A few weeks after Sidharth's heartfelt proposal, the preparations for their engagement were in full swing. Both families and close friends were excited, pitching in to help organize the special day. The date was decided for the following weekend, and Sidharth insisted on one important thing he would personally talk to Shehnaaz's parents.

He knew they had a strained relationship, but he hoped to win their approval for Shehnaaz sake. Little did he know, the meeting would test his patience and resolve.

Shehnaaz sat in her living room with Nargis and Farah, discussing the engagement plans. The room was filled with laughter as they debated themes and colors for the decorations.

Farah teased Shehnaaz, "Aur Shehnaaz, engagement ke din kya pehnogi? Sidharth ki pasand ka kuch toh zaroor hoga, hai na?"

Shehnaaz blushed, fiddling with the hem of her dupatta. "Wo main kiu batau"

Farah said dramatically. "Haan bhai hume kiu bataogi ab to sirf Sidharth hi Sidharth hoga"

Nargis chuckled, "Woh toh hai, lekin ek baat toh pakki hai. Engagement ke din ka sabse zyada intezaar Sidharth kar raha hoga"

While the women finalized the venue and menu, Sidharth was busy coordinating with Rishab about the rings and logistics. His excitement was palpable, but there was a lingering worry in his mind about Shehnaaz's parents.

____________________________

The next morning, Sidharth dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers. He carried a calm yet determined demeanor as he walked to Shehnaaz parent house. He rang the doorbell, clutching a small box of sweets in his hand, a token of respect and goodwill.

Her father, opened the door, his expression unreadable. "Kya kaam hai?"

Sidharth offered a polite smile. "Namaste, uncle. Main Sidharth Shukla hoon. Shehnaaz ke baare mein baat karni thi."

Reluctantly,  let him in. Her mother joined them, her face hard and unyielding.

Sidharth began respectfully, "Main Shehnaaz se pyaar karta hoon, aur hum dono shaadi karna chahte hain. Main aap dono ka aashirwad lene aaya hoon. Kuch time baad hum log engagement karne wale hai."

Her father's expression turned cold.  "Aashirwad? Tumhe lagta hai hum us ladki ko maaf karenge jo humari izzat ka mazaak banake chali gayi?"

Sidharth tried to keep his tone measured. "Uncle seriously i don't know aapki kya problem hai Shehnaaz se but usne sirf apne liye ek decision liya tha. Har insaan ka haq hota hai apne life ke decisions lene ka."

Her mother scoffed. "Humne uske liye ek accha rishta dekha tha, lekin usne hume beizzat kar diya. Tum sochte ho, hum usse aur tumhare rishton ko accept karenge?"

Sidharth's jaw tightened, but he maintained his calm. "Main samjhta hoon ki aap logon ko dukh hua hoga. Lekin Shehnaaz ki khushi meri zimmedari hai. Main chahta hoon ki woh apne parents ke saath yeh safar shuru kare. I just want ki aap sab purana bhula de aur hamari khushi me shamil ho."

Her father's voice rose in anger. "Hume uska koi safar nahi dekhna. Hum usse tabhi apni beti maante, jab woh humari baat sunti. Ab uska hamare ghar se koi lena dena nahi hai bol dena usko ye."

Sidharth's heart ached for Shehnaaz, but his respect for her only deepened. He stood, placing the box of sweets on the table. "Agar yeh aapka faisla hai, toh main aur kuch nahi keh sakta. Lekin ek baat clear hai, Shehnaaz aapki beti hai, aur hamesha rahegi. Aapke na hone ke bawajood, main uska har dukh aur khushi apne saath share karunga."

As he left, her parents remained silent, their cold expressions changed. Sidharth's hands clenched into fists as he walked out, but he knew he had to focus on Shehnaaz and their future.

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Despite the setback, their engagement preparations continued. Sidharth's family and Shehnaaz's brother Vidyut reassured her that she was not alone. Vidyut even suggested an auspicious date for the ceremony, and the families agreed.

The engagement was just a few days away, and Sidharth and Shehnaaz decided to go shopping for their outfits. Accompanied by their friends, the day turned into an adventure filled with laughter, teasing, and stolen moments of romance.

They entered an upscale boutique in the heart of the city, its interior adorned with sparkling chandeliers and rows of exquisite lehengas and sherwanis. Shehnaaz looked around, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her eyes.

Farah nudged her. "Relax, Shehnaaz! Yeh teri engagement hai, ab toh confident hona padega."

Sidharth, noticing her hesitation, leaned in slightly. "Shehnaaz, tumhe jo pasand aayega, wahi perfect hoga. Trust yourself."

Shehnaaz smiled at his reassurance and walked toward the lehengas.

While Shehnaaz browsed through the outfits, Sidharth pretended to focus on his sherwani but kept stealing glances at her. When she held up a peach lehenga, he raised his eyebrows in approval.

"Yeh acha hai," he said, tilting his head.

Shehnaaz frowned. "Sidharth, aap sherwanis dekh rahe ho ya mujhe?"

He smirked. "Dono."

Rishab overheard and laughed. "Bas yahi hona tha. Sidharth, thoda control kar. Abhi engagement ke din tak sabr kar le bhai."

Sidharth chuckled, unbothered by her teasing.

"I'll just try this one," she said, slipping into the fitting room again.

A few minutes later, muffled sounds came from inside. Shehnaaz was struggling to zip the back of the blouse. She sighed, frustrated, and called out softly, "Farah?"

Farah, unfortunately, was nowhere to be found, having wandered off to the jewelry section dragging Rishab with her.

Standing nearby, Sidharth heard her faint voice and immediately walked over, his lips curving into a mischievous smile. "Kya hua, Shehnaaz? Kuch problem hai?"

Shehnaaz peeked through the door, her cheeks already tinged pink. "Kuch nahi, woh zip stuck ho gaya hai. Farah ko bula do, please."

Sidharth smirked, leaning against the frame. "Farah toh jewelry dekh rahi hai. Main help karoon?"

Her eyes widened. "Aap? Nahi, woh… thik hai, main..."

But before she could finish, Sidharth had already stepped inside, gently closing the door behind him.

The space was cramped, forcing them to stand close. Shehnaaz turned her back to him, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "Sidharth, i....i will manage."

Sidharth leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Tumhe help ki zarurat hai, aur main yahan hoon. Relax, Shehnaaz."

His fingers brushed her back as he reached for the zipper, sending a shiver down her spine. He worked carefully, but his touch lingered slightly longer than necessary, his gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror.

Shehnaaz noticed his intense eyes through the glass and stammered, "Sid...harth"

He smiled, teasing, "Itni nervous kyun ho? Main toh sirf help kar raha hoon"

The zipper finally slid up, but Sidharth didn't step back immediately. Instead, he leaned closer, his hands resting slip towards her waist. "Shehnaaz," he murmured, his voice low and husky, "tumhe pata hai na tum iss lehenga me kitni khubsurat lag rahi ho?"

She turned slightly, her heart racing. "Sidharth...ko...koi aa jayega."

He tilted his head, a playful smirk on his lips. "Aane do hone wali biwi ho tum meri, apni biwi ke saath romance kar raha hu kisi aur ke saath thodi."

Shehnaaz smile turned into frown. "Sochna bhi mat kisi aur ke saath ye sab karne ki."

Sidharth chuckled. "Acha kya karogi tum"

"Ma...main shadi hi nahi karungi." She said and turn towards the mirror.

He bite his lower lip and hugged her from behind. He nuzzle his nose in her nape. "Acha ji lekin main to utha le jaunga zabardasti shadi nahi karogi to."

She look towards him, they both giggled
"Kitne ache lag rahe hai na hum saath me?" Shehnaaz said.

"Bohot"

She turn towards him with a mischievous smile. He smirks.

"Aapke irade theek nahi lag rahe madam."

She wrap her hands around his neck. "Bilkul sahi kaha aapne."

"Acha ji".

"Aankhein band kariye."

"Kiu?"

"Tch karo na." She said while blushing. He chuckled and closed his eyes in excitement although his heart was beating loudly.

Suddenly all his excitement vanished away when she pushed him outside of changing room and lock the door.

"Hey this is cheating." He shout from outside getting disappointed.

"Every thing is fair in love Mr. Shukla" Shehnaaz shout from inside. He saw some female stuff was laughing and smiling looking at him, he understood that they saw him coming outside. He rub his nape and turn around.

"Oye akele akele kya sharma raha hai?" Farah said standing near him.

"Nahi kuch nahi" he murmured.

"Where is Shehnaaz?"

The get opened and Shehnaaz come outside wearing the lehenga.

Farah clapped her hands. "Oh my God, Shehnaaz! You look stunning. Let's final this, I think this is the one."

Shehnaaz nodded shyly, but Sidharth, ever the tease, added, "Mujhe lagta hai main bhi sherwani isi ke hisaab se choose karoon."

"Haan haan mere majnu chal tujhe sherwani selet karwau." Rishab put his hand around Sidharth's neck and drag him with him.

_____________________________

After finalizing the clothes, they moved to a jewelry store. Nargis and Vidyut also join them. While Shehnaaz tried on necklaces, Sidharth stood beside her, pretending to examine the designs but leaning close enough to make her heart race.

"Yeh wala kaise lag raha hai?" Shehnaaz asked, holding up a delicate diamond choker.

Sidharth tilted his head, his voice low. "Beautiful. Par main necklace ki baat nahi kar raha."

Shehnaaz's cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly turned to Nargis. "Bhabhi, aap batao.'

Nargis smiled knowingly. "Mujhe lagta hai Sidharth ki choice best hai."

He wrap his hand around Shehnaaz sounder and said. "Bhabhi meri choice to shuru se hi best hai."

Farah whispered to Shehnaaz, "Yeh toh fully romantic mode me hai. Sambhal ke."

____________________________

After hours of shopping, they decided to take a break at a nearby café. While they sipped their coffee, Rishab decided to lighten the mood.

He said, "Sidharth, ab toh tu officially Shehnaaz ke assistant ban gaya hai. Kitne bags uthyega?"

Sidharth grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Agar Shehnaaz ke liye hai, toh jitne bhi uthane padhe"

"Oh god ye majnu Sidharth kaha chupa betha tha, Shehnaaz tune mera serious dost merese cheen liya." Farah said dramatically.

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes playfully. "Aapko hero banne ka koi mauka chhodna nahi hai, hai na?"

He smirked. "Hero nahi, bas tumhara hone ka mauka."

Everyone burst into laughter while Shehnaaz tried to hide her blush.

On the way back, Sidharth insisted on dropping Shehnaaz home. Other's took a cab, giving them some alone time.

As they drove through the city lights, Sidharth noticed Shehnaaz fiddling with the hem of her dupatta.

"Kya soch rahi ho?" he asked softly.

Shehnaaz hesitated. "Bas yeh soch rahi thi ki sab kuch kitna achanak ho gaya. Mujhe kabhi laga nahi tha ki mere life me yeh sab hoga. I mean itni khushiya... i just can't believe."

Sidharth smiled. "Mujhe laga tha. Jab tumhe pehli baar dekha tha, tabhi samajh gaya tha ki tum meri life ka sabse important hissa ban jaogi."

"Rehne dijiye haan kese mujhe bhagaya tha studio se phir khudh hi manane aaye the."

Sidharth chuckled. "Are to jab ki baat kuch aur thi, i was in a different phrase jisse tumne mujhe bahar nikala."

Her heart swelled at his words. "Aap hamesha itne perfect kaise hote ho?"

He chuckled. "Main perfect nahi hoon. Bas tumhare saath hoon, isliye sab perfect lagta hai."

As they reached her apartment, Sidharth handed her a small box.

"Yeh kya hai?" she asked, opening it to find a delicate bracelet.

"Engagement ke pehle ek chhota sa gift. Taaki tumhe hamesha yaad rahe ki main sirf tumhara hu." he said with a warm smile.

Shehnaaz blinked back tears, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Sidharth. Aapne meri life mein itni khushi laayi hai, main kabhi repay nahi kar paungi."

He shook his head. "Repay karne ki baat hi mat karo. Bas mujhe promise karo ki hamesha khush rahogi."

She nodded, her smile brighter than ever, as they said their goodbyes for the night, their hearts already counting down to the day they would officially start their forever.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it.

Thanks for reading ❤️.