The next morning, when Sarangi stepped outside, she saw Rajveer talking to someone on the phone.
"Yes sir… absolutely, I had emailed you. Your meeting is sharp at 10 o'clock. I've sent you all the details via mail. If you need anything, feel free to call me… sorry sir, I should be there and—"Just then, he noticed Sarangi and said, "Didi, it's jijaji (brother-in-law). Would you like to talk to him?"
Sarangi remembered how Vairagya hadn't even saved his number in her phone. Shikha's words echoed in her mind— "Maybe he didn't want to marry you… maybe he has a girlfriend… someone from high class, not like you…" Her eyes welled up, and she quickly turned away and rushed inside.
"Didi…?" Rajveer called after her, but Sarangi didn't stop.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Vairagya was trying hard to keep his growing restlessness in check.
"You're not being fair, jaan…" he muttered, holding the phone tightly. His voice carried both pain and frustration. "Maybe our marriage didn't happen the way you wanted, but I'm trying my best to keep you happy—and this is how you ignore me…?" His despair was growing."If you've got complaints, then fight with me, yell at me—but this silent treatment… I won't tolerate it. One week. One week is all you have to do whatever you want… then I'll show you what being ignored really feels like…"
He ended the call in anger and slammed the phone down on the desk. His heart ached from Sarangi's cold behavior.
Shikha called Sarangi and asked to meet.Sarangi didn't want to go at all. Vairagya not picking up her call and Shikha's disturbing words still haunted her. But she couldn't refuse and reluctantly agreed.
"Raj, I'm going out with Shikha. Do you want to come?" Sarangi asked at the door, her voice devoid of any enthusiasm.
"Didi, seriously? Even after marriage you're following that lizard around? She's a total attention-seeker…" Rajveer said, making a face.
"Raj, where are you learning all this? You need better company. Hanging around selfish people is turning you into one," Sarangi scolded him. Hearing such things about Shikha didn't sit right with her.
"Didi…?" Rajveer was surprised by her changed tone. He couldn't make sense of her sudden shift.
Sarangi hurried outside, and Rajveer muttered to himself—"Wait a second… I only hang out with Vairagya… is Didi calling him selfish? Are they having problems? She hasn't even talked to him…"
Rajveer grew worried.
Shikha took Sarangi to a restaurant that was in a somewhat secluded area.
"Why are we here, Shikha…?" Sarangi asked, looking around uneasily. She didn't like the atmosphere.
"You'll find out soon…" Shikha replied mysteriously, a strange gleam in her eyes.
A little while later, someone came near their table. Shikha smiled, but Sarangi's eyes widened in shock—"Ajit…?"
Sarangi instantly stood up and backed away, her face clearly showing fear and anger.
"Sarangi, please hear me out…" Ajit said nervously.
"You weren't satisfied shaming me at the altar, now you've come here too, Ajit ji? Please leave. If Mr. Rajvansh finds out, he won't spare you alive…" Sarangi's voice trembled with rage and fear.
"Sarangi, just hear him out once…" Shikha interrupted.
"You too, Shikha…?" Sarangi looked at her, stunned. She hadn't expected Shikha to side with Ajit.
"I deeply regret my actions, Sarangi. I'm sorry. I don't know why I believed those photos to be real. Today Shikha told me the truth, and I can't express how ashamed I feel… I'm really sorry, and I know you'll forgive me…" he said as he reached for Sarangi's hand.
Sarangi pulled her hand back and said, "Ajit ji, please… it wasn't just my honor that was ruined—my parents', my brother's… all of ours."
"I'll apologize to everyone… just give me a chance…" Ajit pleaded.
Sarangi held her head in her hands and sat down, her eyes filled with tears, her mind clouded with confusion.
Shikha sat next to her and said,"Just talk to him once, Sarangi… he really regrets it. He loves you a lot."
"It doesn't matter, Shikha. I'm married now…" Sarangi replied coldly.
"What kind of marriage, Sarangi? That wasn't love, it was compulsion. What Vairagya did, he did in anger—but does that mean you'll spend your whole life repaying his pity? Don't you have any self-respect?" Shikha laced her words with venom.
"But I…" Sarangi couldn't find words—Shikha's words were pulling her deeper into confusion.
"You see that beggar outside?" Shikha said, pointing. "Imagine if he wanted to marry you tomorrow—would you agree?"
Sarangi looked at her, shocked.
"No, right? That's exactly your position in front of Vairagya. You may pity the beggar, but would you ever give him a place in your life? Same way, Vairagya took pity on you, and you've clung to his life like a parasite. If I were you, I'd have died of shame, Sarangi. Marriage is a union of equals. What if your husband feels ashamed of accepting your family tomorrow—how would that feel?"
Sarangi whispered, "No… Mr. Rajvansh isn't like that…"But her voice lacked conviction—Shikha had successfully planted the seed of doubt.
Ajit sat beside her and took her hand. His touch felt strange and uncomfortable to Sarangi.
"Sarangi, I admit I was wrong. I'll apologize to everyone. Just divorce Vairagya and come to me…"
Sarangi tried to pull her hand back, but Shikha gripped it tightly. Her grip was strong and her eyes sparkled with something sinister, making Sarangi feel even more uneasy.
"Take your time, Sarangi… there's no rush," Ajit said."So, what would you like? Pineapple ice cream, right?"
Shikha smiled and said, "Wow, jijaji, you know Sarangi's favorites so well…"
Hearing Ajit called jijaji made Sarangi uncomfortable, but she couldn't bring herself to speak.
They had ice cream for a while, and Shikha took a selfie of the three of them and deliberately posted it on Sarangi's Instagram. She knew Vairagya must've found out Sarangi's Instagram ID by now, and that's why she tagged Sarangi and Ajit as a couple. A sly smile spread across her face—her plan was slowly working.
Sarangi was lost in thought, unaware of what Shikha was doing.
Using a headache as an excuse, she left early and went home. Her heart felt heavy.Ajit said to Shikha, "Seems like she'll agree…"
Shikha laughed confidently,"Sarangi is an emotional girl. She's never learned to think for herself. And after everything I said today, I'm sure she'll fall for it…"
"But if Vairagya manages to talk to her, the whole plan will fail…" Ajit said, worried.
"He won't be able to… I've blocked and deleted his number from her phone. Even if he wants to, he won't be able to call. And Sarangi won't reach out either. The less they talk, the faster we can destroy their fragile little new relationship…"
A wicked smile played on Shikha's lips.
"That's why I like you so much, Shikha. You're beauty with brains…" Ajit complimented her.
"I'm heading out now," Shikha said. She needed to keep an eye on Sarangi for a few days to ensure she didn't talk to anyone.
Ajit nodded, and Shikha walked away quickly.