Vivek was standing at the door, holding Juhi's hand. Vermillion adorned Juhi's forehead.
Everyone present stood in stunned silence, staring at the two. Shri, however, seemed to have stopped breathing entirely. Seeing the scene before her, she sank into a state of deep shock.
Though Shri had never felt a personal connection with Vivek, she was ready to marry him for her uncle's happiness. She had convinced herself that it was an arranged marriage, and love would eventually follow.
Vivek's family was dumbfounded at the sight of Vivek with Juhi. Shri's uncle looked as though the ground had opened beneath his feet. His beloved niece, who stood as a bride in the mandap, was now abandoned, and the man she was supposed to marry was already wed to someone else.
The joy of performing kanyadaan was snatched from him.
Rahul and Bhagya stood off to the side, watching the spectacle unfold. Bhagya's gaze shifted between Vivek and Juhi and the forlorn figure of Shri, standing motionless at the mandap.
Shri's aunt bore a triumphant smirk. Juhi, on the other hand, wore an innocent expression, though her heart swelled with glee at Shri's misfortune.
---
Vivek's Father (angrily): What is this, Vivek? Why is Juhi here with you?
Vivek: Dad, I've married Juhi. She is my wife now.
Vivek's Father: Are you out of your mind? Today is your wedding day! Shri is standing at the mandap. Stop this drama and come along!
Vivek: This isn't a drama, Dad. Juhi and I are truly married.
The sound of a loud slap echoed across the mandap. Vivek's father had slapped him.
Vivek's Father: I'm ashamed to call you my son! Is this how you repay us for our upbringing? You've disgraced our family in front of everyone. How will I face Shri's family now? Shri is standing at the mandap, waiting for you, and you've left her like this. Don't you feel an ounce of shame?
Just then, Vinita stepped forward.
Vinita: Uncle, isn't it better to let people live their lives on their own terms than regret for a lifetime?
Vinita's Father: And you think what they've done is right?
Vinita: Yes, Dad. Vivek and Juhi love each other.
Vinita's Father: What you call love is merely attraction, which fades with time. When it's gone, this relationship will feel like a burden.
Vivek: Uncle, I'm sure about my love for Juhi. Please accept her into the family.
Juhi's mother, Kumud, interjected.
Kumud: What's done is done. Vivek and Juhi are married.
Shri's uncle, however, couldn't hide his pain.
Shri's Uncle: You talk of one daughter's happiness, Kumud, but what about the one who still stands at the mandap, a bride abandoned?
Kumud: What can we do now? Juhi and Vivek loved each other, and fate brought them together. As for Shri, she's always been cursed.
Kumud's sharp words incited murmurs among the crowd.
"Isn't she the one whose parents died when she was young?"
"Poor girl… left at the mandap. Who will marry her now?"
"Such girls are bad luck. Vivek was smart to marry elsewhere."
Shri stood there in stunned silence, listening to the cruel words being thrown her way. The world seemed to collapse around her. She didn't even notice when her cousin Priya held her trembling body.
---
Among the crowd, one person was deeply unsettled—Bhagya. Every insult hurled at Shri pierced his heart. He had heard these very words growing up: orphan, cursed, burden.
At that moment, Bhagya made a decision. He turned to a waiter.
Bhagya: Get me a cold drink.
Rahul (angrily): Are you insane? There's chaos here, and you're asking for a cold drink?
Bhagya sipped the drink, his eyes focused.
Bhagya: What's in your hand, Rahul?
Rahul: The safa. It's tied to the bride's veil during the pheras.
Bhagya grabbed the safa from Rahul and smiled.
Bhagya: Congratulations are in order.
Rahul (confused): What for? Are you getting married?
Bhagya: Yes.
And with that, Bhagya strode towards Shri.
Shri's uncle, sitting in his wheelchair, looked at Bhagya in confusion. Bhagya knelt before him.
Bhagya: Uncle, people will always talk. How many mouths will you silence?
Shri's Uncle: Then what should I do, son? Shri has sacrificed everything for me, and today I've failed her.
Bhagya placed his hand over Shri's uncle's.
Bhagya: Let me marry Shri.
Shri's uncle was stunned.
Shri's Uncle: But we barely know you.
Bhagya: Those you knew failed to stand by you. Trust me, I'll ensure Shri never regrets this.
Moved by Bhagya's conviction, Shri's uncle gave his blessing. Bhagya tied the safa on his head and walked to the mandap.
After getting the approval from Sri's uncle, Bhagy wraps his turban and begins heading toward the wedding mandap when Rahul grabs his hand and, in a stern voice, says:
Rahul (sternly): Bhagy, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?
Bhagy: Come on, man! You're the one always nagging me to settle down, get married, stop wandering around. And now that I'm finally doing what you wanted, you're saying this?
Rahul: Bhagy, don't change the topic. Do you even know anything about Sri?
Bhagy: I know enough. That's all I need. And you're the only one I call my own, so just be happy for me. Smile! It's my wedding, after all.
Saying this, Bhagy moves toward the mandap. Sri's uncle approaches Rahul and says:
Uncle: For the first time, I feel like trusting a stranger.
Rahul had seen Bhagy truly happy for the first time. Turning to the uncle, he said:
Rahul: Uncle, I don't know if what's happening is right or wrong. But I can vouch for one thing—Bhagy is not the wrong person.
Rahul takes out his phone and pulls up the Wikipedia page of Carbon Watch, handing it to Sri's uncle.
Sri's uncle, stunned as he reads, realizes that the man about to marry his niece is none other than the owner of India's most expensive watch company.
As Bhagy reaches the mandap, he addresses Sri:
Bhagy: No false promises, no pretenses. I only ask for your hand with the vow to stand by you for a lifetime. I came here with your uncle's permission, but your consent is just as important. Will you marry me?
Sri, in a state of complete shock, was numb to her surroundings. The constant taunts of society had dulled her ability to think or feel.
She neither fully heard nor understood Bhagy's words. Like a puppet, she quietly went to the mandap and sat down.
Bhagy interpreted her silence as agreement and sat beside her at the mandap.
Juhi, Vivek, and his entire family watched in disbelief as the wedding unfolded before them.
While Bhagy's face radiated joy, Sri seemed like a lifeless doll.
Juhi's eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend how the man she had felt drawn to at the engagement was now marrying Sri.
Vinita (mocking): He's marrying Sri? Oh well, what do we care? An orphan and a cursed girl—a perfect match for each other!
Bhagy filled Sri's hairline with vermilion and tied the sacred necklace around her neck.
The priest declared the wedding complete, asking the couple to seek the blessings of their elders.
Priya brought Sri to her uncle, while Bhagy bent down to touch his feet. However, her uncle stopped him and folded his hands instead.
Bhagy: What are you doing, sir? You're an elder; you shouldn't fold your hands before me.
Uncle: Whatever God does, He does for the best. Now I'm certain my Sri is in safe hands. May God bless your union.
Sri's aunt, who had earlier called her ill-fated and cursed, was now speechless. Bhagy's decision to marry Sri had silenced all her criticisms.
Vinita's father, realizing what they had lost, turned to her mother and said:
Father: Parvati, let's go home. We have to prepare for Juhi's welcome too.
Vivek: Uncle, are you angry with me?
Uncle: Angry? Why would I be, son? You wanted Juhi, and you got her. If you're happy, we're happy. But let me share an experience with you, Vivek—you've traded a Kohinoor for gold.
With that, he walked away.
Vivek's mother said, "Let's go home."
After the wedding, both Sri and Juhi departed. Priya helped Sri into Bhagy's car, but as soon as she sat down, she fainted and collapsed onto Bhagy's shoulder.
Bhagy, alarmed, told the driver:
Bhagy: Call the doctor immediately and ask him to come to the house quickly!