Bhagya goes to the office, and Rahul heads to the mall to pick up a wedding sherwani for Vivek.
Of course, being Vivek's brother-in-law, Rahul had many wedding responsibilities to handle. Even if not for Vinita, he had to fulfill these responsibilities for her family.
At a groom's center in the mall, Rahul selects a golden-colored sherwani for Vivek. He requests a small alteration, and the salesman informs him that it will take about an hour.
In the meantime, Rahul decides to wait at a nearby coffee house. After arranging for the sherwani to be ready, he heads toward the coffee house to grab a coffee while waiting.
As Rahul enters the coffee house, a girl suddenly rushes toward him and clings to him.
The girl loudly exclaims, "Oh baby! Thank God you're here. I've been waiting for you forever!"
Rahul is left utterly shocked, as all eyes in the coffee house are now on him.
The girl then leans closer and whispers in a low, pleading tone, "Please, sir, help me. My mom has sent some idiot to meet me. I don't like that monkey one bit. Please, sir, just stand here and pretend for two minutes."
Rahul quickly pushes her away and says in an angry voice, "What kind of behavior…"
But he is unable to complete his sentence. Standing before him is a 22-23-year-old girl with a round face, soft skin, heart-shaped lips, and doe-like eyes. For a moment, she looks just like an Indian Barbie doll.
Rahul is left speechless for a couple of minutes.
In a pleading tone, the girl says, "Sir, please, help me for two minutes. Otherwise, my family will force me to marry that guy. Please, sir, I'm begging you."
Rahul seems to be lost in her eyes.
Just then, a man, around 27-28 years old, approaches in a rude tone and asks, "Priya, what is all this? Who is this guy?"
Seeing no response from Rahul, Priya turns to the man and says hesitantly, "Sujit, he's…"
Suddenly, Rahul pulls Priya toward himself and declares, "I'm her boyfriend."
Priya looks at Rahul in shock for a moment but then smiles and says to Sujit, "Yes, Sujit, he's my boyfriend. That's why I can't marry you. Please let your family know."
Sujit stomps his feet in frustration and leaves.
Once Sujit is gone, Priya turns to Rahul and says, "Thank you so much, sir, for helping me."
Rahul replies, "It's okay. Marriage is a big decision that shouldn't be forced on anyone."
(In a softer tone, he mutters to himself) "And who knows that better than me?"
Priya offers, "Can I order a coffee for you to thank you?"
Rahul smiles slightly and says, "No, that's not necessary."
Priya nods and says, "Alright, sir, I'll leave now."
Rahul smiles back and nods as Priya walks away.
---
Evening at Shri's house:
Despite her wedding being just a few days away, Shri's aunt (mami) hadn't stopped tormenting her. Shri, dressed in old clothes, was cleaning the house because her aunt insisted on it, saying, "So many guests will come. If the house is dirty, what will people say?"
Shri's aunt and Juhi had gone to the beauty parlor, and her uncle (mama) was upstairs handling the wedding accounts.
As Shri is cleaning, a girl arrives at the door. She grabs Shri and spins her around, exclaiming, "Oh, my darling rasmalai! Congratulations on your wedding!"
Shri, trying to steady herself, says, "Stop it! Let me catch my breath. You're spinning me so much I'm getting dizzy!"
The girl hugs Shri tightly and jokes, "Wow, this is such great news! Soon, I'll get the news that I'm going to be an aunt!"
Shri playfully smacks her on the head and says, "Priya, will you ever behave?"
The girl is none other than Priya, Shri's childhood friend. Priya's father was in the police force, so they had to move frequently, but Priya and Shri had been inseparable since childhood. No matter how many cities Priya moved to, she always found a way to visit Shri. Even in Mumbai, she had some relatives. When Priya heard about Shri's wedding, she wanted to come before the engagement, but her family got busy arranging her match with someone.
Shri, still a bit annoyed, says, "I'm not talking to you. You didn't come to my engagement!"
Priya responds, "Oh, come on! I wanted to, but my uncle sent some idiot to meet me. Thankfully, a kind man helped me out, or else I'd be preparing for my own wedding along with yours."
(She holds her ear in apology) "Forgive me this time. I promise I won't leave until your wedding is over."
Shri says firmly, "You better not leave before the wedding!"
Priya laughs and says, "Yes, yes, dear. Tell me if I should stay until you deliver a baby too!"