India,
Kanpur,
Rawat House,
A beautiful medium sized cozy and beautiful house which has a small garden embroidered with plants and flowers and also a parking lot.
Inside the house, Sunanda Ji was engrossed in worshiping Lord Ishu in the temple built in the hall. Ishika joins her, covering her head with a dupatta and closing her eyes. After the prayer, Sunanda Ji hands Ishika the aarti plate to take around the house. Once done, Ishika returns and performs pooja with Sunanda Ji.
With tearful eyes, Sunanda Ji prays to God, "If I've done any good deeds in my life, please fulfill my one wish. Bring light back into Advait's life; teach him to smile and laugh again. Return the happiness you took away six months ago." Ishika consoles her, "Don't worry, Maa. Bhaiya's life will be okay. Have faith in Thakur Ji."
(Bhaiya is a Hindi term used to address a younger brother)
Meanwhile, Advait was getting ready for his office while looking at Savani's picture. "Should I wear this color today? I have an important meeting." He touches the picture and says, "You always wished me luck; I know you did today too. But it's hard without you, Vani. Why did you leave me? Why did you break our seven-year promise?" A tear rolls down his cheek.
Hearing Anvi cry, Advait smiles and says, "She's just like you, always sensing when I'm emotional." He picks up Anvi and comforts her, "What's wrong, my princess? Hungry?"
Downstairs, Advait greets Sunanda Ji and Ishika, who wish him good morning. He heats milk for Anvi, despite Ishika's offer to help. Sunanda Ji plays with Anvi, making her laugh. After feeding Anvi, Advait checks the milk temperature and hands her the bottle.
Anvi impatiently started latching the nipple of the bottle made Sunanda Ji remarks, "She was very hungry." Advait smiles, "Yes, Maa, she was." He then reminds them to prepare breakfast quickly, as he needs to leave for the office soon.
Sunanda Ji nods, and Advait sits on the sofa in the hall, reading the newspaper with Anvi in his lap. After he leaves, Sunanda Ji takes a deep breath and resumes her work.
Soon, everyone gathers at the dining area. Maahir sits with Aksh in his lap, while Ishika feeds Aksh beside him. Adarsh Ji sits at the head of the table with Sunanda Ji beside him, and Advait sits next to his mother, keeping a watchful eye on Anvi's cradle.
As they eat, Sunanda Ji signals Adarsh Ji, who takes a deep breath and says, "Advait, I need to discuss something important with you." Advait looks at him gently and asks, "Yes, Papa?"
Adarsh Ji says, "I've found a girl for you. Shipra (Adarsh Ji's sister) recommends her. She's excellent and will take good care of Anvi. If you—"
Advait stands up, controlling his anger, takes a deep breath, and says, "I don't want to get married, papa. I've told you before. I hope you won't bring up any more proposals for me." He bends to kiss Anvi's forehead, glances at her, and swiftly walks to his room.
Adarsh Ji and the others watch him leave, then look at Sunanda Ji, who watches Advait with tearful eyes.
Maahir breaks the silence, "Papa, let's drop this topic for now." Adarsh Ji nods, and the family continues their breakfast in an uncomfortable silence.
As Advait leaves, Aditya Ji and others watch him go, then turn to look at Sunanda Ji, who is watching Advait leave with tearful eyes. Advait goes upstairs, slams his door shut, and stands before Savani's picture, screaming, "Why did you leave me? Why? No one understands what you mean to me; no one understands me!" He breaks down, tears streaming down his face as he gazes at Savani's smiling photo.
Kanpur,
Yashoda Nagar,
Chauhan Bhavan,
Sudha Ji is working in the kitchen when Suvesh Ji calls out from outside, "Will I get breakfast or must I leave without eating today?" Sudha Ji quickly prepares tea, vegetables, and parathas, then rushes to set the meal on the dining table.
Suvesh Ji glares at the food and snaps, "Why did you make okra? The paneer I bought was for you and your daughter, wasn't it?" Sudha Ji trembles, "That paneer was eaten by son-in-law last night." Enraged, Suvesh Ji throws the plate, shouting, "Can't you save a little for me? You know I dislike okra!"
Sanskriti intervenes, saving Sudha Ji from Suvesh Ji's wrath, "Papa, I saved paneer for you; please sit, I'll get it." Suvesh Ji retorts, "I won't eat; this household only cares for you three women; my son-in-law and I always compromise." He vows, "From now on, you'll only eat sukhi (dry) roti (bread) with salt."
Sanskriti tearfully protests, "How can you do this to your daughters, Papa?" Suvesh Ji berates her, "Daughters like you force parents to suffer; one can't manage her in-laws, and the other..." He trails off, criticizing Sanskriti and her sister.
Harsh emerges from hiding, feigning concern, "What's wrong, Papa Ji? Why are you upset?" Suvesh Ji without saying anything departs, leaving Harsh to mock Sudha Ji, "Chu-chu, sorry about what happened; I guess your other daughter also wants a share today." Sudha Ji hands him his tiffin, casting a disdainful glance.
Saumya arrives with Atharv and senses tension, inquiring about Sudha Ji's tears. Sudha Ji downplays it, "It's just another day of arguments and blame." Saumya comforts her mother, then tends to Atharv, asking about his day. Atharv excitedly shares, "Princy Didi went to school, so I woke up." Sudha Ji delights in his chatter, offering him Maggi noodles.
Saumya teases Atharv, playfully tugging his cheek, prompting him to protest, "Mama, don't pull my cheek!" Sudha Ji intervenes, scolding Saumya, then takes Atharv to the kitchen.
Saumya finds Sanskriti crying in her room and offers solace, "Crying won't fix everything. You're my strong, brave sister; don't let their words hurt you."
Sanskriti says with a choked voice, "Didi, they're our father. How can they do this to us? How can they think of us as a burden? Why can't they treat us like other fathers treat their daughters?"
"I know when Bua Ji or others say something, it doesn't hurt as much. But when Papa says it's my fault that my husband is no more, it breaks my heart, Didi. I want to hate him, but I just can't. What can I do? After all, he's my father, and I'm his unwanted daughter."
Listening to her words, Saumya looks at her with tearful eyes and embraces her. Sanskriti breaks down and begins sobbing in her sister's arms.
(Note: Didi is a Hindi term used to address an older sister, and Bua Ji refers to the paternal aunt.)
After a while, Sanskriti composes herself and separates from Saumya, who notices her tear-stained face and attempts to lighten the mood, saying, "Look at you, you're looking like a witch! Go wash your face, or Arth will get scared and run away if he sees you like this."
Sanskriti glares at her sister, and Saumya teases, "Go wash your face. Do you plan on being a witch for the entire day?" Sanskriti gets up and heads to the washroom.
As soon as she leaves, Saumya breaks down in tears, whispering to herself, "I don't know when dawn will break in your life... Mom and I have endured our struggles, but we can't let you suffer like this... I don't know how everything will get better."
Sanskriti returns, and Saumya quickly wipes away her tears and smiles, saying, "Now, let's see what Nani and Nati are cooking up in the kitchen." Sanskriti smiles back, and they both exit the room.
The day passes happily, but the evening brings the same routine. Suvesh Ji returns home, angry as usual, and while eating dinner, he tells Sanskriti, "The groom's family is coming to see you the day after tomorrow, so be prepared."
Sanskriti is stunned, still haunted by memories of her previous in-laws' mistreatment. The thought of facing similar hardships again sends shivers down her spine.
Saumya notices her sister's distress and takes her hand, reassuring her, "But Papa, it's only been a month since her husband passed away. Isn't it too soon?"
Suvesh Ji gestures for Saumya to remain silent, his eyes fixed on her, and says, "You're already a burden on me, do you want me to bear the expenses of this too? Be quiet and get her ready the day after tomorrow. The groom's family already knows about her past, and still, they've agreed to this alliance, so they must have thought it through."
"Also, they might finalize the engagement directly the day after tomorrow, so don't create any fuss. Nobody is worse than me."
Sanskriti, enraged, retorts, "Nobody can be worse than you! Why are you pushing me into this marriage again? What have I done to you, Papa? You've always hated me, just because I'm a girl and not the boy you wanted."
"You constantly blame me, but what's my fault? My fault is that I was born a girl? Why do you treat me like this? Despite everything, I don't hate you, but why do you hate me so much? Tell me, why?"
Tears well up in her eyes as she gazes at Suvesh Ji.
Suvesh Ji, infuriated, slaps Sanskriti, shouting, "How dare you speak to me like this? You've got the audacity to talk back to me?"
He turns to Sudha Ji, "Take her away from here, or I'll lose my temper completely. How dare she speak to me like that?"
Alarmed, Sudha Ji quickly escorts Sanskriti out of the room. Sanskriti remains silent, like a doll, and follows her mother without reacting.
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