Standing By You (SidNaaz❤)

Chapter 30

Shehnaaz was coming down with her bag as she was supposed to leave for Delhi by evening. While coming down unknowingly she bumped into Balwant.

Balwant was a very conservative man who hated girl child. He hadn't spoken much to Shehnaaz for all these years and whenever he opened his mouth he only scolded her. But now he got a chance to show her how much he hated her. He glared at her as she was the reason of increased expenses, problems and tension of Kulwant.

Shehnaaz mumbled a Sorry but Kulwant had other plans. He asked her to follow him in his room. Shehnaaz was dead scared but she had no other option. Keeping her bag near the sofa, she went to his room and stood near the door.

"Tu toh Delhi chali gayi padhne aur yahan piche se tere baap ke sarr par itni tension chhod ke gayi. Aisa padhna zaruri tha kya tera? Maine toh tera janam hote hi kaha tha ki phenk aao isse. Par teri maa ka rona shuru ho gaya. Ab bhi ek mauka de raha hun ki padhai chhod ke yahi ruk jaa, jaldi se jaldi koi rishta dekh ke tera byaah kara dete hai." Balwant spoke inconsiderately.

Shehnaaz had tears in her eyes on the revealation of a new information that her grandfather suggested to abandon her after her birth. Still she requested with her folded hands, "Please, mujhe abhi padhne do. Abhi mujhe shaadi nahi karni. Please."

"Matlab yahi bojh banke rehna hai. Tere baap ki taraf toh dekh. Kitna pareshaan rehta hai vo badhe huye kharche se. Aur tujhe padha ke hona kya hai, karna toh ghar ka kaam hi hai. Konsa tu Gurvinder ki tarah paise kama kar ghar laayegi." Balwant said ignoring her pleading and tears.

"Please." Shehnaaz was able to speak only this after listening to this man who is her grandfather. She sat on her knees with folded hands and bowing her head. She was crying but does any member of this family ever cared for this? No. A big NO. For them everything starts and ends with Gurvinder. She was just a burden and a free maid,like her mother, for the Gills.

Balwant ignored her pleadings and asked her to leave. She came out wiping her tears but her hiccups weren't stopping. Afterall she is a human. No matter how many times she says that this partial behaviour doesn't hurt her anymore, the truth is it does hurt.

Gurvinder saw her sobbing. Grabbing her hand he took her to his room. He then asked, "Kya hua Shehnaaz? Kisi ne kuch bola tujhe?"

Shehnaaz continued crying suppressing her voice. Gurvinder held her face in his palms and asked her again, "Please, kuch toh bol. Kya hua gudiya?"

Shehnaaz looked at her brother who called her with affection. She tried to control her tears and shook her head.

"Please Shehnaaz, bata mujhe. I need to know." Gurvinder asked her again while hugging her small frame.

Shehnaaz hugged him for she needed support as Balwant revealed a new fact related to her birth. Though Gurvinder was not a good brother but he was the only one supporting her now.

"Amma ko bulaun?" Gurvinder asked her.

She denied saying, "Nahi, unko tension ho jaayegi. Rehne do, mein theek hun. Vaise bhi aaj jaa rahi hun."

"Jaa rahi hai vo toh theek hai. Par hua kya vo bata." Gurvinder requested her to reveal her problem.

"Kuch nahi hua." Shehnaaz repeated her answer and wiping her tears she came out of his hug. She then said, "Mein Amma ki lunch mai help karne jaa rahi hun. Aap rest karo." As she was leaving his room, Gurvinder said, "I know you are not comfortable in sharing your problems and emotions with me. And I know the reason for the same. But call kar dena kabhi bhi kuch share karna ho toh, I won't disappoint you this time."

Shehnaaz left the room without replying him. This made him feel guilty for his behaviour. He was craving for his sister's love but couldn't ask for the same. He started feeling more for her sister after Kulwant brutally beat her before her college. And now the physical distance between them left him craving to even see her daily. Also, Sidharth and Arpita's bond was affecting his heart.