Mrinal gives Ruhana a warm welcome in the house. As they enter, she asks both Ruhana and Ruhaani to leave their handprints on the wall of the inbuilt temple. Though it’s traditionally done by the bride, Mrinal has another concept, which makes Ruhana feel truly loved and accepted.

“Main chahti hoon sirf Ruhana hi nahi, Ruhaani bhi apne haathon ke nishan yahan lagaye, kyunki mere ghar mein ek nahi do-do lakshmiyan aayi hain. Aur in dono ki wajah se mere bete ke chehre pe khushi hai, aur kuch nahi chahiye mujhe,” Mrinal says. She can see the happiness radiating on the faces of Vineet and Ruhana.

“Thank you, Ma! Vaise toh thank you bahut kam hai jo aapne kiya hai uske liye! Par phir bhi, thank you!” Ruhana says as she dips her hands in the aalta thaali and presses them against the temple wall. Her daughter follows suit, leaving her handprints below her mother's.

“Ruhana, jab koi dil mein ghar bana leta hai na, toh usey apne ghar mein aur apne parivar mein shamil karne mein koi dikkat nahi hoti. Aur tumhari beti ne pehle hi din mere dil mein apni ek jagah bana li thi,” Mrinal says affectionately.

“Aur isliye na aapki shadi ka gift, Dadi ne mujhe pehle de diya hai,” Ruhaani chuckles, leaving her mom confused.

“Tumne toh Mumma ko koi gift diya nahi hai, Dadda se bhi le liya aur ab dadi se! Very bad, Ruhaani!” Ruhana says playfully, causing others to laugh.

“Main kaise de sakti hoon, Dadda will get you a gift. Hai na, Dadda?” Ruhaani looks at Vineet, who’s puzzled at the moment.

“Um…haan…” he says, but Ruhana interrupts him.

“Kuch nahi kiya tumhare dadda ne! Unhone bas apni beti ke liye gift laye hai…” Ruhana says teasingly.

“Toh Bhabhi, you can get your gift, agar aap game mein jeet gayi toh, tab toh bhai ko aapko gift dena hoga, aur raaj bhi aapka chalega…” Suhaani says teasingly.

“Bua, meri Mumma hi jeetengi…” Ruhaani chuckles.

“Dekhte hain, come on let’s play the game,” Suhaani says as she makes Ruhana and Vineet sit on the floor.

Suhaani fills the bowl with milk, water, and rose petals, and drops a ring into it. She announces that the one who finds the ring first will be the winner, and the one who loses will have to give a present to the other. However, when two people love each other immensely, they don’t require gifts; their presence for each other is no less than a gift. As the game commences, they dip their hands into the bowl, their fingers touch, and both Vineet and Ruhana are spellbound at the moment. Upon Suhaani’s voice, they come out of the trance to fight for the ring, but ultimately, Ruhana emerges as the winner.

“Bhai, tumse ek ring nahi dhundhi gai! Very bad! Ab jao, bhabhi ko gift do! Vo toh yahan aa gai, aur wahi tumhara sabse best gift hai,” Suhaani says as she walks towards Ruhana and hugs her.

“Huh! Tune team change kar li? Kyun Suhaani?” Vineet asks, shocked, while Suhaani giggles.

“Haan, toh tum vaise bhi mujhe koi neg nahi dene wale ho, isliye main Ruhana ki team mein, usko mana karoge toh pachtaoge!” Suhaani says teasingly.

“Kyun, vo toh kuch bol nahi rahi hain, tu zyada bol rahi hai…” Vineet glares at her.

“Vo nahi bol rahi isliye main bolungi hi. Aur vaise bhi abhi tumne mera neg diya hi kahan hai, pehle neg do phir Ruhana se milna,” Suhaani says.

“Ab kya baaki hai?” Vineet asks, impatient by now.

“Arey, joote churaye nahi humne, lekin iska matlab ye nahi hai ki aap shagun bhi na dein! Vo toh Ruhana ne mana kia tha, varna aapko ghar tak bina jooton ke aana padta. Dulhan ki saheliyan hai hum, hume neg chahiye,” Anamika says playfully.

“Haan, aur mujhe dvaar rukaai ka neg chahiye. Pehle paise do, phir jana apni biwi se milne,” Suhaani says, her lips curving into a smile.

“Hanji, chaliye laaiye paise! Aur Ruhaani bhi hamari team ka hissa hai, at least usey toh neg milna chahiye naa!” Priyanka says, who’s now standing behind Ruhaani, and the girl is holding her hands.

“Haan, apni beti ko bhi neg nahi doge, usne toh tumhe Ruhana se milvaya hai, usko toh paise milne chahiye,” Suhaani says, teasingly.

Ruhaani chuckles, while Ruhana watches the scenario unfolding in front of her eyes. There’s a smile on her lips when she intervenes.

“Vineet, tum rasmein nahi badal sakte. You need to follow them. Jab tak tum inhe neg nahi doge, ye tumhe kahin jaane nahi dengi. Main toh tumhaare baare mein soch rahi hun isliye kaha varna…” she says but pauses while looking at her husband.

“Varna?” He rolls his eyes at his wife.

“Varna, tumhe couch pe sona padega, you know!” Suhaani says teasingly.

“Huh, ye kaisi baat hui? Maa…dekho na…” he tends to complain to his mom.

“Dekh Vineet, main in sab mein nahi padti. Tu hi sambhal, mujhe khaane ki taiyari karni hai,” saying so, Mrinal walks into the kitchen.

“Ruhana, what are you up to?” he asks, his tone eager and impatient.

“That’s a surprise, Mr. Husband, lekin pehle tum rasmein puri karo, hmm! Fir hi main tumhe surprise dungi. And don’t forget, mera gift baaki hai,” Ruhana says playfully.

Vineet sighs deeply, finally giving in, and extends envelopes to Suhaani, Priyanka, Anamika, and also, Ruhaani. The girl is overwhelmed and turns to her mum to show her the envelope. Meanwhile, they take turns changing clothes and further sit for dinner. Dinner is filled with lots of love and laughter.

As Ruhana turns to serve her family, she finds Ruhaani sitting beside Vineet, and he’s trying to make her eat something. Her heart feels full at the moment. It’s been a while since she has experienced this feeling. It seems like her destiny had plans, and now that she’s happily married to Vineet, the game is over.

Well, life’s full of surprises, and this is indeed the best surprise she could ever have.

To Be Continued.