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It was night time when Shehnaaz was packing her bags. Her eyes were teary. She didn't want to leave the apartment which had become her home, didn't want to leave Sidharth who had become her life. But then she remembered the words Param said to her.
Flashback...
Shehnaaz and Param were sitting in Param's living area while Shaurya was busy playing with the video games Sidharth gifted him.
"Listen Param, what you are saying that can't happen. Maana tumhari wife ke saath tumhara divorce ho chuka hai but it doesn't mean that we can get back together." Said Shehnaaz trying to stay as calm as she could. She was feeling very angry on Param after he gave this proposal but she somehow controlled herself.
"Shehnaaz just think about it. Humara Shaurya itne saal apni Mumma ke bina raha hai. Haan uske paas uski Step-Mom zaroor thi but she couldn't be his mother. I was wrong. Mujhe laga tha ki sayad woh usse tumse zyada pyaar degi. But the reality is Maa toh Maa hi hoti hai. Shaurya sirf 6 saal ka tha jab Harleen ne usse boarding school bhejne ki zidh ki. Main nahi chahta tha ki Shaurya ka bachpan kisi boarding school mein beete. Iss hi baat pe humara jhagra hua and at the end hum dono ne hi divorce lene ka decision liya. Harleen ke jaane se Shaurya khush toh tha lekin uske zindagi mein jo Maa ki kami thi woh tab bhi puri nahi hui thi. Kuch mahine pehle Shaurya tumhe yaad kar ke bohut ro raha tha. Tab maine decide kiya ki main Shaurya ko uski asli Maa se milaunga. Jaan bujh ke usse tumhare paas rehne ke liye bheja taa ki tum dono mein acchi bonding ho jaaye. And looks like it worked. Ab agar hum dono phir se ek saath ho jaaye toh humari family complete ho jayegi. I know maine tumhare saath bura kiya hai par galti toh tumhari bhi thi na? I would say, lets forget each other's past mistakes and start fresh. Mujhe ek second chance toh dogi na tum?"
Saying that, Param tried to touch Shehnaaz's hand but she didn't let him.
"Yeh nahi ho sakta Param. Itne saalon baad phir se.... Main tumhare saath nahi reh sakti. I'm sorry." She said and stood up.
She was about to leave when Param asked, "Shaurya ke liye bhi nahi?"
Shehnaaz stopped and turned to him. Param stood up and went to her.
"Just look at him. Woh kitna khush hai tumhare saath. Aur iss umar mein har bacche ko apne dono parents ke saath ki zaroorat hoti hai. Agar hum saath aaye toh uss se zyada khush koi nahi hoga. Kya hum parents hoke apne bacche ke khushi, uski bhalai ke liye itna bhi nahi kar sakte?"
Shehnaaz couldn't answer Param's question. She looked at her son who was playing happily with the video game. Even the thought of leaving him brought tears to her eyes.
Flashback Ends...
Shehnaaz finished and then started crying silently. Yes, she couldn't stay without her son. But she couldn't stay without her Sidharth as well. He was everything to her. In this situation she had to choose between her son and her love. Being a mother, she chose her son. But she couldn't be happy with this decision as her happiness lies in Sidharth.
"Why does this always happen to me? Jab mere paas kuch nahi tha, destiny ne mujhe tumse milaya. Tumse milke maine phir se jeena sikha, hasna sikha jo main bhul chuki thi. Aur jab main finally khush hoon, mujhe tumse alag hona padh raha hai. Kyu Sidharth, kyu?" She said in her mind while sobbing.
"Shehnaaz!" Called Sidharth softly and Shehnaaz looked at him.
She immediately went to him and hugged him tightly.
"Main nahi reh sakti tumhare bina. Mujhe nahi jaana Param ke paas wapas. Mujhe tumhare saath rehna hai. Sirf tumhare saath." She said crying, closing her eyes.
Sidharth smiled sadly and hugged her back. He also didn't want to let her go. But he had nothing to do as this time it was about her son.
"Kya tum Shaurya ke bina reh sakti ho?" Asked Sidharth sadly.
Hearing that, Shehnaaz opened her eyes. Her hands which were tightly hugging Sidharth, got removed slowly. Getting his answer, Sidharth pushed Shehnaaz slightly with heavy heart.
Then he cupped her face and said, "Shehnaaz main tumse pyaar karta hoon. Agar main chahu toh tumhe apne paas rok ke rakh sakta hoon. Lekin tumhare iss Maa ke dil ka kya jo humesha Shaurya ke paas padha rahega? Ek baar tum hi ne kaha tha ki agar main iss rishte mein khush na rahu, toh tum mujhe jaane dogi, force nahi karogi tumhare saath rehne ke liye. Right now, I'm doing the same thing. Kyu ki mujhe paata tum apne Bete se alag ho ke khush nahi reh paaogi. Hum dono jaante hai ki agar tumne Param ko naa keh diya toh woh Shaurya ko phir kabhi tumse milne nahi dega. Maa Bete ek baar phir se alag ho jaayenge, sayad meri wajah se. Aur yeh main nahi chahta. Iss waqt mujse zyada Shaurya ko tumhari zaroorat hai. You should be with him."
"Aur tumhara kya Sidharth?" Asked Shehnaaz with teary eyes.
"Yeh jo pal maine tumhare saath beetaye, mere liye kaafi hai. Haan agar kabhi mujhe tumhari bohut yaad aayi toh main chala aaunga tumse milne, obviously jab Param ghar pe nahi hoga. Ho sake toh extra marital affair bhi chala lenge hum dono, uss mein kya hai?"
Saying that Sidharth tried to laugh to make everything easier for her. Shehnaaz also chuckled sadly but couldn't hide the pain which was killing her from inside. The pain of getting separated from him.
Dilon ki mohabbat ko baandhe kyun
Haaye re!
Next day, Sidharth and Shehnaaz were standing outside the apartment holding hands.
"I'll miss you Shehnaaz." Said Sidharth looking at Shehnaaz. His eyes were expressing both love and pain.
"I'll miss you too." Said Shehnaaz sadly while trying not to cry.
Dilon ki mohabbat ko baandhe kyun
Haaye re!
Suddenly a cab stopped in front of their apartment. Their hands slowly got separated from each other and Shehnaaz went towards the cab.
Daayre.. daayre..
Daayre.. daayre..
Sidharth put her luggages inside the cab. Then he came near the cab's window. He went closer and kissed Shehnaaz on her forehead. She closed her eyes while tears rolled down her cheeks.
Hain kyun faasle darmiyaan leke aaye re
Hain kyun faasle darmiyaan leke aaye re
The driver started driving. They kept looking at each other till they both got out of sight.
Daayre.. daayre..
Daayre.. daayre..
Sidharth then wiped his tears and got inside his own car and started going to office.
Sitting in their cars, they both were remembering the moments they spent with each other and dreams they saw together about their future.
Kaanch ke wo khwaab
naazuk the humare saare
Chhoone se hi tootne lage
Mannaton mein umr bhar ka
saath jinka manga
Humsafar wo chhootne lage
Shehnaaz was feeling restless. She didn't know how she will be able to live without Sidharth. But everytime she was thinking about going back to Sidharth, Shaurya's thoughts were also coming to her mind which was not letting her go.
On the other hand, Sidharth sacrificed his own love for her son. But now he again became lonely, just like earlier. Now there would be none in his life who would love him, care for him, the way she did. Once again, he lost everything.
Na marna munasib
Jiya bhi naa jaaye re
Na marna munasib
Jiya bhi naa jaaye re
Haaye re!
Daayre.. daayre..
Daayre.. daayre..
Soon Shehnaaz reached Param's house. She came out of the cab and saw Param waiting for her standing outside.
"So finally you are here." Said Param happily going to her. "I can't express how happy I am. Thanks for giving me another chance. Dekh lena main tunhe ab bilkool sikayat ka mauka nahi dunga. Kaal hum court marriage kar lenge. Phir sab kuch thik ho jaayega. Maine Mummy Papa ko bhi iss baare mein baata diya hai. They are also very happy."
Shehnaaz looked at Param with disbelief and then smiled sarcastically. He didn't change a bit in these years. He again imposed his own decisions on her without caring about what she wanted, without trying to understand her feelings.
"Tum andar jaao. Shaurya tumse milne ke liye bohut excited hai. Main saaman leke aata hoon." Said Param to which Shehnaaz nodded and went inside the house.
As soon as she entered, a huge smile came to Shaurya's face.
"Mumma!" He said while happily running towards her and hugged her.
Shehnaaz hugged him back and kissed his head.
"Aap humesha ke liye aa gayi ho na?" Asked Shaurya to which Shehnaaz smiled sadly and nodded in yes.
Shaurya then started looking for someone else at the door but couldn't find him.
"What happened Beta?" Asked Shehnaaz.
Shaurya looked at Shehnaaz and asked, "Mumma where is Buddy? Unhe toh aap hi ke saath aa jaana chahiye tha."
Shehnaaz became little confused and said, "Lekin Buddy toh nahi aane wale."
"What? But Papa ne jab kaha ki aap humesha ke liye mere paas aane wale ho, mujhe laga Buddy bhi aap ke saath aayenge. Kyu ki woh toh humesha aap ke saath rehte hai."
Shehnaaz didn't know what to say now. She bent down and tried to make him understand.
"Shaurya baat yeh hai ki.... main aur tere Buddy, hum dono tere saath nahi reh sakte. Par ab se main rahungi na tere saath? Ab main kabhi tujhse dur nahi jaaungi, I promise...."
Shehnaaz tried to hold Shaurya but he moved back.
"Nahi." He said. "Mujhe sirf aap ke saath nahi rehna. Mujhe aap aur Buddy dono eksaath chahiye. Mujhe unke saath games khelne hai, masti karni hai. Aur agar Buddy nahi honge toh mujhe aap ke daant se kaun bachayega? Kaun mera half fruit juice peeyega? Kiske saath main apne secrets share karunga? Agar Buddy nahi toh koi fun nahi. Iss se accha hai main sirf chhuttiyon pe aap dono se milu. Kam se kam mujhe aap dono ek saath toh miloge."
Shehnaaz became shocked hearing Shaurya's words. She didn't expect that he would say this.
"Kya ho raha hai yaaha?" Asked Param coming there.
Shaurya looked at Param and said, "Papa aap Mumma ko wapas bhej do. Mujhe nahi rehna unke saath."
Param became confused and said, "Why Shaurya? This is what you wanted. Mumma Papa dono tumhare saath rahe. Aur ab woh hi ho raha hai. Finally hum teeno saath rahenge, like a happy family."
"We can't stay like a happy family." Said Shaurya loudly. "Kyu ki Mumma sirf Buddy ke saath happy rehti hai. Woh Buddy ke saath jhagra karti hai, unhe daanti hai, mazak masti karti hai aur iss hi mein woh happy hai. Agar Mumma yaaha rahegi toh woh kabhi happy nahi reh paayegi. Phir yeh happy family kaise banegi? Isliye Mumma ko Buddy ke paas hi jaana chahiye."
At that very moment, reality hit Shehnaaz hard. How easily Shaurya understood and said the simplest thing which she and Sidharth both couldn't understand. By his words, Shehnaaz's every confusion got cleared. Now she knew what she wanted in her life and which path she should choose.
"Wait a second! Who's this Buddy?" Asked Param frowning.
"Sidharth." Uttered Shehnaaz while standing up. "Shaurya ka Buddy....Aur mera pyaar."
Param became shocked hearing that.
"What? Tum kisi aur se pyaar karti ho? How can you do this Shehnaaz?" Asked Param with disbelief.
Shehnaaz smiled sarcastically and said, "Kyu Param? Tum mere jaate hi taurant kisi aur se shaadi kar sakte ho, aur main 8 saal tumhara intezar karne ke baad, kisi se pyaar bhi nahi kar sakti?"
Param looked down hearing that.
"You know Param, tumne kabhi mujhe samjha hi nahi. Naa mere decisions ki kabhi respect kiyi. Humesha apne decisions mujh pe thop te rahe. Aur dusri taraf Sidharth, jisne har baar mujhe samjha. Kabhi kisi chiz pe mujhe force nahi kiya. Muskil waqt mein mere saath khada raha. Mujhe apne depression se bahar nikala. Mujhe ek nayi zindagi diyi. Kaise nahi hota mujhe uss se pyaar? Lekin phir aaj sab kuch chhor ke, apni khushiyon ke baare naa soch ke sirf aur sirf Shaurya ke liye main wapas aayi thi. Par abhi Shaurya ne mujhe baataya ki main kitni badi bewakoofi karne chali thi. Param tumhare jaise selfish insaan ke saath main apni puri life toh kya, ek minute bhi nahi reh sakti. Main jaa rahi hoon, apne pyaar ke paas."
Saying that, Shehnaaz was about to leave when Param blocked her way.
"Jaa rahi ho matlab? Aur Shaurya ka kya hoga?" He asked.
Shaurya came to them and said, "Main chahta hoon Mumma Buddy ke paas jaaye. Buddy loves her. And if you really love me then do one thing. Jab bhi mera mann kare mujhe bas Mumma aur Buddy se milne dena. Mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye Papa."
Param became quiet hearing Shaurya's words. He had nothing to say as he himself broke his own family.
"Thank you mera Baccha." Saying that, Shehnaaz kissed Shaurya's cheeks.
Then they waved each other bye and Shehnaaz left from there taking her luggage.
At Night...
Sidharth was standing at the balcony holding the ring in his hand which he bought for Shehnaaz.
"Sayad tum mere kismat mein hi nahi thi. Isliye toh aaj bhi tumhe yeh ring pehna nahi paaya. Aur sayad phir kabhi yeh mauka bhi nahi milega. Lekin main dil se yeh hi chahunga ki tum humesha apni family ke saath khush raho." He said wiping his tears.
Suddenly someone forwarded her hand in front of him and said, "Haan main bohut khush hoon, ab pehna do."
He frowned and looked beside. Shehnaaz was standing there with a poker face.
"Tum kaise aayi?" He asked being confused.
"Kaise aayi matlab?" Asked Shehnaaz. "Apartment ke extra keys hai mere paas."
"No I mean... Tum kyu aayi?"
"Aap ne ghar mein aane ke liye koi reason thodi chahiye?"
"Nahi par... Tum yaaha... Tum toh chali gayi thi."
"Bohut zaldi thi na mujhe bhagane ki? Shehnaaz, I think you should go back to Param." She said mimicking him and started slapping his arms. "Maana main thodi confused thi par tumhe toh samjhana chahiye tha mujhe, rokna chahiye tha. But no, you wanted to get rid of me. Par sadly aisa hua nahi. Ab tum chaho na chaho tumhe mere saath hi rehna hoga. Do you get that?"
"Haan...thik hai... Lekin tum maar kyu rahi ho?..." He asked while saving himself.
Shehnaaz stopped slapping and said, "Kyu ki tum pagal ho, gadhe ho. Tum se zyada dimaag toh Shaurya mein hai isliye toh mujhe wapas tumhare paas bhej diya. Aur toh aur tum fattu bhi ho. Itne din se ring le ke ghum rahe ho lekin propose nahi kar paaye?"
"Tumhe kaise paata main ring le ke ghum raha hoon?"
"Tumhe lagta hai tum mujhse kuch bhi chhupa sakte ho? Ab iss se pehle mera dimaag aur kharab ho jaaye, propose to me right now."
"Right now? Matlab iss hi waqt?"
Shehnaaz glared Sidharth making him scared.
"Ok ok I'm doing it.....umm.... Shehnaaz....tum mujhse.... Main tumse.... Shaadi...woh main....hum shaadi ..... "
Sidharth was not being able to say properly to which Shehnaaz nodded her head in disbelief.
"Rehne do. Tumse na ho paayega. Ring pehnao zaldi." She said being impatient.
Sidharth sighed realising that she was right. So he took out the ring from the box and made her wear it.
"Toh tum shaadi ke liye ready ho?" Asked Sidharth to confirm.
"Ring pehna ne ke baad puch rahe ho main ready hoon yaa nahi?" Asked Shehnaaz with disbelief. "Of course I am ready. Par haan, next week mujhe humare space travel mission ke liye nikalna hoga so I want that...."
Before she could complete, Sidharth said, "Haan main samajh gaya. You don't have to say. Tum chahti ho ki hum tumhare wapas aane ke baad shaadi kare, right? Koi problem nahi. Main maana lunga Mom ko."
Shehnaaz gave a fake smile and said, "Wrong answer. Main chahti hoon hum uss se pehle shaadi kare yaani ek hafte ke andar."
"What? How's this possible?" Asked Sidharth widening his eyes.
"Nahi karni shaadi? Thik hai main chali jaati hoon."
Shehnaaz was about to go when Sidharth pulled her towards himself by her hand. She collided with his chest. He then cupped her face and took her lips for a soulful kiss. They kissed each other full of love and passion.
After breaking the kiss, Sidharth hugged Shehnaaz while she hid herself in his chest.
"Phir se jaane ki baat mat karna." He said.
"Tum bhagana mat phir se."
"Main pagal thodi hoon? Aur maar nahi khani mujhe."
Shehnaaz chuckled and hugged Sidharth more tightly. They both closed their eyes feeling peace in each others' embrace.
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