Hearing Suvesh Ji's angry voice, Sudha Ji quickly takes Sanskriti away from there. Sanskriti silently follows her mother, expressionless.
Saumya, frightened by Suvesh Ji's anger, takes Atharv and Priyanshi (her daughter) and retreats to her room.
Harsh smiles to himself, then turns serious and says to Suvesh Ji, "Papa Ji, I don't think Sanskriti will agree to this alliance. She's disrespected you and doesn't care about your reputation."
Suvesh Ji, enraged, retorts, "If she doesn't agree, she'll sever ties with me and this family. But I know her; she'll prioritize her relationships with her mother and sister, so she'll have to accept this alliance, no matter what."
He storms off to his room, slamming the door.
After Suvesh Ji leaves, Harsh smirks and says, "This girl thinks she can defy me? She has protected herself from me all these years, but now her wedding will fail like the previous one. If only she had come closer to me, I would've supported her, but now she'll suffer for keeping distance from me."
Meanwhile, Sanskriti enters her room, and Sudha Ji hands her a glass of water, saying, "Drink this, beta."
Sanskriti sips the water and returns the glass. Sudha Ji sits beside her and holds her hand, "You know how your father is. Once he's determined, he won't back down. So, please agree to this marriage."
Sanskriti looks up, tears in her eyes. Sudha Ji continues, "Just pretend to agree for now. Observe the groom's behavior when they come to see you. I'll investigate everything, and we'll proceed only if it's suitable. I won't repeat the mistakes of the past."
Sanskriti nods, "Okay, Maa. I'll agree. I know Father will get his way, but you've reassured me that everything will be alright this time."
Sudha Ji kisses Sanskriti's forehead, saying, "Mera samjhdaar baccha (My sensible child)." She gets up to bring Sanskriti's dinner.
Sanskriti tries to stop her, but Sudha Ji gestures her to stay. Later, Sudha Ji returns with food and feeds Sanskriti herself.
After dinner, Sanskriti asks her mother to sleep with her tonight. Sudha Ji agrees and, after completing her chores, lies down beside Sanskriti, who snuggles into her embrace.
Sudha Ji thinks to herself, "This time, nothing will go wrong, my child."
The next morning, at Rawat House, Advait wakes up, wishes good morning to Savani's photo, and kisses it. He then gets ready.
After dressing, Advait picks up Anvi and lovingly kisses her forehead. Anvi pouts in her sleep, making Advait chuckle.
He glances at Savani's photo one last time before heading downstairs.
Sunanda Ji is setting breakfast on the dining table, accompanied by Ishika. Advait greets them, "Good morning, Maa... Good morning, Ishika."
Sunanda Ji smiles slightly, "Good morning, beta."
Ishika also smiles, "Good morning, bhaiya."
Aadarsh Ji arrives and takes his seat. Advait wishes him good morning.
Mahir joins them, and Ishika asks Advait to hand over Anvi, saying, "I'll take care of her while you have breakfast."
Advait casually says, "It's okay, Ishika, you also have to do your breakfast so you have your breakfast, and I'll take care of Anvi."
Upon hearing his words, Ishika looks disappointedly at Sunanda Ji, who sternly says, "How long will this continue, Advait?"
Advait looks at her confusingly, prompting Sunanda Ji to continue, "How long will you deprive Anvi of a mother's love? Don't you realize Savani is no longer in this world? She left us six months ago and won't return. Why are you being unjust to this innocent child? Why won't you consider remarriage?"
Advait stands up angrily and says, "I cannot remarry, Maa. Anvi is my life, and I'm enough to take care of her. I don't need anyone. You all are here; we'll manage together. Please don't bring up this topic again."
Sunanda Ji also gets angry and says, "Fine, take care of her yourself. But remember, when Anvi grows up, she'll need a mother's love and care. Ishika will be busy with her own children, and I might not be alive then. Your decision will deprive Anvi of a mother's love and affection. There are things daughters can't discuss with their fathers. Think about your own life; when you're troubled, you come to me. Think about your daughter's needs, and stop being selfish."
With that, she leaves. The hall falls silent, and Advait contemplatively considers Sunanda Ji's words.
After a long thought, Advait tells Aadarsh Ji, "Tell Maa I'm ready for the marriage, but remember one thing: that girl will only be this house's daughter-in-law and Anvi's mother; nothing more." Advait then heads to his room.
Ishika takes Aksh to her room, while Aadarsh Ji retreats to his room with a deep sigh. Mahir follows Ishika.
Aadarsh Ji informs Sunanda Ji about Advait's decision, making her very happy. She knows Advait made this choice considering Anvi and her words.
The next day, both households are filled with gloom. At Rawat House, Advait has stopped talking to anyone since making his decision. At Chauhan Bhavan, Sanskriti and everyone else are quiet.
The day passes, and soon it's time for Advait's family to visit Sanskriti.
At Chauhan Bhavan, Sudha Ji and Saumya are busy cooking for the guests in the kitchen. Harsh and Suvesh Ji haven't gone to their shop; instead, they're watching TV in the hall.
Sanskriti sits in her room, getting ready reluctantly with the help of her aunt, Sangeeta.
Sangeeta advises Sanskriti, "Behave properly in front of the groom's family. Don't speak much; sit quietly like a cow."
Sanskriti nods silently, and Sangeeta adds, "This alliance happened because of me; my friend's friend told me about this alliance. So you better be behave nicely."
Sanskriti thinks, "What difference does it make whose alliance it is? Just hope these people aren't like the others."
Sangeeta leaves, and Sanskriti gazes out the window, tears welling up in her eyes. She reflects, "Will my life always be like this? I wish real-life men were as good as those in stories. But now I fear trusting anyone; what if he's like Harsh, my papa, or my ex-husband?"
The mention of her ex-husband makes Sanskriti shudder.
At Rawat House, everyone was ready and gathered in the hall, waiting for Advait's arrival. After some time, Advait comes down dressed in formal attire, carrying a bag in one hand and Anvi in the other.
Sunanda Ji is surprised to see him in formal clothes and asks, "Advait, are you going to the office again? Have you forgotten we have to visit the girl's house today?"
Advait, without showing any emotions, replies, "Yes, I'm not going to meet her today. I'll meet her tomorrow, alone. I need to assess if she's right for Anvi. I want to clear everything with her, so there's no misunderstanding later on. If I go with all of you today, it won't be possible to have that conversation. I'll meet her tomorrow and discuss everything."
He adds, "I'm taking Anvi with me to the office today. She'll return with me in the evening." With that, he leaves.
Sunanda Ji lets out a deep sigh and looks at Aadarsh Ji, who reassures her, "Let him be, give him some time. We'll go meet Sanskriti now." Sunanda Ji nods, and they all head out to visit Chauhan Bhavan.
Meanwhile, Advait drives a short distance, stops the car, and rests his head on the seat, closing his eyes. Tears begin to flow from his eyes as memories of Savani and their first meeting flash before him.
Flashback:
Delhi University, Advait was ecstatic about topping his second-year results. Celebrating with friends at the college canteen, a shy girl approaches his friend and asks for directions to the office. Smitten by her sweet voice, Advait turns around, but she's already gone.
Determined to find her, Advait rushes out, leaving his friends behind. He finally spots her near the office, wearing a cream-colored kurta and denim jeans, with her long hair loose. As she finishes speaking to someone, Advait approaches her, and she turns around, startled.
He catches her hand, preventing her from falling, and is captivated by her beauty – sharp features, small nose, thin lips with pink lip balm, and an expression of fear.
Savani asks him to release her hand, thanking him for saving her. Advait apologizes, still holding her hand, and she quickly walks away, taking his heart with her.
The flashback ends.
Advait opens his eyes, smiling as he recalls their first meeting. "You loved bangles so much, Vani," he says, tears welling up in his eyes. "You'd ask me for new ones every other day." Choking back emotions, he adds, "I miss you, Vani... I miss you so much." A single tear rolls down his cheek.
Advait's memories reveal his deep love for Savani and his struggle to move on.
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