Sarangi's family had reached the Rajvansh House and were mesmerized by its grandeur—an enormous, luxurious mansion, with a beautiful garden, a swimming pool area, swings in the courtyard; it all gave a blend of modern architecture with the charm of an old haveli. The parking area alone was larger than Sarangi's entire home. Even Rajveer looked around in awe—he had seen Vairagya's hotels, but this house was grander than any of them.
"Bhai…!" Sarangi ran up and hugged Rajveer tightly.
"How are you, didi?" Rajveer asked as he affectionately stroked her head.
"I'm fine, Raj…" she replied, glancing toward her parents. Seeing them sitting on the sofa, tears started streaming down her face.
Her parents also opened their arms. Sarangi rushed into their embrace like a little girl seeking comfort in her mother's lap.
They caressed her head lovingly—their touch held love, concern, and an unspoken pain. At that moment, only the heartbeats of those three souls echoed in the room, bringing peace and solace.
Just then, Vairagya entered and bowed to touch Sarangi's parents' feet.
Smiling, he said, "Sorry, the introduction during the wedding wasn't proper…"
"No, no, son-in-law, what are you saying…" Vijay ji said fondly.
"Please call me 'son' instead… I'd like that better," Vairagya smiled, then looking at Sarangi said, "So, are you going to fill me with love only, or will you feed me something too?"
"I'm not talking to you…" Sarangi replied with a pout and walked away.
Vairagya laughed.
"Son-in-law…" Savita ji began, but as soon as Vairagya looked at her, she said, "Son, this Sarangi…"
Vairagya told them about the morning incident, and everyone burst out laughing.
"Son… Sarangi is a little naïve, doesn't fully understand right and wrong… If she says anything—" Vijay ji expressed concern.
"I won't mind, Mom… don't worry," Vairagya said, calling Savita ji "Mom," which brought tears to her eyes.
Just then, Sarvam ji arrived and said, "Hello everyone… I'm your son-in-law's father, Sarvam Rajvansh… Pleased to meet you all."
Rudransh followed and said, "I'm the younger brother, Rudransh."
"And I'm the darling of this house, the royal princess who runs everything here… Karnika, your son-in-law's little sister…" Karnika said with a dramatic flair.
"That was a bit much…" Rudransh mumbled with a frown.
Shanti Devi stood calmly as Vairagya said, "This is my mother."
"My wife, Shanti ji," Sarvam ji added.
Just then, Sarangi returned with tea and snacks, followed by Shanti Devi and Karnika, who came to help. Seeing this, Savita ji felt comforted, realizing her daughter had found a good in-law's home, full of love and respect.
Sarangi served tea to everyone, deliberately skipping Vairagya.
"Ahem, where's my tea?" Vairagya raised his eyebrows playfully, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. Sarangi turned away from him, pretending to still be angry.
"Fine, I brought chocolates. If you don't want any, Karnika, you can have them…" he said, pulling out two chocolates from his pocket. Sarangi instantly held out a cup—and her other hand too.
Vairagya took the cup in one hand and handed her the chocolate with the other. A subtle smile flickered in both their eyes.
"Bhai…" Karnika said sadly, thinking the chocolates were only for Sarangi.
"There's one for you too…" Vairagya handed her one with love and playfulness in his eyes.
"For me?" Rudransh asked in surprise, not expecting Vairagya to think of him. Vairagya handed him one too, making everyone laugh.
Vairagya extended a chocolate toward Rajveer, who said, "No sir…" his voice slightly hesitant, still a little uneasy about Vairagya's sudden marriage.
"Why? Don't you like it?" Vairagya asked, curious.
"It's not that, sir…" Rajveer replied.
"If you like it, then take it…" Vairagya said, placing the chocolate in his hand without waiting for an answer. Rajveer looked at it for a second, then smiled at him.
"Look brother… there were some misunderstandings, that's why Vairagya…" Vijay ji had just begun to explain when Shanti Devi raised her hand to stop him and said, "We already know everything that happened… and now we are ready to forget the past and accept Sarangi as our daughter-in-law. From today, Sarangi is not my daughter-in-law—she is my daughter. She will receive full love and respect in this house. You see, every mother thinks her child is perfect, so how can I see any fault in mine? Still, I'll say—Vairagya is a bit short-tempered, a bit stern, but he will keep your daughter like a queen. She'll never lack for anything. In the end, I'll just say—this bond is a blessing from Lord Shiva…"
Vijay ji looked at Sarangi, who blinked in affirmation, and he smiled, saying, "If the children accept this bond, who are we to keep them apart… We accept it too."
Everyone had tea and snacks, and then Vairagya, heading toward his room, signaled Rajveer to follow.
Rajveer quietly walked behind him.
"You called, sir…" Rajveer asked as he entered the room, his voice uncertain.
"Our relationship has changed now, brother-in-law… so you can call me 'jijaji' or even 'jiju'," Vairagya said with a light smile.
"No, sir…" Rajveer still remained formal.
"Alright, as you wish, Rajveer…" Vairagya said in a stern tone, which startled Rajveer—Vairagya never called him by his full name, always just "Raj." This meant he was upset.
"What if I just say 'Vairagya'?" Rajveer asked softly.
"That works too," Vairagya replied with a smile.
Then he turned serious. "I tried really hard, Raj, to find out who leaked that photo…"
"But Vairagya, that photo—" Rajveer started to speak, but Vairagya interrupted.
Vairagya told him everything—how he was only helping Sarangi, from pulling her out of the pool to giving CPR. He also explained how the photos were presented in a misleading way to create a misunderstanding.
Rajveer, trembling with rage, said, "If I ever find that person, I'll burn them alive…" His eyes blazed with fury.
"Raj, calm down… I've investigated every guest. None of them seem suspicious… Do you suspect anyone?" Vairagya asked calmly, though his eyes still showed anger.
"Shikha…" Rajveer said, surprising Vairagya.
"Who's that?"
"Didi's best friend… but a total snake," Rajveer said with hatred. "Still, I don't think she'd stoop this low…"
"But we can't take the risk, Raj… Whoever did it once can do it again. We have to find them," Vairagya said.
"You're right, sir…" Rajveer began, but Vairagya gave him a stern look.
"I mean… Vairagya. Why do you get angry so quickly?" Rajveer asked, complaining a little.
"Can't help it. I'm trying to control it…" Vairagya replied.
Rajveer just nodded silently.
To be continued…