"Sanu akele kahin mat jana. mein tujhe humesha samjhati hun tu sunti nhi hai par meri. ab dekh le phir kya hogya issliye wahan bilkul bhi aisi koi harkat mat karna promise kar mujhe" sitting on the bed Devyani made shehnaaz understand while she listened to her mother like an obedient child.

"haanji mumma, abhi mein aisa kuchh nhi karungi. aap tention mat lo" she assured her mother while her voice came out low.

She was sad. She was confused. She didn't want to go. She wanted to stay with her mother. She didn't want to understand the situation. She just wanted to go back to her regular life with her mother, in their home.

"har baar bolti hai mumma aap tention mat lo aur har baar meri jaan glle tak le aati hai apni harkaton se, tention kaise na lun?" her mother said with sarcasm lacing her tone.

Shehnaaz didn't say anything. Her head hung low as she felt her eyes brimming with tears. She didn't want to cry but she didn't know how to control herself.

Her emotions, her feelings were always raw. She could never hide them just the way she could never lie about what was going in her mind.

"sanu? what happened?" realising that she was quiet, she was not responding to her taunt, her looking down, she was crying.

"kuchh nhi hua mumma" she mumbled not looking up as she played with the sweater kept on an open suitcase kept beside her. Her mother was packing her clothes as she was going to London tomorrow.

"sanu, aaja idhr aa achha" pushing the suitcase aside her mother opened her arms while shehnaaz was quick to hide herself in her embrace. Her hands wrapped around her mother as she hid her face in her mother's shoulder.

"mujhe nhi jana mumma aapko chhor kar kahin bhi" she expressed while a tear escaped her eyes making her tightening her hold around her mother.

"I know sanu, mein bhi tujhe bhejna nhi chahti par yahan risk badhta hi ja raha hai sanu. mein tujhe ek minute ke liye bhi door ni bhejna chahti par iss wajah se tere liye itna bda risk bhi nhi le sakti. 2,3 hafte ki baat hai phir sab theek ho jaayega. phir hum apne ghar chle jayenge" caressing her hair Devyani tried to make her understand while her own heart broke at the thought of sending her away, to a whole another country.

Shehnaaz wanted her mother to go with her but she knew that it would put her life at risk too. She had understood that her mother's presence around her could threaten her life if someone from Russo's men saw her. She didn't want that.

"mumma, I'll talk to you daily" she kept her head on her shoulder as she demanded.

"yes, we will talk daily" Devyani agreed.

"you will not go out alone, and no need to go out if it is not to the university. okay?" she demanded.

"okay" devyani agreed with a smile playing on her lips.

"when I am not here, you'll not make aaloo parantha and eat alone" a pout formed on her lips as she felt sad with the thought of not having aaloo parantha in London.

"pagal hai tu sanu, theek hai nhi banaungi" devyani laughed while hitting lightly on shehnaaz's head.

"You'll have to miss me" she was ready with another demand.

"thoda mushkil hai par mein try karungi" her mother was smiling with unshed tears in her eyes as she caressed her head.

She will miss her daughter every day, every minute until she comes back. Her strength as well as her weakness, both were her daughter. She didn't know how she would live without her.

"You'll have to miss me but you are not allowed to take stress for me. okay mumma?" moving back she looked at her with fake warning making her roll her eyes.

"ab bas karde apne drame sanu. dadi amma hi ban jaati hai" shehnaaz received a light pat on her head as her mother pulled her suitcase back in between them while shehnaaz had a small smile on her lips now.

"sanu, udhr khud se naha liya kar uth kar kahin nahaye hi na. mein toh houngi ni tujhe tokne ke liye toh khud hi sharam karke naha lena" her mother warned her making her start whining already.

"mumma, wahan toh abhi thand hai. kabhi kabhi toh chlta hai na" she laid back on the bed whining like a stubborn kid.

"tu chup kar, maar khaayegi agar roz subah uth kar na nahai. mein sidharth ki mumma se baat karungi, unko bol dungi ke ye ladki nahati nhi hai toh zra aap dekh lena" she threatened her daughter while shehnaaz looked at her with her eyes wide, her mouth open, she was terrified with the thought of what her mother just said.

"mummaaaaaaa, aap aisa kaise kar sakte ho? ek praye desh mein apni beti ki aise bezti karwaoge aap?" she moved her hands around dramatically while standing up on the bed.

"toh tu naha liya karna khud se, nhi hogi teri bezti tere 'praye desh' mein" putting all the clothes systematically inside the suitcase her mother tried to close it but it was overweight making it difficult to close.

"mumma aapne itne saare kapde daal diye hain jaise mein wahan kuchh din ke liye nhi kuchh mahino ke liye jaa rahi hun" shehnaaz tried to throw some clothes out of the suitcase only for her hands to get slapped away by her mother.

"tu chup kar sanu, ek bhi kapda nhi nikalna hai. bahr jayegi toh garam kapde daal ke jana achhe se cover ho kar, chal ab tu iss par baith mein isko band karne ki koshish karti hun" devyani instructed her making her pout and sit on the suitcase.

______________________________

The black mercedes running fast on the road, the man sitting on the driving seat gripped the steering tightly. His face pale, his hands trembling, his breathes quicked, checking continuously in the rear view, he was scared.

A row of black SUVs parked in the middle of the secluded road blocked his way. His breathe caught in his throat realising there was no way to escape now.

Pressing on the breaks he stopped the car abruptly while his head banged with the steering because of the sudden force. His whole form shook with fear as he slowly lifted his head up to look ahead.

Leaning against his car door with his arms folded across his chest, sidharth stood in the centre. The shades hiding the cold look his eyes held.

The person sitting in the car went pale. He knew he was doomed. There was no escape from him.

Sidharth Raichand.

The only thing he could do was to ask for forgiveness. He opened the door with trembling hands slowly coming out of the car. His legs shaking as he walked towards sidharth who stood calmly.

"Sir, please forgive me. I won't do it again. I am sorry sir, please just one chance. I am sorry sir, I am really sorry" getting down on his knees he held sidharth's leg asking for forgiveness continuously.

"Betrayal has no forgiveness, Mehta" sidharth responded while taking off his shades. His voice was calm, his face expressionless as he pulled his leg back making the man stumble.

"No sir, please. I will never betray you again. I got greedy, the Kapoor's paid me 10cr in exchange of that information. I am so sorry sir, I shouldn't have done it. I've realised my mistake now. Please give me one chance sir please" he begged folding his hands in front of him while sitting on his knees in front of him.

"There is no excuse for betrayal. I give all my employees a luxurious life, they can never complain about facing financial issues and all they need to do is stay loyal to whom they work for but you couldn't even do that" sidharth stated giving him a cold look.

A look that could make anyone question their existence that why they even existed to experience that coldness.

"Sir, I promise I will never do anything such again. I promise sir, I have family at home. My wife, my kids, sir. Please let me go. Please" he had no words to say to save himself. He was trembling with the fear.

"Yeah the wife who you've been cheating on with another woman and the kids you don't care about. Right?" sidharth pulled his gun out while the man froze. He knew what was coming.

"I guess, everyone connected to you will be happy if you leave this world. So, I've to make it possible" loading the gun sidharth aimed at his head. Before the man could say another word, the place echoed with a sound of a gun shot as sidharth pressed the trigger.

The man landed back with a thud. His body was lifeless. The bullet mark in the middle of the head, blood oozes out of it.

"Sir, we will take care of it" a man standing behind sidharth moved towards the man lying there while Sidharth got into his car and drove away from there.

Dialing a number he focused on the road while the call was answered within a second.

"Ji Bhai?" Rana asked from the other side.

"Make sure Piyush Mehta ki family ko koi financial problem na aaye" sidharth ordered before hanging up the call.

It was midnight when sidharth entered the mansion. The lights in the hall were on which surprised him. Walking through the hallway he entered the hall and was surprised to see shehnaaz sleeping on the couch in a sitting position.

"Why is she sleeping here?" he talked to himself while stopping in his steps. She was supposed to sleep in her room in comfort and not there in an uncomfortable position.

Taking slow deliberate steps he moved towards her. Standing in front of her he observed how she was sleeping with her mouth a little open, her messed up hair coming on her face, a cushion in her arms as she held it in a loose grip.

The thought of waking her up when she was sleeping so carefree didn't settle with him. He didn't feel like waking her up.

Another thought of taking her to her room crossed his mind but her mother's presence in the same room made him stop.

His lips curled up a little as he kept admiring her sleeping like a baby. Removing his jacket he sat on a single couch in front of her. Leaning back he kept his gaze fixed on her, his eyes soft, his face relaxed, his lips curled up in a soft smile.

A smile only she has the power to bring on his face. A while ago he had just killed a man like a heartless human and now he was sitting in front of her smiling.

Pushing the pillow down she stirred in her sleep. Her face expressed discomfort as she moved her head trying to find a comfortable position. Observing her discomfort he stood up and moved closer to her.

Bending down he held her arm in his soft hold trying to make her lay on the couch. Her hand moved up to his arm holding onto it as she placed her head on his arm making him stop moving.

She found her comfort.

He looked at her surprised at how fast she held his arm and slept finding a comfortable spot. His lips curled up again as he sat beside her letting her hold his arm.

She moved closer to him leaning against his shoulder with her both arms wrapped around his bicep. He let her sleep trying not to move even an inch as he didn't want to ruin her sleep.

Her hair falling on her face made it difficult for him to look at her. He wanted to look at her face which looked serene as she was sleeping so peacefully without a worry of the world.

Moving his hand forward he brushed his fingers ever so softly pushing her hair out of his view. Tucking them behind her ear he let his hand linger on her cheek.

His hand looked huge on her face as he brushed his thumb on her cheek with extreme softness. Her skin was soft, it was smooth while his hand felt rough against her soft skin.

Her face moved closer as she tried to find more comfort leaning her face on his hand while her legs moved to rest on his lap. His heart beats got fast as he felt his breath caught in his throat. He could literally feel his heart thumping against his chest. The closeness made him fist his hand as he took a deep breath.

His hand itched to hold her closer, in his arms. His heart felt connected to her heart beat which he could clearly hear in the silence of the night.

Keeping a control on himself he leaned his head back while his hand moved away from her cheek. He let her sleep , half lying on him while closing his eyes.

A while later shehnaaz stirred in her sleep. Her hand moved up to rub her eyes as her sleep broke. The first thing she noticed when opened eyes was her hands gripping his arm. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her face up only to find sidharth sleeping peacefully.

Her eyes widened while her lips parted as she realised that she was sleeping holding onto him. She noticed her legs stretched on his lap which made her pull them off his lap instantly.

Moving a little away she sat on the couch facing him with her legs folded as if she was about to pray. Her gaze moved to his face which looked calm in sleep. His sharp features, the jaw line, the stubble, he was handsome. She thought to herself as she kept observing him.

A thought to touch his beard crossed her mind making her heart race. Her heart beats got fast as she felt restless with the thought. Before she could stop herself her hand moved up to his face.

Getting on her knees she stood on her knees on the couch while leaning towards him as she slowly touched his beard with her hand. It felt rough against her hand while she caressed his jaw with the softest touch.

A smile tugged on her lips as she caressed his beard again but the next moment she felt her soul leaving her body as she let her gaze move to his eyes.

Sidharth was looking at her with his gaze intense. Her throat tightened for a moment realising that she was caught. She tried to take her hand back but he was quick to hold her wrist making her eyes widen.

Giving a gentle pull to her wrist he pulled her on himself making her hand rest on his shoulder while her petite form pressed against his giant structure.

"May I know what you were doing?" keeping a gentle hold on her arm he kept her close while their hearts were beating fast complementing each other.

"yes" she answered as their eyes were locked with each other. He bit his inner cheek to stop the smile listening to her answer.

"Then tell me" he demanded raising his eyebrow.

"I was looking at you" she answered innocently making him want to hide her in his arms forever. How could someone be so innocently honest.

"and why so?" he continued while his gaze was soft as he kept her close.

"you are handsome" she complimented him keeping her honesty like always while he couldn't stop the smile that broke on his face now.

How can someone be innocent and bold at the same time. He chuckled at the thought making her look at him confused as to what was there to laugh about ?

"you don't believe me? you don't need to self doubt, you are seriously handsome" thinking that he might not believe that he was handsome, she tried to make him believe making him chuckle again.

In that moment he felt like wrapping his arms around her, taking her in his arms, walking into his room, lying on the bed with her in his arms, covered with the blanket, keeping her hidden from the world, in his embrace.

"I believe you miss shergill" sidharth smiled at her making her smile big. The position they were in was forgotten to her as she felt happy that he felt happy with the compliment.

"By the way, why were you sleeping here?" sidharth asked making her realise their position as she looked around to see where they actually were.

His grip loosened on her wrist making her move back as she sat back on the couch. Her brows knitted together as she tried to think what made her sleep there. He observed quietly letting her take her time to think.

"haan, yaad aayaaa" she exclaimed excitedly as she remembered the reason making him smile again.

With her being around, he would keep smiling even if she does nothing. Just her presence would make him smile. He realised.

"vo mujhe na aapse baat karni thi issliye mein aapki wait kar rahi thi aur pta nhi kab mujhe neend aa gyi" she responded making him look at her surprised. She was waiting for him because she wanted to talk about something?

"and what did you want to talk about?" he raised his eye brow looking at her.

"vo..about going? going to London" her voice came out low this time making him realise that something was bothering her about the trip.

"tell me what is bothering you?" he demanded leaning forward while keeping his elbows on his thighs.

"umm..sab kuchh, mein mumma ke bina itni door jaaungi for the first time, I don't know anybody there" she tried to voice out what was bothering her but she herself was not clear what exactly was she scared of or bothered about.

"you are not going alone. you don't need to worry about not knowing anyone. I'll be there with you, okay?" understanding her he tried to make her feel relaxed about the trip.

"mein aapki family ko nhi janti. what if they didn't like my presence in their home?" she questioned while a pout formed on her lips making him smile.

"aisa kuchh nhi hoga. I am sure they'll enjoy your presence more than mine" he gave her a polite smile easing her out of her worry.

"and what if mujhe raat ko bhukh lag gyi? jo ki lgti hi hai" she asked again making him bite his inner cheek not wanting to smile more than he already was.

"you can go to the kitchen, eat whatever you like" he stated dealing with her patiently, by choice.

"agar fridge mein chocolate na hui toh mein kisko bolungi?" she had so many questions in her mind. Her worries were of her level only.

"I'll make sure ke fridge mein chocolates humesha hon, theek hai?" she nodded at him with a big smile adorning her lips now.

"Now go to your room and sleep. We need to leave tomorrow" he demanded making her nod as she stood up from the couch feeling satisfied as he had taken away all her worries.

They walked together towards the stairs with her walking ahead and him following her.

_______________________________

"Sidharth, I trust you. Please take care of my daughter. usse bilkul bhi akele mat chhodna, she can't handle herself. I don't want her to get into another trouble. Please beta just take care of her" standing near the car devyani held sidharth's hands in hers as she couldn't stop worrying for her daughter.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her. She will be safe. vo kahin akele nhi jayegi. You trust me and I won't break it" sidharth gave her a polite smile understanding her worries while she kept her hand on his head blessing him.

"Can you please give me your mother's contact number?" she asked forwarding her mobile to him while standing beside her shehnaaz looked at her mother with shock.

"mummaaa" she gasped making her mother roll her eyes knowing well what her daughter had just thought.

"sanu, tu pagal hai ek damm" she sighed while sidharth saved his mother's number in her mobile while glancing at shehnaaz as he didn't understand the reason for her reaction.

"sanu, apna khayal rakhna. roz baat karungi mein, koi drame nhi karne wahan khaane pine mein, jo bana hoga vohi kha lena chup chap aur bandriya ki tarah uchhalti mat ghumti rehna, tarike se rehna" her mother warned her while the two shared a hug.

"aap bhi apna khayal rakhna mumma. mujhe aapki koi shikayat nhi aani chahiye" she demanded cutely making her mother laugh while a smile tugged on sidharth's lips listening to her.

"haan dadi amma, nhi aayegi koi shikayat" she caressed her hair while shehnaaz kept her head on her shoulder as her eyes started to well up.

"I love you mumma" she mumbled against her shoulder. Her voice was low, breaking a little at the end while her mother pushed her tears back not wanting to show them to her daughter.

"love you too sanu, khayal rakhna apna baar baar bol rahi hun" patting her back she moved back placing a kiss on shehnaaz's forehead.

"aap bhi apna khayal rakhna, mein bhi baar baar samjha rahi hun" copying her mother she too kissed her forehead making her shake her head.

Her daughter was a blessing in her life.

"Bhai, we need to leave" rana spoke making sidharth nod as he looked at devyani shergill wanting her approval to which she nodded slowly.

"bye mumma" giving another hug to her mother she placed a quick kiss on her cheek before moving towards the car.

Sidharth opened the door for her making her move inside. Giving a polite nod to devyani sidharth too slid inside the car taking a seat beside her on the back seat.

The driver started the car while Rana settled on the passenger seat. Shehnaaz waved at her mother as the car drove out of the mansion while her mother looked at the car with unshed tears.

Keeping her head on the window shehnaaz closed her eyes as she didn't want to cry when her mother would not be there to stop her crying.

Sidharth glanced at her knowing how she was feeling but it was needed. He had to take her along as it would be the best decision for her safety.

A black SUV followed them closely as a protective shield. A while later the car stopped at the airport. Getting down sidharth went towards her side opening the door for her. She came out while one of his men managed their luggage.

Sidharth gestured to Shehnaaz to walk with him as they moved towards the other side of the airport. His men followed them closely in casual clothes not wanting to draw attention towards them.

Shehnaaz was unable to match his long steps as he was walking too fast while his men slowed down letting shehnaaz walk on her pace following her protectively.

Glancing behind sidharth realise that shehnaaz was trying to match his steps. Biting his inner cheek he slowed his steps making her match him. Keeping his hand on her back gently he led her with himself.

They walked to the private jet making shehnaaz confuse as she looked around. There were no other passengers, they didn't need a boarding pass, they didn't need to wait, they didn't need anything one needs to do when at airport.

"come" sidharth led her to the stairs as they entered his private jet.