Chapter 54: Unexpexted

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She unlocked her phone and saw that it was Parth calling. To see that someone was seeking her out while she was lonely was like being gifted a fire on a winter’s night, like a parched traveler seeing a fountain in the middle of a desert—one one could refuse such kindness. Shehnaaz
answered in a soft voice.

Parth smiled on the other end of the line, “Sana, you went home? Did something happen?”

Shehnaaz shook her head. “It’s fine now, I want to come back to campus.”

“Then I’ll come pick you up.” Parth had woken up early to train and just finished eating breakfast when he
realised he hadn’t eaten with Shehnaaz in days, so he called her in a hurry.

Shehnaaz supported herself on the soundproof door of the shooting range in order to slowly stand up, her voice
trembling slightly., “I just got up, I’ll call you after I have breakfast.”

Parth laughed as he agreed and hung up. Shehnaaz put away her phone and suddenly hesitated. If Sidharth had taken away all his belongings, should she move out too? The apartment was under Sidharth’s name and with the owner away, it wouldn’t be proper if she squatted here. She was also about to graduate and wouldn’t start her post-grad until next year, so she still had time to look for a summer job. With an income, she’d be able to rent
her own place and not have to worry about people barging in and taking things away. Shehnaaz was sulky and called Rohit.

“Brother Rohit” Shehnaaz said, “did I wake you?”

Rohit was in a meeting with Sidharth, Deepak, and a few essential members of the Special Operations Forces. Seeing that Shehnaaz was calling, he
picked up right away and got up to leave the conference room.

“Nope, I’m already up.” Rohit poked his head into the room to mouth “Shehnaaz” at Sidharth  and let him know she was calling.

Sidharth didn’t move an inch, and instead indicated that Rohit was to continue speaking with her.

“The first phase of preparations for 6th Military Region is nearly complete; the funds and personnel are ready. General Sidharth, we should confirm the plans and report it.”

Deepak picked up a report from the printer and distributed it to everyone at the meeting.

Shehnaaz gritted her teeth and said to Rohit, “Brother Rohit, I’m at the apartment in the Andheri Precinct. All of Uncle Sid’s things are gone. We’re we robbed? Should I call the police?”

“Oh?! No! Don’t call the police!” Rohit’s forehead began to sweat, “There… there were no thieves! Who would
dare rob your apartment?”

“My apartment? This isn’t my apartment, I’m just staying here.” Shehnaaz stated calmly. She walked to the window.

“So, if that’s the case, then why are Uncle Sid’s things gone?”

“This… it’s because…” Rohit had always been quick witted, but he was at loss for words now. He stammered for a while before finally saying, “Aren’t you going to the Imperial capital for your post-grad, so we—”

“Haha, yeah right. Brother Rohit, don’t find some random excuse. You know that I’m not going to the Imperial capital for my post-grad until next spring. It’s fine, I don’t have to worry now that I know we weren’t robbed. You know Uncle Sid’s things are confidential, it’d be a disaster if they
went missing. Uncle Sid takes cares of a thousand things a day. I understand and I won’t give him trouble. Please tell him that I’m moving out today.”When she wanted to, Shehnaaz could speak with an even sharper tongue than Rohit, or even her uncle.

“No! Don’t move out!” Rohit’ silver tongue was useless now. He quickly muffled the phone and poked his
head into the conference room.

“General Sid, please come out for a second, it’s urgent.” Sidharth didn’t move and so he had no choice but to add, “It’s concerning Miss Gill.”

Sidharth looked up at him, his expression indifferent. “That’s your responsibility.”

“But she said she’s moving out!” Rohit  was helpless. He had no choice but to blurt it out.
Sidharth remained silent, but Deepak  had already faked a cough and patted the mouse heavily, “What did I tell you?! We Special Ops can’t be brusque with our work with civilians!”

Sidharth ignored him and stood up from his seat. The black, heavy belt on his waist further accentuated his toned midsection. He put one hand in his pocket and held a cigarette in the other as he strode out with his long legs, the tall military boots tapping on the floorboards.

Rohit hurriedly repeated Shehnaaz’s words to him and complained quietly. “I don’t even know how to explain this to her! She thought the apartment was robbed and wants to call the police! See, I told you that you shouldn’t move your things out, right? That was too excessive! The young lady couldn’t take it and now she’s talking about
moving out—”

“Moving out?” Sidharth flicked the cigarette ash. “Tell her that the apartment is now under her name, it’s hers. The deed is in the safe in the study. She knows the password.”

Rohit’s almost choked. He stammered, “T-t-t-the house is now under Nianzhi’s name?”

Jesus, this is a penthouse in the best area of the Andheri Precinct. With 160 square meters of living space and a current market value of at least five million Rupees…he just gave it away to Shehnaaz?

Sidharth grunted. “Also, the villa in Malad Precinct, that’s her dowry, but don’t tell her yet. He turned back towards the conference room and said before he left, “Alright, convince her and I’ll continue the meeting.” He walked back.

Rohit watched Sidharth’s broad back in awe.

The door to the conference room shut in Rohit’s face with a thud. He stared at the door and almost crumpled to
the floor.

This is truly the best guardian in the India, and our role model! Rohit thought in wonder. Unfortunately he didn’t have the ability to gift a penthouse apartment. He collected himself and picked up the phone,
laughing in disbelief. “Don’t be angry, Sana. Mr. Shukla has business to take care off. Also, the apartment is under your name now, so it wasn’t appropriate that he continued to live there. That’s why his things were moved. If you don’t like living alone, you can stay at our base! You have a room here too, did you forget? Why do you have to move out?”

Shehnaaz didn’t expect this at all and was stunned. She reacted just like Rohit did and stuttered, “W-w-w-
what what did you say? This apartment is under my name?! This is Uncle Sid’s home! I can’t take it!”

“I know. Mr. Shukla said…” Rohit almost blurted out the truth and quickly changed topic: “Mr. Shukla completed the paperwork before he left on business, so go look in the safe
in the study, the deed should be there. You know the password, right?”

Shehnaaz grasped the phone, her voice shaking as she sputtered, “I…I thought Uncle Shukla didn’t care about me anymore.”

“Why would he not care about you anymore?” Rohit was astounded. “You forgot that you have a room in Mr.
Sid’s quarters at the base too? If he really didn’t care about you anymore, why did he make all these arrangements for you?”

He’s even prepared a dowry, but it’s a shame that can’t be revealed right now. Rohit sighed. He chastised Sidharth internally and again thought about how the General had overcomplicated what had been meant to be a simple thing. Shehnaaz was slumped against the heavy leather door again, and felt beyond ashamed. She had thrown a fit for nothing, gauging a gentleman’s heart with her own pettiness. She raised her hand and slapped herself once, hard.

“Sana, what happened?” Rohit heard a slap on the phone, as though someone had just been hit on the face. He became alert instantly. “Did someone hit you?!”

Shehnaaz spoke faintly, “It’s nothing. I just slapped myself.”

Rohit gasped, “How vicious! Sana, you get so sad that you would even slap yourself!”

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I hope you enjoy reading it.
Love you all.

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