Vihaan's expression turned stern as he looked down at Gauri's hands grasping his collar. "Let go, Gauri. You're crossing a line. As a police officer, I can overlook this once, but physically assaulting or detaining an officer can lead to serious consequences."
He firmly removed her hands from his collar. "Let's resolve this calmly and rationally. No need for aggression."
Vihaan's expression was unreadable as he revealed, "You were right, Gauri. I did arrest your mother to compel you. And now, I'm giving you a choice."
Gauri's eyes blazed with anger, but Vihaan continued, his voice firm. "Whatever I'm doing is for my family. And now, you have to make a choice for your own family — your mother."
He held out a contract paper, his eyes locked on Gauri's. "This contract is the key to your mother's freedom. Sign it, and she's free to go. Refuse, and..." He let the sentence hang, the implication clear.
Gauri's voice was laced with trepidation as she asked, "What does the contract state?"
Vihaan's reply was direct. "Not much. Just that you're agreeing to be my wife, in every sense of the word, and you'll never divorce me."
Gauri's eyes widened in shock, horror etched on her face. "You want me to sign away my entire life in exchange for my mother's freedom?" she whispered.
Her voice trembled with rage and desperation. "And in return, you'll take the case back on my mother?"
Vihaan's expression remained unyielding as he confirmed, "Exactly. You can make things easy for both of us, Gauri."
Gauri's face contorted in disgust and anger. "You're a selfish person, Vihaan. Using my mother's freedom as leverage to control me. You don't care about anyone but yourself."
Vihaan's eyes locked onto Gauri's as he placed the contract paper in her hand. "You're free to think whatever you want, Gauri. I don't care. What's important is that you make a decision. Your mother's freedom hangs in the balance."
His voice was devoid of emotion, his gaze piercing as he waited for Gauri's response.
Vihaan's thoughts turned inward, a mix of determination and justification. "I'm going out of my way, doing things I shouldn't do... but it's all to protect my family. I can do anything for them."
His eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw set in resolve, as he watched Gauri's reaction to the contract.
Gauri's mind reeled in anguish as she thought, "Why is this happening to me?" Her eyes filled with tears and disgust as she gazed at Vihaan. "I never thought you were this despicable," she whispered.
Memories flooded her mind — how Vihaan had saved her several times, his kindness and bravery. She felt a pang of sorrow, wondering how the man she had once admired could stoop so low.
The air was thick with tension as Gauri and Vihaan locked eyes, their gazes piercing and accusatory. For a moment, they stood frozen, the only sound the heavy silence between them.
Then, without a word, Gauri turned and walked away, the contract still clutched tightly in her hand, her shoulders squared in defiance. Vihaan watched her go, his expression unreadable, before turning and striding in the opposite direction.
Charvi, who had silently witnessed the storm between them, followed Gauri at a distance, worry etched on her face, though she said nothing.
Gauri's footsteps eventually led her to the quiet solace of a temple, where she collapsed before the idol of Lord Krishna, tears streaming down her face. She clutched the contract tightly, her voice cracking as she prayed, "Why, Kanha? Why is this happening to me?"
She sobbed, her body shaking with anguish. "I'm so helpless. I don't know what to do. My mother's freedom, my own life... it's all being held hostage." Her words dissolved into incoherent whispers, her tears falling like rain upon the cold marble floor.
Gauri's voice trembled as she continued to pray, "And Charvi's condition... it's just around the corner. I promised her I'd make it right, but the money... oh God, the money. I've struggled so hard to arrange it, and now this contract... it's like the universe is conspiring against me."
Her tears flowed faster, her words pouring out in a desperate plea. "What am I supposed to do, Kanha? How can I choose between my mother's freedom and my own happiness? And what about Charvi's life? Please, help me... guide me through this darkness."
Gauri's voice cracked with emotion as she whispered, "Gayatri... my mother. She's never shown me love or kindness, but still... I couldn't bear to see her suffer. She's my mother, after all."
Tears streamed down her face as she added, "I guess some bonds can't be broken, no matter how strained they are. I have to try and save her, even if it means sacrificing my own happiness."
Just as Gauri was consumed by her despair, a gentle voice interrupted her prayers. "Beti, I couldn't help but notice your distress. Would you like to share what's troubling you?"
A compassionate-looking priest had approached her, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. Charvi stood a few steps behind with tears in her eyes,silent but watchful, as Gauri hesitated for a moment before pouring out her heart, the contract still clutched in her trembling hands.