Veer sat in the hall of a small house, he did not know what to expect. On one hand, he hated the idea of being forced into anything, much less a marriage. It was a permanent type of thing and he did not want someone else to decide things for him. He was really angry at his father for forcing him into this. His father was chatting with Mahesh while his wife fluttered around. Honestly, she was a pest! Veer hoped her daughter wasn't like her.

Inside the room, Bani sat in front of the mirror nervously. Her palms were sweaty. She rubbed and smoothed out the pleats of the saare. She had borrowed it from a friend because she knew very well her chachi wouldn't give her anything to get ready in. The saare was pink and simple. Bani questioned herself why was she putting in that kind of effort into something she didn't want? Simple! Because you think that if you pretend to feel happy, you will feel happy. You've always tried to act such. Her conscious mocked.

Outside, in the hall, Veer was getting more and more irked by Ritu.

V: Aunty ji, aap apni beti ko bulao na...

R: haye, kash aapki shaadi meri beti se ho rahi hoti....(making a face) Vo anaath meri koi beti-veti nahi hai...

Veer suddenly remembered his school days when people teased him after his mom's demise. He felt sad for this girl whom he had not yet seen. Bani came out of the room with Meera. She was looking down. She looked beautiful and very graceful but the slight termer of her hands gave her away. She was nervous. This did not go unnoticed by Veer's sharp Cheel eyes.

Balwant: bohot pyari hai ye...Bacchon ko akele me baat krne dete hai...

V: Kya baat krni hai...Shaadi ke liye toh haan hai....

B: (thinks) abhi tk to baat bhi nahi ki...kya shakal dekhr haan ki hai? aur isse nahi krni to kya hua? Marriage me both are equals! Mera opinion to consider hi nahi kiya...waise bhi karza maaf krne ke badle mujhse shaadi kr raha hai.

Off the bat, her opinion about him became of someone who considers woman unequal and is inconsiderate. She was also feeling disgusted, as if someone was buying her.

Balwant: Veer? 

His tone was soft but Veer could here the underlying warning. He had promised to marry this girl and be nice to her in exchange of that company afterall. He got up and left towards the room she came out from. Bani stared after him.

B: (thinks) what a rude fellow!

Veer was studying her room when she entered. It was small and did not have a lot. One thing he noticed was that out of all the frames that were decorated, there was none with her picture. 

V: Strange! your room and your photos aren't here?

B: Strange you are so quick to form opinions?

Veer looked back amazed. No girl had ever retaliated him in same fashion.

B: And it is not my room.

V: Oh? Where is yours?

B: um...I don't really have..um.. I sleep here though, with my sister.

V: Step..

B: what?

V: Step sister.... Your..um aunt told me..

B: Not step. I wasn't really adopted. Papa knew my parents and raised me after thier death.

V: I am sorry.

Bani shook her head and smiled at him. Veer was taken aback for a second. She indeed was very beautiful. Her eyes spoke volumes. Veer sat down at the edge of the bed and began talking.