Mishti gracefully descended the stairs with Kuhu and Rajeshri by her side. Abir’s eyes instantly locked onto her, and he found himself utterly captivated by her presence. Her elegance and poise seemed to cast a spell over him, leaving him momentarily lost in her.

Suddenly, the front door of maheswari sadan burst open, and a young man, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, stumbled inside. His eyes were wide with urgency as he rushed to Abir, placing a trembling hand on his shoulder.

Abir, startled, turned around to see who had interrupted the moment. As soon as he recognized the face before him, a wide smile spread across his features. "Kunal!" he exclaimed, pulling the man into a tight embrace.

"Ahh, Bhai, gently!" Kunal winced in pain, and Abir quickly released him.

Abir's expression shifted to concern as he took in Kunal’s disheveled appearance. "Where have you been, Nanko? You’re my best buddy, my brother  yet you show up so late at your own brother's wedding!"

He noticed the sweat beads and little bit of blood on the corner of his scalp.

"And why are you sweating so much? What happened to you?" Abir asked, his voice laced with worry as he gently touched Kunal's bandaged wounds. "How did you get these injuries?"

He made him sit on the couch, giving him the glass of water, which the house helped offer.

Kunal's face, neck, and hands were marked with numerous minor cuts. Mishti, watching the interaction from a distance, suddenly had a flash of memory. She recalled seeing a similar cut on Kunal's neck—the very spot where Abir had struck the man who attempted to kidnap her. She shook off the unsettling thought, focusing on the present.

Kunal, trying to ease the tension, grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Bhai. I had a little accident outside. And you? Are you planning to play with injuries on your wedding day? Look how horrible you're looking. How did you get so many injuries?"

"Nothing just...a little mess. Will tell you later. Should I bring an ice pack?"

"Don’t worry about me bhai, now you have a wife. To look after, don't miss the auspicious moment, or who knows bhabhi might slip away," he teased, adding a mysterious smile.

Abir rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile back. " Alright, but be careful next time."

Everyone around them nodded in agreement, relieved to see the brothers in good spirits.

The ceremony progressed, and soon Mishti and Abir were seated at the mandap. The priest began chanting the sacred mantras, filling the air with a sense of solemnity and tradition. Vishamber and Rajeshri, with tearful eyes, performed the Kanyadan, entrusting their beloved daughter to Abir.

With a steady hand, Abir filled Mishti’s hairline with vermilion and gently tied the nuptial chain around her neck. The weight of the moment was palpable as they took the seven vows, each step binding them closer together. The priest finally declared them husband and wife, and the couple received blessings from the elders and warm hugs from Kuhu and Kunal.

Tears welled up in Mishti’s eyes, a mix of joy and sorrow, as she realized she was leaving her parents and her childhood home. The magnitude of the transition hit her, and she clung to Abir’s arm for support.

Writer: Thank you all for attending the wedding. Please have your meal at home.

Kunal, congratulated Mishti with a smirk, "Congratulations, Bhabhi."

" What about my share in it.", Abir tossed in.

" I'll congratulate you differently bhaii, offcourse wait for the next evening. I'll meet you there.", his voice dropped a little.

" You're not coming with us? At home?"

" I have some important pending work bhai, but I'll definitely come. Ab toh bhabhi bhi aagaye hai, kyun bhabhi.", Mishti smiled in uncertainty.

Mishti, feeling a strange unease from his expression, managed a confused smile. She couldn't quite shake off the sense that something was off.

Vishamber, his eyes glistening with tears, took Mishti’s hand and placed it in Abir’s, looking deeply into Abir’s eyes. "Abir beta, our daughter is the most precious thing in the world to us. We have never let tears come to her eyes. Promise us that you will never make her cry."

Abir, moved by the heartfelt plea, held Mishti's hand firmly and nodded solemnly. "I promise, Papa."

" I'll take care of her, more then anything."

Mishti looked at him, their eyes locked for a moment, before kuhu pulled mishti in a tight hug.

After an emotional farewell, Abir and Mishti got into his car, driving towards their new home. The atmosphere in the car was thick with unspoken emotions. Abir remained silent, his face a stoic mask, while Mishti gazed out of the window, her mind racing with thoughts.

Suddenly, Mishti’s phone buzzed with a new message. She read it, her eyes widening in shock. Wordlessly, she handed the phone to Abir.

The message read: "Wow, Mishti, I'm impressed. You had the guts to get married. But it doesn't matter; my love for you won't diminish. Now, my obsession to have you has only grown. And you must be aware of Aayan. So smile, for he has already entered your life. The day is not far when he will bring you to me."

" Aayan will lead me to nishant and..."

" And nothing such things, will happen to you. Untill unless I'm with you. "

Mishti nodded, forwarding her phone to him.

Abir, equally shocked, muttered, "Despite it all, how did Nishant find out about the wedding?"

Mishti, her voice trembling with anger, replied, "How should I know? And if I ever catch this Aayan, he won’t be spared. If I don’t beat him with my slipper, my name isn’t Mishti Maheshwari."

Abir corrected her firmly, "Mishti Abir Rajvansh."

Mishti was taken aback by his statement but couldn't help but blush. They finally arrived at Abir's house and stepped out of the car. Abir unlocked the door, and they entered the dimly lit hallway.

Mishti, still feeling unsettled, asked, "Don’t you have guards at your house?"

Abir answered coldly, "No."

"Why not?" Mishti probed further.

"Because I prefer to live alone. I don't want anyone around me," Abir replied, his tone devoid of warmth.

Mishti retorted, "Now I’m sure, you’re not just weird, you’re incredibly weird, Ajeeb Rajvansh."

Abir rolled his eyes. "Are you done talking? Let’s go inside."

Mishti rolled her eyes in return and followed him inside. Abir led her to a room. "This is your room. Let me know if you need anything."

"Why? Where are you going?" Mishti asked.

"To another room," Abir replied, already heading out.

Mishti protested, "But I’m scared to stay alone. I used to stay with Kuhu in the same room."

Abir sighed deeply, walking back to close the door. He then sat on the couch, his expression serious. "Listen, Mishti, let me be clear. I married you out of duty, so don't expect anything husband-like from me. You belong to someone else. I'm just your protector. Once this matter is resolved, our relationship ends. I didn't tell Uncle because he's already under a lot of stress. But I don't want to give you any false hopes, so I'm telling you now."

Mishti, surprisingly calm, smiled. "That’s all?” She went to change, her mind swirling with thoughts. When she returned, she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The weight of Abir’s words settled heavily on her heart. She felt a mixture of relief and sadness. Relief that he was honest, but sadness that her marriage was built on duty rather than love.

The night was long and restless for Mishti. She tossed and turned, her mind unable to find peace. She thought about her family, the strange behavior of Kunal, and the unsettling message from Nishant. She worried about her future and the challenges that lay ahead. She felt a deep sense of loneliness and uncertainty. Her eyes closing as she fell asleep, exhausted from the day’s events. Abir lay on the couch, lost in his thoughts. Memories of his family and the life he had left behind played in his mind. He felt a tear escape before he finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Mishti woke up to find Abir absent from the room. Curious, she wandered into the kitchen and was surprised to see Abir cooking breakfast. She stood at the doorway, watching him with wide eyes.

"You’re cooking?" Mishti exclaimed in disbelief.

Abir, without looking up, replied, "Yes, I always cook."

Mishti smirked, "Of course, you do, Ajeeb Rajvansh, since you want to live alone. Anyway, from now on, I’ll cook."

She reached for the pan, but Abir grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Don’t. I don’t like anyone touching my things."

"It’s just a pan, not a Kohinoor diamond. And why shouldn’t I touch it? I live here too," Mishti retorted, her frustration evident.

"No means no," Abir insisted firmly.

"Yes means yes. I will cook," Mishti declared defiantly.

She grabbed a container of spices, and Abir immediately tried to take it from her. They ended up tugging at the container, neither willing to back down.

"Don’t touch it," Abir demanded, his voice rising.

"I will," Mishti countered, matching his intensity.

In their struggle, the container slipped from Abir’s hand, and the spices flew into his eyes. He screamed in pain, stumbling back.

"Ahh… Mishti… water… give me water."

Mishti, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face, teased, "Why should I? You don't want anyone touching your things, right?"

Abir, his eyes streaming, pleaded, "Mishti, please. Water, now."