"Sai Bhai, you came!" Naina exclaimed, a warm smile gracing her lips.
Sai walked over to her. "My sister called, so how could I not come?" Naina just smiled. She then introduced Sai to Vikram, Riya, Aditi, Vihaan, Aryan, and Dev. Sai, in turn, introduced his wife, Meera, and their daughters, Mehak and Muskan. Naina knelt, gently touching the girls' cheeks. "Hello," she greeted, and Sai's daughters replied with shy smiles.
As Naina spoke to them, Aditi suddenly pointed a hand towards Manik. "Mom, who is this?"
Naina glanced at Manik, her expression unreadable, then turned back to Aditi. "Nobody," she stated calmly. Manik froze, deeply hurt that Priya (Naina) had not only ignored him but refused to acknowledge him in front of her child. He hadn't received a single response to any of his questions.
Jaya, Anjali, and Kavita, witnessing the interaction, were reeling. How was Priya (Naina) alive? Where had she been for six years? Was she married with kids? Jaya and Anjali felt a pang of worry and sadness for Manik, mixed with a complicated relief that Priya (Naina) was alive. Just then, Priya Amit Sharma, Amit's wife, called out, "What are you all doing? Come inside!" She saw Sai and Meera. "You guys came too! Let's go inside!"
Everyone moved indoors, joining the large table. Manik watched as Priya (Naina) entered, not once looking his way. Jaya, Anjali, and Kavita felt a sharp pang of hurt that Priya (Naina) had ignored them completely. Kabir approached Manik, seeing the raw sadness on his cousin's face, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Manik's gaze was fixed on the table where Priya (Naina) now sat amongst the Sharma family. He was shocked that they knew she was alive. Jaya, Kavita, and Anjali also saw the Sharma family, their surprise deepening.
On the other side of the restaurant, Naina was reveling in her family lunch, surrounded by her loved ones, Sai, Meera, and all the children. It was a moment she had yearned for. Amidst their happy conversations and laughter, Naina's adoptive mother smiled, overjoyed to see her princess so happy.
Suddenly, a voice cut through their joyous sounds. It was Jaya, standing behind their table, with Kavita and Anjali beside her. "Priya!" she called out, then again, "Priya (Naina)!"
Naina ignored them, as her name was Naina, not Priya. The Sharma family's mood began to sour, but Vikram skillfully started talking, distracting them. The rest of the Sharma family, understanding the situation, played along, keeping up their cheerful facade.
"Priya (Naina)!" Jaya called again, her voice rising. "Where were you? You're alive! Manik Bhai was so sad, he went into depression because you supposedly killed yourself! Your family knew you were alive!" The Sharma family continued to ignore them, laughing and talking, pushing Jaya to her breaking point. Jaya stormed to their table, grabbing Naina's arm, forcing her to stand.
"Why are you ignoring us?!" Jaya demanded, her voice shrill. "Where were you? You didn't die six years ago, and your family knew you were alive! Don't you know how sad Anjali, Kavita, and I were? We thought we'd lost you! Manik Bhai... he couldn't live without you. He always thought about you, always working like a machine!" Naina stood silently, her arms folded across her chest, listening to Jaya's outburst.
As Jaya confronted Naina at the Sharma family's table, Manik, Kabir, the Verma Family, the Singh Family (who had also stayed for lunch), and the Malhotra Family all listened, their faces etched with shock. Before anyone else could speak, Mr. Singh turned to the Malhotra family. "If your boy loves someone already, why did you invite our family here for him to meet my daughter?" The Malhotra family was stunned; they had no idea their son was in love with Jaya's friend. The Singh family, humiliated, left.
Naina, taking it all in, said nothing. Instead, she calmly picked up a glass of water. "You must be tired from speaking so much," she said, her voice surprisingly serene, offering it to Jaya. "Drink some water." Everyone was shocked by Naina's composure, except Vikram, who knew her well. Jaya, still reeling, drank the water.
Naina then looked directly at Jaya, her eyes piercing. "I am not Priya," she stated, her voice clear and strong. "My full name is Naina Suryavanshi."