Proof reading not done. Will do when I get time. Also, part in Italics indicates events from past. Happy Reading!

***

The house was decorated with fairy lights and disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The vibe created was something he needed after a hectic day from his office. He just had his first internship through campus placement and he was over the top! But what he didn't know was, that his first job was not that easy! He had a lot of work to do and his personal life was almost nil. Being unpaid intern was insane. But today was an exception.

It was a house party at his friend's place and he reached there on time. He had worn a whilte shirt with black simple casual jacket and paired it with jeans and white sneakers. He was enjoying the party with friends when a sensational song played and he vibed to it hard. The song was a craze back then and it was "Hooka Bar"! Every party, every function and even in wedding Sangeets, this song was mandatory. The craze Akshay Kumar brought had always been insane. Probably this was the only song of Himesh Reshammiya he liked! As he was vibing to the line "Hai Junoon Ik Sawar Main To Bhula Sansaar..." the music stopped.

And within seconds, he accidentally shouted, "Kya Yaar!" And at the same time he heard the same exclamation from behind. He took a look behind and found a beautiful figure. She was clad in a beautiful yet simple black top and white palazzo pants with black dotted pattern. Her hazel brown eyes were searching for someone and her nose was scrunched. And the frown she had on her head screamed that she might kill someone if the music didn't play again. Siddharth smiled and shook his head. "Sorry Guys! Vo mere haathon se band ho gaya tha...galti se!" He heard his friend apologize and the music started all over again.

This time instead of vibing, for some unknown reasons, he looked over to his right and found that figure dancing and jumping with the beats of the song. Her face glowed under the pink and purple lights of the disco and she was looking phenomenal. The minimal amount of make up and the silver chain around her neck with butterfly pendant shined brightly too! The way she closed her eyes and ruffled her pitch black tresses was something that added more to her dance moves. He was just admiring the grace she carried. He could figure out that she was just going with the flow and not really caring what she was doing. But ironically, her careless dancing was way better than he was dancing for which he had practiced for almost two days! Yes. He had practiced some generic dance moves as he hated when he embarrassed himself...specially in public. He made sure he was perfect from his point of view, may not be for other. He shook his head and continued his conscious dancing and enjoying the party. Later it was called night and they all decided to leave.

He sat on his bike and was wearing helmet when he heard a familiar voice, "Siddharth! Bhai sun na!" He heard and looked to his left and found Karan, his friend and that beautiful figure beside him. She still had that frown on. She seemed worried about something.

"Bol na!" Siddharth said.

"Actually, yeh Shehnaaz hai...meri friend hai...Vo...um...can ask you something?" Karan fumbled.

"Of course! Hi Shehnaaz!" Siddharth exclaimed and she smiled at him softly. He knew the possibility and the smile that crept on his face was uncontrollable.

"Can you drop her off? Yaha Rikshaw bhi nahi hai and it's pretty late...Aur tere raaste mein hi iska apartment complex hai...to..." Karan hesitated but continued, "Also, I trust you so...can you please?" He asked further.

"Only if she is comfortable." Siddharth answered softly and her head snapped in his direction. That was the very first time their eyes met!

"Hmm?" He asked again and she seemed to have come back from her thoughts and nodded with a smile. Shehnaaz bid a brief goodbye to Karan and sat on his bike. Siddharth wore the helmet and a huge, wide smile on his face. He had no idea what was happening to him and why was he behaving like this. But whatever it was, he liked it. The ride started and it was very awkward...or extremely awkward.

"So...Himesh Reshammiya fan?" He asked after a brief argument between his mind and heart.

"Are you trying to judge me?" Siddharth heard and bit his tongue. It was absolutely not what he meant. His choice of words had always been bad, especially while talking to girls. The question seemed to had offended her but the poor guy was just trying to initiate a conversation!

"Sirf kuch ho gaano ke liye." She said a while later, maybe after observing him?

"Same!" Siddharth answered. "Let me guess, un gaano mein Aashiq Banay aata hai!'' He exclaimed.

"Jhalak Dikhlaja Bhi!" She exclaimed.

"Yess!" Siddharth exclaimed too! They spread a glace through the mirror and nodded.

"Jhalak Dikhlaajaaa Jhalak Dikhlaajjaa! Ek baar aajaa aajaa aajjaa aajjjaa aaaaajjaaa!" They both screamed as they went by the empty lane. It was an unspoken rule that whenever you mention Jhalak Dikhkaja, it is mandatory to sing the hook at least once! If you and your friends don't do that, well you need new friends!

"Vaise ek secret batau?" She asked, subconsciously keeping her hand on his shoulder as that arm carried her purse and it was painful. She had directly come from the office and party was indeed tiring. Siddharth's heart fluttered as her hand landed on his right shoulder.

"Go ahead." Siddharth said.

"Mujhe ek haseena thi gaana bhi pasand hai! But people judge me for that! Itna bura bhi nahi hai vo!" Shehnaaz pouted and he could see that through the side mirror of his bike.

"Well, original in the voice of Kishore Da is best. But that song was the only good thing in the movie Karz! Lol!" Siddharth said and mentally smacked himself. Who says lol? If what he said is funny, she will laugh. What was the need to say lol? Lol seems so obnoxious! Wait what? And the very next moment he heard Shehnaaz laugh.

"Actually! The transformation from Dino Morey to Himesh Reshammiyan was straight up -360°!" Shehnaaz said and they both giggled.

The ride and the conversation that seemed awkward and slow, gradually felt jolly and filled with interesting conversations.

"Saheb. O Saheb! Kaha Kho Gaye?" He heard the watchman knock on his window. He slid the window down and the watchman borderline shouted on him, "Kabse Awaz De Raha Hun par aap to apni hi duniya mein khoye ho!" He said. "Idhar nahi thoda aage jake gadi park karo." He instructed and Siddharth apologized to the watchman for his careless behavior.

His heart was still beating miles per hours and his hands were shaking as he was driving. As soon as she ran away, he ran too. He was practically trembling...not with fear but with a shock. The shock of seeing her again. The shock of someone calling her Mumma. But he was a father too right? He didn't know what he was thinking or what was happening. He was just shaking. He kept driving away until he reached a certain place. Banging the door of car, he walked out and sat on the bench with his head in his hands. As tears streamed down, unknown to him, he felt a soft touch on his shoulder. Shivers, goosebumps, chills and every possible synonym of that feeling ran down his spine and his heart started beating erratically. He had no idea what was happening and before he looked up to that face, he had been through a roller coster of emotions. He knew who it was yet he chose to look up. To look up and look at her again after years of longing. Look at her just to see her hazel eyes again. Just to see his Shehnaaz again.

***

The erratic heartbeats and the chaos in his brain fell silent in a mere seconds as their eyes met. Those hazel eyes met those dark ones. The world came to complete standstill as this was the least expected meet. No even a single blink interrupted them and not even a single breath left their bodies until the realization dawned in and they gasped.

"Bye Mumma!"

"Bye Papa!"

They heard and that came down like a hard slap on their faces and souls. Shehnaaz couldn't believe. She trembled in shock and sweat beads formed on her forehead. Her palms became sweaty too as she curled her fingers tightly. Gasping, she turned around and sprinted down the staircase. She even tripped and fell but all she wanted to do was run away. It was him last time and now, it is her. She ran like a crazy woman and panted as she stopped by her car. Taking a look around, she sat inside her car and rested her head on the steering wheel. She took deep breaths to calm herself down and wiped her face with the tissue kept on the dashboard. It was him? HIM? SIDDHARTH? AND PAPA? Numerous questions messed up her mental state and she gulped down the water from the bottle. The water almost spilled all over her front. After nine years. Nine whole years, they met or just saw each. And her mind slipped to her last meet with him.

"Mujhe der to nahi ho gayi aane mein?" She heard and a tear slipped down her eyes and rolled through the thick layer of kajal and make-up. She looked behind her reflection in the mirror and saw him. Her Love. But the fate. The fate had chosen different paths for them. The red net veil with golden embroidery along the edges was rested over her Mang-tika and the red round bindi looked perfect on her. She was dressed in her dream wedding dress but the groom was not her dream man. She looked at her hands painted with henna and whispered, "Bohot Jyada." Wiping off the drop quickly, she got up and smiled at him. He locked the door behind him and smiled back. The helplessness behind those smiles known to both of them.

"Bohot khoobsurat lag rahi hai tu Shehnaaz!" He barely spoke as his jaw pained and tears were ready come out but he held them back.

"Tch!" He clicked his tongue and inched further. Taking the veil in his hands, he pulled it up a bit further and smiled, "Perfect." He whispered.
She held his wrist and pulled his hands down. She pulled him closer and gripped his hands tighter. "Mat kar." She whispered.

He freed his hands cupped her face, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks which were covered with blush, making sure he doesn't wipe even a single particle of the powder. He inched forward and touched his forehead to her's. She closed her eyes and this time tears rolled down freely from their eyes. "Shehnaazzzzz." He called softly.

"Hmm." Shehnaaz hummed.

"This is the last time we are meeting." He said and she closed her eyes tighter.

"Hmm." She hummed coldly.

"This is the last time we are seeing each other. As I promised your Mom and Dad, I will see you sit in the Mandap and leave. Walk out of the venue and your life." Siddharth said taking his hands back and moving away.

"Be happy. And yes, do not take any crap of anyone. Be strong and the way you are." He spoke the minimum words as his chocked throat and paining jaw was not allowing to say anything further. His vision blurred with tears and he sniffed, rubbing his nose. "Chal main...main...ne...neeche...ja raha hun..." Siddharth fumbled and turned away wiping his eyes with handkerchief.

"Siddharthhhh" he heard her helpless and hopeless cry. "Ek Hug Bhi Nahi Karega Jaane Se Pehele?" She asked him between her hiccups and he just shook his head. Throwing the piece of cloth away, he turned behind and almost ran to fill her up in his arms. They held each other close for the one last time and cried...cried their hearts out yet silently. Making sure no one heard them. Their cries, their pain, their wrecked emotional health, their broken hearts and their... Crushed Love. His one arm held her close by her waist and with the other hand he held her head. Yet again making sure he doesn't spoil her beautifully set hair with a colorful hairpin under the red net veil. She let her heart empty through her tears and cluched his white shirt tightly between her soft palms. It was hard...extremely hard or impossible for her to let go off him but she had to. She had to leave him someday and he had to leave her too. They both knew that.

They both knew that the cultural differences between their families would never ever let them be together but they still chose to. They hid their relationship for seven years and tried every possible way to make their parents agree. But the fear of society had hypnotized their parent's mind. At no cost were they ready for this relationship. Neither Siddharth's family nor Shehnaaz's family. The option of eloping to get married had always been closed as they had decided, either they will marry with their parent's will or break off. And this was in destiny's hand...Who like the second option more. Moreover, Siddharth had to promise her parents that after Shehnaaz sits in the Mandap, he will walk out. Walk out of the venue and her life....forever. Their seven year relationship came to a brutal end.

But wasn't this the story of majority of inter-cast couples? So many couples have to hide their relationship, break off their relationship, elope due to this society. Some of them are even killed...Honor killing. All because of the Society. Yes society. Who judges LOVE. Love...which is pure and which does not see any barriers. When will society see beyond one's gender, one's class, one's cast and one's religion? When will society see beyond all this and see LOVE? PURE LOVE? Maybe the answer was 'NEVER'.

"Madam. Ooo Madam. Are kya chalu hai? Udhar vo ek saheb sadme mein tha aur yaha ye Madam." The watchman huffed and kept knocking on the door vigorously. "Madam idhar park mat karo, aage jake karo." He said as soon as Shehnaaz slid the wind. "Sorry Kaka." She apologized.

She started the car, her heart was thumping and her head was spinning. Her hands were shaking...not even shivering...but shaking. Her legs fell weak and her body fell weak too. The chaos and mess in her head was shouting and howling. She drove off and wiped her face from time to time. Taking deep breaths she drove somewhere specific and parked the car. Locking it, she walked through the bushes and reached her place. That was when she noticed someone. Him...Him?

"Don't go Shehnaaz. You are inviting trouble to your own self." Her mind instructed her.

"Go Shehnaaz. It's been years to that thing. At least ask him how he is." Her heart suggested and that suggestion seemed accurate than the other. With wobbling legs, shivering hands and chaotic mind, she approached him. Her heart thumped against her chest and she kept her unsteady hand on his right shoulder. Just like she did for the very first time. She looked at him and noticed how the sobs stopped and he took deep breaths; before finally looking up at her.

"Hi..." Shehnaaz mumbled and waited for the response but instead found him looking in her eyes without even a blink nor even a slightest twitch on his face.

"Siddharth?'' He heard and pulled him out of his trance. He was practically lost. Lost...not in her eyes but his own thoughts. She wasn't real. It was just him imagination...again.

"Siddharth?" She called him out again and inched closer as she heard some murmurs. She watched him pull his hair in frustration and murmur, "she is not real. It's your imagination again. You ran... You walked away from her life. She will never come back." Tears rolled down her eyes as she heard his whispers and sat beside him.

"Siddharthhhh! I am real...look at me..." Shehnaaz said taking his hand out of his hairs and his head snapped at him. Done. He was done. She is real? SHE IS REAL!!! He wiped off his eyes and his lips curled up a bit.

"Are you okay?" He heard and nodded.

"I am fine." He said trying to smile but didn't understand why it was so difficult.

"No you are not." Shehnaaz argued.

"Right. Right. Right." He said releasing a sigh and wiped his face.

"See! You are not okay! Repeating 'Right' three times is a classic sign of Siddharth not being okay." Shehnaaz said as she knew his habits thoroughly. Siddharth's heart skipped a beat.

"Aree no!" He said back and Shehnaaz sighed.

"Vaise itne saalo ke baad mile hai hum aur itni si reaction?" She asked him playfully. Trying to cheer their broken souls up.

"Accha? Abhi dus minute pehele tum bhaag gayi thi. Bhool gayi?" Siddharth asked raising his eyebrow and Shehnaaz bit her tongue.

"Vo...vo main..." Shehnaaz fumbled, embarrassed.

"Darr gayi thi?" Siddharth asked and tried to control the smile that was slowly breaking on his lips. She looked so embarrassed! Almost red!

She knitted her eyebrows and was about say something but instead said, "Haa..." she whispered in her low voice and he laughed, finally. Recalling the previous moment.

"Tum has rahe ho?" She pouted.

"Hasu nahi to kya karu? Main khaane wala tha tumhe? Itna to Mario bhi nahi bhaagta!" He said and burst out laughing again.

"Tumne mujhe Mario kaha? Matlab Mota kaha? Baki kuch nahi to sharam aati hogi na Siddharth? Sharam karle!" Shehnaaz exclaimed and smacked Siddharth's arm.

"Vaise baat sahi hai! Tu moti nahi rahi ab! Is your husband starving you?" Siddharth joked and her expressions changed within seconds.

"No. And anyways I don't need a husband to feed me. Uske bharose pe nahi chalta mera kuch." Shehnaaz said a stone cold voice which depicted that she was mad. And why would she not be? These disgusting remarks always got on her nerve. Yes disgusting. Just because a woman is married, does not mean she totally dependent on her husband....at least for food! Remarks like 'husband is feeding you well' or 'do you eat on behalf of your kid too? because they are so thin!' Were some common ones she had heard. Weren't they sexist and borderline shaming the women? For past nine years she had heard them and every woman goes through these taunts and remarks. People say it casually but for one who hears is knows the best. In past years she had observed these little things and made sure she instantly gave back. She didn't expect this from Siddharth at least. But well, she had learned to deal with shattering expectations. Swiping the conversation under the carpet, she decided to be nice.

"Kaise ho Siddharth?" Shehnaaz asked softly.

"Kaise hona chahiye mujhe?" He asked her back and her heart pained.

"Pata nahi...Shayad Khush? Unlike me..." Shehnaaz said and whispered the last part under her breath.

"Khush? Pata nahi. Shayad hun, shayad nahi...Pata nahi. I don't know where I stand. It's just all plain and uninteresting. " Siddharth poured the mess of his thoughts out. He knew he can't hide anything from her. Even after nine years to their break-up, he knew he can pour his heart and thoughts out in front of her. And she knew that too. Even after almost a decade, she can listen to him with patience too. Some habits and some people never leave your hearts. Love never dies! It never does if it's real and to pour your heart out or listen to someone, you essentially don't need love right? There was silence. Extreme silence. The only noise they heard was of people walking around as they sat at the very end of the park. The sound cricket flies ringed in the silence but did not disturb them. The silence wasn't empty nor was it an awkward silence. It was the normal silence they had when they were back together, years ago. Whenever in mess, be it physical, emotional or work related, the couple Siddharth and Shehnaaz would sit in silence and calm themselves down. Even the presence of each other was enough to make,e them calm. And at present they were in a mess. A huge emotional mess.

"Vaise, what's the name of you daughter?" Siddharth asked with a painful smile.

"Shaalmalee." Shehnaaz whispered shocking Siddharth to his core. Shaalmalee? Before he could think, she asked him the same question.

"What about your son?" Shehnaaz asked hoping not to hear that name. But it shattered as Siddharth answered,
"Athaang."

Their heads snapped at each other and their eyes darted into each other. They gasped and some memories came back running to them.

"Kullu!" She called him out sweetly as she poured some oil on her palm and rubbed it together, to warm it up.

"Hmm." Siddharth hummed holding her leg that hanged down his shoulders.

"Bohot cringy lagega but....chhod rehne de...let's not." Shehnaaz started but shut up as she knew Siddharth would find it weird.

"Bata na." Siddharth said.

"Nahi." Shehnaaz answered.

"Please bata!" He pleaded.

"Nahi." She answered. As soon as he heard nahi, Siddharth tickled her feet and Shehnaaz was laughing mess.

"Mera dress kharab ho jayega agar tel gir gaya to!" Shehnaaz managed to speak between her laughs.

"Jab tak tu nahi batayegi main nahi rukunga." Siddharth answered and Shehnaaz finally gave up.

"Tu Hasega mere pe aur tere ander ka Sadu Siddharth phirse jag jayega. And honestly tu mujhe chidhayega and I will be embarrassed for rest of my life!" Shehnaaz ranted.

"Kuch bhi!" Siddharth exclaimed and continued, "Acchha, Promise nahi chidhaunga.." Siddharth said.

"Matlab tu hasega?" Shehnaaz asked raising her eyebrow.

"If you have a small baby girl, what would you name her? Like what names do you like for children. Before you start thinking in some other tangent, let me tell you, my cousin was just blessed a baby girl and the letter was 'S' so they named her 'Saina'. Toh I am asking what would you do in such situation." Shehnaaz said in one go, giving the justification as well for her question.

"Well, jab se Pareshaan gane ki singer ka naam suna hai, vo naam mere dimaag se jaa hi nahi raha hai." Siddharth said honestly.

"Shaalmalee?" Shehnaaz asked.

"Yep! Shaalmalee. Isn't it cute!" Siddharth said fondly.

"Haina! Even i thought the same! What about a boy?" Shehnaaz asked.

"Itna kaun sochta hai?" Siddharth asked.

"Maine soch tha Saina ki jagah agar ladka hota tohh...but it's fine!" Shehnaaz shrugged.

"Bata na!" Siddharth said pulling her leg that hanged down his shoulder.

"Athaang. Few months back, you remember I was reading books about Sanskrit shlokas? Usmein tha... Athaag which means uncountable. Isn't it unique?" Shehnaaz asked smiling widely.

"Fuck!" A loud curse brought them back to the reality and they looked away. There was a thick layer of awkwardness now. How were they supposed to feel? Betryed? Happy? Or just Nothing because it was just a past? They looked away and sighed. But what was interesting was, that still remembered the whole conversation which happened just a few initial months of their relationship. Maybe that's what love is! The inability to remove some memories from your heart. Maybe that's what love is! The inability to forget even a slightest heartwarming moments. And maybe that's what love is!... The inability to let go off someone. Maybe...Love...the more you dig deep, more you find about it.

"How is your husband?" He asked painfully and her expressions changed. Her pupils dilated and she clenched her jaw almost gritting it. Her nose flared and turned red. Her eyes watered again and they showed some unknown emotions, curling her fingers and digging her long sharp nails in her palms, she spoke,
"Nahi hai."

-×-×-

How was it?
Did guys like it?
What is the complete mystery?
How will this one end?
What will happen next?

So, here is the second sequel! Sorry for keeping you all waiting. Yep! I am obsessed with unique names and I include them in my stories! Just my things! Hehe! Also, I think I haven't mastered the art of describing the clothes yet, so adjust with it! I will work on it! There's always a chance to improve right? Sorry if there were errors. I will edit them when I get time. Thank you for reading! Hit the star button if you liked this one! And comment your thoughts about it! Please Stay Safe and Take Care Of You Loved Ones.❤