It was morning time. Two big gates of the Mumbai Central Prison opened and a guy of 35 years old came out. He narrowed his eyes when the sunlight fell on him. After 12 years he came out of the jail. His hair was messy, face was full of beard and eyes were showing no emotions. In these years, he saw many things in the prison, struggled a lot and all these made him emotionless.
"Sidharth, kaisa lag raha hai bahar aa ke?" Asked the warden and Sidharth looked at him.
"Tum lucky ho isliye jail mein accha kaam karne ke liye tumhari do saal ki sajah maaf ho gayi. Asha karta hoon yaaha se nikal ke tum ek acchi aur saaf zindagi jeeoge. Kyu ki mujhe paata hai, tum insaan bure nahi ho." He said further.
Sidharth didn't say anything and left from there.
After sometime he went to a stall and bought a packet of cigarettes with the money he got from the prison for his good work.
He started walking on the road while smoking.
Suddenly he saw a college going couple on the road. He felt like his past came in front of him. He remembered the day when he saw her and lost his heart at the first sight.
Flashback...
It was the first day of Sidharth's college. That time his eyes had something else. He had the passion to achieve his goals and give his parents a better life. The same dream which every middle class girls or boys see. He was very much focused in his life until..... He saw her.
She was wearing a pink off shoulder dress and looking drop dead gorgeous. She was entering the college holding her books and phone in her hands. As soon as Sidharth saw her, his eyes got stuck at her.
A smile formed on his face seeing her. Never in his life he had seen a girl as beautiful as her. He kept staring at her like a fool while she went to her class without even noticing him.
Since that day, everything changed in Sidharth's life. The guy who didn't know anything except his studies, started dreaming of a girl day and night. In the college, he used to stare at her sneakily. He used to follow her to the places where she went just to get at her one glimpse. He didn't have the courage to go and talk to her. That was why he used to adore her from far. But he couldn't continue this thing for long as soon he got caught by her.
That day, the girl came to a cafe with her female friends as usual. She was chit-chatting when one of her friends noticed Sidharth sitting at another table.
"Shehnaaz dekh, yeh ladka aaj bhi idhar aaya hai." She said pointing towards him.
Hearing that, Shehnaaz looked at him and he immediately took off his eyes.
"Aaj bhi matlab? Pehle bhi aaya tha kya idhar? Maine toh nahi dekha." She said.
"Of course yaar. Woh toh roz idhar aata hai aur chup chup ke tujhe dekhta bhi hai. Maine pehle bhi kayi baar notice kiya tha but now I am sure. He likes you."
"Seriously?" Asked Shehnaaz being little surprised.
"Even I feel the same." Said her another friend. "Yeh na humare college mein hi study karta hai. Maine bhi notice kiya hai. Yeh tujhe dur se dekhta hai. Lagta hai baat karna chahta hai par kar nahi paata. Shy hai thoda."
Shehnaaz thought something and smiled.
"Then I think.... I have to make the first move." She said.
Meanwhile Sidharth was not looking at Shehnaaz as he was afraid that she might have caught him staring at her. After sometime he again looked there but couldn't find her.
"Hello!" Said Shehnaaz while sitting in front of him. Sidharth widened his eyes seeing her.
"H...h...hi!.." He stammered.
"Hakla kyu rahe ho?" She asked.
"N..n..nahi woh.... Aap yaaha achanak se...."
"Arrey ajeeb baat hai! Tum hi toh mujhe kab se ghoore jaa rahe the. Isliye maine socha aa ke baat kar loon."
He immediately denied and said, "Nahi nahi. Main aap ko ghoor nahi raha tha. Sorry aap ko aisa laga toh. I was just...."
Sidharth couldn't understand what to say to which Shehnaaz rolled her eyes.
"Chill Bro!.... Nahi nahi....Bro nahi. Main bhi na!....Tumhara naam kya hai?"
"Sidharth." He replied.
"Sidharth, chill! Main jaanti hoon tum mujhe abhi ghoor rahe the aur college mein bhi tum yeh karte ho. Iss mein kuch galat nahi hai. Ab ek ladka ek ladki ko nahi ghoorega toh kya kisi ladke ko ghoorega?... Waise aaj kaal toh yeh bhi hota hai but I guess, tum uss type ke nahi ho."
Sidharth nodded in no.
"Toh tum mujhe hi ghoor rahe the?" She asked to which he smiled shyly and nodded in yes.
"Kyu? Kuch khas hai mujh mein?" She again asked.
"Haan woh mujhe aap se...."
"Yaar aap waap mat laao bich mein." She said getting irritated.
"Sorry.... Umm.... Mujhe tumse...."
"Mujhse..."
"Tumse..."
"Mujhse kya?" She asked eagerly.
"Mujhe tumse dosti karni thi. Can we be friends?"
Shehnaaz's face fell hearing that.
"Friends?" She asked being disappointed. "Matlab main dikhne mein itni buri hoon ki mujhe seedha friend-zoned kar diya. Kamal hai!"
"Nahi kisne kaha? Tum toh bohut beautiful ho." He said immediately.
"Toh phir friend-zoned kyu kiya?"
"Woh.... Asal mein.... Har rishte ki suruwaad toh dosti se hi hoti hai. Iss hi liye maine dosti ka haath badhaya." He said innocently.
"I see. Waise rishte toh bohut saare hote hai. Mere saath tumhe kaunsa rishta chahiye?" She asked teasingly.
Sidharth started blushing hearing the question. Shehnaaz couldn't control anymore and burst into laughter seeing his face.
"Okay Baba. You don't have to give any answer. We are friends from now." She said.
"Sach mein?" Asked Sidharth smiling brightly.
"Sach mein, sach mein, sach mein." Said Shehnaaz and they smiled together.
After that they started hanging out together. They used to spend time in the college also. Though Shehnaaz had lot of friends in the college but everybody knew Sidharth was her special one. Seeing Sidharth's innocence and cuteness, Shehnaaz started having feelings for him. She used to like him and adore him a lot and she knew that Sidharth also had the likeness for her. But he was too shy to confess his feelings.
One day, Sidharth and Shehnaaz were walking on the road after their college was over. Shehnaaz noticed that Sidharth's mood was off but she didn't know the reason.
Suddenly she said, "Sidharth ek joke sunega? Ek baar ek pagal tha aur......"
"Please Shehnaaz! Mera abhi joke sun ne ka mood nahi hai." He said sternly stopping her.
"Main toh bas tere face pe smile laane ki koshish kar rahi thi."
"Zaroorat nahi hai."
"Yaar tu itna upset kyu hai?"
"I don't know." He said turning his face aside.
Shehnaaz wrapped her hands around his arm and said whinning, "Ahhhaaan! Baata na kya problem hai. Kya kiya maine?"
Sidharth sighed and said, "Woh... Aaj college mein tune uss Armaan ke cheeks pe kiss kyu kiya? Aur toh aur tu uska haath pakad ke ghum rahi thi. Mujhe accha nahi laga."
"Tu iss wajah se naraz hai? Yaar hum Bachpan se dost hai, tujhe baataya toh tha. Humare bich yeh sab common hai."
"Dost hi hai na? Toh doston ke saath yeh sab kaun karta hai?"
Shehnaaz understood his feelings and asked, "Nahi karna chahiye?"
"Bilkool nahi." Said Sidharth nodding negatively.
"Lekin dost toh mera tu bhi hai. Haath pakadna, cheeks pe kiss karna, yeh sab toh main tere saath bhi karti hoon. See, abhi bhi pakda hua hai. Toh aaj se yeh sab band kar doon?"
"Maine aisa kab kaha? Aur main kya sirf tera dost hoon?"
"Haan. Dost hai. Starting se tu yeh hi toh keh raha hai." Said Shehnaaz while controlling her laugh.
Sidharth got irritated and said, "Yaar Shehnaaz, tu nahi samjhegi. Main jaa raha hoon. Haath chhor mera."
He tried to free his hand but Shehnaaz tightened her grip and said looking at her with love-filled eyes, "Tu samjha ke toh dekh. Sayad samajh jaau."
"Kya samjhau? Yeh hi na ki main starting se tujhe like karta hoon? Aur woh like ab love mein convert ho chuka hai? Main tere saath yeh just friends wala rishta nahi chahta, uss se zyada kuch chahta hoon? Nahi dekh sakta kisi aur ladke ko tere aas paas kyu ki jealousy hoti hai. Main chahta hoon tu apna saara attention sirf mujhe de aur kisi ko nahi. Lekin yeh sab tu nahi samjhegi. Kyu ki yeh feelings mujhe ho rahi hai, tujhe nahi."
"Samajh gayi." Said Shehnaaz smiling.
"Kya?" Asked Sidharth making a confused face.
"Yeh hi ki......"
Shehnaaz stood on her toes to come closer to his face and whispered, "Tu kitna bada gadha hai."
"Ma.. matlab?.... Main kuch s......"
Before he could complete, Shehnaaz took his lips. She softly kissed his lips while he kept standing there numb. He was too shocked to reciprocate.
"Kiss me back nah!" She said breaking the kiss in between.
Sidharth came to his sense. He nodded and cupped her face. He kissed her back with his unskilled lips. They both kept kissing each other for sometime.
Then Shehnaaz broke the kiss and said looking at his eyes, "I love you Sidharth."
Sidharth didn't reply and kept looking at her.
"Kuch bol!" Said Shehnaaz as he was not saying anything.
"Kya?... Kya bolu?" He asked.
Shehnaaz nodded her head in disbelief and said, "Rehne de. Tu kuch mat bol. Tu bas...."
Shehnaaz forcefully opened his arms and said, "Aise khada reh."
Sidharth kept standing with opened arms like an obedient child. Shehnaaz laughed looking at him and then hugged him closing her eyes.
Sidharth smiled and wrapped his arms around her reciprocating the hug. They both kept standing like this.
Soon they both started dating. They both became the cutest pair of the college. Sidharth was shy and innocent while Shehnaaz was bold and sassy and their opposite nature made their bond stronger. Their relationship was not a time pass. They both were very serious about each other which was known to all. But there was one person who had problem with this.
It was Shehnaaz's childhood friend Armaan who was obsessed with her. Till Sidharth was Shehnaaz's friend, he had no problem with him. But as soon as they started dating, Armaan couldn't tolerate it. His blood would boil whenever he saw them together. Many times he warned Shehnaaz not to date Sidharth telling that he was not a good guy. But Shehnaaz never listened to him which made him more angry. His obsession grew so much that he turned to a devil. He was just waiting for a chance to get what he wanted.
Years passed like this. It was their last year of the college. Sidharth was preparing hard for the campus placement. Being a topper he had high chances to pass the interview and get the job easily.
One day, during their lunch break, Sidharth and Shehnaaz were sitting at an empty classroom.
"Shehnaaz, bas ek baar yeh job mujhe mil jaaye, Maa Baba ki saari pareshani dur ho jayegi. Unhone abhi tak bohut sacrifices kiye hai mere liye. Ab aage ki puri life woh sirf aram karenge. Yeh job na meri liye bohut zaroori hai. Accha main yeh interview clear toh kar lunga na?" Said Sidharth with so many hopes.
Shehnaaz who was listening all this silently, kept her hand on his shoulder and said, "Tu itni fikar kyu kar raha hai? Tujhe yeh job zaroor milegi. Yaar tu topper hai college ka. Padhai ho yaa koi aur chiz, tu sab kuch itna dedication ke saath karta hai. Agar kisi company ne tujhe job nahi diya na toh uss company ka loss hai. Aur tujhe khud par confidence nahi hai kya?"
Sidharth smiled and said, "Confidence toh hai but.... By chance mujhe yeh job nahi mila toh? Tu kahi...."
Shehnaaz knew what he was going to say next. So before he could say, she said giving him assurance, "Toh bhi main tere saath hi rahungi. Aaj kaal ki baki ladkiyon ki tarah tujhe chhor ke nahi jaaungi. Jab tak tujhe job nahi milegi, main tera haath pakad ke tujhe honsla deti rahungi. Kyu ki main sirf teri girlfriend hi nahi, teri humdard hoon. Sirf tere hisse ki khushi nahi, tere hisse ke dard pe bhi sirf mera haq hai."
Sidharth's eyes became teary hearing her words. Noticing it, Shehnaaz immediately wiped his tears with her hands.
"Yaar yeh sab senti baatein chhor. Job tujhe mil rahi hai, yeh toh confirm hai. Lekin job milne ke baad tujhe kya karna hai woh toh yaad hai na?" She asked further.
Sidharth nodded in yes and said, "Ji Madam. Job milte hi mujhe aap ke param pujya Pitashri se aap ka haath maangna hai."
"Good. Waise Papa toh maan hi jaayenge. Phir hum na zyada der nahi karenge. Jitni zaldi ho sake shaadi kar lenge."
"Accha ek baat baata. Shaadi ke baad main toh job karunga. Tu kya karegi? Yeh wala interview toh tu de nahi rahi. Aage kuch karne ki planning hai bhi yaa nahi?"
"Nahi yaar. Dekh, na main studies mein acchi hoon, na hi kisi aur chiz mein. Isliye maine decide kar liya hai. Shaadi ke baad main housewife ban ke rahungi. Tere Mummy Papa ki seva karungi, khana pakaungi aur baki ke time shopping karke tere paise udaungi."
"Wah! Kya soch hai teri. Pati saara din bahar kaam kare aur Patni ghar pe baith ke moj kare. Sahi hai."
"Sirf moj nahi karungi, kaam bhi karungi. Aur phir aage jaa ke bacchon ko bhi toh sambhal na hoga. Easy nahi hota housewife ban na."
"Teri imagination baccho tak pohuch gayi hai?" Asked Sidharth being surprised.
"Imagination toh bohut dur pohuch gayi hai. Bas ek baar shaadi ho jaaye, phir processing bhi start ho jayegi."
Saying that Shehnaaz winked at Sidharth making him blush.
"Tu kitni besharam hai!" Said Sidharth while blushing.
"Waise hona toh tujhe chahiye tha par humare case mein main hoon. Aur future planning karna necessary bhi hai. Main toh pehle se hi baata rahi hoon, mujhe bohut saare bacche chahiye."
Sidharth nodded his head in disbelief. After sometime they both laughed together.
"Kitne saare sapne hai na humare?" Said Shehnaaz suddenly.
"Hmm. Lekin zyada sapne dekhne nahi chahiye. Kyu ki woh tut te bhi hai." Said Sidharth.
"Kyu tutenge?" Asked Shehnaaz frowning. "Humari love story itni simple hai. Hum dono ko ek dusre se pyaar hai. Tere Mummy Papa mujhe already pasand karte hai aur humare rishte se unhe koi problem hogi nahi. Mere Papa toh koi purani Bollywood movie ke Papa hai nahi jo tere haath mein paiso se bhara hua briefcase thama ke kahenge, 'Yeh lo 10 lakh rupaye aur nikal jaao meri Beti ke zindagi se'. Woh bade cool Papa hai. Aur jab koi villain hi nahi hai toh humein alag karega kaun aur kaise tutenge humare sapne?"
"Tujhe sach mein lagta hai humari love story mein koi villain nahi hai?"
"Haan. Kyu tere hisaab se koi villain hai kya?"
"Ek hai lekin mujhe uska naam nahi lena. Khamkha tera mood kharab ho jayega."
"Baata na."
Sidharth sighed and said, "Tera best friend, Armaan."
Hearing that, Shehnaaz hold her head and said, "Seriously? Tujhe abhi tak uss se problem hai? Yaar main humesha se chahti thi ki mera bestfriend aur mera boyfriend dono friends rahe. Par tum dono mein toh dosti ho hi nahi rahi."
"Shehnaaz aisa nahi hai ki maine uss se dosti karne ki kabhi koshish nahi kiyi. Par woh humesha mujhe gusse wala look deta hai. I think he hates me."
"And why does he hate you?"
"Because he loves you. Simple."
"Sidharth not again. Please!" Said Shehnaaz making faces.
"Tu jitna bhi deny kar le, sach toh yeh hi hai. Main ladka hoon na, isliye koi ladka kisi ladki ko kis nazar se dekhta hai, yeh main samajhta hoon. Aur mujhe woh kuch sahi nahi lagta. Tu please uss se dur rahe."
"Sidharth, hum aaj kaal kaha close rehte hai? Jin chizo se tujhe problem thi, maine woh sab band kar diya hai. Ab main uss se baat karna band nahi kar sakti. Bachpan ka dost hai mera. Samjha kar."
"Main samajhta hoon. Aur mujhe tujh par pura trust hai. Bas kabhi kabhi insecurities hoti hai."
Shehnaaz smiled and said, "Idhar aa. Abhi teri insecurities dur karti hoon."
Saying that Shehnaaz pulled him towards herself and started kissing his whole face.
"Yaar abhi nahi please." Said Sidharth pushing her little away.
"Par mujhe abhi chahiye."
Saying that she captured his lips and they both started kissing each other passionately.
But there was someone who was watching them standing at the door. It was Armaan. He was fuming in anger seeing Sidharth and Shehnaaz. His eyes became bloodshot red as if he wanted to kill Sidharth right then.
"Aaj agar yeh Sidharth beech mein nahi aata toh yeh sab kuch mera hota. Shehnaaz bhi meri hoti aur uska jism bhi mera hota. Abhi tak main kismat ke bharose baitha tha aur yeh pray kar raha tha ki Sidharth aur Shehnaaz alag ho jaaye. Par ab lagta hai mujhe hi kuch karna hoga. Mujhe apna haq kisi bhi haal mein chahiye. Chahe mujhe woh chheen na hi kyu na pade." He said in his mind and gave an evil smirk.
Flashback Ends...
"Bhaisaab yaaha se kidhar jaana hai? Oo Bhaisaab!"
Sidharth's thoughts broke by the auto driver's voice. He looked outside and saw the place which had changed a lot after 12 years. But still he cleary remembered the route of her house.
"Yaaha se left li jiye." He said to which the driver nodded and started driving.
After sometime, he reached his destination. He got down from the auto and paid the driver. Then he faced towards the building.
After 12 years, his emotionless eyes once again became teary remembering the past. How he used to come there at middle of the night and she used to come to the balcony only to meet him. How many times he climbed up the water pipe and entered her room. Those were the precious moments. They were so happy until the dreadful incident happened.
Sidharth was going to knock at the door but suddenly his eyes fell on the nameplate.
"Mr. And Mrs. Naik." He read and became confused.
He saw a man coming out of the house and said, "Excuse me."
"Ji kahiye." Said the man.
"Yaaha pe toh Mr. Gill aur unki Beti rehti thi. Toh phir aap...."
"Arrey aap ko nahi paata? 6 saal pehle Mr. Gill ki death ho chuki hai. Unki Beti Shehnaaz Gill ne yeh ghar humein bech diya aur khud kahi aur jaa ke shift hogayi."
"Kaha?" Asked Sidharth.
"Woh toh humein nahi paata. Aas pados mein puch tach karoge toh sayad paata chal jaaye."
Saying that the man left from there. Sidharth got Shehnaaz's information from her neighbours. 6 years ago, after her father's death, she sold all her properties and shifted to Lonavala. Even he got her current address in Lonavala. Without thinking anything, Sidharth booked the tickets of Lonavala the very next day.
After everything was done, he came back to his own house. It had became dirty and dusty as nobody was there to look after the house. Soon his eyes fell on the photos of his parents. They died because of him. He thought of giving them a better life but one incident ruined everything.
He took the photo frame and cried loudly remembering the darkest day of his life.
Flashback...
That day, Shehnaaz was alone in her house and reading some novel when the doorbell rang. She went and opened the door.
"Armaan, Hi!" She said with a smile seeing Armaan.
"Hi! Woh actually main yaaha se guzar raha tha toh socha mil ke jaau. And also..... Can I use your washroom?" He said.
"Yeah. Why not? Common washroom toh abhi jam hai. You can use my personal washroom."
Armaan nodded and entered the house. Shehnaaz guided him towards the washroom.
After sometime...
Armaan came out of the washroom and said, "Thanks yaar. Main chalta hoon."
"Arrey abhi chala jayega? Thodi der ruk jaa." Said Shehnaaz.
"Nahi yaar. Aaj nahi. Phir kabhi."
"Okay."
Armaan was going but suddenly he stopped and asked, "Shehnaaz, tujhse ek baat pucchu?"
"Haan pucch." Said Shehnaaz.
"Tu Sidharth se bohut pyaar karti hai na?" He asked.
"Haan. Kyu?"
"Nahi bas aise hi. Bye."
Saying that he left from there sadly.
"Abhi tu Sidharth se pyaar karti hai. Par isse main badal ke rahunga. Bohut zald tu meri hogi." He said in his mind.
Few days passed. It was the day of Sidharth's interview. Shehnaaz was scrolling her phone while waiting for Sidharth's call. She was very excited to hear the good news.
Suddenly she got a video on WhatsApp, sent by Armaan. She played the video and started watching it thinking it to be some normal WhatsApp video. But soon her eyes became wide seeing it.
In the video, she was standing in the washroom and slowly removing her clothes. Shehnaaz's eyes became teary and hands started trembling. The phone slipped from her hands and fell on the bed. She became shocked.
"Yeh kaise ho sakta hai? Nahi nahi. Armaan aisa kaise...."
She again took the phone and immediately deleted the video. Then she called Armaan.
"Kaisa laga woh video? Kasam se shower lete hue kya sexy lag rahi thi tu. Main toh dekhte hi hard hogaya." He said picking up the call.
"SHUT UP!" Yelled Shehnaaz. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Yeh video kaha se aayi tere paas? Kahi tune mere washroom pe...."
"Camera fit kiya hai." He accepted. "I'm sorry. But tere liye mujhe yeh karna padha. Ab kya karta? Bachpan se tujhse pyaar karta hoon. Tere saath kitni saari fantasies thi meri. But sab kuch uss Sidharth ko mila. Kyu Bhai? Main kya uss se kuch kam hoon? Mujhe bhi woh sab chahiye jo usse milta hai. Main bhi tujhe kiss karna chahta hoon, tere saath raatein bitana chahta hoon. Haq hai mera."
"What are you saying Armaan? Tu.... Tu mera bestfriend tha."
"Aisa tujhe lagta hai. Main toh tera deewana hoon. Dekh na, teri Deewangi mujhse kya kya karwa rahi hai. Ab agar tune mujhe woh nahi diya jo mujhe chahiye toh mujhe bade afsos ke saath yeh video viral karna padega."
Shehnaaz got scared hearing that.
"Nahi. Tu jo bolega main karungi. Yeh video please upload mat karna. Mere Papa marr jayenge." She said crying.
"Ro mat Sweetheart. Main aisa kuch nahi karunga. Bas tu uss Sidharth ko chhor de aur mere paas aa jaa. Ek raat bita mere saath. I promise yeh video main delete kar dunga, woh bhi tere aakhon ke saamne."
Shehnaaz couldn't understand what to say. She just kept crying.
"Accha chal tujhe kuch waqt diya. 7 din ke andar decide kar le tujhe kya karna hai. Par haan, agar koi hoshiyari karne ki koshish kiyi toh yeh video har ek ke phone pe chal raha hoga. Phir yeh mat kehna ki maine warn nahi kiya tha."
Saying that Armaan hanged up. Shehnaaz didn't waste time and ran inside her washroom. She found the hidden camera after much effort and destroyed it immediately. But it was of no use as he already had her video. If she didn't fulfill his demands, it would be viral.
Shehnaaz came out of the washroom and sat on her bed. She started sobbing pressing her mouth. She was pride of her father. After her mother's death, he brought her up like a princess. He would die in embarassment if Armaan uploaded this video on social media. It all happened because of her. She couldn't recognise this monster whom she considered as her bestfriend.
Suddenly Shehnaaz's phone rang and she saw Sidharth's name. She picked up the call said in a broken voice, "Hello..."
"Shehnaaz, I have got the job." He said happily.
"R.. really?..... Congratulations...." She said controlling her sobs.
"I'm so happy right now. Mera toh khushi se dance karne ka mann kar raha hai. Maa Baba kitne proud feel karenge na yeh sun ke?"
"Haan...haan... Zaroor karenge..."
"Tu na apne Papa ko bhi baata de mere baare mein. Final semesters ke baad hi main aa raha hoon tera haath maang ne. Mujhe toh abhi se sehnai bhi sunai de rahi hai, humari shaadi ki."
"Hmm..."
"Ek minute. Tu ro rahi hai kya?"
Shehnaaz wiped her tears and said, "Nahi toh. Main kyu roungi? Woh.... Gala kharab hogaya hai mera...."
"Itni ice cream khayegi toh hoga hi. Chal bye! Maa Baba ko call kar ke baata na hai."
"Haan. Bye!"
Saying that Shehnaaz hanged up and started crying again.
"Sorry Sidharth. Main tujhe kuch nahi baata sakti. Tu bohut accha hai. Bohut seedha hai. Inn sab ke bich tujhe ghasit ke teri life kharab nahi kar sakti main. Behtar rahega main teri life se chali jaau. Tere itni baar maana karne ke bawajood maine Armaan par bharosa kiya. Iski saza mujhe bhugatni hogi. Ho sake toh mujhe maaf kar dena." She thought.
Since that day, she totally detached herself from Sidharth. She used to ignore his calls and messages at first and later she blocked him from everywhere. She didn't want to keep any contact with him as she wouldn't be able to see him in trouble because of her.
On the other hand, Sidharth was totally confused with all this. He couldn't understand why she was behaving so weird. Was she hiding something? He decided to find out.
One day, Shehnaaz was returning home when she saw Sidharth standing near her house with his bike. She kept walking ignoring him when Sidharth went to her and blocked her way.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Asked Sidharth.
"Sidharth, raasta chhor mera."
Saying that Shehnaaz tried to leave but Sidharth didn't let her.
"I need an answer." He said sternly. "You have blocked me. Woh bhi aise bin baataye. Kyu? Maine kuch kiya hai? Koi galti hui hai mujhse? Aisa hai toh mil kar sort karte hai na Baby."
Shehnaaz's heart pained hearing his words. She knew that he loved her too much. But she loved him more. That was why she wanted him out of her life. It would be good for him.
She didn't let her teardrops come out and said, "Nahi karna mujhe kuch bhi sort. Mujhe ab tere saath koi bhi rishta nahi rakhna. I want to break up with you."
Sidharth looked at her with disbelief.
"Break up?" His eyes became teary. "Tu sach mein mujhse break up karna chahti hai?"
"Haan. Main tujhse jhut kyu bolungi? I don't wanna continue this relationship." Said Shehnaaz putting stone in her heart.
"At least reason toh baata de."
"Koi khas reason nahi hai. Bas ab mann nahi lag raha iss rishte mein. Kuch saalon ke liye time pass karna tha, kar liya. Now you should focus on your career. Job kar, Uncle Aunty ka khayal rakh. Bas mujhse phir kabhi contact mat karna. It's over from my side."
Saying that Shehnaaz left from there while crying silently which Sidharth couldn't notice. He just kept standing there numb.
Few more days passed. After a lot of battle with herself, Shehnaaz decided to give Armaan what he wanted just to save her and her father's reputation. She had no option other than fulfilling his demands.
That night, Shehnaaz went to Armaan's house. On the other hand, Sidharth got the job offer in Pune and he accepted it. He had no wish to live in the same city where Shehnaaz lived. He wanted to go away from the person who broke his heart. But still he went to meet her for the last time before leaving the city as she was his first love and maybe last too.
When he reached her house, he saw her leaving the house. There was a fear on her face which he noticed. He became curious. He started following her to know where she was going. He had doubt that she was hiding something from him and he wanted to know it at any cost.
Soon Shehnaaz reached Armaan's house and Sidharth also reached there. He was standing behind a pillar so that Shehnaaz couldn't notice him.
After sometime, Armaan opened the door and became happy seeing Shehnaaz. He hugged her tightly and kissed her lips. Then he dragged her inside. He even forgot to lock the door in excitement.
All this was witnessed by Sidharth. His heart broke seeing it. He felt betrayed, cheated. He understood the reason behind the break up. Maybe she left him because now she had Armaan.
Sidharth wiped his tears and started leaving. Going to some distance, he suddenly stopped thinking something.
"Nahi. Itna sab kuch dekhne ke baad, main aise chup chap jaa nahi sakta. Mujhe jaan na hai usne aisa kyu kiya mere saath. Kyu mere dil ke saath khilwar kiya. Agar pyaar nahi karti thi toh itne saare jhute sapne kyu dikhaye. Aaj chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye, I have to confront her."
Thinking that, Sidharth turned back and started going to Armaan's house.
Meanwhile...
Armaan took Shehnaaz to his room and pinned her against the wall. He was looking at her lustfully.
"Woh... Video?" Asked Shehnaaz without looking at him.
"Pehle kaam pura ho jaaye, uske baad delete kar dunga. Waise....tu aur Sidharth ab saath nahi hai na?"
Shehnaaz nodded in no with heavy heart.
"Good. Tujhe abhi sayad mujh pe gussa aa raha hoga. Par aaj raat ke baad tu bhi mujhse pyaar karne lagegi."
Saying that, he started kissing her lips. Tears rolled down Shehnaaz's eyes. Feeling disgusted with his touch, she fisted her palm. She badly wanted to push him away but she couldn't do anything. She was in the worst situation.
Armaan broke the kiss and started kissing her neck. Shehnaaz was feeling like crying loudly. Suddenly her mind mocked her. She was doing wrong, with her love, with herself.
"Main yeh nahi kar sakti. Main apna sab kuch iss ghatiya insaan ko nahi de sakti. Yeh galat hai. Bohut galat. Main apne Sidharth ko dhokha nahi de sakti." She thought.
She couldn't understand when her one hand went to the vase which was kept on the nearby table. Without thinking anything, she picked it and hit his head.
Armaan fell down because of the sudden attack. He groaned in pain holding his head. Shehnaaz sat on the floor. He was injured but still in his senses. Shehnaaz got scared seeing it and hit him two more times until the vase broke and he became fully unconscious. Shehnaaz threw the broken vase and immediately took his phone from the bed.
She deleted all her videos and made sure that he didn't send it to any other person. After successfully deleting the videos, she gave a sigh of relief. Then her eyes fell on Armaan whose lifeless body was lying on the floor and his head was covered with blood.
Shehnaaz kept the phone aside and started shaking his body.
"Armaan! Armaan!..... Armaan!!" She called but there was no response. She couldn't understand what to do.
At that very moment, Sidharth entered the room and became shocked seeing the scenario.
Shehnaaz looked at Sidharth and said stammering, "S...S... Sidharth.... D... dekh na.... Yeh uth kyu nahi raha...."
Sidharth slowly walked towards Armaan and bent a little. He checked his pulse and then kept his finger near his nose.
"He is dead!" He uttered to which Shehnaaz widened her eyes in fear.
"No... No... Sidharth trust me... I didn't want to kill him... Paata nahi yeh sab kaise hogaya... Mujhe jail nahi jaana... Please mujhe bacha le...."
Shehnaaz started crying. Sidharth looked at the broken vase lying on the floor on which there was Armaan's blood. He didn't know the whole matter but he understood that something made Shehnaaz do this.
Suddenly they heard some footsteps. They were Armaan's parents who went somewhere but returned home early.
"Armaan Beta yeh darwaja kyu khula hai aise?" Said his mother while coming towards his room.
Sidharth knew what he would do next. He picked up the vase and stood up.
Shehnaaz understood his intentions and said, "Sidharth nahi...."
Sidharth stopped her showing his hand and said calmly, "Tu ab kuch nahi bolegi. Yeh saara matter mujhe handle karne de. Tune kuch nahi kiya. I killed Armaan because you were cheating on me with him."
"Nahi. Yeh sach nahi hai...."
"Tujhe meri kasam Shehnaaz."
Saying that he made her quiet. Armaan's parents came to the room and saw something which they never expected.
After that, Sidharth took all the blame on himself as it was the only way to save Shehnaaz. He told the police that he saw his girlfriend cheating on him with Armaan, lost his temper and killed him. The story was easy to believe and all the evidence were against him. So he was put behind the bars.
Before the day of his judgement, Shehnaaz came to meet him at the lock up and told him the whole story.
"Sidharth yeh sab meri laparwahi ki wajah se hua hai. Tera koi kasoor nahi hai iss mein. Please let me confess my crime. Gunah maine kiya hai toh saza ki haqdar bhi main hoon, tu nahi." She said while tears were flowing from her eyes.
Sidharth wiped her tears and said, "Humdard hai na hum ek dusre ke? Toh tere hisse ke dard pe mera haq banta hai. Agar tu mujhse saccha pyaar karti hai toh kabhi kisi ko yeh sach nahi baatayegi. Aur dobara mujhse milne bhi nahi aayegi. Yeh meri tujhse ek akhri request hai."
Shehnaaz kept crying.
"Mere Maa Baba ka khayal rakhna." He said with teary eyes and Shehnaaz nodded in yes.
Next day, Sidharth got 14 years of punishment. Shehnaaz never came to meet Sidharth after that as she promised. But she took care of Sidharth's parents like her own until they both died after being fed up of the continuous allegations of the society who used to call them 'Murderer's parents'. Sidharth got the news of their death in prison. He didn't cry that day but laughed sarcastically at his own destiny. What kind of dreams he saw with his family and what he actually got.
One incident shattered everyone's lives.
Flashback Ends...
Sidharth was standing at the Lonavala railway station. After coming there, he was feeling good. He understood that he was feeling so because now he was taking breath in the same air where she was taking breath.
Lonavala used to be Shehnaaz's favourite place. He remembered how she used to say:
"Sidharth, hum na apni destination wedding Lonavala pe karenge. Zyada log nahi chahiye shaadi mein. Bas main, tu aur humare apne. Paharon ke bich, thande thande mausam mein, bilkool romantic, fairy tale wali wedding hogi humari."
Sidharth chuckled remembering her words. He then booked a cab and went to the address he had.
Reaching there, he started finding her house. He saw an old lady near a shop and asked, "Suniye, aap idhar hi rehti hai kya?"
"Haan. Kyu kuch kaam tha?" Asked the old lady.
"Woh... Kya aap mujhe baata sakti hai Shehnaaz Gill ka ghar kidhar hai?"
"Shehnaaz Gill... Woh kindergarten school ki teacher?"
"Huh?"
"Arrey Khushi ki Mummy. Woh toh mere ghar ke paas hi rehti hai. Mere paute ki teacher hai. Aao Beta main tumhe le ke chalti hoon."
Saying that, the old lady started walking and Sidharth started going after her. But he became confused hearing 'Khushi ki Mummy'. Shehnaaz had a daughter? Was she married?
While thinking, he reached Shehnaaz's house. Before he could enter, he saw Shehnaaz at the garden. She was laughing. His eyes became moist seeing his love after 12 long years. It was difficult for him to live without her. He died every moment but still kept himself strong thinking that she must be waiting for him. A smile came to his face seeing her laughing.
But soon the smile vanished seeing a 7 years old girl with Shehnaaz. She was playing with that little girl. They both seemed to be happy.
Sidharth thought that she was married. She had a daughter too. She had moved on in her life. It was painful for him but he understood. He returned too late. And nobody would wait for so long. But he was happy for her.
"Zaldbaazi mein pucchna bhul gayi. Tum lagte kaun ho Shehnaaz ke?" Asked the old lady.
Siddharth wiped his tears and said, "Main uska..." He suddenly stopped and said, "Dost hoon."
"Chalo accha hai. Kam se kam koi toh uska apna uss se milne aaya. Jab se yaaha aayi hai, akeli hi rehti hai, apni Beti Khushi ke saath. Barso baad kisi apne se milegi, toh usse bhi accha lagega."
"Akeli rehti hai matlab? Uska husband nahi rehta unke saath?"
"Husband? Shehnaaz ki shaadi nahi hui. Khushi toh adopted hai. Jab woh yaaha aayi thi tab Khushi 1 saal ki thi. Tab se woh yaaha ke kindergarten mein padhati hai aur uss hi se dono Maa Beti ka guzara hota hai. Khushi ke alawa Shehnaaz ka yaaha koi nahi hai."
"Usne shaadi bhi nahi kiyi?" Asked Sidharth with disbelief.
"Maine toh kayi baar kaha hai. Kar le shaadi. Puri zindagi akeli rahegi kya? Uska bas ek hi jawab aata hai. Woh kisi ke intezaar mein raah dekh rahi hai. Ek baar woh aa jaaye, uske baad hi shaadi karegi."
Sidharth was left speechless. He again looked at Shehnaaz. She didn't forget him. She was still waiting for him.
The old lady left from there while Sidharth started moving towards Shehnaaz and Khushi.
Suddenly Khushi's ball slipped from her hand and it started rolling towards Sidharth. The ball stopped near Sidharth's feet and Khushi picked it up. Then she looked at him. Shehnaaz was running behind Khushi but stopped seeing Sidharth.
After 12 years, their eyes met and they kept looking at each other. After a long time, their hearts were beating together at the same rythm.
Pal do pal ki hi kyun hai zindgi
Iss pyaar ko hai sadiyan kaafi nahi
They started moving towards each other. Shehnaaz's eyes became blurred due to her tears. She couldn't believe if he was truly standing in front of her or it was her another dream.
To khuda se maang loon
Mohlat main ek nayi
They came close to each other. Shehnaaz touched his heart and felt his heartbeat.
"Si..dha..rth..." She uttered in broken voice making him chuckle with teary eyes.
Rehna hai bas yahan
Ab door tujhse jaana nahi
Shehnaaz immediately hugged him and started crying while he rubbed her back.
After a lot of difficulties, they reunited. Sidharth stayed 12 years in the prison, was treated like an animal inside the prison, but he never gave up. He knew that he was getting the pain which his love would get inside the prison. So he was happy to get her share of pain. He sacrificed his own happiness just to protect his love.
And what did she do? She waited for him. Many times her father told her to marry and settle in her life but she refused. She had faith in her love. She knew that one day he would return to her. After her father's death she adopted Khushi to reduce the loneliness in her life but never thought of marrying someone other than her Sidharth.
"Tu iss baar humesha ke liye aaya hai na? Phir se chhor ke toh nahi jaayega?" Asked Shehnaaz while crying.
"Nahi Jaan. Iss baar kahi nahi jaaunga." He said and kissed her forehead.
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
They broke the hug. Sidharth looked at Khushi who was standing with a confused face.
"Meri Beti hai. Khushi." Said Shehnaaz.
"Jaanta hoon." Said Sidharth and bent towards Khushi.
"Hello Khushi!" He said.
"Hello! Aap kaun?" Asked Khushi.
Before Sidharth could reply, Shehnaaz said, "Tere Papa."
Sidharth smiled hearing that.
"Sach? Ab se mere bhi Papa hai?" Asked Khushi excitedly to which both Sidharth and Shehnaaz nodded.
The trio hugged and their family became completed.
Since then, three of them started living together. Whenever Sidharth felt like giving up because of his bad past in the prison, his family's smile gave him strength.
Teri muskurahatein hain takat meri
Mujhko inhi se ummeed mili
Chahe kare koyi sitam yeh jahan
Inmein hi hai sada hifazat meri
One day Shehnaaz saw Sidharth smoking standing at the balcony.
"Cigarette ki adat kab se lagi?" Asked Shehnaaz.
"Jail mein. Uss waqt yeh ek hi sahara tha mera." He replied sadly.
"Ab toh aur bhi sahare hai na? Main hoon, Khushi hai. Chhor de yeh sab."
Sidharth thought for a while and then said smashing the cigarette, "Chhor diya."
Shehnaaz smiled and hugged him to which Sidharth reciprocated.
Zindgaani badi khoobsurat hui
Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin
Like this Shehnaaz helped Sidharth in every way to go back to his normal. She helped him to find a job there. At first he was not getting any job because of his criminal record. But with much efforts, he finally got a job and Shehnaaz was the happiest after knowing this.
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhana har dard hai.
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Today was their wedding. They were sitting at the marriage register office. Khushi was very excited to witness her parents' wedding.
Sidharth and Shehnaaz signed the marriage certificate and became legally married couple. They made each other wear the garlands.
"Main waada karta hoon, jab tak jeeunga, tujhe aur Khushi ko har khatre se protect karunga. Tum dono ko kabhi akela nahi chhorunga." He said looking at her eyes.
"Main waada karti hoon, aage bhi har muskil ghadi mein hum ek dusre humdard ban ke rahenge. Zindagi ki saari khushiyan aur saare gham hum baant lenge." Said Shehnaaz looking at his eyes.
Teri dhadhkanon se hai zindgi meri
Khwahishein teri ab duayein meri
That night, Sidharth and Shehnaaz became one. The made love to each other till morning showing their unconditional love.
Kitna anokha bandhan hai yeh
Teri meri jaan jo ek hui
"Aaj ke baad hum kabhi alag nahi honge na?" Asked Shehnaaz at last.
"Kabhi nahi." Said Sidharth kissing her hair.
Lautunga yahan tere paas main haan
Vaada hai mera mar bhi jaaun kahin
"I love you meri Jaan." He said further.
"I love you too." She said closing her eyes.
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
After that Sidharth, Shehnaaz and Khushi lived happily with each other. They shared every happiness and pain but never left each other's hands. Though life tested them a lot, they passed all the tests and at last lived their dream.
Hmm...Humdard hai
Hmm...Humdard hai
Hmm...Humdard hai
Hmm...Humdard hai
The End
______________________________________
7212 words
Vote if you liked this one shot. Mere draft mein tha bohut dino se, socha publish kar doon.
And wish me luck before my exams which is tomorrow.