The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of Shehnaaz's apartment, casting a golden hue over everything. Shehnaaz sat on her balcony, a small notebook in her hand, but her thoughts were not on the play she was supposed to be writing. They were on Sidharth.

The memory of their confession, the warmth of his hand in hers, and the gentle yet passionate kiss on the Ferris wheel still lingered in her mind. It was like reliving a dream she never wanted to wake up from.

Her fingers unconsciously traced the corner of the notebook as her heart swelled with emotions she had not felt before. Shehnaaz smiled to herself, but a flicker of nervousness followed. She had never been this close to someone before, never allowed herself to be.

Meanwhile, in his apartment, Sidharth was pacing the floor of his living room. He held a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, his other hand running through his hair. His mind kept replaying the moment Shehnaaz had looked into his eyes and said she trusted him.

It was a realization that both thrilled and terrified him. He had loved before, and he knew the depths of pain that came with losing someone you care about. Yet, with Shehnaaz, it was different. She did not fill the void in his heart she made it whole again.

Farah's words from weeks ago rang in his mind: Kabhi kabhi, kisi ki zarurat hone lagti hai. Aur woh zarurat pyaar hota hai. He smiled, finally understanding what she had meant.

He glanced at his phone and debated texting Shehnaaz. But before he could type a word, it buzzed with a message from Farah.

Farah: "Aaj theater aane mein late mat karna. Rishab aur mujhe kuch discuss karna hai!"

Sidharth huffed, shaking his head. He decided it was time to share his feelings with his closest friends.

He open his WhatsApp and text a message to Shehnaaz.

"Hey Good morning, Aaj theater saath chale?"

Shehnaaz was packing her accessories when her phone pinged. She smile after saw his message.

"Good morning, had your breakfast?"

Sidharth🎀 : "Yup! Tumne kiya?"

Sidharth smile received her caring message. He replied and received her message.

Shehnaaz ❤️ : "Yes and actually main thoda late aaungi bhabhi ke check up ke liye jaana hai, Sorry"

"It's okay, theater me milte hai be safe there" .

__________________________

The dimly lit theater had always been a place of magic for Shehnaaz. But today, it felt like a stage for something more personal. As she entered the space, she spotted Sidharth across the room, discussing something with Farah and Rishab.

Farah, as always, was animated, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke. Rishab, on the other hand, leaned casually against a chair, his usual smirk in place. When Sidharth saw Shehnaaz, his face softened, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Farah noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, yeh kya chal raha hai?" she teased.

Sidharth feigned innocence. "Kya chal raha hai?"

Rishab laughed. "Bhai, tere aur Shehnaaz ke beech jo chal raha hai, woh ab sab ko pata chalne wala hai"

Shehnaaz's cheeks turned pink as she joined them, but Sidharth stepped forward, his hand brushing lightly against hers as he addressed Farah and Rishab. "Actually, tum dono ko pehle batana chahiye tha... Shehnaaz aur main, we are together now"

Farah's eyes widened before a huge grin spread across her face. "I knew it! Main tum dono ki vibes tab se feel kar rahi thi!" She turned to Shehnaaz and pulled her into a hug. "Main bahut khush hoon tum dono ke liye"

Rishab clapped Sidharth on the back. "Bhai, yeh toh latest news hai! Lekin ek baat sun le, agar Shehnaaz ko dukh diya na, toh tujhe Farah aur mere dono ka gussa sehna padega"

Sidharth raised his hands in mock surrender. "Aisa kabhi nahi hoga"

Shehnaaz chuckled, her earlier nervousness melting away in the warmth of her friend's acceptance.

"Phir to party banti hu" Rishab said loudly.

Sidharth chuckled, "Of course, but abhi sab kaam par lago chalo".

_________________________

The theater bustled with activity as the cast and crew prepared for their next play. The stage lights flickered, and the hum of rehearsals filled the air. Amid the chaos, there was an unspoken rhythm between Sidharth and Shehnaaz. Their love, new yet deep, played out in stolen moments and quiet gestures that felt like a secret only they shared.

It started with the simplest moments. During rehearsal, Shehnaaz was sitting in a corner of the backstage area, lost in her script. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she edited a particularly tricky scene. Sidharth, who had been directing the actors on stage, glanced her way and smiled.

She looked up to find him staring, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Kya hua?" she asked softly, her cheeks already tinged with warmth.

"Tumhare expressions dekh raha tha" Sidharth said, walking over. He crouched in front of her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Jab tum likhti ho, bohot khubsurat lagti hu"

Shehnaaz's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly recovered with a playful smirk. "Kuch bhi"

Sidharth chuckled. "Bas tum mujhe khubsurat lagti ho to lagti ho"

Her breath caught, and for a moment, the bustling theater faded. Sidharth stilled, his gaze locking with hers. For a moment, neither spoke. Slowly, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Guys apna romance baad me karna abhi kaam kar le Sidharth chal na dance sequence dekhna hai" Farah said while rolling her eyes.

Sidharth huffed and nodded. "Wait for me saath ghar chalenge" He whispered to her and left from there.

_________________________

During a scene rehearsal one afternoon, Sidharth was standing near the lighting console, giving instructions to the technician. Shehnaaz, who had been sitting in the audience section, couldn't help but admire him. The way he carried himself with quiet confidence, the patience he showed with the crew, and the small smiles he shared with everyone made her heart swell.

She didn't realize she was staring until Farah nudged her. "Ab bas bhi karo. Aise dekhogi toh sabko pata chal jayega"

Shehnaaz turned crimson. "Main... main bas uski instructions sun rahi thi"

Farah smirked. "Haan, instructions toh tum zarur sun rahi thi, lekin tumhare expressions kuch aur hi kahani suna rahe hain"

Across the room, Sidharth caught her gaze and winked. Shehnaaz quickly looked away, her cheeks burning.

Their relationship continued to grow in quiet moments. Shehnaaz would bring Sidharth his favorite coffee during long rehearsals. Sidharth would leave little notes of encouragement in her notebook.

One night, as they walked home together under a starry sky, Shehnaaz slipped her hand into his, their fingers intertwining. Sidharth glanced at her, his smile soft.

Shehnaaz leaned her head on his shoulder, her heart full. "Aapne mujhe jeene ki himmat di hai"

"Aur tumne mujhe zindagi phir se jeene ki wajah di hai" he said quietly.

"Sidharth i was thinking ki main bhaiya ko sab bata du". She said hesitantly.

"Bata do toh" he said softly playing with her ring.

"Bata du? Sach me?" She asked getting surprised.

"Of course and I'm serious about us okay. Kabhi tum socho time pass hai ye sab"

"Of course not and Mr. I'm also serious about us"

"Haan to bata do baba mere parents bhi next week aa rahe hai maine soch rakha tha tumhe properly introduce karunga"

She smile and took a deep breath of relief, she chose a right person for herself.

Later that evening, Shehnaaz sat in her living room with Vidyut. She had been pacing for a while, trying to find the right words. Vidyut, as always, watched her with quiet patience.

"Kya baat hai, Shehnaaz? Tum itni ghabra kyun rahi ho?" Vidyut finally asked.

Shehnaaz stopped pacing and took a deep breath. "Bhai wo, mujhe aapse ek zaruri baat karni hai"

He nodded, gesturing for her to sit beside him. "Kaho"

She fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta. "Woh... Sidharth aur main.." She looked up, meeting his gaze. "Hum ek dusre se pyaar karte hai...and we are together"

Vidyut's expression shifted slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. "Sidharth?"

She nodded quickly. "Haan. Bhai, main jaanti hoon ki aap hamesha mere liye protective rahe ho. Lekin Sidharth... woh alag hai. Woh samajhte hai mujhe, bina kuch kahe. Main unke saath safe feel karti hoon"

Vidyut studied her face for a moment before sighing. "Shehnaaz, teri khushi sabse zaruri hai. Agar tujhe lagta hai ki Sidharth tere liye sahi hai, toh mujhe bhi lagta hai ki tune ek accha faisla kiya hai"

Shehnaaz's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, bhai"

Vidyut smiled and patted her hand. "Lekin ek baat yaad rakhna, agar woh tujhe hurt karega, toh mujhe samjhana aata hai phir"

Shehnaaz laughed softly, the heaviness lifting from her chest.

____________________________

The next morning, Shehnaaz woke up to an unexpected knock on her door. She opened it to find Nargis standing there, her face pale.

"Shehnaaz" Nargis said in a trembling voice, "mummy papa yahan aaye hain"

Shehnaaz froze, her mind racing. "Kya?"

Nargis nodded, stepping aside to reveal their parents standing behind her. Her father's stern expression and her mother's disapproving gaze sent a chill down Shehnaaz's spine.

"Kuch baat karne aaye hai hum, Shehnaaz se" her father said coldly.

Shehnaaz's heart sank as she realized this was not a friendly visit. Vidyut appeared behind her, his jaw tightening as he met their parents gaze.

As tension filled the small space, Shehnaaz's phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at the screen to see Sidharth name. She quickly silenced it, not ready to explain this storm to him just yet.

____________________________________

Would her newfound happiness survive the storm of her past?

That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading.