Sidharth and Shehnaaz sit in their car to go home. The smile on Shehnaaz's face didn't leave her and Sidharth was observing her continuously as she smiled softly looking outside the window. He turned on the radio and the late evening show was going on. He suddenly stopped his car at the small river bridge.

Shehnaaz: (confusedly) What happened?

Sidharth: Can we spend sometime here? From tomorrow will get busy with work and you will be super busy running from home to sweet mart and from sweet mart to studio.

Shehnaaz: (Looked at him for sometime and nodded) I had the best birthday celebration today and I too don't want it to end so soon.

He smiles and they get down from the car and stood leaning against the bridge fence looking at the calm little river. The water shone due to the reflection of street light on the bridge and the moon light. Occasionally, one or two vehicle passed over it since it was late evening. The radio was on and they could hear the music play on it.

Shehnaaz: Do you know to swim?

Sidharth: No, I can't swim. What about you?

Shehnaaz: I am scared on water.

Sidharth: Then how do you take bath?

Shehnaaz: (laughed) Hush!! I meant to say water bed like river, lake, sea or swimming pool. I can't swim either.

Sidharth: Okay! I was wondering how do you manage to keep yourself clean if you are scared of water.

Shehnaaz: (sticks her tongue out teasing him) Very funny!!

Sidharth: Shehnaaz, can I borrow your phone for a while please?

Shehnaaz: Huh? Sure! I think I should buy you a new phone though.

Sidharth: No need, I'll buy when you pay me my salary next. (Smiles) Just give me your phone for now.

She gives him her phone. He takes it and walks to the opposite side of the bridge. He calls his mother and speaks for a while and then he dials another number.

She looks at him and wonders who he was speaking to since he didn't have anyone in this world. She turns around and starts looking at the river again. He comes back and increases the radio volume. She turns around and looks at him. He looked into her eyes.

Radio plays..

"Hello DJ Vishal, my name is Sidharth."

"Hi Sidharth, good evening. Tell us who do you want to pass a message and dedicate a song"

"Thanks. Hey Sana, Before the clock ticks to 12 a.m. and the date changes, wishing you a happiest birthday again. Today, I can't ask God for anything else in life because eversince I met you, I only wished for the beautiful smile on your beautiful face. Keep smiling always."

"Woah!! We wish your friend Sana a happiest birthday and also wish both of you to be happiest in life. Sidharth, what song would you like to dedicate to her?"

"Te Amo"

"Awesome!! Have a great evening!! Happy birthday Sana once again"

The song plays..

Sidharth: Happy Birthday Sana!

Shehnaaz: Thank you for everything. (Smiling through tears)

Shehnaaz: Sidharth, what language is it? What does this Me Te Amo means?

Sidharth: Huh? I don't know. I just like the song.

How do I tell you that it means 'I love you'? I don't want to spoil your birthday by embarrassing you or hearing an unfavorable response from you. I am happy I told you what I feel for you without you knowing what I said.

Shehnaaz: Hmm.. whatever it is, sounds nice!

Sidharth: Dance..? (forwards his hand)

Shehnaaz reluctantly and shyly holds his hand and they slowly groove to the music. Shehnaaz used to dance alone in her room while singing when Kantilal was still alive. This was the first time she was dancing with someone and post Kantilal's death.

She reminisced all the firsts she witnessed with Sidharth which was not less then a dream to her. Sidharth stood up for her, he complemented her, he supported her, he took her out for dinner, celebrated her birthday and now he was dancing with her.  She was feeling like a princess in any fairytale. She was liking his company. The way he looked at her it wanted her to believe that she was special.

She didn't realise when the gap between them was covered and her head now was resting on his chest, while he was hugging her.

She had gained the confidence to stand up for herself but the old scars she had in her life was healed by his touch. She had absolutely no knowledge about the surrounding.

An open jeep with three boys was speeding on the bridge. When they saw the couple hugging, they decided to play a mischief on them. They made a sudden honk when they approached closer. Shehnaaz shuddered leaving his embrace. The three boys jeered at them as they drove past them.

Sidharth: Rascals!!! Spineless Shrimps, Cowards!!

He looked at her who was now looking down feeling total embarrassed. He cursed them more in his mind for breaking the little moment they shared together.

Sidharth: I am sorry, Shehnaaz.

Shehnaaz: Why are you feeling sorry for their mischief? I.. I think we should go home. (She said with her eyes glued to the road.)

Sidharth half heartedly agreed to go home though he wanted to spend more time with her alone. They got into their car and he starts driving however she didn't speak a word nor did she look at him even for a second.

They reached home and Shantiben opened the door.

Shantiben: How was your dinner date..

Sidharth starts coughing loudly to cover up the word 'date'. Shehnaaz looked at him in dismay.

Shehnaaz: What happened? Are you alright? (Touching his arm in concern)

Sidharth: (stopped coughing on her touch and gazed at her) Yeah, I am fine!

His gaze brought back her mortified self and she excused herself to hide her face from him and went to her room. He looked at her retreating figure with disappointment.

Shantiben: What happened Dikra? Any progress? (Asks inquisitively)

Sidharth: A lot happened Amma. It was the best time I spent with her. (He speaks in a low voice)

Her face brightened up with happiness.

Shantiben: I would have loved to hear everything but I fear that my evil eye might spoil everything. May God bless you both with loads of happiness.

Sidharth: (smiles) Thanks Amma. Your blessings are much needed. I just hope she doesn't overthink and stop talking to me out of embarrassment from tomorrow. You know Amma, she took stand for herself today against her bully.

Shantiben: Is it true? (Surprised & he nods) Oh Krishna!! I so wanted this to happen all my life. Thank you Sidharth. (Emotional with eyes filled with tears)

Sidharth: Amma, stop crying. Just wait and watch.

Shantiben nods smilingly.

Sidharth: Did you eat something?

Shantiben: Yes, I did have my dinner. Infact I ate extra serving, out of happiness. (Smiled)

Sidharth: Good Amma. Now go inside else she might doubt about our plan and Amma, please be careful while speaking infront of her. I don't want things to go wrong.

Shehnaaz comes out of her room after changing her dress and looks at them surprised.

Shehnaaz: What are you two discussing for so long?

Shantiben: No nothing, I was just telling him what happened in Tu Mera Jalebi Mein Tera Fafda.

Sidharth virtually facepalms himself while Shehnaaz looks at Shantiben in disapproval.

Sidharth: Yeah, after Aloo Samosa is Gobi Parantha followed by Jalebi Fafda.

Shehnaaz: Yeah, I totally get that. It's a dessert after snack and main course.

Shook her head in disbelief and goes to the kitchen to drink water. Shantiben bites her tongue closing her eyes and looks at Sidharth who glares at her.

Shantiben: (puppy face) Sorry! Slip of tongue.

Sidharth: (smiles) hmmm.. you have to be the world's sweetest Saasuma. Good night.

Shantiben: (smiles) and you are the coolest damad in the world. Good night. Jai Shri Krishna.

Sidharth: Jai Shri Krishna.

She walks to her bedroom when Shehnaaz returns.

Shehnaaz: Hmm.. Done with giving all  your serial updates?

He looks back at her and she looks at him.

Shehnaaz: (slight smile) Good night.

Sidharth was literally dancing within due to joy. He went inside his room and celebrated his joy by dancing a little by locking the door. He removed his makeup and went to sleep peacefully.

Shehnaaz had trouble sleeping. She looked at her snoring mother and got down from her bed. She sauntered towards the window and looked at the moon. Soft cool breeze kissed her skin.

She smiled remembering everything that happened today. Her thought stopped at the moment where they were hugging each other on the bridge. The feeling of his warm embrace amidst the cool breeze which blew over the river was sending a shiver down her whole body. A mere reminder of it gave her goosebumps and she was blushing alone.

Shehnaaz, what are you doing? Are you doing a mistake of falling in love?

What is wrong in it?

How can you fall in love with Sidharth when you are married someone else?

But where is that someone? He is as good as non-existent to me.

What if he returns someday? You may hate that unknown person but you can't deny that you are married to him.

So, what do I do? Wait for that someone whom I don't even know. I will lose my Sidharth who I lo..

My Sidharth? Love? To use these words you should be unmarried Shehnaaz. You can hide it infront of whole world but you know Sidharth isn't your husband and he just stood up for you to stop being character shamed. Besides you don't even know if he likes you that way. And even if he does, you are still married to someone else.

The smile on her face disappeared and tears were filled in her eyes. She closed the window to block the cool breeze from touching her. She went back to her bed and lied down. Sleep took over her aimless thinking after a long time.

__________________________
To be continued.. ❤️❤️