The sprawling Khan mansion in Lucknow bustled with activity. It was election season, and the Khans were at the center of political conversations. Sidharth Khan, the upcoming CM candidate and the eldest son of the family, was the star of every discussion. But within the grandeur of their home, tension simmered, particularly around Sidharth's marriage.

Sidharth was working in his home office, when his younger brother come there.

"Bhai yaar ammi ko samjhao meri padhai ke piche padhi rehti hai." Zayan said to Sidharth and lay down on his sofa.

"Toh padhta kiu nahi" Sidharth chuckle and said.

"Yaar you know na mujhe ye padhai wadhai main interest nahi hai i want to be a photographer lekin koi samjhta hi nahi aapko bhi politics aur businesses man banna tha?" he pout sadly.

Sidharth stood up and went near him "Toh work on your dreams na unko apni value realised karwa"

"Apan ki koi izzat hai hi ich nahi" Zayan said and sit straight.

"Izzat sabki hoti hai bass apne upar trust hona chahiye mujhe politics me interest nahi tha lekin abbu chahte the main politics join karu, but i also work on my dreams to become a successful businessman aur dekh ban bhi gaya, tu bhi apne dreams par work kar aur abbu ammi ko dikha de that you are worth it" he patted his back.

Zayan feel some positive energy inside him after taking with Sidharth.

"Thanks bro" He hug Sidharth, Sidharth chuckle.

"Chal aaja khaane khane chale warna ammi jhadu lekar yahi aayengi".

Zayan laughed and nodded, they both headed downstairs and sit on the dining table. Sidharth's mother, Razia Khan, paced impatiently. Her emerald green hijab matched her sharp personality. She was the matriarch of the family, a woman of strong will and high expectations.

"Sidharth! Kaha ho tum? Kitna busy ho gaye ho ki apne ghar par baat karne ka time bhi nahi hai?" she called out as she adjusted the dupatta on her shoulder.

Sidharth's father, Jamshed ji chuckle and shook his head when his both sons make a puppy face.

"Ammi sorry na kaam tha thoda late ho gaya" Sidharth hold his one ear and said.

"Acha baba khana khaao aur Raziya mere baccho ko kuch mat bolo" Their dadi Rukaiya Begum said to Raziya ji.

She nodded and smile, they start eating in silence when Raziya ji said something.

"Sidharth Samreen khala puch rahi thi tera kya jawab hai?"  Razia turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "Tumse yeh puchhna zaruri ho gaya hai ki tumhare plans kya hain. Tum CM banne ja rahe ho, aur tumhe ek biwi ki zarurat hai jo tumhare status ke layak ho"

Sidharth sighed, already knowing where this conversation was heading. "Ammi, abhi shaadi ka waqt nahi hai. Campaign pe focus karna hai. Politics me distractions nahi chalte"

Razia's voice turned sharp. "Yeh distraction ki baat mat karo! Main Naaz ke baare mein baat kar rahi hoon. Tum dono ki shaadi se hamare rishton ki izzat bhi badegi aur political connections bhi mazboot honge. Naaz tumhare liye perfect hai, aur kami kya hai usme achi khasi padhi likhi hai itne bade khandan se belong karti hai"

Sidharth's jaw tightened. He loved his mother, but her obsession with class and status had always been a sore point. He kept his voice steady, though his words were firm. "Ammi, maine pehle bhi mana kiya hai. Main abhi shaadi nahi kar sakta"

Razia folded her arms, her piercing gaze fixed on him. "Tum mana nahi kar sakte, Sidharth. Tumhara khandaan ke liye farz hai. Naaz ek samajhdar ladki hai. Tumhare saath match hai uska"

"Wo baat nahi hai it's just mujhe shadi nahi karni please aap log force mat karo na"

"Kab tak chalega aesa phir haan you're 28 Sidharth is umar me Zayan mere pass tha" She said angrily.

"Ammi ye aapka zamana nahi hai aur main buddha thodi ho gaya hu jo aap aese bol rahi ho." Sidharth said angrily as it's getting irritating.

"Beta har maa ka sapna hota hai apne bete ko dulha bante dekhne ka ab mera itna bhi haq nahi hai?" Raziya ji said emotionally.

"Ammi" Sidharth went near her and hug her. "Maine aesa kab bola haan main karunga na shadi aap tension kiu lete ho, just give me some time na"

"Bilkul nahi ab main ek nahi sunungi aap engagement kr lijiye, aur Naaz ko meri bahu bana dijiye main aage kuch nahi bolungi" She said in stubborn tone.

He took a deep breath. "Acha theek hai mujhe time dijiye main election ke baad aapko bata dunga"

"Lekin-"

"Raziya wo bol raha hai na bata dega aapko kiu force kar rahi hai aap?" His grandfather said.

He murmured a thank you to him and pick his bag.

"Acha main chalta hu" he turn to leave when Naaz entered inside their house.

"Assalamu alaikum Sidharth" she said with a smile.

He nodded with a smile. "Aao na, kesi ho?"

"Main to bohot achi hu, Sidharth wese aap office ja rahe hai main bhi chalu saath ek hi jagha jaana hai to alag alag raste kiu?" She asked him softly.

"Naaz main le jaata tumhe but the problem is main party office ja raha hu, apne office nahi" Sidharth said

"Oh okay shaam me milte hai phir aur time se khana kha lijiye ga." She said and went to meet Raziya ji.

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That evening, Sidharth returned to his apartment, a quiet haven away from the political and familial chaos. As he opened the door, the sight of her waiting for him instantly eased some of his tension.

She was seated on the couch, her books spread across the coffee table. Dressed in a pale pink kurti and a simple white dupatta across her neck, she looked up the moment he entered. Her large, expressive eyes searched his face with concern.

"Aap itne der se kyun aaye?"she asked softly, rising to her feet. "Sab theek hai?"

Her voice, gentle and filled with warmth, had a calming effect on him. Sidharth smiled faintly, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "Sab theek hai ab" he said, his tone softening as his eyes met hers.

She walked up to him, her brow furrowed with worry. "Aap ke chehre par tension saaf dikh rahi hai. Kya hua?"

Sidharth shrugged off his kurta's coat and sat on the couch, loosening his collar. "Ammi phir Naaz se shaadi ka raga leke baithi thi"

She froze at the mention of Naaz, her hands tightening slightly around the edge of her dupatta. "Aur... aapne kya kaha?"

Sidharth looked at her, his expression softening as he reached for her hand. "Main kya keh sakta hoon? Maine mana kar diya. Lekin unka pressure badhta ja raha hai"

Her heart ached hearing his struggles. Sitting beside him, she placed her other hand gently on his. "Aap kitna kuch kar rahe hain sabke liye. Lekin mujhe lagta hai... shayad main hi aap ke liye ek bojh ban gayi hoon"

Sidharth's gaze snapped to hers, and he shook his head vehemently. "Tum na zyda overthink mat karo aur, yeh baat dobara mat kehna. Tum mera sukoon ho, meri strength ho. Jab bhi main tumhare paas aata hoon, saari pareshaani chali jaati hai"

She blinked back tears, her lips trembling. "Lekin aapki Ammi... unka gussa aur unki soch kabhi nahi badlegi. Aapka political career bhi daav pe lag sakta hai"

Sidharth shifted closer, cupping her face in his hands. "Tum meri ho. Yeh baat chahe duniya jaane ya na jaane, meri zindagi tumse shuru hoti hai aur tum par hi khatam. Main jo bhi karunga, woh humare liye hamesha sahi hoga"

Her cheeks flushed under his touch, and she lowered her gaze. "Main sirf dua karti hoon ki Allah humari madad karein"

Sidharth smiled faintly, the tension in his shoulders finally fading. "Tumhari dua ka asar hamesha hota hai" Unable to resist, Sidharth reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered for a moment, making her heart flutter.

"Maine aapke liye biryani banayi hai" she said, her cheeks flushing slightly under his gaze. She stood up and went towards kitchen.

"Tumne banayi?" he asked, his eyes lighting up. "Toh kal ka din achha hone waala hai" He moved closer, peeking over her shoulder into the pot.

She chuckled softly, shooing him back. "Aap bas dekhiye mat, thoda intezaar kariye. Abhi dum lagana baaki hai"

Sidharth leaned against the counter, watching her with a soft expression.  "Tum itna sab mere liye karti ho. Mujhe lagta hai tumhare bina meri zindagi kitni adhuri hoti"

She glanced at him, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. "Mera haq hai, Sidharth. Aur... mujhe khushi hoti hai jab aap khush hote hain"

"Tumhari yeh khushi meri sabse badi taaqat hai"

Their eyes locked for a moment, the intimacy between them growing heavier. Shehnaaz averted her gaze shyly, focusing back on the pot. "Aap jaake fresh ho jaiye. Tab tak biryani tayaar ho jayegi."

Sidharth grinned and reluctantly left the kitchen, letting her finish.

Later, as they sat on the small dining table, Sidharth savored the first bite of the biryani. His eyes closed in satisfaction, and he let out an appreciative sigh. "Yeh toh kamaal ki bani hai. Tum har baar mujhe impress kar leti ho"

Shehnaaz smiled, watching him eat with relish. Her heart swelled with pride knowing she could bring him this small happiness.

"Main toh soch raha hoon, elections ke baad tumhare haath ki biryani ka ek special restaurant khol doon," he teased, making her laugh softly.

"Aap bas khana khayiye, aur yeh zarurat se zyada sochna chhodiye" she replied, shaking her head at his playful remark. He take a spoon and feed her also. He love to pampering her.

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The kitchen was dimly lit, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound as She stood at the sink, washing the last of the dishes. The biryani had been a success, and Sidharth had eaten to his heart's content. She smiled to herself, the sight of his happiness still fresh in her mind.

She was lost in thought when she felt warm hands slide around her waist from behind. She froze for a moment, her breath catching.

"Sidharth?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Hmm" came his soft reply, his deep voice vibrating against her ear.

Before she could say anything more, he buried his nose in the curve of her neck, inhaling her subtle jasmine scent. "Tum itni khoobsurat kyun ho?" he murmured, his voice filled with tenderness.

Her cheeks flushed as she felt his warm breath against her skin. "Sidharth, yeh kya kar rahe hain? Agar paani gir gaya to...."

"Girne do" he interrupted, his arms tightening around her waist. "Mujhe koi parwaah nahi"

She laughed nervously, trying to focus on the task at hand, but his proximity made it impossible. "Aapko pata hai na, main kaam kar rahi hoon?"

"Bas ek minute, Tumhare paas rehna hai," he whispered, his lips brushing lightly against her neck. He trace his hands on hers and make her wash her hands with water.

Her heart pounding in her chest. She turned her head slightly to look at him, her eyes wide. "Sidharth, aap....."

Before she could finish, he cupped her face gently, his gaze locking with hers. The intensity in his eyes made her forget her words. Slowly, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender, lingering kiss.

The world around them seemed to fade away as his lips moved softly against hers. Her hands are still wet from washing dishes, clutched his kurta for support. Her mind raced, but her heart surrendered completely to the moment.

He pick her in his arms and headed inside the room. He make her lay on the bed and pulled away the dupatta, he start giving her feathery kissed from her jaw to neck. Her neck was shining with his saliva. She moan when he kiss on her sweet spot. She cluth his kurta when his hands enter inside her kurti and caressed her waist.

He took a deep breath and kiss her forehead for the last time and stood up.
She open her eyes losing his warmth.

"Sidharth" She called him, but he look other side.

"Ahmm main abhi aaya" he said and headed inside the bathroom leaving her in tears feeling rejected.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading.