Sidnaaz: Indifference

Sanctuary: 2

Shehnaaz was trying to not show her excitement in front of Rajveer's guards. She was praying for everything to go smoothly today in meeting.

“I have a meeting with Mr. Sidharth Shukla. I am from secondary school that he was donating money to.”  Shehnaaz said professionally.

“Please take a seat. I will inform Mr.Shukla about you appointment.”
Shehnaaz took a seat with her ‘bodyguard’. Now she needs to make sure he stays out of office when she talks to Sidharth.

.....

“Sir, your next appointment is here. Teacher from school that you are in contact with” Sidharth’s assistant informed him.

“Okay, send her in after 5 minutes. I am just finishing the report”

Sidharth signed as he closed his laptop. He is annoyed with this whole meeting with teacher. He already told Mr. Malhotra that he will donate any money they need without making a fuss about it. But the principle insisted him to come for charity event. Now again they made an appointment for giving presentation regarding school. If he is already agreed with donation he doesn’t understand the reason behind whole facade.

He mentally prepared himself for listening to some presentation for next hour.

“Come in” He dictated as heard a knock.

Suddenly a time froze he expected everything but this. There stood Shehnaaz Kaur Gill in flesh. She was one of his greatest enemy 8 years ago. She was only person who never tolerated his rude behaviour. She is only one who can give him back with same force. He secretly admired her in college.

“Miss. Gill, never thought I will see you again. So you are a teacher now.” Sidharth says as he stands up moving away from his table.

“Hi...hi Sidharth. Yes I am a teacher now. I am here for donation for our school" Shehnaaz replies.

“Okay so tell me what do you want to present. Although I am already giving the money”

“Actually I am here for some other reason. I need you help.” It took her some courage to ask that.

“That’s interesting Miss. Gill. I remember you saying you will never see my face again. Now you want my help.” Sidharth said in teasing voice. He was waiting for her to argue. He never realised but he missed someone like her in his life.

“I know but listen Sidharth I really need you help” Shehnaaz is getting desperate suddenly. There is guard outside and she have only little time to explain.

Sidharth smirked at her desperation thinking she might need money like all people who try to come near him these days. He looked outside his window and said, “well sure I will help Miss. Gill but do you remember what I said to you on our last meet. I will have on you on your knees begging. So are you ready to beg Miss. Gill.” Sidharth again readied himself for rebuttal or anger but he heard nothing back.

Curious he looked towards her and became shocked for second time in last 10 minutes. There she sat on her knees with her hands out practically begging.

“Please...please Sidharth. I am begging. Please listen to me once.”

Sidharth quickly ran towards her and bent down on his knees and took her shoulders in his hands. “Sana what are you doing?. Never I mean never beg like this in front of anyone. I was just teasing you. Tell me what happened"

Sidharth took her to couch and made her sit there. Sidharth’s heart was breaking seeing her like this. Shehnaaz who was ways so strong is sobbing uncontrollably right now.

“Sana baby, what happened? Tell me. I promise I will do whatever you need"

.....

Shehnaaz couldn’t control her tears anymore. It’s been 2 years since she’s been with someone familiar. For so long she kept herself together, strong even. But seeing him made her lose control. For once she want to let herself go. She didn’t want to be scared anymore.

“Sidharth woh mujhe help chahiye. I want to get away from him. Please help me move away from here.” Shehnaaz begged again.

“Sana breathe. You are not making any sense. Drink water and relax and then tell me.” Sidharth grabbed a glass of water for her and called her assistant for not to disturb him.

“Sidharth, 2 years ago....” for next 20 minutes she narrated her story in detail. “Aur kal jab principle ne bataya that you are involved with school. I had to take this chance Sidharth. Look I don’t need much just help me to disappear to new country. I will start over.”
...

Sidharth listened to Shehnaaz’s story. The more she talked the worst his anger became. He wanted to kill this Rajveer person right now.

“No" Sidharth said after listening to her.

“No? Sidharth I am begging. I need you to help me.” Shehnaaz again asked desperately.

“I mean no. I will not help you run away. This person needs to be punished for what he did to you.”

“I just want to leave Sidharth. Didn’t you hear me police literally works for him.”

“And what is going to happen with you running. He will find someone else to torture.” Sidharth told her nonchalantly and made a call to his employee to find all the information on Rajbeer.

“Now let’s go. You are coming with me. I will take you to my house now.”

“I have a guard waiting outside Sidharth. Rajveer will find out something is wrong. And he can do something to you. I was thinking if you can help me on charity gala. He will not point a finger at you if I escape that time” Shehnaaz said as she put some thought to it.

“No way I am going to let you go back to that monster. You are coming with me that's final.” Sidharth insisted.

“Look Sidharth. I know him he can do anything. He is as powerful as you. I have to take your help but doing so I am not going to put you life on risk.” Shehnaaz will not survive if someone else’s get hurt because of her.

Sidharth thought for a moment and agreed. He needs to make a plan on how to tackle Rajveer and he needs time to think about that.

“I lived 2 years with him Sidharth. A week won’t make a difference.” Sidharth tried to ensure him.

“I need to contact you. Give me your number" Sidharth asked as he id planning to call her each day she is there.

“I can’t. He tracks my calls.” Shehnaaz realized again that she have no control over her life.

It was getting harder and harder for Sidharth to control his anger. “Take my personal phone. I don’t get any calls on it. We can discuss what needs to be done for your escape”

“I have to go now Sidharth. He will get suspicious.” Shehnaaz didn’t want to leave the space she finally can feel safe but her luck is never with her.

Before she leaving she wrapped her arms around him just to feel safer one last time. “Thank you Sidharth. I know you didn’t had to but you are still willing to help. I owe you my life for this.” Shehnaaz told him in teary voice.

“I did it for myself. I didn’t realise but I did miss the sherni inside you.” Sidharth teased again.

Shehnaaz smiled wondering why he was her enemy in college days. He is not a bad person.
.....

Shehnaaz was making a dinner when Rajbeer came in the kitchen.

“So how was the meeting?” He stood right next to her wondering and waiting for any slip ups or mistake he can punish her for.

“Umm...Good actually. I gave a presentation on how much we need for our science project and where their money will be used. The company agreed to donate us money” Shehnaaz purposly avioded saying ‘he’ to the meeting sound more general.

“I found out Sidharth Shukla is big business. Getting to know him might be a good thing. I will go to charity thing with you. Make sure you introduce him to me.” Rajbeer left Shehnaaz with another worry.

She was thinking to be there alone. Escaping from guards is one thing but escaping from Rajbeer is another. He will expect her to be on his side every second. She need a new plan.

.....

At night on same day

Sidharth- tum theek ho? Message me whenever you get time.

Shehnaaz took the phone to bathroom to  discuss a plan with Sidharth.

Shehnaaz: I am good. But he wants to come with me to gala. He actually want to meet you so you can help him with business.

Sidharth: Even I want to meet him. Let him come. Don’t worry I have a plan. Just make some excuse to go to bathroom when I indicate. I will take care about the rest.

Shehnaaz: Thank you Sidharth. You have no idea what you are doing for me

Sidharth: I will see you soon.

Shehnaaz smiled as she read the last message. He is not accepting her thanks. She don’t even know him properly and her heart is saying to trust him. Hopefully he will not break that.

.....

2 days later

Sidharth: kaisi hai?

Shehnaaz looked at his message wondering how will he react if she tells him about the beating she took today. She really needs to talks to him now for her own sanity. She pressed a call button instead of messaging him.
He picked up on a first ring indicating he was waiting for her response.

“Sana, Are you okay?”

“Hain...I thought we could talk like this today.” Shehnaaz tried her best to sound normal but Sidharth didn’t miss the sadness in her voice. Next moment she heard something smashing on his side seems to her that she destroyed some in anger.

Shehnaaz closed her eyes to stop her tears. “Main theek hoon, Sidharth”

“He hurt you Shehnaaz and I am sitting here doing nothing. I AM COMING NOW TO GET YOU.”

“just couple of days more Sidharth. I need to make sure he is not coming after you"

“I promise you Sana. After I get you out of his hands. I am not going to spare him. I am working on it.”

“I trust you Sidharth. Look I have to go now before he wakes up. I will see you soon.” She hanged up straight after as she heard Rajveer moving in bedroom.

....

Day of the event

Shehnaaz looked at herself in the mirror hundredth time after getting ready. She wants to make sure her eagerness in not reflected on her face. Anything out of ordinary will make him suspicious.

“You look beautiful” Rajveer stood behind her observing.

He himself was dressed in designer suit looking like a model. But to her he looked as ugly as he normally looked.

“Make sure you introduce me to Mr.Shukla. You need to make a good impression on him for me. I need him to like us to do business with me. One mistake from you and you know what happens.” As always Shehnaaz just nodded quietly.

A massive hall is decorated with black and golden theme in mind. Giving a very alluring vibe. Shehnaaz sat on front table with Rajveer and other riches that are involved in his circle. She didn’t like any of them. Her eyes was constantly checking the door waiting for him.

The event went on and about hour into the function she noticed everyone’s attention towards the main entrance. Without even looking she can tell he has arrived.

He has this aura that demand attention and showed authority. Even Rajveer was looking at him with admiration.
Sidharth made a way towards his table and started mingling with his group. Shehnaaz has told him not to  come straight to her. She will take Rajveer to him but later on.

It was only been 15 minutes before Rajveer asked her to introduce them. He is so eager to start the possibility of doing business with Sidharth.

They made a way towards him. Rajveer kept his hands on her waist throughout the walk.

“Excuse me Mr.Shukla” Sidharth looked at them waiting for them to introduce themselves.

“Hi you are the teacher who came to my office last week. Ms....”

“Ms.Gill. Yes I came to present in your office. Thanks for coming to event. Oh...this is Rajveer, my partner. And Rajveer, this is Mr.Sidharth Shukla. He is donating to our school" Shehnaaz kept her cool throughout the introduction.

“Mr.Shukla, good to meet you. I heard good things about you.” Rajveer forwarded his hand.

“Mr.Rajveer, good to meet you as well.” Sidharth then and there wanted to kill him.

“I was hoping to have bit of chat with you if you don’t mind.” Rajveer requested.

“Sure" Sidharth wanted to keep an eye on him. If it means listening to his unnecessary talks so be it.

The event went smoothly. Now everyone is just just wondering around chatting with each other. Sidharth made his way towards Shehnaaz and Rajveer.

“Mr.Rajveer, I want you to meet my other associates. They are interested in business pitch you mentioned today.” Sidharth made an excuse to take Rajveer away from Shehnaaz and indicated Sana to make her way towards kitchen area.

Rajveer was reluctant to leave Shehnaaz alone but business opportunity sounded really good. He told Sana to stay put as he will keep an eye on her.

Shehnaaz waited on her table for another 10 minutes just in case Rajveer was looking towards her. Once she got the opportunity she ran towards kitchen area, where Sidharth’s guy was waiting for her. He gave her guys clothes to wear to hide her identity and took her to the car from back door.
Shehnaaz relaxed once the car start moving. She was finally free from his tangle.

On the other hand Sidharth kept Rajveer busy with talk. There is no way Rajveer could tell it was Sidharth who took Shehnaaz away.

Sidharth looked at his phone quickly and his guy told him that he left with Shehnaaz.

“It was great to meet everyone. I just have to go now. I will be in contact with all of you.” Rajveer said as he observed the room looking for Shehnaaz.

Sidharth could see Rajveer running around, calling people on phone. He quickly ran towards Sidharth asking of he saw Shehnaaz.

“Mr.Shukla, have you seen Shehnaaz anywhere?” Rajveer looked so worried when he asked the question.

“Shehnaaz? You mean Ms.Gill. No I haven’t seen her. Is everything okay?” Sidharth was trying his hardest to control his smirk.

“Yes. I can’t seem to find her. I’ll go check everywhere else. Please let me know if you see her around” Rajveer asked.

“Sure Mr.Rajveer. I’ll inform you. Please ask if you need my help contacting anyone if you can’t find her.”

Sidharth  stayed another hour after his conversation with Rajveer and then made his way towards his home.

....

Shehnaaz was waiting in living area for him to come home. She is still in shock and was trying to process that she actually escaped from Rajveer.

She was busy in her thoughts when she heard his voice. As soon as she saw him entering the room, she ran towards him.

Sidharth quickly opened his arms as soon as he saw her running towards him and engulfed her in tight hug.

“It’s going to be okay Sana. You will be okay. I am here now. He won’t be able to touch you here.” Sidharth assured her while running his hands through her hair.

Shehnaaz stayed there in his arms for more half an hour. Unwilling to move from confort she is feeling.

“Sana...Baby. you are fine now. Let’s sit okay.” Sidharth moved her to the couch. She kept her hands joined with his.

“Thank you so much Sidharth for everything. Now I just need to find a place far away from here.” Shehnaaz confessed her thoughts. She didn’t want to be burden on him.

Sidharth took her face in his hands. “Sana, I told you are not going anywhere. There needs to be justice. He needs to be punished so he can’t do something like to someone else. And I can’t do anything to him if I don’t know you are safe.”

“But...”

Sidharth stopped her again. “Kuch nahi bas. You will stay here Sana and I even have room and clothes ready for you.”
Sidharth saw genuine smile on her face for the first time. He intertwined their hands and took her to the room.

“Wow. Sidharth this is too much.” Shehnaaz exclaimed. The house can fit at least 10 big beds. She can see a walk in closet filled with clothes.

“I can’t take all this Sidharth” She complained.

“You will be here until I’m done with him. So trust me you need everything that is here. Now go to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

He was not sure where the instinct came from but before leaving the room he kissed her forehead.

“Good night, Sana”

Shehnaaz didn’t know what to say after the kiss. She just stayed there frozen as he left the room.

She caressed her fingers where kissed her with a smile on her face. She is not sure about tommorow but right now she is happy. Very happy.