The Clock had striked 7:30 when Shehnaaz woke up, only to find herself wrapped securely in the arms of Siddharth, who was staring at her intently, his gaze warm, passionate and full of love. Shehnaaz blushed.

"Good Mornin' baby." Siddharth smiled at her, pecking her lips softly. Shehnaaz giggled. "Good Morning." Her voice was cheerful, yet rough with sleepiness.

"How long have you been awake for?" She asked, shifting slightly in her place, closer to him.

"An hour, more or less." He said carelessly. Shehnaaz gawked at him, stupefied.

Siddharth chuckled, raising his eyebrow at him in question. "Tum besharam ho!" She fake-frowned at him, hitting him gently on his chest.

"Woh toh hai, par yeh besharmi, sirf tumhaari hi qismat mein hai." Siddharth told her, his eyes shining with a teasing glint. Shehnaaz laughed, shaking her head at him.

"What time is it?" Shehnaaz asked, sitting up on the bed with Siddharth following suit. "It's 7:30 baby."

Shehnaaz sprang out of bed, her eyes widened in surprise. "I'm getting late!" She was pulled back to bed by Siddharth, "Baby, you'll definitely survive one day of being late to your office."

Shehnaaz sighed, "Just because Dr. Shukla won't say anything, I can't take advantage of it, right." She said, slithering out of his arms.

Siddharth nodded. Shehnaaz kissed his cheek before leaving for her morning routines, leaving Siddharth to laugh to himself at her cute antics.

How had he managed to find her?

They reached the office ten minutes late, despite trying their best to rush because, a- Breakfast & b- Romance. Obviously, with the latter taking up more of their time than the former. Shehnaaz was wearing a simple maroon colored saree, her waist length hair were left open on the insistence of Siddharth, again because a- We're late b- You look beautiful like this. Siddharth had dropped her off at the employee's entrance and drove off to his private parking about three and a half minutes ago and Shehnaaz was rushing towards her boss's office.

"Good Morning Sana." Dr. Ashok Shukla looked up from the file that he was reading as soon as he heard her entering the cabin. "You are fifteen minutes late."

"Good morning uncle. I know. I'm sorry." Shehnaaz mumbled out, quickly. The older man smiled and gestured for her to take a seat in front of him. "Don't sweat it. I'm not going to scold you for being late, just once in forever." He patted her head affectionately.

Shehnaaz smiled. "You look beautiful today." Ashok said genuinely, "But I'm sure you've received your share of compliments."

Shehnaaz rolled her eyes at his teasing, her cheeks turning just a little red.

Ashok chuckled, his eyes sparkling naughtily. Shehnaaz ignored him and started to scan a file. Ashok sighed, "I won't tease you, for now." He said, smirking. She glared at him.

"You're no less than a daughter to me sweetheart, and despite all of my teasing, it's obvious that he makes you happy and nothing else really matters as long as that is true. I know I tease you, but it's because I love to see you being a shy little girl and not a woman who is fighting the world for her survival on a daily basis. I hope that your 'friend' if I may call him that, treats you with fairness and that he loves you like I know you love him. I hope you know what a blessing love can be." Ashok said while cupping her cheek with the tenderness of a father. Shehnaaz smiled, fighting to keep her tears at bay.

Ashok kissed her forehead, "I wish for nothing more than your happiness bacche, always." He said softly. Shehnaaz hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

"I'm right here, for whenever you need me. I promise." Ashok said affectionately. Shehnaaz nodded, letting a tiny tear roll out on her face and soak into his blazer.

"Now that this is over, let's go over your schedule for the day." Shehnaaz said, her professional demeanor returning in full form.

"Yes Ma'am."

A few hours into the office, Shehnaaz took a little break from the paperwork and took her phone out. She clicked on the WhatsApp icon on her device. A little blush crept on her cheeks as she clicked on the pinned contact.

The conversation ended on a pleasant note, but she couldn't shake that little bug that was nudging her. She pouted, locking and unlocking her phone.

"What is it?" She heard someone ask, accompanied by a soft tap on her shoulder. She jumped in her place, looking at the intruder and sighed.

"You scared me Arti." She said quietly. Arti shrugged, unapologetic. "You were looking engrossed in something."

"Yeah, something." Shehnaaz smiled at her, a little uneasy at the way she looked at her. "Did you need something?"

Arti sighed, "I have a question, actually." She said, almost enviously, Shehnaaz frowned. "O-kay." She looked confused at her, hoping that she'd continue with an explanation.

"How do you know Preeti Ma'am?" Arti asked. Shehnaaz blinked, confused. "She's a board member of Shukla group of Industries. I have met her a few times." She informed her.

Arti nodded, satisfied with the answer. "She was looking for you. She's at the reception area." She told him. Shehnaaz nodded, "Thank you Arti."

Arti smiled, nodded and left.

Shehnaaz took a deep intake of breath, leaving her cubicle to go to the reception area.

Siddharth entered his father's cabin, after a polite knock on his door. Mr. Shukla smiled and gestured for his son to enter the cabin, "I was hoping to have lunch with you, Dad. Are you free?"

Mr. Shukla nodded, "Of course. I'm always available for my children." He said softly, Siddharth smiled.

"Okay then, dad. Where'd you like to go for lunch?" Siddharth asked, his father chuckled, "We'll have to make do with the home-made lunch today. I have been strict instructions by a certain Shehnaaz Gill to not have outside food for the rest of the month."

Siddharth laughed, "She's the only one who can keep you in check, isn't she?" He teased. Ashok Shukla pouted. "I can quickly order something for you." He said, reaching for the intercom. Siddharth intercepted his hand midway.

"I have brought my lunch with me, Dad. You don't have to order anything." Siddharth said, retrieving his lunch box. The older man looked surprised, "You actually had time to cook in the morning?" He asked his son.

Siddharth smiled, shrugging non-committally. Ashok nodded, they both opened their lunches to reveal...

The exact same thing. Matar Paneer.

Siddharth smiled while his father looked somewhat surprised. "Shehnaaz ne banaya hai Dad. Mujhe kahaan subaah naashte ka bhi hosh hota hai!" Siddharth said with a huge grin on his face.

"Shehnaaz?" Ashok looked surprised, and curious up at his son.

"She lives in my building, her flat is three doors away from mine. I.. I'm in love with her." Siddharth played with his fingers nervously. "I know it's unexpected and sudden.. very sudden infact but I just.."

He explained everything to his father, from their first meeting to their confession from last night, minus the more intimate details that were better off withheld.

"You're in love with Shehnaaz Kaur Gill?" Ashok asked "Why hasn't she said something?"

Siddharth was about to say something, when they heard the door of the cabin swing open. Kushal smiled at the two men and entered the room, "Yeah.. sure, come barging in." Siddharth said rolling his eyes.

Kushal ignored him and sat next to Ashok. "He hasn't told her, yet, that he's your son." He told him.

Ashok raised his eyebrow at him. "She's barely started to open up to me, Dad. I don't want her going back into her shell. I'm looking for the right time, the right moment to tell her." Siddharth said softly.

Ashok sighed, "She's much stronger than what you give her credit for, Siddharth. She'll handle herself just fine. Don't take too much time, or your good intentions might end up backfiring on yourself." He explained to Siddharth patiently, who nodded.

"I don't really know how I should react, honestly. You tell me all this, suddenly and of course I'm happy because you're both my children. She's my daughter, and she has always been family to me." Ashok said calmly. "I trust you both more than you know. You're, in fact, perfect for each other."

Siddharth smiled. "Thank you Dad."

Ashok patted his head affectionately, blessing his son.

"Take good care of her Siddharth. She deserves nothing but the best." He said softly.

Siddharth nodded. "I know, Dad."

So, I am back again, Tell me how you feel about this chapter in the comments down below!

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