Author’s Note 💌

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After all the guests had left, Soumya looked around but noticed Ishita was nowhere to be seen. She went to her room, only to hear strange noises coming from inside. When Soumya pushed the door open, her eyes widened things were scattered across the floor and Ishita was furiously throwing whatever she could get her hands on.

Soumya rushed forward, snatching a glass vase from her hand.

“What are you doing? You’ll cut yourself! Have you lost your mind?”

Ishita’s eyes were blazing red with fury, her hair a wild mess. She hissed, “Yes, I have gone mad! Watching Vansh and Riddhima sitting together for the pooja, hearing them call each other partners—do you know what it feels like? Like a fire ripping me apart inside! The moment Vansh called her his pranpriye I wanted to strangle Riddhima right there in front of everyone.”

Soumya finally understood how deep her frustration ran. Ishita’s voice cracked with venom.

“And you? You promised me this marriage would never happen. Yet here we are—Gauri Pooja done, and only haldi, mehendi, sangeet left. What are you waiting for? Their wedding night?”

Grabbing Soumya’s shoulders, she shook her. Soumya pried her hands off, murmuring, “Ishu… nothing is as easy as you think. If we act recklessly, we’ll be caught. Trust me, I am trying.”

“Pathetic!” Ishita screamed, voice echoing through the room. “Your attempts are useless! You won’t do anything—and if something must be done, I’ll do it myself. You sit back, watch the show, and wait for the perfect moment all you want. I’m done.”

Slamming her foot against the sofa, she roared, “I hate you, Riddhima Raichand! I hate you—and I’ll hate you forever!”

Kartik’s POV :

Vansh was furious with me. And he had every damn right to be. He wanted his marriage to break, but I without his consent—had walked into the Raichand Palace and made sure it didn’t. Now I was trying to calm him down, but he wasn’t ready to hear a single word.

When he turned to leave, I caught his wrist, desperate to stop him. That’s when my gaze slipped to the main entrance… and in that single heartbeat, my entire world froze.

People froze.

The air froze.

The sun froze.

The sky, the water, even my body—everything just stopped.

My lungs forgot how to breathe, my heart forgot how to beat, my brain forgot how to function. Because standing there… was her.

Her—the reason my life had once started.

Her—the reason my life had once ended.

Seven years. Seven goddamn years. I had clawed my way through every second just for one glimpse of her. And now the universe finally threw me a mercy.

It was Nitya. My Nitya.

Yes, mine. She had always been mine. She will always be mine.

The same flushed cheeks. The same deep eyes framed with dark lashes—eyes that could spill an ocean without a single word. The same silk strands of hair where I had once buried entire universes. And that smile  that one smile I would trade my life for in a second.

My feet moved instinctively toward her but they stopped.

Stopped cold

Because that’s when I saw it.

The sindoor in her hair.

The mangalsutra around her neck.

It was like acid poured straight into my veins. My smile collapsed. My heart shattered into dust.

No. This wasn’t real. Nitya couldn’t belong to someone else. She couldn’t.

But the nightmare I had been denying all these years wasn’t a nightmare at all—it was the truth.

She was no longer mine.

Seven years. And still, I couldn’t accept it. Seven years, and my soul still screamed her name. Didn’t she remember me? Not once? Didn’t she remember what we were? What we had?

The ground could’ve split open right there and swallowed me whole, and I would’ve gone willingly.

Darkness crowded my vision. My body gave up on me. I didn’t even realize when my grip on Vansh tightened like iron—my fingers digging into his skin, leaving marks.

He said something. Maybe he even shouted. But I heard nothing. Nothing at all. My world was static.

And when I thought I couldn’t take another second, when my heart begged me to shut my eyes forever rather than see her like that—I let go of Vansh’s hand. My legs turned to lead, but somehow I forced them to move. To walk away.

Because if I stayed one moment longer, I would burn alive

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At the main entrance, Vansh’s eyes  followed where Kartik was looking . And there she was—Nitya, in a yellow silk saree, flanked by two-three bodyguards. She looked nervous, her gaze flickering around the crowd.

Rajeshwari noticed her first. She rushed to Nitya, cupping her face with motherly affection. “Nitya beta, what are you doing out here? Come inside.”

Just when  Riddhima appeared, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw her. She threw her arms around her in a hug. “I thought your husband wouldn’t even let you come to my wedding.”

Nitya smacked her playfully. “As if! How cold I miss your wedding? Auntie and I dreamed about this day with you. I wouldn’t stay away for the world.”

Rajeshwari laughed, and Riddhima made a face. “Ha! Don’t rub it in.”

While they joked, Madhav came to whisper something to Riddhima, pulling her aside. Rajeshwari guided Nitya inside toward her room to rest.

But in that fleeting second, as she walked away, her eyes found Kartik

Even from behind… she knew it was Kartik

Even after seven years… she recognized him

Later, Soumya, Mamta, Ishita, Arjun, and Shaili were sitting together in the garden when Soumya spotted Riddhima chatting with Madhav. She signaled her over, but Ishita shook her head sharply.

Soumya leaned toward Mamta. “Mummyji, we’re all gathered here. Look, Riddhima is just standing there. She’s going to be the bahu of this family. Shouldn’t she join us?”

Mamta’s sharp eyes flicked toward Riddhima. “Yes, Ishita, call her. Tomorrow’s functions must be discussed. And if she’s to be the bahu of this house, she should at least learn our customs.”

So Ishita, hiding her storm beneath a soft smile, walked to Riddhima. “Hi, Riddhima. Busy?”

Riddhima looked up. “No, just business.

“We were all sitting together. Thought you’d like to join us. After all, you’re going to be part of the family. It’ll be fun, no?”

Riddhima glanced at the group, then turned to Madhav. “I’ll catch up with you later.” She followed Ishita.

Soumya pulled a chair for her opposite Mamta. Mamta, eyes glinting, began smoothly, “Tomorrow is the haldi ceremony. First haldi will be applied to Vansh, and then the same haldi will be used for you. That is tradition.”

Riddhima nodded politely. Mamta continued, her words sharpening like knives.

“You know, girls used to be very different back in our days. They never even saw their husbands before the wedding, let alone exchanged words. They didn’t go wandering into their in-laws’ houses before the marriage. But you… you’re from a new age, aren’t you? Always different. Always special.”

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, each word a taunt. Riddhima, however, sat quietly.

Soumya suddenly interrupted, eyes narrowing. “Riddhima, where’s your engagement ring? Don’t tell me you’ve taken it off.”

At once, Mamta’s hawk eyes darted to Riddhima’s fingers. Empty.

Riddhima blinked, looking down at her own hand. “Oh… I’m so sorry. I didn’t even notice. I must’ve dropped it this morning while getting ready. I’ll have Madhav find it.”

She called, “Madhav!”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“My engagement ring is missing. Get the staff to search everywhere. Ask around. Find it.”

Mamta’s voice thundered, sharp and cold, “Search here too! How could you be so careless, Riddhima? Do you even understand what an engagement ring symbolizes? Losing it isn’t a small mistake—it’s an omen! In all these years, no bride of this family has ever dropped her ring. Why does it have to be you?”

Riddhima raised her eyes calmly. “I’m sorry, Dadi. You’re misunderstanding. The ring will be found. Nothing ill will come of it.”

Her quiet composure only enraged Mamta further. Her voice rose, echoing across the garden.

“Don’t you dare try to soothe me with your words! For Gauri Pooja, I sent you a sari. And you came dressed in a suit. Why? Because you always have to defy us, to show that Riddhima Raichand does what she pleases!”

Riddhima finally answered, steady but firm. “That sari was torn, Dadi. Had you checked it once before sending it, you’d know. And had you simply told me you wanted me in a sari, I would’ve worn any sari. You never asked.”

Mamta slammed her hand on the armrest, her voice sharp as a whip.

“Now you argue with me? You! I thought Rajeshwari raised you with values. I thought at least she passed on some culture. But no—Ashish must have failed you too. Instead, he dreamt of forcing you into this house as our bahu. And look at you now—every word of mine defied, every tradition mocked.  “You’re not even worthy of becoming the daughter-in-law of the Singhanias.”

Her words struck like venom, her tone sharp, taunting,

“But it isn’t your fault, is it? The fault is ours—for expecting too much from you. We thought you were good enough… that the Raichands had given you their values… that you knew how the daughters-in-law of big houses carried themselves. But no… it was our mistake to believe so.”

Riddhima’s temper finally snapped. She shot to her feet, her voice cutting through the silence, “Dadi, now you’re dragging my parents . If you have something to say, then say it to me directly!”

Mamta’s lips curled in disdain, her voice sharp as glass, “Say it to you? What is there left to say? Everything I am saying is the truth. At least from Ashish, I never expected this. He doesn’t care about customs anymore. We are the boy’s family, and where Ashish and Rajeshwari should have bent their heads and honored us, they are making us bow instead! No hospitality, no proper gifts, no respect—what face do we show to society now? Forget dowry—even the mention of it never came from Ashish or Gayatri. And yet, here we are, giving them a grandson as precious as a diamond.”

Her taunts, heavy and venomous, sliced through the air.

Riddhima clenched her fists, her eyes blazing red with fury. She had stood silent far too long, swallowing insult after insult. But now her voice thundered, “Enough dadi"

The words ricocheted through the room, making everyone rise to their feet. Anger radiated from her face, her chest heaving as if the fire inside her could consume everything.

Aditya had arrived, Aryan stood at a distance watching quietly. Riddhima, without breaking her glare, pulled a blank cheque from her pocket, signed it with a flourish, and slammed it onto the table. Tapping it with her finger, she declared, her voice low but seething with contempt,

“I’ve always respected you because you’re like my dadi  But perhaps… the Singhanias truly do need dowry. Here. Take it.

Mamta’s roar rose, a single sharp word on her lips—

But before it could explode, another voice boomed across the hall, freezing everyone in place.

“Enough is enough!”

The voice belonged to Kishore.

He strode into the room, his presence commanding silence. Looking at the gathered family, his voice cut like steel, “All of you—come with me. Now.” Then, turning to Riddhima, his expression softened, “Beta, you may leave.”

Riddhima gave a small nod and walked away.

As the others followed Kishore, Ishita  quietly slipped back, picked up the blank cheque from the table, and tucked it back into her pocket.

Kishore’s room was heavy with silence. Everyone stood with their heads bowed, except Mamta—who sat defiantly in the armchair, arms folded, chin raised.

Kishore’s voice cracked like a whip.

“What was that spectacle in front of everyone?”

Mamta shot back, her tone sharp, unapologetic.

“Spectacle? That was the truth. Do you even know what happened today? Riddhima lost her engagement ring and instead of remorse, she argued back. No respect, no manners, no care for traditions. She’s a disgrace to this family’s name!”

Kishore’s jaw tightened.

“Mamta ji, it was a ring. A mistake. Children make them. Does that justify turning it into a public circus?”

His glare shifted.

“And you, Arjun. Standing mute, watching like a statue. Were your lips sealed?”

Before Arjun could answer, Rajveer entered. Mamta didn’t miss a beat.

“Enough, Kishore ji! Today Riddhima not only humiliated me, but the Singhania's  name. And I won’t allow my family’s honor to be trampled. I won’t let Vansh’s life be destroyed at your hands. Once was a mistake… do we really want history to repeat itself? Haven’t the Singhanias suffered enough?”

Her words cut sharp. Rajveer’s eyes flickered toward her, but he turned without a word and walked out.

Kishore slammed his palm on the table.

“Enough! This wedding will happen. Period. Whoever has a problem can book the next flight back to Mumbai. Don’t forget—the decisions in this family are still mine. Remember that before testing me again.”

The room froze. No one dared breathe. Kishore stormed out.

Mamta, her face dark with fury, snapped at the staff.

“Send for Gayatri and Aashish. Tell them it’s urgent.”

Soumya, alarmed, whispered, “Mummy ji, why call them now?”

Mamta’s eyes narrowed.

“If the wedding can’t be stopped, so be it. But Gayatri and Aashish need to know the kind of ‘values’ their daughter has been flaunting.”

Minutes later, Gayatri walked in with Rajeshwari.

“Where’s Aashish?” Mamta asked, lips curled.

Rajeshwari replied softly, “He had some work. What’s wrong? You look… upset.”

Mamta’s smile was ice.

“Sit. And children, out.”

Arjun, Aditya, Shaili stepped away. But Ishita lingered at the door, ears burning with curiosity.

Mamta wasted no time.

“Do you know what your daughter did today?”

Gayatri blinked. “I thought it was only a puja?”

Rajeshwari leaned forward nervously. “Did Riddhima say something? If she did, it must’ve been childish nonsense. She’s young. Forgive her.”

Mamta snapped.

“Young? She’s twenty-five! Have you seen the girls in our house? Grace. Respect. Discipline. She has none.”

Gayatri raised her hand.

“Wait, what exactly happened?”

Mamta spilled everything—every word, every insult, every sting.

When she finished, Rajeshwari paled. But before she could answer, Gayatri chuckled lightly, her tone dripping with irony.

“So all this fuss… over a fifty-lakh ring? Mamta ji, forgive me, but perhaps the fault lies more with you than with her. If you’d given her a five or ten crore ring, do you really think she’d have let it out of her sight? Fifty lakhs means nothing to a RaiChand.”

Mamta’s eyes flared. “What—”

But Gayatri cut in, relentless.

“And that sari you sent? Torn. If you’d sent half a dozen, she’d have chosen properly. She wore a suit because it looked better. Where’s the crime in that?”

Her smile sharpened.

“And as for dowry—don’t you dare put that blame on Riddhima. That was Aashish’s fault. I told him to ask you what you wanted. But he, in his naive faith, said, ‘They’re the great Singhanias. Educated. Rich. “They don’t have such an old-fashioned, 90’s type mentality.”

They don’t want dowry.’”

Her sarcasm stung like a slap.

“So, Mamta ji, I hope your doubts are cleared. And no—Riddhima owes no apology. If there’s any apology, it’s from us.

She folded her hands politely. “Now if you’ll excuse us.”

Gayatri swept out with Rajeshwari, leaving a stunned silence behind.

Mamta’s face turned crimson with rage.

“So now I see. That arrogance in Riddhima… it comes from her blood. Fine. Let her fly as high as she wants now. Once this marriage is sealed, I’ll clip her wings myself.”

Meanwhile, Riddhima was pacing on the terrace, fury radiating from every step. Nitya approached, concern softening her tone.

“What’s wrong? You look… ready to set fire to the whole haveli.”

Riddhima exhaled sharply.

“Nothing. Just an argument with dadi. I lost my ring, she scolded, I snapped. It escalated. That’s all.”

Nitya frowned. “But how did you even lose it?”

Riddhima shrugged. “No idea. I don’t even remember where it slipped.”

Nitya sighed.

“Still, you shouldn’t have answered back. You’re about to get married. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride. That’s how relationships work.”

Riddhima’s laugh was bitter.

“So what do you want me to be, Nitya? Deaf? Dumb? A puppet?”

Elsewhere, Rajeshwari hissed at Gayatri.

“Why did you say all that? You’ve provoked her more.”

Gayatri smirked.

“Because someone needed to teach her a lesson. And I’m proud of Riddhima today she shined in business with her father’s name, and she’ll crush her in-laws with mine. I couldn’t be happier.”

Rajeshwari muttered under her breath, pale-faced.

“It’s done. The marriage is happening.”

Just then, Vansh spotted Ishita loitering near dadi’s room.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, suspicious.

Ishita quickly masked her face with worry.

“Nothing… I was just worried about dadi. She finally fell asleep after so much stress.”

Concern flashed across Vansh’s face. “What happened to dadi?”

Ishita sighed dramatically.

“Riddhima lost her ring. Dadi told her to be careful, but instead Riddhima argued back. She even threw a blank cheque at dadi—like she could buy back respect. And the worst part? Dada ji sided with her… and scolded dadi instead.”

She held up the cheque.

“Here. Proof.”

Vansh snatched it from her hand, anger flashing in his eyes.

“Take care of dadi. I’ll handle this.”

On the terrace, Riddhima muttered to Nitya, half laughing, half broken.

“With the drama in this wedding, sometimes I feel like jumping off this terrace and ending it all.”

A voice sliced through the air.

“If you had to die, you should’ve done it before this marriage was fixed. Don’t tarnish my image now.”

They spun around. Vansh stood there, fury blazing, the blank cheque crushed in his hand.

He strode forward, grabbed her wrist, and pressed the cheque into her palm.

“Pranpriya, what the hell was this? What are you trying to prove—that I can’t afford that ring? That you’ll throw cheques at my dadi's face?”

Riddhima arched a brow, lips curling into a mocking smile.

“Oh, I thought you’d be thrilled. Dadi wanted dowry, right? Dad didn’t give it, I  give it  now you finally have it.

Vansh’s voice was low, dangerous.

“Dowry?”

Before he could lash out further, Madhav appeared,

“Ma’am, your ring  I found it.”

Riddhima slipped it back onto her finger, flashing it before Vansh with a cold smile. She turned to Nitya.

“Let’s go. I don’t have time for people who love hearing half-baked stories.”

She walked away, but Vansh’s grip shot out, catching her hand, holding her back.

At that moment, Prerna’s assistant came running, panting.

“Sir—Kartik sir . We searched the whole haveli. Staff, guards—everyone. He’s nowhere. His phone’s switched off.”

Panic cracked Vansh’s mask. He released Riddhima, barking orders.

“Then keep searching! Ask security, check everywhere. I want Kartik found. At any cost!” and he stormed out calling paranv.

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“You tell me, if you were in Riddhima’s place, what would you do?”

Thank you ♡