(They finish their dinner, and the servants bring the ice cream and other sweet dishes. Manik sighs as he knows this drama will never end, and he wants to talk to Riya alone to tell her about his views towards their marriage.)

(He looks at her and instantaneously gets worried as he finds her looking at Ashwin and Anita with teary eyes as her parents are reviewing the deal. She then looks at Cabir and Mukti, who are busy with their own talks, and takes a sad sigh. Manik looks on, puzzled at her behaviour but stops himself from asking her anything, as they are still not much comfortable with each other. He then thinks about something and speaks up.)

Manik- I want to talk to Riya. Alone.

(Everyone stops whatever they are doing, and Riya looks at him, confused.)

Anita- Yes, sure, Manik. Go Riya. Listen to what he wants to say.

(Riya looks from Anita to Manik and passes him a small smile. They both get up, and he takes her out to the garden.)

(There's a cozy night breeze, and the surroundings are calm. The fragrance of fresh flowers makes the air even fresher. Manik and Riya come out and occupy the bench near the tree. Manik sighs and leans back while Riya looks at him, confused.)

Manik- So you are seriously ready for this marriage?

Riya- Of course. I want to give it a chance.

Manik- What if I tell you that living with a person like me is not an uncomplicated task? What if I tell you I hate the word love, but from the day I heard about you, I want to give this contract marriage thing a chance?

(She looks at him for a few moments before speaking up.)

Riya- What if I tell you I want to go on with this contract marriage thing because this is the last hope I have in me for love? Will you say yes to this marriage then?

(Manik sighs and palms his face.)

Manik- Look, I don't know how to explain this to you, but I know that all this marriage drama is happening inside because of that shitty contract. And you know this too. But neither I am a part of all this deal thing now, nor will I ever be in the future. My family has already tainted my name in front of everyone, portraying me as a rapacious monster. But all that matters to me is trust in a relationship. If you say yes to this marriage and you are seriously going to give it a chance, I want both of us to work on it and make it run well. I want to give it a new start. I cannot share everything with you right now, but I hope we trust each other enough to share our past miseries with each other in the future.

(After he finishes speaking, he looks at her and finds her staring at him with an unusual expression in her eyes.)

Manik- You are okay with everything I said just now?

Riya- This is my last chance too, Manik.

Manik (confused)- What do you mean by that?

Riya (sighing)- Everything you said is correct, Manik. We need to trust each other enough to successfully run this marriage. And I know that trust is vital in a relationship. I believe in love, but after all the things that have happened, that trust is breaking bit by bit. Right now, I am standing at that point where I am finished with one more small push of negativity. But I also don't want you to say yes to this out of sympathy or pity. I want us to accept each other with all our flaws and weaknesses, Manik. Whenever one of us falls weak, the other is there to support and hold up. The world is already full of people who want to pull you down and hurt you. There should be at least one person who could hold you up, right?

Manik (smiling)- Of course. In fact, I just wanted us to start our new life away from all this chaos. We are not coming together for money but for our own betterment. No matter, this marriage is just for money for our families. But then, too, we will be husband and wife in a few hours. And I want no negativity or something from the past to hinder it. And I promise you will always have my back.

Riya (smiling)- I promise I will be there to support you whenever you need me. I promise to be there whenever you need someone to take away all your stress and calm your mind.

Manik (chuckling)- Of course. Dimaag ki doctor jo ho. Mind ko calm to kar hi dogi.

[Manik (chuckling)- Of course. You are a neurosurgeon, so you would surely calm my mind.]

Riya (laughing)- Seriously, Manik? A neurosurgeon performs surgeries. I don't give mind-calming sessions.

Manik- You know, I never thought that we would talk openly like this. It's just been a day since we have known each other, and I have been so open and honest to you. I don't know what is happening to me. But when I saw you at the hospital, I felt some different peace in my heart. You calmed me down. I was not driving rashly in anger after that man accused me. I was calm and happy. And I even told your receptionist at the hospital that you are an exception to my rage. I said thank you to you. Oh god! I can't believe this.

(He stands up and roams around, amazed at all the recent developments when Riya is with him.)

Manik- You have already started changing me, girl.

(Riya, too, stands up and goes to him, smiling brightly.)

Riya- You know, when I met you at the hospital, I had this distinct feeling. I didn't understand why I felt happy seeing you. I was calm and even defended myself and my motives for this marriage in front of your mother. It felt different altogether. It was something new and something good.

(They both smile, looking at each other.)

Manik- But I don't want to do that being best friends first drama. I just want to start with what we are. And know you well.

Riya- Well, the feelings are mutual, Manik and agar maine tumhe apna best friend bana liya naa, to iss se pehle wala best friend meri chatni bana dega.

[Riya- Well, the feelings are mutual, Manik, and if I became best friends with you, then my current best friend won't leave you.]

Manik- Seriously? I would love to meet your best friend.

Riya- Of course. He works at the same hospital as me. Kabhi bhi aake mil lo.

Manik- Yes, sure and...

(They are interrupted as Ashwin comes there with the fakest smile he can ever put on.)

Ashwin- So baatein chal rahi hain yahan?

[Ashwin- So you guys are having a delightful conversation here?]

(Manik passes a formal smile to Ashwin and looks at Riya but gets concerned when he sees her clutching her dress tightly in her fists and her face turning pale, with her smile vanished from her face.)

Manik- Of course Mr. Dixit. Your daughter is such a nice person to talk to.

Ashwin- Bilkul. You know she is excellent at everything. Jab choti thi naa to sabhi bado wale kaam kar leti thi. She was that amazing. Aur saath mein mujhse aur Harshad se bhi karvati thi. Right naa Riya?

[Ashwin- Of course. You know she is excellent at everything. When she was a kid, she would do all those adult tasks. She was that amazing. And she made me and Harshad do them as well. Right Riya?]

(Riya looks at Ashwin in fear; by now, it is clear to Manik that something is definitely wrong between Riya and her family.)

Manik- Of course, Uncle. Now even I can do all the crazy things with her. Right, Riya?

(Saying this, Manik takes Riya in a friendly side hug, and she gets scared for a second but instantly calms down with his touch as he draws circles on her back. She looks at him teary-eyed, and he blinks his eyes in assurance to her and continues rubbing her back.)

Ashwin- Yes, sure, enjoy. Because at last, you both are to stay together after marriage. Keep going.

(Ashwin then looks at Riya with an evil smirk, which scares her more. But Manik comes and stands in front of her and smiles at him while he grips her hand on his back, and she clutches his hand tightly in fear. She then rests her head on his back and takes deep breaths to calm herself down, and he rubs his thumb on her hand gently to assure her of his presence.)

(Ashwin goes inside, and Riya gets away, panting, shaking in fear. Manik stays a few steps away, giving her the time to calm down.)

Manik- Riya, he's gone. Calm down.

Riya (in tears)- He is not good. He is the worst father a child can get. Don't trust him, please.

(Manik looks on sadly as she cries. He goes to her and, softly cupping her face, wipes her tears,)

Manik- Shhh. It's okay. I only trust you, hmm. I know he is not a good man. And I don't trust him. I will only believe what you tell me, okay? But now you need to calm down. And I am here.

Riya- Hmm.

Manik (softly)- Relax.

(She takes some deep breaths to calm down and gets normal after some minutes.)

Manik-Don't worry, okay? I am not asking you to open up to me about everything on the very first day. But you can tell me anything you want. And it's just a matter of one more day. Uske baad you won't have to face him every day. I promise you that, okay?

Riya-Thanks Manik. Agar tum mujhe abhi support nahi karte to...

[Riya- Thanks, Manik. If you would have not supported me then...]

Manik (smiling)- You don't have to thank me baba. Just wear your smile every day. It looks good on you.

(Riya smiles at his words, nods in yes, and he too smiles back at her. They both go inside, and the Dixits leave after some time, marking the end of the day.)