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It was 8 PM. The streets were alive with the hum of city life—people rushing home, neon lights flickering against the evening sky, and the faint sound of honking cars blnding into the chaos.

Somewhere on the quieter side of town, Kartik knocked at the heavy main  door. Afer a few firm knocks, it finally creaked open.

On the other side of the city, Pranav was on the phone with Vansh.

“Sir, I’ve traced Kartik sir's location

He is on Riachand palace  replied cautiously. “And… Shaili ma’am is there too.”

Vansh paused for a beat, then ordered, “Pranav, get the sherwani ready. Now.”

At the Raichand Palace, Rajeswari herself opened the gate. Kartik stepped forward, bowing slightly as he touched her feet.

“Namaste, Aunty.”

Shaili followed close behind, and Rajeswari welcomed them in warmly, ushering them into the grand sitting room.

As they settled, Rajeswari studied Kartik carefully.

“Sorry, beta, I don’t think I’ve met you before…”

Before Kartik could reply, a voice cut in from behind.

“Kartik Dixit. Vansh’s best friend.”

he voice belonged to Ashish, who entered the room with a cool, unreadable expression. Kartik rose politely, but Ashish gestured for him to remain seated.

“So… what brings you here today?” Ashish asked, his tone polite but probing.

Kartik glanced between Ashish and Rajeswari, his voice steady.

“I know about the photos. And let me make one thing clear—I’m not here to defend Vansh just because he’s my friend. I’m here because I consider Riddhima like my own sister. I won’t let anything wrong happen to her, no matter how close Vansh and I are. Vansh can be arrogant disgusting and , sure. Sometimes even unbearable. But my friend is not the man those photos are trying to portray.  I hope you Understand?”

Shaili’s eyes widened at his words, and she suddenly coughed, breaking the tension in the room. Ashish and Rajeswari exchanged a glance

Kartik continued, “Vansh has no girlfriend. No ex. No mistress. In fact, he doesn’t even like women in that way. Those photos are completely fake. Doctored. Someone’s trying to ruin him.”

Ashish’s brows drew together. “ does he like men?”

Before Kartik could respond, Shaili quickly jumped in. “No, no, Uncle! Kartik bhai’s just joking. He has a sarcastic sense of humor.”

She smiled faintly before continuing, “But seriously, if you ever hear rumors about him please confirm them before believing anything. Vansh bhai  may not show it, but he has a good heart. He would never hurt Riddhima bhabhi .”

Ashish rose without a word and turned to Rajeswari.

“Feed them, and then send them home. They’re family now.”

Kartik let out a quiet breath of relief.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Ishita paced the living room, a smug smile playing on her lips.

By now, the wedding must be called off… and Vansh ji will be thrilled, she thought to herself.

The sound of the door opening pulled her from her daydream. Vansh walked in, looking tired, his hair slightly disheveled. Ishita approached with a sweet smile.

“Should I get you some dinner?”

“I’ve already eaten,” Vansh replied curtly.

He was just about to head upstairs when she called after him, “Vansh ji—”

He turned halfway, but before she could speak, Pranav entered the house.

“Sir, the sherwani is ready,” Pranav informed him.

Ishita frowned. “Why do you even need that now?”

Both Vansh and Pranav turned to look at her, their eyes sharp. Ishita quickly tried to cover her slip.

“I just thought the designer house sent your sherwani this morning. But maybe it was Aditya’s. My mistake.”

Vansh ignored her completely and continued upstairs. Behind him, Pranav called out, “Sir, we leave at 10 tomorrow morning.”

Vansh was heading to his room when bursts of laughter stopped him in his tracks—

Furious, Ishita  stamped her foot and cried, 'How could this happen? My plan was foolproof! Someone must have sabotaged it – probably that Sidma – but I refuse to give up!'"

Shaili and Aditya, clearly having the time of their lives, were in Aditya’s room. Without a second thought, Vansh pushed the door open.

Both of them froze mid-laugh, straightening up instantly, their faces betraying surprise and guilt.

“Don’t be scared,” Vansh said, smirking as he looked at Shaili. “I’m just here to ask—how was the gajar ka halwa, baby?”

Aditya blinked, confused. “Halwa?”

Vansh’s smirk deepened. “Whenever Kartik does something on his own, gajar ka halwa is always involved.

Shaili tried to explain, her voice pleading. “Bhai, please, just listen—”

Vansh cut her off sharply. “Forget it. You’re all deceitful.” He turned toward the door, but paused, glancing back. “By the way…where did you two disappear this afternoon?”

Shaili’s face turned pale, and her words stumbled out. “We…we—”

Aditya jumped in, hurriedly, “Brother, you forgot—your wedding’s happening, and we were invited! So yes, we went shopping!”

Vansh’s eyes narrowed. “Fools,” he muttered under his breath before storming off.

Aditya shook his head. “What did I say? Chill… He’s upset with me… and Kartik bhai too,” Shaili whispered.

Meanwhile, chaos reigned in both the Singhania and Raichand households.

At the Singhania house, Mamta’s sharp voice cut through the air.  Move your hands faster

Turning to Shaili and Aditya, she added, “Have you packed everything? If anything’s left, take care of it now. We’re leaving soon!”

Shaili nodded. “Dadi, we’re done packing. Let’s go—it’s getting late.”

At the Raichand Palace, Ashish, Rajeswari, and Gayatri waited downstairs, ensuring Riddhima was ready and that every last bag was loaded into the car. But Riddhima lingered in her room, taking one final look around. Memories of laughter, late-night stories, and quiet corners flashed before her eyes. A soft smile curved her lips, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Rajeswari, standing nearby, felt the same lump in her throat. Their eyes met for a brief moment, both silently wiping away tears, refusing to let the other see.

Soon, everyone gathered at the helipad. Cars parked, luggage checked, the group waited patiently. Riddhima stepped out of the car, and Madhav immediately approached her. She chatted softly with him, letting his presence calm the storm in her chest.

Once inside the helicopter, seats assigned, Riddhima found herself beside Madhav. Behind her, Ishita slid into a seat with a smug grin, claiming her space as if she belonged there.

Pranav, double-checking everything, whispered, “Sir, Vansh hasn’t arrived yet?”

“Where could he be?” Kishore guessed aloud.

“He’ll come, I’m sure,” Arjun added.

Mamta, anxious, asked, “Where is Rajveer  ?

Saumya answered softly, “He said he’d join later.”

Rajeswari, hearing this, stole a glance at Ashish, who quickly averted his gaze.

Riddhima, tuning out the chatter, put on her headphones and covered her eyes with an eye patch. The world—the whispers, the worries, the excitement—didn’t exist. She was in her own bubble,

The helicopter’s engines roared to life, lifting them from the grounds of the Raichand Palace and Shinghaniya mansion

Riddhima was lost in her world when suddenly she felt a strong hand grip her arm.

Startled and angry, she yanked off her eye patch and headphones, turning sharply. “Madhav, what—?”

But it wasn’t Madhav.

It was Vansh.

Before she could react, he pulled her gently but firmly closer. His eyes, intense and unyielding, locked onto hers.

“Miss Raichand,” he said, his voice low but urgent, “listen to me carefully. I have something very important to tell you.”

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