Sidharth stepped back into the apartment, the silence of the room greeting him. He expected Shehnaaz to be waiting where he had left her, but the bed was empty. A sudden unease settled in his chest.

Before he could search for her, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his mother.

"Ji, Ammi," he answered, his voice strained.

"Sidharth, tum ghar nahi aaye aaj. Sab theek hai?" his mother stern voice echoed through the line.

"Ji, Ammi, kaam zyada tha. Main office ke kaam mein busy hoon," he lied effortlessly, his gaze scanning the room.

"Kaam? Ya phir kuch aur?" she asked suspiciously.

Sidharth pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ammi, aap bas dua kariye ke sab acha ho jaye. Main kal subah ghar aaunga."

Without waiting for her reply, he ended the call, sighing deeply. The weight of his hidden secret and his mother constant pressure to marry was suffocating.

He looked around the room, searching for Shehnaaz. The faint sound of the wind drew his attention toward the balcony. Pushing the sliding door open, he found her standing there, her delicate frame silhouetted against the night sky.

She was staring at the stars, her arms wrapped around herself as if shielding herself from the cold. The sight of her like this made his heart ache.

"Shehnaaz," he called softly, stepping closer.

She did not turn around but spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "Kyun hamesha mujhe akele chhod dete hain, Sidharth?"

Her words hit him like a blow. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but she moved away, her back still to him.

"Kya main itni bekaar hoon ki aap... ki aap mujhe apna nahi bana sakte?" Her voice cracked, and he could hear the tears in it.

"Suno toh," he began, but she cut him off.

"Nahi, Sidharth. Mujhe lagta hai shayad main aapke layak hi nahi hoon. Aap... aap hamesha mujhe beech mein kyun chhod dete hain?"

Her words spiraled into self deprecation, and he could not take it anymore. Closing the distance between them, he turned her to face him, cupping her tear streaked face.

"Bas, Shehnaaz," he said firmly, his voice thick with emotion. "Mujhe kuch kehne do."

Before she could argue, he silenced her with a deep, urgent kiss. His lips moved against hers, pouring all his love, frustration, and longing into that one moment. Her protests melted as she clung to him, her fingers gripping his shirt.

When he finally pulled away, their breaths mingled in the cool night air. He rested his forehead against hers, his hands still cradling her face.

"Shehnaaz, tum aisa kyun sochti ho?" he whispered, his voice breaking. "Tum meri zindagi ka sabse zaruri hissa ho. Main tumse dur isliye nahi jaata kiuki mujhe tum pasand nahi ho. Main jaata hoon kiuki... kiuki main khudh ko control nahi kar paaunga, aur jab tak hum mere ghar walo ko sab sach nahi bata dete i don't wanted to take risk main nahi chahata koi tumhare upar ungli uthaye. I love you Shehnaaz and i mean it."

Shehnaaz brows furrowed, confusion swimming in her tearful eyes.

"Tumhare liye kuch bhi kar sakta hoon, Shehnaaz," he continued, his voice filled with raw honesty. "Lekin tumhe kisi mushkil me nahi daal sakta just because of my desires."

Her tears flowed freely now, but they were not tears of sadness anymore. "Sidharth..."

"Main tumse itna pyaar karta hoon ki kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai main apne aap se bhi tumhare liye ladne ke liye tayaar hoon," he admitted. "Par tumhare liye sab kuch perfect hona chahiye, Shehnaaz. Main chahata hoon ki jab Tumhare baare me sabko batau to sirf khushi ke aansoon ho, dukh ya gusse ke nahi."

Shehnaaz heart swelled at his words. "Par aap yeh sab mujhe pehle kiun nahi samjhate?"

"Main samjhata, par tumhare aasoon dekh kar meri himmat toot jaati hai," he said, wiping her cheeks with his thumbs. "Ab se, main tumhe kabhi galat nhi sochne dunga."

Shehnaaz nodded, her arms wrapping around him tightly. "Mujhe bas aapka saath chahiye, Sidharth. Aur kuch nahi."

He held her close, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Aur tumhara saath mere paas hamesha hoga, Shehnaaz. Yeh wada hai."

As they stood under the stars, wrapped in each other's arms, their love felt stronger than ever. Despite the challenges ahead, they knew they could face anything as long as they were together.

______________________________

The cool night breeze wrapped around them as they stood on the balcony, holding each other as if afraid to let go. The city lights twinkled in the distance, but for Sidharth and Shehnaaz, the only world that mattered was the one within their embrace.

Sidharth's fingers traced soothing circles on her back while Shehnaaz pressed her face against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. For the first time in days, she felt at peace. But the lingering pain of his previous distance still stung in her heart.

She pulled back slightly, her hands resting on his chest. "Aap mujhe kabhi akela nahi chhodenge na?" she asked, her voice small, vulnerable.

Sidharth cupped her face gently, his thumbs wiping away the last traces of her tears. "Maine pehle bhi kaha hai, Shehnaaz. Tum meri ho. Tumse door jaana mere bas ki baat nahi hai."

She searched his eyes, looking for any hesitation, but all she found was pure, unwavering love. Her lips trembled, and before she could say anything, he pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.

"Chalo andar chalte hain," he whispered against her skin.

Shehnaaz nodded, letting him guide her inside.

Inside the bedroom, the tension that had once clouded their relationship seemed to have lifted, replaced by an unspoken understanding. Shehnaaz sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers playing with the hem of her dupatta.

Sidharth, standing near the window, watched her in silence. He had always controlled himself around her, but tonight, something about the way she looked vulnerable yet so breathtakingly beautiful made his restraint waver.

Shehnaaz felt the intensity of his gaze and looked up. "Kya soch rahe hain? )"

He walked toward her, kneeling in front of her so they were at eye level. His hands rested on her knees before slowly sliding up to her waist, pulling her closer. "Sirf yeh soch raha hoon ki tumse zyada khoobsurat cheez maine kabhi nahi dekhi," he murmured.

Shehnaaz breath hitched as his fingers traced small, delicate patterns along her waist. Her heart pounded as she felt his warmth so close, his presence intoxicating.

"Sidharth…" she whispered, her hands resting on his shoulders.

He leaned in, his lips hovering just above hers. "Mujhe hamesha tumhare kareeb rehna hai, Shehnaaz. Par tumhare izzat aur safety meri sabse badi zimmedari hai," he whispered, his breath fanning her lips.

Before she could respond, he kissed her again, this time with more tenderness, more need. His hands gripped her waist firmly, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in his world. She melted into him, her fingers threading through his hair as she kissed him back with equal passion.

Sidharth deepened the kiss, his hands exploring the curve of her back, but just as things started to spiral out of control, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. His breaths were uneven, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Shehnaaz blinked at him, realization dawning in her eyes. "Aap chahte hain ki jab sabko hamare baare me pata chale, tab…"

"Tab tum meri banogi bina kisi dar ke," he completed, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Main chahta hoon ki jab main tumhe apna banaun, tab tum sirf khushi mehsoos karo… na ki yeh soch ki hum abhi chupkar jee rahe hain."

Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time, they were out of love and admiration. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. "Aap jitna chahenge, main utna intezaar karungi, Sidharth."

He tightened his hold around her, his lips pressing against her hair. "Aur main yeh intezaar jaldi khatam karunga, Shehnaaz. Yeh mera wada hai. Sirf elections tak ka wait hai phir ammi aur tumhe dono ko saath hi khushi dunga main."

As the night stretched on, they held each other, their love stronger than ever, their promise unbreakable.

______________________________

The next morning, as the sun painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson, Sidharth was already deep into his work. His apartment, which usually felt like a sanctuary with Shehnaaz, was now filled with stacks of files, political documents, and the constant ringing of his phone.

He sat at his desk, dressed in a crisp white kurta and a navy blue blazer, looking every bit the powerful leader he was expected to be. His campaign team had already started arriving, filling the room with discussions about upcoming rallies, speeches, and strategies.

"Sir, Lucknow ke east sector mein hamare support kaafi strong hai, lekin west aur old city area mein abhi bhi competition hai," said Faisal, his campaign manager, placing a set of papers in front of him.

Sidharth took the papers, scanning them quickly. "West sector pe zyada focus karna hoga. Wahan ke logon ko lagta hai ki unka representation sahi se nahi ho raha. Mujhe wahan ek rally rakhni hogi."

"Ji sir," Faisal nodded, noting it down. "Aur opposition party aaj ek press conference rakh rahi hai jisme woh aapki personal life ko lekar sawal uthane wale hain."

Sidharth grip on the paper tightened slightly, but his face remained impassive. "Mujhe farq nahi padta. Jab tak mere kaam par ungli nahi uthti, yeh personal attacks mujhe rok nahi sakte."

Another team member, Zubair, stepped forward. "Sir, Lucknow University ke students aapke support mein hai, lekin woh youth employment aur medical facilities pe aur clarity chahte hain."

Sidharth nodded. "Ek special youth town hall organize karo. Main chhupke promises karne wale leaders mein se nahi hoon. Mujhe unke sawalon ka samna karna hai."

As the discussions continued, his assistant walked in with a fresh cup of tea. "Sir, aap subah se bina kuch khaye kaam kar rahe hain. Thoda rest kar lijiye."

Sidharth gave a small smile but shook his head. "Abhi nahi. Mujhe dus baje ek business leaders meeting ke liye nikalna hai. Unka support lena zaroori hai."

The room was buzzing with activity as people moved around, strategizing, debating, and planning. Sidharth was at the center of it all focused, determined, and unfazed by the pressure.

Later that evening.  The large hall was packed with journalists, cameras flashing as Sidharth stepped onto the stage. He adjusted his mic, his expression calm and composed.

As expected, the opposition leaders had been throwing accusations all day, trying to tarnish his image. A reporter raised his hand.

"Sidharth sir, opposition ka kehna hai ki aapki personal life ek mystery hai. Kya aap kisi rishta mein hain? Kya yeh sach hai ki aapki shaadi ki baat chal rahi hai aapki cousin se? Logo ka to ye bhi kehna hai aapne already apni cousin se shaadi kar li hai sirf announcement baaki hai kya ye sach hai?."

There was a brief silence. Sidharth fingers curled slightly over the podium, but he did not let his emotions show.

"Meri personal life meri apni hai. Main yahan sirf politics aur development ki baat karne aaya hoon. Agar kisi ke paas Lucknow ke behtar future ke baare mein koi sawal hai, toh woh pooch sakta hai. Baaki speculation par main dhyan nahi deta," he said with a slight smile.

The crowd murmured in response, some reporters trying to push for more personal details, but Sidharth had already moved on to discussing his policies. He had mastered the art of handling political traps.

By the time he returned home, exhaustion clung to his body. He loosened his blazer, rubbing the back of his neck. The dimly lit apartment felt eerily quiet.

Shehnaaz walked out of the bedroom, looking at him with soft concern. "Aap bohot thak gaye hain," he said gently.

Sidharth gave her a tired smile. "Aaj ka din lamba tha."

She stepped closer, her warm hands reaching for his as she led him to the couch. "Baithiye, main aapke liye chai laati hoon."

He sighed, watching her disappear into the kitchen. No matter how ruthless the world outside was, here, with her, everything felt right.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading.