Shehnaaz looks outside and opens up the door even before the car could stop properly and runs towards the house.

Aadya was jumping stairs near the door. (There were just two stairs 🙂)

She looks at Shehnaaz and screams "Mummaaa" with joy as Shehnaaz hugs her tightly with her eyes filled with tears. She than kisses her whole face. Harpreet comes rushes towards the door calling Aadya.

Harpreet: Aadya Bebu? What happened?

Shehnaaz ears heard the word "Bebu", that familiar voice which she longed to hear since 11 years. She releases Aadya and looks into the direction of the door and she gets a glimpse of her mother.

Shehnaaz: Amma...

Her voice choked, eyes welled up and her heart was filled with heavy emotions. She felt like a big ball of emotions stuck her throat making it difficult to utter even a word after Amma. She sobs like a little baby. Harpreet stumbles as she finds her daughter infront of her, her knees were feeling weaker. Travelling those few step felt like a travelling across seven seas. As they cover the distance they both hug reach other and cry their heart out. Harpreet pulls out.

Harpreet: Are you alright bebu? How did you escape from the kidnapper?

Shehnaaz: (smiles through teary eyes) He is my kidnapper (she points at Devraj) but now my friend! Who knows better than us how situations can turn one criminal in their life in the eyes of other person.

Harpreet nods. Devraj was emotional having witnessed the reunion of mother and daughter. When daughter comes to their maternal home from her husband's house even for few days, the mother and daughters cry at the reunion. Here they hadn't met for 11 long and painful years. There was no boundaries to emotional breakdown.

Harpreet: (cups her face and looks at her carefully) Bebu, you've become so big and beautiful. How I missed to see you growing up. I hoped everyday that I could see you once before I die. I feared that I may not see you at all. 9 years, I just hoped and prayed every single day that you were safe because I didn't see you or hear anything from you. But last two years were better as you wrote letters though I never replied to you on your instruction as you changed your address frequently.

Shehnaaz: (looked at her mother carefully) Amma, you look older than your age. All these years, I couldn't find peace thinking that you had to go through imprisonment due to my deeds. You spent a whole decade being locked up and surrounded by four walls. I am sorry, Amma.

Harpreet: What for bebu? You did the right thing and I am proud of you. You are brave and you don't get suppressed by anyone like me. You put of fight against bully because of which you are blessed to have a family and a husband like Sidharth. I have seen him and he had been restless and lifeless like a fish taken out of water tank without you. I am glad to see that you have a loving husband. I just want all the evil eye to stay away from your family.

Shehnaaz: Where is Aadya's papa?

Harpreet: He has been searching for you day in and day out everywhere. If it wasn't for Aadya, he wouldn't have returned home at all until he found you.

All four go inside the house. Devraj didn't leave and waited for Sidharth to return so that he could clear all his misunderstandings which he had created between him and Shehnaaz.

Shehnaaz narrated Harpreet her story after Harpreet got imprisoned until she met her again. Devraj also heard it and

Shehnaaz was restless herself as she waited for Sidharth to come home soon. Harpreet sat on the mat beside her. Shehnaaz looked at her with a dull face as the clock ticked wondering when will her wait be over and when she will unite with her husband. Shehnaaz placed her head in Harpreet's lap and looked at the clock hanging on the opposite wall. Harpreet caressed her head slowly pouring all her love.

Aadya played hide and seek with Devraj outside. Aadya hid behind the pillar and Devraj pretended to search her though she was visible. Aadya giggled softly as she thought he couldn't find her. Devraj tip-toed behind her and lifted her up. He tickled her tummy and Aadya laughed and squeaked in joy.

Sidharth pulled his legs together to reach his home helplessly as he was unsuccessful in finding Shehnaaz. His eye fell on the same big black car which he saw 3 days back in which Shehnaaz was sitting. His heart thudded when he heard Aadya squeek, he raced and saw the same man holding Aadya in his hand. He rushed and pulled Aadya from his hand and punched his face hard making Devraj's nose bleed.

Devraj stood shocked as Sidharth placed Aadya behind him and held Devraj by his collar and shook him. Devraj didn't react, the two guards rushed near him. Devraj looked at them through the corner of his eyes and showed them his palm signalling them to go back. The guards were shocked to see their boss getting pulled by a common man yet not reacting to him. His hands just hung in air without touching Sidharth.

Sidharth: You abducted my wife and now here to kidnap my daughter as well? You may be a gangster and people might be scared of you but I am a father and a pained husband. I will kill you before you harm my daughter. Where is my Shehnaaz? (He roared angrily)

As soon as Shehnaaz heard Sidharth's voice, she was on her foot within a fraction of second and ran outside quickly.

Shehnaaz: Aadya's papa!!! (She called him out loudly with all the love and pain)

Sidharth turned back as his heart skipped a beat. He finally herd the voice which he yearned to hear since few days which felt like ages.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz!!!

He left Devraj's collar and turned only to be hugged by Shehnaaz with full force. He held her tightly as if he hugged his life support.

There were multiple emotions inside them fighting amongst themselves to show up on their face. One couldn't tell whether they were happy as they reunited or crying out of agony they went through in seperation or content as they saw and embraced each other. 

Everyone who witnessed them reunite felt emotional. Words fell short for Sidharth and Shehnaaz to express their emotions. Their pained eyes did the speaking with teary eyes as they looked at each other.

They were just not aware of their surrounding as they tried to heal each other. They hugged again as she kissed his chest and he kissed her forehead with their eyes closed. They realised the surrounding as Aadya came and hugged them both by their legs with her tiny hand.

Sidharth: (cups Shehnaaz's face) Are you alright sweetheart?

She nods as he wipes her tears with his thumbs.

Sidharth: Where did you go Shehnaaz? Why did you go? What was that letter about?

Shehnaaz: I'll explain everything Jaan. Let's go in. (She looked at Devraj) Come Devraj.

Sidharth glared at Devraj as they walked inside.

Shehnaaz: I did a blunder as I sneaked out his bride from the wedding venue on his wedding day because she showed disinterest in marrying him. That's when he was raged and all the consequences followed.

Devraj and Shehnaaz explain everything to Sidharth. Sidharth couldn't decide if he should get angry at Devraj for treating his wife like that, sympathise with him for his wife's stupidity or be angry at Shehnaaz to bring this big steer in everyone's life.

Devraj: I have wronged and I accept my mistake. I was as pained as you both were when I found my love away from me but I am glad everything worked well and everything fell in its right place again. Please forgive me for my arrogance. I've committed countless crimes in my life and never had any guilt but today I genuinely feel guilty. I want you both to be happy together.

Sidharth: We all have been wrong somewhere. Honestly, I feel like punching your face for what Shehnaaz had to go through. I could have lost her because she cut her veins. But I don't want to drag it further. I want to appreciate your kindness as you brought her back to me. It was least expected from you due to the image you have.

Shehnaaz and Devraj exchange a look at each other and Shehnaaz moves her lips to say sorry without being heard. Devraj blinks his eyes to say he is fine.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, when will you stop hiding things from me? If you had to tell me about Javed, I wouldn't have sent you at all. I would have paid back the losses in installments to the flower vendor instead of allowing you to risk our lives. Dare you hid things from me in future.

Shehnaaz: Sorry! (Makes a cute puppy face) Aadya's papa, it's his marriage after 4 days, can I decorate his wedding hall?

Sidharth: (looks daggers at her) Devraj, you better ask your bride if she is 100% sure of getting married to you first. Your marriage cost others their marriage. What about our marriage which you got annulled?

Devraj: Will set everything right, Sidharth. Leave it to me.

Sidharth: Hmm.. Shehnaaz, you can decorate his wedding hall but this time, even I am going to accompany you.

Shehnaaz nods and agrees.

Devraj: (smiles) Will get flowers and manpower this time, Shehnaaz you just manage and give instructions for decorations. Okay?

Shehnaaz: (smiles) Okay!!

Devraj: I need to leave now. Will see you soon. Bye.
.
.
.
The whole time Sidharth and Shehnaaz had been longing to get close to each other but now the situation was different. They not only had to avoid Aadya's eyes but also think about Harpreet. They couldn't even speak in flirty way like they did before.

Sidharth picked up his mobile and messaged her. 'I miss you!'

Shehnaaz checked her phone and looked at him who made a puppy face. She smiled and replied back. 'I miss you too. I feel like pulling those cute cheeks. I love you.'

Sidharth chukled and replied 'I love you too. I want to hug you and kiss you all over'

Shehnaaz blushes and smiles. Harpreet observed their subtle reactions.

Harpreet: Bebu!

Shehnaaz: (sits straight and clears her throat) Haan.. Haan Amma!

Harpreet: Aadya was feeling bored. Can I take her out to the park for an hour?

Sidharth's eyes shined hearing those words.

Shehnaaz: Huh? Yes, Amma. Let's go!

Sidharth virtually face palmed and frowned looking at his wife's stupidity.

Harpreet: No Bebu. I want to spend some quality time alone with my grandchild. You stay back here.

Sidharth celebrated from within. His heart was literally dancing in joy. He praised his mother-in-law's smartness in his mind.

Harpreet and Aadya said bye to Shehnaaz who stood near the door and watched them walking out of the compound. As soon as they disappeared from their sight, Sidharth hugged her from behind suddenly unannounced.

Shehnaaz: (Shivered and had goosebumps on her body) Jaanu, wait let me close the door atleast.

She was closing the door but Sidharth was still hugging her and placed soft kisses all over her neck and ear. She turned and hugged him hiding her face into his chest while covering her face by pulling his t-shirt. The little distance had made her feel shy again as if she was getting intimate with her husband for the first time.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz.. (he said softly filled with lot of love)

Shehnaaz: Hmm.. You know Jaanu, I love my name when it leaves your lips. It sounds so soothing. I was scared that I may never hear it from your mouth again, I may never see you again and I may never feel you again.

Sidharth: Replace that 'may never' with 'will forever'. I am sorry Shehnaaz, I wasted time thinking and somewhere believing in my mind that you left me though my heart never stopped believing and loving you.

Shehnaaz: Jaanu, I'll leave this world before I leave you.

Sidharth: Don't say such words Shehnaaz. I want to spend my life with you.

He lifted her face up by pushing her jaw with his forefinger, cupped her face and kissed her. They made love delicately and slowly to each other. They lied in each other's embrace in the bed. Shehnaaz doodled on his chest with her finger.

Sidharth: We need a bigger house sweetheart. We can't wait Amma to give us chance everytime like this.

Shehnaaz: Hmmm.. you are right!

Sidharth: Why are you so stupid by the way?

Shehnaaz: (lifted up her head and looked at him) Huh? What did I do now?

Sidharth: Amma wanted us to spend time together and you said "Let's go!!" to park with her. She is very intelligent. Learn something from her now.

She hit him playfully on his chest.

Shehnaaz: Okay, let's get dressed up and look presentable since they might return anytime. I don't want to get caught in this condition even though she left us alone to enjoy this moment.

Sidharth: (hugs her tightly) Hmmm.. don't have choice else I wouldn't have let you go ever.

She quick pecks him and get up. They both get ready before Harpreet and Aadya returned home.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️