Shanaya: Well, You know Oldie is all strong and tough guy but inside he is a scaredy-cat.!!!
Also ask uncle not to say a word to his best friend....
Btw your new song shoot is in Kashmir right.???

(Shanaya asked texting someone)

Aditya: No.. it's in Goa... Director needs beachfront....

Shanaya: Are you sure this song is in Goa.???

Manav: Positive.!!! I have set his schedule and everything... his song shoot is in Goa....

Shanaya: Check it again.....

(Manav and Aditya both were about to check the schedule and Manav's phone received a text....)

Due to some sudden changes... The song shoot is transferred to Kashmir...

Manav: The hell.??? How can they change the location like this.???

Aditya: What happened.?

Manav: The song location has been changed to Kashmir.!!! Can. you. believe.? Last minute change.?? I don't think we will collab with them again....

(Aditya looked at Shanaya and said with a smirk...)

Aditya: Impressive.!!!!

Manav: What.??

Aditya: All thanks to Shan... I will be shooting this song in Kashmir.!!!

(Meanwhile Aarush who excused himself few minutes ago came in the living room and said...)

Aarush: What's say Shan.???

Shanaya: Job, well done.!!! (And they high fived each other.)

Manav: Geez you guys.....

Aarush: Wicked isn't it.??? (He added with a wink)

(Garima too came into the living room...)

Manav: When did you left.?? And where.??

(Garima looked at Shanaya and said..)

Garima: Luggages are packed .... Everyone is leaving except for elders... Anything personal preference you guys wanna add.. Do it accordingly... otherwise all done.!!!

Manav: Woah.!!! Now hang on a minute...!!

Shanaya: No time for that..... Where is Dixit.??

Shrivastav: He was here few minutes ago...

Shanaya: Why are you here.??

(Dixit enters the living room and says...)

Dixit: I have tried but it seems they are hard to crack......

Aarush: You can't come.?

Dixit: Commissioner's at my back.... He wants me here as there's gonna be rallies of political parties due to elections....

Garima: Shan we will need him...

Shanaya: We will see how and when we need him.... We will figure out something.....

Dixit: I was saying.... I can't come... But....(cut of by Shanaya)

Shanaya: Nope....

Dixit: Arey but listen....

Shanaya: Don't even think about it....! Not a chance Dixit....

Readers......What was Dixit about to say.???? 😏

Shanaya: We will be leaving in an hour... you guys have an hour to get your belongings.... Get ready..... As.....
The Game Is On....!

(Everyone left to their respective rooms, Shanaya was about to leave when Shrivastav stopped her)

Shrivastav: Shanaya...

(Shanaya sighed, but stopped. Without turning she asked...)

Shanaya: What is it Shrivastav? Make it quick..

Shrivastav: You actually stopped to hear me.???

Shanaya: *sigh* Don't make me regret it...

Shrivastav: You might need me there...

Shanaya: No thanks...

Dixit: Shanaya..... I won't be able to be there..... So you might need him....

Shanaya: Listen Dixit..... I am not interested in taking him there..... This ends our conversation about it and the door is on your left.....

(Saying this she left..... Dixit and Shrivastav too were leaving when Shrivastav said...)

Shrivastav: I will be going...

Dixit: You heard her....

Shrivastav: I did.... But I have done only wrong with her... if being there... I could help her in any way.... It will take a bit of this heaviness from my chest.....

Dixit: Gee.... What is that..??? Listen.... let me warn you of two things.... First.... Shanaya herself...! And second Aditya.... If by any chance you have developed any kind of feelings for her.... Stop it right now at this instance.... Cz when it comes to Shanaya..... Aditya can go to any extent....

Shrivastav: Noted... But I won't be going with them.... I will go my way....

Dixit: At your own risk bro.... My prayers and sympathy will be with you...

(All seven of them were ready to leave.... Aarush, Jihaan and Priya were way too excited...)

Aditya: Dada.. why you so excited.???

Aarush: Cz it will be so much fun to be there...

Garima: Is it cz they will be there.??

Aditya: Excuse me ..!! They.???

Shanaya: My grandparents.!! Dadu and Dida.....

Manav: Why you saying is the most disinterested tone.?? Not happy that you will meet them.?

Shanaya: I love them to the core but in any other circumstances I would be all happy and enjoying but this is different..... I am not willing to get them involved in this....

Jihaan: I cannot wait to see your that side..!

Priya: I know.... It's been ages....

Aditya: Which side....

Aarush: Oh.! You will see.... And believe me... you will love it...!

Manav: Ya ..... But still..... Which side.???

Priya: You will see the REAL side of Shanaya..... That means..... Our SHAN...!!!!

Aditya: Oh wow.!!! I always saw just a glimpse of it.... But never have I seen the whole thing.!!!!

Aarush: Well my bwoy.!!! The wait is over.....

(Aarush said being dramatic, to which Shanaya rolled her eyes and said)

Shanaya: Oh.! C'mon...!! Don't make it a big deal...!! It's not like crazy change.!!!!

Aditya: Whatever it is...!!! Can't wait to see you as "sweet" Shan.!!!!

Shanaya: Heck to the No.!!! I m not sweet.!! Call me anything but sweet.!!

Aditya: We will see about that sweetheart....

(he said that pecking her cheek and left from there with his luggage .... Shanaya just sighed and said...)

Shanaya : Aarush..... I don't want to involve them in this man.!!!

Aarush: We will try our best to keep them away from this.....

Shanaya: If by any chance due to oldie or that Shayan...! If my Dadu or Dida gets even a scratch.!! I swear to God...! They will question their own existence..!!

Garima: Geez girl calm down.!!! Nothing like that will happen.!

(She gestured Priya and Jihaan to take Shanaya to their car..... They both did the same..)

Garima: As much as I m happy to go there..... I am worried as hell....

Aarush: Same Gari..... I just hope Chief is not double crossing Shanaya...... She will break down...!! And if anything happens to her grandparents.!!! I am not sure if any of us will be able to handle her......

Garima: I am scared of that the most.... Chief going there in this situation is just pointing to that scenario itself that her grandparents are at stake.!!!!

Aarush: Just pray that the thing that we are scared of doesn't come true.!

Garima: You think Shanaya is thinking about all this.???

Aarush: She is The Shanaya Shekhawat.!! She and her deductions.!!! She's way ahead of us.!!!

(They all left for Kashmir and as soon as they reached there... All were surprised to see the beautiful farmhouse.... They were in Awe of the beauty.....)

Manav: I can understand us having this reaction after seeing it... but you guys.?? Especially you Shan.!! Why.?? (He said jokingly)

Shanaya: They renovated it.!!!!

Aarush: I know.!! But when.???

Shanaya: I wasn't aware of it.!!!

(They reached the gate and were about to ring the bell when a sweet looking old woman opened the door.... As soon as Shanaya saw her.... Her expression changed to the most sweetest and innocent face.....)

Shanaya: Didaaaaa...!!!!! (Saying this she engulfed her into a bone crushing hug...! Everyone's heart melted looking at this but 3 people were amazed to see this...!!!)

Dida: Haayeee..!!! Meri sherni aa gayi.....(My lioness has arrived....)

(Hearing this Shanaya head shot up....)

Shanaya: You knew I was coming.????

Dida: Haan phir..??? Tuodda piyo aaega to tu bhi to aani hai..!!! (Of course..!!! If your father has come.... You will come as well...!)

Manav: Wait a minute..... Punjabi.????

Shanaya: Let's just first go inside.....

(They all went in and immediately felt as if they are home..... the environment inside the house was giving them very welcoming and heartwarming feeling....!!! But something was off for Shanaya....!!)

Manav: It is so pretty.......

Aditya: It's beautiful...... Just like you.....

Dida: Oye khoteya...!!! Haat pagal...!! Flirting shlirting mere naal nai..... meri Shan naal kari.....( Do the flirting with my Shan)

Aditya: You know.???

Dida: I watch news too dearo...!! And won't we have the information about what's going on in my granddaughter's life..??? (She asked raising her one eyebrow)

Aditya: Waoh.!!! Now I know from where does Shan gets her sass from.!

Shanaya: Dida.... Where's Oldie.??

(As soon as she asked this question.... Everyone got alert.....)

Dida: He must be out for his work...! Haur kya .??

Manav: But my question still remains the same...!!! You and Punjabi...???

Shanaya: I know I know...! You are correct.... We are Rajputs..... But Dadu got transferred to Punjab.... And they lived there 30 years before moving here.... So that's why this Punjabi...!

Aditya: Wow..!! 30 years.!!!

Shanaya: Anyways... Dida.... When did you guys renovate this house..???

Dida: Recently...!! Hun te..... Shekhawat ne to ae idea ditta..!!!! (Shekhawat gave us this idea)

Shanaya: Oldie did.???? And when..???

Dida: Couple of months ago..! Why.???

Shanaya: Kuch nahi.!! Bas aise he.... (Nothing...! Just asking..)
Btw Dida..... does oldie know I m here.....??

Dida: Hayo rabba..... Le.... Huna nu batana to me bhul he gayi.!!! Thank you to remind me.! Let me call him...

Aditya: No.... We wanted to give him surprise.. ! (Aditya used his acting skills to convince Dida that they are really here to surprise him...)

Priya: Dida where is my champ.???

Dida: He must be coming soon.!! You guys get freshened..... I will ask maids to get the food ready....

(As soon as she left....)

Shanaya: All this is been planned..... Me getting hired as Adi's bodyguard seemed like plan of Mr. Oberoi and Oldie but it was a decoy of someone else's plan.!!!!

Aarush: I was not aware of this or else I would have told you...

Shanaya: I know... You don't owe me any explanation..! But something isn't right here...!!

Aditya: What do you mean?

Shanaya: Adi... I don't get feel that I used to get all the time when I come here..!! There is something that is off..!

Garima: Let's freshen up first... We will see what to do next....

Shanaya: Jihaan and Priya get the set up ready in Oldie's room... Ask the maid and she will guide you guys to his room....

(She looked at Aarush...)

Aarush: I am on it... The detector will show if there are cameras installed....

(Everyone got freshen up and were in the living room.... Jihaan, Priya and Aarush signaled Shanaya that the job assigned is done.....
They were waiting for Dida and she came with delicious lunch carried by maids....
They started to serve the food to them when Dida stopped maid to serve Shanaya.....)

Dida: Aaj to maine apne haathon se tennu khilana hai......(I wanna feed you with my own hands today)

(Shanaya's mind was continuously thinking about what to do next...... so she just said....)

Shanaya: Dida... I am ok.....

Aditya: The food is delicious Dida.... Wait.... I can call you Dida right.??

(Shanaya was drinking water)

Dida: Hain.??? Permission chahiye.??? Ae lo.... Hone wale jawai kabse permission mangne lage .???(What.? You need permission.?? Since when the would be son in law started to seek permission.?)

(Hearing this Shanaya just started coughing..!!! And everyone was surprised how casually Dida just said that..!! A tint of pink could be seen on Aditya's cheeks....)

Shanaya: The hell Dida.??? Kuch bhi..?? (She said looking as lower as she can.....)

Manav: Hehe..... It's so fun to see Shanaya with her guard down..!.!!!

Priya: Just wait and watch..... It's just the beginning...

Dida: The hell Matlab..??? Ek gal dass...... Tu Aditya nu Pyaar karti hai.???(The hell means.??? Tell me one thing... Do you love Aditya.??)

Shanaya: Ya Dida.!!! What's there to ask..?

Dida: Usade naal khush hai.? (You happy with him.??)

Shanaya: Yes Dida.....

Dida: Vyaah usade naal rachana hai na.???(You wanna marry him.??)

(As she was just going on the flow... And saying yes to all her questions...Shanaya just said...)

Shanaya: Yes Dida.......

Everyone: WOW.!!!

Aditya: Really.???
(That's when Shanaya realized what she said with the flow..... )

Shanaya: What.??? Oh.!! No..!

Aditya: No.???

Dida: Sacchi..??? No.??

Shanaya: Nai... Not like that.... Tsk.....

(She was so shy .... She just left from there leaving everyone surprised.....)

Manav: Did I just witnessed a shy Shanaya.????

Aarush: Woh chodo.... Mubarakan ji Mubarakan chotey...!

(Aditya just kept on smiling by remembering the scene that just happened by looking down.... Dida made a plate for Shanaya and went after her...
She knew exactly where she will be...
She went to the terrace garden and there she was.... Shanaya was sitting there..... the terrace garden was lit dimly with the lights.....Dida sat next to her....)

Dida: Hmm..... Aditya is on your mind.??? Thinking about him.?

Shanaya: Hmm...
(She just realized what she said....)
No.... I mean... was just thinking about..... about food.... Ya....

Dida: Food..??? Really.??

Shanaya: Yaa.... You c..cooked this d..delicious meal and I jj..just came here.... So that's w..why....

Dida: Aww.... Mera baccha mujhse chupaega..???? You stutter when you lie...

(By now almost everyone was standing by the door of the terrace garden and were amused to see this side of Shanaya )

Shanaya: Dida please....

Dida: Arey what please.?? What did I say wrong.?

(Shanaya just laid down her head in Dida's lap and said...)

Shanaya: I don't know Dida...! I love him..... But....

(Hearing this Aditya just tip toed near them and sat at a place that he could hear their conversation properly.... )

Dida: But what Shan puttar.?? Bodyguard ki life nai hote.???

Shanaya: Hoti hai... But I don't want to involve him in my mess Dida..!!

Dida: Mess..??? Keda mess.???

(Shanaya bit her tongue as she was almost about to spill the real reason of them coming here....)

Shanaya: No.... It's just.... It's too quick for me or for Aditya to think about this..... And plus why would you just say it like that Dida...??(she said pouting) in front of everyone.... In front of him..??? He hasn't even asked me yet..!!!!

(Dida saw Aditya coming but acted as if she didn't see him...)

Dida: So if he asks ..... Will you say yes.???

Shanaya: I don't know Dida...!! His safety is my first priority right now.....

Dida: Haaye mera baccha..... You are just denying what your heart desires..... Hai na.??

(Shanaya didn't say anything... She just buried her face in her lap and as her Dida was patting her head.... She slept..... Aditya just came.... As eventually he also came to know that Dida knows that he is here....
As soon as he came.... Dida gave him a playful wink and gestured him to pick up Shanaya and drop her off in her room....
Aditya picked up sleeping Shanaya and was about to leave when Dida said......)

Dida: She really loves you.....

(Aditya looked at now sleeping Shanaya in her arms and said....)

Aditya: I know..... Itna that she is still worried about my safety..!!!

Dida: Bodyguard duty.... What can I say.?? But now you get on your Boyfriend duty khoteya.! Make her believe that she is the only one for you.....

(Aditya was taken aback by such straightforward statement from Dida...)

Aditya : M..Matlab...???

Dida: What I said downstairs.........!You okay with it.???

Aditya:......

Dida: Think about it.... And if you get the answer........ Jaan laga do... use yakeen dilane me....
And what better place...... you are in Kashmir.... Heaven on Earth......!!!

(Saying this she left and so did Aditya with thought of what Dida said and he wants to do....)

(Everyone was up and were in the living room, the only person who was missing was Shanaya.... )

Aditya: Shanaya is not up yet..??? Strange....

(At the same time a very sweet and kind looking old man entered the room....
Looking at him Jihaan, Priya and Aarush ran to him and hugged him.,..)

Jihaan: Dadu.... Kya yaar.... I was waiting for you yesterday....

Dadu: Sorry jaani...... I came late yesterday..... And about Shan.... She is out for a jog....

Jihaan: She's on it already.??

Dida: On what.???

Garima: N..Nothing Dida..... Just.... Keeping herself fit and all you know.... As her gym is not here.!!!!

(She tried to divert the topic)

Aditya: Damn.! I wish she told me.... I would have joined too..... I miss my gym already.!!!!!

(He added so the excuse of Garima looks more believable...)

Dida: Anyways..... you guys start eating breakfast....

Dadu: Ya then my friend's grandson will be coming over too...

Aarush: Your friend's grandson.??? Why.??

Dadu: He says he know you guys....

Aditya: Really.??? I wonder who is he..!!!

(They all finished doing breakfast and we're sitting in the living room when the doorbell rings..... A maid went to open the door and Dadu stood up as soon as he saw the person who came....)

Dadu: Aah... here he is.....

(Everyone turned to look at him and were shocked to see who he was.....)

Any guesses.????

Aditya: Shrivastav.????

Dida: So you guys do know him.???

Manav: Yup.... Very well.....

(Dida took Shrivastav to the dining area and offered him some coffee and snacks at the same time Shanaya came after her jog )

Shanaya: I am back Dida...... I will need my coffee in a bit...... I'll be back after freshening up....

(she didn't care to look around and just yelled and left for her room)

Aarush: Oh dear lord........

Jihaan: It's about to go down.....

Priya: Why on Earth he came when Shanaya clearly said no to him...?

Aditya: I am not liking it at all.....

(Meanwhile Shanaya came down after freshening up and went to the dining area followed by the whole group... but at that time Shrivastav just left to wash his sleeves as a bit of his coffee spilled on his shirt.... Shanaya thought the coffee laying on the table is hers and she took the cup in her hand and was about to take a sip when Aditya screamed.....)

Aditya: SHANAYA......

(Shanaya turned shock clearly seen on her face....)

Shanaya: Geez Adi.... You scared the hell out of me.... Why did you scream.????

Aditya: I scared you.???? Oh.... I...... um..... this coffee is not yours.....

Shanaya: Not mine.??? What are you saying.??? Whose is it then...? Aren't you guys done with breakfast....?

Garima: Ya we are... But this coffee is of....

Shrivastav: Mine....

(Hearing this voice Shanaya just turned around and saw Shrivastav wiping off her sleeve..... )

Shanaya: What the fuck are you doing here.???? (She asked angrily.... From her tone it's very clear she is not liking him coming here..)

Dadu: Language Shanaya....!

Shanaya: I am sorry Dadu...... (She said getting a bit calm and looking down like a small kid)

Shrivastav: Aww... Sweet.!! This side of yours is really cute...

Aditya: The hell.???? Did he just.????

Manav: Ooooo no.!!!!!

Aarush: Hey Bhagwan.!!!! What did he just say.????

Aditya: I am gonna choke him to death.... (He said getting a bit jealous...)

(Shanaya's head too shot up and said getting annoyed.....)

Shanaya: Do hell with language.??? Why the fuck is he here.??? And what did you just say.???

Dida: Puttar language....

(Ignoring completely her Dida and Dadu She just rushed towards Shrivastav but in hurry and anger she instead tripped over but Shrivastav caught her.....)

Aditya: Shan....

(Shanaya straighten herself but Shrivastav was still holding her....)

Shanaya: Get .your .filthy .hands .off .me...

(Shrivastav as if came out of a trance took back his hands...)

Shrivastav: You okay Shan.???

(Before Shanaya could answer him.... Aditya came in between them and stood as if shielding Shanaya and said....)

Aditya: Shanaya....... It's Shanaya for you....! (He said straight looking into his eyes)

(Before the matter escalates Shanaya said...)

Shanaya: Oldie will be here in about an hour..... Dida and Dadu.... Why don't you guys go out and join the aarti in the nearby mandir... on my way home I heard someone saying there is an aarti held at the mandir.... And we will be able to surprise oldie.....

Dida: You know what.... Now that you say it..... it's been a while.... I agree... let's go....(she said looking at Dadu....)

(After some time they left and everyone in the house started to take their places... After About an hour Chief came and saw there was no one in the house so he left for his room.... He opened his room and it was pitch black..... it was day time.... How the room got pitch black he wondered.... Before he could go out of the room and check the door close shut.... And the TV of the room turned ON on its own..... He started to get scared and started to yell...."Who is it?"
Soon on the TV two kids were seen playing, one girl and one boy and girl was older than boy.... After playing for a bit..... they started to go up a hill..... and in the background..... the rhyme that Chief taught Shanaya started to be narrated by a very highly whispered voice which was sounding very scary .......
Soon the boy was seen falling from the hill into the lake and was seen drowning in it...... You could see Chief was terrified and shocked..... after a while the girl was seen running down the hill and went near the lake searching for the boy but she couldn't find her and sat there crying.... The video comes to an end but a question then blinks on the screen......
WHO WAS HE????)

(Chief was all crawled up by the corner of the bed and all sweaty.......)

(As soon as he saw that he screamed....)

Chief: SHAYAN.......

(All the lights tuned ON and Shanaya barged into the room followed by the others and went to Chief.... Stood in front of him crossing her arms who was still shaking....)

Shanaya: So I do have a brother.??? (She asked raising an eyebrow....)

(Chief just nodded his head in yes as he was still catching his breath....)

Shanaya: That's how I lost him.??? I lost him while playing with him.?? Why the fuck did you tell me that I lost them in an accident..?? Though I never believed that as before you just used to say that I lost them..... Never clarified how...????

Chief: Language........ and ...... It's......... It's........ Not ....... You...!!!

(His this words shocked everyone....... Shanaya made him stand .... Holded his collar and asked him....)

Shanaya: What the hell did you just say..?? It's not me.??? What the hell do you mean by that..???

(Chief's head shot up and he said....)

Chief: Who are you.??? And what kind of behavior is this..???

(Shanaya got more angry and said..)

Shanaya: Your worst nightmare..... Before I loose my cool Shekhawat.... Tell me... What the fuck to do you mean that it's not me....??? Look at me you Nuthead.......

(Chief looked straight in her eyes and asked the same question freeing himself from her clutches...)

Chief: I am asking again.... Who are you.??? Why are you here in my parents' house.??? Where are they.????

(Everyone was shocked to hear this from Chief..)

Shanaya: What the hell.??? Now you don't even recognize me..??? Seriously.??  What kinda trick are you pulling off to cover up your mistake you old man.!!!

Chief: Move back..... I am warning you.... Don't you dare come close to me...... I will call the police......

Shanaya: Police..?? (She laughed off) Dude I am freaking bodyguard...... that too a Top Notch Bodyguard....Forgot or what.??

Priya: Now is no time to show off Shan....

Chief: I don't know about you but my son surely is the best Bodyguard .....Now scram off before I expose you in front of the media.....

Aditya: Media.???

(Chief looked at him and smiled and said....)

Chief: Oh hello Mr. Aditya.... Yes media... They know that you are here for your song shoot... So you know they are outside for your interview and all.....

Manav: Oh! So you know that his song shoot was shifted here.???

Chief: Of coarse Mr. Manav..!!! Our bodyguard for you is very on point regarding your schedule...!!!

Aditya: What.??? But my bodyguard is...(cut of by Chief)

Chief: Ya your bodyguard is our very best..... Shayan Shekhawat..... He is out for some arrangements regarding your security for tomorrow's shoot.... And you..... (he said pointing at Shanaya....)
You better stay away from me and my family...... Or else it won't take me a second thought to hand over you to the police...... Infact you know what I don't want to wait for second time..... The Kashmir police knows me and my son Shayan very well....... I am going to call them right now and get you arrested..... I cannot risk my family's safety under the eyes of people like you.....

Saying this he left the room... everyone follows him.... he takes his phone and calls the Kashmir police....)

Chief: Hello officer ..... Shekhawat here.... I need to report a complaint...... There is an unknown girl in my parents' house.... I feel my family is not safe.... I need you send the officers and arrest her....

All: What..????

Manav: He actually called..???

Aditya: Noo... he didn't...!!!

(After few minutes..... they could hear a faint sound of siren of police.......

Also the faces behind the names...

Shrivastav

Dida

Dadu

Hope you liked the choices of the characters...

Aaaaaaaaaand.....
Here it is.......
The chapter is here.....

I know I am late...
And believe me..
I would have uploaded early but I deleted 6-7 drafts as I was not satisfied.....

I was 🤏 close to end this book or put it on hold but thanks to kairasidneet I rejected my that idea and decided to go with this track of the book....

Hope you are liking the new twist and turns...
Was it expected.???? 😉
Also....
What do you think is coming up.???
What's cooking in my innocent brain..?? 😏
Anyone.????

Chalo....
Will take your leave...
Sorry but not sorry to leave you guys at cliffhanger.... 😏

Till next time...
TC
Aadios Amigos
-HP