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The door of the hotel room opened and Sidharth switched on the lights. Then he looked at Shehnaaz who was standing outside the room and shivering in cold.

"Tumhe andar nahi aana?" He asked and she immediately nodded in no.

"Kyu?" He asked frowning.

"Woh... Tum so jaao na, main baad mein aa jaaungi... Mera abhi thoda aur bahar rehne ka mann hai..." She said smiling nervously while Sidharth noticed how much she was feeling cold outside and she was tired as well. He very well knew why she was hesitating to come inside the room.

Sidharth went close to her making her startled.

"Kya hua tum...."

Before she could complete, he bent down and held her feet. Before she could react, he slowly took out her heels leaving her surprised. She didn't expect this sweet gesture from him.

He then stood up and picked her in bridal style.

"Sidharth kya kar rahe ho? Neeche utaro mujhe...."

He didn't listen to her and gently placed her on the bed.

"Bahar bohut thand hai. Nak aur gal lal ho chuki hai tumhari. Kuch garam aur comfortable pehen lo aur chup chap so jao."

Saying that, he tucked the strand of hair behind her ear while she became lost in his eyes. Then he moved away from her and she started checking her face on her phone's camera.

"Nak bhale hi thand ki wajah se laal hui hai par gaal laal hone ki wajah tum ho..." She murmured being embarassed which Sidharth heard a little.

"Kuch kaha tumne?" He asked.

"Nahi toh." She replied.

Sidharth took out some comfortable warm clothes from her bag and gave it to her. She took the clothes and went to the washroom to change.

After changing she came back and lay on the bed and Sidharth covered her with blanket.

"Tum aram se so jaao. Main zara bahar se ho ke aata hoon." He said further so that she didn't feel awkward around him.

Sidharth was about to leave when Shehnaaz held his wrist and said softly, "Bahar thand hai. Abhi jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Tum bhi change kar ke so jaao."

Saying that, she left his wrist and closed her eyes while he smiled shyly and then went to change.

After sometime he came and lay on the other bed. She was facing her back towards him. He watched her for sometime and thought that she had fallen asleep. Then he also turned to the other side.

Meanwhile Shehnaaz didn't sleep yet and was thinking about Sidharth only. She remembered how he had been always there for her since the beginning. And tonight when they kissed, the feeling was magical. She could feel that her heartbeat was racing which never happened earlier.

"Kuch din pehle tak lag raha tha meri life mein kuch sahi hone ki umeed hi nahi hai. Par aaj mujhe woh umeed phir se mili hai. Sidharth ke saath... Sab kuch bohut alag lagta hai, accha lagta hai. Maybe I should give this a chance." She said to herself and blushed heavily.

On the other hand, Sidharth was lost and trying to realise what was happening with him, why he was feeling this way.

"Aaj jo mere aur Shehnaaz ke bich hua, paata nahi kaise, main khud ko rok nahi paaya. Aisi feeling pehle kabhi nahi hui. Woh jab paas hoti hai toh duniya bhar ki saari fikar dur ho jaati hai, khush hone ka mann karta hai, thoda aur khulke jeene ka mann karta hai, uske saath bachkani harkatein karne ka mann karta hai. Shayad woh bhi mere liye same feel karti hogi. Maybe we can figure this out together." He said to himself.

Soon they both fell asleep thinking about each other.

Next morning...

Shehnaaz was awake early morning and was standing at the lawn of the resort, inhaling fresh air of the morning. She was very happy today, her heart was bubbling up with new feelings. She felt that finally she was free from her past and was ready to start a new life, with the man who truly understands her and is always there for her in every situation.

"I don't know this is love or not, but I want to see where this leads us." She said to herself and gave a shy smile.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her face lit up thinking it to be Sidharth and turned behind. But she became disappointed when she saw Ryan.

She immediately jerked his hand off to which he became sad but composed himself.

"Sana... Can we talk?" He asked slowly.

"Why? I don't think there is anything to talk about." Said Shehnaaz sternly.

"Sana please... I know I have messed up. Asal mein galti puri tarah se meri nahi hai. Jab se humara long distance suru hua, tu mujhse dur gayi, humara roz milna band hua, humari baat chit bhi kam hone lagi... then I found solace in another woman. You were not with me and... I got distracted by Elena. I know I have made a huge mistake. But deep down I still have feelings for you..... I love you Sana!"

Saying that, Ryan gave Shehnaaz a sudden tight hug leaving her shocked and confused.

On the other hand, Sidharth's sleep broke and he looked at the other bed while rubbing his eyes but he didn't find Shehnaaz there.

"Itni subah subah kaha chali gayi yeh?" He asked himself and got up.

Sidharth came out of the room and started finding Shehnaaz. While looking for her, he went to the lawn and saw Ryan talking to her.

"Yeh ab uss se kya baat karne aaya hai?" He thought frowning.

He was moving forward but suddenly stopped when he saw them hugging.

He froze at his place, couldn't understand how to react as his heart sank seeing the scene. He felt a pang of sadness as he thought that they had patched up. After what happened last night, he thought that there was something between them. He never planned to develop feelings for her, it just happened. But after seeing this, he felt that it didn't mean anything to her. Her heart still beats for Ryan. If it's the case, he should be the one to step back.

Sidharth sighed sadly and left from there while Shehnaaz pushed Ryan away with all her force.

"Ryan tum kar kya rahe ho? You don't have the right to hug me like this. You know I have a boyfriend and you too have a girlfriend..."

"Sana relax..." Said Ryan stopping her. "I know tere aur uske bich kuch nahi hai. Tu bas yeh sab mere liye kar rahi thi na? See, I have come back. Main Elena se break up bhi kar lunga. She is not the one for me, you are the one. Aur waise bhi pehle pyaar ko bhulana easy nahi hota. Maine itni koshish kiyi par tujhe bhula nahi paaya. I was really hurt when I saw you with Sidharth. And then realised my feelings. Kya tu please mujhe ek second chance degi? I really love you..."

"Love?" Asked Shehnaaz with disbelief and laughed sarcastically. "Kal jab woh ladke mujhe harrass kar rahe the... Tu ek baar bhi mujhe bachana nahi aaya, yaaha tak ki jab main dari hui thi, mujhe sambhalne ki bhi koshish nahi kiyi. And you call this love? Really?"

Ryan didn't expect this question. He gulped and said, "Sana... It's not like that. Tujhe toh pata hai main ab famous hoon, meri ek image hai, log jaante hai mujhe. I couldn't get into some random fight. That doesn't mean mujhe teri fikar nahi hai."

"Agar fikar hoti toh ek baar puchhta ki main thik hoon yaa nahi. Asal mein Ryan, na tune mujhse kabhi pyar kiya, na hi Elena se. Tu sirf khud se pyar karta hai. I'm glad we broke up. Warna puri life tere jaise selfish insaan ke saath guzarni padti. Honestly main New York aayi toh thi tujhe wapas paane ke liye. But now I don't want you in my life anymore."

Saying that, Shehnaaz started leaving while Ryan stood there, not prepared for this rejection.

"Sana!" He called her and she turned back.

"By any chance... Do you love Sidharth?"

As Ryan asked this, Shehnaaz's heart skipped a beat.

She became lost for a moment but then said, "I'm not answerable to you."

Shehnaaz walked away and Ryan kept looking at her retreating figure.

On the other hand, Sidharth was packing his bag sadly. He remembered the moment Ryan hugged Shehnaaz. His eyes welled up thinking it.

"Main kyu itna affect ho raha hoon? It's not that I love her. Or do I?" He thought and suddenly Shehnaaz entered the room.

"Sidharth...." She stopped when she saw him packing his bags.

"Tum jaa rahe ho?" She asked, her face fell slowly.

"Hmm. Bohut din hogaye, ab wapas jaana hoga. Waise bhi rukne ki koi wajah nahi hai." He said without looking at her. "By the way tum kuch kehne wali thi?"

"Oo haan." Shehnaaz took a deep breath and said, "I was saying... Last night..."

Before she could complete, Sidharth said, "Yeah about last night... Main apni taraf se clear kar deta hoon, it just happened in heat of the moment. It meant nothing to me. I know tumhari taraf se bhi aisa hi tha."

Shehnaaz paused for a while not being able to understand what to say. She couldn't believe he actually said that. She realised that she was the only one who started developing feelings for him. It was not the same from his side.

"Nothing?" She whispered and said controlling her tears, "Yeah it was nothing. You are right. Uss moment mein ho gaya tha. Aage se dhyan rakhenge."

Sidharth smiled sadly and nodded in yes.

"Waise tumhara Ryan ke saath patch up ho gaya?" He asked further smiling. "I saw you two at the lawn. You were looking great."

Shehnaaz looked at Sidharth with disbelief. How easily he said this. She was fool to think that there might be something between them.

She smiled sadly and said, "Haan. Patch up hogaya hai. I got him back. Meri madat karne ke liye sukriya."

"Anytime. Accha laga sunke ki... Tumhe tumhara pyaar wapas mil gaya." He said putting stone in his heart.

"Waise tum aaj hi jaa rahe ho?"

"Nahi woh...." He suddenly stopped. He would return few days later but he didn't want to tell her that. He couldn't stay in the same resort with her.

"Haan main aaj hi jaa raha hoon. Return tickets maine book kar ke rakhe the hum dono ke liye. But I'm happy ki ab tumhe unki zaroorat nahi padegi. You can come later with Ryan."

"Yup."

Sidharth packed his bag and sat on the bed while Shehnaaz sat beside him. They both had many things to say but couldn't say anything. There was an unnatural silence between them.

Later that day, Sidharth got ready to leave and went towards the door. Shehnaaz so wanted to stop him but didn't have the courage.

He stopped at the door and asked looking at her, "Toh humara safar yaheen khatam hota hai?"

"I think so." She said sadly. "Waise tumhe bohut pareshan kiya maine. Uske liye sorry."

"Yeah you should be. Sacchi mein bohut pareshan kiya hai tumne mujhe. Maine toh kasam khaa liya hai aage se kabhi kisi runaway bride ko lift nahi dunga."

Shehnaaz chuckled hearing that and Sidharth chuckled along with her.

After sometime he said, "Bye Shehnaaz. Apna khayal rakhna."

She nodded and said, "Tum bhi. Mumbai aa ke tumse aur Diya se milungi. For now, it's a goodbye."

They both waved each other bye and Sidharth left from there. Shehnaaz didn't accompany him till outside. After he left, she went towards the window and watched him going.

"Mujhe kyu itna bura lag raha hai? Usse toh ekdin jaana hi tha. Why is it paining so much when he is going? Have I fallen in love?" She questioned herself while few teardrops fell from her eyes.

Few Days Later...

Sidharth was sitting at the airport, and talking to Diya on phone.

"Bhaiya aap kar kya rahe ho? Jaane se pehle ek baar usse baata dete that you have feelings for her." Said Diya to which Sidharth sighed sadly.

"Kya fayda hota? Humari acchi khasi dosti kharab ho jaati. She always loved Ryan. I was just there to help her. Aise mein agar main kehta ki mere dil mein uske liye feelings hai, things would have have got complicated for her. Mera kaam tha usko uske boyfriend tak sahi salamat pohucha dena, jo maine kar diya. Ab main bas itna chahta hoon ki woh dono khush rahe. Mera kya hai? Mumbai aa ke apne kaam mein busy ho jaaunga aur iss ek mahine mein jo hua sab kuch bhul jaaunga. Phir kuch din baad yeh sab matter bhi nahi karega mere liye."

Sidharth chuckled saying that but from the other side Diya understood that he was in pain.

"Bhaiya ek baat kahu? Aap ki yeh ek buri adat hai humesha se. Aap kabhi bhi apne feelings ko saamne nahi rakhte. Andar hi andar kitna bhi pain ho, aap khul ke nahi baata te. Jaise aap ko kuch kehna tha, ho sakta hai Sana ko bhi bohut kuch kehna tha. Lekin aap ne usse woh mauka hi nahi diya. Sana aap ke saath kitna khush rehti hai woh maine dekha hai. Abhi bhi der nahi hui hai. Please don't let her go. At least tell her how you feel, warna yeh regret humesha rahega."

Sidharth just hummed in response. He knew he would never be able to tell her about his feelings after knowing that she has feelings for someone else.

After talking to Diya, he hanged up and started scrolling his phone. He saw few pictures of him and Shehnaaz which they clicked together while acting as a couple. A smile came to his face remembering those moments.

Suddenly he thought something and took out the birthday card from his bag which Shehnaaz gave him. She told him to read it when she would not be with her and he would miss her. He opened the birthday card and started reading it.

"Dear Sidharth,

I know I know tum mujhe zyada miss nahi kar rahe, bas curious ho ke ki iss birthday card mein aisa kya hai, tumne isse khol liya. Waise bhi mere jaisi afat ko kaun miss karega? Jab main achanak se tumhari car mein aa ke baithi thi, apne shaadi ke jode mein, tumhari jagah aur koi hota toh dhakke maar ke car se bahar fek deta. Par tumne aisa nahi kiya. Meri wajah se apni flight miss kar ke, mere gharwalon se pange le ke mujhe bhaga ke le aayi. I'm sorry, bohut galat hua tumhare saath. Lekin uske baad bhi tumne mera saath diya. Sirf Mumbai mein apne ghar mein rehne dena hi nahi, mujhe Ryan se milane ke liye New York tak chalne ko ready ho gaye. Uss raat station mein tumhara gussa jayaz tha, akhir meri wajah se itna kuch jhelna padha tumhe. Still you were the only one who was there for me. Tum jaisa insaan maine aaj tak nahi dekha. Thank you very much Sidharth and a very very Happy Birthday, my companion. I don't know main Ryan se mil paayi yaa nahi par situation chahe kuch bhi ho, tumhara agla birthday bhi hum dono saath manayenge. Yeh jo dhaga tumse jud gaya hai, yeh ab tutega nahi.

From,
The Runaway Bride "

There was few smiley emojis and hearts were made. Sidharth's eyes became teary reading it. He was missing her badly. He realised that what he told Diya, was nothing but lie. He wouldn't be able to forgive her easily, maybe he would never forgive her. She would always hold a special place in his heart, after all she is his first love.

Sidharth kept the letter inside his bag and started finding the photo in his bag which Diya took at his birthday. But suddenly he became confused as he didn't find the photo. He started checking the whole bag.

"Kaha gaya woh photo? Bag mein hi toh tha...." He thought and then remembered something.

One day, he told Shehnaaz to choose a suitable t-shirt for him as she wanted to twin with him. While taking out the t shirt from his bag, she must have taken the photo, otherwise it would be there.

Sidharth stood up immediately. He thought about Diya's words. If he didn't mean anything to her then why would she take the photo. Did she have really something to say but he didn't give her that chance?

Diya was right, it was not too late.

Sidharth picked up his bag and came out of the airport.

Sidharth straight went to the resort and asked about Shehnaaz at the reception. He got to know that she checked out that very day when he left. He became puzzled.

Suddenly his eyes fell on Ryan who was having some argument with Elena, they didn't notice him.

"Yeh dono abhi tak saath hai?" He asked himself being shocked. "Matlab Shehnaaz ne mujhse jhut bola, she didn't get back with Ryan... Shit!"

Sidharth face-palmed himself in frustration. He regretted that he didn't even listen to her and let her go because of some stupid misunderstanding.

Sidharth came out of the resort and tried to call Shehnaaz but she didn't pick up his call.

"Paata nahi kaha chali gayi hurt ho ke. Itni zaldi Punjab bhi waps nahi jaa sakti. I hope har baar ki tarah kisi mushkil mein na fas gayi ho. Come on Shehnaaz, please pick up."

The call got cut and Sidharth became worried. He then opened his WhatsApp and messaged her.

At night...

It was 31st night. The whole city was ready to celebrate new year. Meanwhile Sidharth's eyes were fixed at the path. He was waiting for Shehnaaz, his heart was beating very fast with anticipation. He told her in the message to meet him and also sent her the location. She had seen his message but didn't reply. Was she avoiding him intentionally?

Sidharth looked at his watch and realised that it was late. She would have come by then if she wanted to meet him.

He sighed and whispered, "I'm sorry Shehnaaz. Lagta hai maine der kar diyi. I have actually lost you."

Sidharth's eyes welled up but he wiped his tears and was about to leave when he heard footsteps. His heart skipped a beat, as if his wait was over. He immediately turned behind and..... There she was, his Shehnaaz.

Shehnaaz was slowly walking towards him while it took time for Sidharth to
accept that she actually came. His heart was pounding with mixed emotions. A smile appreared on his face and he started walking towards her.

One day you come up to me and smile
Little by little, my heart also falls for you

"Tum toh Mumbai jaane wale the na? Phir wapas kyu aaye?" Asked Shehnaaz maintaining a poker face while walking.

"Woh humari ek photo sayad tumhare paas reh gayi hai. Woh hi wapas lene aaya tha." Said Sidharth playfully while walking.

Shehnaaz smiled a little and asked, "Agar main woh photo wapas na dena chahu toh?"

"Kyu nahi dogi? Bhulo mat main tumhara fake boyfriend hu, real boyfriend nahi."

"Aur aisa kaha likha hai ki fake boyfriend ko main real boyfriend nahi bana sakti?"

They both stood in front of each other and looked deep into each other's eyes.

Shining brightly like a star
Shining brightly in the dark night
Your face is dazzling

Smiling like a warm spring
Always smiling brightly
I want to hold you in my heart

"Marry me Shehnaaz." Said Sidharth looking at her, his words were barely above a whisper which made Shehnaaz surprised.

"Direct shaadi?" She asked with wide eyes. "Maine socha tha tum pehle girlfriend ban ne ke liye puchoge."

"Maine jis ladki ko car mein lift diyi thi, woh shaadi karne ke liye kuch zyada hi excited thi. Isliye socha uski wish puri kar deta hoon."

"Accha? Par jaha tak mujhe yaad hai, kisi ko sensible wife chahiye thi. Mere jaisi paglait thodi uski wife ban ne ke layak hai?"

"True...." Said Sidharth nodding and then cupped her face gently.

"Par mujhe iss paglait se hi pyaar hai." He confessed from bottom of his heart.

Shehnaaz's heart swelled with emotion as Sidharth's words washed over her. A sense of belonging, of being truly seen and understood, enveloped her. It was as if she had finally found the missing piece of her puzzle, the one that made her whole. Tears of joy streaming down her face, she felt a deep connection, a sense of being valued and cherished for who she truly was. In this moment, she knew she had found her true love, her soulmate, in Sidharth.

She took a deep breath and closed the gap between them, joining her lips with his.

I confess to you, my lovely lover
You're the one I've been dreaming of
I confess to you, my heart finds solace
You're the one I've been dreaming of

As the clock struck midnight, signaling the start of a new year, Sidharth reciprocated the kiss with equal passion. The vibrant lights of the New York City skyline twinkled around them, and the cheers and chants of the crowd faded into the background as they lost themselves in the magic of their kiss.

The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of pure bliss. The fireworks exploding in the sky above them cast a kaleidoscope of colors over the scene, but they didn't notice. They were too busy savoring the taste of each other's lips, the feel of each other's skin.

Their kiss was like a symphony of emotions, a perfect harmony of love, passion, and happiness. It was a kiss that spoke of promises, of forever, of a love that would last a lifetime. As they pulled back, gasping for air, their eyes locked onto each other's, shining with tears of joy and happiness.

In that moment, they knew that they were meant to be together, that their love was the real deal. And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, they knew that this was just the beginning of their happily ever after.

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