SidNaaz Reclaimed Love

Chapter 3: A Request

The warmth of the Shukla household enveloped Shehnaaz as she stepped inside, reminding her of happier times. The familiar scents of home-cooked food wafted through the air, triggering a rush of nostalgia that filled her heart with bittersweet longing.

Rita maa face radiated joy, but as Shehnaaz’s gaze shifted to Sidharth, an electric tension hung in the air, a stark contrast to the comforting embrace of his mother.

Sidharth stood at the edge of the living room, arms crossed over his chest, a protective stance that conveyed both strength and vulnerability.

She caught a glimpse of his dark eyes, which held a storm of emotions—surprise, anger, and something that felt disturbingly close to pain.

She felt a wave of apprehension wash over her; it was clear that he had not fully prepared for this reunion.

“Thank you for coming, Shehnaaz,”

Rita maa said, her voice breaking the tension.

“I’ve missed you so much.”

She pulled Shehnaaz into another embrace, this one tight and full of maternal love. It felt like coming home, and for a fleeting moment, Shehnaaz allowed herself to relax into the warmth of Rita maa .

“I’ve missed you too, maa ,” Shehnaaz replied, her voice tinged with emotion. “I wish it were under better circumstances.”

Rita maa  sighed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“We can talk about that later. Right now, I need you both. I’ve been feeling so weak lately, and I can’t do this alone.”

As they settled into the living room, Rita maa  wasted no time in addressing the eissue in the room. “Sidharth has been trying his best, but he needs your help, Shehnaaz. I know you’ve both been through so much, but the truth is, I need you both to come together for my sake.”

Sidharth shifted uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Shehnaaz. “What do you mean by ‘come together’?” he asked, his tone guarded. The tension was palpable, and Shehnaaz felt the weight of his scrutiny.

Rita maa  smiled gently, sensing the discomfort between them.

“I want you two to enter into a contract marriage again—just until I’m better. I can’t bear the thought of my family being divided. We can keep things civil, and it will help me heal knowing you’re both together. It’s what I need right now.”

This is the only way I can make up for my mistake I want to see you both together till the few month which I have left .

Shehnaaz's heart raced at the proposal, her mind racing back to their past arrangement. The idea of being tied to Sidharth again, even under the guise of caring for his mother, felt both terrifying and familiar.

Memories of laughter and love intermingled with the pain of their separation. Would she truly be able to face Sidharth without old wounds reopening?

Sidharth’s expression hardened at the suggestion, a flicker of resistance evident on his face.
“A contract marriage? You want us to pretend like nothing ever happened?” He looked incredulous, and the bitterness in his voice cut through the air like a sharp knife.

“It’s not pretending, Sidharth,”

Rita maa interjected, her tone becoming firmer.
“It’s about family.

I know how you both feel about each other, and this arrangement can bring some peace to me in my last days  We’ve always been stronger together.”

Maa please don't say this .said sidharth .

Shehnaaz swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt torn, caught between her desire to support Rita maa  and her apprehension about being around Sidharth again.

The idea of a contract marriage felt like a double-edged sword; it could either heal old wounds or rip them open wider.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke up, trying to maintain her composure. “maa I want to help. I truly do. But I don’t know if this is the right solution. Sidharth and I… we have a complicated history.”

Sidharth's eyes bore into hers, a mixture of anger and hurt etched across his features. “Complicated is an understatement,” he replied bitterly.

“We’re not the same people we were before. We can’t just pretend to be a couple for your sake.”

Rita maa  feeling the tension escalate, gently squeezed Sidharth’s hand. “You both need to find a way to work through this.

I can’t fight my illness knowing my family is fractured. I’m asking you both to do this for me, just for a little while.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Rita maa ’s plea hanging heavy in the air.

Shehnaaz’s heart ached for Rita maa , who had always been the anchor of their family. She could see the fear in her eyes, the vulnerability that came with facing a serious illness.

In that moment, Shehnaaz realized that this was about more than just her and Sidharth; it was about healing their family.

“I’ll do it,” Shehnaaz said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. “For you, maa.

I’ll help however I can.”

Sidharth’s expression shifted, surprise replacing the anger in his eyes. “You’re serious?”

“Yes,” she affirmed, her gaze unwavering. “But I want to set some ground rules. This is not about reigniting anything between us. It’s purely to help your mother.”

Sidharth nodded slowly, his jaw clenched. “Fine. I can agree to that. For her sake.”

Rita maa  face lit up with gratitude as she looked at them.

“Thank you both.

I know this isn’t easy, but I believe you can find a way to support each other. You both deserve happiness, even if it’s not what you imagined.”

As they discussed the details of their arrangement, Shehnaaz felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. This was uncharted territory, and the path ahead was fraught with challenges. Could they truly navigate this new chapter in their lives? Would the pain of their past overshadow their attempts to reconnect?

Yet, as she glanced at Sidharth, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this could be an opportunity for healing—not just for Rita maa , but for both of them. Perhaps within the confines of this contract marriage, they could rediscover the connection that had once bound them together.

As the evening wore on, the tension began to dissipate, replaced by a fragile sense of camaraderie. They were bound by a common goal: to care for Rita maa 

The road ahead would be uncertain, but they were willing to take the first step together, even if it was fraught with unhealed wounds and buried emotions.

In that moment, Shehnaaz felt a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. Perhaps this was the chance they both needed to confront their past and pave a way toward a better future—together.

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