Shehnaaz had spent years building walls tall, strong, and unbreakable.
But somewhere between stolen glances, late night conversations, and unexpected dances, Sidharth had found a way in.

She wasn't sure how it happened.

Maybe it was the way he never forced her to open up, but simply waited.
Maybe it was the way he saw through her, past the discipline and perfection, to the girl who had always been afraid of failing. Or maybe it was just him.

Effortless. Warm. Unapologetically himself. And for the first time, she didn't want to push him away.

For the first time, she wanted to let him stay.

The crew wasn't blind. The change in Shehnaaz was subtle but undeniable.
She still carried herself with the same discipline, still followed every rule to perfection. But now…

She laughed a little more.
She rolled her eyes a little less.
She let Sidharth walk beside her, instead of walking away.

And the biggest change? She talked to him.

Aman, who had been watching all this unfold like a Bollywood romance in real time, nudged Sidharth one evening.

"Bhai, tune toh kamaal kar diya."

Sidharth smirked, sipping his coffee. "Kamaal? Kya kiya maine?"

Aman dramatically clutched his chest. "Bhai, Shehnaaz Gill ne tujhe pehli baar normal insaan ki tarah treat kiya. Ajeeb si khushi ho rahi hai."

Sidharth chuckled, his eyes flickering towards Shehnaaz, who was talking to another crew member across the lounge.

"Woh badal nahi rahi, Aman." He exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Bas thoda aur khul rahi hai."

And that was enough for him.

For now.

Their next layover was in Rome. A city full of history, romance, and now… a moment Shehnaaz would never forget.

After their flight, the crew decided to explore the city, but midway through, it started raining.

While the others ran for shelter, Shehnaaz stood still, eyes lifted towards the sky, letting the raindrops hit her face.

Sidharth, standing beside her, watched in amusement. "Miss G.G, aapko toh discipline pasand hai. Bheegna allowed hai?"

She didn't reply immediately.

Then, to his shock, she smiled a real, open, uninhibited smile.

"Kabhi kabhi rules todna zaroori hota hai. Aapne hi to bola tha."

Sidharth smirks. "Acha ji."

She smile and nodded. "Hanji."

Sidharth laughed, holding out his hand. "Toh aaj ek aur rule tod le?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Kya?"

He grinned. "Chhota sa rule."

Before she could protest, he grabbed her wrist and went in the middle of the street they both stood in the rain enjoying the weather.

And right in the middle of it all, Shehnaaz stood still, her arms outstretched, her eyes closed, letting the rain drench her completely.

Sidharth watched her, mesmerized.

Dil Kahe Kahaniyan Pehli Dafa
Armanon Mein Rawaniyan Pehli Dafa

She wasn't the usual Shehnaaz Gill the disciplined, rule following air hostess who always carried herself with perfect composure.

No. Tonight, she was someone else. Someone free.

Ho Gaya Beghana Main
Hosh Se Pehli Dafa

Someone who wasn't afraid of what people thought.
Someone who wasn't weighed down by expectations.
Someone who was just… herself.

Pyar Ko Pehchana Ehsas Hai Ye Naya

His lips curved into a slow smile as he tilted his head, admiring her the way one admires the first snowfall of the year, unexpected, beautiful, and impossible to look away from.

He had never seen her like this before.

And maybe, just maybe, she had never seen herself like this before either.

The gentle strumming of a street musician's guitar filled the air, blending seamlessly with the soft patter of raindrops. And as if the universe had planned this moment, a song played in his mind.

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

Sidharth took a step forward, his voice playful but his gaze soft.

"You look beautiful."

Shehnaaz opened her eyes, a slow smile tugging at her lips, a real one, not the polite, professional kind.

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

For the first time, she didn't roll her eyes at his flirting .

For the first time, she didn't scold him.

Instead, she met his gaze, something unspoken passing between them.

"Thank you." she whispered, sudden blush crept on her cheeks.

And just like that, she let herself live.

Sidharth took another step closer, his eyes never leaving hers.

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

Shehnaaz had always thought of him as reckless.
Too carefree. Too unpredictable. Too different from her.

And yet…

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

Standing in the rain, with his wet hair sticking to his forehead, his shirt clinging to his body, his smile softer than usual.

She saw a different Sidharth.

Not just the playful pilot who always found ways to annoy her.

But the man who had, in his own way, set her free. She had spent years trying to be perfect.

Kabhi Dard Si, Kabhi Zard Si Zindagi Benaam Thi
Kahin Chaahatein Hui Meherban Hath Badh Ke Thaamti

Trying to be the daughter her father wanted.
Trying to prove that she was as good as her brother.
Trying to be enough.

Ik Wo Nazar, Ik Wo Nigah
Rooh Mein Shamil Is Tarah

But here, under the rain, with Sidharth looking at her like she was the only person in the world.

She didn't feel like she had to prove anything.

She felt enough.

Ban Gaya Afsana Ik Baat Se Pehli Dafa

For the first time in her life, she felt like herself.

Sidharth's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Shehnaaz Gill, aap rules tod bhi sakti hain to ek aur rule tode aapki rule book se" he teased, his grin widening.

She shook her head, laughing softly. "Kya?."

Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and ran.

Pa Liya Hai Thikana Baahon Ki Hai Panah

Shehnaaz's breath hitched as she stumbled forward, her fingers gripping his for support.

"Sidharth, yeh kya...."

"Chup!" he laughed, dragging her through the empty streets. "Abhi bas bhaago!"

And so she ran.

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

Through the glistening streets of Rome.
Through the laughter echoing in the night.
Through the moment that felt like a dream.

The cool rain mixed with the warmth of his hand in hers, and for the first time in forever.

She wasn't running to catch up to someone else's expectations.

She wasn't running to prove herself.

She was just… running. Because she wanted to.

Because it felt right.

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai
Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

Her heart pounded, not from the running, but from the way Sidharth looked at her when they finally stopped, breathless and laughing.

And suddenly, something clicked.

Something that she had been ignoring for weeks.

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

She liked him.

No

She was falling for him.

And that scared her more than anything else.

They stood under a small archway, taking shelter from the rain. Their breaths were heavy, their clothes completely drenched, but neither of them cared.

Sidharth's gaze was still locked onto hers, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Toh kaisa laga? Rules todne ka experience?"

Shehnaaz hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Ajeeb."

He raised an eyebrow. "Ajeeb?"

She exhaled softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lekin… accha laga."

Sidharth's smile faltered for just a second, as if realizing something.

Lage Bewajah Alfaz Jo Woh Zaroorat Ho Gaye

And Shehnaaz knew he felt it too.

The shift. The change. The undeniable pull between them.

Neither of them said anything for a while.

Because sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.

Takdeer Ke Kuchh Faisle Jo Ganeemat Ho Gaye

But Shehnaaz's heart was louder than the silence.

And it was saying just one thing

She was in trouble.

"Chalein?" She asked softly. She was shivered slightly.

"Hmm"

Badla Hua Har Pal Hai Rehti Khumari Har Jagah

Without a word, Sidharth took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

She looked up at him, something soft and unreadable in her eyes.

"Aap hamesha aise hi sabko sambhalte hain?" she asked.

Pyar Tha Anjana Hua Sath Mein Pehli Dafa

Sidharth smiled and whispered. "Nahi. Bas jo special hote hain, unko."

Her heart skipped a beat.

She should have laughed it off. Should have rolled her eyes. Should have pretended it didn't mean anything.

But instead, she held onto the jacket a little tighter.

Ye Asar Ab Jaana Kya Rang Hai Ye Chadha

Because for the first time in years, she felt like someone was holding her too.

And this time…

She didn't want to let go.

Shehnaaz had spent her entire life believing that attachment leads to disappointment.

Her father had always set expectations so high that no matter how much she achieved, she was never enough.
She had learned to keep her emotions in check, to never get too close, because getting close meant giving someone the power to hurt her.

And yet, here she was wrapped in Sidharth's jacket, feeling warmer than she had in years.

The worst part?

She didn't want to take it off.

The rain had stopped by the time they reached the hotel, but Shehnaaz mind was still storming with thoughts.

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

Sidharth walked beside her, quiet for once, which was unusual for him. He always had something to say, some joke to crack, some teasing remark to throw at her.

But tonight, he just… stayed.

And maybe that's what shook her the most.

That he did not need words to make her feel something.

That his presence alone was enough.

As they reached her room, she hesitated before returning his jacket.

For a moment, she almost kept it.

Almost.

"Goodnight, Captain."

Her voice was steady, but the hesitation in her hands as she passed him the jacket wasn't.

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

Sidharth took it, his fingers brushing against hers for the briefest second.

And in that second, something shifted between them.

Something unspoken.
Something undeniable.

His eyes searched hers, looking for something anything that would tell him what she was thinking.

But Shehnaaz was a master at hiding her emotions.

She took a step back, breaking the moment before it could turn into something more.

And without another word, she shut the door.

But the thing about doors is…

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai
Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

They don't erase what's already in your heart.

_________________________________

That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading.