Krishna came back to Kapoor Mansion and greeted by her son.

"Maa, where did you go alone?" Ram was surprised.

"I went to meet Priya." Krishna said, sitting in the living room sofa.

"What? Why?" Ram did not expect this.

A house help came with a glass of water and handed it to Krishna Kapoor. She took a gulp of water and turned to look at Ram to answer. "I said I will send sargi on Karwachauth. I think Priya will keep fast for you."

"Maa, really? Do you think so?" Ram smirked.

"Yes, I do." Krishna responded with a warm smile.

"That is not going to happen. Do not send sargi and all, she is not going to keep fast. Don't force me to go there." Ram shook his head.

Ram added, "We are done, Maa. Please accept the fact and do not have any sort of expectations with our relationship. And please do not discuss about this ever again. I do not want to discuss or hear about this topic in this home again." Ram was frustrated and left from there.

*********

In the late evening, Priya sat at the dining table, her eyes resting on the beautifully arranged Sargi sent by Krishna Kapoor. The sight of the delicacies and traditional items brought back a flood of memories, especially Krishna's words echoing in her mind, "Celebrate Karwa Chauth if you have any amount of love left for my son."

Priya sighed, her thoughts drifting to the past, to the moments she and Ram had shared—the laughter, the love, the simple, everyday joys of being together. Her fingers gently traced the edge of the silver plate, each touch invoking a memory.

"Mom, what's this?" Aryan's curious voice broke through her reverie. He and Amaira had appeared beside her, their eyes wide with wonder as they looked at the Sargi.

"These are special things for Karwa Chauth," Priya explained with a soft smile, her heart warming at their innocence.

"Can we eat the sweets?" Amaira asked eagerly, her eyes fixed on the colorful array of sweets on the plate.

Priya shook her head gently. "No, my dears. You can have them tomorrow."

Aryan and Amaira exchanged disappointed looks but nodded obediently. "Okay, Mom," Aryan said, though his eyes lingered longingly on the sweets.

Aryan and Amaira ran off to play, leaving Priya alone with her thoughts once more. She turned her gaze back to the Sargi, feeling a mixture of emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought about the past. The distance that had grown between Ram & her, the arguments, the pain, the separation.

As the evening grew darker, Priya found herself lost in a sea of emotions. To be honest, she missed the life they had built together, missed the way he made her feel cherished and loved. Despite everything, the love she felt for him had never truly faded; it had only been buried under layers of hurt and misunderstanding.

Priya picked up the Sargi plate and carried it to the kitchen, carefully setting it aside. She knew that tomorrow would be a challenging day, both emotionally and physically. She kept on thinking whether to celebrate or not.

She whispered a silent prayer, hoping for strength and clarity, hoping to heal the wounds that time and distance had created.

*********

In the early morning, the colony buzzed with activity as everyone prepared for the Karwa Chauth Katha. The host of the event bustled around, ensuring all the ladies had arrived and that everything was in place. The air was filled with excitement as the women gathered, chatting and exchanging smiles, someone noticed Priya's absence. There was a murmur of concern and curiosity among the group. Just as the host was about to send someone to check on her, the crowd's attention shifted to the entrance.

Priya made an entry, dressed in a stunning red saree that shimmered under the morning sun. Her presence captivated everyone. She walked gracefully towards the gathering, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and calm.

The host greeted her warmly, "Priya, you look beautiful! We were wondering where you were."

Priya smiled, a hint of shyness in her expression. "Sorry for being late. I had to finish some last-minute preparations."

The other ladies welcomed her with smiles and nods, impressed by her poise and elegance. As Priya settled into her place among them, she felt a surge of emotions. This was her first Karwa Chauth, and participating in the festivities was a big step for her.

The Katha began, and Priya listened intently, the words of the story resonating with her. The rituals, the traditions, and the sense of community all felt comforting. She glanced around at the other women, feeling a sense of belonging despite the complexities of her personal life.

As the morning progressed, Priya found herself immersed in the ceremony, the prayers, and the camaraderie of the women around her. For a few moments, the past pains and uncertainties melted away, replaced by the warmth of tradition and the hope for better days ahead.

On her way back to her flat, Priya bumped into Daija.

"Priya! So good to see you," Daija exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with joy. "You look beautiful in this saree."

Priya smiled politely, "Thank you, Daija."

Daija took a step closer, her expression softening with warmth. "I'm so happy to see you here, celebrating Karwa Chauth. It shows your love for Ram is still strong. Sometimes, traditions remind us of what truly matters. I'm proud of you for acknowledging your love, even if you don't say it out loud."

Priya's smile faltered slightly, and she looked down, avoiding Daija's gaze. She stood quietly, not wanting to delve into the complexities of her emotions.

Daija reached out and gently touched Priya's arm. "Remember, love has a way of finding its path, no matter how difficult the journey."

Priya's mind raced with thoughts and emotions. She had indeed acknowledged her love for Ram by participating in the rituals, but she knew that actions spoke louder than words. Daija's words lingered in her mind, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

**********

Peehu became upset, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried for her mother. She pleaded with her grandmother, Krishna, and her aunt, Natasha, to let her go to her mom.

"Please, Dadi, Bua, I want to see Mumma. I miss her so much," Peehu sobbed, her small frame shaking with emotion.

Natasha, feeling torn, decided to call her brother. She picked up the phone and dialed Ram's number, hoping he would understand the depth of Peehu's distress.

"Bhai, Peehu is really upset. She's asking to go to Priya. Can we please send her?" Natasha's voice was filled with concern.

Ram's response was immediate and angry. "No, Natasha! Handle her. Priya made the decision to stay away, and Peehu is not going to her flat. That's final."

Peehu, overhearing the conversation, felt a deep sense of hurt.

**********

Moments later, Peehu was becoming increasingly distraught. She pleaded with her grandmother and her Bua, to let her go to Priya's house. Despite Ram's strict instructions, Krishna and Natasha couldn't bear to see Peehu so upset.

"We can't keep her here against her will," Krishna said, looking at Natasha. "She needs her mother."

Natasha nodded in agreement. "Let's send her to Priya. We'll deal with Ram's anger later."

They made the decision and quickly sent Peehu to Priya's house without informing Ram.

Ram came back to home and found out Peehu was sent to Priya's house, he was furious. His anger seethed as he stormed around the house, shouting at Natasha.

"Why did you send Peehu to Priya without my permission?" he yelled, his face red with rage. "Priya chose to leave us, and now she's taking my daughter too!"

"Bhai, calm down," Natasha tried to reason with him. "Peehu needs her mother right now. This is about her well-being, not about your issues with Priya."

"Ram, this can't go on. Peehu is suffering, and so are you. Today is Karwa Chauth, and Priya is celebrating it. You need to go to her flat and talk to her. You can take Peehu back home with you." Krishna urged.

Ram looked conflicted, his frustration evident. "Why is she celebrating Karwa Chauth after all this? Maa, Priya chose to stay away. Why should I go to her now?"

Krishna placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Because, Ram, sometimes we need to put our ego aside for the sake of our loved ones. Peehu needs her mother, and you need to mend this rift for the sake of your family."

Ram sighed, the weight of his mother's words sinking in. He knew she was right, and the thought of Peehu's sad face haunted him. But the anger and feeling of hurt were too strong.

"I can't, Ma. Everyone is taking Priya's side. Even Peehu doesn't want to stay with me. Why should I go begging to Priya?" Ram snapped, frustration boiling over.

"It's not like that, Ram." Krishna tried to talk to him but Ram left the home without speaking further.

Ram, unable to contain his anger, grabbed his car keys and left the house. He drove straight to the bar, trying to drown his frustration in alcohol.

Each drink fueled his anger more, and thoughts of Priya's decisions and the current state of his family plagued his mind. He felt cornered and resentful.

"She left us, and now I am the villain in everyone's mind," Ram muttered to himself, his anger growing with each sip.

Out of anger, he crushed the whiskey glass in his hands feeling helpless and hurt. He neither winced nor flinched in pain as the blood oozes out of his hand.

Ram sat in a dimly lit corner of the bar, nursing his drink. Each sip fueled his anger and frustration, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of resentment and longing. He couldn't believe that Krishna and Natasha had sent Peehu to Priya's house without his permission. The thought of Peehu being with Priya after she had decided to separate from him made his blood boil.

Meanwhile, back at her apartment, Priya's mind and heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She had been determined to celebrate Karwa Chauth, to honor the tradition and her lingering feelings for Ram, despite their separation.

In the soft glow of moonlight, Priya's hands trembled slightly as she held Ram's photo, a mixture of sadness and hope in her eyes. Priya lifted the sieve and looked at the moon through it, then shifted her gaze to Ram's photo. She whispered a silent prayer, her heart aching with love and longing. She remembered the happy times they had shared, the love that still lingered despite the distance between them.

She took a sip of water, a bite of the sweets from the Sargi, completing the ritual, and felt a sense of calm wash over her. She had honored her love for Ram, even if he wasn't physically present.

As she completed the ceremony, Priya couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. She missed him, missed their life together, and wished things could be different. She sat there in the quiet, reflecting on the moments they had shared and the distance that now lay between them. She wondered about the decisions she took.

*********

After a few too many drinks, his mind was a whirlwind of emotions – anger, hurt, and frustration. Without thinking clearly, he decided to confront Priya. He needed answers, and he needed them now. He was going to confront Priya, tell her exactly how he felt about her choices and the chaos they had caused.

Stumbling slightly, Ram rose up from his place and stepped out of the bar.

Noticing the blood stains, he just jerks off the glass pieces and wrapped his handkerchief before stepping inside his car. He drove recklessly through the streets, not caring about his own safety. Without caring much, he drove his car in such drunken state and made his way to Priya's flat.

His mind was a whirlwind of emotions – anger, hurt, and frustration.

However, as he tried to enter Priya's building, the security guard stopped him, his expression firm. "I'm sorry, sir. You can't enter without permission at this hour."

Ram, fueled by his emotions and determination, pushed the security guard aside and entered Priya's building. He ignored the guard's protests, his focus solely on reaching Priya and confronting her about Peehu's presence there against his wishes.

When he reached her door, he knocked loudly, not caring about the late hour.

Priya opened the door, surprised and wary. "Ram? What are you doing here?"

Ram pushed the door open and entered the house. Priya stumbled lightly and Ram closed the door behind him locking his raging eyes with her.

Priya looked at him and sensed he was not in his senses and noticed the blood stains on his hand.

"What have you done to yourself?" Priya was worried, taking his hand in hers.

Ram withdrew his hand from her hold and said, "I need to talk to you. Where is Peehu?" He said it in a little loud voice.

"Speak slowly, kids just slept and you will wake them up with your voice." Priya said in a calm tone.

"I need to talk to you today no matter what." Ram was so adamant.

"Ram, please. You are not in your senses, go home, we will talk later." Priya suggested.

"No, I need answers from you." Ram was determined to talk to her.

Priya didn't have any choice but to talk to him.

"Okay, fine. Let's go to the other room otherwise kids will wake up." Priya took him to the room.