Third update today, so kindly check if you've read the previous updates before reading this.
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Sidharth drove home in silence. All he could think of today was Shehnaaz. His phone rings and he looks at the screen flashing the contact name 'Saxena'. He smiles, whenever they were emotional they both addressed each other by their first name else they always called each other by their surnames. He receives the call on speaker.

"Mittal, I think I found a solution to the problem.", Shehnaaz screams.

"What is it Saxena?", He asks annoyed.

"You know my cousin, Riya right?", She asks.

"Hmmm..", he hummed while driving.

"Marry her instead of me", she said.

"What?", He stepped on the brake in shock.

The car behind honked loudly for an unannounced brake while it drove past him.

"Sorry. (He said moving his lips to the driver) Saxena!! Marry your cousin?", He asked still in shock.

"Yeah! She is anyways obsessed with you whereas you were ready to marry anyone for the property. Plus both the daddus won't have much problem as well since their wish will also be fulfilled of getting their grandchildren married to one another's. I will also be saved from getting married. You see it's a win win situation for everyone.", She exclaimed.

"Do you really want this to happen?", He asks.

Flashback:

"Di, you are home. You know what, it isn't just about lehenga. Mittal daddu has sent his ancestral piece of jewellery which is so beautiful. He has also sent gifts to everyone of us.", Riya speaks in excitement.

Shehnaaz's mood was further down after listening to it.

'I will have to return the ancestral jewellery as soon as possible.', she thought.

"Where is the jewellery?", Asks Shehnaaz.

"Maa, took it to show to papa since he also returned home just few minutes back.", Says Riya.

Shehnaaz goes towards her uncle aunt's room where she overhears their conversation.

"Hmm.. right now go and return this jewellery to bhabhi. It's theirs.", Says her uncle.

"Hmmm.. can we buy or rent some good 1gram gold ornaments for Riya to look presentable during Shehnaaz's marriage. I don't want her to feel left out between big shots with those thin chain and small earrings.", Says Aunt.

"Hmmm.. okay will go and rent it tomorrow evening. Be ready.", Agrees uncle.

"I wish if we could buy or rent a groom like Sidharth as well for Riya. Shehnaaz is so lucky to have such a wonderful family. I wish our daughter Riya was also as lucky as her.", Said her aunt.

"Don't dream so big dear. We belong to middle class family. Shehnaaz was lucky but reality is Riya will be married to some middle class salaried man like me. I just hope she doesn't feel bad or insecured for her luck later when she looks at Shehnaaz and realises the differences in their status and lifestyles.", Says her uncle.

"Hmm.. Shehnaaz doesn't look half as much happy as Riya, even though it's her marriage. If instead of Shehnaaz, Riya had to marry Sidharth, Riya would have been on cloud nine.", Says her aunt.

"Control your tongue dear. We stay in a joint family. If someone overhears they will consider it as our jealousy than concern for our daughter.", Says her uncle.

Shehnaaz goes back to her room.

Flashback ends

"Hello Saxena.. are you there?", Sidharth brings her back from her thoughts.

"Hmmm.. yes, Mittal I can hear you.", Shehnaaz says.

"Do you really want me to marry Riya?", He asks.

"Hmmm.. why won't I?", Asks Shehnaaz.

"Because if you don't consider me good enough to marry you, why would you want your cousin to marry me?", He asks.

"Mittal, Riya likes and adores you already.", Shehnaaz states.

"And you?", He asks.

"I just had a breakup 3 weeks back Sidharth. I am not in the state of mind to jump into any relationship especially when I had a bad one previously. It's not just about you but anyone. I know I was annoyed with you earlier for you agreed to marry only to acquire will, but now I know why you have that mentality. I know my cousin will be in safe hands if she marries you.", She says.

"Don't you think you are doing the same mistake I did earlier? You want me to marry Riya not bothered about knowing what I want.", He says.

"You wanted the righteous Mittal empire and property and this way you would get it Sidharth.", She says.

"Hmmm..", he hums

Flashback:

"Ms. Lilly, I want Kiran Taneja's contact address ASAP.", He speaks after dropping Shehnaaz to her home.

His phone beeps and he looks at the address and drives to the location. He rings the doorbell and as soon as it is opened by Kiran, he holds him by his collar and pushes him inside the house.

"Bloody loafer, you seem to have a lot of itch to kissing any random girl you meet, right?", He screams.

"Who are you? What are you talking about?", Kiran ask petrified.

Sidharth looks at the iron stand along with the iron box. He switches it on with his left hand while the right still held him by his collar.

"What are you doing? What do you want?", Kiran asks

"I want you to kiss this hot iron box.", Says Sidharth by gritting his jaws.

"No no no! Please don't do that. I will never kiss anyone in my life not even my own wife.", He pleads.

"That's better!", He says and leaves the place.

He didn't know why he did it but he just couldn't tolerate him kissing Shehnaaz's hand in the hotel today. Moreover even the uncomfortable Shehnaaz's face and her irritated mood had troubled him.

Flashback ends

So she still thinks I only want property. If I did than yesterday Kiran would have been in the restaurant and daddu would have already called off the marriage.

"So Mittal, will you marry Riya?", She asks.

"Hmm.. yes, if Riya agrees to, then I will.", He says.

"Yay!! So I will meet you tomorrow with Riya at the restaurant. Will speak to her and convince her to marry you. You will get to know each other as well. But today, please don't tell anything to Mittal daddu yet.", She says.

"Bye Saxena.", Sidharth disconnects.
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"Di, can we afford to eat food here? You aren't Mrs. Mittal yet.", Says Riya looking at the restaurant in amazement.

"Hello Mittal..", Shehnaaz greets Sidharth and Riya gets surprised to find Sidharth as well.

"Jijuuuuu... Oh! So Didu and Jiju came to meet each other. Why am I third wheeling?", She teases.

"Hi Saxena.. Hi Riya..", Sidharth greets them both.

"Riya, sit there beside Mittal.", Says Shehnaaz showing her hands. Sidharth rolls his eyes.

"Awww.. are you sure di? I don't mind sitting next to him though.", Riya teases.

"Hmmm.. Riya, imagine if I want to say no to the wedding with Mittal, will you marry him instead?", Shehnaaz asks.

Riya giggles.

"Why not? I am ever ready to marry such a handsome man.", Says Riya with a big smile hugging his arm.

Shehnaaz looks at his arm being hugged by her and Sidharth observes Shehnaaz's facial expression.

"Hmmm.. aaa... Riya take the menu and see what you want to eat.", Shehnaaz passes her the menu.

"Yeah..", Riya leaves his arm and takes the menu. Shehnaaz smiles.

"Mittal, okay?", Shehnaaz asks nodding her head.

"Really Saxena? Is that the way you ask? She thinks you were joking.", Sidharth speaks annoyed. Riya looks at them confused.

"What happened?", Riya asks.

"Aaaa.. Riya.. aaa..", Shehnaaz fumbles.

"I will tell you. Your Di was serious when she asked you if you will marry me incase if she rejects.", Sidharth speaks firmly.

"What?", Riya looks puzzled at Shehnaaz.

"I.. I.. I need to go to restroom. I will be back soon.", Shehnaaz excuses nervously and runs to the restroom. She was scared of letting Riya know their whole story thinking what if Riya rejects and inturn discloses the entire thing to their family.

She sat in the washroom thinking how to tackle the issue which may arise.

What the hell Shehnaaz, you should have thought of this earlier. Now you are acting like a nervous mice. On top of that, Sidharth already looks pissed off and super duper annoyed. Now how long will you sit here? Go and face the situation.

She sauntered out slowly back to the table looking down at the floor.

"Di, so you have been meeting him everyday by lying at home just to find a solution to cancel this marriage?", Riya questions.

Shehnaaz nods to agree without making an eye contact.

"If you had to tell me earlier itself, I would have got some more time to spend with him before marriage.", Riya says.

"Huh?", Shehnaaz looks up in shock.

"Now I am going to answer to your earlier question seriously. Yes, Ofcourse I will marry him. I am not a fool like you to leave such a handsome, well educated and well to do groom's proposal.", Riya said.

Shehnaaz was shocked. She looks at Sidharth whose face showed equally shocked reaction.

"I never thought you would agree.", Said Sidharth.

"Why? Do you have any problem in marrying me?", Asked Riya.

Sidharth looked at Shehnaaz who had her head down as her fingers fidgeted.

"No, I don't. Infact I had told Saxena that I will marry you if you agree to it.", He said.

Shehnaaz lifted her head and looked at Sidharth.

"Are you sure Mittal?", Asks Shehnaaz.

"Di, you should start calling him jiju from now on. He isn't your groom now that you would call him by that name.", Says Riya.

"Aaa... I need to go somewhere as I have some important work.", Says Shehnaaz.

"What is that important work which I don't know of Di? If you are uncomfortable sitting with us then you can sit on the other table. I came with you so I should be going back with you itself. And I intend to spend some time with my would be husband. We need to decide on our next plan to convince our daddus as well for the marriage.", Said Riya.

"You seem to be moving with bullet train speed Riya.", Shehnaaz tries easing the atmosphere.

"Have to Di, because the wedding is in 3 days. Day after tomorrow it's going to be mehendi and sangeet. So it's just today and tomorrow you see.", Said Riya.

"Hmmm..", hums Shehnaaz.

The waiter gets the food for them.

"Here di take this sweet.", Said Riya.

"No thank you.", Says Shehnaaz

"Di.. won't you celebrate my happiness? Aren't you happy since everything is happening just the way you wanted?", Riya asks.

"She won't eat here since she believes that she can't afford to pay for expensive food here.", Says Sidharth staring at Shehnaaz.

"Huh? Really? In that case it's your loss di. I am going to enjoy my food since I know my would be husband can afford to pay.", Riya smiles.

She cuts a piece of gulab jamun and feeds Sidharth while Shehnaaz silently watches it.

"Here is the sweet to start our new journey.", Says Riya while feeding him. Shehnaaz rolls her eyes feeling annoyed.

Riya keeps blabbering to Sidharth the entire time while Sidharth and Shehnaaz quietly exchanged looks.

Riya tells Sidharth to tell her daddu tomorrow that he likes Riya instead of Shehnaaz and intends to marry her. Sidharth nods to her plan. As they leave for home, they go to the car park.

"Di, Why are sitting in the front? That's my place now. Please sit behind.", Says Riya.

Shehnaaz bites her lips and nods and goes on to occupy the back seat while Riya sat in the front with Sidharth behind the steering wheel. Shehnaaz stared outside the window silently while Riya kept talking sweetly with Sidharth. Sidharth just hummed to her with short answers.

He drops them and watches them go home. Shehnaaz turns around and looks at him before disappearing inside the compound.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️