Shehnaaz woke up before dawn, the faint light of the moon casting a silvery glow through the window. Today was special, Karwa Chauth, her first one after marrying Sidharth. She had always admired this tradition growing up, watching her mother observe the fast for her father every year, but now, it was her turn. She felt a deep sense of excitement and devotion as she prepared to fast for Sidharth's long life and happiness.

He was sleeping peacefully hugging her. Quietly slipping out of bed to not disturb Sidharth.

She went tiptoed to the kitchen to eat her sargi, the pre-dawn meal given by her mother-in-law. The tray was already prepared, complete with fruits, sweets, and a glass of milk. Shehnaaz thought about what the day ahead would hold. Her heart fluttered with anticipation, and a soft smile played on her lips as she thought of Sidharth.

"Shehnaaz beta tera to pehla karwachauth ha ache se kha le" Rita maa said while patted her head.

Shehnaaz smile and nodded.

"Aur tum dono bhi kabhi pichli baar ki tarha Avni behoshi ki haalat me pohoch jaaye" Vidya said and chuckled when Avni whinced.

"Maa yaar" she pout sadly.

Shehnaaz and Nisha giggles.

"Good morning ladies" Rudra and Kushal said.

"Tum dono kya kar rahe ho idhar?" Rita maa asked.

"Wo hume pata tha aap log sargi karne uthoge aur hume bhook bhi lagi thi to hum aa gaye" Kushal said while rubbing his nape.

"Hello everyone" Shreya said to them.

They turn and saw her ready in bright red suit and dark makeup.

"Ye subha subha joker bankar kiu ghum rahi hai?" Avni whispered to Shehnaaz, she shrugged her shoulders.

"Shreya tum yaha?" Vidya ji asked her.

"Wo aunty ji main har karwachauth vrat rakhti hu to socha aakar sargi kar lu" she lied to them according to her plan.

Shehnaaz rised her eyebrows "lekin mere saamne to tumne kabhi fast nahi rakha?"

Shreya laughed "are tune notice nahi kara hoga acha mujhe bhook lagi hai" she took a piece from Shehnaaz plate and ate it.

"Shreya ye kya batamizi hai?" Rita maa said sternly "ye Shehnaaz ki sargi thi"

"Kya aunty ji aap bhi ab hum behene hai jo iska hai wo mera bhi hai" she smirks looking at Shehnaaz.

"Sorry to burst your dream bubble shreya lekin jo mera hai wo mera hi hai" Shehnaaz said while stressing on every word. "So aage se jo karo wo puch kar karna"

They all move their head in disbelief, they did their sargi.

Shehnaaz enter in her room saw him sleeping, she remove her dupatta and laid down hugged him. He automatically wrap his hand around her waist. He open his eyes and smile.

Unknown to her, Sidharth had woken up just as she left the room. He leaned against the headboard, watching her move silently through the hallway. He knew how important this day was for her, and though he was not one for traditions or rituals, something inside him stirred. He decided then that he would fast for her too. If she was willing to go through the entire day without food or water for him, he could do the same for her even if he did not plan on telling anyone.

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Later that morning, the house was filled with a buzz of activity. Rita maa along with Vidya ji, Avni and Nisha and Ashnoor was busy preparing for the evening puja. The fragrance of marigolds filled the air, and the women had already begun talking about their outfits for the evening and how beautiful the moonrise would be.

"Shehnaaz beta, ready ho jao. Bahar mandir mein puja karni hai aur saari rasmein bhi" Rita called out as she helped arrange the karwa for the ritual.

"Haanji Maa, bas thodi der mein ready ho jaungi" Shehnaaz replied, pulling out his favorite red color suit the one Sidharth had given her after their wedding. As she draped it around her, she felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. This fast was not just a tradition for her, it was a gesture of her love for Sidharth. The mirror reflected her glowing face, despite the hunger that was already gnawing at her, and she smiled, thinking about how happy Sidharth would be.

Meanwhile, Sidharth had slipped out early, claiming he had work to finish. He was sitting in his room. He knew it would be easier to hide his fast if he was not around the her all day. His room was quiet, his usual cup of coffee untouched on the table. Every few hours, he absentmindedly glanced at the clock, feeling a hunger he rarely allowed himself to feel. It was harder than he thought, but every time he thought of Shehnaaz going through the same, his resolve strengthened.

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As the day wore on, Shehnaaz busied herself with the preparations for the evening puja. Nisha and Avni had joined her in applying mehendi on their hands, laughing and chatting about their respective lives.

"Shehnaaz bhabhi, aapki mehendi design toh sabse achi lag raha hai, aur color to dekho lagta hai bhai dub gaye gaye aapke pyaar me" Avni teased, pointing at the intricate patterns that covered Shehnaaz's hands where his name was printed.

"Haan to" Shehnaaz quipped with a grin.

"Are to jiju pyaar bhi to itna karte hai isse kiu meri laila aaj teri majnu nazar nahi aa rahe wese" Meeti said while looking around him.

"Aapne bulaya aur hum chale aaye" Kushal said from her behind.

Meeti rolled her eyes and focus on her mehendi, Kushal pout sadly and sat beside Shehnaaz.

"Bhabhi aap to badi sweet ho lekin ye sour bestie kidhar se pata li aapne?"

"Excuse me?" Meeti said while glaring him.

"What? Sahi to bola"

"Zyda sahi bola na to ye mehendi se bhara haath tumhare muh par chep dungi".

"Shut up bhabhi dekho" Kushal said while hiding behind her. Shehnaaz move her head in disbelief on her two cartoons.

Nisha glancing at Ashnoor, who had been scrolling through her social media in between the mehendi session.

"Aur tu kya lagi padhi hai akele?" She asked Ashnoor.

"Bhabhi main na reel dekh rahi hu phir aap logo ka shoot karungi"

"Mera bhi Karna noor" Shreya said while sitting beside her.

"First don't call me noor and secondly, Sorry di main sirf ghar walo ka shoot karungi" she said with a fake smile.

Sidharth stood at the doorway, quietly observing the scene in front of him, he chuckle and went near them.

He adjusted the cushion behind her back "comfortable?" He asked in concerns.

She smile and nodded, he kissed her forehead when Ashnoor click their picture.

"Wow perfect" she said and show them.

"Janab ye kuch apne bhaiyo ko bhi sikha do hum kabse bethe hai idhar ek bhi baar nahi aaye wo" Nisha said getting disappointed with her husband.

"Are main to aa hi raha tha ye Neil ne rok liya tha" Vidyut said while saving himself.

"Bhabhi don't believe him ye jhute hai ek number ke" they both start arguing when Shehnaaz whispered to Sidharth.

"Sidharth apna naam dhundhiye" she show him her hands full of mehendi.

He smile mischievously "mera naam to tumhare dil me hai na" he said in flirting tone and wink at her.

She hit him with elbow, he giggle and show his name on her hands.

"Haaye ye kese dhundha" she pout cutely. He wanted to kiss her badly.

"Are tum ladke yaha kya kar rahe ho jaao jakar taiyaar hokar aao thodi der me paath shuru ho jayega" Rita maa said, half heartily the boys left the place.

After sometime Shehnaaz went to change her cloths which was given by Rita maa. After bath she pick her saree but saw a huge burn hole in that. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Shehnaaz mom ye jewellery bheji hai" Sidharth said while entering the room, he put the jewellery on the table and turn hearing her voice.

"Sidharth" her voice was broken.

"Hey kya hua?" Sidharth asked while cupped her face, she show him her saree.

"Ye jal gaya"

"Kese?" He asked her.

"Pata nahi sacchi maa ne subha mujhe di thi phir maine iron kari aur rakh di sacchi maine sahi se iron kari thi mujhe nahi pata ye kese jal gai" tears escape her eyes, Sidharth wipe them.

"Shhh don't cry meri jaan tum kuch aur pehen lo ho jaata hai kabhi kabhi it's okay" he hug her when she sob.

"Maa ne itne pyaar se di thi mujhe yahi pehenni thi" she said sadly looking at her saree.

"Acha wait let me help you" he said and help her to drap the saree, he smartly hide the burning hold while making plates of saree.

He smile on his work and make her turn towards the mirror.

"Dekho ab"

Shehnaaz saw her saree beautifully draped around her body, the mark was hidden now all thanks to her smart husband. She turn and hug him.

"Thank you Sidharth"

He smile and kiss her head "dekha faltu ki tension leti ho tum, ab tum jaao main change karke aata hu".

She nodded and left from there after getting ready. Sidharth's eyes narrowed slightly as he thought back to the moment before the incident. Before entering the room he saw Shreya had leave their room, and her quick exit seemed suspicious now. He didn't say anything to Shehnaaz, not wanting to upset her, but a protective instinct rose inside him.

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Sidharth went downstairs and saw his wife, glowing in the soft evening light, her eyes closed in devotion, her lips moving in silent prayer. His heart swelled with affection. She was doing all this for him, and she did not even know that he had not eaten anything all day either.

After the puja, the women eagerly awaited the moonrise. The men gathered around, joking about how lucky they were to have such devoted wives. Sidharth, though usually calm and composed, found himself growing restless as the minutes ticked by. He had not eaten or drunk anything since dawn, and while he was used to long days, this fast felt different, it was not just physical, it was emotional.

Finally, Rudra shouted "Chand nikal aaya!" The excitement in the air was palpable. All the women rushed to the terrace, their thaal in hand. Shehnaaz moved with the group, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Main bhi dekhti hu mera vrath Sidharth kese nahi todte dekhti jaao Shehnaaz tum, bohot enjoy kar rahi ho na ye sab ab tumse pehle mera vrath tutega" Shreya thought and smirks.

They start walking towards the railing when, Suddenly they hear a voice it was shreya's voice.

"Sidharth" she shout and collapse on him, he took steps back and she fall on the floor.

"Isko kya hua?" Shehnaaz asked getting confused.

"Maar gai kya?" Meeti asked Shehnaaz seriously. "Acha hai musibat tali".

"Kuch nahi nai notanki hai" Shehnaaz whispered to her and rolled her eyes.

"Mirgi ka dora padha hai kya?" Rudra asked them.

"Haan haan jutha sunghao koi" Meeti shout and asked for someone shoes.

"Pani" Shreya whispered to Sidharth.

"Main bhi dekhti hu beta tu kese nahi uthti meri bestfriend ka din kharab karegi ab dekh" Meeti thought.

"Jiju aap hatho main isko pani pilati hu isko" Sidharth stood up when Meeti hold a jug and throw on her face. Shreya woke up with a jerk.

"What the hell" shreya wipe her face and glare Meeti.

"Are yaar itna time nahi tha ki tujhe ek ek bund pani pilau chand chala jayega na, ek kaam karo aap sab jaao iske saath me hu".

They all nodded and went to open the fast, Sidharth followed quietly, standing behind her as she waited for her turn to look at the moon. The terrace was filled with the soft murmurs of prayers and the delicate clinking of bangles as the women prepared to break their fast.

Haathon mein pooja ki thaali aayi raat suhaagon wali,

Shehnaaz, her hands trembling slightly from exhaustion, lifted the chhalni to her face, first gazing at the moon and then turning to look at Sidharth through the sieve, as tradition dictated.

O chand ko dekhoon haath main jodoon karva chauth ka vrath main todoon,

He met her gaze, and for a moment, everything else disappeared, the noise, the hunger, the crowd. It was just the two of them, connected in a silent promise.

"Aapke liye rakha hai maine yeh fast" Shehnaaz said softly, her voice filled with love and devotion, "Aapki lambi umar ke liye"

Sidharth smiled gently and stepped forward, taking her hands in his "Aur maine tumhare liye rakha hai yeh fast" he whispered back, surprising her.

Shehnaaz blinked in disbelief "Kya?" she asked, thinking she had misheard him "Aapne bhi fast rakha?", than she remembered that she didn't saw him whole day eating or drinking anything.

Sidharth nodded, his expression serious but filled with warmth. "Haan, Shehnaaz. Tumne mere liye itna kiya, toh main tumhare liye itna toh kar sakta hoon, right?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the depth of his gesture. She had never expected him to do something like this. Sidharth was practical, someone who didn't usually follow traditions or rituals. Yet, here he was, standing before her, having fasted the entire day without telling anyone.

"Par aapne toh sabko bataya bhi nahi," she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Kyunki yeh sirf tumhare liye tha, Shehnaaz" he said, cupping her face gently. "Mujhe kisi aur ko batane ki zarurat nahi thi."

Shehnaaz smiled through her tears, feeling a rush of love for the man standing in front of her. She could not believe he had gone through the entire day without food or water, just for her. It was a gesture that spoke volumes about how much he cared.

"Kuch mat kahiye, bas ab jaldi se fast tod lijiye" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Tere haath se peekar paani, daasi se ban jaoon rani
Aaj ki raat jo maange koi woh paa jaaye re.

He smiled and nodded, reaching for the glass of water she held out. Shehnaaz first took a sip herself, breaking her fast, and then offered the glass to Sidharth, who drank slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. She bend down to touch his feets when he stop her.

"Tumhari jagha meri palko par hai pero main nahi, you know what i want to worship the floor you walk on, Every step you take makes the ground beneath you blessed. I want to worship every inch you walk on" he said with loved feel eyes as he lost his heart completely infront of his wife he never thought that he will ever fallen actually badly fallen in love with his wife, she become his everything in just few months.

She bite her lips to control her sob, her man is crazy for her, she know this but she didn't know this that he became this much crazy for her. She saw him bending down infront of her to touch her feets, she hurriedly take few steps back.

"Sidharth kya kar rahe hai aap?"

"Kiu sirf patni hi apne pati ke per chuegi? Ye haq to barabar ka hona chahiye na"

Everyone saw them, for a surprise they are happy, rita maa was shedding tears that she rised her son very well as a gentleman. He know how to respect his woman. They went from there leaving the couple alone.

"Bass Sidharth itne ache kiu ho?" She asked while her tears are falling.

He chuckle "because i want to become a better man for you only for you" he whispered as he feel little weak, Shehnaaz sense his weakness from his voice.

"Ab aap bass khana kha lo, chalo" she said, her voice filled with concern.

But Sidharth shook his head, still holding her hand "Pehle tum, Tumne bhi toh poora din kuch nahi khaya"

They both sat down together, surrounded by family, and broke their fast with the sweet taste of mithai and the warm comfort of each other's company. No one else knew that Sidharth had fasted, and he intended to keep it that way. For him, this was something special, something shared only between him and Shehnaaz.

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That is it for today.

Hope you all like it, share your reviews about the chapter and silent readers pls vote karo yaar 😭 views itne hote hai uske hisab se votes aadhe bhi nahi hote. Kuch kami hai story me to batao yaar main khudh ko improve karungi.

Thanks for reading ❤️.