Everyone had gathered at Shri's house on Sunday.
Today, Vinita had also joined them.
Everyone was discussing and trying to set a date for Shri and Vivek's wedding.
But Vivek's mind was occupied with something else.
After a bit of conversation, Shri's uncle asked Juhi to bring Shri downstairs.
Today, Shri was wearing a light yellow sari, and as always, her face shone like the moon in her simplicity.
Vivek didn't even bother to look up at her.
His mind was preoccupied with Juhi's poisonous words against Shri.
Everyone was talking when Kalavati said, "Brother, let the boy and girl talk to each other alone. After all, they have to spend their lives together."
Agreeing, Vivek's elder uncle asked Vivek to have a private conversation with Shri.
Vivek, under family pressure, didn't say anything and quietly went up to the terrace. Uncle asked Juhi to escort Shri to the terrace.
Juhi wore a suit today, as she wanted to appear good in front of Vivek.
Juhi led Shri to the terrace, where Vivek was already sitting. She left Shri at the terrace door and hid behind it to listen to their conversation.
Finally, Vivek looked at Shri.
For a moment, he felt that maybe Juhi had lied, as Shri's innocent face didn't match Juhi's claims.
But the next moment, Vivek dismissed his thoughts, reasoning that Juhi was his sister and wouldn't lie to him about Shri; she knew Shri better than anyone.
Vivek and Shri sat across from each other, but Vivek still hadn't spoken a word.
Shri felt that she should start the conversation, so she asked right away, "What are your hobbies?"
Vivek, not paying much attention, replied while looking elsewhere, "Playing football, cricket, and listening to music."
Shri asked, "Do you want to ask me anything?"
Vivek replied, "No."
Shri found this a bit odd. She wanted to talk to Vivek openly about their future, but he had already dismissed the conversation by saying he had nothing to ask her.
Vivek said, "If you're done with your questions, can we go back downstairs?"
Shri was taken aback; Vivek hadn't asked her a single question, as if he had no desire to know anything about her.
However, she thought maybe he was feeling uncomfortable since it was an arranged marriage, and such situations could be awkward.
Shri nodded, and they both started heading downstairs.
As soon as Shri stepped off the stairs, Vivek was about to follow when Juhi grabbed his hand and pulled him aside.
Vivek looked at Juhi, who did look nice in her suit.
Seeing her, he smiled and asked, "Juhi, what are you doing?"
Juhi, a bit angry, replied, "I thought you wouldn't even show up here after learning the truth about my sister, but here you are, ready for the wedding. Are you really going to marry Shri?"
Vivek said, "I tried to explain to my family, but they wouldn't understand. Uncle insists that there's no girl better than Shri in the world. Tell me, how can I convince them?"
Juhi said, "Just refuse to marry her. Tell them you love someone else."
Vivek replied, "I can't say no to Uncle. No one goes against his wishes in our family. And even if I tell him I love someone else, he'll ask me to introduce that person. Now, who will I introduce?"
Juhi held Vivek's hand and said, "Introduce me."
Vivek was shocked.
Juhi continued with an innocent expression, "Yes, Vivek, I'm telling the truth. Since I met you, I've genuinely fallen in love with you. I don't know when it happened, but now I can't hide it from you. Vivek, if you don't accept me, I'll seriously end my life."
Vivek held both her hands, bringing her close and saying, "Do you really love me? Juhi, I love you too. Ever since I first saw you, I've liked only you."
Juhi said, "Then let's go and tell everyone that we love each other, and you won't marry Shri."
Vivek replied, "It's not that simple, Juhi. Uncle is so fixated on Shri that he won't let go of this relationship. If I try to force the issue, he might even throw me out of the house."
Juhi thought to herself, Oh God... if his family throws him out, he might end up at my place. Here I was dreaming of moving into his mansion, and he might end up as a houseguest in my small home. No, Juhi, think of something else.
Juhi said, "Your family loves you. Talk to them once; maybe they'll understand. And if you tell them you love me, they might refuse this match themselves. At least give it a try."
Vivek said, "Maybe you're right. I'll try talking to Uncle."
Downstairs, Shri sat among the family. Shri's uncle gently held her hand and asked for her response.
Shri nodded lightly, giving her approval for the match.
Everyone was overjoyed with Shri's consent and began sharing sweets. Just then, Vivek came downstairs with Juhi and, looking at his uncle, said, "Uncle, can I talk to you for a moment outside?"
Vivek's uncle got up and went outside with him, where Vivek said, "Uncle, no doubt Shri is a wonderful girl, but maybe I'm not the right match for her. I'm still saying,Please
don't tie me to this relationship."
Uncle replied, "Vivek, you're being childish and don't understand. I know what's best for my children. Look at Vinita. I arranged her marriage with Rahul, and today she's happy and lacks nothing."
Vivek said, "Uncle, I don't know how happy sister is with brother-in-law, but I'm talking about myself. I love someone else."
Uncle asked, "Juhi?"
Vivek was shocked.
Uncle continued with a faint smile, "Son, there's a vast difference between liking someone and spending a life with them. Parents may seem harsh when they give bitter medicine to their children, but when that medicine cures their illness, they realize their parents only made the right decisions for them."
"And as for Juhi, she has dreams of flying high. Her feet aren't on the ground. Those who dream of flying can't build a home; a home requires stability, which Shri has. So stop acting childish and come inside; the engagement preparations are underway."
Vivek understood that there was no point in trying to convince his uncle. He had indirectly forced Vivek into this relationship.
When Vivek went back inside, he saw that the engagement preparations were almost complete.
Shri was seated on a chair, and he was asked to sit beside her.
Vivek glanced at Juhi, who looked back at him with crocodile tears before heading to her room.
Vivek closed his eyes in regret and sat beside Shri.
In a short while, the engagement ceremony was complete, and everyone was very happy.
For Shri, this marriage was solely to bring joy to her uncle.
Seeing her uncle happy with the match, Shri felt a desire to fulfill this relationship as well.