IZTIRAAR✔️

49.

Shehnaaz's PoV:

Day 1: The Departure

"Sidharth, mujhe nahi jaana," I said, my voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes.

He looked at me with concern, his usual calm masking the turmoil within. I tried to explain,
"Nidhi akeli hai... I need to see her child, lekin..." I hesitated.

He gently interrupted, his hand resting on my shoulder.
"Ek baar meri baat sun lo. Nahi jaana hai toh mat jao, lekin meri baat poori sun lo."

I nodded reluctantly. His gaze softened as he spoke, every word carrying the weight of his care.

"Ashu hamesha hamare saath tha, Shehnaaz. When I was distant, when you were struggling, woh kabhi nahi hata. Apni biwi se lada humare liye. And now it’s his moment. If we’re not there for him, he’ll feel like a piece of his happiness is missing."

I knew he was right. Ashu had been a pillar of support for us, and it was time we stood by him. Still, the thought of leaving Aahnik behind, of letting him stay with Vedant, tore at my heart.

"Par kaise chhod doon Aahnik ko?" I whispered, my voice breaking.

Sidharth smiled faintly, that small, reassuring smirk that always made me feel safe. "Do you trust me?"

"Khud se zyada," I answered without hesitation.

He took my hand, his warmth seeping into my cold fingers. "Toh bas, mujhpe vishwas rakho. You go. Jab tu wapas aayegi, I’ll bring Aahnik back. He’ll be here with us"

His words stirred something deep inside me, and before I realized it, I leaned up and kissed him, watching his face change from shock to that tender look I adored. I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
"Shaadi karle mujhse," I whispered, waiting.

His arms tightened around my waist. "Vapis aaja, phir baat karte hai," he said softly after a long pause.

Before I could reply, his lips crashed onto mine with an intensity that took my breath away.
"Don't ever doubt how much I love you, Shehnaaz," he murmured between kisses, his voice rough with emotion. "I joined politics for you for us. So that no one can tear us apart. To get Aahnik back from Vedant’s grasp, I had to play the game on their level. I had to get my hands dirty. You think I enjoy this? But I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us together."

I hugged him tighter, my heart swelling with love and pain all at once.

I arrived at Nidhi’s house, still replaying Sidharth’s words in my mind. He hadn’t explained the details, but I knew he was determined. I trusted him to bring Aahnik back, even if it meant taking extreme measures.

As I sat with Nidhi, sipping tea, my phone rang. Sidharth’s name flashed on the screen.

"Haan, Shehnaaz," he answered, his voice tense.

"Sab theek hai?" I asked, sensing the weight of whatever he was dealing with.

"Haan, meri jaan. Just some political meetings. Vedant is making his moves, and I have to counter them. I’ve met with the right people, pulled in a few favors from my father’s circle. He doesn’t know it yet, but soon, Vedant won’t have any choice but to let Aahnik come home."

I sighed, feeling both relieved and anxious. "Are you sure this will work?"

"It will," he said firmly.
"Aahnik won’t hate us, Shehnaaz, thoda naraz hai, but Vedant can’t keep him away forever. I’ve made sure of that."

"Sidharth..." I began, but he cut me off.

"I’m doing this for us, Shehnaaz. You need to trust me. I’ll bring Aahnik home, no matter what it takes. "