"Hridansh, I get it. I understand your anger. Maybe I'll never truly know what you're going through, but you have to think about the life you're about to start with Adhira. Whatever her reasons for being here, let them be. Don't let them ruin your happiness," Yuvaan said, his voice calm yet firm. "Unless, of course, she tries to pull something again. But honestly, I don't think she'd dare. Who knows? Maybe she's just here to attend her cousin's wedding."

"It would be better for her to stay the hell away from me," Hridansh muttered, his fists clenching at his sides as he struggled to keep his fury in check.

"For sure," Advay agreed. "But enough about her. Just forget that she even exists and enjoy your last few days of freedom before the wedding. The groom should be relaxed and glowing, not storming around like he's ready to murder his fiancée."

"Look who's talking," Hridansh muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Yuvaan and Ishvaan chuckled, while Advay shot them a glare.

"My case is different, and you all damn well know it," Advay snapped.

"Oh really? Just look at your face," Ishvaan smirked. "Even the slightest mention of her makes you this grumpy. And you're talking about Hridansh needing to chill?"

"You know why, Ishvaan. It's driving me insane, and I don't want to talk about it right now," Advay muttered, rubbing his temple.

Yuvaan and Ishvaan exchanged knowing glances. They understood Advay's situation all too well. Hridansh observed him for a moment before turning to Yuvaan, his brows furrowing slightly.

"For now, you can ignore the topic, but Advay... your fiancée is arriving tomorrow," Yuvaan informed him.

The air shifted.

"What the hell?!" Advay exploded, his head snapping toward Yuvaan. "Who invited her?!"

He looked ready to murder someone on the spot. His furious gaze locked onto Yuvaan, but Yuvaan merely raised a brow, unfazed.

"Why are you asking me? It's not my wedding, and I don't have the authority to invite anyone," Yuvaan said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Advay's eyes darted to Ishvaan, who instantly raised his hands in surrender.

"Whoa, don't look at me! Look, Hridansh is my brother, and yeah, I've always been cordial with her, but that doesn't mean I invited her. My life is way too important for me to mess with yours," Ishvaan defended himself.

Advay then turned to Hridansh, who sighed deeply, already exhausted by the unnecessary drama.

"Come on, Advay. She's your fiancée, and she's also Adhira's friend. Of course, she was going to be invited. Why would you even think she wouldn't be? Her family has always been close to ours," Hridansh pointed out.

Advay groaned, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

"Just perfect. Can this wedding get any more dramatic?" he muttered, shaking his head.

"Advay," Yuvaan placed a firm hand on his shoulder, sensing the storm of emotions raging within him. Advay's jaw was clenched, his eyes burning with restrained anger.

"You don't want to feel suffocated in a relationship, right?" Advay's voice was low, laced with frustration. "Well, I feel it every damn day. And the worst part? I can't do anything about it except wait and count down the days until I'm tied to someone I don't even want." His fists clenched at his sides.

"Advay, just breathe," Hridansh said, pulling him into a brief side hug.

Advay took a deep breath, exhaling sharply before nodding. "What else can I do? Now that you've invited her, go ahead, roll out the red carpet, welcome her tomorrow. But don't expect me to behave like some 'sanskaari' gentleman or the perfect, doting fiancé. I came here to enjoy my best friend's wedding, not to entertain his not-so-important guests."

His words were sharp, but Hridansh only chuckled. "Fair enough. But at least don't act like a complete jerk."

"You know I can't promise you that," Advay smirked.

"Yeah, considering you already are one," Yuvaan added dryly.

"I second that," Ishvaan grinned, exchanging a high-five with Yuvaan before they both burst into laughter.

In response, Advay smacked them both on the stomach, making them groan in mock pain. The tension in the air eased, and laughter filled the room for a moment.

But just as things started to feel light again, Hridansh's phone rang. He glanced at the screen—Varsha Badi Maa.

His face softened as he answered. "Ji, Badi Maa... Yes, I'm listening," he said, his voice calm.

At first, he smiled, but within seconds, his expression changed—his smile faded, replaced by something more serious. His gaze flickered toward Ishvaan, who immediately noticed the shift.

Yuvaan and Advay also exchanged glances, sensing something was off.

"Ji, Maa... Okay, sure. I'll handle it," Hridansh said before disconnecting the call.

Ishvaan frowned. "Bhai, what happened? Is everything okay?"

Hridansh nodded, but Ishvaan knew him too well. "Don't lie. What's wrong?"

"Nothing serious, just..." Hridansh sighed. "Ishvaan, just promise me you won't overreact, okay? Listen to me calmly first."

Ishvaan narrowed his eyes. "Why do I feel like I'm not going to like this?"

Before Hridansh could continue, Ishvaan scoffed, shaking his head. "Wait... let me guess. The 'Princess' is gracing us with her presence again. And let me guess—I'm supposed to go pick her up from the airport tomorrow, right?" His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Hridansh sighed. "Yes, she's coming. And Badi Maa didn't tell you directly because—"

"Because she knows exactly how much I care for that 'princess' of hers and how I'd flat-out refuse." Ishvaan completed his sentence with an exaggerated nod of disbelief.

Hridansh's patience thinned. "Ishvaan! What is your problem with her? Why can't you just let it go?" His tone was sharp, firm.

"Because I just can't, Bhai." Ishvaan's voice was firm, his expression unyielding. "She was never and will never be related to me. I have nothing to do with her, and frankly, I don't care."

Yuvaan and Advay exchanged glances, both understanding the weight behind Ishvaan's words. They knew exactly who and what this was about.

"Ishvaan, it's just for a week. Don't be so cold, at least," Hridansh tried, his voice calm but firm.

"Forget it, Bhai," Ishvaan muttered, crossing his arms.

Hridansh sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. I would've gone to pick her up myself, but there's a ritual I can't miss. That's why Maa asked you. But never mind, I'll ask the driver."

Ishvaan turned his face away, pretending not to care.

"Don't worry, Hridansh. I'll handle it. I'll go to the airport," Advay said, nodding at him.

Hridansh looked at him, grateful. "Thanks, man."

Ishvaan clenched his jaw, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. Old memories, unresolved emotions. He was lost in them until Advay placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Relax, buddy. Don't let it get to you. If it's bothering you that much, leave it to me."

Ishvaan sighed and nodded slightly. "Thanks." He side-hugged Advay, feeling a little less tense.

Hridansh and Yuvaan exchanged smiles. The moment felt lighter—until Ishvaan raised a brow. "By the way, someone said he wasn't here to welcome guests, right?"

Advay smirked. "Yeah, but unfortunately, you idiots are more than brothers to me. I can't exactly act like a jerk, like you said, so... I have to help."

Hridansh chuckled but then turned serious. "On a serious note, Ishvaan, please. If you can't be cordial, at least don't be rude to her. Maa and Bade Papa would be hurt, and you know that. Just keep your distance. Simple."

Ishvaan exhaled, thinking for a moment, then nodded.

Sensing the conversation getting too heavy, Yuvaan clapped his hands. "Guys, come on! This is Hridansh's wedding we're talking about—our best buddy's wedding. We should be celebrating, not sulking over things we can't change."

"You're right. Let's stop overthinking and just enjoy the moment," Advay agreed.

Hridansh and Ishvaan smiled, the tension finally easing.

Then, suddenly, Advay stood up. "Wait here. I got something for us."

Hridansh and Yuvaan looked at him, confused, but Ishvaan smirked. He already knew.

A minute later, Advay returned, a champagne bottle in hand, along with glasses. He winked at them. "It's time to celebrate, idiots."

Laughter echoed through the room as they poured their drinks, cracking jokes and teasing each other. It wasn't about getting drunk—none of them were heavy drinkers. It was just one of those rare moments where life felt light, where brotherhood and friendship meant more than the worries clouding their minds.

As Hridansh took a sip, his thoughts flickered to Shalvi. He tried to push them away, but they lingered, like an unspoken truth waiting to be acknowledged.

Noticing the shift, Advay pulled him into a side hug.

Hridansh smiled, letting the moment take over.

"See, that's why all the aunties tell me I'm the most sensible and sane one among the four of us," Yuvaan said, taking a sip of his drink.

"That's only because you don't have a girl in your life yet to mess with your peace," Ishvaan smirked.

"True. I agree," Hridansh added with a chuckle.

"Me too, Mr. 'I'll Stay a Bachelor for Life!'" Advay teased.

Yuvaan shrugged. "Well, that might be one reason, but at least I'm the happiest one here."

"Hey, I'm single too!" Ishvaan pointed out.

"That's temporary, dude. Did you forget the never-ending list of your girl... friends?" Yuvaan said sarcastically, making Hridansh and Advay laugh.

Ishvaan chuckled but quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of girls, how's Anya doing these days?"

"Oooh! Yes! You never told us how things are going with Anya, Yuvaan," Advay joined in, grinning.

"Not again, guys!" Yuvaan groaned, looking away.

"Aha! Someone's blushing," Hridansh teased, nudging him.

"Not you too, Hridansh!" Yuvaan said in mock irritation.

Their laughter filled the air, lightening the mood further. Hridansh felt a sense of ease for the first time in days. The tension in his chest loosened, and he let himself enjoy the moment with his friends.

Just then, a soft rustling sound made them turn. A girl in a sky-blue salwar suit had approached but hesitated upon seeing them. She smiled briefly and was about to leave when Ishvaan spotted her.

"Hey, Adhira!" he called out.

The others turned as well. Adhira paused and smiled politely.

"Why are you leaving? Come on, join us," Advay said.

"No, I just came to talk to Hridansh," she said, looking at him. "But you all seem to be having fun. I'll talk to him later."

As she turned to leave, Yuvaan stopped her. "Hey, you guys talk. We were about to leave anyway."

"Yeah, sure! Soon-to-be Bhabhi ji, he's all yours," Ishvaan teased with a chuckle.

Adhira smiled, but this time, something shifted in Hridansh. Normally, he wouldn't have thought twice about Ishvaan's teasing, but today, it felt different. The moment Ishvaan said bhabhi, an image flashed through his mind—her face. Unbidden. Unwanted. And yet, there it was.

He quickly pushed the thought away and forced a smile.

The guys left, leaving Hridansh and Adhira alone. As she turned toward him with a small smile, he looked at her—really looked at her.

No matter what, she is going to be my wife. The thought settled in his mind, but the weight of unresolved emotions pulled at him. Unknowingly, he had given more importance to his anger toward Shalvi rather than to the woman standing in front of him.

"Adhira, I am so—" Hridansh started, about to apologize.

"Are you okay, Hridansh?" she interrupted, her voice laced with concern.

"What?" He blinked, surprised.

"I asked if you're okay," she repeated, her expression soft yet firm.

"You're asking me this?" Hridansh exhaled, half-amused, half-bewildered. "I thought you would be the one upset with me."

Adhira gave a small, knowing smile. "Come on, Hridansh. I was your friend before I became your fiancée. I understand what you must have been feeling in that moment."

For a second, Hridansh just looked at her. He had known she was kind, but her patience and understanding in this situation made him see her in a new light.

"Unfortunately, I expected the wrong person to understand me," he muttered, the bitterness evident in his tone.

"Hridansh..." she said gently, concern flickering in her eyes.

He sighed. "I'm fine, Adhira. And I... I'm really sorry that, unknowingly, I'm letting her affect me this much." He looked away, guilt settling in his chest.

"You don't have to apologize," Adhira said calmly. "I know everything. And if there's anything you want to talk about, I'm here. You don't need to explain yourself to me, and you definitely don't need to force yourself to move on before you're ready."

Hridansh let out another sigh, his shoulders loosening slightly. He looked at her again and, without thinking, reached for her hands, holding them gently.

"Thank you for being so understanding, Adhira. For being you. I don't know what I would have done without you. When Mom and Dad pressured me into marriage, I just couldn't drag another girl into a mess that would ruin both our lives. But as a friend, I knew you would understand—and you did. You stood by me, even after knowing everything." His voice faltered for a second before he forced himself to continue.

"Adhira, I don't know if I will ever be able to move on... or if I can give you the place you deserve in my heart. But I will always be truthful to you. I won't make false promises. I can't even say I'll be loyal to you because, in a way, I already feel like I'm betraying you—still holding onto someone who doesn't deserve a place in my heart, yet not being able to let go of her." He swallowed hard. "I don't know if I'll ever stop feeling this way. I just know that I need time. I can lie to the world, but not to myself. Not to you."

Adhira squeezed his hands lightly. "Hridansh, we've already talked about this. And I told you then, I'm firstly your friend—nothing more. Not a fiancée, not a soon-to-be wife. You don't have to filter your words with me. Just be yourself. That's enough."

A mix of relief and gratitude filled his chest. "Thank you," he said softly.

Adhira narrowed her eyes. "Not again, Mr. Rajvansh! You're breaking the number one rule of friendship." She crossed her arms and pretended to be angry.

He let out a small chuckle. For the first time in a while, something felt lighter—until his gaze suddenly landed on the last person he wanted to see.

Their laughter stilled the moment Hridansh's gaze locked onto the last person he wanted to see.

Shalvi stood near the stairs, draped in an ethereal green suit that swayed gently with the breeze. Her loose hair framed her delicate face, and her dupatta billowed, mirroring the silent storm within her. But she wasn't just standing there—she looked lost. As if she had stepped into a world that no longer welcomed her.

Her eyes, hesitant and fragile, drifted downward—to his hands.

Intertwined with Adhira's.

A sharp, gut-wrenching pain sliced through her chest, but she forced herself to look up. And when her gaze finally met his, she wished she hadn't.

There was no warmth. No softness.

Only ice-cold venom.

His stare, so ruthless and unyielding, sent a violent shudder through her body. As if burned by the mere act of looking at him, she turned away instantly—her breath hitching, her heart constricting with a pain she couldn't contain.

Why did it still hurt this much?

Her vision blurred. The weight of her emotions pressed down on her, suffocating her. A lone tear betrayed her resolve, slipping down her cheek before she could stop it.

Her feet felt too heavy, as if chained by memories she no longer had the right to hold on to. But she had to leave.

Run.

Run before he saw the tears. Before the ache in her chest drowned her completely.

So she did.

She turned and fled—her dupatta trailing behind her like the remnants of a love she had lost.

She didn't stop. Not when she reached the corridor. Not even when her legs screamed for relief. She didn't stop until she was behind the safety of her closed door, where no one could see her break.

And then, she shattered.

Her back slid against the wooden door as she collapsed onto the soft carpet, her body trembling under the weight of emotions she had buried for far too long.

Tears slipped freely now, soaking into the fabric beneath her. She squeezed her eyes shut, as if that alone could stop the sobs clawing at her throat.

But she knew better.

The night would be merciless.

It would hurt worse than yesterday.

Worse than ever before.

Meanwhile, Hridansh stood motionless, his jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. His gaze remained fixed on the place where she had disappeared, anger simmering beneath his skin.

Why was she here?

His emotions churned, an unsettling mix of rage and something far more dangerous—something he refused to acknowledge.

"I'm leaving. Good night, Adhira," he said, his voice deceptively calm, though a storm raged within him.

"Good night," Adhira replied softly, watching him walk away—shoulders stiff, steps hurried, as if running from something he didn't want to feel.

As he disappeared into the shadows, a deep worry settled in Adhira's heart.

Something wasn't right.

She remained still, her hands unconsciously clasping together.

And then, closing her eyes, she whispered a silent prayer.

A prayer for healing.

A prayer for him.

For her.

For all of them.