The Khan's Chosen Bride

The Return

The Khan mansion buzzed with anticipation as the family eagerly awaited Sidharth's return. Ammi had been bustling around all day, her excitement contagious. "Acha, Ibrahim Sahab, Sidharth kab aayega?" she asked, adjusting her dupatta nervously

"Aj sham ko aane wala hai, Aisha," Abu reassured her, sipping his chai.

Zaira, the spirited younger sister, bounced into Shehnaaz's room with enthusiasm. "Arey, Shehnaaz! Sidharth bhai almost aane wale hain. Tum tyaar ho jao," she urged, pulling out clothes from the closet.

Shehnaaz groaned, her voice tinged with sleepiness and irritation. "Zaira, mujhe aaj mood nahi hai itni sawaarne ka," she muttered, rubbing her eyes.

Zaira pouted playfully. "Arey baba, itna bhi naraz mat ho. Sidharth bhai ko tumhe aise dekh kar khushi hogi," she teased, handing Shehnaaz a beautifully embroidered shalwar kameez.

As Zaira busied herself with selecting accessories, Shehnaaz absentmindedly brushed her hair, staring at herself in the mirror. She noticed the delicate pink embroidery on the outfit, a gift Sidharth had sent for Eid. Ever since their marriage, he had sent her clothes for special occasions, trying to bridge the gap between them.

Shehnaaz sighed, feeling a familiar discomfort. Sidharth had always been too intimidating for her, his presence overwhelming. Closing her eyes, she let her mind drift back to the day she was brought to his mansion...

Shehnaaz lay on her aunt's lap, nervously twirling her fingers through the fabric of her dress. The grandeur of Sidharth's mansion was daunting, its opulence a stark contrast to her modest upbringing. Her heart raced as Sidharth emerged, his presence commanding the room. He spoke firmly to his mother, instructing her to leave them alone.

Shehnaaz swallowed hard, feeling a rush of fear and uncertainty. She was just sixteen, thrust into a marriage she never wanted, with a man who seemed more like a stranger than a cousin.

"Rona band karo," Sidharth ordered sharply, wiping away Shehnaaz's tears, his touch making her flinch. He crouched down, gripping her chin firmly to meet his gaze. "Main jaanta hoon yeh sab bohat bura tha, Shehnaaz. Magar jo bhi hua, Allah ki marzi thi. Maaf karo, bhool jao, aur apne walidain ke liye dua karo."

Shehnaaz broke into sobs as Sidharth pulled her closer, his embrace more suffocating than comforting. "Main 22 saal ka hoon, aur tum sirf 16. Tum meri biwi ho ab, chahe yeh sab jaldi mein hua ho. Iska matlab yeh nahi ki main tumhe samajhta nahi. Main abhi chala jaata hoon, jab tum jawan ho jaoon ga phir tumhare paas aaoon ga. Kabhi mat bhoolna, Shehnaaz Khan, tum meri biwi ho. Had se na guzar jana," he commanded, planting a cold kiss on her forehead before departing, casting one last stern glance at her.

Shehnaaz crumbled onto her bed, overwhelmed by emotions.

Zaira's voice pierced through Shehnaaz's reverie. "Arey, Shehnaaz! Bhai aa gaye hain," she exclaimed, bursting into the room with excitement.

Shehnaaz's heart skipped a beat, nerves tingling as she followed Zaira downstairs. At the bottom of the grand staircase, she saw him—Sidharth Khan, standing tall and regal, his presence dominating the room. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Assalamualaikum, Shehnaaz," Sidharth greeted her softly, his voice sending shivers down her spine.

In that instant, Shehnaaz felt a rush of conflicting emotions—fear, awe, and an unspoken longing. She struggled to maintain her composure as she returned his greeting.

Sidharth watched as Shehnaaz descended the staircase, her hesitant steps echoing in the spacious hall. His gaze fixed on her, taking in the way she carried herself—reserved yet with an underlying strength. He couldn't deny the impact her presence had on him, stirring a mixture of protectiveness and possessiveness.

As Shehnaaz met his eyes, Sidharth felt a tug of familiarity and something deeper, buried beneath layers of obligation and duty. He saw the uncertainty in her eyes, the remnants of a past neither of them could forget.

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Ps: what kind of scenes do you want to see between them