Vairagya didn't even come downstairs to eat. Kritika called him twice, but he said he'd eat later. His anger still hadn't subsided, and that photo of Sarangi had unsettled his mind deeply.
After everyone had eaten, Sarangi brought food to his room, only to find Vairagya already asleep.
"Mr. Rajvansh..." Sarangi called softly.
There was no response from Vairagya; he was either in deep sleep or pretending to be asleep.
"Mr. Rajvansh… please wake up and eat something…" Sarangi spoke again, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm not hungry. Don't bother me..." Vairagya replied curtly without opening his eyes.
"But…" Sarangi tried to say something.
"Can't you understand once?" Vairagya snapped angrily.
Sarangi stepped back, and Vairagya stormed out of the room in anger.
Sarangi quietly took the plate back downstairs and went to bed without eating anything herself.
The next morning, Vairagya left the house before anyone else had woken up and started getting ready.
Sarangi was in deep sleep and didn't realize anything.
By the time she woke up, she saw Vairagya tying his shoelaces. In the dim morning light, his face looked even more somber.
"Where are you going so early?" she asked in a sleepy voice.
Vairagya didn't answer, continuing with what he was doing.
"I'll make breakfast for you…" Sarangi said, getting out of bed.
"There's no need for your favors… Vairagya Rajvansh doesn't accept anyone's charity…" he said coldly and stood up.
"But you didn't eat anything last night either…" Sarangi said, worried.
"You care?" Vairagya said, stepping closer to her.
"Of course, I do…" Sarangi said innocently.
"Why? Tell me why would you care… What am I to you? Even if I died, would it make a difference?" His voice was bitter.
"Why are you saying such things?" Sarangi got scared.
"What else am I supposed to say when you've left nothing to be said…" Vairagya said with a sarcastic smile and walked out without looking at her.
Just as he was about to leave, Shanti Ji came out of her room.
"Vairagya, so early… where are you going?" she asked with concern.
"Mom, I'm going to Mumbai for a few days… there's an event I can't miss," he replied shortly, his tone emotionless.
"You should've told me earlier. I could've cooked something for you… What will you eat during the trip?" she said with affection.
"I'll eat something at the hotels, Mom. Don't worry…" Vairagya said casually.
"You didn't even tell Sarangi…?" she asked.
"Mom, I'm leaving…" Vairagya said, brushing off her question, and walked to the door.
In the afternoon, Sarangi stood on the terrace, her eyes fixed on the gate—perhaps hoping Vairagya would come home now. Three days had passed, and she hadn't seen him or heard from him. Her heart felt restless, a mix of hope and despair.
Shikha saw her helplessness and smiled inwardly. Her plan was slowly working.
Walking closer, she said, "Sarangi, I've heard clothes in Delhi are really great…"
"Hmmm…" Sarangi replied without interest, her eyes still fixed on the gate.
"So why don't we go shopping?" Shikha said cheerfully.
"I don't feel like it, Shikha. You go ahead…" Sarangi replied in a dull voice.
"Oh come on, I'm only here for a week, and even then you won't show me around your city… Anyway, you're not going to stay here for long either, so why not enjoy a bit while you can?" Shikha deliberately used words that could disturb Sarangi.
Her words stung, but Sarangi gave a faint smile and said, "Okay, then let's go. I'll inform Mom…"
Sarangi took permission from Shanti Ji and brought Kritika along as well. Since the beginning, she had Vairagya's credit card, so money wasn't an issue. Shikha was secretly pleased—her goal wasn't just to go out but to get Sarangi out of the house and execute something else.
Sarangi, Kritika, and Shikha arrived at the mall. Kritika, being fond of shopping, got busy right away. Shikha joined her, and Sarangi lagged behind.
Suddenly, someone placed a hand on Sarangi's stomach, and she screamed. Behind her stood Ajit.
"You…?" Sarangi exclaimed, hastily adjusting her saree, completely shocked to see Ajit there.
"Why are you blushing… Just a few days more, and then there'll be no veils between us… every part of your body…" Ajit said vilely.
"Please stop talking…" Sarangi was disgusted by his words. Her body trembled with rage and fear.
"What happened, Sarangi… After the wedding…?" Ajit tried to come even closer.
"But we're not married yet. I'm still Mr. Rajvansh's wife…" Sarangi said firmly.
Meanwhile, Kritika, busy shopping, was startled to suddenly see Vairagya there.
"Brother, you…?"
"Yes, I had a meeting here… and you? Shopping?" Vairagya asked, his eyes scanning the area for Sarangi.
"Yes, Bhabhi wanted to…" Kritika replied.
"Sarangi wanted to?" Vairagya asked, a note of interest in his voice.
"Is there any other Bhabhi of mine?" Kritika said innocently.
"Where is she now?" Vairagya looked around, but couldn't see Sarangi.
"She might have stayed back. I'll go get her…" Kritika said.
"No… I'll go myself. You continue shopping…" Vairagya said and walked in the direction Kritika pointed.
Shikha, who was shocked to see Vairagya, snapped out of it and rushed after him.
Just as Vairagya walked a bit ahead, his eyes landed on Sarangi and Ajit. His fists clenched. His face turned red with anger, and he started marching toward them—but Shikha grabbed his hand and pulled him aside.
"How dare you touch me…" Vairagya shouted, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Vairagya…" Shikha was terrified. She had never seen him this angry.
"Mr. Rajvansh… Only my family calls me by name. It's better if you stick to calling me Mr. Rajvansh…" Vairagya said coldly, his voice chilling like ice.
"But I'm Sarangi's…" Shikha tried to explain.
"I don't f**king care… Stay in your limits, girl. If I start revealing things, all you'll be left with is regret…" He clearly didn't like being touched by Shikha.
"Look, I was only trying to stop you, that's why I grabbed your hand…" she tried to explain, but Vairagya's glare stopped her mid-sentence. His eyes were burning with rage.