MR GILL'S POV (Shehnaaz's father)

"She lied to us!! She's dating that guy! Oh my Gawwd! Humari ladki nikal gayi hai hath se.. Mai bata rahi hu aapko..!" Parminder has been ranting out all the time, of how hurt she is. I'm quietly doing the packing. Worried about my Sana.

"Sunn bhi rahe ho aap mujhe...?" she stood infront of me.

"Hanji.. Sab suna maine.. Aur packing bhi karli hai.. Chalo flight ka time hogaya hai.." quickly moved out of the room along with the suitcase. Shehbaaz couldn't come, his exams are going on. Our cab arrived, with Shefali in it. Yeah, she's coming along, I cannot handle Parminder all by myself, I need help.

"Is she cool now..?" Shefali asked about my angry wife's temper.

"I wish.. She's so mad at Sana.." I answered. She peeked through my shoulder to see Parminder coming out after locking the house and handing keys to the neighbors.

"Koi na uncle.. Sana se milke.. Inka sara gussa nikal jana hai.." she said. Hope so.

"Haaye.. Kis haal me hogi meri gudiya... Sara time uska naam leti thi.. Aur mai samajh hi nahi payi.." Parminder began, in the middle of the flight.

"Aunty.. Mujhe lagta hai ladka acha hai.. Sana ka khayal rakh raha hai.." Shefali tried to explain.

"Haa toh..? maine kab kaha bura hai.. Changa munda hi dhund rhi si mai ohde naal.." she agreed.

"Lekin usne mere se jhoot kyo bola.. Bataya kyo nahi.. Mai kyaa khaa jati usey...?" she began again.

"Aah le.. Paani pi filhal.. Tere sare sawalo ke jawab mil jaane hai..!" passing her a bottle of water. I put her mouth to rest. I looked at Shefali helplessly. If Parminder gets to know that we knew about this. She'll probably kill us. The plane landed. We collected our bags, coming out towards the exit.

Saw a guy holding a banner with -For Mr. and Mrs. Gill written on it. That's us. The car took us to a manor. 'SHUKLA'S' it said. In bold letters. The main gate was huge. But the lawn was more. The portico. The hallway, everything screamed of luxury. And class. But what caught my eyes was  Sidharth, approaching us. I have seen him in those pictures Sana used to send me. When they used to hang out sometimes.

Parminder's jaw was dropped seeing her surroundings but she soon composed herself when he arrived.

"Namaste uncle.. Mai Sidharth.. " he greeted. "Hanji.. Ye Shehnaaz ke mummy hai.. Ye uski dost Shefali.." I introduced them.

"Aaiiye.. Shehnaaz upar room me hai.. Aap logo ka wait kar rahi hai.." he led us upstairs while his staff took our luggage.

Our eyes were immediately filled at the sight of our daughter. I hugged her.

"Papa.." she whispers. "Ha meri bachi.." Soon we were joined by her mother.

"Haye.. Meri bachii.. Dekho kitni patli hogayi hai.. Beta tujhe mana kiya tha na park me jaane se.. Kyuu nahi sunti tu meri baat..? Dard toh nahi hora.. Maine daba toh nahi diya tujhe..?" she asked caressing her shoulder immobilizer.

"Nahi mumma.. " they kept hugging each other turn by turn. The three ladies. While Sidharth had left, giving us some space.

"Kaise ho aap sab..? Shehbaaz kaha hai..?" she asked. We were simply talking when the main topic came in.

"Sana.. Yeh Sidharth tera kyaa lagta hai..?" Parminder asked.

"Sab kuch hi samajhlo... Mujhe pata hai aap gussa karoge.. Lekin meri baat sunlena pehle please..." Sana's pleaded. No matter how hard her  mother sounded over the phone, but never ever was able to go against her little daughter's wishes. Then how could she now?

"Tujhe toh nahi padna tha na inn chakkaro me..?" she further asked softly.

"Ha.. Nahi padna tha.. Lekin Sidharth bohot alag hai mummy.. Usne mera bohot khayal rakha hai.. Mera har bure vaqt me sath diya hai.. Mujhe kafi saari cheezon ki samajh nahi thi.. Usne baith ke samjhaya.. Mujhe kabhi akela nahi hone diya.." she implored. The limitless ocean of love in once eyes, I've seen being a man. I trust him already with my daughter. And after seeing the setting of this current room we're in, nightstand having a fruit basket and a medicine box, lots of pillows behind her back and there's this A4 size sheet stuck on the wall. With some timings written on it. I believe she's been taken care of. 

"Namaste bhai Sahab.. Namaste behenJi.. Mai Rita Shukla.." Sidharth's mother came in. With a subtle smile.

"Namaste Ji.." we greeted her back. She was sweet. Seemed like she already knew us. She said, because Sana has always been talking about us.

"Kafi time hogaya aap logo ko aaye.. Khana khaa lijiye.." she offered. Off to the lunch. Sana accompanied us. Sidharth helped her climbing down the stairs slowly. Sitting beside me, she whispered,
"Aapne usse baat ki..?"

"Time nahi mila.. Khane ke baad karunga.. " I answered.

"Vadiya bolna.." she requested.

"Munda hi vadiya ae.." I replied, to see her blushing to herself.

4 days later. We're staying at Shukla's place only. When his mother requested us so sweetly we could not deny. Though Parminder again had an issue, she was dumbfounded when she came to know that the kids share a room.

"Abh bas bhi karo.. Aaj kal ke bache sath rehna pasand karte hai.." I explained her.

"Aapko bada pata hai.. Jhoote kahi ke.. Baap beti ne milke mujhse jhoot bola.. Aapko pata tha sab kuch.. Sana apse nahi chhupati kuch bhi..!" she cried.

"Param.. Mai samajh sakta hu tujhe bura lag raha hai.. Lekin akhir yeh bhi toh dekh..Sana kitni khush hai yaha.. Sidharth aur uske ghar vale kitna pyaar karte hai usse.. Manti hai na..?" I asked. She nodded. Wiping her tears.

"Thik keh rahe ho.." she rested her head over my shoulder.

We're at the hospital. Sana is getting her plasters removed. She's panicking seeing those big scizors.

"Arey kuch nahi hoga puttar.." her mother consoled.

"Aap jaante nahi mummy.. Ye doctor ko khundas hai mere se.." she described her orthopedic a terrible guy.

"Kyu bhai.. Aisa kyu hai..?" I ask.

"Iske peeche ek badi interesting  kahani hai uncle.. Mai bataunga aapko.." Sidharth chuckled looking at Sana. She frowned.

"Iski baate nahi sunna Papa.. Mai bataungi aapko iske baare.." she insisted. Just then the doctor arrived. She forced him a smile, before he began. And finally her plasters were taken off, to be replaced by simple bandages.

"Waah.. Abb kitna halka lag raha hai mujhe..!" she chirped. Being happy that she was feeling light now.

SHEHNAAZ'S POV

Five days with my parents and best friend flew away like minutes. I was never this happy, to see my mother getting along with Sidharth's mother. It was so amazing, having our parents meet. Though unexpected but everybody ended up being cool. I was surrounded with family all the time, gave him some permission to have a look at his office. But he punctually came back every evening, to not to miss the Ind vs Aus series with us. Papa, me, Sidharth and Ajay. Glued to the Tv screen cheering for the country.

"Shehnaaz.. Tu bilkul apni mummy jaisi dikhti hai.." Preeti complimented once.

"Thanks!" I said.

"Ha.. Gayi bhi aunty pe hai.." Papa sighed.

"Unko bhi gussa badi jaldi ataa hai kya..?" Sidharth asked high-fiving him. He threw his head back howling into fits.

"Papaaa... !" I whine.

"Just joking beta..." he side hugged me.

"Tu mil mujhe.. Badi hasi aa rahi hai.." I warn him. Throwing pillows at him and his phone fell down.

"Hey..! Uncle you see this.. Ye humesha aisi karti hai.. !" he complains.

"Haaww! Aur ye mujhe ache se khane nahi deta..!" I complain too.

"Uncle.. Ye sara time phone pe lage rehti hai.." he fires.

"Acha.. Ye toh.. " Papa puts his hand infront of me. Calling off the war.

"Bas!"  Later in the evening, on their last day with us. We are chilling at the terrace right now. Me, mummy and Shefali having tea.

"Sana mujhe tujhse kuch zaruri baat karni hai.." she sounded serious.

"Hanji mummy bolo.." She kept her hand on mine.

"Puttar.. Tune apne liye sahi ladka chuna hai.. Aur mai khush hu tere liye.. " she smiled addressing him. I nod.

"Lekin beta.. Kabhi kabhi.. Aisi situations ajaati hai.. Humne jo socha nahi hota.. Vo kar jaate hai.. Par tu dhyaan rakhna uss baat ka.. " she says. What does she mean?

"Kyaa matlab mummy..?" I asked.

"Look.. Just because you and Sidharth share a room and sleep together.. Sometime it might happen that you guys would want to do 'it'.." she says.

"Do what..?" I asked. Shefali chuckled and that's when I got to know what she was talking about.

"Arey nahi aap.." I wanted to explain but she cuts me off.

"It's okay... Being your mother.. I wanted to tell you about it. A woman's body undergos immense of pain when the man..." she had just started when

"No.. No... please.. Mummy.." I stood up.

"Arey aunty.. Isko sab malum hai.." Shefali laughed.

"Kya matlab sab malum hai..?" Mummy squints her eyes at me.

"She's gone madd! .. She means to say.. Itna sabko pata hota hai.." I cover up throwing glares at her.

SIDHARTH'S POV

3 days ago.

Shehnaaz's father wanted to talk to me. So we were just walking around in the lawn, where he thanked me for taking care of his daughter.

"I mean seriously.. She likes cooking now.. That hardly ever happened in our kitchen.. She really likes you all.. " he smiled.

"I'm glad she does.. Because we're so used to her presence now.. It's all happening and lively when she's around for the weekends.. And when she's gone.. It's all quiet.." I replied.

"Take care of her.." he patted my back.

"You can count me wih that.." I assure. He hugged me making his way back to his bedroom.

"One more thing Sidharth..." he turned.

"Yes uncle..?" I came forward.

"NO PDA!" he warned, raising his eyebrows asking me to never overdo the line.

"Ye..yes uncle.. Def..definitely.." immediately nod. You can be friends with your girl's Dad? Sometimes, but the base is he's her father. He would always be more possessive for her.

As soon as I enter the bedroom, was cornered by Shehnaaz,
"What took you so long..? Pata mujhe teri yaad aa rahi thi.." she said.

Wrapping hands around my neck. The next second her lips were on mine, so urgently.

Ah No. My mind is still currently revolving around her father's strict face.

I pulled away slowly. "Baby.. How was your day? Subah medicines li thi..?" I ask.

"Vahi le rahi hu.." she whispers, pulling me close again.

"Hey.. Don't turn me on for what I can't do right now..!" I reply. Moving ahead to grab my towel and hopped into the bathroom. I was about to open the shower tap when I hear her talking to somebody.

"Tune baat ki Sidharth se..?" it is Shefali.

"Nahi yaar.. Puchne se pehle nahane chala gaya.. Aane de usko.." she answeres.

"Sana dekh yaar.. It's all on you.. Meeti baar baar call kar rahi hai..!"

"I know.. Usse baat kar rahi thi apne tareeke se.. Lekin uska mood off tha shayad.. Tu jaa mai aatii hu thode der me.." she said and I heard the door close.

Okay. I think. That kiss was not for me. But for some permission. Let's see what the matter is. I come to find her sitting on the bed tapping her foot.

"Sidhaaarth.." she held my arm.

"Bolo.." I started combing my hairs with the other hand.

"Mujhe Meeti ke ghar jana hai.. Girls' sleepover plan kiya hai.." she said.

"You know baby.. I can't let that happen.." I said. She held my face, turning it to face her.

"Please na.. Itne saalo baad hum teeno sath honge.. Please bebu..!" she whines. Why doesn't she understand, it's not safe until I get her culprit jailed.

"You know my answer darling.. Din ka kuch plan hota.. Toh I would have given it a thought.." I said.

"Kya hai yaar..? Why are you this stubborn..? Meri best-friends hain dono.. I can't say no to them..!" she shouts.

"Yeah.. Then learn how to do that.. Tum kahi nahi jaa rahi ho Shehnaaz and that's decided!" I said. Loud and clear. Her eyes filled with only rage for me.

"You don't get to decide it for me.. It's been 10 days I have stayed on bed.. Now that I can move myself.. Even then I'm not allowed to go out..! All because of you.. I feel like you have caged me!" she shouts. Outburst was pretty loud.

"I don't care.. Ghar pe bula lo apni BESTFRIENDS ko.. Bahar toh mai jaane nahi dunga..!" I calmly declare. She stomped her foot.

"I'll call all my friends..!" she warned. I give her a thumbs up.

"Okay.. Can I invite Pranav too..? He really wanted to see me.." she dramatically mentioned that creep. Well, that sounds like a good plan to me though. I smirk, moving close to her,
"Go ahead sweetie... Let everybody know where you belong... " I said. She pouts.

"You are soooo bad!" pushing me away. She stormed out of the room. The other day, during the day time she visited her friend's place with her parents.

Present day.

"Chaliye.. Hum chalte hai.. Abb aap log aiyega Punjab.." uncle folded his hands taking leave from Mom.

"Ji bhaisaab.. zaroor.." Mom replied. Her mother gave us blessings, before settling into the car. She wanted to see them off till the airport, but her parents themselves refused the idea. She was too emotional to talk of anything.

"I miss them already.." she mumbled as soon as they were out of her sight.

"Babyyyy..." hugged her.

She was recovering at a good rate.

"Straighten your back.. Pick up these books slowly.." her physiotherapist Dr Sen, a middle aged woman said. Her sessions are going smooth.

"Keep them back.. You feel anything..any stiffness..?"  she asked further.

"Nah.. My back's fine now.." Shehnaaz answers.

"I can see that.. Because you are a very strong girl.. Now rotate your ankles..(she did as per instructions) Good! Now shoulders.. Nice..! Mr Shukla.. She's doing good.. I think she can join her work now.." she said. Where Shehnaaz jumped in excitement at her place.

"Yaay! You hear that.. Woohoo..!Thanks alot doc..!" Yeah, why not. Doc is the one who took care of her afterall. Thank her.

"Aapko pata aunty.. Abb mai finally office jaungi.." she's been so elevated about it. But  it's not a very good news to me. She would want to move back to her apartment now. But not until it's safe for her to.

I got a call from a unknown number again the other day.

"What do you think of yourself.. Mai tujhe jeetne nahi dunga Shukla..!" spoke a drunk bastard. Cutting the call himself after this. I asked Yash to work on it. Called Shehnaaz, she's at work today.

"Hi sweetheart.. Kya kar rahi hai..?" 

"Presentation yaar.. Aur kya.. mai na hoti toh kyaa karte yeh log mere bina..!" she giggles.

"Don't overload yourself with it okay.. Aaj mai aunga tujhe pick karne.." I said.

"Okay.. Jaldi anaa baby.." she chirped hanging up. Lining up myself with meetings, it took me time to finish off things by evening. The last one was at a 5 star hotel. A discussion over some multilevel marketing strategies. Once done with that finally, Yash called me to talk.

"Sir.. Rahul Jaykar is partying here.. We can grop him.." he suggested. I stared him, to explain further.

"I've heard.. He's into all kinds of drugs and stuff.. Hum usse koi bhi information nikalva sakte hai.." he said.

"No.. Dhananjay is the only born evil.. His brother is just a fucking spoilt brat..  He's of no use.." I said. Asking the driver to make our way to Shehnaaz's office.

"Sir.. Hum usy kidnap kar lete hai.. Uska bhai apne aap chalkar ayega.. Because that's the only way left I believe..." he chuckled.

"Never.. Will I do anything to somebody who's got nothing to do with this rivalry..??" I ask him to shut his mouth.

Her phone's switched off. As usual she forgot to put it on charge. Had to get into the building to get her.

"Sir aap yaha..?" a girl asked. Eyes wide opened. She was probably one of those who worked under Shehnaaz

"um.. Ha where's Vikas....?" I asked.

"Sir he left urgently..!" she said.

"Why?"

"He got a call.. One of his friend had met with an accident.."

Oh! But where's the rest of the people.

"Toh baaki log kaha hai..?" I quire.

"Jay sir aur Sana mam bhi chale gaye unke sath.." she revealed. What? Sabko jaane ki kyaa zarurat thi? I tried everybody's number to find it unreachable. Where are they?