Bhagya stood anxiously outside the room, waiting. Inside, the doctor was examining Shree.
The doctor came out and said to Bhagya, "Don't worry, Mr. Jaidev. Your wife is perfectly fine. She fainted due to excessive stress. We've given her an injection, and she'll regain consciousness soon. There's nothing to worry about."
Bhagya: "Doctor, if there's any issue, we can take her to the hospital."
Doctor: "I told you, there's no problem. She just experienced some stress, which caused her to faint. Looking at her, it seems you two just got married?"
Bhagya: "Yes, we got married today."
Doctor: "Congratulations!"
Bhagya: "Thank you."
Doctor: "Until she regains consciousness, the nurse will stay with her. If there's any issue, don't hesitate to call me."
Bhagya escorted the doctor outside. Inside the room, Shree began regaining consciousness. The nurse, sitting by her side, noticed.
Shree abruptly sat up, looking around the unfamiliar room, visibly alarmed.
Nurse: "Ma'am, you're awake. I'll go call your husband."
Shree (confused): "My husband? Who?"
Nurse: "Oh, Ma'am, you're funny!"
Saying this, the nurse left the room. Shree started to recall the events of the day—her wedding. But instead of marrying her, Vivek had married Juhi.
If Vivek married Juhi, then whom did I marry?
Shree couldn't remember anything beyond that moment. Panic began to set in as she found herself in an unknown place. Frightened, she got out of bed, opened the door, and stepped outside. At that moment, Bhagya appeared.
Shree stared at him in shock.
Bhagya: "How are you feeling now? If you're still not well, let me know; we can go to the hospital."
Shree (anxiously): "Where am I?"
Bhagya: "You're at my house."
Shree (confused): "What am I doing at your house?"
Bhagya: "What kind of question is that? We're married. You're my wife."
Shree (shocked): "No! I didn't marry you. I was supposed to marry Vivek! You're lying."
Bhagya: "Shree, please don't stress yourself. The doctor advised against it. And secondly, I'm not lying. It's true you were supposed to marry Vivek. But Vivek married your sister, Juhi. The circumstances left no choice but for me to marry you."
Shree: "I don't accept this marriage. I don't even remember when or how I married you!"
Bhagya: "Shree, now you're making me angry. I asked you before marrying if you were okay with it, and you willingly sat in the mandap."
Shree: "I wasn't in my senses! Everything was so chaotic that I didn't know what was happening."
Bhagya: "I don't care about that. All I know is we're married now, and you're my wife."
Shree (angrily): "I don't accept this marriage!"
Bhagya: "Whether you accept it or not doesn't change the truth. The sooner you accept this relationship, the better it'll be. You're unwell; go back to the room and rest."
Shree (adamant): "I want to go home!"
Bhagya: "And what makes you think this is a hotel? This is your home."
Shree: "I mean my own home!"
Bhagya: "This is your home now, Shree. Stop arguing and go inside."
He held her hand, led her into the room, and locked the door from outside. Shree, overwhelmed with shock and confusion, sat on the bed, lost in her thoughts.
Meanwhile, Bhagya retreated to his study. Though hurt by Shree's behavior, he was satisfied knowing she was now his. He was confident that, with time, she would accept him.
The next morning, Bhagya emerged from his study. A servant approached him and said, "Sir, we took dinner to Madam's room last night, but she refused to eat."
Bhagya: "Shree didn't eat last night?"
The servant nodded in affirmation.
Bhagya: "Alright, bring breakfast to her room."
Bhagya entered the room but found it empty. He checked the bathroom and balcony—Shree was nowhere to be found. His eyes widened in shock as he noticed the bedsheet tied to the balcony railing. Shree had escaped.
His heart skipped a beat. He rushed downstairs, scanning the area, but Shree was nowhere in sight.
He questioned the watchman: "Did you see Madam leave the house?"
The watchman replied, "No, sir, I didn't see her leave."
Bhagya: "She's not inside the house, and she didn't leave through the main gate. Where could she have gone? Are you sure you were on duty all night?"
Watchman: "Yes, sir, I was on duty. But around midnight, I heard some noises from the bushes. I thought it might be a stray dog ruining the plants, so I went to check. When I returned to the gate, I noticed the latch was open. Perhaps Madam escaped then."
Another servant suggested, "Sir, should we inform the police?"
Bhagya: "No, there's no need. I know exactly where she's gone."
Shri had neither money nor any idea of her whereabouts. After escaping from Bhagya's house, she began walking aimlessly, trying to find her way back home.
Eventually, she spotted the main road and decided to head towards her house. It was around 1:30 AM when she left Bhagya's house, and by the time she reached her home, it was 7:00 AM. Shri had been walking non-stop and was utterly exhausted. Reaching her doorstep, she mustered all her strength to ring the doorbell.
Her aunt (Mami) opened the door and was shocked to see her.
Mami (shocked): "What are you doing here?" 🤨
🥵 Shri: "Mami, please let me come inside. I don't even have the strength to stand."
Mami (angrily): "Why are you dying here? Go back to your husband's house!"
Shri: "Mami, what are you saying? This is my home!"
Mami (furiously): "Your home is where you went with your so-called lover!"
Hearing the loud exchange, the neighbors started gathering around.
🥺 Shri: "Mami, you know that none of this is true! How can you question my character like this? I've never done anything wrong in my life!"
Mami (mockingly): "Oh, listen to this, everyone! This girl is as innocent as she claims! If she's so righteous, then why would someone marry her out of the blue?"
Shri: "I don't accept this marriage!"
Mami: "Whether you accept it or not doesn't change the truth. You must have planned all of this in advance!"
Shri: "What plan? What are you talking about? Mami, I agreed to marry Vivek because you all wanted it. Vivek married Juhi. Where do I come into this mess?"
At this point, one of the neighbors chimed in.
Neighbor: "That's true. Shri was crying the entire time at the mandap. It's not her fault!"
Mami: "Oh, Mrs. Mishra, you don't know anything. This girl is cunning! Don't fall for her crocodile tears. Her reality is far worse!"
Shri: "Then tell me, Mami, what truth of mine do you know that I don't?"
Mami: "If you want me to say it out loud, fine! Listen, everyone! This Shri of mine isn't as pure as you think. Do you know who she married last night?"
The crowd started whispering among themselves.
Mami: "She married none other than Bhagya Jaydev, the owner of the world's most expensive watch company!"
The news shocked everyone, but Shri was the most stunned of all 😳😳.
Mami (continuing): "And do you think a man of his stature would marry this poor, orphaned girl for no reason? No! She must have been having an affair with him for a long time. She planned to elope with him, wearing all the wedding jewelry. Poor Vivek would have been left humiliated for life if it wasn't for my Juhi, who saved him from this girl's trap!"
The crowd started gossiping about Shri's character. Shri, heartbroken and frustrated, pleaded with her Mami.
🥺 Shri: "Mami, you know none of this is true! For God's sake, don't ruin my reputation with such lies. I've endured all your mistreatment silently, but don't tarnish my character like this in front of everyone!"
Mami (furiously): "You shameless girl! Did you just accuse me of mistreating you?"
As Mami raised her hand to slap Shri, it stopped mid-air. She turned to see Bhagya standing behind her, his eyes blazing with anger.
Everyone, including Shri, was shocked to see him. Bhagya looked furious.
Bhagya (angrily): "The girl I've never raised my voice at—you dare to raise your hand on her?"
He turned to Shri, who stood with her eyes lowered 😔.
Bhagya: "If you wanted to come here, you should've informed me first."
He then addressed Mami and the neighbors.
Bhagya: "Who here dared to question my wife's character?"
The crowd fell silent instantly. No one had the courage to stand against Bhagya Jaydev, a man powerful enough to buy their entire neighborhood.
Bhagya (furiously): "What happened? Until now, you were enthusiastically slandering my wife, calling her characterless. Why are you all silent now? Let me tell you one thing—I don't need your opinions about my wife. I know her better than anyone else. In just one meeting, I knew she was a simple and decent girl. And yet, here you are, questioning her character while living in the same house as her?"
The crowd lowered their eyes in shame.
Bhagya turned to Mami.
Bhagya: "So, my dear mother-in-law, what were you saying about Shri?"
Mami, trembling, stammered.
Mami: "I-I didn't mean anything... I wasn't saying anything..."
Bhagya: "Oh, but I heard something about jewelry? Didn't you accuse Shri of running away with it?"
Mami (nervously): "Jewelry? Oh, no, no. I meant that the jewelry is still here... with Juhi... But it's okay, Shri is our daughter too..."
Bhagya: "You know who I am, don't you?"
Mami (terrified): "Who doesn't know you? You're such a big businessman!"
Bhagya: "Then you must know I can afford to buy as much jewelry as my wife wants. So next time, think carefully before accusing her."
The entire crowd stood silent, intimidated by Bhagya's commanding presence.