Dadi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Her calm but authoritative tone made everyone turn toward her.
"Enough," she said firmly. "Regardless of how Gauri is, or what anyone here thinks about her, the truth is that she is going to be a part of this family. She will be the daughter-in-law of this house."
Veena's lips parted in protest, but Dadi raised her hand, silencing her.
"And more than that," Dadi continued, her eyes sweeping across the family, "you all are forgetting the bigger picture. It is a risk for Gauri to marry into this family. Once she becomes a Kothari, the same dark shadows and witches that haunt us will also haunt her. She's unknowingly doing us a favor—stepping into fire without knowing how deep it burns. Hence, we should all respect her for it."
A heavy silence fell in the hall. Yug lowered his gaze, thoughtful. Urvashi exchanged a troubled glance with Shyom. Veena clenched her fists, torn between her anger and her mother-in-law's words.
Vihaan stood still, his jaw tightening, but his eyes betrayed the slightest flicker of conflict.
The next day, the Kothari mansion was abuzz with excitement as the engagement party got underway. The sound of music filled the air, and Raani and Yug were dancing to the energetic beats of a popular song.
Their infectious energy spread through the party, and soon everyone was dancing and having a great time. Urvashi joined the youngsters on the dance floor, laughing and spinning with abandon.
From the upper railing, Veena stood watching the scene, her eyes scanning the party below with a mixture of disappointment and anger. She turned to Shyom, her voice sharp and critical.
"Can you believe Vihaan is getting engaged to that girl, Gauri? She's not fit to be a part of our family."
Shyom tried to intervene gently. "Veena, maybe you should give her a chance. We don't really know her that well."
But Veena was unyielding, her expression stubborn. "I don't want to know her. She is not worthy of this family."
With a final disapproving shake of her head, Veena stormed off to her room, leaving Shyom standing there, troubled and concerned.
Vihaan stood at the foot of the stairs, his eyes fixed on the entrance as if willing Gauri to walk through the door. Yug approached him, a questioning look on his face.
"Bhaiya, do you think Gauri Bhabhi will come?" Yug asked, his voice low.
Vihaan's expression was unreadable, but his voice was certain. "She has no choice but to come."
Just then, Gauri made her entrance with Gayatri and Charvi, her presence commanding the room. Vihaan's eyes locked onto her, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed mesmerized, though he quickly masked it with his usual stoic expression.
Yug, however, noticed the flicker in his brother's gaze and couldn't resist teasing. "Bhaiya, looks like someone's caught your eye," he said with a smirk.
But Vihaan swiftly cut him off, his voice stern. "Yug, enough."
Meanwhile, Yug's own eyes drifted toward Charvi, instantly captivated by her. His sister Raani nudged him playfully, a mischievous grin on her lips.
"Arre, Bhaiya," Raani teased softly, "don't stare too much, or she'll catch you."
Yug quickly looked away, his cheeks warming, while Charvi tried to focus on Gauri but felt Yug's gaze lingering.
Meanwhile, Yug's eyes lingered on Charvi, unable to tear himself away. His lips curved into the faintest smile as he murmured under his breath, "I guess two brothers will marry two sisters."
Vihaan, catching the movement of his lips, turned sharply. "Yug, did you say something?"
Yug straightened instantly, his expression innocent. "No, Bhaiya," he replied quickly, shaking his head.
Vihaan gave him a narrowed look but didn't press further, shifting his focus back to Gauri, who had just stepped further into the hall.
Charvi, standing close to Gauri, glanced once at Yug and then quickly looked away, her cheeks faintly tinged pink.
Dadi and Urvashi stepped forward to welcome Gauri and her family, their smiles warm and genuine.
Gauri greeted them with folded hands, her tone respectful yet poised. "Namaste, Dadi… Aunty ji."
As the ceremony progressed, Gauri and Vihaan were seated side by side. The closeness was unavoidable, and though the setting was festive, their eyes met in a fleeting, stern glance—an unspoken battle simmering between them.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Yug walked up to Charvi with an easy grin. "Hi, I'm Yug. And you are…?"
Charvi crossed her arms, raising a brow. "Why? Planning to forget it the second I tell you?"
Yug laughed. "Arre, nothing like that. I'm not going to sell your name, promise."
Charvi gave him a straight look. "Good. Because I'm Charvi—and unlike you, I don't give my name out carelessly."
Yug blinked, a little taken aback before grinning wider. "Oho, attitude bhi full on."
Charvi smirked faintly, turning her gaze back toward the ceremony, leaving Yug intrigued.