(unedited version 🙏)

Riya and Sanvi go back to the stage.

"And we have got our winning couple tonight. Any guesses?", She asks.

There were some hooting and few guessing all the different names while Sidharth nervously bit his nails and looked at Riya and Sanvi anxiously.

"It's Mr. And Mrs. Mukund Saxena. That's my maa and papa. She ate one extra puri compared to Shehnaaz Di.", Says Riya.

Sidharth's face fell and he looked at the winning couple.

"Saxena, that's cheating. Your uncle was also eating golgappa. See he is still moving his mouth and his shirt is having stain as well. The competition was to feed the lady, not to eat themself. We should be the winners, not them.", Sidharth spoke annoyed.

"It's okay Mittu. Riya never specified that male can't eat themselves. They played smart. It's just a game.", She said.

"What? Saxena, if that was allowed then even I would have eaten the double the amount they ate together. It wasn't specified that male can eat. We are the winners. I am going to confront Riya.", He said.

"Mittu, they are our family. We don't necessarily have to point out their mistakes infront of everyone. It will be insulting. Again look at the happiness on their face, why would we spoil it for a game?", She asks.

"So does it mean that my happiness doesn't matter to you?", He asks annoyed.

"It does Mittal that's why I am trying to explain you. If it didn't, I wouldn't have bothered to explain. What if the winners were Solankis instead of Saxenas?", She asks

"Cheating is cheating Saxena. I don't approve of it even if it is my own family.", He says and walks away in frustration.

Though they sneakily stole glance at each other, they spent their remaining time without talking to each other. Shehnaaz spent her time with her other cousin and friends dancing whereas Sidharth spent time talking to some of his guests about business.

Riya and Sanvi take Sidharth to the buffet counter. Sidharth looked around to check on Shehnaaz.

"Jiju, who are you searching for?", Riya asked.

"Nothing like that. Just looking at the guests.", Said Sidharth.

"Hmm.. but I know everything. The one you are searching will be unfortunately fasting.", Said Riya.

"Huh? Why? Are there any such rituals?", He asked.

"No, but how can she eat with mehendi filled hands? So indirectly she will be fasting.", Said Riya.

"Someone else can feed her right? Why don't you and Sanvi feed her? You guys don't have mehendi in your hands as well.", He said

"We will put instant mehendi tomorrow but right now we are busy having our own food. So we aren't going to feed her.", Says Riya.

"Besides Dad is feeding Mom, Saxena uncles are feeding Saxena Aunties then why can't Mr. Mittal feed Mrs. Mittal?", Asks Sanvi

"She isn't Mrs. Mittal yet.", He speaks with a frown.

"Really? Then why did you participate as couple in golgappa feeding competition?", Asks Sanvi.

"Yeah, I admit I was a fool then. I regret participating as well but now I am sane enough to not repeat the same mistake.", He spoke exasperated

The two girls stare at each other puzzled. Riya then finds Shehnaaz standing at a distance and guesses that she must have already overheard their conversation.

"Aaa... Ummm.. Di... I am going to get dinner for you.", Riya fumbles with words.

"No need Riya. I am not hungry since the golgappas I ate hasn't yet digested even after hours.", Shehnaaz spoke sarcastically glaring at Sidharth.

"Excuse me.", Sidharth excuses and picks up a plate for himself and leaves them.

Shehnaaz informs Riya that she was having a headache and hence would go home with her maternal cousin in his car. Shehnaaz leaves the party and goes home.

"Is everything alright, Bhaiyya", asks Sanvi.

"Why? Why would you ask me such question?", He asks.

"Because Bhaabhi left the function and went home and you seem to be not bothered about her not eating food. She must have been hungry because that competition was held so long back and after that she had danced with us as well.", Said Sanvi.

"She went home?", He asked shocked.

"Hmmm.. what's the point discussing now though? I hope you are enjoying the food.", Said Sanvi and left.
.
.
.
.
Shehnaaz looked at the clock which striked 10:30pm. Everyone had returned home and disbursed to their respective rooms after a tiring day. She made a sad pout and went to wash her hands and feet to take off the dried mehendi.

She looked at the clock again, it was 10:50pm. She sighed missing him and rubbed coconut oil on her hands and feet so that the colour of her mehendi deepens.

Mittu got angry simply. Was winning more important than being with me and spending time with me? He didn't even call me until now. So basically our long drive is also cancelled.

She frowned but it didn't last for even 2 minutes. She changed into a jeans and black t-shirt and wrapped herself in a green and black coloured stole before sneaking out of the house and walking towards the gate.

Sidharth's car arrived just in time. She went and sat in the front seat beside him. They drove in silence for 10 minutes.

"Sorry", they both say in unison. A subtle smile lingered on both their faces. She then slides a little closer to him and places a kiss on his shoulder. He holds her hand in his and kisses it.

"How did you know that I would come?", He asks

"I didn't until 10:55pm but suddenly I felt you will come anytime soon and I got ready and came out.", She said.

"Hmmm.. I know I become very impulsive when I take part in any competition. I have the habit of winning. I've never had a proper family as such so thinking about losing for someone else happiness never comes up in my mind. I felt I was right at that time when I argued with you but the pain I went through after seeing you sad felt more painful than losing the game and I realised that you were right. Sometimes allowing our loved ones to win for their happiness brings more happiness than winning the competition. I will take time to adjust to the new thing but I will still hold up the sportsmanship in me. I won't lose without putting up fight but I will not fight if I lose.", He said.

"Trust me Mittu, I would have told Riya that they have cheated if I knew it before declaring the result. Because all the time I saw the amount of excitement on your face and the enthusiasm to win it, I wanted you to win it. I pushed harder yo eat maximum puris just because I wanted you to win. But after it was announced, I felt it will be an insult to them. We know that we are the winners and that's what actually matters.", She said.

"Hmmm...", He hummed.

There was silence again in the vehicle.

"Did you eat...", He tries speaking but she starts singing.

Kuchh na kaho kuchh bhi na kaho

Kuchh na kaho kuchh bhi na kaho
Kya kehna hai kya sunna hai
Mujhko pata hai tumko pata hai
Samay ka ye pal thamsa gaya hai
Aur is pal mein koi nahin hai
Bas ek main hoon
Bas ek tum ho
Kuchh na kaho kuchh bhi na kaho

Kitne gehre halke shaam
ke rang hai chhalke
Parvat se yoon utre baadal
jaise aanchal dhalke
Aur is pal mein koi nahin hai
Bas ek main hoon
Bas ek tum ho
Kuchh na kaho kuchh bhi na kaho

Sulgi sulgi saanse behki behki dhadkan
Mehke mehke shaam ke saaye pighle pighle tanman
Aur is pal me koi nahi hai bas ek mai hu bas ek tum ho
Kuchh na kaho kuchh bhi na kaho kya kehna hai kya sunna hai
mujhko pata hai tumko pata hai samay ka ye pal tham sa gaya hai
aur is pal me koi nahi hai bas ek mai hu bas ek tum ho..

They were in the outskirts of the city, driving in silence because at that moment they just wanted to feel each other's presence than speaking any words.

Shehnaaz saw an old man cycling on the road. He had a big container with a tap tucked with the rope on the carrier of his cycle.

"Mittu, can you please pull over to the front?", She requests.

"Hmm.. what are you upto?", He asked by pulling over to the side. She opened the door and stopped the old man. Sidharth too came stood by leaning onto his car's boot listening to the conversation.

"Kaka, do you have anything left in that kettle of yours?", She asks.

"Hmm.. yes, I may have some coffee left in it.", Says the old man.

"Then give us two cups of coffee please.", She requests.

"It won't be very hot.", Informs the old man.

"Hmmm.. Where do you stay Kaka?", She asks.

"Approximately another 4kms from her.", Old man replies.

"If we drop you home, will you serve us hot coffee?", She asks.

"Huh? But my cycle?", Old man asks surprised.

"We can tie it to the top of my car.", suggests Sidharth by interrupting their conversation.

"Yeah!", Says Shehnaaz.

"Fine", agrees the old man.

Sidharth ties the old man's bicycle to his car's top and they drive to the old man to his house as per the old man's direction. While they wait in the car outside his house to get them hot coffee, Sidharth looks at her in amusement. She lifts her eyebrows and he smiles.

"Why would you travel so far for coffee Shehnaaz?", Asks Sidharth. Shehnaaz sings song.

Tere sang ek simple si
Coffee bhi kick deti hai
Tere sang ye duniyaa
Alag hi nazar aati hai
Tere sang zindagi
Jeene kaa lutf aaye hamein
O sanam o sanam o sanam..

Sidharth chuckles listening to the song.

"At first, I was hungry and thought I would give Kaka some business. Then when I saw his tired face, I wondered how much more he had to travel by paddling. Hence, I offered to drop him home. Serves both purposes you see.", She says.

The Oldman returns with two cups of coffee and gives them. He looks at Shehnaaz's mehendi hands.

"Are you both newly married couple?", The Old man asks.

"We are get married tomorrow, Kaka. Give us your blessings.", Says Shehnaaz folding her hand.

"May God bless you with happy married life and a healthy family", blesses the old man.

"Thank you Kaka", smiles Shehnaaz.

"I thought you would be hungry, so your Kaki made these hot rotis and pickle. Will you have it.", Says the old man hesitantly.

"Ofcourse Kaka. I was damn hungry.", Says Shehnaaz with a big smile.

Sidharth gives her his wallet and she pulls out a Rs. 500 note and gives it to him.

"It's okay beta, I don't want money for this. I don't even have a change", says the old man.

"Kaka, don't bother to give me a change. My would be husband has got lot of money.", She giggles.

The old man and Sidharth both chuckle at her answer.The old man accepts the money and thanks them both before bidding them bye.

Sidharth and Shehnaaz both sip on the coffee and resume their drive. Shehnaaz feeds few bites of roti and pickle to Sidharth while he drove and she simultaneously ate herself as well.

He stops the car at a silent secluded area. She looks at him puzzled and he smirks.

"What are you upto Mittu? I am telling you now itself that I don't want my first night to happen in car.", She says.

He laughs loudly and then playfully hits her on her head. She makes a frowning pout and looks at him.

"You know, your gestures amuses me and makes me fall for you deeper and deeper. You are so different from all others sweetheart. I am so so looking forward to spend my life with you. I love you my Sexyna.", He says.

She stares into his eyes and leans forward for an intense kiss.

"Mittu, though I am in no mood to go home, we have to go back. Let's grab some sleep before I become Mrs. Mittu from Sexyna tomorrow.", She says.

He nods and drives back.

_______________________

To be continued.. ❤️❤️