Prarthana sat in front of the mirror, her reflection blurring as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her heart felt heavy, broken beyond words.
Elsewhere, Rudraksh—Rocky—drove his car recklessly through the empty road. His jaw tightened with rage, hands gripping the steering wheel.
"I will teach them a lesson for making my sister cry," he growled.
Suddenly, his mind drifted back to the forest—to that girl. The girl who had kissed him when she thought he had stopped breathing.
Rocky clenched his teeth.
"Why does her face keep flashing in my mind?""I don't even know her.""She only wanted to save my life.""It wasn't even a kiss… she just gave me breath."
He shook his head hard.
"Why am I thinking about her?""I should forget her. I will forget her."
His eyes darkened again.
"First, I need to deal with the traitor who cheated my sister."
At the Mehta mansion, Prarthana was dressed like a beautiful bride—her red lehenga heavy, her jewelry glittering, her smile painfully forced. Her family welcomed guests warmly, arranging a small, intimate ceremony, hoping marriage would bring her happiness.
Akash stood at the altar, dressed like a handsome groom. Inside, his thoughts were anything but pure.
"How lucky I am," he smirked inwardly."Two girls at the same time.""One innocent, rich, beautiful girl… and one hot, evil gold digger—Tanya."
His gaze shifted briefly toward Tanya.
"Sorry, baby. I have to marry you for your wealth," he thought about Prarthana."But I promise I'll take good care of you—until every penny is transferred to my name."
Prarthana walked toward him and sat beside him. Akash leaned closer and murmured into her ear, his voice honeyed with lies.
"You look beautiful, my dear.""I'm damn lucky to marry you."
Prarthana felt a lump in her throat but managed a weak smile.
At that exact moment, Rudraksh entered the Mehta mansion.
His steps froze.
Prarthana… sitting beside Akash… as the bride.
Shock ripped through him.
"What…?" he whispered.
Meanwhile, Tanya signaled Akash to follow her to another room. He ignored her. Furious, Tanya sent him pictures of the two of them together. Akash's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen—his face drained of color.
"I… I need to use the washroom," he said quickly, excusing himself from the mandap.
He rushed upstairs into a room. Tanya followed immediately, slamming the door shut.
"I can't see you marrying my sister!" Tanya snapped."You know how much I love you. Stop this wedding, darling."
Akash ran a hand through his hair.
"No, baby. I can't.""I need money—now.""I've taken huge loans. Gambling debts.""If I don't pay within a week, I'll be arrested… or killed."
Tanya's eyes widened as he continued.
"If I marry Prarthana, I'll get her mother's business, inheritance, property.""I can clear my debts and start my own company."
Tanya shook her head desperately.
"I can't lose you to that stupid girl.""Run away with me, Akash. Please."
Akash laughed bitterly.
"And then what?""You have a shopping addiction. I can't even afford one day of your lifestyle.""Without Prarthana's wealth, we won't survive even a single day."
Tanya suddenly blurted out, trembling—
"I'm pregnant."
Akash stiffened.
"Lower your voice," he hissed."If anyone hears this, it'll ruin everything."
He held her face gently.
"You know why I'm marrying your sister.""And you haven't forgotten our plan, have you?"
Tanya slowly smiled and hugged him.
Suddenly—BOOM.
Smoke filled the room.
Before Akash or Tanya could react, they collapsed unconscious.
Rudraksh stepped out of the smoke, eyes blazing. He tied them to chairs, sealed their mouths with plaster, locked the room from outside.
"No one hurts my sister and walks away," he muttered.
Rocky quickly changed into a groom's outfit, covering his face with a sehra. Calm, controlled, dangerous.
He walked down and took the groom's seat beside Prarthana.
The priest began the rituals.
Gathbandhan was tied.
Seven pheras were taken.
Finally, Rocky tied the mangalsutra around Prarthana's neck—his face still hidden.
Without knowing it…
Prarthana was married.
Married to Rudraksh—Rocky.