.

The violent downpour outside added a layer of vulnerability to the moment, amplifying every touch, every caress.

Shehnaaz trembled not only from the cold but from the wild, gusty winds and the icy rain that pelted them. His different yet tantalizing touch caused her to shiver more intensely. She felt his arm tighten around her, sending electric currents through her.

 They both surrendered to the moment, allowing themselves to melt into each other. Their senses had long since betrayed them. Shehnaaz’s hand reached up to clutch his collar, while the other ventured into his hair, fingers tangling in the strands.

feeling as though she were floating, disconnected from the earth below. The moment seemed too perfect, too good to be true, and their desires mirrored the intensity of their kiss.

While his kisses remained tender, as though she was the most delicate thing in the world. Shehnaaz’s grip on his hair tightened, as she clung to him, desperate for the connection they were sharing.

For minutes that felt like an eternity, they existed solely within their embrace. The rain, which had begun to ease, now seemed a mere backdrop to their tumultuous emotions. Then, Sidharth’s phone rang, shattering the fragile bubble they had created. He pulled away abruptly, placing Shehnaaz back on her feet, his eyes wide with sudden realization and guilt.

Sidharth’s mind raced as he grappled with what had just happened. The overwhelming guilt of kissing Shehnaaz in such an impassioned manner consumed him. He avoided her gaze, picking up the call with a heavy heart.

“Hello,” he answered.

Abhi’s voice came through the line, “Sidharth, it’s me.”

“Umm, bhai, haan boliye,” Sidharth replied, trying to mask his anxiety.

“Sidharth, where are you? It’s been three days, and I need you back today. You hear me?”

Sidharth closed his eyes, feeling the weight of his brother’s words. “Umm, yes bhai, I will leave right away.”

“Alright, take care,” Abhi said before ending the call.

As Sidharth attempted to compose himself, he was at a loss for how to face Shehnaaz. His mind was a chaotic whirl of confusion and intense emotions. 

On the other hand, Shehnaaz was lost in the aftermath of the kiss. It had felt so perfect, so enchanting. It was her first kiss, right in the middle of the first monsoon of the year—a romantic ideal she had cherished. But the sudden shift in warmth as Sidharth pulled away brought her back to reality. She snapped open her eyes when she heard Sidharth’s voice, laced with irritation, through the phone call.

“I’m sorry, Naaz,” Sidharth said, his voice tinged with remorse.

Her eyebrows furrowed as the realization hit her—the special moment was tainted by regret. Her smile faded, replaced by an unfamiliar sense of restlessness and pain. Unable to mask her hurt, she turned her back to him, hiding her emotions.

At that moment, Sidharth turned to face her but could only see her back. The sight filled him with even more guilt. He must have hurt her deeply for her to turn away. He mentally berated himself for his actions, feeling like he had once again hurt her against her will.

“I am really sorry, Naaz. I’m guilty,” he tried to sound sincere, though inside he was conflicted. He felt guilty but didn’t regret the kiss. He loved that moment, but he needed to express his remorse to make her feel that he was genuinely sorry.

Her newly discovered feelings were brutally squeezed by his words. A painful tear formed in her eye, only to be washed away by the gentle rain. She tried to steady herself, turning to him with a forced smile.

“It’s okay, Sidharth. Galati meri bhi thi. Let’s go,” she said, her voice betraying a hint of sadness.

She walked away, leaving a restless Sidharth to follow. He had hoped for her to say something like, “Don’t be sorry; I liked it.” But her words—accepting his apology—left him perplexed and troubled. Did she feel nothing? Was she regretting the kiss? The thought was unbearable.

He sighed deeply, trying to hide his disappointment as he followed her. The silence between them was deafening, a stark contrast to the warmth and connection they had shared just moments before.

Music played softly in the background, enhancing the mood of the scene as they continued their journey. Sidharth drove with Shehnaaz beside him, but she seemed lost in thought, staring out at the rain.

Sidharth felt restless, tormented by his own actions. He had no clear reason for kissing her, but he didn’t regret it. It was one of the most significant moments of his life. Yet, her silence and the lack of a response from her confused him. Was she angry with him for crossing a line? He knew he should have asked for her permission, but in that moment, it felt right. They were just friends—nothing more. With no right to have kissed her, he felt out of place.

He kept glancing at her, hoping to catch a glimpse of her beautiful hazel eyes, to see a smile on her lips, or a sign of relaxation on her serene face. The changing dynamics of their relationship bewildered him. Why had her smile and gaze become so important to him? When had his hopes and dreams become so intertwined with hers?

Shehnaaz, on the other hand, was struggling with her emotions. Her gaze remained fixed outside, but a certain gloominess clouded her appearance. Why did his calling their kiss a mistake hurt her so much? The moment had felt perfect to her, but she understood that they had no real connection, no strings tying them together. She couldn’t express her feelings for him, not when she felt like an outsider in her own emotions.

She avoided looking at him, fearing that his eyes might reflect regret. Did she have no right to fall for him? He was perfect in every way, but he was also her Di’s devar. She couldn’t allow herself to think of him that way. Yet, the pain of his words and the disappointment in his behavior left her heart heavy.

The moon hung in the sky, its light casting a serene glow over their separation. They were so close, yet miles apart. They could hear each other’s breaths but couldn’t feel each other’s heartbeats. They longed to dream together, but their inability to understand each other’s minds created a chasm between them. The sky was clear, but the doubts and uncertainties remained as clouds in their hearts.

As they reached Mohali, the journey came to an end. Sidharth dropped Shehnaaz off but was reluctant to let go. Shehnaaz bid him a formal goodbye, not even giving him another glance. Sidharth’s eyes followed her retreating figure, filled with a longing he couldn’t quite understand. He hated the silence between them and felt his heart sink as he started the engine and drove away.