"No, this is far too oily. It's my wedding day; I am not eating this," Navya declared firmly as the waiter placed the food on the table.

Downstairs, Raman, Ishita, Raj, and Nyonika were busy managing the arrangements, while the younger members of the family were upstairs, having lunch before getting ready for the evening festivities.

"Stop being so particular, Navya," Cabir remarked, his frustration evident. Since morning, she had been fussing over food. Apparently, she had come across a YouTube video that insisted brides should eat only salad on their wedding day to look their best.

"Cabir, calm down. Why are you getting so irritated?" Mukti interjected, noticing the disheartened expression on Navya's face.

"It's fine, Mukti," Navya replied, standing up abruptly and leaving the table. Cabir simply stared at her retreating figure before sighing heavily.

"Who picks a fight on their wedding day?" Dhruv asked, nudging Cabir, urging him to follow Navya. However, Cabir continued eating, unfazed.

Annoyed by everyone's insistence, he finally stood up but, to everyone's surprise, walked in the opposite direction instead of following Navya.

"Something is definitely off between them," Nandini observed as Manik nodded in agreement.

"I'll talk to Cabir," Manik said, following his friend.

"What's going on with you, bro?" Manik asked after standing behind Cabir for a while.

"Nothing, Manik," Cabir replied, forcing a smile—one that Manik immediately recognized as fake.

"Cabir, you do realize you can never hide anything from me, right?" Manik pressed, sitting down in front of him.

Cabir sighed and finally spoke. "Navya has been acting very differently, Manik. She's changing. She's not the same person I fell in love with."

"I'm listening," Manik assured him.

"Lately, she's become increasingly insecure. Remember how she suddenly insisted on changing the wedding venue? She wanted a destination wedding—not for us, but because Nandini and Naira had one. When you planned something special for Nandini during your one-month anniversary, she thought you did it just to outshine us. And now, because you and Nandini are going to Bali, she wants us to go there too. She was never like this before. I don't understand what's happening, and I feel terrible about it."

Manik sat in stunned silence, realizing that his efforts to make his wife happy had unintentionally made Navya feel insecure. When he sang for Nandini at the ceremony, it had been solely to bring a smile to her face, never to make anyone else feel inadequate.

Seeing Manik deep in thought, Cabir instantly regretted sharing his concerns.

"I'm really sorry on her behalf, Manik. Trust me, she loves you both dearly. Something must have triggered this change, but I don't know what," Cabir said apologetically.

Manik nodded, offering a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Cabir. These things happen. I'm sure she'll be fine."

"For now, go talk to her," Nandini's voice interrupted. She had overheard their conversation as she had come to fetch Manik. Though deeply hurt by Navya's insecurity, she fought back her tears and stepped forward.

Both men turned to look at her. Manik could see right through her distress. Cabir gave a silent nod and left to find Navya, leaving Manik and Nandini alone on the terrace. Manik gestured for her to join him on the couch, and she sat beside him, lost in thought.

He waited patiently, knowing she would speak when she was ready. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone is to give them space to process their emotions.

Finally, Nandini broke the silence. "Manik, when the news of Navya's pregnancy became public, she had no one. She was helpless, and it broke me to see her that way. Radhika's father... he tried to harm both Navya and the baby multiple times. Since then, I have felt an overwhelming need to protect them. My parents, my brother, Naira—everyone welcomed her with open arms. And yet today, she's insecure about us. Why?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Manik, searching for answers.

Manik sighed and gently took her hands in his. "Nandini, we can never truly understand what someone else is going through. Situations change people in ways we can't always predict. All we can do is be patient and hope they find their way back. But this time, I want you to focus on yourself. You always put others first, but not this time. Don't let Navya's behavior affect you. You need to prioritize your own happiness. No one else can determine what makes you happy—you have to find that for yourself."

Moved by his words, Nandini hugged him tightly, her hands still entwined with his.

"Just stay with me, Manik. That's all I need to be happy," she whispered.

Manik smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Where else would I be? My happiness depends on yours. So, staying by your side is my only option."

He extended his hand to help her up, and together, they went downstairs to prepare for the evening.

"Your daughters-in-law are truly beautiful, Nyonika. I just hope the younger one becomes as responsible as Nandini," a guest remarked, observing Nandini effortlessly managing the arrangements. Nyonika, unsure how to respond, simply smiled and returned to her guests at the dining table.

The garland exchange ceremony had already taken place, and after dinner, the sacred wedding rituals would commence.

As everyone sat around the table, with the bride and groom at the center, Nandini discreetly pulled out Raj's medication from her handbag and passed it to him as he complained of uneasiness. Long, tiring days often made him feel unwell. Raj smiled at her in gratitude, and she returned the gesture warmly. Their small exchange of care did not go unnoticed. Most people were touched by the moment, but Navya's expression was conflicted—neither entirely pleased nor entirely displeased. Manik caught onto it immediately.

"So much resentment toward the one who has always stood by her. What must have caused this change?" Manik pondered.

His thoughts were interrupted as Nandini offered him a bite of food, noticing the tension in his face. Her reassuring smile reminded him that, despite everything, happiness lay ahead.

Soon after, the wedding rituals began.

"Who will tie the sacred knot for the gathbandhan?" the priest asked.

All eyes turned toward Nandini.

"Chachi, can I help you?" Radhika asked innocently, her small voice filling the room with warmth. Smiling, Nandini nodded and held her hand as they approached the mandap. With gentle precision, she guided Radhika in tying the sacred knot, symbolizing the union of Cabir and Navya.

The newlyweds looked at Radhika with adoration before kissing her cheeks simultaneously and embracing her.

"Chachi, let's go," Radhika said, tugging at Nandini's hand. Nandini cast a warm smile at the couple before walking away hand-in-hand with the little girl.