The living room

Radhika was sitting on the couch gripping Priyanka's hand to calm herself.

Pradeep was talking to Hemant regarding the events that have shocked them.

"Now, I think the only solution to this is that we accept the decision taken by our kids. As it is we wanted them married for long. So...we can just arrange for a reception to announce their marriage to our relatives. That would pacify the ongoing gossips," Harshvardhan interrupted their talks by suggesting a loophole out of this messy situation.

Hemant agreed to his dad's words and assured Pradeep that Pia would be very happy with Shri.

Harish would never harm Pia and would love her for eternity.

Hardik and Akash were worried about the Naik family. As they had already created a havoc in the wedding hall attracting unwanted attention to both the Barve and Joshi family.

Hemant said that a reception for the newlyweds would shut the mouths of the gossip mongers.

Priyanka was still restless and asked to see her sister to which Dadu told her that she need not ask the permission to see her own sister.

Naik house

"The audacity!!! That Joshi lad!! What does he think of himself, huh?!! He thinks that he can insult our family name like this and get away with that!! He will pay for his nonsense!!" Mr. Naik dialled the police commissioner to be abruptly stopped by Abhishek.

Abhishek politely kept the phone receiver and looked at his dad. He smiled speaking

"We should deal with them in their own style, Dad. They have the power and support of the underworld. But you have me. Don't worry, Dad. I will make them taste their own medicine," Abhishek then went to pour himself a drink. He sat on the armchair and twirled the glass.

"And as for that Pia! She will pay dearly for her betrayal. Coz I, Abhishek Naik, never forgives betrayers!!" He then drank the sour liquid with a grimace, cussing Pia.

Harish Room

Pia was sitting on the floor clutching her body closer to her and crying for the bad luck that had befallen on her.

She felt a soft hand on her shoulders. She looked up to see the one face which would pacify her instantly.

"Di! Why did this happen to me?!!" Pia cried hugging her sister who was shushing her caressing her hair.

"Di, I don't want to stay in this false marriage! I can't!" Pia tried to explain her mental dilemma.

"But, Why Pia? Don't you love Shri? I mean you sacrificed your love to marry a stranger who didn't even care to listen to your side of the story than support you!" Priyanka tried to explain the actuality of the situation to her confused sister.

Pia shaked her head and got up, going towards the balcony. Priyanka followed her and spoke

"Pia, Shri is 1000 times better than Abhishek. Shri protected your dignity. He saved our family name. And moreover...he loves you. Isn't that enough for you!"

"I don't know why you had a change of heart and who had made you hate Shri so much?!! But I know one thing about Shri that he would never let you down. And he will protect you from all the dangers in the world. I trust him and his love for you," Priyanka told her headstrong sister who refused to even face her knowledgeable sister.

Priyanka shaked her head at her sister's stubbornness and moved out of the room with penitence for Shri.

Harish was sitting on the dining table and sipping cold water to cool down his head.

"Hm, How is everything groomy?!!" Harish smiled at the voice and turned to get a pat on his shoulder from Hardik.

"Not good. Pia is enraged *deep breaths* with me. I don't know what mistake have I done that she is bashing at me!! I mean *sigh* I keep digging into the events that happened these past days and not able to decipher anything!!" Harish caught hold of his head and closed his eyes.

Hardik rubbed his shoulders saying

"Don't worry, bro! Just make her fall in love with you again. She needs to see the Shri that loves her, cares for her. Believe me, she will love you back."

Harish nodded his head hoping that what his brother said would turn out exactly like that.

But he was not aware of the betrayal that he would get from the one person he was putting his trust on.

Harish Room

Pia felt the abdominal pain coming back. She thought to discard her bridal wear and jewellery to ease the pain.

She then remembered that she had nothing to wear after.

As she went to ask Rashmi for a change of clothes, she found the one person who was her current hatred.

Harish looked at her and tried to speak but she just passed him to meet Rashmi.

It was going to take more than words to pacify his wife.

Kitchen area

Rashmi was instructing the maid to make the favourites of the bride and groom for the dinner.

Dadu had given her the permission to make the bride and groom happy with her perseverance.

Pia climbed down the stairs and looked here and there to find the living room empty.

She heard some faint noises in the kitchen making her walk towards it.

"And of course, don't forget lassi with sugar free cubes. Make the ginger tea for Pia and some fruit bowl if she opts for a light dinner, hm? I hope there is no confusion?" Rashmi saw the head maid shake her head with a smile at her words.

Rashmi patted her shoulders and moved out of the kitchen to find her cupcake in front of her.

"Cupcake! What are you doing here? do you need something, hm? Maybe tea or coffee or juice perhaps, hm?" Pia shaked her head to which Rashmi tried to ask her.

"I don't have anything to change into. I mean...the marriage...the rush...*inhales deeply*" Pia looked sideways making Rashmi understand her dilemma.

Rashmi then took out her phone and ordered some dresses and night suit for her from the nearby store.

"There! Don't worry, cupcake. The dresses will arrive within an hour, hm? Till that time why don't you enjoy a small time in the bathtub. I will make sure that nobody disturbs you. How's that?" Rashmi suggested in her perky manner making Pia cringe at the thought of doing something that she had never done.

"Um... I think I will just wait till the parcel arrives. Di, can I have a glass of water or something. My throat is dry..." Pia pressed her throat down as the low scream argument with Shri had dried her throat.

Rashmi gave her the juice to which she was satisfied to have some food in her system.

Himanshu was shaking his head at the drama that he had witnessed with the entrance of a new member in their screwed-up family.

He scoffed at the misfortune that Pia had carried with her to be married with first – a tripper and second – in hell.

"Di! Now I have my best sister in my house forever! I am so happy *Eeks*" Naina hugged Pia from behind to almost jump scare Rashmi who was clutching her heart at the sudden impact.

Pia was not in her usual self. So, she was not able to engage with Naina like she always does.

Rashmi understood Pia's behaviour and told Naina to arrange for the wedding night party with the other members.

Naina was overjoyed hearing the word 'party'. She rushed out leaving only Rashmi and Pia in the silence of the kitchen.

Rashmi hugged the tired Pia and spoke

"Cupcake, I know I not in the position to advice you. But taking the things that has happened. I think what we all can do is pray for that bastard who has put us all in this situation! Coz, I know for one thing that your kidnapping was surely planned by the same person who was targeting us!" Pia looked at her and thought about the actuality of the situations.

It was true.

Why was she kidnapped?

What was their motive?

Was Shri the reason?

Was it a known person or...?

Pia was in a fix. She felt light headed and was about to fall when

The last thing she saw was the tensed face of her Shri.

Late in the evening

The living room

Naina was hurriedly picking the tray of snacks and handing them to the family members.

Nithya was trying to control her anger, frustration and regret at the situation at the advice of her well-wisher.

Harshvardhan was happily conversing with Pradeep who saw a genuine smile on his face after a long time.

"Mom, I don't see Pia anywhere. You think she might be getting ready or..." Priyanka asked her worried mom who was looking for her daughter.

"Aunty. Don't worry. Pia is getting ready. Rashmi has gone to bring her. Please relax," Sanya consoled the worried mother and daughter who were happy that Pia was in good hands.

Harish room

*hums weakly*

Pia got up groggy and rubbed her eyes to clear her vision in the dark room.

Click!

The sudden bright light hit her eyes making her turn her face away. The curtains of the room were moved to make the natural light fill the dark room.

"Hope you are fine, now?" Pia got angered at the voice and thought to ignore him.

She then realised that she was not in her bridal wear but a night suit.

She creased her eyebrows and looked at Harish who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Did you change me?!" Pia tried to speak with shaky eyes.

Harish smirked at her question. He slide near her face making her back a little.

"Wish I could. But..." Harish saw her worry and decided to tease her to ease her tension.

"But?!!" Pia wanted his answer who was taking his own sweet time to answer.

Harish backed and got up from the bed and went silent to which Pia rushed to him.

She turned him to face her and asked the same question.

Harish then pulled her closer by her waist, surprising her.

He then slowly rubbed her soft cheeks with the back of his hand saying huskily,

"How I wish I could? You know see you, touch you and..." Harish then looked at her questionable eyes which he disliked.

He huffed and let her go.

He then explained that Rashmi had changed her and left her the saree for the party.

"Party!!! What party!! I am not going anywhere! I am fed of all this! I need some rest. I don't want to!" she then went to splash some cold water on her tired face.

Harish didn't force her and went outside without saying anything.

If she wanted to rest, he thought to let her. 

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