As the Kotharis departed, Gayatri and Adrija watched them leave, both feeling a rush of emotions about the upcoming wedding.
The moment the door closed, Gayatri's expression turned sharp, her voice laced with irritation. "What were you thinking, Adrija? Why did you tell them about your sisters?"
Adrija stood her ground, her tone calm yet firm. "Although you don't consider them your own, I still consider them family, Mom. I didn't want the Kotharis to later feel deceived if they found out I had sisters. It's better to be upfront now."
Gayatri's anger simmered, though her displeasure lingered. "You should have let me handle it, Adrija. You have no idea how easily a single word can ruin things."
Adrija lifted her chin with quiet defiance. "I did what I thought was right, Mom."
Gayatri's glare softened reluctantly, though the bitterness in her heart remained. "Forget it. Tomorrow is too important to waste on arguments. Let me bring out my bridal lehenga and heirloom jewelry for you to wear for the engagement. We only need to shop for a ring now."
Adrija's face lit up, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "That sounds perfect, Mom. You've always had flawless taste."
Gayatri's lips curved into a smile, pleased by her daughter's delight. "I'll have everything ready for you. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of your new life."
At that moment, Gauri entered the room, her expression curious. Gayatri's tone instantly shifted, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, look who's here—the unwanted one. Gauri, don't you dare step out tomorrow. And make sure Charvi stays in as well. Adrija and I will be at the Kotharis' mansion for her engagement."
Gauri froze, her heart pounding. "Engagement? Whose son is Adrija marrying?"
Adrija answered proudly, her voice steady. "Vihaan Kothari."
The words struck Gauri like a thunderbolt. Her lips parted in disbelief, her mind spinning. "Vihaan? Are you serious?"
Adrija nodded with certainty. "Yes. And they even want you and Charvi there."
Gauri's brows furrowed deeply, her heart tightening. "They know I'm your sister?"
Adrija met her gaze and replied without hesitation. "Yes, I told them."
Shock coursed through Gauri. If Vihaan and his family knew she was Adrija's sister, why hadn't they refused the alliance? Why would they even want her presence? The questions gnawed at her mind.
Memories from the past surged back—Vihaan and his mother's harsh words, their disdainful insults about her profession as a bar singer. The sting of humiliation burned fresh in her chest.
Her voice trembled, but her resolve was firm. "I'm not attending that engagement. And neither is Charvi. I will not give them the satisfaction of looking down on me again."
Adrija's eyes widened in alarm. "Gauri, please reconsider. It's my engagement."
But Gauri's heart had already hardened, her pain eclipsing any sense of celebration.
Adrija's eyes softened, masking the scheming glint within them. She stepped closer to Gauri, her tone suddenly honeyed. "Gauri, please… I've never asked you for anything. This is the most important day of my life. Don't make me stand there alone without my own sister beside me."
Gauri's brow furrowed, suspicion flickering. "Why are you so insistent? You know what Vihaan's mother thinks of me."
Adrija clasped Gauri's hand, her voice thick with practiced emotion. "I know she was harsh before, but things are different now. They've accepted me, and by extension, they've accepted you too. I don't want the Kotharis to feel slighted if my own sister doesn't show up. Just one day, Gauri… just smile for me. I'll feel stronger if you're by my side."
For a long moment, Gauri searched her sister's eyes, torn between the painful memory of past insults and the sincerity Adrija pretended to wear like a mask. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she yielded. "Fine. I'll come. But don't expect me to play nice beyond what's necessary."
A victorious smile ghosted across Adrija's lips, though she quickly hid it with a look of gratitude. "That's all I ask, Gauri. Thank you… you don't know how much this means to me."
Gauri's voice turned firm, her protective instincts kicking in. "But listen carefully—Charvi is not coming. I won't let her step into that house and risk being insulted the way I was. She's too young to face that kind of humiliation."
Adrija forced a sweet smile, masking her annoyance. "Of course, I understand. It's enough that you'll be there."
But behind that tender smile, Adrija's eyes gleamed with triumph. Her goal had been achieved.
Gauri closed the door behind her and leaned against it, heart still pounding from the evening's bargaining. She pressed her palms to her eyes and let out a slow breath.
"God," she murmured into the quiet room, "I've agreed to go for Adrija's sake. I hope Vihaan and his mother don't insult me tomorrow—because if they do, I swear on the Almighty I will give them a befitting reply. Otherwise my name isn't Gauri Sharma."
The vow settled in her like a stone and, for a moment, steadied her. She wiped her face, squared her shoulders, and headed to the cupboard to choose something simple to wear—only one day of pretense, she told herself. Then back to her real life: the cab, Charvi, and the fight to keep them both safe.