SHEHNAAZ'S POV

"Thank you Pranav.. You've been really supportive.." I hugged him.

"Aah! Not there.." he cried. Holding the side of his back.

"Sorry sorry.. Tujhe lagi..?" I asked.

"Lagi..? I have surely got my ribs broken.." he said. But soon composed himself.

"But that's not it.. I've kicked many asses too.. Tujhe dekhna chahiye tha.." he patts his own shoulder.

"Acha..?" I'm amazed.

"Haa.. ask Sid na! He was calling me constantly.. Pranav help..! Save me!" he mimicks. I smirk seeing Sidharth standing right behind him, listening him. Haha! He's so gone!

"And you saved me..?" Sidharth asked. Looks like Pranav's throat dried.

"Nah..(nervous laughter) I was.. just saying.. Acha I must leave now.. Dad n Mom must be waiting.. Bye take care!" he immediately found his way out. Leaving us laughing into fits.

•Businessmen Sidharth Shukla and Dhananjay Jaykar's rivalry was at peak today. Men had a lethal fight.

•DJ arrested in charges of attempt to murder. Under a non-bailable warrant.

• Shukla's temper issues has always heated up the situation. My brother is being framed, says DJ's brother Rahul.

•According to our sources, there was a girl too. Who was she? Were these men fighting after that girl?

•On the other hand Sidharth's friends and family refused to give any answers. A few weeks back Shukla family was also spotted outside a hospital. Are they hiding anything?

•Amazing fans of SS manage to trend 'We Are With U Sid' on twitter.

"What rubbish..? Switch it off..!" Preeti asked Ajay. These were the news headlines, by the time we were home. Well, that's the craze he has got. That we had to exit the hospital through the backside.

"Bhagwaan ka shukar hai.. Mere bache sahi salamat hai.." Rita aunty had gasped out of fear. When she heard the entire episode. By God's grace we're all fine. But after going a hell lot of things.

She hugs me. Kissed my head. "I'm so sorry beta.. You had to go through all this.. Never thought somebody would actually cause this much of harm.. Out of enmity.." she says.

"Why are you being sorry for that.. I'm fine.. He saved me..!" I shrug. To stop aunty and myself from crying I brought Sidharth forward. He hugged her till she calmed down.

"Thak gaye hoge na tumlog... Jao fresh ho jao.. Mai khana bhijwa dungi..." she said.

"Tu pehle nahale.." he passed me my robe. Standing under the shower, letting the warm water wash my bare skin. Lathered some soap around.

"Ow.." felt a sharp burning sensation in the knee. Had almost forgot, I got it scratched when I fell down while running aimlessly. Also my elbows got scraped. Then there was already a stitch on my head. I look like a loser high school kid, whose seniors had beaten him blue-black in the playground.

I'm so exhausted and not beautiful anymore. Earlier got my limbs fractured and now these scratches. Staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. A quite thin and wounded body is all I see. Who would like that? Forget Sidharth, I don't like seeing myself either. Taking some more bodywash, I spread it all over the mirror, well that won't shut the people's eyes. You stupid! I can apply foundation on it. Yes, that will do!

"Shehnaaaazz..! Mujhe bhi nahana haii..!" he knocked.

"Ha.. Nikal rahi.." wrapped myself inside the robe, walking straight into the closet. Yaha toh moisturizer hai bas.. Foundation aur concealer kaha hai?? Shuffled everything in my kit. Found a half empty bottle finally. Had just started to apply it on the forhead.

"Babyy... Food is here.. What's taking you so longgg..?" he called.

"Tune naha liyaa..?" I wonder.

"Haa baba.. Tu kyaa kar rahi hai andar itni der se.. Khol darwaza..!" sounds like he's standing right outside the door.

"Bas 1 minute dede.." quickly slided a hoodie over the head pairing with Pjs.

"Aur mirror kyu kharab kiya tune..?" he questioned. Uh oh!

"Mm.. Aisehi..!" I fake a laugh, to make it look some childish act. Hope he doesn't question again to this.
He stared me squinting his eyes for a while, because I had covered my head.

"Are you okay..? Thand lag rahi hai..?" he asks.

"Ha.. Bohot thand lag rahi.. Shayad sardi lag gayi.." I answer, while serving the food.

"Toh itni der tak kyu naha rahi thi..?" he continues to ask. It's hard to lie an intelligent. Especially when you're dating him.

"Zyaada nahane ki wajah se laggi sardi.. Tu khana kha.. Mai Crocin lelungi.." I said, focussing on my plate.

Once on the bed. We embosomed ourselves, so close that I enjoyed his freshly showered chest infront of my face. His minty breath. Intoxicating. Slightly wet hairs, I get to ruffle.

"Tujhe pata mai bohot dar gayi thi aaj... Mere accident vale din se bhi zyaada.." I said.

"Mai bhi.." he says. Closing the distance between us. Pressing our lips together. Those horrible photographs flashed again in my mind, to get rid of them, I swayed my tongue in. Chewing his lips, pushing his head against the pillow. To hear him moan. He grabbed my bottoms, helping me to climb on top of him. As soon as his hands dipped inside my camisole, roaming around my back, my fear kicked in again. What if he finds those marks gross? Pausing the moment abruptly.

"I love you.." I whispered after pecking his lips before  submerging under the covers. He couldn't figure out my actions.

In his arms, I feel so good. But very uncomfortable with this hoodie. It's so hot, even with the AC on work. Just then he pulled down the hood over my head.

"Paseena aa raha hai..?" he said.

"Nahi toh.." I lied but then he wipes the wetness from my forhead

"Mai puch nahi raha.." he says.

"Utaar de isko.." he adds. Capturing the hem of the cloth.

"Nahi.. Rehne de.." I stop him.

"um.. Fir thand lagegi.." I reason.

"AC band kardu..?" he asks.

"Nahi.. AC chahiye mujhe.." I blurt. He seems irked.

"Tera nah mujhe samajh nahi aa raha..." he stirred. Unintentionally his knee hits mine.

"Aah!" I sat straight holding it.

"Kyaa hua..?" he asks clasping my hand, on the elbow.

"Arey hath chod..! Lagi hai mere... " I shrieked in pain. Oops. Now he'll begin with the questionnaire.

"Tune bataya nahi tujhe lagi hai... Maine pucha tha na car me..!" he whines. Getting off the bed to bring something.

"Vo..thodi si chot lagi hai..bas.." I said.

"Dikha kaha lagi hai..?" he asked again.

"Rehne dena.. Zaroori nahi.."   'thud' he threw the first aid box on the bed. Hands over his waist, his eyes warning me to speak now. Whoa, easy Hulk! I zipped my lips and removed the hoodie. Forwarding my elbow, he's silently applying ointment. Same went with the knee, he told me to wear shorts to prevent skin irritation.

But I can't. I've gained some weight since weeks I've sticked to bed.

"Aur kahi..?" he asks. Looking down to my lap, I nod slowly. Brushing away some hairs from the sideline, a small cut.

"Care to explain..?" he asked after done with it. I don't know how to tell him this? If he would understand or not? 

"There's nothing to explain.." I said, pulling the covers over me.

Next day:

I am shifting back to my place today. I'll miss, not being in here daily. Rita aunty's company, her kitchen classes, gossiping with Lata Tai, I'll miss these. But not like I can't enjoy these moments again. Ab toh aana jaana laga rahega!

Right now, we're having breakfast altogether before I leave.

"Arey.. Ye bag kiska hai..?" Lata asks.

"Shehnaaz ka.." aunty answered.

"Acha.. Fir kabi ayogi..?" she asks me.

"Har weekend!" I smile. Their faces say, they'll miss me too. Aw!
Wanna know what happened last night, I ignored to answer why I was hiding my cut wounds. Just said those were not that big. He didn't ask further. Glad. But I doubt if he was convinced.

Back to home, after almost 2 months! Damn, my house is all about dirt and dust. And the lazy person in me is crying, after calculating the amount of work I've got to do. Began with the bedroom, swept the floor, changed the sheets, washed the old ones. By the time I did the entire house, past midnight it was. Came to halt when my tummy growled at me for keeping him hungry. Let's get you something to eat. Cooked plain rice and dal, my signature meal. I was tired way too much to surf through my phone. But when I saw two missed calls from Sidharth, called back immediately.

Surprisingly he was awake, "Where the fuck have you been..?" he shoots.

"Baba.. Kaam kar rahi thi.. Maine phone nahi dekha.. " I explain.

" Saara ghar ganda hua pada tha.. Saaf kiya..!" I proudly tell.

"Oh...!" he acts amazed.

"Sachi.. Teko pata.. Maine abhi jaa kar ke khana khaya.." I said.

"Can you just keep a maid..?! You know you've just recovered... Back pe pressure nahi dena hai.." he scoffs.

"Lekin tum toh gadhi ho.. Wait I'll ask Mom to send a house help.." he adds.

"Arey! Abb aunty ko mat pareshaan kar.. Mai jo building me aati hain.. Unme se kisi se baat kar lungi.." I said.

"Nahi! rehne do.. Tum kisi ko bhi kaam pe rakh logi.. Kal ghar se bhejwa dunga kisi ko.." like he had already decided.

"Fine..! Bata.. How was your day..?" I go for another topic.

"Tiresome but cool.. " he replies.

"Tujhe invitation mila.. Taneja's ka office inaugurate ho raha..?" I ask.

"I don't know.. Mails dekhe nahi hai.." he says.

"Vaise abhi unhone invites bheje nahi... Mujhe toh Pranav ne bataya.." I giggle. He must have made a lame face.

"Usko kuch aur kaam nahi hai na.. Sara din tere office me pada rehta hai...?" he sounds annoyed. Haha, jealous!

Today is the day, another work of mine to be  revealed to the audience. I hope they love it. Just hope, 'cause it was a really big one. After the amazing response I received from Ashiyaana, I'm looking forward to more. Clothed in a loose lemon yellow A-line dress, with a full sleeve shrug on it. I look presentable now. Walking in with all the confidence in me, after Vikas had informed I might have to appear in a short interview I was freaking out.

"Oooh..! Look at you young lady.." Pranav pulled out his hand like a gentleman.

"Teri girlfriend ne dekh liya.. Toh chhittar padenge.." I laugh.

"Please yaar Sana.. Yaad mat dila.." he left my hand instantly.

"Kya hua? Usse bhi breakup hogaya..?" I ask, even after knowing his answer.

"Han yaar..(exhales) Chhodna.. Udhar dekh tere left me.. " he points at a blonde girl.

"She's constantly passing me smiles.." he whispered.

"Tera nah.. Kuch nahi ho sakta.." I dab his shoulder lightly. Making way ahead to meet his father.

"Mind blowing Mr Gupta.. This place completely different now.. I'm pleased I gave it to you.." Senior Taneja complimented, infront of people. I'm sure they hold some very important post in this business arena. I look at Vikas, he's all proud.

"Thank you sir.. For giving us this opportunity.. Your praises mean alot.." Vikas replies. We all shook hands with him, before posing for the media.

There was a whir among the crowd, following their direction, I find the most handsome man on earth. Sidharth. In a royal blue Armani suit, paired with a black silk tie. So alluring with his hairs gelled. And that jawline I love the most, has been clean shaved. Uh! I've been so craving for him, during the days I was unfit. It was a punishment to sleep with him, but without doing doing things with him. And currently he happens to steal the show, where everybody is staring him. Be it men or women. He is simply the most scrumptious thing on two legs.

'Ahem' Mahi cleared her throat. Bringing me back from the Lala land.

"Save it for the night.." she teases.

"Kuch bhi.." brush her aside. When he finally approached us.

"Hii Girls..!" I hugged him excitedly. 'ravishing' his lips move in the air. Heating up my cheeks to red in the next moment.

"How's it..?" ask for his outlook for the interior.

"Remarkably  splendid baby.. Superb..Superb.." he smiles.

"Everybody's impressed..!" Mahi joined him.

"Sir.." Riya called him.

"Excuse me" he left. That was hardly five minutes! I saw him posing for pictures with some people. There came tall, dark lady, if I say in her mermaid dress she looked sexy. It would still be an understatement. Wow! Her height was  somewhere near his head, on the other hand I reach up to his shoulder barely. I hate to watch him with other women, especially when she's actually looking good. Just hate it!

Mahi and me were in the washroom, while I noticed myself in the mirror, I had to pullover this shrug, I'm not supposed to wear heals because it would hurt my back. Hell, I can't wear things I like.

"Hey.. What happened..?" Mahi asked.

"Ha..? Nothing happened.. Acha Mahi ek baat batana honestly.." I've thought to ask something.

"Ha bolna.." she keeps her hand on mine. 

"I'm so bosomy yaar.. aur bed rest kar kar ke I've gained fat! Mai kya karu..?" I tell her, she laughs. Like seriously, I'm sharing my problem. My eyes begin to fill up.

"Arey Pagal.. Ro kyu rahi hai? Mai tere stupidity pe has rahi hu.. You're very gorgeous and admirable baby..! And you've got really nice curves..!" she backs me up. She nods. Just so that I feel good. But no I don't.

SIDHARTH'S POV

She's behaving differently. I don't know, what is with her that she's maintaining quite a unexpected distance. And a few days back, I was perplexed when she hid her wounds. Why would anybody do that? There was definitely something, but I choose to let it go for the moment.
Today, in the party, she was at her most adorable self. So happy about her work being praised. I'm proud to have someone like her, she's selfmade! Just a thought of little celebration came into my mind. Bought a bottle of red wine on my way to her house. She opens the door, completely dishevelled. She hasn't changed her dress yet.

"Sweetheart..Have you been crying..?" I ask.

"No.." she shook her head, with that red nose and inflated eyes. I step in, holding her wrist.

"Kya hua babyy..? Idhar aao Shehnaaz.. Mai baat kar raha hu na.." strictly made her sit, when she replied coldy.

"Why were you crying..?" I ask. She silently stares me.

"I don't feel good.." she says.

"Good as in?"

"about myself.." she reasons. What is she trying to say?

"Kyaa bol rahi hai tu.. Ache se bata.." held her hands again.

"Mujhe bohot bura laga jab vo ladki tere sath photo kara rahi thi..?" she says.

"....achi lag rahi thi vo tere sath.." she adds.

"Ussey kya farak padta hai.. Mujhe toh tu achi lagti hai.." I tell her. She looks at me.

"Now honestly spit it.. What's bothering you?" I ask.

"um.. I thought you wouldn't like these.." she answers.

"Wouldn't like what?"

"These..." pointing at the band-aid.

"Inke nishaan reh jayenge.. Mai pehle jaisi nahi dikhungi..Achi nahi lagungi.."

"Tu pagal hai..!" I said. Pretty loud at her face. Seeing her shut her eyes in the flinch.

"Is..isn't it gross? I Can't wear dresses I want..no heels..No shorts" her voice shakes.

I cupped her face. "These marks don't apprise of ones' beauty.. You happen to fascinate me with almost everything in you.." I said. She seems to melt with these.

"Really..?" she asks innocently. Is there any doubt? About how fucking prepossessing she is. Without any kinda makeup or any revealing clothes she happens to be irresistible. I nod.

"Yes you are..!"

"Ahaaaan.. Tu kitna acha hai..!" she threw my arms around me.

"Aur tu Gadhi hai.." I slap her head, for this foolishness. I mean it, she's thick headed!

"Tu pehle samjha deta.. Mai roti hi na.." she complains. Like wow!

"Ha.. Tu mere se baat mat share kar.. Mereko sapna ayega ki tujhe kya problem hai.." I retort. She laughs. Hugging me.

"But on a serious note Shehnaaz.. I believed you shared everything with me.. Never knew we were this brittle.." I confessed. Her stupidity of distancing herself had made me crazy. I could not figure out what I did wrong.

"I'm sorry.. I'm extremely sorry Sidharth.. I just went away with that thought.. If I wasn't attractive anymore to you.. If you won't want me... " she says, playing with my shirts button.

"You've always been special to me.. What have I ever done..that made you feel any less wanted..? Ha.." I was infuriated within seconds. That I bunched a fist of her hairs.

"You're right.. You haven't.." she cried.

I place her up in my arms, "Stop crying now..! It's okay.. Abhi hogaya na.. Khatam baat.." pat her back.

I was about to ask her to change because she should and also it had begun to distract me. When she pulled out her face out of the hug and leans forward to kiss me.

"I won't think anything as such ever again.. just tell me you love me.." she stopped right at my lips.

"I love you baby like mad.. I'll always do.." I replied to let her do the needful. My hands had been itching to corner her, now they got their way. I cradled her in my arms, taking this to the bed. We badly want each other now.

"I've been craving for you.." she whispers. Her hand roams around my chest.

"Not more than me.." I correct her. Helping her getting that dress off her head and my own set of clothes, kissing each other feverishly and with utmost urgency. Unleashing ourselves from every kinda barrier to let our bodies copulate. To do the romance that had been lacking somewhere. It's just not a need, it's a beautiful way of conveying love, pleasurably(wink).