Gayatri looked around in surprise. "A wedding? Who is getting married?"
Veena stepped forward with a soft smile. "Raani's wedding, Gayatri ji. Bharat's family wishes to hold it soon, before he leaves for London."
Gayatri's expression softened, though hesitation flickered in her eyes. "That's such happy news… but perhaps I should take Charvi back with me. This family already has so many responsibilities—I don't want to trouble you further."
Veena gently shook her head, her voice warm and assuring. "No, Gayatri ji. You are not a guest here—you are family. I want you to stay until the wedding. This house will feel more complete with you here, with your daughters beside you."
Gayatri's eyes welled with tears at Veena's words. She looked toward her daughters—Charvi's hopeful gaze and Gauri's quiet, steady eyes, urging her to stay.
"Maa," Gauri said softly, reaching for her hand, "please don't go. Not now. Raani's wedding should be filled with love and blessings—and your presence is the biggest blessing we could ask for."
Charvi quickly wrapped her arms around her mother's other side, nodding eagerly. "Yes Mom,we should stay and be a part of sister raani's happiness ."
Gayatri's resolve melted, her lips trembling into a smile. With tears brimming in her eyes, she pulled both daughters into her arms. "Alright… I'll stay. How can I leave when my girls need me?"
The family breathed out in relief, smiles spreading all around. Raani ran forward and hugged Gayatri too, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Aunty. Now this wedding will truly feel complete."
Sharda stepped forward, her calm presence commanding the room. Her eyes rested on Gauri, who stood quietly beside Vihaan, still trying to adjust to the whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities that had come with becoming the Kothari bahu.
"Tonight is Raani's henna ceremony," Sharda announced, her voice warm yet firm. "And as our daughter-in-law, it is only right that Gauri takes the responsibility of arranging everything."
The family turned toward Gauri, and she blinked in surprise, her hand automatically tightening against her dupatta. "Bade Maa… me?" she asked softly, unsure.
Sharda smiled knowingly, stepping closer. "Yes, beti. You are the eldest bahu of this house now. These rituals, these celebrations—are not just about traditions, they are about family. And I trust you to handle it with love and grace."
Emotion swelled in Gauri's chest. She bent down instantly, touching Sharda's feet with folded hands. "Bless me, Bade Maa, that I can do this properly and make the family proud."
Sharda placed her hands gently on Gauri's head, blessing her with all her heart. "Always, Gauri. May your strength keep this family united, and may your love light this home."
Veena's eyes glistened with pride as she watched her daughter-in-law being embraced so wholeheartedly. Yug smiled softly, nudging Charvi, who whispered to him, "Didi will make it beautiful, I know."
Vihaan, however, stood silently, his gaze fixed on Gauri. A faint smile tugged at his lips, pride and something deeper stirring within him as he saw her bowing with such humility and devotion. For the first time in years, he felt the house had gained back the warmth it had been missing.
And in Gauri's heart, though nerves fluttered, there was also a quiet determination—this was her family now, her responsibility, and she would protect and honor them with everything she had.
Later that afternoon, the Kothari mansion buzzed with preparations for Raani's henna. Gauri was everywhere at once—supervising the cooks in the kitchen, checking the floral garlands in the hallway, and now, on a stool, struggling with a string of rope lights that refused to cooperate.
"Gosh, what is wrong with this thing?" she muttered, tugging impatiently as the lights twisted tighter instead of straightening. With a huff, she glanced over her shoulder. "Vihaan, come here and help me."
Vihaan, who had been silently trailing her all day under the guise of "keeping an eye on things," stepped forward. His hands reached for the lights… but instead of untangling them, somehow managed to twist them worse, looping one string around his own arm and another across Gauri's waist.
"ACP VK!" Gauri exclaimed, glaring up at him as she flailed against the wires. "Instead of helping, you've made it worse!"
Her voice rose in irritation as she kept talking, scolding him for his clumsiness, but Vihaan wasn't listening. His eyes lingered on her face, the way her hair fell loose from her braid as she wrestled with the stubborn lights, the little crease between her brows when she was annoyed. To him, her lips were moving, but no sound seemed to reach his ears.
"Vihaan?" she asked, frowning. "Can you even hear me?"
Still, his dazed smile didn't falter.
"Strange…" Gauri muttered under her breath. "Has he gone deaf or something?"
An impish idea struck her. She folded her arms and said loudly, "Vihaan, you are a rude, annoying, bossy ACP!"
He kept smiling.
She narrowed her eyes. "Bas. Let me test further." Leaning closer, she teased, "You are insufferable and stubborn… and do you know what else? Your hair looks like a porcupine when you wake up."
Still no reaction.
Finally, she snapped her fingers right in front of his eyes. "Vihaan!"
"Huh?" he jerked, blinking as though waking from a trance.
Gauri tilted her head. "Were you even listening to me?"
"Of course I was," he lied quickly, standing straighter.
"Oh really?" Her eyes gleamed with mischief. "Then repeat what I said."
Vihaan opened his mouth, stammered, and then said weakly, "Uh… you're right about what you said."
Gauri burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she nearly toppled off the stool. "Oh God! You didn't hear a single word! I just called you rude, annoying, bossy, and even insulted your hair—"
Her laughter echoed through the room while Vihaan scratched his head, red-faced, mumbling, "Huh… I, uh… I remembered an urgent call from the police station. Very important. Duty calls."
"First untangle us, Mr. Important Officer," Gauri teased, tugging at the lights.
With a sheepish glance, Vihaan slipped off his bracelet. The air shimmered, and with a wave of his hand, the lights untangled themselves, falling neatly into place. Gauri gaped, muttering, "You could have done that earlier!"
Vihaan didn't answer. He quickly turned and strode upstairs, his ears burning crimson.
Inside his room, he shut the door and leaned against it, his chest heaving as though he'd run a marathon. He walked to the mirror, running his hand through his hair nervously. "What is wrong with me? Why am I behaving like such a fool?"
And then… his reflection smirked back at him.
"Because, Vihaan," it said softly, "this is how one behaves… when they are in love."
His eyes widened, his breath catching. The realization hit him like thunder in silence. He stared at his own reflection, unable to deny the truth burning in his heart anymore.
He had fallen—for Gauri.