The dimly lit office carried the weight of tension as the clock struck late evening. Ranbir sat at the head of the conference table, his tie slightly loosened and his sleeves rolled up. The papers before him detailed the sabotage: canceled contracts, sudden withdrawals, and financial losses. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration evident.

The sound of footsteps echoed, and as Ranbir looked up, Suraj Pratap Chaudhary walked in with an air of confidence, flanked by his lawyer.

Suraj (smirking):

"Ranbir Kohli, bade din baad mulaqat ho rahi hai. Kaise ho(Ranbir Kohli, we are meeting after a long time. How are you?)"

Ranbir's jaw tightened as he immediately recognized him. His past with Dhavani came rushing back, making his discomfort palpable.

Ranbir (coldly):

"Main theek hoon, Chaudhary ji. Aap yahan kaise(I am fine, Mr.Chaudhary. How are you here?)"

Suraj placed his briefcase on the table and took a seat across from Ranbir.

Suraj:

"Bas ek purana rishta nibhane aaya hoon... business ka, of course(Just came to fulfill an old relationship... of business, of course.)"

Ranbir's gaze narrowed, his fists clenched under the table.

Ranbir:

"Seedhe point pe aayiye, Chaudhary ji. Mujhe pata hai jo financial crisis hua hai, usmein aapka haath hai. Sab saboot mil rahe hain humein(Come straight to the point, Mr.Chaudhary. I know that you have a hand in the financial crisis that has happened. We are getting all the strong ones.)"

Suraj chuckled, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Suraj:

"Saboot toh saboot hain, beta. Par court tak pahuchne se pehle bhi kaafi kuch badal sakta hai. Tumhare empire ko bachaane ke liye waqt kam hai. Tumhare paas ek rasta hai—main(Evidence is evidence, son. But a lot can change even before it reaches court. Time is short to save your empire. You have a way—me!)"

Ranbir leaned forward, his voice laced with restrained anger.

Ranbir:

"Rasta ya trap? Jo kuch bhi hua hai, uske liye aapko zimmedar maana jaa raha hai, aur aap badi shaan se mujhe deal offer kar rahe hain(Path or trap? You are being held responsible for everything that has happened, and you are proudly offering me a deal?)"

Suraj smirked and opened his briefcase, pulling out a set of documents.

Suraj:

"Sab kuch sambhalne ka ek solution hai, Ranbir. Main Kohli business mein invest karunga. Jo damage hua hai, woh poora cover kar dunga. Tumhara saara empire wapas apni glory mein aa jayega(There is a solution to handle everything, Ranbir. I will invest in Kohli's business. Whatever damage has been done, I will cover it completely. Your entire empire will return in its glory.)"

Ranbir raised an eyebrow, knowing there had to be a catch.

Ranbir:

"Aapko achanak itni generosity kyun aa gayi? Kya chhupa rahe hain, Chaudhary ji(Why did you suddenly become so generous? What are you hiding?)"

Suraj leaned back, his smirk widening.

Suraj:

"Shartein hain, beta. Har deal ki hoti hain(There are conditions, son. Every deal has it.)"

Ranbir's patience thinned.

Ranbir:

"Kya shart hai(What is the condition?)"

Suraj paused dramatically, enjoying the tension in the room. Finally, he spoke with deliberate clarity.

Suraj:

"Mujhe sirf ek chhoti si cheez chahiye. Tumhe meri beti, Dhavani, se shaadi karni hogi(I just need one little thing. You have to marry my daughter, Dhavani.)"

Ranbir's world came crashing down in that moment. He froze, disbelief and anger flashing across his face.

Ranbir:

"Kya? Yeh koi mazaak hai(What? Is this a joke?)"

Suraj (serious):

"Bilkul nahi. Tumhare paas time nahi hai, Ranbir. Agar main apna paisa nahi lagata, toh tumhare protests aur financial crisis ke chalte tumhara empire do mahine ke andar collapse ho jayega. Tumhare papa, tumhare bhai—sabki mehnat mitti mein mil jayegi(Absolutely not. You don't have time, Ranbir. If I don't spend my money, your empire will collapse within months due to your protests and financial crisis. Your father's, your brother's hard work will be reduced to dust.)" 

Ranbir shot up from his chair, his voice rising.

Ranbir:

"Aapko lagta hai main apne family ke saath aisi deal karunga? Shaadi koi business contract nahi hota, Mr. Chaudhary(You think I would make such a deal with my family? Marriage is not a business contract, Mr. Chaudhary!)" 

Suraj remained calm, his tone almost mocking.

Suraj:

"Shaadi koi contract nahi hoti, magar tumhare liye toh business family pehle aati hai, na? Tumhara empire tumhare liye sab kuch hai. Tumhe decide karna hoga, Ranbir. Kya tum Kohli business ko girte hue dekh sakte ho(Marriage is not a contract, but for you this business family comes first, right? Your empire is too much for you. You will have to decide, Ranbir. Can you see Kohli business collapsing?)" 

Ranbir's heart raced. He thought of his father, Kartik, and the generations of work that had gone into building the Kohli name. He also thought of Prachi—their love, her pain, and the life he had envisioned with her.

Ranbir (gritting his teeth):

"Mujhe waqt chahiye(I need time.)"

Suraj stood up, buttoning his coat.

Suraj:

"Samay tumhare paas zyada nahi hai. Agar Kohli empire ko bachaana hai, toh mujhe jawab jaldi chahiye, Ranbir. Main chhod kar jaa raha hoon, lekin yaad rakhna, tumhare paas aur koi option nahi hai(You don't have much time. If Kohli Empire has to be saved, I need answers quickly, Ranbir. I am leaving, but remember, you have no other choice.)" 

Suraj walked out, leaving Ranbir standing alone in the large, empty office. He sat back down heavily, staring at the documents on the table. His hands trembled as he thought of what this decision could mean—for his family, for Prachi, and for himself.

The camera pans to Ranbir's anguished face as he runs a hand over his eyes, torn between duty and love.