Prarthana walks slowly to her bedroom upstairs.The moment she shuts the door, her strength breaks. She covers her mouth with her hand and cries silently, wiping her tears again and again.
Her eyes fall on her mother's photograph hanging on the wall.
She walks closer, touches the photo gently, and whispers with a trembling voice.
"Mom… I can't take it anymore.""I don't want to get married to Akash. I don't like him.""Mom, I don't want this wedding to happen."
Tears stream down her face.
"Mom, I don't know why everyone hates me when I love them unconditionally.""Even when they hate me and don't like me, I never kept hatred for them.""I loved them only because they are my family."
She sobs harder.
"Mom, I seriously hate getting married to Akash.""I thought one day they would like me.""I thought I would finally experience love from my family."
Her voice cracks.
"But instead, they are forcing this marriage on me.""I don't want this marriage, Mom."
She wipes her tears helplessly.
"I can't tell this to Dad.""I can't even say no to him.""He promised someone and wants to marry me to the person I hate the most."
She closes her eyes tightly.
"Mom, you always used to say that promises should never be broken.""I can't break Dad's promise.""I don't want him to regret because of me."
Prarthana collapses to her knees, holding her mother's photo close to her heart.Her body trembles as she breaks down completely.
Exhausted and shattered, she lies down on the floor, crying herself to sleep.
In her silent tears, questions echo in her mind.
What is written in my fate?Who will enter my life as my future life partner?
At the Gautam Mehta house, wedding preparations are happening grandly. Servants rush around, decorating every corner with lights and flowers.
From an upstairs window, Tanya watches Prarthana.A cruel smile spreads across her face as she eats chocolate, enjoying her satisfaction.
Singhania House
A luxurious sports car enters the grand mansion.
Rudraksh Singhania steps out, dressed in a black, stylish business suit. Several expensive suitcases filled with gifts are carried inside.
As he enters the house, his father, Mr. Raghav Singhania, hugs him tightly.
"How are you, my son?" Raghav asks happily.
"I'm always happy and cool, Dad," Rudraksh replies confidently.
"That's my son," Raghav says proudly."You are my energy… my everything."
Uncle Prasad and Aunt Deepika come downstairs.
"Hey Rocky! How are you?" Prasad asks.
"I'm great, Uncle."
Deepika beams with pride.
"My brother's son is always great," she boasts."He's intelligent, smart, and beautiful—just like me."
She pinches Rudraksh's cheeks.
"Ah!" Rudraksh shouts.
Inside Prasad's mind, frustration explodes.
She thinks she's beautiful?The whole family knows her beauty comes from makeup.Rudraksh is lucky he lived abroad—if he saw her without makeup, he'd run straight back to New York.
"Bird brain," Prasad mutters.
"Go freshen up, son," he says loudly."You can talk to your brainless aunt later."
"What?" Deepika snaps.
Prasad immediately changes his tone."I meant—you can talk to your most beautiful aunt later."
Satisfied, Deepika starts applying more makeup using her hand mirror.
"Oh God," Prasad sighs."Why did I get such a wife?"
Rudraksh enters his room—a massive, luxurious space with a balcony and a private swimming pool.
After freshening up, he changes into casual white clothes and carries gifts to Priya's room.
"If Priya sees me now, she'll be crazy with happiness," he smiles.
Suddenly, a face flashes in his mind.
Prarthana.
The kiss.The moment.
He frowns.
"Why can't I forget Prarthana?""That was a mistake.""I should delete it."
"Deleted," he says firmly.
But the memory refuses to fade.
"I came here for my family," he reminds himself."To get my sister married to someone who will love her more than I do."
He opens Priya's door—
And freezes.
Priya is lying on the bed, her hands and forehead wrapped in bandages.A nurse stands beside her.
The gifts slip from Rudraksh's hands and fall to the floor.
His heart shatters.
Priya opens her eyes and smiles weakly.
"Bro…"
Rudraksh rushes to her bedside, holding her uninjured hand.
"What happened to you?""Who did this to you?"
She cries silently.
Rudraksh turns to his father, furious.
"Dad! Who hurt my sister?"
Raghav tries to calm him.
"Rocky… relax first.""Your sister is safe now."
"Safe?" Rudraksh shouts."Look at her! Is this what you call safe?"
Raghav lowers his head and lies.
"It was an accident.""She met with a road accident two days ago."
Rudraksh's eyes widen.
"Accident?""Didn't she have a driver?""We have so many cars and drivers!""You're lying to me."
He looks around sharply.
"Where is Baby?""Where is Grandma?"
"Grandma is fine, in her room," Raghav replies quickly.
Rudraksh sits beside Priya and cups her face gently.
"Look into my eyes and tell me the truth.""You always shared everything with me."
"When I was in New York, you called me.""You said Dad was forcing you into a marriage you didn't want."
"I'm here now."
He places her hand on his head.
"No lies.""I never forgive liars."
Priya breaks down completely.She hugs her brother tightly.
"I was cheated, bro," she cries."I was deeply betrayed by someone I loved more than anyone."
Rudraksh's blood boils.His eyes turn cold with rage.
He hugs her protectively.
"Don't worry, Priya," he says in a deadly calm voice."I'll find everyone who made you cry."
"I promise you—they will face the most severe punishment of their lives."