The months passed like a quiet tide, steady yet unnoticeable. Shehnaaz slowly settled into her new home and her new routine. Sidharth's presence next door had become a constant sometimes comforting, sometimes unnerving. Their professional dynamic flourished, and despite Shehnaaz's resistance, a tentative friendship grew between them. Yet, there were walls neither dared to cross, memories neither dared to share.

Today, the air felt heavier. It was Shehnaaz's birthday. A day she never spoke about, never acknowledged.

On the other side it was a day of someone grief.

Sidharth woke early, his heart weighed down. Today marked eight years since Zoya's death. He sat by his window, staring at the picture frame on his desk, a smiling photo of Zoya in a vibrant yellow dress his favorite color.

Sidharth murmured to himself "Zoya... ek aur saal ho gaya. Par abhi bhi sab waisa hi lagta hai jaise kal ki baat ho"
He runs a hand through his hair, sighing deeply.

The thought of visiting her grave again felt both necessary and unbearable. He picked up the small bouquet of white roses the way she loved he had bought the previous evening, his fingers tightening around the stems.

______________________

Shehnaaz sat on the floor of her living room, surrounded by scraps of paper. She was supposed to be editing a scene for their play, but her mind kept drifting. The date felt like a noose tightening around her neck.

Her fingers trembled as she picked up her pen, her gaze distant. Memories clawed their way to the surface, the suffocating crowd, the mocking laughter, the unwanted touch that had stolen her innocence.

Shehnaaz whispered to herself "Bas ek aur din. Ek aur din beet jayega"

Vidyut and Nargis had already wished her in the morning, but she had brushed it off with a forced smile. Birthdays did not feel like celebrations anymore, they felt like burdens.

_________________________

The cemetery was silent except for the occasional rustle of dry leaves. Sidharth walked slowly, his shoes crunching on the gravel path. In his hands was a bouquet of white roses, their fragrance faint but soothing. Each step toward the gravestone felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of the years pressed harder on him today.

He stopped in front of the familiar headstone.

"Zoya Khan
Beloved Daughter, Friend, and Love
1993 – 2016"

The words blurred as his vision clouded with unshed tears. Kneeling down, he placed the roses gently against the stone. He traced her name with trembling fingers, the coldness of the marble a stark contrast to the warmth he remembered in her.

Sidharth voice barely above a whisper "Zoya... aaj phir yeh din aa gaya. Teri yaadon ke bina jeena seekhne ki koshish karta hoon, par har saal... main wahi khada rehta hoon"

He closed his eyes, a tear sliding down his cheek. Memories surged forward , her laughter, her fiery arguments, the way her hand fit perfectly in his. It was eight years ago, yet it felt as raw as yesterday.

His voice breaked "Hamesha saath rehne ka wada kiya tha na... par tu mujhe akele chhod gayi, Zoya. Kya main itna haqdaar bhi nhi tha? Maine tujh se waada kiya tha ki main tujhe hamesha khush rakhunga, par dekh... main woh bhi nahi kar paya".

His words dissolved into silence, the kind only a cemetery could hold. The roses swayed slightly in the breeze as if offering some unspoken comfort.

Sidharth said after a long pause "Ek nayi kahani likh raha hoon. Tujhe pasand aati". He tried to smile, but it faltered. "Uski writer Shehnaaz hai. Teri tarah thodi stubborn hai, thodi bholi bhi. Par uski aankhon me ek alag dard hai, jo shayad sirf woh samajh sakti hai"

His eyes burned with unshed tears. "Zoya, har koi kehta hai tujhe bhool jaau, par main har din fail hota hoon. Tera gussa, teri hasi... sab yaad aata hai aur kese bhool jaau tujhe lekin ab"

For a moment, he buried his face in his hands, letting the grief overwhelm him.

"Shehnaaz ke saath rehne se thoda theek lagta hai, par... kya yeh galat hai? Tere bina khud ko jeene ki permission dena... galat lagta hai, bol na tere pass to har solution hota tha na, kiu mujhe usko takleef me dekh kar takleef hoti hai ye galat hai na Zoya?"

He stood, brushing the dirt off his knees. For a moment, he lingered, staring at the gravestone as if hoping for a response.

"Main phir aaunga, Zoya"

As he turned to leave, the breeze carried the faint scent of roses, wrapping around him like a bittersweet goodbye.

________________________

The silence in Shehnaaz's apartment was oppressive. She had deliberately avoided the calls and messages that morning, each one wishing her happiness she did not feel capable of accepting. Birthdays were not celebrations for her, they were reminders of the night that had stolen her innocence, shattered her trust, and built walls she did not know how to break.

She sat cross-legged on the floor, her notebook in her lap. Her pen hovered over the page, but no words came. Every time she tried to focus, flashes of the past invaded her mind, the loud music, the drunken laughter, and the hand that had grabbed her wrist with a vice like grip.

Her chest tightened. She put the pen down and buried her face in her hands.

Shehnaaz, voice trembled "Kiu nahi bhool sakti main? Itni saal beet gaye... par woh ek raat... woh ek raat hamesha wapas aa jaati hai aur takleef deti hai"

_____________________

The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of twilight as Sidharth returned to his apartment after a long day. His mind was heavy, the memory of visiting Zoya's grave lingering like a shadow. Just as he was about to set his bag down, his phone buzzed on the table.

He picked it up to see Vidyut's name flashing on the screen.

"Haan, Vidyut?"

"Sidharth, ek kaam tha. Shehnaaz ke liye ek parcel aaya hai... uski ek friend ne uske liye cake bheja hai"

Sidharth frowned, puzzled. "Cake?"

"Haan Aaj uska birthday hai na"

The words hit Sidharth like a jolt. He leaned against the wall, trying to process what Vidyut had just said. Birthday? Shehnaaz had never mentioned it. In fact, she had always seemed distant about such personal details.

"Delivery boy keh raha tha ki Shehnaaz darwaza nahi khol rahi. Usne mujhe call kiya, aur main office se jaldi nahi aa sakta Nargis bhi apne ghar gai hai... tum please jaa ke parcel le lo"

Sidharth nodded, even though Vidyut could not see him. "Theek hai. Main abhi check karta hoon"

_____________________

Sidharth reached Shehnaaz's door to find a delivery boy waiting, the box in his hand.

"Sir, maine kaafi der tak bell bajaya, par madam ne darwaza nahi khola"

Sidharth quickly paid the man, taking the box from him. It was small and neatly wrapped, with a card attached that read: "To Shehnaaz, Happy Birthday! Your Bestie."

He rang her doorbell, then knocked gently. "Shehnaaz? Main hoon, Sidharth. Darwaza kholo."

Silence.

He tried again, his voice a little louder this time. "Shehnaaz? Tum theek ho?"

When there was still no response, a flicker of worry settled in his chest. He dialed Vidyut immediately.

"Vidyut, Shehnaaz darwaza nahi khol rahi"

There was a pause, and then Vidyut's voice came back, panicked. "Sidharth, spare keys tere paas hai na? Jaldi andar jaa ke dekh please main bass aa raha hu okay!"

"Oh...okay"

Sidharth fumbled for the spare key on his keyring. His hands shook slightly as he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The room was dim, the curtains drawn tight against the outside world. The faint light from the corridor spilled into the living room, illuminating a scene that made Sidharth's breath catch.

Shehnaaz was sitting on the floor, her back pressed against the wall. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. Her breathing was erratic, shallow and fast, as though she could not catch her breath. Tears streaked her pale face, and her eyes darted around the room, unfocused and wide with panic.

Sidharth was shocked to saw her in this state still he called her softly not to make her panick "Shehnaaz"

He did not move closer immediately, knowing her fear of touch. Instead, he crouched a few feet away, making sure she could see him clearly. His voice was calm and steady, though his heart pounded in his chest.

"Shehnaaz, main hoon. Sidharth. Tum safe ho"

Her breathing hitched, and she shook her head violently, her fingers clutching her arms tighter as if to ground herself.

Shehnaaz voice was barely audible "No... no... stop... I can't"

Her words broke off into muffled sobs, her entire body trembling. Sidharth's chest ached at the sight, but he knew he had to keep his composure.

"Shehnaaz, suno meri baat. Tum safe ho. Tum apne ghar me ho, aur yahaan koi danger nahi hai. Main yahaan hoon"

He kept his voice low, soothing, like he was talking to a frightened child. He sat down cross-legged on the floor, maintaining a careful distance.

"Mujhe dekho, Shehnaaz. Bas meri taraf dekho"

It took a moment, but her frantic gaze eventually shifted to him. Tears continued to fall, but the wild panic in her eyes began to dim slightly.

"Saans lo. Dheere dheere. Main tumhare saath saans leta hoon, theek hai?"

He exaggerated a deep inhale, holding it for a few seconds, then exhaled slowly.

"Dekho, aise karo. Ek lambi saans lo, aur dheere se chhodo"

Shehnaaz hesitated, her breaths still erratic, but she tried to mimic him. The first few attempts were shaky, but he encouraged her gently.

"Perfect, Shehnaaz. Dheere karo. Tum bohot strong ho"

Gradually, her breathing slowed, the tightness in her chest easing. She loosened her grip on her knees slightly, though her hands still trembled.

When her breathing steadied, Sidharth finally allowed himself to relax. He went near her. Before he could speak, she stepped forward hesitantly. Her arms trembled as they lifted, and then, to his utter shock, she wrapped them around him, pulling him into a tentative hug.

For a moment, Sidharth froze. His mind raced. Shehnaaz, who recoiled at even the thought of a man's touch, was now clinging to him as though he were the only thing tethering her to safety.

Her face pressed lightly against his chest, and he could feel her shaking. Her breaths were uneven, but there was something else, a quiet relief in the way she held on.

Sidharth didn't know what to do. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, uncertain if he should respond. He did not want to startle her or make her regret the gesture. Slowly, carefully, he let his arms rest lightly at his sides, making no move to hold her back.

Sidharth voice laced with shock "Shehnaaz"

She did not reply, only holding onto him tighter. He could feel her heart pounding against him, a rapid rhythm that mirrored his own.

After a few moments, he finally spoke again, his tone cautious. "Daro mat main hoon yahi" he caressed her hairs feeling her body shriving.

Shehnaaz did not pull away, but her voice came muffled against his shirt.

Shehnaaz said weakly "W...wo mujhe le jayega wo wapas aa gaya hai, please save me Sidharth p...please"

Those words hit Sidharth harder than he expected. His chest tightened, who was that? She was scared but whom.

As the hug lingered, a storm brewed inside Sidharth. He was not used to this being needed, being someone's safe place. It was a role he had once held with Zoya, but since her loss, he had never thought he could be that for anyone again. And yet, here was Shehnaaz, shattering that belief.

Her touch was not romantic or intimate, it was raw, vulnerable, a plea for safety in a world that had hurt her too much.

Sidharth thought in his mind. "Mujhse dar na lagna, Shehnaaz ke liye ek bada step hoga. Par kya main yeh deserve karta hoon? Kya Zoya ka khayal mujhe kabhi yeh sab accept karne dega?"

He looked down at her, at the way her fingers clung to his shirt as if letting go would make her crumble again. Slowly, his hands moved not to hold her, but to hover near her shoulders, offering silent reassurance without pressure.

"You're safe Shehnaaz kuch nahi hone dunga main tumhe" He murmured softly in her ear to comfort her.

Suddenly the door got opened with a loud noise and Vidyut enter inside while huffing, Shehnaaz broke the hug and run towards him and hug him tightly. She again broke down in her brother's arms.

"Shhh it's okay ro mat" he patted her back.

"Bh...bha" she got faint in his arms.

"Shehnaaz" Sidharth shout and run towards her.

"It's okay main room me lekar jaata hu isko" Vidyut pick her in his arms and take her inside her room. Just than a lady doctor enter inside the room, Vidyut already know this was coming so he called her doctor already.

"Kajal please check her" Vidyut said to doctor.

"Umm you guys can leave"

They nodded and left the room.

"What happend to her jab main andar aaya jab bhi she was having a panick attack" Sidharth asked Vidyut sitting beside him.

"She hugged you right? maine dekha tha". Instead of giving him answer Vidyut asked him.

"Haan suddenly she hugged him she was shriving but why are you smiling?"

Vidyut smile with tears "it means she trust you"

"Me?"

"Haan she never touch someone untill she feel safe saalo baad usne kisi par trust kiya and it was you Sidharth."

"Vidyut come" Kajal called him.

"Kya hua Shehnaaz ko?"

"Panick attack again Vidyut kab tak chalega aesa har saal uske saath same hota hai is saal to ye bohot khatarnaak tha she could hurt herself, she need therapy usko apne past se bahar aana hi padhega" Kajal said getting concern for her.

"Main kya karu yaar kitna bolta hu usko but she is scared to even talk about it" Vidyut said having tears in his eyes it's difficult to saw his sister in this state.

"Ahmm sorry if i disturb you but Shehnaaz bol rhi thi koi wapas aa gaya hai wo usko le jayega, is it related to her past?" Sidharth said.

Vidyut and Kajal look at eachother and than at him.

"Kon kuch bola usne?"  Vidyut asked getting impatient.

"Nahi bass bola ki wo aa gaya mujhe le jayega"

Vidyut rubbed his forehead getting tensed for her.

"B...bhai" he hear Shehnaaz voice and went near her.

"Theek hai tu?" He asked her.

She nodded and look at Sidharth. He give a small smile "ahmm main nikalta hu" he said and left from there.

"Bhai" Shehnaaz said her voice shivered and vision got blue because of tears.

He cupped her face "kya hua baccha"

"W...wo...wo mai...maine usk...usko dekha...maine usko dekha wo wapas aa gaya hai"

He hugged her tightly "shhh main hu na kuch nahi hone dunga tujhe."

____________________________

Shehnaaz was sitting in her balcony lost in her thoughts when a soft knock on her door startled her. She froze, her breath hitching. For a moment, she debated ignoring it, but the knock came again, this time gentler.

"Shehnaaz?" He called her.

She hesitated before standing up, wiping her face quickly. She look at other side, Sidharth standing there with a cupcake in his hand. A single candle flickered a top it.

Sidharth smile softly. "Happy birthday."

She blinked, her brows knitting together "Mujhe birthdays nahi pasand. Ab to aapko pata chal gaya hoga." She chuckle sadly.

"Pata hai. Par phir bhi... kabhi kabhi bas ek chhoti si cheez bhi ek din ko better bana sakti hai"

Shehnaaz stared at the cupcake, her expression unreadable. "Aapko maine disturb kar diya aaj, maine dekha tha aap subha kahi ja rahe the"

Sidharth's smile faltered slightly. He hesitated before replying, his voice quieter. "Zoya ki death anniversary hai"

Her gaze softened, the walls she had built trembling slightly. "Aap usse... bohot pyaar karte the?"

Sidharth nodded "Haan. Aur dukh is baat ka hai ki usko properly bye nahi bol paya main."

The vulnerability in his voice made something inside her crack. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, their shared pain reflected back in the other's eyes.

Shehnaaz softly said "Mujhe lagta hai... main bhi apne past ko kabhi nahi chhod payi"

Sidharth gently smile "Toh ek kadam saath me badhaye apne past ke nikal to nahi sakte lekin let's give our life a Second Chance?." He holds out the cupcake. "Blow out the candle"

Shehnaaz hesitated, her fingers trembling as she reached out. The flickering light of the candle seemed to mirror the turmoil inside her. Slowly, she leaned forward and blew it out.

The tiny flame vanished, leaving a faint trail of smoke curling into the air. They smile looking at each other.

Sidharth sat on his couch, the photo of Zoya in his hands. His fingers traced her face, his mind swirling with memories. The weight of grief was still there, but for the first time, it felt less suffocating.

Next door, Shehnaaz sat by her balcony, staring at the now melted candle and untouched cupcake on her table. For years, she had avoided this day, locking herself away from the world. But tonight, she had let someone in, even if just for a moment.

For the first time in years, she felt something new, hope. Small, fragile, but real.

And in the quiet of the night, as the city hummed around them, both Sidharth and Shehnaaz held onto the tentative belief that their scars did not have to define them forever.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it. Longest chapter till now 😭 double votes please 👉🏻👈🏻.

Thanks for reading.