A few days had passed since Shehnaaz returned to the theatre. Though the memories of that night still haunted her, Sidharth's presence made it easier for her to focus on her recovery. But something still nagged at her....Rohit. He continued to come to work, avoiding her gaze, but his presence was a reminder of the unresolved incident.

One evening, after rehearsals had finished, Shehnaaz was packing up when she noticed Sidharth talking to someone outside the theatre. She stepped closer and recognized a few men in uniforms.....policemen. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what was happening.

Sidharth had been working behind the scenes, ensuring that Rohit would face consequences for his actions. He had filed a formal complaint against him without telling Shehnaaz, wanting to protect her from the added stress. Today, it was time for the authorities to act.

Sidharth walked back to her, his face calm but determined. "Shehnaaz it's time for his punishment"

"Lekin Sidharth is sab ki zarurat nahi hai" She tried to stop him but he didn't listen.

Just then, two officers approached Rohit, who had been standing near the back, unaware of the unfolding situation. One of the officers called his name, and Rohit looked up, confused.

"Rohit Sharma, you are under arrest for harassment and inappropriate conduct" the officer stated firmly.

Rohit's face drained of color as the reality of the situation hit him. "What? Sir aap galat samjh rahe hai... Aes... Aesa kuch nahi hai" he stammered, backing away. But the officers were quick, stepping forward and cuffing his hands behind his back.

"You can't do this! Maine kuch galat nahi kara" Rohit shouted, his voice rising in panic. His eyes darted around, looking for support, but no one came to his defense.

Sidharth stepped forward, his voice cold and resolute. "You did everything wrong, Rohit. You crossed a line, and now you're going to pay for it. Mere studio me ye sab nahi chalega studio kya bahar bhi tumhare jesi koi harkat karta to yahi silha milta usko"

Shehnaaz stood nearby, watching the scene unfold. A mixture of emotions surged through her...relief, vindication, and a sense of closure. The weight of Rohit's actions had been lifted from her shoulders. She no longer had to fear running into him at the theatre, no longer had to carry the burden of what he had done.

As Rohit was led away by the police, Sidharth turned to her, his eyes softening. "It's over now. Ab tension lene ki zarurat nahi hai"

Shehnaaz nodded, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Thank you, Sidharth. For everything."

He smiled gently. "You don't have to thank me, Shehnaaz. Bass aage se kabhi bhi galat ho to uske khilaf aawaz uthana sehna mat"

For the first time in days, Shehnaaz felt truly free. The theatre no longer felt like a place of fear....it was a place where she could heal, move forward, and reclaim her life.

————————————

After weeks of hard work, the night of the play had finally arrived. Shehnaaz, who had poured her heart into writing the play, felt a mix of excitement and nerves as she waited backstage. This was not just any play, it was her story, her words that the audience would experience tonight.

As she anxiously flipped through her script, Sidharth approached her with a reassuring smile.

"Shehnaaz, tum bahut hi amazing writer ho" he said, looking over her shoulder at the script. "Mujhe pata hai yeh play sabko bohot pasand aayega"

Shehnaaz smiled nervously, her hands shaking slightly. "Pata nahi, Sidharth. Jab likh rahi thi, tab lagta tha sab perfect hai, lekin ab... ab lagta hai kahi kuch missing toh nahi?"

Sidharth chuckled softly "Tum khud pe itna doubt mat karo. Tumhare likhe har word me ek magic hai, aur yeh audience zaroor feel karegi"

The play began, and Shehnaaz watched as each scene brought her words to life on stage. The cast embodied her characters with passion, and the audience seemed captivated. Every laugh, every sigh, every tear from the audience reassured her that her words were reaching them.

During an intermission, Sidharth found her watching the audience's reactions.

"Shehnaaz, dekh rahi ho sabka reaction? Tumhare dialogues ne toh kamaal kar diya!" he whispered with pride.

Shehnaaz's face lit up, her initial anxiety replaced with joy. "Mujhe kabhi laga hi nahi tha ki mere likhe words logon ko itna impact karenge. Aap sach keh rahe ho, Sidharth?"

He nodded, his eyes filled with pride for her. "Bilkul. Aur main sirf keh nahi raha, dekh bhi raha hoon. Yeh tumhara sapna tha na?"

Shehnaaz smiled, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. Her friendship with Sidharth had been an unexpected source of strength, and tonight, she realized just how much he believed in her.

As the final scene began, Shehnaaz took a deep breath and glanced at Sidharth, who gave her an encouraging nod. The play had become more than just her work....it was a journey, one she had shared with Sidharth, and it was one of her proudest moments.

After the play ended to thunderous applause, Shehnaaz found Vidyut and Nargis in the audience, she smile widely looking at them when Farah hugged her from behind.

"Shehnaaz tune to kamal kar diya yaar audience ko pata hai kitna pasand aaya show"

"Ha Shehnaaz investors are also happy with audience response sab teri wajhe se hua hai" Rishabh was about to hug her when she took some steps back, he smile awkwardly and said "kya bolti ho girls party ho jaaye"

"Ha ha kiu nahi but bill tu dega" Farah said and they both start arguing.

Sidharth chuckle on his cartoon from little far distance.

"She is afraid of touches specially male touches" Sidharth hear and turn to saw the owner of the voice.

Vidyut was standing with his wife.

"Aap yaha?" He asked them.

"Ha meri behen ka likha hua play tha aana to tha hi" he said looking at her sister who is smiling after ages.

"Aap kuch bata rahe the she is scared of what?" Sidharth asked him.

"She is scared of male interaction specially skin interaction, pehle to milti bhi nahi thi kisi se lekin jab se aap logo ke saath kaam karna shuru kara hai she opened up a lot thank you for that and Rohit ko saza dene ke liye bhi Sana ne bataya mujhe"

"Isme thanks karne ki kya zarurat thi ye farz tha mera" Sidharth smile at him "but Shehnaaz is scared why? Kuch hua tha kya"

Vidyut took a deep breath and nodded but he didn't told him anything about it.

"Bhaiya" Shehnaaz smile and hug him.
"Aap yaha aaye mujhe bohot acha laga thank you and bhabhi you too"

"Arey tera play tha dekhna to tha hi hume kese miss karte" Nargis said.

Shehnaaz smile at them as only care for her, when she told about the play to her family hoping they will come but they insult and denied her.

"Amma bi nahi aai?" She pout sadly.

"Are wo aa rahi thi lekin unki poti ka call aa gaya to milne chali gai"

"Oh acha koi na aao main aapko sab se milati hu" she said but Vidyut interrupt her.

"Unse mil lenge lekin pehle chal ghar dekhne nahi jaana"

"Bhai" she whispered to stop him.

"Maine decision le liya hi Shehnaaz and it's final" he said sternly.

"Okay" she said and look down.

Sidharth was looking at them in confusion but he didn't interrupt their family time.

"Guys decide ho gaya hai party ye de raha hai" Farah said while coming there.

"Kiu itna ameer ho gaya hai tu?" Sidharth chuckle and asked.

Rishab glare him "Shehnaaz tu aa rahi hai na"

She was about to say no but instead of her Vidyut answer him.

"Haan haan ye zarur aayegi"

"Bhai-"

"Aap kon?"

"Iska bhai"

"Oh acha to bhaiya  aap bhi aaiye na maza aayega sab honge to"

"Sorry but mujhe kaam hai but Shehnaaz Zarur aayegi"

They are talking when someone called Sidharth for the business talks. Shehnaaz left with Vidyut.

——————————

After the successful run of the play, a small celebration party was arranged by the team. The lights were dim, laughter filled the room, and everyone was congratulating Shehnaaz for her incredible writing. However, amid the joy and excitement, Shehnaaz felt a bittersweet pang....her contract was over, and it was time for her to leave.

As she quietly looked around, trying to capture every moment, Sidharth approached her, noticing the slight sadness in her eyes.

"Shehnaaz, tum itni chup kyun ho?" he asked, a soft smile on his face.

She took a deep breath and smiled back. "Bas, kuch nahi... it's just... ab mera contract khatam ho gaya hai, aur mujhe wapas jaana padega," she said, trying to keep her voice light.

Sidharth's smile faded slightly, and something stirred inside him....a feeling he couldn't quite place. A part of him did not want her to leave, didn't want this new chapter of his life to close.

"Toh?" he asked, his voice more serious than before.

Shehnaaz looked at him, slightly confused. "Toh... kya?"

Sidharth hesitated for a moment, but then decided to speak his mind. "Toh mat jao, Shehnaaz," he said firmly. "Ruko yahi"

Shehnaaz blinked in surprise, her heart racing. "Sidharth... Aap.. yeh kyun keh rahe ho?"

He ran a hand through his hair, looking a bit flustered, but his gaze was sincere.

Sidharth nodded, his expression softening. "Haan, yahi raho. Aur shayad... naye projects par saath kaam kar sakte hain. Aur agar tumhe likhna itna hi pasand hai toh main zaroor chahunga ke tum aur bhi plays likho."

There was a moment of silence as Shehnaaz processed his words, her heart swelling with a mixture of joy and confusion. She had not expected him to feel this way, to say something so genuine.

Shehnaaz smile, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. "Accha... toh aap mera contract extend kar rahe hain?"

Sidharth grinned, finally relaxing. "Bilkul. Ek new contract for Miss Shehnaaz Gill, aur is baar indefinite duration ke liye."

As they shared a laugh, Shehnaaz realized that her leaving was not necessary...not anymore. She had found a place where she belonged, and maybe, just maybe, she had found something even more than that in Sidharth's companionship.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading ❤️.