On the other side, Bhagya was at his villa. Although he didn't like staying alone in such a big, empty house, he mostly spent his time at the office.
There were some employees who worked the night shift, so Bhagya never felt lonely, often staying awake throughout the night at the office, filling his nights with work.
This big, empty house felt suffocating to him. Today, he had reluctantly returned home.
Bhagya sat on the sofa, working on his laptop. Just then, a 60-year-old woman approached him and said:
"Sir, the dinner is ready."
Bhagya looked at her and replied, "Yashoda Aunty, how many times have I told you? Please don't call me 'sir.' I am like a son to you, just call me Bhagya."
Yashoda replied, "I know you're my son's age, but you're still my employer. I've received your kindness; how can I simply call you by name?"
Bhagya, with a soft smile, said, "Just like Yashoda Maa used to call her Krishna by name. (Then, with a sad look) I don't even know if I have a mother or not. But since your name is Yashoda, can't you think of me as your son?"
Yashoda, smiling warmly, said, "Of course, I can think of you as my son. You are just like a son to me. And as a mother, I have something to say to you... Bhagya, son, you should get married."
Hearing the word 'marriage' from Yashoda Aunty, Bhagya's mind immediately brought up Sri's face. Despite himself, a slight smile appeared on his face.
Yashoda continued, "Son, no matter how much you try, outsiders will always remain outsiders. No matter how much you consider them yours, they may never truly be yours. I am speaking from my age and experience. To look after this house and your life, you need a life partner. Please consider my advice."
Bhagya nodded with a smile.
Yashoda continued, "And son, I need a few days off."
Bhagya looked at her with questioning eyes.
Yashoda explained, "I need to go to the village for a few days. My daughter's delivery is approaching, and she has no one else with her. I'll come back as soon as the baby is born."
Bhagya replied, "No need to hurry, Aunty. Take your time."
He then took a bundle of notes from his coat and handed it to her, saying, "Keep this; it might be useful."
Yashoda Aunty had been cooking for Bhagya for the past three years. She had even arranged her daughter's wedding back in her village while working here. She sincerely wished for Bhagya's life to be filled with happiness and for a good girl to come into his life to complete his family. While Yashoda saw him as a son, she was well aware of her role as a housemaid in his life.
On the other side, at Sri's house.
Sri was wide awake, unable to sleep. She could hardly believe that her marriage had been arranged, her engagement was just days away, and her wedding was scheduled for next month. Everything happened so quickly that she barely had time to process it.
Her uncle was thrilled, and for Sri, his happiness was enough. But she needed to talk to Vivek, to ask him if he would allow her to work after marriage.
Sri opened her closet and took out an old bag.
From that bag, she pulled out a bridal scarf (chunari). Looking at it, tears welled up in her eyes. It was her mother's wedding scarf.
Sri decided that she would wear this scarf on her wedding day, so her mother's blessings would be with her as she embarked on her new journey.
At around 11:00 PM, Rahul returned home. Vinita was sitting in the living room, reading a magazine. Seeing him, she looked up.
Rahul placed his laptop bag on the sofa, loosened his tie, and said to Vinita, "You're still awake?"
Vinita replied, "Yes, because I needed to talk to you."
Rahul responded, "If it was urgent, you could have told me on the phone."
Vinita replied sharply, "I'm not just a relative of yours to tell everything over the phone. Some things are better discussed in person."
With a smirk, Rahul replied, "You're right; you're not related to me in any way. But leave it, what did you want to talk about?"
Throwing the magazine aside, Vinita said, "Can't you talk to me properly?"
Rahul, shrugging, replied, "I am talking properly. How else should I talk?"
Vinita, frustrated, said, "Rahul, just as trapped as you are in this relationship, so am I. If you can't leave me because of your parents, I can't leave you because of mine."
Angrily, Rahul retorted, "Vinita, I never said I wanted to leave you. It's you who always brings it up. I just want to live my life peacefully, but it seems impossible with you around."
Vinita snapped back, "Then why don't you follow your friend's example and stay out all night? After all, you both are the same."
Rahul glared at her and said, "Vinita, say whatever you want to me, but don't drag Bhagya into this. Otherwise, you'll see the worst of me."
Vinita sneered, "Oh, why would you listen to anything against him? He's just like you, living off someone else's generosity. If your foster parents hadn't taken him in and educated him, he'd probably be working at a watch shop instead of running a big company."
"And you, if they hadn't taken you in, you'd be on the streets too. Be grateful to my father for tying me to you for the sake of friendship with your foster parents, without even considering whose blood runs through your veins."
Rahul's hand raised in anger as he shouted, "Vinita!" But he stopped himself mid-air, holding back.
Vinita, staring at his hand, taunted, "Why did you stop? Hit me! What else can you do?"
Rahul dropped his hand, disheartened, and left the house.
He never wanted to raise his hand on Vinita. He had dreamed of building a world with her, a world with just the two of them and a happy life. But maybe Bhagya was right; dreaming of a happy life was only a fantasy for someone like him.
Rahul sat in his car, unsure of how long he had been driving aimlessly. He often left the house and drove aimlessly on deserted roads after fighting with Vinita.
He stopped his car on a lonely highway, leaning his head back on the seat and closing his eyes, cursing his fate.
Unlike Bhagya, Rahul had not been deprived of family love. He had parents, a sister, a friend who was like a brother. He considered himself lucky to have such happiness that many never experience. But every time Vinita reminded him that this family wasn't truly his, it shattered his illusion.
Lost in his thoughts, Rahul's phone rang. It was Vinita's father.
Regardless of the state of his relationship with Vinita, Rahul respected her father immensely, as he had always treated him like a true son-in-law.
Rahul answered the call.
"Hello, Papa."
"Hello, son. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Papa. How are you and everyone at home?"
"Everyone's fine. Vinita may have already told you, but as our son-in-law, I thought I should inform you myself."
Rahul asked, "What is it, Papa?"
"Didn't Vinita mention it to you?"
Rahul couldn't tell him about the fight, so he changed the subject.
"I've been busy at the office, Papa. I'm still on the way home. Is there something important?"
Vinita's father replied, "Yes, son, I wanted to tell you that Vivek's marriage has been arranged. His engagement is next week, and the wedding is on the 12th of next month."