Prachi stands in front of a tall mirror in a bustling marketplace, holding up two dupattas in her hands—one in a soft lavender and the other in a vibrant red. She tilts her head, trying to decide which one suits her better. The noise of the market fades as she gets lost in her thoughts, her delicate features furrowed in concentration.

Prachi: (muttering to herself in pure Hindi)

"Kaunsa pehenna chahiye? Lal toh bahut tez lagta hai... par yeh baingan rang ka bhi theek hi hai(Which one should I wear? Red feels too bold... but this aubergine color is okay too...)"

Esha: Tum par har cheez khoobsurat lagti hai(Everything looks beautiful on you)🌹

As she holds the red dupatta near her shoulders and examines herself in the mirror, a familiar figure steps behind her. Ranbir appears out of nowhere, his confident smirk reflected in the mirror. Prachi's eyes widen, her heart skipping a beat as she meets his playful gaze in the reflection.

Ranbir: (leaning closer with a teasing grin)

"Chikchiki, yeh tum kya itna soch rahi ho? Tumhare upar toh har rang suit karta hai, lekin (Chichiki, what's there to think so much about? Every color suits you, but...)"

He suddenly holds up a Kashmiri shawl he had been hiding behind his back—a beautiful white piece adorned with intricate embroidery in gold and green. 

Without asking, he gently places it over her head, arranging it carefully as if it were a bridal veil.

"Yeh toh bilkul tumhare liye hi bana hai(This one was made just for you.)"

Prachi: (turning to face him, startled and a bit shy)

"Ranbir, yeh kya kar rahe ho? Mujhe lagta hai yeh zyada hai(Ranbir, what are you doing? I think this is too much...)"

Ranbir: (ignoring her protests and stepping back to admire her)

"Bas ek minute, bilkul perfect lag rahi ho. Ab imagine karo, Karva Chauth ke din tumhare saree ka pallu mein is shawl ki tarah sir pe daal loonga, aur tumhare saamne baithkar tumhara vrat todunga(Just a minute, you look perfect. Now imagine this—on Karva Chauth, I'll drape your saree's veil over your head like this and break your fast sitting right in front of you.)"

Esha: Hayee! Tum pehle se hi use hamesha ke liye apni patni ke roop mein dekhane ka sapna dekh rahe hain(You are already dreaming of her as your wife forever now!)😛🥰

Prachi's cheeks flush a deep red, her eyes darting away from him as her heart flutters uncontrollably. She tries to suppress the shy smile tugging at her lips but fails miserably.

Prachi: (stammering)

"Tum... tum itne sure kyun ho ki main hi tumhari hone wali dulhan hoon? Duniya mein tumhare liye... aur bhi ladkiyan hongi—mujhse zyada sundar, sophisticated, aur tumhari standard ki(Why... why are you so sure that I'm the one who will be your bride? There are so many other girls in the world—prettier, more sophisticated, and up to your standard.)"

Esha: Prachi...tum aisa kyun soch rahi ho...kya tum us par itna kam bharosa karti ho(Prachi...why are you thinking like this...do you trust him so little...)😤😭

Her words trail off as she looks down, clutching the dupattas nervously. She thinks of Ranbir's larger-than-life persona: the charming businessman, the heartthrob admired by millions, and the man who has everything. How could someone like him, who seems too perfect, fall for someone so simple, so middle-class, so... her?

Ranbir: (his playful demeanor softens, and he steps closer, tilting her chin up so she's forced to look at him)

"Tumhe sach mein lagta hai ki mujhe tumhare standard ki parvah hai? Tum kya sochti ho, mujhe ek perfect life chahiye? Mujhe sirf tum chahiye, Prachi. Tumhare wo suddh Hindi bolne waali baatein, tumhari simplicity, tumhara har ek ajeeb sa andaaz... yeh sab kuch mujhe perfect lagta hai(Do you really think I care about standards? What do you think, that I want a perfect life? I just want you, Prachi. Your way of speaking pure Hindi, your simplicity, your every quirky little habit... all of it feels perfect to me.)"

Esha: Awww! So cute! 🤭

Prachi blinks, her breath hitching at his heartfelt words. Her mind races, trying to process what he just said, but her insecurities hold her back. She shakes her head lightly and steps away, pretending to fix the dupatta on her head.

Prachi: (forcing a light laugh)

"Tum sirf bolte ho, Ranbir. Mujhe lagta hai tum mazaak kar rahe ho(You're just saying this, Ranbir. I think you're joking.)"

Ranbir: (grinning, but his tone remains firm)

"Haan, mazaak kar raha hoon. Woh bhi apni hone waali biwi ke saath. Tum dekh lena, ek din tumhe yeh samajh aayega ki Ranbir Kohli jo bolta hai, uska matlab hota hai(Yes, I'm joking. With my future wife. You'll see one day that when Ranbir Kohli says something, he means it.)"

She doesn't respond, instead looking at the mirror again. This time, though, her reflection shows her in the shawl he chose for her, and for a fleeting moment, she dares to imagine what he described—a life together, him draping her saree's pallu on Karva Chauth, his teasing smile as he breaks her fast. 

But just as quickly as the thought comes, she shakes it off, pushing back the warmth in her chest.

Prachi (thinking):

"Yeh sab sapne dekhna mere liye theek nahi hai. Ranbir jaise insaan ko main deserve nahi karti. Main toh sirf ek aam ladki hoon, aur uski life... woh toh bilkul alag hai(It's not right for me to dream like this. Someone like Ranbir isn't someone I deserve. I'm just an ordinary girl, and his life... it's completely different.)"

Ranbir, sensing her hesitation but unable to understand her inner turmoil, picks up the shawl and folds it neatly. He places it in her shopping bag with a warm smile.

Ranbir:

"Chikchiki, bas ek baat yaad rakhna. Tum meri ho, chahe tumhe samajhne mein jitna waqt lage(Chikchiki, just remember one thing. You're mine, no matter how long it takes for you to realize it.)"

With that, he gestures for her to follow him to the next stall, leaving Prachi standing there, clutching the bag tightly as her thoughts whirl with doubt and unspoken feelings.

Ranbir is momentarily distracted by an old vendor selling traditional Kashmiri jewelry. He picks up a delicate anklet, smiling to himself, thinking of how it would look perfect on Prachi.

Ranbir (thinking):

"Yeh toh meri chikchiki ke liye perfect hai. Main ise gift karunga, aur phir dekhna, uski sharmili si smile(This is perfect for my Chikchiki. I'll gift it to her, and then just wait to see her shy little smile.)"

Meanwhile, Prachi has wandered a little ahead, enchanted by the intricate embroidery on display. Her dupatta sways lightly in the breeze as she examines a shawl. Suddenly, a black SUV pulls up near the market corner. Two men step out, their faces partially hidden by scarves. They exchange glances and nod, confirming their target.

Man 1:

"Woh hai ladki. Kunal sir ka order hai, bina shor machaye kaam niptaana(That's the girl. Kunal sir's order is to handle this without making a scene.)"

Esha: What in the World! Kunal ne uske kidnap ka aadesh diya hai...rascal(Kunal has ordered to kidnap her...rascal!)😡

Man 2: (eyeing Prachi)

"Lagta hai badi asaan si hai. Bas chaldi se utha lo(She seems pretty easy. Let's grab her quickly.)"

They approach Prachi quietly, pretending to be shoppers. One of them pretends to drop a shawl, and as Prachi bends to pick it up instinctively, they seize the opportunity.

Prachi: (startled)

*"Arre... aapka shawl gir gaya hai(Hey... your shawl has fallen off—)"

Before she can finish, one of the men grabs her arm firmly, and the other clamps a hand over her mouth to stifle her scream. 

Her eyes widen in terror as she struggles to break free, but the men drag her quickly toward the SUV. The crowd is too busy with the market hustle to notice the commotion.

Ranbir, holding the anklet, turns back to show it to Prachi.

Ranbir:

"Chikchiki, dekh... tumhare liye kuch liya hai(Chikchiki, look... got something for you—)"

His voice trails off as he realizes Prachi isn't there. His brows knit together in confusion, scanning the area.

Ranbir: (calling out)

"Prachi? Chikchiki? Tum kahan ho(Prachi? Chikchiki? Where are you?)"

Esha: Tum itni der se kyon aaye(Why were you so late?)😰

He starts walking quickly through the crowd, his heartbeat quickening. He sees her bag lying on the ground near a shawl stall, and panic sets in. His breathing grows heavy as he looks around frantically, clutching the anklet tightly in his hand.

Ranbir (thinking):

"Yeh bag yahan kaise? Kahin... Prachi ko kuch... nahi, nahi(How is her bag here? Did something... no, no!)"

He spots a bystander who had noticed a suspicious SUV speeding away moments ago.

Bystander:

"Woh ladki ko koi gaadi mein le gaya. Kaali SUV thi, north ki taraf gayi(Someone took a girl in a car. It was a black SUV, heading north.)"

Esha: Darshak sirf apni aankhon se kyon dekh rahe hain...vah surakshit ho sakati thi(Why are bystanders just looking with their eyes...she could have been safe!)😨

Ranbir: (his voice trembling with anger and fear)

"Kya? Kis taraf gayi woh? Batao, please(What? Which way did they go? Tell me, please!)"

Without waiting for more details, Ranbir sprints toward his own vehicle, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. His fists clench the steering wheel as he drives recklessly toward the direction the SUV was last seen.

Inside the SUV, Prachi struggles against her captors, her eyes brimming with fear. She kicks at one of the men, managing to free herself momentarily, but the other quickly pins her down.

Prachi: (pleading in a trembling voice, speaking in Hindi)

"Mujhe chhod do, tumhe paap lagega! Bhagwan ke liye, mujhe jaane do(Leave me, you'll be cursed! For God's sake, let me go!)"

Man 1: (mocking)

"Paap aur punya ka chakkar toh humein nahi samajhta, madam. Tumhare bhale ke liye chupchaap baith jao(We don't care about sins or virtues, madam. Sit quietly for your own good.)"

Esha: You shut up! ☠

Her struggles continue as tears streak her cheeks, her thoughts consumed by fear and despair. Her mind flashes to Ranbir, wishing he could somehow find her.

Ranbir (in his car):

"Prachi... tumhe kuch nahi hone dunga. Main aa raha hoon, Chikchiki. Kisi ki himmat nahi hai tumhe mujhse door le jaane ki(Prachi... I won't let anything happen to you. I'm coming, Chikchiki. No one dares take you away from me.)"

Bollywood lyrics play in his head as he speeds through the winding roads, determined to rescue her at any cost.

https://youtu.be/fP6MNznzVcQ

Song Lyrics:

"Zinda hai toh pyala poora bhar le

Kancha phoote choora kaanch kar le

Kancha phoote choora kaanch kar le.."

(If you're alive then fill your glass up to the brim

If the glass breaks, then turn the pieces into another glass

If the glass breaks, then turn the pieces into another glass)

The SUV disappears into a dense forest road, and Ranbir follows, his eyes blazing with resolve. The battle to save Prachi has only just begun.

"Uljhe kyun pairon mein yeh khwaab

Kadmon se resham kheench de

Peeche kuch na aage ka hisaab...

(Why are your dreams stuck in your feet

Release them like silk from your feet

Don't think about your past or the future...)

The SUV comes to an abrupt stop in the middle of nowhere. Prachi, still struggling in the grasp of the two men, is dragged out of the vehicle. The chilly night air bites at her skin as she tries to regain her composure, her heart racing in terror.

One of the men steps forward, his face shadowed but his voice cruel and confident.

"Is pal ki kyaari seench de

Aag zubaan pe rakh de

Phir chhot ke honth bhi gayenge..."

(Live in your present

Keep a flame burning on your lips

Then even your burning lips will sing)

Man 1: (smirking)

"Tum samajh nahi rahi ho, ladki. Tumhare saath jo hone wala hai, woh tumne socha bhi nahi tha(You don't understand, girl. What's about to happen to you, you could never have imagined.)"

As Prachi trembles, trying to find some courage, the second man steps forward and puts a knife near her throat, sneering at her weakly.

Man 2:

"Pehle humein yeh batao, Ranbir Kohli ka kya fayda? Koi kaam ka aadmi nahi hai woh! Tumhare jaisi ladki... usse kaise pyaar kar sakti ho(First tell us, what good is Ranbir Kohli? He's useless! How can someone like you love him?)"

Prachi's heart drops at their words, but she keeps quiet, trying to breathe through the panic rising in her chest. The second man steps back, gesturing to someone else coming from the shadows.

The tall, imposing figure of Kunal steps into the dim light. Prachi's stomach churns as she locks eyes with him. His smile is twisted with malice.

"Ghaav gungunayenge

Tere dard geet ban jayenge..

(Your wounds will hymn

Your pains will turn into songs)

Kunal (laughing darkly):

"Tumhe socha tha, Prachi... ki Ranbir ke saath tumhara yeh pyaar kuch hai? Tum usse bhaiji ki tarah rakhti ho, lekin tumhari asli duniya toh mere saath thi. Tum jaise ladki ko... maine apne liye chuna hai(You thought, Prachi... that this love with Ranbir was something? You keep him in your brother-like space, but your true world is with me. A girl like you... I chose for myself.)"

Prachi's chest tightens, and her pulse races as she stares at him. She tries to take a step back, her voice shaking as she speaks.

Prachi (trembling):

"Aap... aap yeh kya keh rahe hain? Aapko haq nahi hai aise... mujhe... mujhe chhune ka(What... what are you saying? You have no right to... touch me like this!)"

Esha: How dare you?! 🤢

Kunal laughs darkly again, and his eyes scan her as if she were a possession. His hands reach for her, his intentions clear in his gaze, to kiss her.

Kunal:

"Haan, kyunki tum Ranbir ko apne dil mein rakhne ki koshish kar rahi ho... lekin yeh baat samajh lo, ladki... tumhare liye Ranbir koi nahi, ek kachara hai. Tum uske layak nahi ho(Yes, because you're trying to keep Ranbir in your heart... but understand this, girl... for you, Ranbir is nothing, he's garbage. You don't deserve him.)"

Esha: Lagata hai aap apne baare mein baat kar rahe hain (Seems you are talking about yourself)🙄

Prachi feels bile rise in her throat, her eyes brimming with tears, but she refuses to show weakness. In a fit of anger, she slaps Kunal across his face, her voice shaking with fury.

"Zinda hai toh pyala poora bhar le

Kancha phoote choora kaanch kar le

(If you're alive then fill your glass up to the brim

If the glass breaks, then turn the pieces into another glass)

Prachi:

"Tum... tum jo kuch bhi keh rahe ho na, woh... woh mere Ranbir ke baare mein mat bolna! Mere Ranbir ke baare mein mat ek shabd bhi kehna(You... whatever you're saying, don't speak one word about my Ranbir! Not a single word about him!)"

Kunal's face twitches with fury at her defiance. He turns to the man standing behind him and signals. The man moves forward, grabbing her shoulder roughly, tearing the fabric of her sleeve off.

"Zindagi ka yeh ghada le

Ek saans mein chadha le..."

(Take this pot of life

And drink it all up in one breath)

Man 1: (grinning perversely)

"Kuch zyada mat hero ban. Tumhare paas koi bhi nahi hai (Don't play the hero. You don't have anyone.)"

"Hichkiyon mein kya hai marna

Poora mar le

(Why should we die with hiccups

It's better to die completely)

Prachi's heart races, and she feels completely trapped. Her body stiffens in fear, but she holds her ground. She can feel the cold steel of Kunal's gaze on her as he moves closer, his intentions more sinister than before.

"Koyla kaala hai

Chattanon ne paala hai

Andar kaala, baahar kaala"

(The colour of coal is black

It's raised by mountains

It's black from inside and outside)

Kunal (whispering in her ear, taunting):

"Tujhse yeh sab karne ki izzat toh Ranbir ke paas bhi nahi hai. Tum usse pyaar karne wali ladki ho, lekin yeh jo tumhare andar ka asli rang hai... yeh sirf mere liye hai. Tum kuch nahi ho uske liye. Sirf ek gold digger(You know, Ranbir doesn't even have the decency to do this to you. You love him, but the real you inside... that's only for me. You're nothing for him. Just a gold digger.)"

"Par sacha hai saala

Koyla kaala hai

Chattanon ne paala hai

Andar kaala, baahar kaala"

(But still it's real

The colour of coal is black

It's raised by mountains

It's black from inside and outside)

Prachi's breath hitches as tears flow freely down her cheeks. Kunal's words strike a chord deep in her heart, but she refuses to let him win. Her heart screams for Ranbir, her protector, but her body trembles with fear. As the man reaches out for her, her instincts kick in.

"Par sacha hai saala..."

(But still it's real)

Prachi (in a desperate cry):

"Chhodo mujhe! Tum mujhe kuch nahi kar sakte(Leave me! You can't do anything to me!)"

With every ounce of strength left in her, she kicks one of the men hard in the stomach, causing him to stumble backward. In that split second of distraction, Prachi breaks free, running toward the dense trees.

Esha: Run Prachi! 😟

"Zinda!"

(Alive!)

Kunal (shouting furiously):

"Tum kahan jaa rahi ho? Tum mujhe nahi chhup sakti ho (Where do you think you're going? You can't hide from me!)"

But Prachi doesn't look back. Her heart is pounding as she runs, her body desperately trying to escape from the nightmare Kunal has placed her in. In the distance, she hears a car's engine, a sound that makes her pulse quicken. She knows, deep in her soul, that Ranbir is coming for her.

Ranbir's car screeches to a halt in the clearing, his heart racing as he jumps out and rushes toward Prachi. His chest feels tight, his thoughts scattered, desperate to find her. Prachi, still trembling, finally emerges from the shadows, her clothes slightly torn, her face streaked with tears. As soon as Ranbir sees her, a wave of relief floods over him, but he's also overcome with fear and anger at what she must've gone through.

Esha: You're here! 😥

Ranbir (shouting, voice hoarse):

"Prachi! Tum thik ho? Kahan gayi thi tum(Prachi! Are you okay? Where were you?!)"

She stumbles forward, her legs unsteady, but she's trying to hold herself together. Her voice is weak, barely above a whisper, but she forces herself to speak as she looks at him, her eyes still wide with fear.

Prachi (shakily):

"Ranbir... main... main theek hoon(Ranbir... I'm... I'm fine.)"

She can see the worry etched on his face, the way he's looking at her, as if trying to figure out what happened. He pulls her into his arms, his hand brushing her hair, holding her as if he never wants to let go.

Ranbir (desperately):

"Prachi... tum thik ho? Tumhe kuch nahi ho gaya na(Prachi... are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?)"

Her body trembles in his arms, but she steadies herself, trying to breathe through the panic still lingering inside her. She pulls away slightly to look at him, her voice barely a whisper.

Prachi (eyes trembling):

"Nahi... Ranbir, woh bas... ordinary kidnappers the... kuch bhi nahi kar paaye. Bas... mujhe maarna chah rahe the(No... Ranbir, they were just ordinary kidnappers... they couldn't do anything. They just... wanted to hurt me.)"

Ranbir's brow furrows in confusion, anger and concern still fighting for control. He's not sure what she means, but he doesn't want to pressure her too much. He just holds her, trying to soothe the tremors running through her body.

Ranbir (softly):

"Prachi... tum mujhe sab bata sakti ho. Tum... tumhare saath jo bhi ho raha tha(Prachi... you can tell me everything. Whatever was happening to you...)"

She hesitates, looking down, trying to avoid his gaze. The memory of the men trying to touch her, their disgusting words, fills her mind, but she pushes it all down. She doesn't want to make him more angry or scared. She shakes her head, forcing a small, shaky smile.

Prachi (hesitant):

"Woh... woh bas... unhone mujhe... mujhe bas... kiss karne ki koshish ki thi(They... they just tried to kiss me.)"

Ranbir's face changes instantly, his expression turning dark with fury as he grits his teeth. His hand tightens around hers, the warmth of his palm offering her comfort, but his anger is palpable.

Esha: I love angry Ranbir! 😉😎

Ranbir (voice trembling with rage):

"Woh kisne yeh socha? Tumhe chhuna bhi nahi chahiye tha... kisne yeh sab tumhare saath kiya(Who thought they could do this? They shouldn't have even touched you... who did this to you?)"

Prachi looks up at him, her eyes wide with apprehension, knowing that this is the moment where everything might spill out. She doesn't want to break down in front of him, but she can see the pain in his eyes, the hurt he's feeling for her. She speaks again, her voice quieter this time.

Prachi (softly):

"Ranbir, maine unhe maar diya... maine unhe apne pair se maar diya aur bhaag gayi. Tum... tumhe mujhse kuch nahi karna hai. Main thik hoon(Ranbir, I kicked them... I kicked them with my feet and ran away. You... you don't have to worry. I'm fine.)"

Ranbir looks at her with disbelief, not understanding how she could be so strong in such a terrifying situation. His arms tighten around her again, pulling her close as if to shield her from the world, his voice filled with a mix of relief and fear.

Ranbir (gently but firmly):

"Prachi... yeh sab... tumhe yeh sab nahi jaana chahiye tha... tumhare saath kuch bhi ho sakta tha... agar main... agar main tumhare saath hota toh yeh sab nahi hota(Prachi... you shouldn't have had to go through this... anything could've happened to you... if I... if I were with you, this wouldn't have happened.)"

Prachi pulls back slightly, looking into his eyes, sensing the sincerity in his words, but she still keeps some distance between them. She doesn't want to let him into her fears, the ones she's been carrying for so long.

Prachi (softly, avoiding his gaze):

"Main... main sirf tumhe yeh kehna chahti hoon ke... tumhare liye kuch bhi kar sakti hoon. Par yeh sab mere liye bahut complicated hai, Ranbir(I... I just want to tell you that... I can do anything for you. But this is all too complicated for me, Ranbir.)"

Ranbir's expression softens, and he looks at her, confusion still evident in his eyes, but he doesn't push her. Instead, he simply nods, understanding that there's more to her story than she's letting on. He brushes a stray lock of hair from her face, his voice a quiet reassurance.

Ranbir (gently):

"Koi baat nahi, Prachi. Jab tum ready ho, tum mujhe sab bata sakti ho. Main tumhare saath hoon... hamesha(It's okay, Prachi. When you're ready, you can tell me everything. I'm with you... always.)"

Prachi looks at him, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Despite the chaos of the moment, despite the danger she just faced, there's something so comforting in his words, his presence. She feels protected for the first time in so long, but she also feels an overwhelming sense of guilt, knowing she's hiding something so big from him.

Ranbir's hand gently squeezes hers, as they stand in the stillness of the night, the world seemingly holding its breath around them. Prachi knows she'll have to face her fears soon, but for now, she finds solace in his unwavering support.