The soft hues of dusk painted the sky in warm shades of amber and pink as Shehnaaz and Sidharth walked back from rehearsals. The city buzzed faintly in the background, but their world felt quieter, more intimate. As they walked side by side, neither spoke much, their silences speaking louder than words.

Sidharth glanced at Shehnaaz, watching her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, her soft smile catching his attention. His heart skipped a beat, an unfamiliar feeling, or perhaps one he had not felt in years. He shook his head slightly, reminding himself of Zoya. But the warmth spreading in his chest refused to be ignored.

Shehnaaz stopped near a street vendor selling balloons and candies. She watched a little boy laugh as he clutched a bright red balloon. Her face lit up with a genuine smile that took Sidharth by surprise.

"Shehnaaz" he said suddenly, almost startling her.

"Haan?" she asked, turning to him, her eyes reflecting the evening glow.

"Tum jab hasti ho na..." He hesitated, realizing he was about to cross an invisible boundary. "Bas... achha lagta hai." He finished awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Shehnaaz blinked, her cheeks warming, and quickly looked away, biting her lip to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

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Later that evening, Sidharth found himself pacing in his balcony, his thoughts in turmoil. "Kya ho raha hai mujhe? Yeh... yeh toh galat hai" he muttered to himself. He thought of Zoya's laughter, her touch, and the memories that had kept him going for years. But now, a different image began creeping into his mind Shehnaaz, her vulnerability, her strength, her laughter.

He stopped in his tracks, gripping the railing tightly. "Nahi, Zoya ke baad... yeh sab kaise ho sakta hai?" he whispered. Yet his heart betrayed him, pulling him toward Shehnaaz with an intensity that left him breathless.

Meanwhile, in her room, Shehnaaz stood by the window, staring at the stars. She held the small pendant around her neck, a gift from Vidyut long ago. But tonight, her mind was elsewhere. She thought of Sidharth's quiet glances, the way he always understood her without her having to say much, and the way his presence made her feel... safe.

"Yeh kya ho raha hai mujhe?" she murmured, pressing her fingers to her lips as if the answers were hidden there.

Her thoughts were interrupted when, Nargis, walked in, glowing with her pregnancy. Shehnaaz smile but her mind wandered back to Sidharth.

"Kya ho gaya kaha khoi hui hai madam ya kiske khayalo me?" Nargis asked her with a teasing smile.

"Bhabhi yaar" she winched and laid on her bed.

Nargis laid beside her and said, "Now tell me what happend with my lovely bua" she said in childish tone.

Shehnaaz chuckle, "I...i think I'm in love," she said in one go and closed her eyes.

"What?" Nargis sat straight and also pulled Shehnaaz. "Really?"

Shehnaaz nodded and blush.

"Awww my blushy baby finally tujhe realized ho gaya"

She shrugged her shoulders and took a deep breath. "Yes i...i just realized it"

"Oh my god Shehnaaz I'm so so so happy for you" Nargis hugged her. "Tune usko Bataya?"

Shehnaaz broke the hug and shook her head. "Bhabhi mujhe dar lag raha hai"

"Arey dar kis baat ka maine dekha hai usko kesi teri care krta hai tera dhyan rakhta hai" she said while cupping her face.

"Wha...what if he don't love me? Agar unko bhi lagta ho ki jo mere saath past me hua wo meri galti thi? What if wo maan bhi gaye but mumma papa wo log to bawal kar denge aur-"

"Kab tak overthink karegi tu, dekh Shehnaaz jab tak tu saamne se jakar baat nahi karegi tujhe uski dil ki baat kabhi pata nahi chalegi you have to be brave for your love. You know jab Vidyut proposed me, main bhi teri tarha tha ek dum dari sehmi lekin unhone mera haath thama aur duniya se lad gaye hamare pyaar ke liye, mere ammi abbu ko manaya apne parents ko raazi kiya, mujhse shadi kari sabke saamne bina dare this is called true love jo aapko accept kare jese aap ho wese hi and i know Sidharth uski aakho me saaf dikhta hai tere liye pyaar"

"Are you sure about this? What if he reject me because of my past main to apna dost bhi kho dungi na"

"Pehle to ye what if hata apni dictionary se aur itni tension mat le take your time and enjoy this feeling okay".

Shehnaaz nodded and smile widely. Nargis left the room, Shehnaaz stood infront of mirror and admire her face.

"Am i glowing because of him?" She said to herself while blushing. "Oh god aese to maine pagal ho jaana hai".

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The golden hues of the morning sun filtered through the windows of theater. Sidharth paced restlessly in front of Farah and Rishab trying to focus on their conversation but failing miserably.

Farah arched an eyebrow, exchanging a knowing glance with Rishab. "Kya hua, Sidharth? Tujhe kab se kisi baat ki itni tension lene ki aadat ho gayi?"

Rishab smirked, leaning back casually. "Ya toh tera play me koi scene kharab chal raha hai, ya tu kisi ke baare me soch raha hai" He shot a mischievous look at Sidharth. "Aur mujhe lagta hai ki doosra option sahi hai"

Sidharth stopped mid step, glaring at his friend. "Aisa kuch nahi hai. Tum logon ke dimaag me bas ulte seede khayal aate hain"

Farah folded her arms, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Haan, haan. Zyda drama mat kar. Waise bhi, tere expressions sab kuch bata dete hain. Shehnaaz ke baare mein soch raha hai na?"

At the mention of Shehnaaz's name, Sidharth's jaw tightened. "Main... bas uski care karta hoon. Wo meri dost hai, bas"

Rishab scoffed. "Dost? Bhai, itne saalo ki  dosti me maine tujhe aise restless kabhi nahi dekha. Jab wo hasti hai, to tu bina wajah muskura deta hai. Jab wo udas hoti hai, to tu duniya bhar ka tension le leta hai. Aur woh butterflies wala incident? Hume sab pata hai"

Sidharth looked away, his face betraying his inner turmoil. Farah softened her tone, standing up to place a hand on his shoulder. "Sidharth, hum samjhte hain ki Zoya tere liye kya thi. Lekin kya tujhe nahi lagta ki tere dil me Shehnaaz ke liye kuch badal raha hai?"

He looked at her, conflicted. "Par main kaise? Zoya ke baad main kabhi kisi aur se...." He stopped, struggling to put his emotions into words. "Mujhe lagta hai ki agar maine Shehnaaz ke liye kuch mehsoos kiya, to main Zoya ko dhokha de raha hoon"

Rishab sat up, his voice steady but firm. "Sidharth, tune Zoya se pyar kiya, aur wo pyaar tere dil me hamesha rahega. Lekin iska matlab ye nahi ki tu apne dil ke naye ehsaas ko daba de"

Farah nodded. "Aur Shehnaaz? Usne apni zindagi me jo saha hai, uske baad woh deserve karti hai ki koi usse waise dekhe jaise tu dekhta hai. Kya tune kabhi notice kiya hai ki tere saath woh kitni safe feel karti hai? She never hold someone hand. But her hand always found it's way towards yours because she know wo tere saath safe hai"

Sidharth's mind raced with memories Shehnaaz laughing as she played with the butterfly, her soft smile when he made her laugh, the way her eyes met his during rehearsals, and how she had let herself lean on him when she stumbled.

Farah voice pulled him back. "Sidharth, tere dil ke darwaze khul rahe hain. Tujhe bas apne guilt ko side karna hoga. Tu sirf Zoya ki yaadon ke saath jee nahi sakta. Tere paas ek aur chance hai khush rehne ka"

That evening, as Sidharth walked alone, Farah and Rishab's words echoed in his mind. He thought of Shehnaaz laughter, her small but heartfelt gestures, and the way she trusted him despite her fears. For the first time, he allowed himself to admit it.

"Shayad..." he whispered to himself, his voice hesitant but hopeful. "No Shayad nhi I'm in love with her." He smile widely realizing it.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading.