"Shehnaaz, tumne saari list check kar li na decoration ki?" Sidharth asked as they gathered in the school's auditorium one afternoon. The group was setting up a rough sketch of how the venue would look on the big day.

"Haan maine kar liya hai" Shehnaaz replied, handing him her neatly compiled list.

"Good, lekin khaane ka bhi dekhna hai abhi" Neil chimed in, his forehead creased with worry.

"I will handle that" Kushal said confidently, scribbling notes on his notepad "Bass mujh par barosa rakho sab"

Shreya laughed "Just make sure it's not all sweets. We need some variety!"

Everything seemed to be going smoothly. That is, until they heard familiar voices echo from the far end of the hall.

"Oh, dekho to kon hai yaha ! Miss Perfect Shehnaaz, still acting all important" Richa sneered, flanked by her two best friends, Anika and Tanya "Planning prom night? Maybe you'll even get a dance partner this time"

Shehnaaz stiffened. She had been the target of Richa's mockery for years. But this time, it cut deeper. Not because of the words themselves, but because Richa had once been Sidharth's closest friend, and Shehnaaz knew that a part of her still associated him with them, even though he had changed.

"Ignore, Shehnaaz" Kushal said quietly, sensing her discomfort.

But Richa wasn't done "Sidharth, tumhe kya ho gaya?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm "I mean, look at them. Especially her" she point her finger towarde Shehnaaz.

Sidharth's face darkened, and without hesitation, he stepped forward "Richa, enough," he said firmly, his tone sharp.

Richa raised her eyebrows in mock surprise "Oh, to ab tum ise bachaoge"

Sidharth's jaw clenched, but before he could respond, Richa added, "You used to be fun, Sidharth but inke saath rehkar tum bhi boring hote ja rahe ho"

Shehnaaz couldn't hold back any longer. Her hands were trembling, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. Before she could stop herself, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the auditorium.

"Shehnaaz, Ruko" Sidharth called after her, but she didn't stop.

"Aur tum apni limit me rahi Richa, shukar manao ladki ho tum isliye abhi tak mera haath nahi utha hai lekin agar ab tumne kuch kara to main ek baar bhi sochunga" he said while gritted his teeths.

Without wasting another second, Sidharth followed her out. He found her sitting on the steps just outside the auditorium, her shoulders shaking as she tried to hide her tears.

"Shehnaaz" Sidharth began gently, approaching her.

She looked up at him, her eyes red from crying. "Why.... Kiu sab mujhe se nafrat karte hai?" she whispered. "Maine kitni koshish ki but it's never enough for people like Richa".

Sidharth sighed deeply, sitting down beside her "It's not about you, Shehnaaz, Richa jese log ... they make others feel small to feel better about themselves, ye unki soch batata hai na ki tumhari"

She sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand "tum bhi to unke jese the na" she said, her voice trembling. "Tum bhi to mera mazak banate the na bilkul Richa jese"

Her words hit him hard, but he did not flinch. Instead, he looked at her with a sincerity she had not seen before.

"I know" he admitted "Mujhe pata hai main unke jesa tha and I'm sorry for that. Pehle, I did not realize how much it hurt people. I was blind to it because main us group ka part tha. But now i realized my mistake.

Shehnaaz stared at him, surprised by his honesty.

"Bohot ganda regret ho raha hai" Sidharth continued "And I'm trying ki main ek better insaan ban saku. I don't want to be that person anymore, isliye maine unko chhord diya wo sab chhord diya. And that's why I'm here now, trying to make things right. Especially with you."

Shehnaaz remained silent for a moment, letting his words sink in. It was not easy to forget the past, but she could see the genuine remorse in his eyes. For the first time, she felt like she was not alone in her pain.

"Main.... Wo" Shehnaaz started, her voice breaking. "I just want to be accepted. Is that too much to ask?"

Sidharth shook his head softly "No, it's not. And you are accepted. You're smart, hardworking, and kind"

Shehnaaz smiled weakly, though tears still glistened in her eyes "Thank you"

Sidharth nodded "We'll finish the preparations together. Richa ki baatein bhul jaao wo itni worth it nahi hai ki usko yaad rakha jaaye"

With his words, Shehnaaz felt a little lighter. For the first time, she did not feel crushed under the weight of the constant ridicule. She had always felt vulnerable, but today, Sidharth's support had given her the strength to carry on.

♡♡♡♡♡♡

The night of the prom arrived, and the school auditorium had been transformed into a dazzling venue. Golden lights twinkled like stars, and soft music played in the background as the students entered in their finest attire. Shehnaaz stood at the entrance, checking the final details, feeling a sense of pride in the work she and the team had accomplished.

Sidharth approached her, dressed in a sharp black suit "You did an amazing job" he said, his voice full of admiration.

She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her "We all did".

"Tumne change nahi kara?" He asked looking at her in school uniform.

"Bass ja rahi thi last minute sab check kar rahi thi"

"Okay ab jaao aur ready ho jaao sab teachers aane wale hai".

"Okay" she said and left to get ready, few girls who helped in the preparation are getting ready in the school itself.

She changed herself in the beautiful gown.

As the evening progressed and the atmosphere in the room became more electric, the soft strains of a familiar song began to fill the auditorium. The moment the first notes of "Aankhon Mein Teri" from Om Shanti Om played, the mood shifted entirely. The romantic melody, slow and dreamy, spread like magic across the room.

Sidharth turned to Shehnaaz, who stood by the side, lost in the music for a moment. Her face softened, her eyes shimmering under the lights as the lyrics flowed through the speakers.

Aankhon mein teri, ajab si ajab si adaayein hain

Sidharth took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before stepping closer to her "Shehnaaz," he said, his voice gentle but confident, "would you like to dance?".

Shehnaaz hesitated, her bite her lips, blinking up at him. Her heart was racing. Why would he want to dance with me? she thought, glancing at the other couples already swaying to the music. But the sincerity in Sidharth's eyes melted away her doubts. She gave him a small nod.

With a smile, Sidharth held out his hand, and Shehnaaz, feeling her pulse quicken, placed hers in his. Together, they stepped onto the dance floor, the soft lights reflecting off their faces.

Dil ko banade jo patang, saansein ye teri wo hawaayein hain

The words washed over them, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room. Sidharth placed his hand on her waist while she rested hers lightly on his shoulder. Their movements were slow, in sync with the rhythm of the music. Shehnaaz could feel the warmth of his hand against her skin, grounding her in a moment that felt almost surreal.

The music continued to play, and with each note, Shehnaaz felt herself letting go of her anxieties, of the weight that had been pressing on her all day. As she looked into Sidharth's eyes, she saw something she had not noticed before. It was not just kindness or regret, there was admiration, a kind of quiet respect that she had not seen in him before.

Aankhon mein teri, ajab si ajab si adaayein hain

Shehnaaz felt her cheeks flush as the lyrics seemed to speak directly to her. The world around them seemed to blur as they danced, the music weaving a cocoon of comfort and understanding. Sidharth's grip tightened just slightly, guiding her gently across the floor, his gaze never leaving hers.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Shehnaaz did not feel like the quiet girl who was often overlooked. She did not feel like the target of ridicule, or someone who needed to hide. In this moment, with the music playing softly around them and Sidharth by her side, she felt seen. Not by the crowd, not by her classmates, but by him.

Aayi aisi raat hai jo, Bohot khush-naseeb hai, Chaahe jisse door se duniya,Vo mere kareeb hai.

They moved slowly, swaying to the rhythm of the song. Sidharth placed one hand gently on her waist while holding her hand with the other. Shehnaaz was stiff at first, unsure of how to relax in the moment. But as the song continued, she began to loosen up, feeling the warmth of the music and the surprising ease with which they moved together.

Kitna kuch kehna hai
Fir bhi hai dil mein sawaal kaheen
Sapnon mein jo roz kaha hai
wo phir se kahun Ya nahee

Sidharth, for his part could not take his eyes off her. The lights danced in her dark eyes, and for the first time, he realized just how much he had missed out on by never really seeing her before.

Tere saath saath aisa
Koi noor aaya hai
Chaand teri raushni ka
Halka sa ik sayaa hai

As their eyes met, something unspoken passed between them. And for the first time, Shehnaaz did not feel like the awkward, bullied girl anymore. She felt seen.

Teri nazron ne dil ka kiya jo hasharr
Asarr ye hua
Ab inmein hi doobke ho jaaun paar
Yehi hai dua

As the song reached its final verse, Sidharth whispered "You know, I'm really glad I'm here, dancing with you. You deserve this, Shehnaaz. You deserve to feel special"

Her heart swelled at his words, and she found herself smiling, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached her eyes.

The song ended softly, the last notes fading into the night. They both stopped, still close, their breaths mingling as the air around them settled.

For a moment, they stood there, the world paused. Sidharth gently released her, but the connection between them lingered. It was not just the dance or the song. It was something deeper, something that had changed between them.

And as the night continued, with the music shifting into something faster, more upbeat, Shehnaaz knew that this prom would remain etched in her heart forever. Not just because of the song, or the dance, but because of the way Sidharth had made her feel, seen, understood, and most importantly, valued.

♡♡♡♡♡♡

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That is it for today.

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