The morning sunlight seeped through the curtains of Sidharth's apartment, illuminating the room where he had been preparing for an important day. His parents, Rita and Ashok, were visiting him after years of estrangement. Though he was excited to see them, he was also nervous about the revelations that awaited them especially about Shehnaaz.

When the doorbell rang, Sidharth took a deep breath and opened the door to find his parents standing there, smiles on their faces. His mother, hugged him tightly, her eyes moist.

"Sidharth, beta" she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Mom kese ho aap?" He hug her tightly and asked feeling the motherly warm.

"Main theek hu aur tu kitna patla ho gaya hai, theek se dhyan nahi rakhta tu aapna" She slightly slap his bicep.

His fathe, patted his shoulder firmly. "Humse door rehne ka bohot shauk tha na? Ab toh kam se kam gale lag le"

Sidharth chuckled softly and hugged his father. "Mom, Dad andar aayiye. Yeh aapka hi ghar hai"

As they entered, Rita maa glanced around, taking in the changes in her son's home. The apartment was neat, well maintained, and exuded warmth. But what caught her attention most was the absence of something or rather, someone.

"Aap dono betho main pani laaya." He told and headed towards the kitchen.

"Are tu beth na hamare pass" Rita maa hold his hand and make him sit beside her.

He chuckle and like this the time passed.

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"Sidharth" she began hesitantly, her brows furrowing. "Zoya ki photos kaha hai? Tere room me hamesha woh hoti thi"

Sidharth paused, his chest tightening slightly. He gestured for her to sit on the bed and then sat opposite her his hands clasped together.

"Mom woh photos maine hata di hai" he said softly.

Rita maa eyes widened. "Kiu? Zoya tere liye kitni important thi. Tune usse kabhi bhulne ki baat nahi ki thi"

Sidharth looked at her, his gaze steady but filled with emotion. "Mom, Zoya mere liye hamesha special rahegi. Woh mera pehla pyaar thi, aur usse khone ka dard main kabhi nahi bhool sakta. Par zindagi ek jagah ruk nahi sakti, na?"

Ashok leaned forward, his voice calm but curious. "To ab kya hua hai, Sidharth?"

Taking a deep breath, Sidharth continued, "Maine kisi aur se pyaar karna seekh liya hai, Dad, Shehnaaz... wo meri zindagi me aayi hai. Aur usne mujhe phir se jeena sikhaya hai"

Rita looked at him, her emotions a mixture of surprise and concern. "Shehnaaz? Kaun hai wo, beta?"

Sidharth's face softened as he spoke. "Wo meri life ka sabse important hissa ban gayi hai, maa. Wo bhi tuti hui thi, bilkul mere jaise, par humne ek dusre ko sambhalna seekha. Wo mujhe samajhti hai jaise koi aur nahi samajh sakta"

Rita maa sighed, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Beta, tu usse pyaar karta hai, ye to samajh aa raha hai. Par main usse jaane bina kaise yeh faisla maan loon?"

Sidharth reached out, holding her hand gently. "Mom, mujhe pata hai ki aap aur papa mere liye best chahte ho. Lekin ek baar Shehnaaz se mil lo. Aap samajh jaoge ki wo meri life ke liye perfect hai"

Ashok nodded thoughtfully. "Ek kaam kar Sidharth usko bula lo"

Rita maa looked hesitant but eventually nodded. "Theek hai. Kal use bula lo. Par Sidharth, mujhe ladki achi chahiye jo teri care kare tera dhyaan rakhe. Agar wo tere liye sahi hai, to main usse apne dil se apnaungi"

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The Next Day

Sidharth had invited Shehnaaz to his apartment but had not mentioned his parents presence, wanting the meeting to be as natural as possible. Shehnaaz arrived, a little surprised by the urgency in his tone when he had called her.

"Sidharth, kya baat hai? Aapne itni jaldi bulaya" she asked as he opened the door.

Sidharth smiled, trying to appear nonchalant. "Kuch khaas nahi, bas tumse milne ka mann kar raha tha"

As they walked into the living room, Sidharth accidentally collided with a table, letting out a small groan of pain.

"Oh no! Sidharth, sambhal ke!" Shehnaaz exclaimed, immediately rushing to his side. "Aap theek ho?"

She made him sit on the couch, kneeling in front of him to inspect his leg where the table's edge had left a small bruise.

"Tch aap itne careless kaise ho, Sidharth?" she scolded, her voice filled with concern as she gently massaged the area. "Mera itna dhyan rakhte ho Shehnaaz dhyan se chalo, Shehnaaz kya kar rahi ho, aur khudh ka kya haan"

Sidharth winced but could not help smiling at her fussing. "Tum ho na, jo meri care karti ho. Main careless kaise nahi banunga?"

His parents , who had been observing the scene quietly from a corner, exchanged a glance. Rita maa heart softened as she saw the way Shehnaaz's concern for her son was evident in every word and action.

Finally, Rita maa stepped forward, clearing her throat. "Beta, tum Shehnaaz ho na?"

Shehnaaz looked up, startled, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stood up. "J...ji. Aap kaun?"

Rita maa smiled gently. "Main Sidharth ki maa hoon. Aur yeh unke papa"

Shehnaaz's eyes widened in realization. She glared at Sidharth, who gave her an apologetic shrug. "Aapne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?" she whispered, nervousness creeping into her voice.

Sidharth stood up, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Kyunki main chahata tha ki mom aur dad tumhe bina kisi pehle se bani opinion ke dekhein. Tum jaise ho, waise hi"

Ashok ji stepped forward, his tone kind but direct. "Beta, Sidharth ne hume tumhare baare mein bataya hai. Par hum tumhe jaan na chahte hain"

Shehnaaz nodded nervously. "Ji"

Rita maa gestured for her to sit down. "Shehnaaz, tum Sidharth ke liye kitni important ho, wo uski baaton se hi samajh aata hai. Par ek maa hone ke nate, mujhe apne bete ke liye sirf khushi chahiye ,isliye main tumhare baare mein aur jaanna chahungi"

Shehnaaz hesitated, glancing at Sidharth, who gave her an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, she began.

"Aunty, main... main woh ladki nahi hoon jo perfect hai. Mera past bohot mushkil raha hai. Mere parents ne mujhe kabhi accept nahi kiya jaise Vidyut bhai ne kiya. Unhone mujhe aksar yeh ehsaas dilaya ki main unki zindagi mein ek bojh hoon. Par Sidharth ne mujhe accept kiya, jaise main hoon. Wo mujhe har din yeh feel karwate hai ki main special hoon"

Her voice trembled slightly, but her sincerity shone through. "Mujhe pata hai ki aap log apne bete ke liye best chahte hain. Main unka aur apna past nahi replace kar sakti, par main unka present aur future banne ki koshish zarur karungi."

Rita maa eyes glistened as she listened to her, and she reached out to hold Shehnaaz's hand. "Beta, tumne jo kaha, usse mujhe sirf yeh pata chala ki tum ek bohot strong ladki ho. Aur agar tum Sidharth ke saath ho, toh mujhe yeh yakeen hai ki woh khush rahega"

Ashok nodded in agreement. "Sidharth ne ek sahi ladki chuni hai. Tumhare baare mein humare doubts khatam ho gaye hain, beta" he patted her head and bless her.

Sidharth grinned, pulling Shehnaaz into a side hug. "Dekha? Maine kaha tha, mom, dad. Shehnaaz meri duniya hai. Aur ab aap dono ke saath ye bhi meri duniya ka hissa hai"

Rita maa smiled warmly, pulling both of them into a hug. "Hum tumhare saath hai, beta. Hamesha"

The evening ended with a newfound sense of unity and love, as the family shared a simple meal together, laughter and joy filling the apartment. For the first time in years, Sidharth felt his world falling into place.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it. 1 more chapter to go..... Second last chapter hai 150 votes kr do dusht praniyo 😭.

Thanks for reading.