Since Devraj and Shehnaaz were friends now, he asks her to help him and Simran in shopping for groom and bridal dresses and jewellery. She agrees and goes for shopping with them accompanied by Sidharth.

Shehnaaz: Devraj, I hardly have any experience with selecting clothes. I just came here on your insistence.

Devraj: But you are married already so you would have knowledge about marriage shopping.

Sidharth: Our marriage has to be the cheapest wedding I suppose. She didn't buy any bridal wear at all, infact she was wearing her old dress. We didn't have any money to purchase one.

Devraj: Is it? (Shehnaaz nods) What about you Sidharth? What did you wore?

Sidharth: Shehnaaz had gifted me few new set of formals for office so I wore one from that. She even bought new clothes for Aadya.

Devraj: Shehnaaz, how can you be so selfless? Look at Simmi having so much confusion for choices in bridal dresses. (Looks at Simran comparing dresses)

Shehnaaz: Perhaps our financial capacity makes us prioritise based on our necessities.

Simran: Hey Shehnaaz, pink or maroon?

Shehnaaz: Both are beautiful but I think pink will suit you the most.

Devraj: (To the salesman) Could you pack both please? I don't want her to feel that she might have looked good in the other later. Also I want these two matching Sherwani to be packed. I'll wear according to her dress.

They go to the jewellery shopping. While Simran and Shehnaaz looked for Simran's choice of jewellery. Sidharth went to see earrings.

Sidharth: This is pretty. Pack this.

Devraj: For Aadya? (He looks at the small earrings)

Sidharth: No! For Shehnaaz. (He looks at the earrings and smiles) She had sold her earrings to arrange for Aadya's school fees. I didn't have a job then so I was helpless. She has sacrificed a lot for me and Aadya. I just hope to fulfill all her wishes. My past salaries went to buy furniture and phone for her, finally I could buy her the earrings though small. You know even before we married she gave me her only phone as well. I just couldn't see her anymore with those sticks in her ears. These will look beautiful on her.

Devraj: The more I know about her the more I admire her. You found a gem!

Sidharth: I did!! She annoys me with her stupidity sometimes but I love her for everything she is.

Devraj: Sidharth, can I ask you something?

Sidharth: Yes!

Devraj: How was your first wife? Do you still miss your first love?

The men were least aware of they being overheard by Shehnaaz now. She wanted to hear Sidharth's answer

Sidharth: I spent a beautiful life with her. I met her at my client's office. She was his secretary. I admired and adored her bubbliness and liveliness the most. She would pull pranks and captured everyone's eye balls with her outgoing and chirpy talks. We fell in love and got married after dating for 2 years. Another 2 years of togetherness filled with lots of love and romance. I never realised how my time went by with her.

When she left me, I was devastated. The beautiful memories I created with her haunted me. I lost every priced possession I had in my life as I mourned for 3 years. I loved her, I still do and she will be in my heart forever.

Salesman: Excuse me Sir. (The salesman got the card swiping machine for him and before he paid that he explained the billing breakup)

Shehnaaz's eyes welled up and she got up and went to the restroom. She cried not knowing the reason. Possessiveness doesn't differentiate between the living and dead. She knew it wasn't right to feel bad but she simply couldn't help.

Shehnaaz, what are you doing? She isn't alive. Why are you crying?

I really don't know. He is mine and when he said he still loves her and will stay forever in his heart, it hurt me. I feel I could never make that special place in his heart for myself. I will always remain second.

But Shehnaaz, this isn't race, where you need to come first always.

I know but the feeling is just unbearable. He married her for love and he married me out of constraints. How do I ignore it? He might not have married me if it wasn't for Aadya's school admission.

So what about the love and beautiful moments you spent with him?

May be he is just being humble and showing gratitude. May be he feel indebted towards my 'sacrifices' as he says. May be he think he is repaying me for taking care of Aadya or staying with him during his downs. May be I am not his necessity but his responsibility and he got habituated to me.

She sulked alone in the toilet thinking about all this. Probing questions and answering them herself as per her understanding. She felt that he didn't love her but sympathised for her pains. She washed her face and came out.

Devraj: (continued) Sidharth you spoke about Gunjan and how much you love her. What about Shehnaaz, how is your love different for her from Gunjan?

Shehnaaz heard the conversation yet again.

Sidharth: When Gunjan left me in pain, my heart found solace only in Shehnaaz. I mended my broken heart through her love. I fell in love with her simplicity, her brave attitude and her selflessness. Whilst Gunjan was a girl everyman would desire to have in his life, Shehnaaz is the girl who one can't even dream of having. She such precious person.

Gunjan was my weakness whilst Shehnaaz is my strength. Shehnaaz is not just my love but my life. As precious as the oxygen, the food and the water to me. Gunjan made me a responsible person but Shehnaaz took responsibility of our family.

I loved Gunjan when I had everything but Shehnaaz loved me when I had nothing and never expected from me anything. Gunjan had everything and was spoilt for choices but Shehnaaz prioritised among needs. Gunjan was a dreamer and wanted things to go as per her plans while Shehnaaz is like water accepting, adjusting and irreplaceable. And I realised that while you may find 100s and 1000s of person like Gunjan in this world, Shehnaaz is the rarest gem that I found. I am glad I have her.

I am not comparing Gunjan to make her look small infront of Shehnaaz but Gunjan here is any normal girl who is a benchmark for everyman and I want to show how Shehnaaz is way higher than the normal benchmark.  I would be at wrong to say this statement but it is true that I love Shehnaaz over anything in this world. I am so proud that she chose to love me.

Shehnaaz's eyelashes were burdened as they had to hold those heavy tear drop. She scolded herself for thinking that Sidharth was sympathizing with her rather than loving her. She got up from her chair and hugged him. He was taken aback.

Sidharth: Baby, what happened? We are in the jewellery store and pepole are looking at us. (He said in a low voice)

She just nodded her head hiding her face in his chest, sulking softly.

Sidharth: What happened to you? He said rubbing her back softly to calm her. (She nods no again.) Okay, come lets go to their lounge, here there are lot of eyes staring at us.

She nods yes without releasing the embrace and he slowly shifts her to his side and walks with her still hugging him after excusing Devraj who looked perplexed himself.

They go to the longue and Sidharth makes her sit on the chair and he sat on his feet on the ground.

Sidharth: (cups her face) What happened sweetheart? Why are you crying all of a sudden?

Shehnaaz: I am sorry! I heard your conversation with Devraj. When you spoke about Gunjan, I felt so possessive when you said you still love her and will love her forever. I know I was wrong but I couldn't help. I assumed that you were just sympathizing with me than loving me. I only want love and nothing from you. But when I heard the conversation about me, I started feeling ashamed of myself. (She put her head down)

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, I might have not understood your point before but I've done this mistake myself few days back when I felt possessive when I saw you in Devraj's car. I assumed things myself. You haven't done anything wrong in it. We love each other so much that we can't see anyone else taking our place in each other's heart or life. And I realise I am being loved so much by you. I love your possessiveness for me as it shows how much you want me in your life.

She looked at him with shining eyes. He showed the positives of her feeling which she felt was wrong. She gave him a smile which was contagious as even he smiled with her. She hugged him again.

Sidharth: Enough baby, it's a public place. Hmmm.. What a bummer it is, we can't do this even at home nowadays. Arghhh!! I need a big house. (Frustrated)

She giggles and pulls his nose. He pulls out the jewellery box and gives it to her. She looks at him in surprise.

Sidharth: Well baby, I am not as rich as Devraj who would gift big jewellery set to his wife. But I can't see you with those empty ears.

Shehnaaz: (smilingly opens the box) Beautiful earrings!! I love them and you don't need to compare yourself with anyone. For me, you are the most precious jewel I possess.

Sidharth: Okay, wear it now! I am dieing to see them in your ears.

She wears them and he gives her a content smile.

Sidharth: Beautiful!!

Shehnaaz: Yes, they are!!

Sidharth: I was talking about you.

Shehnaaz blushes.

Sidharth: God!! Arghhhh!! I need a bigger house!! What do I do for the deposit money?

Shehnaaz: Will get it soon, remember I have to decorate Devraj's wedding venue tomorrow.

Sidharth: Yeah!! Yippie!! Finally, I see some happiness coming our way.

They both go back to the showroom area. Simran was done shopping.

Devraj: What happened Shehnaaz? Is everything alright? Is anything troubling you? Tell me, I'll make that person's life a living hell!

Shehnaaz and Sidharth look at each other in disapproval and Shehnaaz glares at Devraj.

Devraj: Okay! Okay! I'm sorry. Looks like it's your personal matter and I know you are very brave enough as you saved my life. I owe you one.

Sidharth: Huh?? She saved your life, how?

Devraj: She killed Javed who was about to murder me. (He said softly)

Sidharth: What? (He looked at Shehnaaz in shock) Shehnaaz, you did what?

Shehnaaz: You would have done the same, he tried molesting me and when Devraj caught him, he was about to kill him so I murdered him.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz!! You are talking as if you cut a vegetable. What about police, law and order?

Devraj: I am the law, I give the order and I dictate the police here. (He spread his hand across in air as he said it) I won't let anything harm my best buddy ever.

They go home but Sidharth was disturbed as he feared of being in Devraj's company.

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, after Devraj's work, we will maintain distance from him. I don't want us to be associated with criminals. He says he will protect us but imagine if something happens to him then we will also be dragged into problem.

Shehnaaz: But jaan, he is a nice person. Who will harm him?

Sidharth: You never know sweetheart. His own man turned traitor and he must be having many enemies. Just being in his custody, you killed a man. It's blood after all Shehnaaz, I don't want it on our hands. Stay away from him.

Shehnaaz though was of a different opinion she nods okay.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️