(Mature content ahead)
Siddharth stood in the corner of the hall, observing Shehnaaz. Her face looked pale, and her movements were slow and deliberate. Concern etched across his face, he made his way towards her, gently taking her hand in his.
"Shehnaaz, tum theek ho?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"Ji, main theek hoon," she replied softly, but Siddharth wasn't convinced. He placed his hand on her forehead, checking for a fever.
Without another word, he turned to the guests. "Party over. Thanks for coming," he announced, his voice firm and authoritative.
Shehnaaz's eyes widened in shock. "Aap kya kar rahe hain?" she whisper-yelled, but Siddharth ignored her, focusing instead on his mother.
"Ammi, Shehnaaz theek nahi lag rahi. Main use ghar le ja raha hoon," he informed Aisha.
"Teek hai, beta. Tum use le jao. Hum sabko bye keh denge aur phir ghar aayenge," Aisha replied kindly.
Shehnaaz groaned as Siddharth gently but firmly guided her out of the hall and towards the car. He opened the door for her, helping her inside before instructing the driver to drive and put the partition up, giving them privacy.
"Shehnaaz, kya hua hai?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.
"Kuch nahi," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "Bas yeh ke mujhe aapse zabardasti shaadi karni pad rahi hai."
Siddharth sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Shehnaaz, kuch nahi ho sakta. Tum meri zindagi ka pyaar ho, aur agar tum khilaf bhi ho, toh bhi main tumhe nahi chhodunga. Yeh baat baar baar keh kar bore mat karo, okay? Samajh gayi?" he said, his tone calm yet firm.
Shehnaaz glared at him before turning away, closing her eyes. The events of the evening, Raza's words, and the overwhelming stress brought her a headache.
Seeing her discomfort, Siddharth frowned. He gently took off her heels, causing her to stir. "Aap kya kar rahe hain?" she asked, irritated.
"Shush," he replied softly, laying her on his chest and guiding her feet to rest on the seat. "Bas aaraam karo."
Exhausted, Shehnaaz did as he instructed, her body relaxing against his. She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
When they reached home, Siddharth gently carried Shehnaaz in his arms. She stirred slightly, her voice sleepy. "Siddharth," she murmured softly.
"Hmm," he hummed in response, carrying her to her room and laying her gently on her bed.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. "Mujhe change karna hai," she said quietly.
Siddharth picked her up again, heading towards the bathroom. "Besharam! Chhodo mujhe. I only have a headache," she protested, squirming in his arms.
"I'll help you change," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
She pushed him away, grabbing her pajamas from the shelf. "Main khud kar sakti hoon," she insisted, glaring at him.
After a relaxing bath, Shehnaaz returned to her room, only to find Siddharth there again, looking fresh in just a T-shirt and shorts.
"Ab kya?" she asked, exasperated, as she walked into the room.
"What's bothering you?" he asked, his tone softening as he observed her.
"Kuch nahi," she said, avoiding his gaze as she moved towards her bed.
He followed her, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Shehnaaz, I know something happened. Tum jaanti ho mujhe bilkul pasand nahi jab tumhe koi cheez ya insaan tang kare agar wo main nahi hoon. I'm that possessive. I can kill and be killed for you," he said, his voice intense and serious.
YOU ARE READING
The Khan's Chosen Bride
RomanceIn the heart of Lahore's elite circles, Shehnaaz finds herself thrust into an arranged marriage with Sidharth Khan, scion of the powerful Khan family. Bound by tradition and familial duty, Shehnaaz navigates the complexities of her new life as "The...