Veena's voice, sharp and imperious, sliced through the charged atmosphere. "Vihaan!" she thundered, her eyes blazing with outrage. "Throw this ill-mannered girl out of our sacred house before she pollutes it any further with her vile words and presence!"
Gauri's chest rose and fell with the force of her indignation. Her eyes burned as she turned to Veena. "No need, aunty. I have two perfectly good feet," she said, her voice edged with biting sarcasm. "I am quite capable of leaving on my own."
With a final, cutting glance at Vihaan and his family, Gauri spun on her heel. The heaviness of silence lingered as she strode toward the main door. "Goodbye," she flung over her shoulder, the word cold, dismissive, and final.
The door slammed shut behind her, muffling the sound of the relentless downpour outside, leaving the Kothari mansion steeped in a tense, heavy silence.
The heavy slam of the door still echoed through the marble halls when Veena let out a sharp exhale, clutching at her chest as though steadying herself. She sank into the nearest chair with regal finality, her saree rustling as she adjusted her pallu with trembling hands.
Vihaan was at her side instantly, his hand gently holding her arm. "Maa… are you alright?" he asked, his tone softer now, concern overshadowing the fury that had moments ago burned in his eyes.
Veena lifted her chin, her voice cold and unwavering. "I am fine, Vihaan. But hear me well…" She turned her face slightly, her sharp gaze cutting into the silence like a blade. "That girl—Gauri—I never want to see her in this house again. Not now, not ever."
Her words rang through the living room like a decree, final and absolute.
Outside the Kothari mansion, the rain poured relentlessly, plastering Gauri's hair to her face as she stumbled down the driveway. Her steps faltered, and finally, she stopped near her cab, gripping the door handle for support.
The words still echoed in her ears—"cheap girl… characterless… never step into this house again." Each insult struck like a lash against her heart. Her chest heaved, and before she could stop herself, hot tears spilled down her cheeks, mixing with the rain.
She pressed her forehead against the cab's cold metal, her sobs breaking free. "Why… why do they always see me like this?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
She pressed her shaking palms to her face, but the memories came rushing in, cruel and unrelenting.
That night… Gayatri's eyes had gleamed with cold command as she pushed Charvi forward. "You will dance tonight, Charvi. Do as I say."
But Gauri had seen the fear in her sister's eyes, the way Charvi's hand clutched her chest, her breath already uneven. The danger was real—one wrong move, one burst of excitement, and Charvi's fragile heart could give up.
"No!" Gauri had shouted then, stepping between them. "I'll do it. Leave her alone. I'll dance."
She had taken Charvi's place, swallowing her pride, her dignity, everything—just to shield her sister. Every beat of the drum that night had felt like a slap, every stare like a chain binding her tighter to shame.
And now, after all that, to be called characterless…
Gauri's sobs tore through the storm. "I did it for Charvi… not for myself," she whispered brokenly. "How could they insult me like this? How could they be so judgemental?"
Her tears blended with the downpour, but nothing could wash away the weight of Veena's judgment or the cruelty of fate that had forced her into that humiliating role.
In the confines of his room, Vihaan paced back and forth, his jaw tight.
"Such an ill-mannered girl!" he muttered, his voice a low growl. "How dare she speak so rudely to my mother?"
Yug, leaning against the doorframe, countered softly, "Bhai, with due respect, she only stood up to Chachi's taunts. You know very well Chachi wasn't exactly offering her a warm welcome."
Raani, sitting cross-legged on his bed, added gently, "Yes, Bhai. Chachi judged her without even knowing her. That wasn't fair either."
Vihaan spun on them, his expression dark. "So you're both saying my mother was wrong? That girl insulted her character to her face! No cultured girl behaves like that."
Yug's tone grew more serious, his usual casualness replaced with quiet weight. "Think about it, Bhai. A girl was just thrown out of this mansion and into stormy rain. You're ACP Vihaan Kothari — isn't it your duty to protect the daughters of this nation? And you just let one walk away after such a heated clash."
Raani leaned forward, her eyes steady on her cousin. "And let's be honest, Bhai — beneath all your anger, you're worried too. We saw it. You can't ignore the way you looked when she stormed out."
Vihaan froze mid-step, their words cutting through his fury. Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind — the hooded man lurking, the danger Harsh had warned him about. A knot of unease twisted in his stomach.
Without another word, Vihaan turned sharply and strode out of the room. Raani and Yug exchanged quick glances as they heard his hurried footsteps thundering down the stairs, followed moments later by the roar of his car engine as he sped into the stormy night.