The day began like any other at Mumbai bustling airport, with a sea of passengers bustling through the terminal. Two very different lives were about to intersect.

Sidharth Shukla, a pilot known for his boyish charm and infectious laughter, strutted through the pilot's lounge with a carefree swagger. His uniform was impeccable, but the man beneath it was anything but serious.

"Yaar, aaj kaunse plane ka mood check karna hai?" he joked with his co-pilot Aman, tossing his aviators onto the table.

"Aur tu kabhi serious hota hai, Captain Shukla?" Aman rolled his eyes.

"Zindagi ko itna seriously lene ka kya fayda? Ek baar milti hai," Sidharth grinned, throwing a packet of chips to Aman.

"Kon kahega tu pilot hai."

His carefree demeanor was not just an act it was a way of life. He loved his job, but he loved making people smile even more. From passengers to ground staff, Sidharth had a reputation for lighting up any room he walked into.

As he sipped his coffee, his phone buzzed. It was a text from his elder sister, Neetu.

"Sidharth, kabhi settle hone ka bhi socha hai? Idhar mom mera dimag kha rahi hai tujhe samjhane ke liye"

He smirked, typing back:

"Main sky mein settle hoon, Di. Aur kya chahiye? 😉."

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Meanwhile, in the air hostess lounge, Shehnaaz Gill was the epitome of discipline. Her uniform was perfectly pressed, her hair tied in a sleek bun, and her eyes scanned her checklist with precision. She was the youngest in her batch but had already earned a reputation for her no-nonsense attitude.

"Gill, briefing room mein time par pohoch jaana," her senior reminded her.

"Always, mam" Shehnaaz replied with a polite nod.

Her life was a far cry from Sidharth. She lived by her planner, waking up at 5 AM for yoga, meticulously packing her meals, and going to bed with a book in hand. Her colleagues often teased her for being a "robot," but she brushed it off.

As she walked through the terminal, her sharp eyes caught a passenger struggling with his luggage. She quickly stepped forward.

"Excuse me, sir. Allow me," she said, lifting the suitcase effortlessly.

"Thank you, beta," the elderly man said, smiling.

"It's my duty," Shehnaaz replied, flashing a professional smile before hurrying off to the gate.

___________________________

Sidharth was heading to the cockpit when he noticed her for the first time. Shehnaaz stood by the boarding gate, clipboard in hand, directing passengers with military precision.

"Kya perfection hai, life me pehli baar dekha mere maa baap ne mujhe aese dekh liya to khushi ke maare ro padhenge" he murmured to himself, adjusting his aviators. Turning to Aman, he added, "Aaj ki flight toh interesting hone wali hai. Ek serious Air hostess dikhi."

"Tu flight udhare aata hai ya ladkiya taadne." Aman joked.

"Talent hai bhai talent bass kabhi ghamand nahi kiya." Sidharth said dramatically.

Shehnaaz, on the other hand, did not even notice him. Her focus was on ensuring every passenger boarded smoothly. When Sidharth casually leaned on the gate counter and flashed her a grin, she finally looked up.

"Excuse me, sir. Crew ko bhi instructions follow karni hoti hain," she said, her tone firm.

Sidharth grin widened. "Relax, mam Main toh bas…"

"Captain Shukla?" she interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

"Present!" he said, giving a mock salute.

Shehnaaz did not crack a smile. "Good. Then please proceed to the cockpit. Time is of the essence."

As Sidharth walked away, he turned to Aman and whispered, "Yeh toh bilkul strict principal jaisi hai! Lekin Sidharth ke charm se aaj tak koi nahi bach paaya hai."

And just like that, two polar opposites were set on a collision course, high above the clouds.

The plane was now cruising at 35,000 feet, with the passengers settled and the crew moving efficiently through the cabin. Sidharth and Shehnaaz first working encounter was about to take an unexpected turn.

Sidharth leaned back in his chair, tapping a pencil on the console as he hummed an old Bollywood song. Aman, looked over, mildly exasperated.

"Tu kabhi focus karega ya nahi?" Aman asked.

"Arre, yaar, sab kuch autopilot pe hai. Main toh bas mood set kar raha hoon, agar mera mood kharab hua to flight bekar jaayegi" Sidharth quipped.

"Aaj itna mood off kiu hai wese?"

"That Air Hostess she ignored me, like seriously."

Just then, the door opened, and Shehnaaz stepped into the cockpit with a tray of coffee. Her expression was as composed as ever.

"Captain Shukla, coffee," she announced, placing the tray neatly on the table.

Sidharth turned his chair around, flashing his trademark grin. "Oh, Shehnaaz ji, itni service toh maine expect hi nahi ki thi."

Shehnaaz eyes narrowed. "It's a part of my job, Captain. And please, it's Ms. Gill. Be professional."

"Bhai wah! Professionalism level 100," Sidharth teased, taking the cup. "Waise aapka smile kahan hai? Passengers ke liye toh smile zaroori hai, par pilots ke liye?"

Shehnaaz ignored him, her tone crisp. "If there's nothing else, I'll get back to work."

Sidharth raised an eyebrow as she turned to leave. "Arre, thoda toh gup shup karte, Ms. Gill! Mujhe lagta hai aap shayd bhul gai hai life me masti mazak bhi zaruri hai."

Shehnaaz paused but did not turn around. "Aur mujhe lagta hai, aap bhul rahe hai ki life me kaam ko lekar seriousness honi zaruri hai, Captain." With that, she walked out, leaving Sidharth staring after her, more amused than offended.

As Shehnaaz moved through the aisle, she noticed Sidharth's voice booming from the intercom. Switching on the intercom, he cleared his throat dramatically.

"Ladies and gentlemen,
Aapka Captain Shukla ek chhoti si guftagu ke saath hazir hai.
Ek shayari arz hai…"

Shehnaaz, who was in the cabin arranging refreshments, froze mid action. "Ab yeh kya kar rahe hai?" she muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, Sidharth continued:

"Upar aasman hai, neeche zameen,
Aur aap sab beech me ek safar ke mehmaan hain.
Udte raho, muskuraate raho,
Aur tension na lo ye aapke pilot ke dil ke armaan hain!"

Laughter erupted among the passengers, with a few even clapping. Sidharth chuckled, adding, "Aapki muskaan hamari uran ko aur bhi khaas banati hai. Shukriya!"

Back in the cabin, Shehnaaz groaned. "Yeh Captain bhi na."

But as she turned to see the passengers smiling and enjoying themselves, even she could not deny the impact of Sidharth antics.

"And Aaj ki flight pe thoda entertainment free milega, kyunki humare crew ke sath ek special person hai, Ms. Shehnaaz Gill, jo discipline aur perfection ka doosra naam hai!"

Shehnaaz froze mid step, her cheeks heating as passengers chuckled around her. Gripping her tray tightly, she marched back to the cockpit.

She stormed in, glaring at Sidharth. "Captain Shukla, yeh kya tha?"

"Bas thoda maza, Ms. Gill. Aap itna stress kiu leti hain?" he replied innocently, though his mischievous grin gave him away.

"This is a professional environment, Captain. Main aapko warn kar rahi hoon, next time, mujhe involve mat kijiyega." she snapped.

Sidharth held up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay! No more jokes. Promise."

Shehnaaz stormed out, leaving Sidharth chuckling. Aman shook his head. "Tu kiu usko gussa dila raha hai, sar war na fod de tera wo."

Sidharth leaned back with a smirk. "Gussa toh pyar ki pehli seedhi hai, Aman. Dekh lena, yeh strict Ms. Gill ek din meri dost zaroor banegi."

_____________________________

The flight hit an unexpected patch of turbulence, and Shehnaaz's voice came over the intercom, calm and composed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated and fasten your seatbelts. The turbulence will pass shortly. Thank you for your cooperation."

In the cockpit, Sidharth's playful demeanor shifted. His hands flew over the controls, and his focus was razor sharp. Aman glanced at him.

"Ab toh serious ho gaya na?" Aman teased lightly.

"Safety first, always," Sidharth replied, his tone devoid of humor.

After the turbulence eased, Shehnaaz came to the cockpit to check in. For the first time, she saw a different side of Sidharth focused, responsible, and deeply committed to his job.

"Good handling, Captain," she said quietly.

Sidharth looked up, surprised but pleased by her acknowledgment. "Thanks, Ms. Gill. Waise, aap bhi kaafi calm thi. Passengers impressed honge."

Shehnaaz nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Team effort."

For the first time, there was a moment of mutual respect between them.

As the flight landed and the passengers disembarked, Sidharth and Shehnaaz found themselves walking side by side toward the crew lounge.

"Aaj ki flight kaafi eventful thi, nahi?" Sidharth said, trying to make conversation.

"Bilkul. Aur main ummeed karti hoon ki aap apne intercom stunts repeat nahi karenge," she replied, though her tone was lighter this time.

"Promise," he said, holding up an imaginary scouts honor. "Waise, aapko kabhi hasate dekha hi nahi. Ek smile toh banti hai! Ab itni buri shaqal bhi nahi meri."

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes but could not suppress a tiny smirk. "Main sirf passengers ke liye smile karti hoon. Aap special nahi hain, Captain."

Sidharth grinned. "Challenge accepted, Ms. Gill. Ek din, main zaroor aapko smile karwa kar rahunga."

And so began their journey, two opposites, navigating the skies and each other, with turbulence and laughter at every turn.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading.