Shehnaaz could not shake the heaviness in her chest. She entered the haveli's central hall, where the moonlight streamed in through the large windows, casting eerie shadows on the floor. She froze when she saw Sidharth standing in the middle of the hall.

He was dressed in a flowing white kurta like a frock, his back turned to her, and the faint strains of music filled the air. It was haunting yet mesmerizing, a familiar tune. Around his ankles, she noticed a pair of ghungroos tied securely, their metallic shine reflecting the lamp's glow. His back was to her, his posture rigid, and his head was slightly tilted downward.

Something was off. Very off.

"Sidharth?" Shehnaaz called softly, taking a cautious step forward. His family also gather there.

"Ye bhaiya ko kya hua?" Aarav asked Shehnaaz.

"Shehnaaz kya hua Sidharth ko?" Kaki sa asked her while shaking Shehnaaz's shoulder but she didn't respond.

"Sidharth" Shehnaaz again called him.

He did not respond. Instead, he raised his hands, his fingers forming sharp, precise gestures.

Bhola Bhala Tha
Sidha Sadha Tha
Main To Naadaan Tha

His body jerked as he spun on his heels, the ghungroos ringing sharply in the heavy silence.

Duniyadari Se Hoshiyari Se
Main To Anjaan Tha

The sudden movement startled Shehnaaz, but what froze her in place was the look on his face.

Lagi Chot Aisi Mere Bhole Dil Pe
Bikhar Sa Gaya Toot Ke

His eyes were unblinking, burning with anger and pain. His jaw was set, his expression one of pure torment.

Before Shehnaaz could say another word, Sidharth began to move, his feet hitting the ground with forceful, deliberate steps.

Jo Dhaage Se Chhoota
Yeh Rishton Ka Moti
Judega Na Ab Chhoot Ke

The ghungroos jingled wildly as he started to dance, pouring his emotions into every movement.

Zehreele Sapnon Mein,
Mere Hi Apnon Ne Mujhko Hai Dhokha Diya

His arms cut through the air like blades, his hands clenched into fists before opening into wide, trembling gestures. His steps were powerful, almost violent, as if he were battling an invisible enemy.

Mere Dhol Na Sun
Mere Dard Ki Dhun
Mere Dholna Sun

The rhythm of his movements built with intensity, each stomp reverberating through the room like a heartbeat. His body twisted and turned with a raw, primal energy, and his expression grew darker with every passing second.

Shehnaaz could only watch, her chest tightening with a mixture of fear and confusion.

"Sidharth!" she called again, louder this time.

Meri Nafrat To Fizaa Mein Bahegi
Zinda Rahegi Ho Kar Fana

But he did not stop. Instead, his movements became even more frenzied. He spun on his heels, his arms outstretched, and his feet hit the ground in rapid succession, creating a rhythm that was both mesmerizing and terrifying.

Ta Na Na Na Dhum Ta Na Na Na Dhum
Ta Na Na Na Dhum Ta Na Na Na Dhum
Ta Na De Re Ta Na De Re De Re Na

It was as if he was speaking through the dance, his anguish and rage pouring out with every step. The ghungroos clashed violently, their sharp sound filling the air like cries of despair.

He dropped to his knees, his arms reaching out as though grasping for something or someone before abruptly slamming his palms to the ground.

Shehnaaz was about to go and stop him when Saraswati grabbed Shehnaaz's arm, whispering urgently. "Ye Yuvraaj ka dukh hai, Shehnaaz. Woh Sidharth ke zariye apni kahani suna raha hai. Ye tumhara Sidharth nahi Yuvraaj hai Yuvraaj."

But Shehnaaz could not take her eyes off Sidharth. His expressions shifted with every beat of the song. There was anger in the sharpness of his turns, longing in the way he reached out to an invisible figure, and despair in the way his body bent and collapsed to the floor.

Aadha Adhoora Tha Badan Yeh Mera, Ek Gark Tha
Jo Ghar Tha Meri Jannat, Ek Nark Tha

A guttural scream escaped his lips, and he threw his head back, his face contorted with pain. His body trembled as he knelt there, his hands clenched into fists on the cold floor.

Aadha Adhoora Tha Badan Yeh Mera, Ek Gark Tha
Jo Ghar Tha Meri Jannat, Ek Nark Tha

Shehnaaz felt her legs weaken as she watched him. The man she loved was unrecognizable in that moment. His pain was palpable, radiating from him like a dark aura.

"Yeh... yeh sab kya ho raha hai?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of the ghungroos.

Yeh Takht-o-Taaz Sab Tere
Main To Jala Ke Chhodunga

Sidharth suddenly stood, his movements jerky, and began to dance again, his steps angrier than before. His arms slashed through the air, his body twisting with an almost unnatural grace.

Zinda Bachega Na Koi
Sabko Mita Ke Chhodunga

Shehnaaz instincts screamed at her to stop him, to pull him out of this trance like state, but her feet were rooted to the ground. It was as though an invisible force was holding her back, forcing her to witness his agony.

Yeh Jism Khatam Hota Hai
Yeh Rooh To Nahi Marti

Chahe Koi Sitamgar Ho
Yeh Rooh To Nahi Darti

The dance reached its peak as Sidharth spun wildly, his ghungroos clashing in a deafening crescendo. He came to a sudden halt, standing still in the center of the room, his chest heaving.

Ni Sa Ni Sa Ni Sa Ni Sa Dha Ni Ni Dha Ni
Ma Dha Dha Ma Dha Dha Ma Dha Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Ni Sa

Slowly, he turned to face Shehnaaz, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in his gaze she saw her Sidharth who was pleading her to save him, she saw pain in eyes but again the eyes flicker and she saw something dark who was not her Sidharth.

"Sidharth..." she said, her voice trembling.

He tilted his head slightly, as though confused by her presence, and then... he smiled. But it was not the warm, loving smile she knew. It was cold, almost mocking.

Without saying a word, he turned and walked away, his ghungroos jingling softly with every step.

Shehnaaz stood there, her heart pounding, her mind racing with questions. What had she just witnessed? Why was Sidharth wearing ghungroos? Why did his dance feel so... haunting?

She wanted to chase after him, to demand answers, but her legs would not move. A chill ran down her spine as she realized one thing for certain, the man she had just seen was not entirely her Sidharth.

As she finally gathered the courage to move, the air around her grew cold, and she felt a faint whisper brush against her ears.

"Meera..."

She spun around, her breath hitching, but the hall was empty.

_________________________________

That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading...