As the music swelled, Vihaan and Gauri—still under the heady influence of the bhang—were gently nudged closer by Mihir and Sahir. Their resistance crumbled, and soon, they found themselves moving in perfect sync to the romantic tune "Tere Sang Yaara."
---
♪ Yaara, tere sang yaara, o karam khudaaya hai…
Tujhe mujhse milaaya hai…
Tujh pe mar ke hi toh mujhe jeena aaya hai… ♪
Their bodies swayed as one, their eyes locked in an unbroken gaze. The world around them blurred into colors and laughter, but for them, there was only the music and the magnetic pull between their souls.
---
♪ Tere sang yaara, khush rang bahaara…
Tu raat deewani, main zard sitaara… ♪
The lyrics seemed to speak their hearts. Gauri's bangles jingled as her hands rested in Vihaan's, while his firm grip betrayed a tenderness he would never admit aloud. Their movements softened into something intimate, romantic—unmistakably more than just a dance.
---
♪ Tera–mera milna dastoor hai…
Tere hone se mujh mein noor hai…
Main hoon soona sa ek aasmaan, mehtaab tu… ♪
Gauri's laughter slipped free as Vihaan twirled her gracefully, only to pull her back into his arms. They stood close, their breaths mingling, their hearts beating as if to the rhythm of the song itself.
---
Meanwhile, Yug and Charvi entered the courtyard, halting in surprise at the sight.
Yug's jaw dropped, then curved into a mischievous grin. "Arre wah, Bhaiya and bhabhi are so romantic! I didn't know vihaan Bhaiya could dance like this—these filmy dance moments with Bhabhi!"
Charvi giggled softly, her cheeks turning pink as she teased, "Looks like the Holi colors have done their magic already."
Vihaan and Gauri, oblivious to the spectators, remained locked in each other's gaze as the song reached its final verse.
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♪ Tere bin ab toh na jeena gawara…
Tere sang yaara…
Yaara… tere sang yaara… ♪
The music ended, but the spell lingered. Vihaan and Gauri's connection refused to break, their closeness speaking louder than words.
---
From the crowd, Nishigandha—disguised as an ordinary guest—watched with a cold, knowing smile. Her eyes glinted with malice.
"Dance all you want," she muttered under her breath, "because very soon, your steps will stumble into tragedy."
Unseen, her presence lingered like a dark shadow amidst the festival of colors.
---
The Kotharis clapped, delighted by the unexpected performance. But Veena's smile never reached her eyes. Instead, her mind burned with resentment.
This cheap girl is getting too close to my Vihaan. I'll have to do something about her…
Steeling herself, she approached Gayatri with false warmth. "Gayatri ji, happy festivals! Could we talk for a moment?"
Gayatri returned the greeting politely, though puzzled. "Of course."
The two women slipped away to a quiet corner, their hushed conversation carrying secrets of its own.
---
In the quiet corner of the courtyard, away from the laughter and music, Veena's smile faded. Her voice dropped to a silken, cutting tone.
"Gayatri ji," she began, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, "your elder daughter Adrija… she was meant to marry my Vihaan. But on the wedding day, she fled. Do you know what that did to my family's honor? To my son? He was forced into marrying Gauri instead."
She paused, then added with a deliberate bite, "Don't mind me saying this, but I've never liked Gauri for my Vihaan. The one I wanted as my bahu was Adrija."
Behind her words, a secret thought slithered through Veena's mind: Because Adrija is the Jalpanchi—the one destined to save my son from the witch's darkness. Not Gauri.
Veena leaned closer. "Tell me, Gayatri ji, do you know where Adrija is now?"
Gayatri's face darkened with pain. "Adrija's whereabouts are still unknown. My daughter has been missing for so long… I filed a missing report, but there has been no news. No trace. And even if she is found…" She steadied her voice. "Vihaan is already married to Gauri. Adrija and Vihaan can't be together anymore."
Veena's lips curled into a smirk. "Who says so? Are you scared of what society will whisper? Or is it that you're worried Gauri's reputation will be tarnished as a divorcee?" She scoffed. "But honestly, what reputation does she have to begin with? A girl who dances in a bar has no dignity to lose."
Gayatri's eyes flared with both hurt and anger. "Enough, Veena ji. Adrija is my daughter. But so is Gauri. How could I destroy the marital life of one daughter just to restore another? This isn't about society—it's about what's right. And for your information, Gauri is nothing like what you imagine her to be. She is hardworking, a cab driver who earns her living with dignity. She may not come from wealth, but she is strong, independent, and far from the cheap image you've painted of her."
Veena's jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. Inside, her determination hardened: No matter what Gayatri says, I'll find a way to replace Gauri with Adrija. Only Adrija can save my son.