The Maheshwaris and Gadodias had decided on a joint Sangeet, turning the grand hall of the Maheshwari mansion into a spectacle of music, dance, and vibrant decorations. The air was thick with the fragrance of fresh flowers, the shimmer of fairy lights, and the laughter of guests.

But amidst the cheerful celebrations, Karanveer observed the undercurrents that no one else seemed to notice-or maybe they simply chose to ignore.

His sharp gaze flickered toward Laksh-who stood beside Ragini, his smile forced, his shoulders stiff.

And then there was Swara.

Laksh looked at her and then away, again and again, a silent conversation filled with longing, heartbreak, and unsaid words.

Laksh looked like a man trapped in his own life, and Swara... she wasn't much better.

Karanveer scoffed, turning away. Not my problem.

Still, something about the whole thing bothered him. Why agree to a marriage if he couldn't even pretend to be happy about it?

When the time came for Laksh and Ragini's performance, the contrast between them was painfully evident.

Laksh's movements were stiff, his smile forced, as if every step was rehearsed not for joy but out of obligation.

Ragini, ever the shy, dutiful bride, followed along as best as she could. Her steps were hesitant, her expression carefully schooled. It was clear-she was overwhelmed. But more than that, she was aware.

And Karanveer could see it all.

From where he stood, drink in hand, he watched the way her eyes flickered toward Laksh-with love. She wasn't blind to Laksh's discomfort.

Yet, instead of questioning it, she lowered her gaze, accepting it as her fate.

As their dance ended, Uttara and Sanskar joined them on stage.

Uttara, full of excitement, grabbed Swara's hand and pulled her toward the center.

Sanskar, ever the playful one, twirled Ragini in a lighthearted move, making the crowd cheer.

But in that moment, Ragini's gaze flickered to Laksh and Swara.

They stood too close.

Their eyes locked as if they were the only two people in the room.

Something about it didn't sit right with Ragini.

Her heart clenched, a strange unease settling in her chest.

But she shook the feeling away.

Maybe she was overthinking.

Maybe it was just the stress of the night.

The song ended. The crowd clapped.

Ragini stepped off the stage, shoulders straight, face composed. Laksh walked beside her, silent.

And Swara? She hurried away, blinking back tears.

And Laksh? He exhaled sharply, like a man choking on his own regrets

--------------

The grand hall buzzed with conversation as the guests enjoyed their dinner, unaware of the storm brewing within Laksh's heart.

His eyes flickered across the crowd, restless. Searching. For Swara.

She wasn't near the family. Not at the buffet.

His fingers curled into fists. Where was she?

"Laksh," AP called softly, offering a warm smile. "Make Ragini eat something. Especially sweets-."

Laksh stiffened. Some of their cousins looked at them with curious eyes.

He turned to Ragini, who was seated quietly, her gaze lowered.

His jaw tightened. Rituals. Expectations. Pretenses.

It was all too much.

His mother nudged him gently. "Laksh?"

Something inside him snapped.

He let out a harsh, humorless chuckle.

"Sweets? Really, Maa?" His voice was edged with frustration. "I have to feed her sweets, pose for pictures, smile like I'm the happiest man alive, and act as if-" He stopped himself, inhaling

sharply.

As if this is what I want.

AP's smile faltered. "Beta-"

Silence.

Ragini looked up, her eyes wide.

He wasn't looking at her.

Because if he did, he might just say something crueler than he intended.

He shook his head and let out a bitter laugh. "What's next, Maa? Should I recite poetry about how blessed I feel? Or maybe do another round of dancing so everyone can applaud this perfect match?"

AP was stunned.

Ragini sat frozen.

The guests nearby turned, sensing the tension.

But Laksh didn't care. With one last exhale, he pushed the chair back and walked away.

Did he feel guilty for speaking that way?.................No.

The only thing he felt was resentment. Resentment for being forced into something that felt wrong.

Resentment for sitting beside a girl who was never meant for him. Resentment for being pulled away from his love.

And Ragini?

She stared at the untouched sweets, her fingers trembling slightly.

Across from her, Annapurna sighed, reaching out to place a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Beta, don't overthink," she said softly, her voice laced with the kind of warmth only a mother could offer. "Laksh has been cranky since morning. The house is filled with relatives, everyone's been teasing him, pulling his leg-he's just irritated. That's all."

Ragini blinked, looking up at her. Irritated?....................Was that really all?

----------------------

Laksh found Swara outside the hall, her arms crossed, her face turned away from him.

"Swara, why did you leave?" he asked, his voice laced with frustration and desperation.

She turned to him, eyes blazing. "Then what should I have done, Laksh? Sit there and watch you participate in your wedding rituals?"

"You clearly know I'm not doing this by choice!" he shot back.

Swara laughed, but there was no humor in it-only pain. "Choice? You are doing this by choice, Laksh. So don't give me that excuse."

"Please, Swara," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "It's really difficult for me. Please understand my situation. I'm going nuts, all of this is too overwhelming. At least you should understand and support me."

"Support you?" She stepped closer, her voice trembling with fury. "How exactly do you want me to support you, Laksh? By sneaking around and meeting you in secret? By pretending like you're not getting married to my sister tomorrow? By lying to myself, to my family-just because you can't handle your own choices?"

"Swara, please-"

"Stop, Laksh. Just stop." Her voice cracked, but she held her ground. "You've made your decision. So stand by it. You're marrying Ragini tomorrow. Respect that marriage."

Laksh swallowed, his hands clenching at his sides. "So you want me to be loyal to your sister?" he asked bitterly.

"Yes," she whispered. "Because she deserves that."

"But what about me, Swara? What about my heart? It still yearns for you," he confessed, his voice raw.

Swara shut her eyes, inhaling deeply. Enough.

She looked at him, her gaze unwavering. "You have made your decision, Laksh. So now, stand by it. And don't follow me."

"Can't we at least be friends?" he asked, hopeful, desperate for something-anything to keep her in his life.

Swara laughed again, shaking her head. "Stop trying to find ways to stay close to me, Laksh. I hate this. I hate what you have done to me, to my family. My mother spent her life suffering indifference from the man she loved while he was married to someone else. And now, you're forcing me to endure the same pain."

"Swara, I-"

"Enough, Laksh." She stepped back, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're getting married tomorrow. So focus on that. You're doing this for your family-so now, be happy for your family."

And with that, she walked away, without looking back.

----------------

Next Morning

The sun hung low in the sky, its golden light spilling over the Maheshwari Mansion, illuminating the grandeur of the Baraat about to set off. The street outside was alive with the thunderous beats of dhol, the sparkle of embroidered sherwanis, and the sheer opulence that the Maheshwaris were known for.

Laksh stood at the entrance, his safa tied to perfection, the intricate golden work on his sherwani shimmering under the bright sunlight.

The mare, adorned in a rich red and gold cloth, pawed at the ground as if sensing the unease in its rider.

As the ritual dictated, Annapurna and Sujata performed the aarti, waving the brass thali in front of him, their eyes shining with a mix of pride and emotions.

Laksh forced a smile, but his fingers twitched at his side.

This was it.

The moment he had been preparing for.

Then why did it feel so wrong?

Cheers erupted as Adarsh stepped forward to lift Laksh onto the mare, their hands steady under his arms as he mounted.

But the moment his feet left the ground, something inside him twisted painfully.

His eyes unconsciously flickered toward Sanskar, who stood there, his expression unreadable.

Laksh narrowed his eyes. Why was Sanskar so calm?

The dhol beats picked up, the baratis broke into dance, and the procession officially began.

Adarsh walked beside the horse, his face blank, his mind elsewhere.

(An Hour Earlier)

"How long?" His voice was sharp, quiet-laced with barely controlled fury.

Sanskar tilted his head. "How long, what?"

"How long have you been lying?" Adarsh bit out, stepping closer. "How long have you been pretending to be unstable while we stood by, helpless, watching you?"

Sanskar exhaled through his nose, the smirk never fading. "Would you believe me if I said it wasn't personal?"

Adarsh grabbed his collar, shoving him against the wall. "You think this is funny, Sanskar?"

For the first time, the amusement in Sanskar's eyes flickered-just for a second.

Adarsh felt rage and betrayal churn inside him. "Do you have any idea what this means? What you've done?"

Sanskar's smirk didn't waver. "Oh, I do. And I intend to do much more."

Adarsh exhaled sharply, stepping back. " Dare you sanskar," His tone was final. "today is Laksh's wedding. If you so much as breathe wrong, I swear-"

Sanskar smiled lazily, adjusting his sherwani. "Relax, bhaiya. I wouldn't dream of ruining such a... joyous occasion."

"You better not, and you are staying here dare you step in Badi"

Adarsh gave him one last look before turning on his heel and storming away.

Present .............

As the procession reached Badi, the Gadodia home, the air buzzed with anticipation. The gates were decorated with marigolds, the scent of fresh flowers and incense lingering in the air.

Inside, Dadi and Sumi stood waiting, their hands folded, while Shekhar performed the welcoming ritual, by making DP and RP make garlands, and Sharmistha waved a silver aarti thali in front of Laksh.

The joyous laughter of the women mixed with the deep beats of the dhol, but amidst it all, Laksh felt suffocated.

As soon as the Aarti was done and the rituals were set to begin, a half-hour break was given for final preparations.

And that's when Sanskar arrived.

With Sujata beside him, he walked into Badi like he belonged, his expression unreadable.

Karanveer, who had been standing on the sidelines, observed Adarsh's sharp glare toward his younger brother.

Sanskar, however, looked completely unfazed.

Why is he here?

Laksh, who had been adjusting his safa, caught the tension and frowned. "Adarsh Bhai, kya hua?"

Adarsh forced a smile. "Nothing."

Laksh wasn't convinced. "Bhai?"

Adarsh sighed, his voice low. "Sanskar is acting."

Laksh stilled. "What?"

Adarsh's eyes were clouded with frustration. "He was never mentally unstable. It was all a lie."

Laksh felt the air leave his lungs. "No... no, that's not possible."

His mind raced-he had agreed to this marriage out of duty, out of responsibility for Sanskar. If Sanskar was fine, then-

Then what the hell was he doing here?

His hands began to shake, his heart pounding.

"Bhai, we have to confront him." His voice was rough, urgent.

Adarsh caught his wrist before he could move. "Not now, Laksh. It's your wedding day. We'll deal with this later."

Laksh's stomach twisted painfully.

He wasn't marrying Ragini because he loved her. He was marrying her because he thought his brother needed him.

Now, that foundation had collapsed.

His chest felt tight, his vision blurred at the edges.

He was angry.

He was hurt.