Some doors open for guests… others open for destiny
While the Malhotra siblings were trying to trace the memories of a forgotten villa in India, another family, thousands of miles away, was unknowingly preparing to fill that same place with new memories.
The Raichand house had become lively once again.
The earlier tension regarding the wedding had slowly eased, and now everyone had gathered in the sitting area after dinner. Tea cups, half-eaten snacks, and wedding notebooks were scattered across the center table.
Siddharth was sitting on the sofa, smiling at his phone.
"At least eat your snacks first," Shristi said, looking at him suspiciously. "You've been smiling at your phone for the last ten minutes."
Aarav leaned forward.
"I think we all know the reason."
The younger generation burst into laughter.
Sid shook his head helplessly.
"You all behave as if I committed a crime by talking to my fiancée."
"You didn't commit a crime," Aarav said dramatically. "You committed the biggest mistake—falling in love before your younger cousins."
This time even the elders laughed.
Just then, Sid's phone rang.
The smile on his face immediately widened.
"Speaking of the devil…" he muttered.
"Baby?" Shristi teased.
"Yes, baby," he replied proudly, making everyone laugh again.
He accepted the call and walked a little away from the group.
The conversation continued for several minutes. Sometimes he smiled, sometimes he nodded, and then his expression became thoughtful.
When he finally returned, everyone looked at him curiously.
"What happened?" Bua asked.
Sid sat down and looked at everyone.
"Actually, Jess has some good news."
"After all the chaos, we definitely need some good news," Meera said.
Sid nodded.
"Some of her close friends and cousins are also coming to India. They heard about the wedding situation and want to help with the preparations."
"Oh!" Meera smiled warmly. "That's wonderful."
Bua also looked relieved.
"At least Jess won't feel alone."
Sid continued.
"One of her friends has experience in event management and another one has handled family functions before. They all insisted on coming early to help."
"That's really thoughtful of them," Dadaji said.
The younger generation, however, looked far more excited.
"That means more people our age!" Aarav exclaimed.
Shristi laughed.
"You sound as if we're hosting an exchange program."
"Why not? The house has been too peaceful lately."
Radhika smiled while shaking her head.
"Trust me, with you around, this house has never been peaceful."
Everyone laughed.
But after the laughter faded, another concern appeared.
Bua looked toward the elders.
"There is only one problem."
"What problem?" Dadaji asked.
"The girls are coming from abroad. They're unfamiliar with the place, and I don't know where they'll stay."
Silence filled the room.
The elders exchanged thoughtful looks.
Kavita was the first to speak.
"They can't stay here."
Everyone turned toward her.
She adjusted her saree and continued.
"I mean… the bride's friends and cousins staying in the same house as the groom's family isn't considered appropriate in many traditions."
Saraswati Devi nodded slowly.
"She's right about that."
Bua sighed.
"I understand the traditions, but they're coming all the way to help. Arranging hotels for everyone at the last moment will also become difficult."
The room fell silent again.
Meanwhile, the younger generation exchanged glances.
Aarav's eyes suddenly sparkled.
A dangerous sign.
Shristi noticed it immediately.
"No."
"I haven't even said anything."
"That's exactly why I'm saying no."
Sid narrowed his eyes.
"You have an idea, don't you?"
A slow smile appeared on Aarav's face.
"Maybe."
Radhika folded her arms.
"I don't think I like that smile."
"Have some faith in me."
"No."
Everyone laughed.
A few moments later, the four cousins gathered in one corner and started whispering.
The elders looked at them suspiciously.
After nearly five minutes of secret discussion, Aarav finally stood up.
"I have a solution."
The room became quiet.
Dadaji looked at him.
"Should we be worried?"
"A little," Shristi replied honestly.
More laughter spread through the room.
Aarav ignored everyone and looked at the elders.
"These girls are coming from another country. They don't know much about India."
"So?" Dadaji asked.
"So…" Aarav continued dramatically, "haven't you all heard stories about tourists getting scammed?"
The elders blinked.
He continued with complete seriousness.
"What if someone overcharges them? What if they book a terrible hotel? What if they don't know whom to trust?"
Meera tried not to smile.
Sid immediately understood where this was going.
"And what if they need help with transportation?" he added.
Shristi joined in.
"And what if they get lost somewhere? India is new to them."
Radhika, who finally understood the plan, couldn't help laughing.
The elders, however, were now looking thoughtful.
Aarav noticed and continued enthusiastically.
"They're coming here to help us. It doesn't feel right to leave them alone in an unfamiliar place."
Bua looked genuinely concerned now.
"That's actually true."
"And if they're staying nearby, we can coordinate the wedding preparations better," Sid added.
The discussion slowly began changing direction.
Kavita looked unconvinced.
"But staying in the same house…"
"No one said they have to stay in the same section of the house," Aarav interrupted.
That statement made everyone pause.
The younger generation exchanged meaningful glances.
Then Radhika spoke softly.
"The back wing of the villa is almost separate from the main house."
Everyone looked at her.
She continued.
"It has independent rooms and another entrance from the back side. People can come and go without disturbing the main house."
Dadaji looked thoughtful.
"That's true."
"And there is enough space," Meera added.
Bua slowly smiled.
The idea actually sounded practical.
Saraswati Devi looked at everyone for a few moments before speaking.
"If we do this, there will be rules."
Immediately, the younger generation sat straighter.
"First, the girls will stay only in the back wing."
"Second, there will be separate entrances."
"Third, no unnecessary disturbance."
"And finally…" she looked directly at Siddharth.
"The bride and groom will maintain a proper distance before the wedding."
Everyone tried not to laugh.
Sid looked personally attacked.
"Dadi, I'm getting married, not being sent to prison."
"You'll survive."
The room burst into laughter.
Finally, Dadaji nodded.
"I think it's a good arrangement."
Bua looked relieved.
"So… it's decided?"
Saraswati Devi smiled.
"Yes. The girls can stay here."
The younger generation silently celebrated their victory.
Aarav even gave himself an invisible high-five.
Little did they know…
the decision made so casually tonight…
was about to change far more than the wedding arrangements.
Because somewhere else, another family was searching for a forgotten property.
And destiny…
had already started bringing two worlds closer, one step at a time.