Secret Shaadi ...

Chapter 24

**Chapter 24: "Secrets in the Shadows"**

The soft glow of the laptop screens in their hostel rooms cast a muted ambiance as Sidharth and Shehnaaz lingered in the afterglow of their family conversations. The calls had brought a sense of warmth and understanding, but as the virtual connections faded, a quiet contemplation settled in.

**Sidharth's Family Call:**

The screen of Sidharth's laptop flickered with the faces of his brother and sister-in-law. The family call had been a mix of understanding and encouragement, fostering a sense of unity. Little did they know the secret that lingered—the unspoken pact between Sidharth and Shehnaaz.

**Kushal:** Samay dena ek rishte ko zaroori hota hai. Tum dono apne decisions ko lekar comfortable ho, wahi sabse important hai.

Neha added, **Neha:** Absolutely, Sid. You both explore your relationship in your own way. We're always here for you.

In those moments of familial support, Sidharth found himself buoyed by their understanding, grateful for the unconditional love that threaded through the conversation.

Meanwhile with Shehnaaz

On the other end of the virtual connection, Shehnaaz's family gathered around a laptop, their expressions filled with warmth and acceptance.

**Shehnaaz:** Dad, Mom, Shehbaaz, I need to discuss something important with you.

**Santokh:** Beta, hum tujhe samajh rahe hain. Tumhari khushi humare liye sabse zaroori hai.

Pammi added with a supportive smile, **Pammi:** Tum dono apne rishte ko apne taur pe explore karo. Hum hamesha tumhare saath hain.

In those moments, Shehnaaz felt the safety net of her family's love, allowing her to navigate the complexities of her evolving relationship with Sidharth.

As the virtual conversations concluded on a positive note, Sidharth and Shehnaaz retreated into the shadows of their hostel rooms, each lost in individual reflections.

Sidharth sat back, his thoughts swirling in the space between reality and the uncharted territories of his connection with Shehnaaz. The video call with his family lingered in his mind—the understanding, the support.

**Sidharth:** (*thinking*) Pehle toh shaadi hui, and now we're like... just friends? It's kind of weird, isn't it? But I like it. It's like we're creating our own path. Keeping our shaadi a secret on campus adds another layer of mystery. Maybe it's not the conventional way, but it's our way.

His fingers traced an invisible pattern on the laptop, realizing that this unique dynamic brought a new kind of excitement and anticipation to their relationship.

The video call had concluded, yet the echo of his brother's supportive words lingered, providing a foundation for the adventure that lay ahead.

On the other side of the virtual realm, Shehnaaz sat cross-legged on her hostel bed, her fingers tapping against the keyboard. The words she wanted to share with her diary were yet to find their way, much like the complexity of her feelings.

**Shehnaaz:** (*writing in her diary*) Shaadi hui, par ab lagta hai jaise hum pehle mile hi nahi hain. We're friends now, exploring this connection in our own way. Keeping our marriage a secret in the campus—it's like our little secret world. Maybe it's not what people expect, but it feels right. It's our story, and we're writing it our way.

She closed the diary, contemplating the journey they were embarking on. The secrecy surrounding their marriage in the campus added a touch of adventure to their relationship, and Shehnaaz found herself intrigued by the unconventional narrative they were weaving.

Unbeknownst to each other, Sidharth and Shehnaaz found solace in the shared secret they guarded within the campus walls. It was a clandestine bond, a dance of secrecy, that added a layer of excitement to their evolving relationship.

As they continued their individual reflections, little did they know that the unique blend of friendship, secrecy, and uncharted territories would be the threads weaving the fabric of a love story that defied norms. Their journey, though unconventional, was unfolding authentically, guided by the rhythm of their hearts and the whispers of their shared secret.