Everyone's life was going on its own way. Rahul and Vinita were living in the same house, but both preferred to ignore each other as much as possible.
Bhagya had considered his meeting with Shri a beautiful dream and had forgotten about it.
At Shri's house, preparations for her engagement were in full swing.
Juhi and Vivek had started meeting secretly. Juhi was leaving no stone unturned to manipulate Vivek.
She was trying her best to appear as a helpless, lovelorn woman in front of Vivek so that he would marry her.
The day of the engagement arrived, and the event was scheduled for the evening. Vivek did not look happy at all but could not say anything in front of his father. However, he was secretly texting Juhi.
Juhi messages Vivek.
Juhi: "Vivek, how can you do this to me? 🥺"
Vivek: "Juhi, try to understand. I can't go against Big Papa."
Juhi: "Fine, don't go against him. Just do one thing—get me some poison from somewhere."
Vivek: "Juhi, what kind of childishness is this?"
Juhi: "What else can I do? I can't bear to see my love become someone else's. I'd rather die."
Vivek: "Juhi, please don't make things so difficult for me. I genuinely love you. But right now, it feels like everything is slipping out of my hands. I don't know what to do. The engagement is this evening. I don't want it, but I don't have the courage to say anything to my father."
Juhi: "Then you tell me what I should do. Today, you'll be engaged to Shri, and some time later, you'll marry her. Then you'll become my brother-in-law. After that, we can never be together, even if we want to. Let me make it clear, Vivek, if you don't marry me, I'll truly end my life because I can't live without you. 😔😔"
Reading Juhi's message, Vivek was deeply troubled. He didn't know what to do.
The tension on his face didn't go unnoticed by Vinita. She approached him and asked:
Vinita: "What's wrong, Vivek? You look a bit worried."
Vivek: "Nothing, sister. It's just all the noise in the house; it's giving me a headache."
Vinita: "Vivek, are you happy with this marriage?"
Vivek: "Why are you asking that?"
Vinita: "Because I don't want you to make any decisions under pressure, like I did."
Vivek: "Sister, is everything okay between you and brother-in-law?"
Vinita didn't want to share her personal problems at her maternal home, where everyone believed she was happy. She always pretended that everything was fine. So, smiling, she said:
Vinita (smiling): "Oh yes, everything's fine between me and your brother-in-law. Just the usual little arguments."
Vivek: "Sister, didn't brother-in-law come with you?"
Vinita: "He'll come in the evening. There's a lot of work at the office, so he'll go straight to the engagement venue."
---
At Bhagya's office...
Bhagya was working when Rahul entered his cabin and asked:
Rahul: "What are you doing this evening?"
Bhagya, typing on his laptop without looking at Rahul, replied:
"The same as yesterday evening—office work."
Rahul: "If it's nothing urgent, come with me."
Bhagya, giving him a cold look, asked, "Where to?"
Rahul: "It's my brother-in-law's engagement. I have to attend the function."
Bhagya, resuming his work, said, "What will I do there?"
Rahul: "Come on, man. I don't want to go to that party alone."
Bhagya: "You won't be alone. Your in-laws will be there. And anyway, you know Vinita doesn't like me much. If I go uninvited, she might create a scene. I don't want anyone pointing fingers at you because of me."
Rahul: "Vinita's family will also be there; she won't do anything. And if she has anything to say, she'll say it to me, not to you. Please, come with me."
Bhagya: "Rahul, don't insist. I wasn't invited. It doesn't feel right to go uninvited."
Rahul: "Hey, it's my brother-in-law's engagement, and I'm inviting you. Come with me, man. If you're there, I can find an excuse to leave early."
Bhagya: "If it's such a problem, why are you even going?"
Rahul: "It's about maintaining relations. It's just a formality. I'm only going to show my face and leave. Besides, I'm not going for Vinita, but for her family. Her father has always treated me like a son, not a son-in-law. It's for him that I'm going."
Bhagya: "Fine. If you're so determined, I'll come."
---
Evening – Engagement Venue
Juhi's mother, Kumud Mami, pulled her aside and asked, "Did you talk to Vivek? What did he say?"
Juhi replied, "He said he can't go against his family."
Kumud Mami: "Coward. Doesn't even have the courage to speak to his father."
Juhi: "Mom, do something. The engagement is in a little while."
Kumud Mami: "Relax. It's just the engagement. Don't worry. You'll marry Vivek."
Meanwhile, Shri was being prepared for the event. She wore a pink lehenga with a blue dupatta, adding to her beauty.
When Vivek and his family arrived at the venue, Shri's uncle personally welcomed them. The engagement was an intimate gathering with close relatives and a few guests.
Vivek sat on the stage. Shri's uncle gestured to Juhi and said, "Juhi, dear, please bring Shri."
Seeing Juhi, Vivek's face showed a glimpse of disappointment. Juhi, dressed in a light-colored lehenga, also looked stunning.
Vivek's uncle turned to Vinita and asked, "Vinita, hasn't your husband arrived yet?"
Vinita thought it was good that he hadn't come to the function but replied, "Papa, he should be here soon."
Just then, Vinita's mother said, "Look, here he comes."
Everyone's eyes turned to the door, where Rahul was entering with Bhagya. Rahul was carrying a gift box, and Bhagya held a bouquet.
Both approached Vivek. Rahul hugged Vivek and said, "Congratulations, brother-in-law!"
Vivek: "Thank you, brother-in-law."
Bhagya handed Vivek the bouquet and congratulated him.
As the priest announced that it was time for the engagement, everyone moved aside to let the bride and groom proceed. Bhagya sat at a table, watching the event.
Vinita whispered to Rahul, "Was it necessary to bring him along?"
Rahul: "He's my guest. Don't do anything inappropriate."
Vinita, glaring at Bhagya, replied, "I won't ruin my brother's function because of you two."
Rahul smiled and said, "Look, the bride is here."
Vinita turned to see Juhi bringing Shri to the stage.
Everyone's eyes were on Shri, but Bhagya was checking emails on his phone and didn't notice her.
When Shri reached the stage and stood next to Vivek, Bhagya lifted his head. At first, he looked away, but realizing who he'd just seen, he turned his gaze back to Shri on the stage. 😳😳😳