It was five in the morning. The lights in Krisha's hotel room were still on. She slipped her saree into her duffel bag, then sat down on the bed, yawning. Like every other night, she hadn't slept, and though this was usually the time she went to bed, there was no point today-As today is pooja scheduled at eight, and she didn't have the luxury of rest.

Just then, her phone rang. The caller ID flashed Rudra. Krisha picked up and said, "Good morning."

"Good morning!" Rudra's voice came through, thick with sleep.

"Are you ready? Should I come pick you up? You still have to get dressed," he said.

"Hmm... I have to get my saree draped," Krisha replied.

"Behen tu sareee bandhna kab seekhegi, shaadi ke baad pati teri saree bandhne ke liye aage peeche thodi ghumega, bohot problem ho jaegi," Rudra teased, laughing.

[Oh, come on! When will you finally learn to drape a saree yourself? Your husband won't come running to drape your saree after marriage-you'll be in big trouble]

"Who's getting married? Meine bhishma pratigya ki hai aa jevan kuwara rehene ki!" Krisha chuckled.

"Stop your nonsense and get here soon," she ordered playfully. Rudra laughed and said, "Okay, boss!"

"And listen," Krisha added, "my friends will be coming too-and there's a male friend as well. Keep an eye on him, will you? Only women are allowed in the pooja. He'll get bored sitting alone at the hotel, but if he's with you guys, he'll be fine."

Rudra gave a small "hmm" of acknowledgment before hanging up.

Krisha sat quietly for a moment, thinking. Then she started a group video call to Shreya and Khushi. The call connected, and before she could say anything, Shreya's groggy voice came through.

"Were you a rooster in your past life or what? Who calls at this hour?" It was completely dark on the screen-both Shreya and Khushi were still in bed.

"It's five in the morning, not midnight," Krisha replied. Shreya mumbled in response, while Khushi had answered the call only to promptly fall back asleep again.

"Khushi! Khushi! Khushi! Khushi!" Krisha began shouting into the phone.

"Oh, let me sleep! Otherwise, I'll have dark circles at the pooja. What will people say-'Khushi Ahuja's already got dark circles!'" Khushi grumbled sleepily.

"The pooja starts at eight," Krisha reminded her.

"I know! I'll be there by seven-thirty. Now please, let me sleep and stop bothering me," Khushi said, half-asleep. Shreya murmured a tired "hmm" in agreement.

Krisha pressed her lips together in mild irritation, then smiled. "Fine!" she said, and hung up.

"Oh, Krishi," she muttered to herself, "we're not kids anymore-everyone needs their privacy." She hugged the phone to her chest, lay back for a moment, then stood up and walked to the bathroom.

After freshening up, she stepped out with a towel wrapped around her damp hair and a bathrobe snugly tied around her waist. From the bed, she picked up her cream-colored, ankle-length frock.

She got ready into the frock, then tied it's belt around her waist.

She then unzipped her pouch and pulled out the necklace the same one that Esha gifted her on her 12th birthday but she never wore after that incident. She looked up a moment too long at the pendant touching it with her thumb and then walked toward the mirror.

"Dar se darogi, toh woh humesha tumhe daraega gudiya" Mr.Das's words started playing in her head.

"Your nanu is with you, hum saath mil kar is dar ko bhagaenge, par shuruaat toh tumhe hi karni padegi!" Mr.Das's words stopped and krisha looked up at herself in the mirror.

"Saath milkar Nanu!" She muttered and then slowly unbuckled the chain and slided it around her neck.

But as soon as she looked herself in the mirror with the necklace she stammered a little on her feet and then gripped the dressing table for support.

"Get a grip on yourself krisha, it's not tough it's easy, it's just a pendant your sister gave you with love don't bury that love because of your fear, don't!" She thought shaking her head just then her phone beeped with a message.

"Hii Jaan! bas socha yaad dila du, kyuki aaj kal rajvansh malhotra nazdeekiyan bohot bhad rahi hai, remember Rajvansh Malhotra has to die. Yeh baat sach hone mein jyada waqt nahi lagega!" She read it and started breathing heavily trying to calm herself down, trying not to cry,

The message blurred into a smear of black ink on the screen. Krisha pressed her thumb so hard against the glass that a white crescent burned into her skin, as if she could press the words back into the phone and make them disappear.

Her breath rattled-short, shallow, hiccuping. A small, animal sound escaped her throat. For a moment she could feel nothing but the quick, insistent beat in her chest, like a trapped bird. The room tiles swam at the edges of her vision and the wordless memory of Mr. Das's low voice-"Dar se darogi, toh woh humesha tumhe daraega gudiya"-looped, crooked and awful, behind her ribs.

She slid down in front of the mirror, the pendant cold against the hollow under her throat. The frock's belt dug into her waist; the neatness of it, the domestic normality of the dress, suddenly felt painfully alien. "Get a grip on yourself Krisha," she told the reflection, and the reflection stared back with eyes she barely recognized-too wide, pupils pinpricked. Her hands, which had been steady enough to wrap the chain minutes ago, trembled now as if pulled by an unseen tide.

Winded. Her throat tightened around the word. The next inhalation felt like an effort to drag air through wool; the world narrowed to the single requirement of oxygen. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, and the room tilted. The pendant pressed into her sternum like a fingernail.

Images flashed - the message, Mr. Das, Nanu's warm hand on her head when she was six - and then the image of Rajvansh Malhotra's name, scrawled in someone else's fury, as if that name alone could tip the scales of whatever collision was coming. She thought of the pooja at eight, the rule-only women allowed-and of the male friend who would be sitting with Rudra. Ridiculous, she told herself. Practical. Safe. But the thought of people seeing her like this-pale, shaking, unable to breathe-made her chest close again.

Her phone buzzed: an incoming call from Rudra. She stared at the screen, fingers numb. If she answered, she would have to speak. If she didn't, he would come and find her like this. She thumbed the green button.

"Krish?" Rudra's voice was soft, alert. "Are you okay? You sound-"

She tried to force a laugh and it came out as a small, cracking sound. "I'm fine," she lied. "I-just... I'm getting ready. Don't be late."

"Okay, I'll be there in twenty. Do you want me to come up?"

"No, no. I'll be fine," she whispered, but the lie tasted like iron. When she hung up, it was only with fingers that didn't belong to her.

A panic attack came in waves now. Her psychiatrist's voice hovered-calm, clinical-"When you feel this, try grounding. Don't reach for medication unless absolutely necessary." she had emphasized breathing techniques, the slow counting, the 5-4-3-2-1-senses, objects, sounds. She had said medicine could become a crutch. She'd seen her after nights like this and had taught her how to ride the storm.

But the storm felt less like a weather pattern than like a verdict. The 5-4-3-2-1 failed as her sight tunneled; she could think of only one thing: the press of her ribs against the pendant, the phone message like a live wire.

Her hand moved before her brain could protest. From the pouch in her bag she extracted a small white strip-the emergency tablet her psychiatrist had given her the first month, with stern instructions to use only when she truly couldn't breathe through it. She had promised, aloud and ashamed, that she wouldn't lean on it. Now, palms slick, she tore off the foil and swallowed the tablet dry with a gulp of water.

The effect was not immediate magic; it was a small, honest easing. The breath loosened, came more fully. The world didn't snap back into place but it stopped spinning as insistently. Her jaw unclenched; the buzzing behind her ears dimmed. Tears slid down her cheeks quietly, not wholly from relief-there was also guilt, for breaking a promise to herself and a woman whose voice had helped her find steadier ground.

She pressed her forehead to the cool edge of the table and let herself feel the shame, the gratitude, the ridiculousness of crying over a necklace and a sentence on a phone. "Nanu would be furious," she whispered to the empty room, imagining his stern, loving glare. "But he'd be angrier if I let fear win." The image steadied her in a way the breathing exercises hadn't; it was a thread she could hold.

Slowly, methodically, she wiped her face, smoothed the frock, and shoved the pouch back into the duffel. She touched the pendant, let it lie against the palm of her hand for a second.

She exhaled sharply trying to breath evenly after sometime, when she felt that everything is in its place she grabbed the room's key and walked toward the door. After locking it she walked toward Ava's room and knocked three times and then knocked amisha's door which was just opposite to Ava's three times.

"Coming" Ava's and Amisha's loud voice rang from their respective room as the doors creaked opne and they both stepped out locking their doors.

"Shivaay is already downstairs having his perfect black coffee" Amisha said and krisha nodded.

The three girls walked toward the lift. Ava and Amisha checking their phones and krisha was lost in her own thoughts.

As they reached downstairs Amisha screamed "Shivaay" shivaay turned towards them and his eyes instantly got locked in krisha who was still lost in her own world, but he- he just can't took off his eyes from her as always.

"Tumne apne man se group pe yeh kyu kaha ki mein so Rahi hu!" Amisha scolded, but shivaay's gaze never left krisha.

"Kyuki mujhe laga tum so Rahi ho!" He said still looking at krisha. Krisha's phone buzzed.

"Kaha dekh rahe ho yaar!" Amisha said and turned just in time when krisha left for taking the call.

"Deewaron ko dekhne mein maza aata hai kya?" Amisha asked and shivaay just cleared his throat and then hummed.

"Tum bhi try karke dekho!" He said.

"Mujhe toh tumhe dekhne mein maza aata hai" Amisha muttered and Ava smiled.

"What happened to Doctor don't touch me! She's looking different, i mean she never wears frock- just, jeans, tops, joggers, co-ord sets" Shivaay asked confused.

"Everyone needs change shiv!" Amisha said taking the half draked coffee from shivaay hand and sipping it.

"Really, kuch jyada hi change ho raha hai!" Shivaay muttered.

Amisha looked up at him and grabbed his arm "Saste doctor dusre ke andar ka change dekh kar tujhe kyu jalan ho rahi hai, tu bhi ho jaa change" shivaay just shook his head and started thinking- What is krisha's relation with Rajvansh Malhotra, why was she looking so tensed now? And many more questions started grounding his mind but the answer- it's not clear.

"Translation please!" Ava asked looking at shivaay and Amisha with a pout.

"We were discussing the sudden change in krisha's behaviour and fashion sense!" Amisha explained and ava nodded.

"I know exactly why she's different today" Ava said and shivaay immediately starighted his back and turned to face her. "What!" He asked.

"Didn't you see, she's been blushing a lot since yesterday?" Ava said and Amisha hummed.

"she's also a girl Of course she should've used a blusher!" Shivaay added

"Idiot her's was natural, didn't you noticed, her cheeks started getting crimson whenever she's near our boss-Rajvansh Malhotra" Amisha said smacking him.

"Coincidence" shivaay pointed his index finger at her and then said with a tight smile.

"Dimaag ki kami!" Amisha said rolling her eyes at him.

"I think she didn't have just a simple crush on him, she loves him that too true love!" Ava added and shivaay started coughing.

"Haan that too bachpan ka pyar as krisha said she knows him from before" Amisha said and hugged ava.

"Jane meri janeman bachpan ka pyar Mera bhul nahi jana re!" She sang rubbing her cheeks against Ava's.

Shivaay just shook his head and then sighed. "You both are insane" he said just then, krisha came walking toward them with rudra beside her.

She stopped in front of Amisha and said "Ruddy, she's Amisha" krisha said and rudra smiled.

"That's Ava and he's shivaay" she gestured toward them and rudra joined his both hands in humble namaste and Amisha, shivaay and Ava did the same.

"Thank you so much for taking care of choti chuhiya!" Rudra said and pinched krisha's nose.

"Aur tu chuchundar!" She smacked his head.

"Shall we!" He asked and everyone nodded.

Amisha leaned towards shivaay and said "yaar yeh krisha ka bhai bhi kitna sahi haina, rudra ki shaadi mein pakka handsome logo ki barsaat hone wali hai"

"Chichori!" Shivaay said and Amisha gave him a toothy smile making him chuckle.

-------

The car ride to Shekhawat Mansion was quiet at first-only the hum of the engine and the soft rustle of silk as the girls shifted in their seats. The sun was still low, painting the sky in shy shades of orange. Krisha leaned her head against the window, watching the familiar gates of her family home draw nearer with every turn.

By 6:30, they pulled up before the sprawling Shekhawat Mansion, its sandstone façade bathed in the early light. The air smelled faintly of mogra and ghee lamps; the courtyard was already alive with preparations-workers carrying trays of marigolds.

"Ghar aa gaya," Rudra announced, stepping out first and stretching his arms. "Aur meri coffee ka effects ab ja rahe hain," he added with a yawn.

"Aap dono toh pooja ke time so jayenga," Amisha teased, adjusting her top as she stepped down.

Krisha smiled faintly and led them up the steps. The grand doors opened even before they could ring the bell. Riva stood there, draped in a rich maroon silk saree, her hair neatly tied, a vermilion streak glinting on her forehead. Her face softened instantly at the sight of Krisha.

"Aa gai meri gudiya" she said, voice warm and familiar.

"Ma..." Krisha breathed, her eyes glistening for a moment before she composed herself.

Behind Riva, Vasundhara appeared-elegant in a pale blue Kanjivaram, bangles clinking as she adjusted her pallu.

"Namaste aunty!" Amisha and ava said together joing their hands in respect. Vasundhara and riva gave them blessing, then shivaay touched their feets and seek their blessings.

"Aa jao baccho nashta kar lo sab, ready hai!" Vasundhara said.

"Krisha baccha tum nahi khana pehle jab tak pooja nahi ho jaati tab tak vrat hai okay!" Riva said tapping her cheeks and she just nodded.

"Nanu uth gae?" She asked and riva nodded.

"Hall se right wala kamra hai, jao mein juice bhijwati hu" Riva said and krisha nodded.

Vasundhara took Ava, Amisha and shivaay with her for breakfast and krisha walked toward Mr.Das's room.

As she reached out to knock the door she heard Rishi's voice.

"Mujhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha papa mein kya karu! Meri bacchi pehle hi bohot kuch seh chuki hai ab mein usey khush dekhna chahta hu bas" Rishi said his voice heavy with unspoken emotions, krisha's hand freez mid air as she leaned closer to the door to hear them clearly.

"Gudiya ko is sab se dur rakho abhi ke liye! Woh abhi abhi wapis aai hai" Mr.Das said and krisha frowned- what are they hiding from her? What are they talking about? Questions started surfacing her mind.

"Baad mein baat karenge iske baarein mein, yash ko kuch mat kehena" Mr. Das said which sound more like an order.

When silence hung for too long krisha finally knocked.

"Aa jaiye!" Rishi said and krisha slowly opened the door.

She peeked inside and then entered the room.

"Pranam nanu!, pranam papa!" she said and rishi walked toward her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Raat ko soi nahi?" Rishi asked looking at her pale face.

"Nahi esa toh kuch nahi hai" krisha said with a smile and Mr.das shook his head smiling as-he knows, he always does.

"Papa se jhut nahi bolte baccha!" Rishi said tapping her cheeks and just then his phone buzzed

"I need to answer this!" He said and left to take the call.

"Jhuth bolne se naak lambi ho jaati hai" Mr.das said and sat on his bed. Krisha smiled and nodded.

"Meine toh koi jhuth nahi bola" she said.

"Hmm bilkul, tum raat ko aaram se soi yeh bilkul sach hai" Mr.das said sarcastically.

"Meine kab kaha ki mein aaram se soi, meine toh bas kaha ki esa kuch nahi hai!" She said and sat beside Mr.das.

Mr.Das tucked at her ears and said "nanu se no hoshiyaari!" Krisha chuckled wincing.

Mr.Das left her ear and said "uske baad koi message aaya"

Krisha's face fell immediately as she nodded.

"Give me your phone" he said and she took out her phone from her pursue and handed him.

Mr.Das forwarded that number to himself and then sent it to his man and typed "check this number out and send me all the details"

"Nothing will happen like always!" She said and Mr.Das hugged her placing a soft kiss on her temple.

"Everything will be fine soon gudiya" he said stroking her arms as she closed her eyes hugging him tightly.

After sometime krisha stood up and said "Now I have to go, it's already seven Pooja starts at eight and I need to get ready!" She said and left the room before Mr.das could read into her more.

--------

The clock was ticking seven, and Khushi's room was still sinking into darkness. From downstairs, Rohini called out, "Khushi, beta, are you ready?" But there was no response.

Frowning, Rohini climbed the stairs and pushed open Khushi's door. The room was still shrouded in darkness. She flicked on the lights-and instantly shouted, "Unbelievable! The pooja starts at eight, and she's still sleeping! Khushi, get up!"

Startled, Khushi jolted awake and staggered to her feet, still half-asleep.

"I'm up, I'm up!" she mumbled, trying to steady herself-only to bump straight into the table. "Ouch!"

"Fine, do one thing," Rohini said sharply. "Sleep some more. When you've had enough rest, come later with the driver. We're leaving now."

That made Khushi spring into action. She rushed toward her mother and said in an exaggeratedly sweet voice, "Oo meri pyari mummy, Oo meri bholi mummy, ghussa nahi karte dude!"

[Oh my dearest mummy, my sweetest mummy, please don't be angry, dude]

Her plea earned her a quick smack from Rohini.

"Go take a bath!" she ordered.

Khushi darted toward the bathroom. From behind the half-closed door, she peeked out, her face mischievous. "Mumma..." she called softly.

Rohini turned to look at her-just in time for Khushi to blow a flying kiss. "I love you!" she chirped, slamming the door shut before Rohini could throw a cushion at her.

And with that, Khushi finally went to get ready.

Steam soon began to fill the small bathroom as Khushi hummed tunelessly under her breath, splashing water like it was part of some grand concert performance. Ten minutes later, she stepped out, wrapped in a towel and dripping trails of water across the room, her hair sticking to her face.

"Perfect timing, Khushi," she muttered to herself, glancing at the clock. "Only half an hour late. World record."

She threw open her wardrobe and stared at her sea green saree-"ethnic but chill," she declared, tossing her wet towel onto the bed.

As she struggled to dry her hair, her phone buzzed. It was a message from krisha: Where r u? it's 7:30 already.

Khushi groaned, typing back,

'I'm on my way. And tell masi to save me some laddoos or I'm switching families.'

Draping her saree elegantly she, started doing makeup light and perfect for pooja and then dashed downstairs, still adjusting her earrings. The house was quiet now-Rohini and vanraj were outside waiting for her. Only the faint scent of agarbatti lingered in the air, a reminder that she was very, very late.

Outside, the vanraj and rohini were waiting patiently by the car, hands folded to their chest "Madam, shall we go?" Vanaraj asked politely.

Khushi slid into the back seat, breathless but grinning. "Let's fly, pitaji. Operation: Ruddy bro ke shaadi ke ladoo"

Vanraj and rohini shook their head and then sar inside the car.

The car pulled out onto the road, morning light spilling through the windows. As the city blurred past, Khushi leaned her head against the glass, a small smile tugging at her lips. Somewhere between the chaos of waking up late and the rush of getting ready, the day suddenly didn't seem so bad after all.

She was scrolling through her phone when Rasha's message pop up "Hii dude, aap abhi tak nahi aai Pooja start ho gai hai, krishi toh bas ghussey se fatne wali hai, you know shreya bhabhi bhi aa gai hai!"

"Papa jaldi chalao, aaj mujhe bohot maar padegi, bandi saara karate ek baar mein hi dikha degi mujhe!" Khushi said tapping her father's shoulder.

[Papa drive fast, today she will definitely teach me karate all at once!]

"Yes of course, I will support her!" Vanraj said laughingly

"Gaddari kar rahe hai aap mere saath?" She questioned.

[Are you betraying me?]

"It's not a shooting area khushi so stop acting" Rohini said with a mischievous glint.

Khushi was about to reply when her phone again buzzed with rasha's message "by the way you again blocked bhai, he's annoying me asking me to convince you to unblock him"

Khushi arched her eyebrow after reading the message and then typed back "Us gadhe ko kehena ki himmat hai toh khud convince kare"

She huffed and sat straight.

"Waise papa aap log karoge kya jab tak pooja chalegi kyuki ladke toh allowed hai nahi Pooja mein" khushi said.

"Tum ladkiyan Pooja karna hum ladke party karenge!" Vanraj said smirking.

"Yaar mein bhi ladka Banna chahti hu mujhe bhi party karni hai" she replied making a pout, rohini glared her her and she gulped.

"Is rajvansh coming?" Vanraj asked Khushi and she just shook her head.

"No he said that he will surprise rudra at his engagement, he told rudra that he can't make it up to his wedding" Khushi said and rohini smiled "yeh bacche inki badmashi kahtam nahi hoti shadi Wale din hi rulaega bechare ko!" She said and vanraj nodded

"Yehi din toh aage chal kar yaad karenge yeh sab!" Vanraj said and khushi smiled.

The temple courtyard shimmered in the soft gold of the morning sun. Bells chimed from somewhere inside, echoing through the open pillars. The air was fragrant with mogra, sandalwood, and ghee lamps; devotees in colorful attire moved in small groups, their murmurs mixing with the rhythmic chants of the pandit.

Krisha stood near the entrance, holding a kalash over her head and Vasundhara taking off the evil eyes from her, riva stood with a thali beside her.

Krisha was looking like a queen straight out of a movie in her gold-beige silk saree with a crimson border saree selected by rajvansh.

Her pallu fluttered lightly in the breeze; the pendant glinted faintly against her collarbone. She looked calmer now, though the slight tightness around her eyes betrayed how hard-won that calm was.

She was performing this rasam as  due to some business meeting of Agastya esha was unable to come today.

Riva placed a tilak on krisha's forehead and said "Yeh bhai behen ka rishta ese hi bana rahe aur hamesha tum sab ek dusre ke saath khade raho," she said.

"Bilkul mera bhai hai hi lakhon mein ek" Krisha replied softly.

She entered inside the mandir and walked toward the idols.

Pandit ji chanted some mantras and then asked her to place the kalash on the swastik and then bow her head in front of the diety.

She did as he instructed.

Just then, a horn blared near the temple gates. Heads turned.

A familiar white car screeched slightly before halting. The car barely stopped when Khushi jumped out, adjusting her saree pleats mid-run.

"Main aa gayi! Main aa gayi!" she announced breathlessly, clutching her purse like a trophy.

Riva sighed and smiled all at once. "Aakhri minute ki rani," she murmured affectionately.

"Khushi!" Krisha called out, a grin tugging at her lips for the first time that morning.

Khushi spotted krisha and waved both hands dramatically. "Krishhhhu! Save me from Mumma, please. She was ready to file a missing report for my punctuality!"

"Ofcourse, I will save you but who will save you from me" Krisha asked and khushi gulped.

"Maar maar, usey bhi mast mein toh Pooja start hone ke 5 minutes pehle aai thi tab bhi mere kaan kheeche gae hai, yeh toh aadhi Pooja khatam hone ke bad aai hai, iski toh haddiyon ki marammati honi chahiye" shreya said folding her hands upto her chest.

"Yes yes, pitegi toh hai hi yeh Aaj" krisha said and khushi rushed inside the temple.

-------

On the other side Kapoor's mansion was also buzzing with energy. Servants rushing with thanks and fruit baskets.

Ruchika was continuously calling her cousin brother but he was not picking up.

Irritated she walked toward Tejas and said "I told you he will not come dad but still you told gauri di that he will, woh bechari kitni dukhi ho gi ab!"

Tejas just stood their visibly stressed thinking now who will perform the rasam in place of Anuj as it was only performed by brothers.

Guests has already arrived but Anuj was not even picking up the calls.

"Congratulations tej..." Amits voice rang from behind.

"Amit...aao Bhai badi der ho gai, bhabhi aur bacche nahi aae" Tejas asked.

"Hamari Mrs. Toh shekhawat's ke saath Pooja mein hai vivaan aur rajvansh aae hai mere saath!" Amit said and just then Rajvansh and vivaan walked toward them they both touched tejas's feet and seek his blessings.

"Kya baat hai Aaj aap dono buisness partners, buisness ki baatein kaise nahi kar rahe hai!" Vivaan asked mischievously.

"Gadhe hum betiyan ki shaadi mein aae hai meeting mein nahi jo buisness discuss kare!" Amit said smacking his head lightly.

Ruchika was hiding her face behind her duppata when Tejas said "Ruchi uncle ko namaste karo" ruchika left her pallu and joined her hand in front of Amit saying "namaste uncle!"

"Eeee" vivaan staggered and rajvansh placed his hand behind his back "what eee?"

Vivaan smiled and said "kuch nahi bhaiya kuch nahi!" He was sweating badly as if had seen a ghost.

Ruchika ran away from their to Gauri's room.

She opened the door and Their gauri was sitting on her bed in an ivory lehenga looking like a princess straight out of fairy tales.

"Ruchi Anuj Bhai call hi nahi utha rahe, woh aaenge naa? Mujhe bohot tension ho rahi hai!" Gauri asked worriedly.

"Don't take stress dii sab theek hoga" ruchika said and sat beside her

"Aapko pata hai meine aapko bataya tha na Mere ek one night stand ke baare mein jisne aapni izzat ka pakoda kar diya tha woh vivaan Malhotra tha, aur woh yaha aaya haj Amit uncle ke saath" ruchika said tensed and Gauri's eyes widened.

"Kya?" She screamed.

"Shhh..... Sahi suna hai, woh fuddu vivaan hi tha!" Ruchika said.

"Humlog room mein the and as soon as I started opening his shirt woh Banda dar kar per he hat Gaya bola yeh kar rahi ho, I was like dude, hum kamre mein raat ko aur kya hi karenge, meine usko saree plans batae and he was like sorry devi ji mein bas kissi g tak hi simit hu mere issey aage bhadna mere bhai ke sanskaron ke khilaaf hai aur patha waha se bhaag Gaya," ruchika explained and gauri started shaking her head.

"Wow...kitne garv ki baat hai Ruchi!" She said and ruchika grinned wider.

Just then someone knocked on their door and said "didi rasam ka waqt hi gaya hai!"

________

Everyone was gathered in the garden of of the Kapoor mansion. The aroma of fresh marigolds and sandalwood filled the air as the soft hum of guests talking mixed with the sound of temple bells from the nearby mandir.

Ruchika, Bani, tejas, amit,vivaan and rajvansh were in the mansion's hall.

Gauri sat on the couch, her eyes darting toward the main door every few seconds, while Tejas kept checking his phone, pacing restlessly.

"Anuj ab tak nahi aaya?" Amit asked, sensing the tension.

Tejas shook his head, his brows knit tightly. "Phone bhi nahi utha raha hai, Amit. Rasam ka waqt ho gaya hai, sab intezaar kar rahe hain."

Just then, Tejas's phone buzzed. The name "Anuj" flashed on the screen. Everyone froze, the air thick with expectation.

Tejas quickly picked up, "Anuj! Beta kahaan ho tum? Sab tumhara intezaar kar rahe hain, rasam shuru hone wali hai!"

Bani signaled tejas to put the call on speaker and he did as she said.

There was a pause on the other side - a deep, heavy silence before Anuj's voice came, low but firm.

"Sorry, Chachu..."

Tejas's heart sank. "Kya matlab beta? Kya hua?"

"I... I won't be able to perform the rasam," Anuj said quietly. "Main Gauri ke behalf par rasam nahi kar sakta... kyunki maine kabhi unhe apni behen maana hi nahi."

The hall went pin-drop silent. Gauri's face went pale, her hands trembling as she looked at her father.

Anuj continued, his tone slightly softer, "Lekin Chachu, main vada karta hoon... main har ek rasam, har ek farz nibhaunga Ruchi ke liye. Uske liye main hamesha khada rahunga."

Before Tejas could even respond, a chair scraped sharply against the marble floor.

"Bas!" Ruchika's voice cut through the silence like a whip. Everyone turned toward her. Her eyes were blazing, her cheeks flushed with anger.

She stepped forward, her dupatta slipping from her shoulder as she shouted, "Tumhe yeh badi meherbani karne ki zarurat nahi hai mujhpar, Anuj! Mujhe aise bhai ki zarurat hi nahi jo meri dii ko izzat dena nahi jaanta!"

Her voice cracked, but her anger didn't falter. "Jo ladki saalon se tumhe apna bhai maan kar pyaar karti rahi, tumhare liye dua karti rahi, usi ke liye tumhe yeh kehne mein sharam nahi aayi? 'Kabhi behen nahi maana'?"

Tears welled up in Gauri's eyes as Ruchika's words echoed through the hall. Even Amit and Vivaan exchanged uncomfortable glances, unsure how to react.

Ruchika took a step closer to Tejas, looking straight at his phone as if staring right into Anuj's soul.

"Tum sirf naam ke Kapoor ho, Anuj," she said bitterly. "Aur main bhi tumhe apna kuch nahi maanti. Jis din tumhe samajh aayega 'rishton ki izzat' karna kya hota hai, us din tak shayad tum kisi ke bhai kehlane ke layak hi na bacho."

With that, she turned away, her eyes glistening but her chin held high. Gauri tried to hold her hand, but Ruchika pulled away, storming off toward the inner corridor.

Tejas stood frozen, the phone still pressed to his ear. On the other end, there was only silence - maybe guilt, maybe regret - but it was too late now.

Bani looked down, her voice barely a whisper. "ab... rasam bina bhai ke kaise hogi?"

Tejas sighed deeply, his eyes moist but voice steady. "Bina bhai ke nahi hogi" tejas lost his balance but Rajvansh's strong arms steadied him.

"Uncle sambhaliye khud ko!" He said and tejas placed his hand over his.

A hush fell over the room again - this time, not of shock, but of quiet strength.

"Uncle mein janta hu shayad thoda ajeeb Lage par aagar aap ijazat de toh gauri ke bhai kj jagah mein yeh rasam nibha sakta hu" he said and tejas looked up at him and then towards Amit who just nodded with a smile.

Gauri was sitting with her head bowed towards the ground her eyes glistening with tears.

Rajvansh walked toward her and knelt in front of her "if your brother couldn't be here today then let be the one to fulfill this promise not by blood but by love-I'll always stand by you as your big brother and your protector" He said and gauri looked up at him and started crying then hugged him and said "thank you ra ...raj bhai" rajvansh stroked her back gently.

"Arey bhai mein bhi toh aapka Bhai hua?" Vivaan said and hugged them.

Amit placed his hand on tejas's shoulder who just muttered thank you looking at him and then took him into a hug.

All the men were sitting together in the grand backyard of Shekhawat Mansion, chatting lazily.

“waise yeh auratein itni der mandir mein kya pooja karti hai?” Shikhar asked while munching on pakoras.

[Man, why do women take so long doing pooja in the temple?]

“Tujhe mein aurat dikhat hu!” Shreyas raised an eyebrow.

[Do I look like a woman to you?]

“Yes— I mean, no obviously no!” Shikhar corrected himself quickly.

“Toh mujhe kaise pata hoga kya karti hai! Jo rudra, amit uncle, aur rishi uncle kar rahe hai wahi karti hongi,” Shreyas replied, pointing at the older men.

[Then how would I know? They’re probably doing the same thing Rudra, Amit Uncle, and Rishi Uncle are doing]

“Yeh uncle log pichle 45 minute se bhagwan ke aage baithe hai, bechare bhagwan bhi kehe rahe honge— chod do humein devta ki saari aatma nikal hi manoge” Shikhar joked.

[These uncles have been sitting in front of God for 45 minutes straight. Even God must be thinking— please leave us alone or you’ll drain the divinity out of us,]

“Rudra behen paglu hai kehe raha tha meri dono beheno ka subh se vrat hai mere liye pooja ki wajah se toh mein bhi undono ke liye pooja karunga,” Shikhar added.

[And rudra is crazy he said, both my sisters have been fasting since morning and doing pooja for my well-being. So I thought I should also do pooja for them]

Shreyas nodded, smiling.

“aur rishi uncle and amit uncle toh hai hi biwi paglu— jo biwi karegi woh mein karunga” Shikhar continued. They both burst out laughing. Suddenly, Shikhar stood up.

[And Rishi Uncle and Amit Uncle are the classic husbands— whatever the wife does, I will also do,]

“Wait biwi toh meri bhi pooja kar rahi hai, toh mujhe bhi acche hubby ki tarha pooja karni chahiye na!” Shikhar said earnestly.

[Wait— my wife-to-be is doing pooja too. So I should also act like a good husband and do pooja, right?]

Shreyas started laughing again.

“Abye oo joru ke gulam even before marriage,” he teased.

[Oh look at him— joru ka gulaam, and the marriage hasn’t even happened yet]

“Teri wali bhi pooja kar rahi hogi thodi tu bhi kar le,” Shikhar shot back.

[Your girl must be doing pooja too, so you go pray as well]

“Meri wali aur pooja” Shreyas scoffed.

[My girl and pooja?]

“woh poo ki bhakt hai mandir mein bhi photo hi kheecha rahi hogi, aur mein waise bhi subh subh rasha aur maa ke saath pooja karke hi aaya hu.” Saying that, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

[She’s Poo’s devotee— she’s probably just taking selfies in the temple. And anyway, I already did pooja this morning with Rasha and Maa]

“You two are the same,” Shikhar said, shaking his head and walked inside, heading toward the Shekhawat mansion’s prayer room.

Shreyas eyes went towards shivaay who was engrossed in his phone "oye doctor!" Shreyas said and shivaay looked up at him and waved.

"Sab bhadia! Kuch chahiye" he asked and shivaay just shook his head but then asked. "Washroom kaha hai"

Shreyas laughed and said "Tum jab se susu rok kar baithe ho, mere puchne ke liye!" Shivaay embarrassed touched the middle of his forehead and then nodded "mujhe thodi si sharam aa rahi thi!" 

Shreyas stood up and said "follow me!" Shivaay does the same as they went towards the washroom.

------------------------------

Everyone was searching for khushi but she was not where to be found then shreya and krisha along with Amisha and Ava went to the back side of the temple and their eyes widened at the site.

Khushi was posing and Rasha was clicking her pictures from every angle.

"Hey bhagwan iska photo session khatam nahi hota" Shreya muttered and krisha shook her head.

"Ooo heroine kitni photo khechwaegi" krisha said and khushi turned toward them.

[Hey...heroine how many more photos will you taking?]

"Oooo guys please, atleast 50!" She said and Amisha and Ava ran toward her.

"One photo with us!" They said in unison making everyone chuckle khushi nodded and rasha clicked their photos.

"Krishi, shreya bhabhi....aap dono bhi aao khushi ke pass group photo leni hai aap teeno ki" Rasha said and shreya and krisha walked towards khushi.

"Krishu....."  Shreyas said and signaled her mischievously krisha smirked and they both looked toward khushi who was standing between them.

"Noway, you will ruin my make up!" Khushi said but shreya and krisha were already counting one two and as soon they said threee— They caught khushi's cheeks with their one hand and kissed her together on her opposite cheeks.

Rasha clicked their photo immediately. The trio was laughing. Khushi's both cheeks were covered with krisha's and shreya's lipstick.

She caught krisha's hand and kissed her cheeks  hard and then Shreya's making their cheeks looks similar to hers.

"Avni kaha hai!" Krisha asked clutching her stomach.

"She's with Prerna aunty, aunty was not feeling well!" Rasha explained and krisha's expression changed from happy to worried.

"Where's she" she asked

"Near the Car!" Rasha replied and krisha walked towards the front side of temple. She decended the stairs of temple and went towards the car.

Prerna was sitting in the car with her feet touching the ground the car's door was open and Avni was standing in front of her.

Krisha walked towards them her hands gripping her saree as if afraid it might fall.

"Priyu aunty!" She called out. Prerna and Avni looked up in her direction.

"What happened are you okay?" She asked.

"Her bp shot up, Raj bhai ki daddi ka call aagaya tha!" Avni explained.

"Call se bp high hogaya!" Krisha asked.

"Arey dadi bohot kaleshi hai, woh kehe rahi thi ki aane ke bad Raj bhai aur Myra ki shaadi karaengi! Mosi ne kaha ki unhone pehle hi bhai ke liye ladki choose kar li hai aur raj bhai ki bhi toh koi apni marzi hai, toh daadi boli Mera golu ussey hi shaadi karega jissey mein chahti hu end of discussion tumhe kuch bolne ka koi haq nahi hai aur mosi ka blood pressure high hogaya yeh soch kar ki aagar bhai dadi ko mana nahi kar par toh woh aadhi pagal myra bahu bankar aa jaegi, woh mosi ko futti aakh nahi bhaati" Avni told her the whole mahabharat making krisha scream "kya?..."

"I mean, rajvansh aur Myra koi comepetibility hi nahi hai, woh Rajvansh ke type ki nahi hai" She said shaking her head avni smirked and prerna smiled.

"Toh kaun hai unke type ki haan, kahi aap toh nahi!" Avni asked nudging her elbow into her arms with a mischievous smile.

"Chiiii.....Mein toh uske type ki hu par woh mere type ka nahi hai, old fashioned dadaji type hai poora!" Krisha shot back making avni laugh.

"I will tell bhai that you called him dadaji" avni said and krisha rolled her eyes.

"Aap theek haina aunty mein amit uncle ko call Karu!" She asked and prerna shook her head.

Just then Rasha's voice came "Ohoo....saas Bahu aur saazish" she said making prerna and Avni chuckle and krisha blush as well as embarrasse.

"Yaar had hogai hai, mein jaa rahi hu!" She said and turned to leave but rasha and Avni grabbed her wrist and said "Arey kaha chali vivaan bhai ki bhabhi maa!"

"Koi bachao yeh do chichori mujhe ched rahi hai" krisha screamed and prerna laughed.

"Oye chichori hato meri choti si unofficial ghussail biwi ke pass se" Amisha's voice came.

"Yes haato meri moti bewa ke pass se!" Ava said as always mispelling the word.

"Abey bewa means widowed and moti means fatty" Amisha corrected her and Ava's eyes widened in horror.

"Tum sab se pehle hamari darling hai woh" shreya and khushi screamed.

Just then other elders also arrived laughing hearing their conversation.

"Arey mere bacche ko toh ladkio se compete karna padega!" Prerna muttered to Avni and she hugged her.

"Oho...apke jaise cool maa bhagwan sabko de, jo aapne bete aur uski unofficial girlfriend ko ship kare!" Avni said and prerna smacked her head "Mera beta permanent mein beleive karne walo mein se hai girlfriend nahi seedha biwi banaega"

"Wooow....kitni Cool mom ho aap mosi. Kaash apki choti behen bhi esi hi hoti!" Avni said.

"Dekho beta betiyo ko hum Thoda sambhalne ko isliye kehte hai kyuki unhe dusre ke ghar jana hota hai aur har maa baap ko dar hota hai ki kahi uske saath uske sasural mein kuch bura na ho, aur bete toh aapne pass hi rehete hai aapne ghar mein hi toh unke saath utni sakhti nahi barti jaati halaki itni sakti toh rakhni chahiye ki beta haath se nikle naa aur ek kehene oar kaam kare aur Mera raj bilkul waisa hi hai, ekdum Mera ideal beta bhale hi shyada usmein kamiya hongi bohot par itna mein janti hu ki woh ek ideal beta aur aage ideal pati bhi banega" prerna said and lightened her heart.

[Look, we tell our daughters to be a little more careful because they have to go to another family after marriage, and every parent worries that nothing bad should happen to her in her in-laws’ house. Sons, on the other hand, stay with their parents, so we aren’t as strict with them—though we should be strict enough that they don’t go astray and learn to speak and act properly.

And my Raj is exactly like that—my ideal son. He may have many flaws, but I know one thing for sure: he is an ideal son now, and in the future, he will also become an ideal husband.]

"And ideal bhai aad karna toh aap bhul hi gai" Avni said and prerna nodded.

Everyone settled inside the cars and headed toward the Shekhawat mansion.

-------------------------------------------------

All the men's were partying in the grand hall of shekhawat mansion.

"Kuch bhi kaho subh subh pack lagane ke maze hi kuch aur hote hai!" Yash said as he extended his glass forward to make a cheer and Rishi, Amit, Yogendra, Rudra, Shreyas, shikhar, Rohit, Ekaksh and shivaay clicked their glasses with his.

"Sahi kaha uncle upar se yeh jante hue ki kabhi bhi hamari Maa, behene aur biwiyan aa sakti hai aur hamri aarthiyan bhi uth sakti hai" shikhar said with a chuckle.

"Waise ese ek saath hum log ese kareeb 6 mahine baad pee rahe hai" shreyas said and Yogendra nodded.

"Last time, it was Rasha's birthday when we all went to the terrace for our daaru party" Rishi said and Everyone laughed.

"Chachu I think we already have 3 shots, we should stop now if the women's arrived we will be finished!" Rudra said wiping his forehead.

"Beta don't be afraid we are here, just enjoy having 4 more shots !" Rishi who was already swaying a little with just four packs.

"Chachu har baar krisha nahi hoti hai! Maar maar ke bhoot nikal degi mera!" Rudra said gulping making Rishi, Amit, shreyas and shikhar gulp harder with him.

"Sach mein!" Shikhar asked and rudra nodded.

"Arey daro nahi, woh panch foot ki doctor don't touch me Kuch nahi kar paegi" shivaay said while walking toward rudra with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. He came near shreyas and his steps flattered as he was about to fall shreyas grabbed his hand.

"Waise yeh cheez badi Kamal ki hai bhai, mein toh jhum gaya!" Shivaay said while chukling his cheeks were red due to influence of alcohol.

"Yeh bottle gatak gaya!" Shreyas said and rudra choked.

"Kamre mein lekar jaa isey aur neebu pani de!"  Rudra said and shreyas nodded.

Shreyas made him stand straight and held him by his biceps "Nice biceps bro! Kaunsi excercise karta hai?"  Shreyas asked.

Shivaay rolled his sleeves and started showing off his biceps "yeh pasand aae tumhe lo tum rakh lo!" He said making everyone chukle.

"Beta isey andar le jao aur thoda hosh mein lao warna aaj bawandar aa jaega!" Rishi said  smiling and shreyas nodded.

"Chalo andar!" Shreyas said dragging him toward the halls door.

"Nahi gaudi mein uthao!" Shivaay said jerking his hand and making a pout.

"Yeh bewda hogaya bhai!" Shreyas said turning to everyone and pointing his hand toward shivaay.

"Shikar beta jao shreyas ke saath milakr is bewde ko kamre mein pahuchao aur dyan se papaji na dekh le" Rishi said laughing placing his hand over Amits shoulder.

"Rishi bade mazakiya hi yaar tum!" Amit said and rishi laughed.

"Aapse jyada toh nahi hu amit, aap toh serious mahool ko bhi mazak mein badal dein!" Rishi said as they both laughed.

Shikhar went towards shreyas and nodded "Mein iske pair se usey utha raha hu, tu haath ki taraf se utha!" Shikhar said and shreyas nodded.

"1,2,3" they counted together and at three Shivaay was hanging 1 feet above the ground.

“Gaudi mein uthane ko bola tha, bori banane ko nahi!” Shivaay yelled, thrashing in mid-air like an angry cat. His shirt had ridden up slightly, exposing his stomach, which only made Shikhar and Shreyas laugh harder.

“Stop moving, yaar! If you kick me one more time I’m dropping you headfirst,” Shikhar warned, tightening his grip.

“This is kidnapping! I know my rights!” Shivaay protested.

“Arre chup! You’re so drunk you probably think you’re the President right now,” Shreyas muttered as they finally managed to carry him through the hallway.

They reached the guest corridor and pushed open the door of the guest room. The moment his back touched the bed, Shivaay dramatically rolled over, burying half his face into a pillow.

Shreyas wiped his forehead. “Bro, you’re worse than Rudra. At least he only sings when he’s drunk.”

Shivaay peeked at him through one half-closed eye. “I can sing too. Want to hear?”

“No!” the two men chorused instantly.

Shikhar poured lemon water into a glass.

“Here. Drink. Before you pass out and become tomorrow’s family scandal.”

Shivaay sat up with surprising seriousness, took the glass, sniffed it… and frowned.

“This is betrayal. I asked for alcohol, you brought… sadness.”

“You’re drinking it,” Shreyas said, arms crossed.

Shivaay sighed dramatically, downed the lemon water in one go, then winced.

“Ugh. Why is this so sour? My life is already sour enough.”

Shikhar snorted. “What’s sour in your life, haan?”

Shivaay blinked at him, equally drunk and thoughtful.

“Krisha.”

Both Shikhar and Shreyas froze.

“What?” Shreyas asked, voice suddenly tight.

"We were very good friends but a misunderstanding totally destroyed our friendship, Yes she always ignored me but now she's not only ignoring me she's killi.....llkilling me with her silent treatment" he said and started crying holding Shikhar's hand.

"Arey emotional kar diya yaar!" Shikhar said wiping his imaginary tears.

"Samjhti nahi hai!" Shivaay said laying on the bed snuggling into the pillow.

"Kaun krisha?" Shikhar asked.

"Amisha!" Shivaay said and shreyas and shikhar relaxed a little.

"Pyar karta hu" shivaay muttered

"Yeh Amisha se yar karta hai lagta hai" Shreyas said and shikhar nodded "Aur dar ke maare bata nahi paa raha!" Shikhar said and shreyas nodded.

“Kriii…” Shivaay mumbled one last time before fully knocking out, his arm half-dangling off the bed.

Shikhar blinked.

“Bro… did he just say Krisha again?”

Shreyas stiffened. “Nahin… usne ‘Kriii’ bola. That could be anything. Cricket. Crisis. Krish—”

He cut himself off, gulping.

Shikhar smirked. “Haan haan. Cricket hi bola hoga. Kyuki drunk people always cry about cricket.”

Shreyas glared. “Shut up.”

They both looked at the now-snoring Shivaay who had managed to hug the pillow like it was a human being.

“Kam se kam so toh gaya,” Shikhar muttered. “Chal chale— warna koi aur bawandar aa jayega.”

“Wait,” Shreyas whispered. “Pehle iske shoes utaar deta hoon.”

Shikhar stared at him. “Abe ghar jamai lagta hai kya tera? Itni care?”

Shreyas tossed the shoes aside anyway. “Agar yeh thodi der baad  shoes pehen kar uthega toh bolega— ‘Meri life kitni painful hai’.”

They both snorted.

Shreyas tucked the blanket around Shivaay and the two men tiptoed out of the room.

The moment they stepped back into the hallway, loud chatter reached them—the women had arrived.

Shikhar froze.

“Bas. Khatam. Maar gaye.”

Shreyas's face drained of color. “Chudailein aa gayi?”

Before Shikhar could answer, a sharp voice echoed from the end of the hall—

“Ruddy!!”

Both men jumped

Krisha, khushi, shreya, Avi, Rasha, Amisha, Ava all the girls were standing in the hall meanwhile the others went towards the garden to check their husbands.

"Mein ek tip deta hu, biwiyo ko kabu mein rakhna chahiye warna khoon chuus leti hai, meri biwi ko hi dekh lo ek dum undercontrol reheti hai majal hai mere aage kuch bol jae" Amit said pointing his finger towards everyone unaware that prerna was standing just behind him tucking her saree's pallu toh the corner of her waist.

"Amit!" Rishi said trying to stop him he signed him with his eyes to turn around.

"Arey kya, itna kya ghabra rahe ho kya hai piche?" Amit said and turned at the back side only to stumble on his own feet.

"Priyu ji .....mein toh kehe raha tha" amit said and looked at her from tip to toe then added "kya kamal ka figure hai aapka!"

The womens started laughing and all the mans almost get choked on their drinks.

"Saree nashe utaru mein aapke!" Prerna said as she walked closer to him only for him to scream Ahhh..... Meri Jaan mein toh bata raha tha ki patniyo ko pati ko undercontrol mein rakhna chahiye warna pati bigad jaate hai" he said covering his both cheeks with his palm. Prerna grabbed his ear and dragged him inside the mansion "chaliye bohot hogaya nibu pani pijiye"

"Aunty aapne uncle ka kaan kyu pakda hai" krisha asked.

"Beta uncle ko jyada gana masti sujh rahi hai budhape mein" prerna said and krisha chuckled shaking her head and walked towards the garden as she entered the garden she froze.

Rishi walked towards riva but she left without saying a word, krisha froze at the sight the way her mother walked away her eyes betraying no emotions.

With slow steps she walked towards rishi and gently grabbed his arm "papa, aap theek haina?" Rishi wiped the tear from corner of his eyes before turning to her.

"Haan sab accha hai" he said encircling his hand on krisha's shoulder and pulling her into a side hug.

Krisha wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned into his arm closing her eyes felling the warmth of her father's embrace.

Rishi patted her back gently, trying to steady the tremor in his breathing. Krisha felt the way his chest rose and fell— uneven, shaken. The moment she loosened her arms, he cupped her face, smiling softly.

“Princess, I’m perfectly fine,” he said, forcing lightness into his tone.

“Papa…” Krisha whispered, searching his eyes. “Mom walked away without even looking at you.”

Rishi’s gaze flickered for a second—only a second—before he masked it.

“Woh… thodi si naraz hai bas,” he said.

Krisha frowned. “Naragi esi nahi hoti papa, aap dono ese toh kabhi nahi the, phir ab kyu.”

Rishi chuckled sadly. “Kya karun? Tumhari maa hai hi itni… strong-headed.”

“Stubborn.” Krisha corrected with a straight face.

Rishi gave her a look. “Tum dono ek jaisi ho.”

“Papa!” she whined, but her smile had appeared despite herself, and that was exactly what he wanted.

Before their emotional moment could stretch further, loud footsteps echoed behind them.

“Ayeeee— yahan drama chal raha hai aur hum sabko bulaya bhi nahi?” Khushi exclaimed, running toward them with Rasha, Shreya, Amisha, Ava, and the rest following.

Rishi instantly straightened and pretended to cough, wiping his eyes quickly.

“Nothing, nothing. Bas hawa chal rahi thi, thodi…” he gestured vaguely.

“Papa,” Krisha warned under her breath.

Khushi gasped dramatically. “Awww… mera cute se emotional mosaji!”

“KHUSHI!” Krisha snapped, mortified.

Rishi burst out laughing, finally letting the tension leave him. “Beta, main jaa raha hoon andar. Tum sab enjoy karo.”

He squeezed Krisha’s shoulder one last time before walking away.

"Papa shaam ko baat karte hai!" Krisha said and Rishi nodded then walked away, she watched him go, a faint worry lingering in her chest. She knew her father too well—his smile was too controlled. His steps—a little too quick.

The girls started planning again when Shreyas eyes darted towards shikhar who was standing near the pillar leaning against it, she walked toward him and stood in front of him folding her arms to her chest.

"Mr.shergill kitni chadhai hai!" Shreyas asked and shikar stood straight and pointed toward himself as if confused whom she was asking the question

"Ek bhi nahi, meine toh dudh Piya tha baccho ki tarha" he said touching his temple nervously.

"Bacche ki tarha, doodh peekar ese hilte hai bacche" she said giving him a slight shake at his shoulder as he took a step back.

"Accha thodi si pee thi" he said

"Kitne shots" she asked.

"4 ya 5" he said and her eyes widened.

She smacked his arm and started scolding him "Maa ko batati hu tumhara saara Nasha utar dengi!" She walked past him towards the halls door but shikhar caught her wrist and pulled her towards himself.

He leaned closer to her face and kissed her left cheeks rapidly then right and then her forehead and at last her nose. She frozed and stumbled backward but shikhar caught her.

"Kya hua bina piye chadh gai Mrs.Shergill!" He said intoher ears. Her cheeks turned red shyly but she masked it

"Lajjaheen" she said and bitted his ear and ran inside, he winced and then followed her.

"Swamini.....ruko toh zara abhi...." He said and stumbled into shreya as she stopped suddenly.

Shreyas sudden halt made Shikhar crash right into her back.

“Arre—!” he yelped, grabbing her shoulders to steady himself.

Shreya turned around, brows raised. “Tum theek ho? Ya phir aur drama baaki hai?”

Shikhar, still grinning like a fool, leaned his forehead against hers. “Tum ruk kyun gayi?”

“Isliye,” she said, flicking his forehead.

“Ow!” He clutched his head dramatically. “Domestic violence. Main complain—”

“Band karo nautanki.” She grabbed his collar and tugged him closer. “And sober up, Mr. Shergill, warna sabke saamne ulti seedhi baatein karoge.”

Shikhar smirked, eyes half-lidded. “Sabke saamne kaun si ulti seedhi baat karu, Mrs. Shergill? Yeh waali?”

He puckered his lips exaggeratedly, leaning in.

Shreya pushed his face away with one hand. “Tumhare muh pe abhi lipstick lag jayegi. Phir mat kehna mujhe sharam aa rahi hai.”

He gasped. “Tum—tumne toh mujhe thukra diya! Dil toot gaya mera—”

“Bas!” She grabbed his wrist and dragged him inside before he got louder.

Behind them, their friends burst into laughter.

Inside the hallway, the music dimmed, and a quieter hum settled around them. Shreya finally let go of his hand.

“Idhar ruko. Main paani lekar aati hoon.”

But as she turned, Shikhar grabbed the end of her dupatta.

She glared. “Kya kar rahe ho?”

He stared at her with those warm, slightly intoxicated eyes. “Mat jao. Na… abhi nahi.”

Something in his voice—soft, almost pleading—made her chest tighten.

“Shikhar…” she sighed, stepping closer. “Main bas paani laane ja rahi thi.”

“Nahi. Bas… thodi der yahin raho.”

He swallowed, attempting to hide the wobble in his tone. “Aaj tum mujhse gussa na ho. Please.”

Shreya’s expression softened, her irritation slipping away.

“Tum par gussa?” She cupped his cheek gently. “Tumne 4–5 shots pee liye, idiot. Par main gussa is baat par nahi hoon.”

“Phir?” he whispered.

She traced her thumb along his jaw. “Main gussa hoon kyunki tum khud ka dhyaan nahi rakhte. Tumhari har harkat se mujhe darr lagta hai. Aur—”

She hesitated.

“—aur kabhi kabhi tum bohot ajeeb emotional ho jaate ho.”

He blinked, confused. “Main emotional theek se hota bhi nahi hu, tum hi pehle oye hoye ho jaati ho.”

“Oye hoye?!” Shreya smacked his arm.

He laughed, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

“Sorry.”

Before she could respond, a voice yelled from the entrance of the hall:

“AREEEE! Shreya! Shikhar! Tum dono idhar ho?! Hum kabse dhoondh rahe the!”

It was Khushi, followed by Avni and Rasha—storming inside like a mini tornado.

Shreya groaned and muttered under her breath, “Ye log aaj kisi ko romantic moment jeene hi nahi denge.”

Shikhar leaned close, murmuring, “Romantic moment? Toh meri biwi ko romance bhi  chaahiye…”

“SHIKHAR!” She clamped a hand over his mouth.

The girls reached them.

Khushi eyed their closeness suspiciously. “Hmm… yeh sab kya chal raha tha?”

Shreya stepped back instantly. “Kuch nahi! Kuch bhi nahi!”

Shikhar removed Shreya’s hand from his mouth. “Main toh bas—”

Shreya pinched his arm sharply.

“OWW!” he squeaked.

The girls burst into laughter.

"Shikhar bhai ruddy Bhai kahi nahi dikh rahe hai" Avni asked and shukhar chuckled.

"Meri pocket mein hai!" He said only for shreyas to ponch him.

"Mujhe kaise pata hoga mein uski girlfriend thodi hu!" Shikhar said and everyone rolled their eyes.

Avni got vivaan's calls so she left and rasha dragged khushi with herself as Shreyas told her to do it.

Shikhar leaned closer to shreya but she placed her hand in between and said "kya haan, bohot touchy touchy ho rahe ho, yeh sab ab shaadi ke baad samjhe!"

Shikhar pulled her closer and said "Dekho yeh mera haq hai, hamari kundliya waise bhi match ho chuki hai, shaadi ki date aa chuki hai ab tum legally meri ho toh mein sab kar sakta hu!" Shreya chuckled and kissed his cheeks.

"yeh sab ese khulle aam nahi karte, ghar mein bade bujurg bhi hai!" Krisha's voice came and shreya snuggled her face into Shikhar's chest out of embarrassment.

"Room mein jaa kar karo yaar, bohot rooms khali hai" She continued but then her phone rang caller id displaying hospital. She signaled them and walked towards the garden aay fro the noises.

"Hmmm.... ji, I have checked it, for now we don't have to operate!" She said.

Meanwhile outside the Shekhawat mansion's boundary a different scene was going on.

"Sir....AAP yeh kar kya rahe hai, haddiyan tut jaengi!"  Rishabh said looking at rajvansh who was standing on the little projected out rod of a pillar balancing himself on his on leg, his other leg was dangling eight feets above the ground.

He was looking inside the Shekhawat mansion with binoculars like a detective on a mission.

"Sir aap gir jana par meri durbeen mat girana bohot mehngi aai hai" Rishabh said but rajvansh was hardly paying attention to him.

As soon as he found krisha his balance flattered but he regained it. "Bhai kya pasand hai meri, kitni pyari si lag rahi hai meri chuhiya noor!"

With one hand still tightly gripping the pole and binoculars he slided his another hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone then opened its camera and started clicking her pictures candid as always.

After clicking pictures he put back his phone into his pocket and started using binoculars again to see her. He leaned his cheeks against the pillar admiring his noor like she's the only meaningful art that existed for him.

He took a deep breath Just then Rishabh screamed "Sir 25 minute ho gae hai taadi taadi karte hue sharam nahi aati aapko!" Rajvansh came out of his dream land and then slowly carefully placed his one foot on the boundary that was just beside the pole and then stood on the boundary completely before jumping down.

"Dekh bete pichle 12 saalo se sharam karli meine ab sharam ka quota khtam ho gaya hai!" Rajvansh said throwing binoculars in air and then catching it.

"Mein yeh rakh raha hu, tum dusra kareed lo paise mein dedunga," he said while smiling looking at the binoculars.

"Waise sir bhabhi kaisi lag rahi thi photo toh dikhaiye!" Rishabh asked only to earn a sharp glare from his boss.

"Nazre bas charno tak rahe bhabhi ke samjhe!" He said placing his one hand on Rishabh's shoulder. Then he tapped it and said "gaadi start Karo office Jana hai!" Rishabh nodded and unlocked the car. Rajvansh sat on the back seat going through his schedules while Rishabh   was driving toward the head office.

____________

Khushi barely made it two steps into the corridor beside rasha before Shreyas intercepted her, sliding right in front of her path like a human barricade.

“Khushi… ek minute,” he said gently and rasha winked at him then left from their.

Khushi didn’t even look at him. “Side.” she saud

“No.” he retorted

“Shreyas.”

“Khushi.”

She glared at him, arms crossed. “Move.”

“Tabhi move karunga jab tum meri baat sunogi.”

Khushi scoffed and tried walking past him again, but he side-stepped perfectly, blocking her like he’d rehearsed this for weeks.

“Honestly, kya chahiye tumhe?” she snapped.

Shreyas finally exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. His voice wasn’t playful this time. It was low, careful.

“Tum… thodi der ke liye ruk jao. Bas thodi der ke liye.”

Khushi looked away, the wall suddenly more interesting than his face.

“Rukne ka koi faida nahi. Tum ab kaun si baat karne wale ho jo main pehle nahi sun chuki?”

Shreyas flinched. “Khushi, please yeh na bolo—”

“Shreyas, main busy hoon.” She stepped aside.

He stepped again.

Khushi’s jaw tightened. “Tum samajh kyu nahi rahe? I don’t want to talk.”

“Par main toh chahata hoon,” Shreyas said softly, and for the first time, there was no teasing—just a quiet ache.

Khushi finally looked at him.

And that was his mistake.

Because the moment their eyes met, she quickly tore her gaze away, almost angrily, as if even looking at him betrayed how much she still cared.

“Tumhari problem kya hai?” she asked, voice barely steady.

“My problem?” he repeated, stepping closer. “Tum ho.”

Khushi blinked.

Shreyas swallowed. “Tum mujhse baat hi nahi karti. Ignore karti ho. Aise behave karti ho jaise main… kisi aur duniya ka hoon.”

“Good,” she muttered. “Wahin rehna chahiye tumhe.”

“Khushi!” He grabbed her wrist—but gently, giving her every chance to pull away.

She didn’t.

Not immediately.

But when she did, the movement wasn’t angry—it was shaky.

“Don’t do that,” she whispered.

“Ky—”

“Wrist pakdo mat. Mujhe lagta hai…”

She stopped, biting her lip.

“…lagta hai tum phir kuch bol doge jisse meri saanse ruk jayengi.”

Shreyas froze.

Khushi turned away, hugging herself, her breath uneven.

Shreyas took one slow step toward her.

“Khushi,” he whispered, “main tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta.”

“Lekin hurt tum hi karte ho,” she whispered back.

He closed his eyes, guilt hitting him square in the chest.

“Isiliye toh baat karna chahta hoon,” he said, voice trembling despite him trying to hide it. “Maafi maangna chahta hoon.”

“Maafi?” she let out a small, bitter laugh. “Tum maafi se sab theek kar doge? Bas itna?”

“Jitna mere bas mein hai utna kar raha hoon,” Shreyas said helplessly. “Aur kya karu? Tum bolo. I’ll do it.”

Khushi didn’t respond.

She just stood there, breathing unevenly, eyes fixed on the floor.

Shreyas took another step, now right behind her.

“Khushi,” he murmured, “at least look at me.”

She didn’t.

But her eyes glistened.

And that was enough to break something inside him.

He raised a hand—hesitated—and then gently touched her shoulder.

“Khushi?”

“Don’t,” she whispered again, but her voice cracked this time.

He turned her around, slowly, carefully, as if she were glass that might shatter.

Her eyes—filled with stubborn tears—met his.

And all he said was:

“I miss you.”

Khushi’s lips parted.

Her breath hitched.

Her façade faltered.

But before she could reply— she came to her senses

Khushi jerked back instantly, wiping her eyes so fast Shreyas’s heart twisted.

Shreyas stepped forward, instinctively wanting to shield her from the sudden attention, but she shook her head faintly.

Not now.

Not here

Khushi inhaled sharply, gathered whatever remained of her pride, and said:

“Main… main baad mein baat karti hoon.”

Then she walked away quickly.

Shreyas didn’t chase her this time.

He just watched her go—shoulders sinking, eyes soft, hope flickering.

Because baad mein was the first promise she had given him in months.

Khushi stepped out into the garden, letting the cool night air hit her face. Her heartbeat was still racing, her breath uneven. She rubbed her palms together, trying to shake off the trembling.

“Stupid,” she muttered to herself.

“Stupid, stupid, STUPID—”

“Khushi?”

She froze.

Not again.

She turned slowly, praying it wasn’t him.

Of course it was.

Shreyas stood at the doorway, not daring to come closer. His expression wasn’t smug or playful—it was careful. Guarded. Like he was afraid she’d run if he moved too fast.

Khushi’s jaw tightened.

“Tum phir aa gaye?”

“Haan,” he said simply, “kyunki tum bhaag kar chali gayi.”

“I wasn’t running,” she snapped.

He tilted his head. “Toh phir?”

Khushi opened her mouth—no words came.

Shreyas sighed, gently.

“Khushi… I said I’ll wait. Par iska matlab yeh nahi ki main tumhe akela chhod dunga jab tum—”

“Jab main WHAT?” she shot back, eyes narrowing. “Jab main ro rahi thi? Jab main weak lag rahi thi?”

Shreyas’s face fell. “Maine kabhi—”

Khushi’s voice rose before she could stop it:

“I don’t need you to save me. Main apne emotions khud handle kar sakti hoon!”

Garden lights glowed against her face, highlighting the anger, the hurt simmering beneath it.

Shreyas took one slow step toward her.

“Main tumhe bachane nahi aaya.”

“Then why are you here?”

He swallowed.

“Tumhari parwah hoti hai… isliye.”

The world went silent.

Khushi’s chest tightened painfully, and she quickly turned her face away.

“Mat bolo aise baatein.”

“Kyun?” His voice was barely a whisper.

“Sach bolne se problem hoti hai?”

“Yes!” she snapped. “Because tumhari har baat… mere dimaag ko confuse kar deti hai.”

“And tumhari chup rehna… mujhe tod deta hai,” he whispered.

Khushi froze.

Shreyas ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Tum samajhti hi nahi ho. Tumharila ek ‘ignore’ meri raaton ki neend udaa detila hai. Tumhari ek ‘haan’—”

“Shreyas.” Her voice cracked. “Stop.”

He did.

Khushi clenched her fists. “Bas. Enough. I can’t… do this.”

“Because you don’t feel anything?” he asked quietly.

She didn’t answer.

Which was the answer.

Something in Shreyas’s eyes broke—not loudly, not dramatically—just a small, quiet fracture.

But he didn’t plead.

He didn’t beg.

He just nodded, as if accepting a punch he knew was coming.

“Thik hai,” he said, stepping back.

Khushi looked up sharply.

“What?”

“I said thik hai.”

He forced a smile—small, shaky, but real.

“If tumhe baat nahi karni, I won’t force it. Tum chaho toh main door reh jaunga.”

Her breath caught.

Door.

He said door.

She should’ve felt relieved.

Instead, her stomach twisted painfully.

Shreyas turned away, taking a few steps back toward the mansion’s door.

And Khushi…

Khushi felt her chest get heavier with every step he took.

He paused at the entrance.

Without looking back, he said quietly—

“But Khushi…

door jaane ke baad wapas aane ka mann na ho,

toh