The grand hall was lit up like a dream, adorned with fairy lights and flowers. The ambiance was a blend of tradition and grandeur. It was the day of the joint engagement ceremony—Ranbir with Dhavani, and Kunal with Prachi.

It was a celebration that masked the storm brewing inside one woman's heart.

https://youtu.be/ZRat8Q_pRnc

Raba mere ishq kisi ko

Aaise na tadapaye ... oye

(Oh God don't let love

Trouble anyone like this ... hey)

Prachi sat in her room, her face pale as she adjusted the dupatta over her shoulders. The scars on her arm were barely visible under the intricate embroidery, but the pain in her heart was far harder to hide. She stared at her reflection, her mind replaying Kunal's threats.

Dil ki baat rahe is dil mein

Honthon tak na aaye ... na aaye

(Let the things of the heart remain inside

Let it not come on the lips ... not come)

Prachi (to herself):

"Yeh sab bas ek natak hai. Sabke liye. Mujhe bas khud ko sambhalna hai. Ranbir ke liye yeh sab karna hoga(This is all just a drama. For everyone. I just have to take care of myself. All this has to be done for Ranbir.)"

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(You didn't even think of me

What should I tell anyone now)

Meanwhile, in another room, Ranbir stood before a mirror, his face set with determination. His heart ached for Prachi, and his guilt over Dhavani's inevitable heartbreak weighed heavily on him. But he knew what he had to do.

Ranbir (to himself):

"Aaj ke baad koi aur Prachi ko takleef nahi dega. Yeh engagement Prachi ke saath hi hogi—chahe duniya ko kuch bhi lage(After today no one else will trouble Prachi. This engagement will happen with Prachi only – no matter what the world thinks.)" 

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(You didn't even think of me

What should I tell anyone now)

The hall was buzzing with excitement. Guests were seated, the elders chatting among themselves, and the younger crowd marveling at the splendor. Ranbir entered with Dhavani by his side, his expression unreadable, while Kunal walked in with Prachi, who looked lost in thought.

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

(My heart cried and my eyes were filled

My heart cried and my eyes were filled)

The priest began chanting mantras, signaling the start of the ceremony. Kunal's smirk didn't escape Ranbir's notice, but he focused on his plan.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

(What should I tell anyone now

You didn't even think of me)

When it was time for the ring exchange, Ranbir made a move that shocked even Dhavani, who was already in on the plan.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

(What should I tell anyone now

You didn't even think of me)

Prachi stood at the edge of the hall, her dupatta wrapped tightly around her shoulders, trying to appear composed as she watched Ranbir and Dhavani walk to the center of the stage. Her hands clenched into fists under the folds of her saree, nails digging into her palms as memories of her time with Ranbir played like a cruel montage in her mind.

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

(My heart cried and my eyes were filled

My heart cried and my eyes were filled)

Priest:

"Ab var aur vadhu ek dusre ko angoothi pehnayenge(Now the bride and groom will put rings on each other.)"

Ranbir took Dhavani's hand and whispered under his breath.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

(What should I tell anyone now

You didn't even think of me)

Ranbir (whispering to Dhavani):

"Dhavani, yaad hai jo maine kaha tha? Prachi ko kisi aur ki nahi hone dunga. Tumhe bas mujhe follow karna hai(Dhavani, remember what I said? I will not let Prachi be someone else's. You just have to follow me.)"

Dhavani, still heartbroken but determined to help, nodded subtly.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

(What should I tell anyone now

You didn't even think of me)

As everyone watched, Ranbir deftly slipped a ring onto Dhavani's finger for show, but in a blink, he transferred the real engagement ring to Prachi's hand, who was standing off stage, under the dupatta draped over her.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(What should I tell anyone now)

She couldn't take her eyes off him, though it felt like every glance was tearing her apart. His smile seemed forced, but her mind betrayed her, whispering doubts she didn't want to believe.

Prachi (to herself):

"Woh muskurane ki koshish kar raha hai, par shayad khush hai... aur mujhe toh sirf ek manhoos rishte ka naam diya jaa raha hai(He's trying to smile, but he's probably happy... and I'm just being labeled a miserable relationship.)" 

Tujhe har khushi de di

Labon ki hansi de di

(I gave you all my happiness

I gave you the smile from my lips)

When Ranbir pretends to slip the ring onto Dhavani's finger, Prachi felt her breath hitch, her chest tightening like a vice. She bit her lip, hard enough to draw blood, as her heart screamed, "Yeh unka haq nahi hai(This is not her right!)" But she forced herself to stay silent.

Zulfon ki ghata lehraee

Paighaam wafaa ke laayee

(A group of your hair waved

It brought me the messages of loyalty)

Her gaze flickered to Kunal, standing nearby, grinning smugly as if he had already won. Her stomach churned at the sight of him, but her promise to protect Ranbir kept her rooted.

Tune achchi preet nibhayee

Tune achchi preet nibhayee

(You were so faithful to our love

You were so faithful to our love)

Prachi, oblivious to what had happened, looked away, unaware of the weight of the moment.

Kunal, enjoying the spotlight, took Prachi's hand. She winced but didn't protest, her silence screaming louder than words. But before he could slide the ring onto her finger, Ranbir stepped in.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(What should I tell anyone now)

Ranbir (loudly, with a smile):

"Kunal bhai, ek second! Ring ka placement perfect hona chahiye. Aap thoda adjust karenge (Kunal Brother, one second! The placement of the ring should be perfect. Will you adjust a little?)" 

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(You didn't even think of me

What should I tell anyone now)

As Kunal got distracted, Ranbir slipped his ring under the guise of adjusting Prachi's dupatta, on her ring finger.

Ranbir (to himself):

"Yeh angoothi sirf Prachi ki hai, aur hamesha usi ki rahegi(This ring belongs only to Prachi, and will always remain hers.)" 

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(You didn't even think of me

What should I tell anyone now)

As Kunal moved toward her, her heart sank further. She barely registered the heavy gold ring he pressed into her right hand to complete their part of the ritual. 

Esha: Kunal is so stupid that he does not know the difference between left and right!

Her mind was too consumed by the image of Ranbir, standing beside another woman, seemingly ready to spend his life with her.

Woh chaand mere ghar aangan

Ab toh aayega ... ab toh aayega

(That moon in my house and courtyard

It will come ... it will come)

The priest announced a small additional ritual of applying haldi on the bride's forehead as part of the engagement. Ranbir, using the pretext of completing the ritual, brushed his thumb lightly over Prachi's forehead. Hidden beneath the haldi, he discreetly applied a pinch of sindoor.

Tere soone is aanchal ko

Woh bhar jayega

(Your empty lap

Will then get filled)

Ranbir (to himself):

"Yeh haq sirf mera hai, aur hamesha mera hi rahega(This right is mine only, and will always remain mine.)" 

Dhavani noticed this and felt a pang of sadness but remained silent, knowing her sacrifice was for the greater good.

Teri kar di godh bharayee

Teri kar di godh bharayee

(We gave you a baby shower

We gave you a baby shower)

After the ceremony, Prachi retreated to an empty corridor, away from the noise and prying eyes. She slumped against the wall, her body trembling as she fought the sobs threatening to escape.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(What should I tell anyone now)

Prachi (to herself, voice cracking):

"Woh sabke saamne uske saath tha... uska haath pakda tha... unki shaadi hone wali hai. Main toh bas ek kathputli hoon. Kunal ne jo kaha, woh sach tha. Ranbir toh shayad khud is sab ko(He was with her in front of everyone... held her hand... she is going to get married. I am just a puppet. What Kunal said was true. Ranbir himself probably knows all this...)"

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

(My heart cried and my eyes were filled

My heart cried and my eyes were filled)

She couldn't finish her thought, shaking her head violently as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

(What should I tell anyone now

You didn't even think of me)

Meanwhile, from across the hall, Ranbir stole glances at Prachi, his heart aching at the sight of her sorrow. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening as he vowed to make things right.

O maahiya ... o maahiya

(O my beloved ... o my beloved)

Ranbir (to himself):

"Prachi, tum ro mat. Main tumhara dukh door karunga... chahe kuch bhi karna pade. Tum meri ho, aur main duniya ke saamne yeh sach laker rahunga(Prachi, don't cry. I will take away your pain...no matter what it takes. You are mine, and I will carry this truth to the world.)" 

Khata ho gayi mujh se

Kaha kuch nahin tum se

(I made a mistake

I did not say anything to you)

Though Prachi couldn't see it yet, the truth was slowly weaving its way toward her.

Ikraar joh tum kar paate

Toh door kabhi na jaate

(Had you been able to confess

Then you wouldn't have gone far)

For now, she sat alone, clutching her dupatta tightly, unaware that the ring she wore and the faint sindoor hidden beneath her haldi were silent symbols of Ranbir's unyielding love for her.

Koi samjhe na peer parayee

Koi samjhe na peer parayee

(No one understands the pain of others

No one understands the pain of others)

Prachi's mind drifted to the precious moments she had once shared with Ranbir.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(What should I tell anyone now)

The way he had held her hand for the first time, his fingers brushing hers under the pretext of helping her up.

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(You didn't even think of me

What should I tell anyone now)

The nights when he would stay up just to ensure she ate something, even when she was angry at him.

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

Dil roya ki aankh bhar aayee

(My heart cried and my eyes were filled

My heart cried and my eyes were filled)

His laughter, the sound that once brought her peace but now felt like a blade cutting through her soul.

Kisi se ab kya kehna

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

(What should I tell anyone now

You didn't even think of me)

The hall blurred as tears filled her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, unwilling to show her vulnerability.

Tujhe yaad na meri aayee

Kisi se ab kya kehna

(You didn't even think of me

What should I tell anyone now)