Rai POV:

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, I awoke with a heavy heart. It was not a dream; Rudy's marriage was indeed fixed. A sigh escaped my lips, a mixture of disbelief and resignation. This was the moment I had dreaded yet anticipated for years. Memories flooded back, particularly that fateful day five years ago when I stumbled upon a conversation that would change everything.

Flashback

I had been making my way to Rudy's room, my mind preoccupied with the usual morning thoughts, when I paused outside Grandma's door. The hushed tones of a serious discussion caught my attention. "Maa, ye aap kya keh rahi hai? Jitna mujhe pata hai, Roy family ke sath hamara utna jyada achha rishta nahi hai, fir ye shaadi?" Badhi Maa's voice was laced with confusion and concern. I leaned closer, curiosity piqued, eager to uncover the details of this unexpected wedding.

Grandma's voice, soft yet resolute, broke through the silence. "Ye tumhare sasurji ke akhri ichha hai, bahu. Mujhe pata hai ye thik nahi hai bina Rudra se puchhe uski shaadi kisise thik karna, par hum kuchh nahi kar sakte. Tumhare sasurji ab nahi rahe, par mai unki ye akhri ichha puri karna chahti hu." The sadness in her tone was palpable, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. A wedding? Rudy's wedding?

Suddenly, Badhi Maa interjected, her voice trembling. "Mai aapki baat samajh sakti hu, maa. Par aapko to pata hai na ki Rudra aur Rai..." But Grandma, with a fierce determination, cut her off. 

"Isiliye tumhe bulaya hai maine. Mujhe pata hai Rudra aur Rai ke bich ye sirf dosti nahi hai, par abhi bhi waqt hai. Un dono ne abhi tak ek dusre se pyaar ka izhar nahi kiya hai. Ye tumhe dekhna hai ki abse Rudra aur Rai ke bich thodi duri rakhna. Abhi se khayal rakhenge to baadme shayad koi problem nahi hogi."The weight of her words crashed over me like a tidal wave. My heart raced as I processed the implications. 

Badhi Maa's voice faltered, "Par maa, mai kaise? Mai to khud khush thi ki Rudy aur Rai ke bich agar kuch hua to mujhse jyada khush koi nahi hoga, par..." Her words trailed off, leaving a haunting silence in the air. Overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, I stepped back, retreating from the doorway. I couldn't digest the whole matter. 

Flashback Ends

Now, as I sat in the quiet of my room, the reality of Rudy's impending marriage loomed over me like a dark cloud. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a tumultuous journey, one that would test the bonds of love and friendship in ways I had never imagined.

Just as I was about to rise from the bed, my phone buzzed insistently, breaking the silence of the morning. I glanced at the screen and saw Badhi Maa's name flashing. A frown creased my forehead; it was unusual for her to call me this early. What could possibly be so urgent? 

I picked up the call, my heart racing slightly. "Hello, Badhi Maa. Is there a problem? You called me this early, so I thought something might be wrong," I said, trying to mask my concern.

"No problem, beta," she replied, her voice hesitant yet warm. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you could come over today?"

"Today? Why?" I inquired, curiosity piqued.

"That I'll tell you when you come," she said cryptically.

"Oh, okay, Badhi Maa. I'll be there in half an hour," I replied, cutting the call. As I made my way to the washroom, my mind raced with possibilities about what she could want to discuss.

I hurriedly got ready, the anticipation gnawing at me. Within thirty minutes, I was on my way to Singhania Palace, my heart a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Upon entering the grand home, I was greeted by the familiar sight of Grandma sitting on the plush sofa, deep in conversation with Panditji. "Grandma!!" I called out, my voice brightening the room. 

She looked up, her face lighting up with a radiant smile."Ahh, Rai beta!! Aa idhar aa mere paas baith! Dekhu zara meri shaitan gudiya kaise hai!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with affection.

I chuckled at her endearing nickname for me. She was still as cute as ever, calling me her little troublemaker. I settled beside her, and she lovingly rubbed my head, her touch warm and comforting. "Is budhhi ki yaad nahi aati tujhe? Kahan chali gayi thi gudiya?" Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a bittersweet reminder of the time that had passed.

"Grandma!! Now don't cry, please! I'm right here, aren't I? Why are you crying then?" I reassured her, pulling her into a gentle hug.

"Achha, thik hai, nahi ro rahi mai. Ab bata, kaisi hai? Aur kaam kaisa chal raha hai?" she asked, wiping her tears with a smile. 

"I'm perfectly fine, as always, and my work life is also going great—just like me," I replied, trying to lighten the mood. Her laughter was like music to my ears.

"Achha, sun, ek good news hai!" she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

I braced myself, already suspecting what was coming. "What good news, Grandma?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"Isi mahine hamare Rudra ki shaadi fix hui hai do hafte baad," she announced, her eyes twinkling with joy.

"Oh achha? Ye to sach mein good news hai," I said, attempting to keep my voice steady, though a pang of sadness twisted in my chest.

"Haina? Maine teri Badhi Maa ko isiliye kuchh batane ko mana kiya aur tujhe yahan aane ke liye bola, taaki mai khud tujhe bol saku," she continued, her enthusiasm infectious. 

"Achha sun, tujhe Nisha ki help karni hai. Uski saari marketing pe bichari akeli hai, aur uske parents shaadi ke din hi aa payenge. Isiliye tujhe hi jana hai uske saath shopping. Devika bhi jayegi, par maine socha agar tu hogi to use akelapan mehsoos nahi hoga. Aaj hi jana hai shopping ke liye."

"Aaj hi kyun?" I asked, my heart sinking at the thought of shopping for a wedding I was struggling to accept. But Grandma's request was hard to refuse.

"Are mai to bolna hi bhool gayi. Parso hi to engagement hai," she added, her words hitting me like a thunderbolt.

Everything was happening so fast. My mind raced as I processed the news. The engagement was just around the corner, and I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions— sadness for myself, and a sense of duty to support Nisha. How could I navigate this storm? 

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