Shehnaaz gets him dinner. It was a proper Gujarati platter.

Sidharth: What's all this, Shehnaaz? I can't eat so much.

Shehnaaz: The doctor has said that you need a proper diet. I have carefully picked healthy food only for you. I ain't going to listen no from you. Eat it!

Sidharth: I understand but this much?

Shehnaaz: Yes, now finish it.

She sits with him and makes sure he finishes the entire meal.
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He lied in his bed but sleep was nowhere near to him.

When you realise that you've done wrong, you can't sleep. Your conscience stabs you with a sharp dagger every single time. I am unable to sleep as well and my conscience is killing me because I have done a crime.

I marrying her to escape from being beaten by the goons was wrong but the biggest crime was me eloping away. I, not for a second, thought of the society which I hate but still a part of. Society which is always judging someone even after his or her death.

How do I help her out of this trap? Should I tell her that I am the one who married her? No.. no.. no.. She would hate me and my opportunity to help her will be lost forever. Besides it would make it worst for her.

What do I do then? Should I just leave her on her own and go away. May be with time she will move on in her life.

But will you be able to forgive yourself? Are you ready to suffer for life thinking whether she moved on or not?

Right now I feel like I have reached a dead end and there is no way out. Her kindness is killing me. The way she jumped in to help an unknown pained soul, she taking care of me and she giving me shelter. How can she be imperfect?

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It was 4 a.m. and he heard the most angelic voice. Shehnaaz was doing her vocal singing practice at the break of the dawn. It was her daily routine wherein she would practice for atleast 2 hours in the morning

Her voice was euphonic and soothing, he finally managed to give break to his thoughts and sleep calmly until 7am.

Shehnaaz took him to the sweet mart and helped him familiarise with his work. He had to look at the stocks, accounts and cashier's job. There were 3 more employees who were responsible for preparing sweets, packaging and selling it. Additionally, she would inspect the sweets and also help in packaging and selling it.

Sidharth was amazed looking at her active involvement in business. In the afternoon, she went for recording and returned home in the evening. She was running the whole show alone.
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It had been a week since he was staying at her place. Every night he thought about her and often decided that he would go away from her life but her early morning songs would whitewash his thoughts. His heart wanted to wake up to her voice every single day.

Shehnaaz finished her early morning practice and got ready. Sidharth took shower and finished his makeup as usual. He always carried the makeup kit with him to be extra cautious.

Shehnaaz: Sidharth, we aren't going to sweet mart today. We are going somewhere else.

Sidharth: Huh? Where to?

Shehnaaz: Will tell you but let's leave for now. Could you please help me keep these boxes in the cab?

He nods and keeps them in the cab. Shehnaaz, Sidharth and Shantiben board the cab. There was silence in the cab until they reached the destination. He looks at the place, it was the home for special kids. A man comes and greets them.

Man: Jai Shri Krishna, Shehnaaz. Many many happy returns of the day.

Shehnaaz: (smiles) Jai Shri Krishna. Thank you.

Sidharth looks at Shehnaaz in surprise, it was her birthday and she didn't tell him.

Man: Jai Shree Krishna. Kem cho Shantiben ji? {How are you Shantiben ji?} (Folds hands)

Shantiben: Majaa ma.. {Very well} (smiles and folds hands)

Man: Please come.

He escorts Shantiben while Shehnaaz takes Sidharth to take out the boxes from the car boot. As they reached the boot, Sidharth forwards his hand to wish Shehnaaz.

Sidharth: Happy Birthday Shehnaaz. It is such a special day of your life. Why didn't you tell me?

Shehnaaz: (shook hand) Thank you. It's just another day in my life. I don't celebrate it outside this place. Nobody cares outside and here nobody judges me.

She picks up the box and he picks another two in both his hands and follows her still lost in her words.

There were so many kids with special needs and they loved her unconditionally. A kid on a wheelchair gave her a beautiful rose and wished her. She smiled and thanked him. She cut the cake with them and fed them with her own hand. She knew most of the kids by their names.

Sidharth's eyes were moist looking at those kids whereas Shehnaaz had the brightest smile. She was happy to be with them.

They distributed sweets and other savouries. His eyes followed her as she sat with a child who couldn't eat by herself and fed her the food. She was not the same sad girl who he observed everyday. She told them stories, laughed with them, played with them and heard their stories. She sang a song for them on their request which left him spell bound.

Why can't she be the same bubbly girl outside as well? It looks like she has caged herself trying to be resistant to the society's cruel words. She is just not herself. All these days, the Shehnaaz I saw was a myth. She is much more lively and bubbly girl. This is real Shehnaaz and I can't help but admire her.

It was time to leave and kids hugged her, kissed her and few cried not wanting to allow her go away.

The chirpy Shehnaaz was back to being silent and lost in her thoughts when their cab started moving. He was observing her and his heart was wrenching to see her sad. He wished that they never left the place. He longed to see her smiling and cheerful again.

They reached home and found around 10-15 people standing at their doorstep. Shehnaaz looked at them in surprise.

Sidharth smiled.
She said she doesn't celebrate her birthday but looks like her closer relatives and friends have come to wish her and celebrate her birthday.

Shehnaaz: Yes, what is it? Who are y'all?

She saw some similar face upon careful observation. They were her neighbours.

"We are respectable people from the society who have some decency and follow values"

Shantiben: But what the purpose of y'all coming her?

"We respected Kantilal bhai. But we didn't know his wife and daughter is shameless and characterless"

"Who is that black guy in your house? What is he doing in the house since one week?"

"Don't y'all have some shame? You have started a prostitute business as well?"

Shehnaaz: Excuse me!! Mind your tongue. I haven't done anything wrong.

"We can see. You married secretly with your 'Yaar' by cheating Ramnik bhai, who ran away and now you've got another man at home. I am surprised with this figure also you can have lusty relationship with so many men."

Sidharth blood was boiling. He stepped in between.

Sidharth: Bloody Rascals, mind your own business. You filthy mouth!! Dare you speak anything against her. Get lost from here or else I uproot your tongues attached to your throat.

"Oh!! So he is a goon disguised as a nerd."

"When people don't have answers since they know they are wrong, they often take help of violence. We aren't filthy mouth but you are. Who the hell are you and what are you doing here? Why can't you answer us?"

Sidharth: I am Sidharth Sharma, I am Shehnaaz's husband. I am staying here with my wife. I just answered all your questions. Is there any problem?

Every person's mouth in the crowd along with Shehnaaz and Shantiben's mouth was open agape out of shock.

"Where were you all these days?"

Sidharth: Why should I answer you? Are you my employee or my wife to question me about my whereabouts? You were concerned about her character and it's impact on the society. I have cleared the doubts. Now if anyone dares to raise even a nail at my wife, I won't spare them.

The crowd just got cleared in a minute. Shehnaaz and Shantiben looked at each other in shock.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️