Kumkum Bhagya: Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani - Chapter 108 updt on pg 22 - Page 5

Chapter 32

Abhi sat in his cabin, reviewing the details for the upcoming Fashion Show Event and International Concert. As he flipped through the papers, his thoughts drifted to the housewarming party. Remembering Rhea's request, he picked up his phone and called his secretary, instructing her to send Prachi to his cabin.

Moments later, Prachi arrived. "Sir, you wanted to see me?" she asked politely.

Abhi looked at her with a soft smile. "Yes, Prachi. I know a lot happened during the Diwali party, but things are finally settling down now. Our house renovations are almost complete, and Rhea wants your mom to perform the aarthi for the housewarming celebrations."

Prachi was taken aback. "That's... surprising. Rhea dislikes me so much, yet she loves my mom like her own."

Abhi's expression turned solemn. "And what about you, Prachi? Don't you miss your dad?"

Prachi's smile faded, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Sir, I don't know much about my father. My mom says he loved me a lot and wanted me to stay with him before she left his house... but I don't believe that."

"Why not?" Abhi asked softly.

With a sad smile, Prachi continued, "Sir, today I'm known by my mom's name — as Prachi Arora — and I'm proud of that. But when I was in school, kids used to tease me for not knowing my dad's name. They said he abandoned me because I was..." her voice faltered, "...illegitimate."

Abhi froze, stunned. His fingers dug into the arms of his chair as he fought back the urge to hold his daughter close. Prachi broke down in tears, and Abhi instinctively stood up to comfort her. But before he could reach her, she quickly wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry, Sir," she said, forcing a smile. "I shouldn't have dragged you into my family issues. Please excuse me." With that, she turned and rushed out.

"Prachi!" Abhi called out, but she was already gone. Unable to contain his emotions, Abhi dialed Pragya's number.

"Abhi?" Pragya's voice came through.

Hearing her voice, Abhi broke down. "Fuggy... I don't know how to handle our daughters. Rhea hates her mother for abandoning her as a baby, yet she loves you like her own. Meanwhile, Prachi dislikes her father for being called illegitimate, yet she holds such respect for me as 'Mehra Sir'. What do I do, Fuggy? I wish our Kiara was here..." His voice cracked, and on the other end, Pragya silently wept, feeling his pain.

Meanwhile, Aryan and Mishti arrived at a jewelry store

"Mishti, wait outside. I need to get something," Aryan said.

"Why are you buying jewelry?" she asked suspiciously.

Without thinking, Aryan blurted, "Not for me! It's for someone else." Realizing his slip, his face turned red.

Mishti’s eyes widened. "Ohhh! So there’s someone special in your life!"

"It's nothing like that," Aryan stammered. "Just stay here until I come back." He rushed inside the store.

Mishti grinned to herself. "So, he feels the same for me... that's why he's hiding it."

Inside, Aryan asked the salesman for silver anklets. As he struggled to choose, Rakhi entered to pawn her childhood anklets — ones Pragya had unknowingly gifted her. Aryan noticed them and admired their beauty.

"Wow, those anklets look special," he said. "Who gave them to you?"

Rakhi smiled. "I don’t know... but since I don’t need them anymore, I’m pawning them. Why are you here?"

"I wanted to buy silver anklets, but I’m terrible at picking women’s jewelry," Aryan confessed sheepishly.

"For your girlfriend?" Rakhi teased.

Blushing, Aryan replied, "No, not really... for a friend."

"Want some help?" Rakhi offered.

"Of course! I could really use it," Aryan grinned.

Rakhi picked out a delicate pair of anklets with tiny hearts on them. "These look perfect."

Aryan beamed. "Wow! You’re so sweet and kind — just like Prachi. If she had a sister, she’d be just like you."

Rakhi’s smile faltered. She clutched her stomach, hiding her pain. As they exited the store, Aryan bid her farewell. "It was great meeting you. Hope we cross paths again."

Rakhi smiled sadly and walked away.

From a distance, Tanu spotted her. "Rakhi..." she whispered in shock.

"Rakhi! Stop!" Tanu called out, but Rakhi had already taken an auto and disappeared into the bustling streets. Tanu muttered, "So I was right... she's here in the city — right where her real parents are. I need to find her before they do."

Back in Abhi's office

Purab and Vikram were reviewing Sunny's costume designs for the International Concert.

"Now I get why Abhi hired him," Vikram remarked. "These designs are brilliant! Even if the songs don’t become a hit, the costumes will be a massive success."

"Thanks a lot, Sir," Sunny smiled. "Shall I proceed with these designs?"

"Absolutely! Go ahead," Vikram encouraged.

As Sunny turned to leave, Purab called out, "Sunny, there’s a housewarming party at our place..."

Before Purab could finish, Sunny cut him off coldly. "I won’t be attending, Sir. After all, I’m not your son or part of your family." He walked away, tears glistening in his eyes.

Vikram sighed. "This guy's really unpredictable — cheerful one moment, so distant the next."

Purab stared after Sunny with a heavy heart. "He’s carrying a lot of pain inside him."

Later that evening at Pragya’s house, the doorbell rang

Prachi hurried to answer it. As soon as she opened the door, Ranbir greeted her with a warm hug.

"Hello, sweetheart!" Ranbir beamed.

Prachi hugged him back tightly, only to be startled by Aryan and Shahana clearing their throats from both sides. Embarrassed, Prachi and Ranbir quickly pulled away, their cheeks flushed.

"I should go... check something," Ranbir muttered, walking away awkwardly.

As Prachi turned away, Shahana smiled to herself. "It’s so good to see you happy, Prachi," she whispered. "And don't worry... I won’t fight with Aryan today. In fact... I think I like being close to him."

——-

To be continued

Chapter 33

At Pragya's house,

Aryan smirked at Prachi and said, "Well, Bhabhi, there are other human beings present here too."

Prachi's brows furrowed. "Bhabhi?"

Aryan grinned. "Well, since Ranbir is my brother, his wife will naturally be my Bhabhi!"

Shahana chimed in excitedly, "So that means Ranbir will become my Jiju! How cute is that?!"

Ranbir chuckled. "And since I'm a really cool Jiju, you can always tell me if Aryan troubles you. I'll make sure to teach him a good lesson."

Prachi added with a smile, "And if Shahana troubles Aryan, I'll make sure to fill her ears with a long lecture!"

"Alright, alright! Enough of this Bhabhi-Devar-Jiju-Saali drama," Aryan interrupted. "Shall we go inside and start working for the fashion show? It's just two days away!"

Meanwhile,

Priyanka called Sunny and asked to meet him outside the office. As he stepped out, she handed him a photo of Sanju. Sunny examined it curiously. "Who is this?"

Priyanka filled him in with all the details. "I want you to find him and bring him to me."

Sunny frowned. "You asked me to spy on Rishi before, but this is extra."

Priyanka grabbed his collar and warned him coldly, "Just do what I say. Don't forget you got this job because of me. If I can get you this job, I can make you lose it too. So, you'd better listen!" She stormed off, leaving Sunny glaring at her retreating figure.

Later at Pragya's house,

Prachi and Ranbir sat together, holding hands. Aryan and Shahana kept stealing glances at them, giggling every now and then.

Finally, Ranbir lost his patience. "Can you two just go sit in Prachi's room and get your work done?!"

Prachi tried to calm him. "Ranbir, they're just teasing."

But Ranbir grabbed Aryan and practically pushed him into the room. Shahana followed, still giggling.

"What was that about?" Prachi asked.

Ranbir sighed dramatically. "Come on, Prachi! We're a couple now. We need some privacy!"

Prachi frowned. "But Aryan's the reason you're here to spend time with me. Don't take it out on him."

Ranbir softened, "Okay, okay. I get it. Bhabhi's love for her sweet Devar! But what about my girlfriend? Doesn't she understand my love too?"

Prachi smiled teasingly. "Girlfriend?"

Ranbir grinned. "Of course! Unofficially, you're my girlfriend now. And you should consider yourself lucky. After rejecting so many hot girls in college, my heart fell for a simple and stubborn lecture queen like you."

Prachi laughed. "Really? And what about you?"

Ranbir gently turned her around so her back rested against his chest, his hands wrapping around hers. He whispered into her ear, "I'm the luckiest man on Earth to have you in my life."

Prachi's heart swelled with joy. She tilted her face and kissed his cheek.

Ranbir beamed. "Alright, as your responsible boyfriend and the best fashionista in college, I'll make sure you win this fashion show! Now, let's get started with your catwalk practice."

He demonstrated the steps, and Prachi patiently followed, learning step by step as they practiced together.

Inside Prachi and Shahana's room,

Shahana checked the items for the fashion show. Aryan helped her organize everything.

"Sarees, check. Dupattas, check. Shoes, check. Jewellery, check..."

Hearing "jewellery," Aryan suddenly remembered something. "Oh, I almost forgot! I have a small gift for you."

Shahana's eyes widened. "A gift? What for?"

Aryan smiled. "Because you saved me from the fire the other day."

Shahana stared at him in surprise as he pulled a pair of silver anklets from his pocket.

"Wow! How did you know anklets are my favorite?"

"Remember the other day when I asked you about your favorite jewellery, and you said you liked jewellery that made sound? It was tough, but I got some help from my dad."

Shahana eagerly tried to put them on but struggled because of her unhealed bruises.

"Need help?" Aryan asked. "And this time, I'm offering — so no lectures like the one you gave me when your skirt got stuck on Ranbir's birthday."

They both laughed, and Shahana let him carefully place the anklets on her feet. Their eyes met, and they shared a tender moment — lost in each other until Ranbir's voice interrupted.

"Aryan! It's late. Pragya Aunty and Sarita Aunty will be home soon. Let's go!"

Coming to their senses, Aryan and Shahana quickly gathered their things.

Later

As Ranbir bid Prachi goodbye, he whispered, "Turn around, Aryan. You too, Shahana."

The two turned away, and Ranbir kissed Prachi's forehead. "Bye," he said softly.

Prachi smiled. "Bye."

As Ranbir and Aryan walked towards their car, Aryan turned back to glance at Shahana. At the same moment, Shahana turned her head as well. Their eyes met, and Aryan smiled.

"Bye," he called.

Shahana smiled back and nodded.

That night, in Ranbir's room,

Ranbir and Aryan lay in bed — both lost in thoughts of Prachi and Shahana.

"You know," Ranbir murmured, "Love is the most beautiful emotion in this world, and I'm so happy I've found mine."

Meanwhile, in Prachi and Shahana's room, Prachi said thoughtfully, "I never imagined I'd fall for someone I always fought with."

Ranbir turned to Aryan. "When you fall in love, bro, I'll support you the most."

Prachi told Shahana, "I won't miss a chance to tease you when I find your special someone."

Ranbir grinned and hugged Aryan tightly. "Love you, bro!"

"Get off me, Ranbir!" Aryan grumbled. "Last time you nearly kissed me while daydreaming about Prachi. I can't risk what you might do tonight!"

Ranbir laughed awkwardly, thoroughly embarrassed.

——-

To be continued

Chapter 34

Mehra and Kohili's Housewarming Party PART-I

As you can see in the title of this chapter, it is purely based on the Housewarming Party held in Mehra and Kohili's house. I know the original had already shown a lot of parties; I hope the fictional party which I'm creating in the ff is amusing my readers as much as the original series.

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Ranbir, Aryan, and Mishti arrive at their newly renovated house. Ranbir marvels at the transformation, saying, "I must say, the workers have done an incredible job after the fire accident. Our house looks so pristine; you wouldn’t even guess something had happened here."

Mishti beams, adding, "And bhai, my room is now painted pink — my favorite color! It looks amazing."

Aryan chimes in, "Even the spot where we usually hang out has a sporty-themed wallpaper now. It's so cool!"

Just then, Vikram walks in, proudly declaring, "That's all thanks to me! I instructed the workers to design each space based on what suits its occupants the most."

Mishti hugs her father tightly, saying, "Thanks, Dad!"

Abhi joins the group, teasing Vikram, "Well, this time, your otherwise 'good-for-nothing' dad has truly outdone himself!"

Mishti turns to Abhi and asks, "Mehra uncle, did you inform Prachi and her mom about Rhea’s plan?"

Ranbir's face lights up at the mention of Prachi. Before Abhi can respond, Vikram smirks and says, "Of course! After all, your Abhi uncle is a big fan of Prachi’s mom!"

Abhi shoots Vikram a sharp look, but Vikram continues playfully, "I mean, Anuradha ji is lucky to have a rockstar as her admirer. Who knows, maybe Prachi will have her own rockstar admirer soon too!"

Ranbir coughs awkwardly, while Aryan’s eyes widen. Both boys hurriedly excuse themselves to check on the party arrangements. As they leave, Abhi sighs, "If you're done with your nonsense, let's head to the office!"

Inside, as Ranbir and Aryan check on the decorations, Aryan says, "Ranbir, I think your dad suspects there's something between you and Prachi."

Ranbir sighs. "Not exactly, but he's trying hard to figure it out."

Aryan advises, "I really think you should tell your dad about Prachi. It’s better he hears it from you than from someone else."

Ranbir hesitates. "I will, but first I need to clear things with Rhea. I know my family loves Prachi, so I’m not worried about them. But..."

Aryan nods knowingly. "But you’re worried about Rhea... and rightly so. After everything she’s done to Prachi in the past, she’s not going to take this well. Be extra careful, bro."

Ranbir looks concerned as he nods.

Meanwhile, Sunny visits a rundown lodge and shows a photo to the receptionist, who directs him to a room. Inside, Sanju is startled to see him, mistaking Sunny for a police officer.

Falling to his knees, Sanju pleads, "Sir! Please don’t put me in jail! I didn’t mean to hurt Prachi. It was all Rhea and Priyanka’s plan!"

Sunny is taken aback by the unexpected confession. Confused yet intrigued, he scolds Sanju, "I’m not a cop! Priyanka sent me to find you."

Relieved, Sanju wipes his tears and hugs Sunny tightly. Disgusted, Sunny pulls away and demands an explanation about the Diwali incident.

Sanju reluctantly spills the details, revealing that Rhea plotted against Prachi with Priyanka’s help, which ultimately led to the fire accident at Mehra’s house. Sunny clenches his fists in anger, resisting the urge to hit Sanju.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Sunny thinks, So Rhea and Prachi are Chachu’s daughters... and Priyanka’s trying to hurt them? Determined, he vows to stay vigilant and protect them.

At the Housewarming Party

The Mehra and Kohli families gather, all dressed elegantly for the evening. Dasi asks Abhi, "Shall we install Devi Maa’s idol now?"

Before Abhi can answer, Purab hesitates, "But Pragya di..." He pauses, catching Aliyah’s sharp glare. The Kohli family and Aryan look confused, while Priyanka quietly fumes.

Purab quickly corrects himself, "I meant Prachi and her mom haven’t arrived yet. They’re supposed to do the aarti."

Just then, Prachi’s cheerful voice calls out, "We’re here, Sir!"

Abhi’s face lights up at the sight of Pragya, while Ranbir and Aryan grin excitedly at Prachi and Shahana. Aliyah watches Aryan’s reaction closely.

Ranbir flashes Prachi a 'superb' gesture, and she winks back with a smile. Meanwhile, Rishi and Sarita behen join the gathering, further infuriating Priyanka as she spots Rishi standing close to Shahana.

Dasi smiles warmly. "Now that our Ram and Siya are here, shall we start the Devi Maa installation and aarti?"

Everyone smiles except for Vikram’s family and Aryan, who remain confused about the sudden references.

(Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram plays in the background...)

——

To be continued.

Chapter 35

Housewarming Party – Part II

Previously, the housewarming festivities took an emotional turn as Pragya arrived at the Mehra Mansion, rekindling old bonds and emotions. Now, let's see what unfolds next.

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As Pragya steps into the mansion, she is warmly welcomed by Vikram's family, Rhea, Dasi, Meera, and Mitali. Pallavi greets her with a warm smile. "It's so kind of you to accept performing the aarti for our housewarming puja," she says gratefully.

Pragya shakes her head with a humble smile. "Please don't embarrass me, Pallavi ji. Performing something auspicious is never a burden; it's a blessing."

As she speaks, her eyes meet Abhi's across the room. A soft, unspoken connection lingers between them as they exchange a gentle smile. (Abhigya sad BGM plays in the background.)

Meanwhile, at a nearby pharmacy, Rakhi is buying medicines when she spots Tanu. Her heart pounds in fear. Mamma!

The memories of that dreadful night flood her mind—her mother's cruel words asking her to remain silent about the horror she had suffered. Rakhi's breath hitches. If she finds me, she will never let me seek justice.

Without a second thought, she turns and dashes out of the store. Tanu, startled at first, quickly follows.

Back at the Mehra Mansion,

Aliyah scoffs indifferently. "Since the auspicious person has arrived, shall we finally begin the function?"

Ignoring her sarcasm, everyone gathers near the temple. Abhi carefully carries Durga Maa's idol, draped in a red chunari, and installs it in the mandir. He then turns to Pragya and says, "You are performing the aarti, so it is only right that you remove her chunari."

Pragya is taken aback by his words but steps forward. She gently lifts the chunari from the idol, and as it slides down, everyone bows in reverence. She then picks up the large aarti stand to begin the ritual. However, the stand is heavy, and the heat from the flames makes it difficult for her to balance.

Outside, Rakhi is still running through the streets, her energy draining fast. I need to hide... or Mamma will catch me! She looks around frantically and, in a moment of desperation, her gaze lands on a grand mansion illuminated with lights. She slows her steps and stares at the nameplate:

"Mehra Mansion."

Her vision blurs as flashes from the past rush through her mind. But there's no time to dwell. She takes a deep breath and steps inside, just as Tanu skids to a halt outside, horrified.

"She... she entered the Mehra Mansion?" Tanu whispers in shock. Her mind races. After all these years, she has finally returned to her parents' house. I just hope she doesn't remember anything... or recognize Abhi and Pragya.

Fear grips her. Staying here any longer is dangerous. Casting one last glance at the mansion, Tanu slips away into the shadows.

Inside,

Pragya struggles to hold the heavy aarti stand steady. Just as she is about to lose her grip, Abhi rushes forward and supports her.

"Mamma!"

Both Rhea and Prachi cry out and hurry to help, placing their hands on the stand as well. Together, the four of them complete the aarti, their hands united in the sacred ritual.

The entire Mehra family watches, overcome with emotion—except for Aliyah and Priyanka, who burn with resentment. (Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram plays in the background.)

Meanwhile, outside in the garden, Rakhi steps cautiously through the lush greenery, her mind clouded with fragmented memories and fear. (KKM sad BGM plays.) She hesitates, her fingers trembling, before deciding to hide among the trees.

After the aarti, Abhi, Pragya, and their daughters carefully place the aarti stand at Durga Maa's feet and begin distributing prasad to the guests.

Pallavi claps her hands together excitedly. "I know this is a puja, but why not add a little fun to the evening?"

Beeji raises a brow. "Are you suggesting we play loud music and dance right here?"

Pallavi chuckles. "Not exactly. Something lighter than that..."

Mitali perks up. "Ballroom dance?"

Pallavi groans in frustration. "No! I was thinking of a couple paper dance!"

Vikram grins mischievously. "But Pallavi, how many couples do we have here? There's just us... and Aliyah-Purab."

Pallavi hesitates, but quickly recovers. "Come on, Abhi! You're a rockstar! No one would refuse to dance with you."

Vikram smirks. "Anuradha ji, why don't you dance with our rockstar?"

Abhi and Pragya freeze in shock.

Purab jumps in eagerly. "Of course! You should!"

The crowd, including Rhea and Prachi, enthusiastically urges Pragya to join. She hesitates but ultimately agrees, unable to refuse. Aliyah clenches her fists in anger, while Meera looks down, heartbroken.

Pallavi, beaming, continues, "Now, just two more couples!" Her eyes twinkle as she calls out, "Ranbir, my boy! Will you dance with our Prachi?"

Rhea stiffens as an uneasy shiver runs down her spine. Ranbir and Prachi exchange ecstatic smiles, their hearts soaring.

Rhea watches them, jealousy clawing at her, but then remembers her promise to Pragya. Ranbir is still following my plan. He's trying to win me over using my own game. I'll talk to him soon about my feelings.

Pallavi, delighted, claps her hands. "Now, just one last couple! Shahana, since Prachi is dancing, you choose a partner too!"

Shahana lowers her gaze shyly, sneaking a glance at Aryan.

Aliyah notices immediately and stiffens. Before Shahana can speak, Aliyah interjects, "Shahana would make a great pair with Rishi. Even now, they look wonderful together."

Aryan's face falls, disappointment clear in his eyes.

—–

To be continued.

Chapter 36

A Dance of Heartache and Schemes

Aryan and Shahana’s hearts sink at Aliyah’s announcement, while Rishi, on the other hand, feels delighted. Shahana glances at Aryan, who subtly shakes his head, signaling her no. Aliyah, observing them closely, clenches her fists in frustration. Before Shahana can voice her reluctance, Aliyah quickly interjects, "Come on, Rishi and Shahana! Everyone is waiting!"

Without hesitation, Rishi grabs Shahana’s hand and pulls her onto the dance floor.

Priyanka, watching them together, seethes with fury. Her hands curl into fists as rage courses through her. Unable to control herself, she storms off to her room.

As the music begins to play, the atmosphere fills with excitement and laughter—except for Aryan and Shahana. Aryan’s eyes well up as he watches her dance with Rishi, while Shahana shifts uncomfortably in Rishi’s grip.

Mishti notices Aryan’s sudden change in mood. Concerned, she asks, "What’s wrong?"

Aryan, masking his emotions, replies flatly, "Nothing."

Mishti, however, smiles knowingly. I know, Aryan. You’re upset because everyone else was invited to the dance floor except us, right?

But Aryan’s gaze remains fixed on Shahana.

Wanting to lift his spirits, Mishti gently takes Aryan’s hand, interlocking her fingers with his. He stiffens in shock at her sudden gesture, and across the dance floor, Shahana falters. Her focus is no longer on the dance but on Aryan and Mishti.

Mishti looks up at Aryan and motions for him to smile. With effort, he forces a small, fake smile. Encouraged, Mishti rests her head on his shoulder.

Aryan’s discomfort intensifies, while Shahana’s unease on the dance floor grows unbearable.

Aliyah, watching closely, smirks with satisfaction. Seeing Shahana’s sorrowful expression as Aryan and Mishti grow closer, she thinks, No matter how much your daughter tries, Pragya, I will never allow her to be a part of my son’s life!

Just then, Purab’s voice snaps her back to reality, forcing her to refocus on the dance.

On the other hand, Shahana struggles to ignore Aryan and Mishti. Seeing her distracted, Rishi tightens his grip on her waist and leans in. "Dance properly, Shahana! A strong girl like you giving up so easily? That’s not like you."

Shahana turns to him with a sad smile, her heart heavy.

Meanwhile, Aryan, unable to bear it any longer, murmurs to Mishti, "I need some fresh air," and walks out.

Both Shahana and Mishti watch him leave, their expressions unreadable.

Priyanka’s Wrath

Inside her room, Priyanka stares into the mirror, her chest rising and falling in rapid breaths.

"How could you, Rishi?! How could you hold that Shahana’s hand?" she snarls.

Her voice trembles with fury as she stammers, "And that Shahana... how could she dance with my Rishi?!"

Her eyes burn with unhinged obsession. "Rishi is mine. Just mine!"

In a fit of rage, she sweeps her hand across the dressing table, knocking everything to the floor. Among the scattered objects, a blade lands at her feet.

She stares at it.

Then, slowly, a sinister smirk spreads across her lips.

"You were so thrilled to dance with my Rishi, weren’t you, Shahana?" She picks up the blade, examining its sharp edge in the mirror.

"Now, let’s see how I turn that happiness into humiliation."

An Unwelcome Exit

Downstairs, the music continues to play. Ranbir and Prachi remain lost in each other, exchanging smiles as they dance.

Rhea, standing at a distance, watches them anxiously.

"I can’t bear to see them together, God! I don’t want Ranbir to continue with my plan anymore, and I won’t hurt Prachi again. Just get them off the dance floor!"

Ranbir, feeling playful, tightens his grip around Prachi’s waist. She blushes and shakes her head, silently mouthing, No.

But Ranbir only grins mischievously and pulls her even closer.

Prachi, flustered, pushes against his chest. As he stumbles backward, he unknowingly steps out of the paper—disqualifying them from the game.

Rhea lets out a silent breath of relief.

Vikram bursts into laughter. "Ranbir, my boy! Young couples like you should be ruling this game, and yet, you’re the first ones out?!"

Ranbir glares at him. "Stop it, Dad!"

He then shoots Prachi an irritated look before storming off, leaving her feeling guilty.

Vikram claps his hands. "Let’s continue!"

An Encounter in the Dark

Outside, Aryan paces, his heart heavy. He replays the moment he saw Shahana and Rishi together, the way Rishi held her, the way she seemed to smile at him, even if reluctantly.

He sighs, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

Then, movement in the garden catches his eye.

His body tenses. A thief?

Narrowing his eyes, he takes a step forward. "Who’s there?" His voice is firm but laced with uncertainty.

No response.

"Listen, whoever you are, I’m strong. If you don’t come out now, you’ll leave with broken bones!"

Slowly, the figure turns.

Aryan’s breath catches in surprise.

"Rakhi?"

For a second, she looks at him, then shifts her gaze toward the mansion, her body visibly trembling. Flashes of the past overwhelm her.

Aryan, noticing her pale expression, frowns. "What are you doing here? Did you come to attend the party?"

Rakhi swallows hard. She hesitates before asking, "Whose house is this?"

Aryan tilts his head. "Oh, this? This is my Mamu, Abhishek Prem Mehra’s house."

A chill runs down Rakhi’s spine. She remembers the hospital, the sight of Abhi and Pragya with Prachi.

"Why… why do I feel a strange connection with this house? With Abhishek Prem Mehra?"

Aryan smiles. "Come inside! I’ll introduce you to him."

Rakhi instantly steps back. "No. It’s late. I should go."

Aryan frowns. "Are you leaving alone?"

She nods.

"This is Delhi, Rakhi. The capital of India. And also…" His voice turns serious. "The capital of rapes in India."

Her face falls.

Painful memories flood her mind. The agony, the helplessness, the scars left behind by the cruelest night of her life.

Aryan notices her sudden silence. His tone softens. "Are you okay? Would you like something to drink? Maybe juice?"

She shakes her head.

"At least let me drop you home."

Rakhi hesitates.

Aryan, sensing her reluctance, sighs. "Come on. One Nirbhaya is enough for Delhi."

Rakhi stiffens.

Finally, she nods.

A Shadow in the Dark

As Aryan and Rakhi walk out, another figure approaches the mansion’s gate.

Sunny.

Beside him, Sanju stands idly.

Sunny halts, watching as Aryan leaves with a woman. Though he can’t see her face, he assumes it’s Shahana.

A cruel smirk spreads across his face.

"My dear brother… your love for her is so strong that you’re leaving your own party to be with her? How sweet."

His expression darkens.

"But not for long, Aryan. You will go through the same pain of love that your father made me and my Ma suffer."

His eyes gleam with malice.

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To be continued.

Chapter 37

Ranbir’s Frustration and an Unexpected Visitor

Ranbir storms into his room, frustration boiling over. His disqualification from the dance still stings, and he slams the door shut, running a hand through his hair in irritation.

A knock interrupts his thoughts.

Assuming it’s Prachi, his voice rises in anger. “I don’t want to hear anything from you! Just leave!”

Outside, Rhea’s heart sinks.

"Oh, my poor baby… Ranbir is suffering because of me! He’s putting up with that low-class Prachi just to win my heart. He’s hurting so much… all because of me!"

Her eyes soften with guilt.

"Don’t worry, Ranbir. I won’t make you go through this anymore. I promised God I would confess my love to you without making you hurt Prachi… and soon, I will."

With a heavy heart, she silently walks away.

Just moments after Rhea leaves, the door swings open again—this time, it’s Prachi. She steps in and locks the door behind her.

Ranbir’s irritation flares as he turns to her. “Didn’t I just say that I don’t want to hear anything from you? Then why did you come in and lock the door?”

Prachi, equally fired up, shoots back, “Because I have something to say!”

Ranbir scoffs and moves to leave, but she grabs his wrist, stopping him.

He tries to pull away, but Prachi tightens her grip and tugs him back. The force sends them both off balance, tumbling onto the bed—Ranbir landing on top of her.

Their breath catches as they lock eyes.

After a moment, Ranbir mutters, “Why did you have to be so sensitive during the dance? We lost because of you.”

Prachi holds his gaze. “In life, we have to lose sometimes to win greater things.”

Ranbir raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? And what exactly did I win just now?”

Prachi smirks. “Something much better than a dance competition.”

Ranbir looks confused. “And what’s that?”

She whispers, “Time alone with me.”

A slow smile tugs at Ranbir’s lips. “You do know how to handle my moods. I’m impressed.”

Leaning closer, Prachi whispers in his ear, “That’s why I’m your girlfriend.”

Their foreheads touch, their eyes still locked as the moment lingers between them.

Shahana’s Distraction and a Brewing Storm

Downstairs, the paper dance continues.

Lost in thoughts of Aryan, Shahana absentmindedly steps out of the paper, getting herself and Rishi disqualified. As they exit the dance floor, her eyes immediately scan the room for Aryan. Not finding him anywhere, she bites her lip in worry and heads inside to search for him.

Aliyah, noticing Shahana’s sudden exit, narrows her eyes. Suspicious, she follows suit, also stepping out of the game.

Now, the final two couples left on the dance floor are Abhi-Pragya and Vikram-Pallavi.

Priyanka’s Dangerous Intentions

Meanwhile, Priyanka descends the stairs, carefully concealing a blade in her hand. Her eyes dart around, searching for Shahana.

But she’s nowhere to be found.

Her phone rings.

It’s Sunny.

Annoyed, she picks up.

“I brought Sanju with me,” he informs her.

Priyanka clenches her jaw. “What the hell, Sunny?! Who asked you to bring him? Just stay there with Sanju and wait for me!”

She abruptly hangs up, irritation evident in her voice.

Sunny frowns, suspicion creeping into his mind.

*"She’s definitely up to something… That’s why she’s so tense. I just hope she doesn’t hurt Abhi chachu and his family… or Pa—" He stops himself mid-thought, his expression hardening.

"Why do I even care about that man? I’m here to destroy him, not worry about him!"

Fuming, he hurls his phone aside.

Sanju, startled, stares at him. “Uh… what just happened?”

Sunny snaps, “Just shut up and wait for Priyanka.”

Sanju grumbles, “What did I do now?”

Shahana’s Search and Priyanka’s Obsession

Inside, Shahana moves restlessly from room to room, searching for Aryan.

Rishi notices her anxious expression and steps in front of her. “What’s wrong?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing.”

Rishi smirks mischievously. “So, the great Sherni of Hoshiarpur is finally showing her cowardice?”

Shahana frowns. “Huh?”

“You’re upset because we lost the dance competition, aren’t you?”

She remains silent, too distracted to respond.

Rishi chuckles, catching her hands. “Come on, Shahana. If someone wins, someone has to lose, right? If we lost this time, we’ll just win next time!”

His warm reassurance finally brings a small smile to her face.

From a distance, Priyanka watches the exchange, her grip tightening around the blade.

Blood drips from her palm as she digs the blade into her own skin.

Her eyes burn with hatred.

"I’m not going to let you go, Shahana. You’re pushing my Rishi further away from me… and you’ll have to pay for it."

Oblivious to Priyanka’s presence, Rishi says, “Come on, let’s watch the rest of the game. Let’s see if Maasi wins!”

Shahana nods. “You go ahead. I’ll join in a few minutes.”

Rishi leaves, while Shahana continues searching for Aryan, worry creeping into her mind.

"I know Aryan… he must be cooking up all kinds of ridiculous stories in his head about me and Rishi. I just don’t want any misunderstandings between us. And he’s no less! He keeps insisting that Mishti is like a sister to him, but the way they were standing together during the dance? That looked way more romantic than whatever was happening between me and Rishi!"

Annoyed, she huffs.

"Let him come. I’ll—"

She freezes mid-step.

Aliyah stands in front of her.

Shahana’s eyes widen in shock.

From the shadows, Priyanka watches the scene unfold.

"Booji is here… I need to stay away for now. If she sees me, she’ll definitely tell Chucks about it."

Slipping away unnoticed, Priyanka vanishes into the night.

Meanwhile, Shahana remains rooted in place, staring at Aliyah in disbelief.

-----------

To be continued.

I know all of you guys will be disappointed, because there are is no Pranbir scenes, but as I told already Pranbir will become less important slowly. But give in comments regarding the situation if Arhana do not come together and become Mishan and Rishana.

Chapter 38

A Web of Deception and Unspoken Emotions

Priyanka slipped outside stealthily to meet Sanju, while Sunny, upon seeing her, frowned and turned away in disapproval. As she approached them, Sunny asked in an irritated tone, "Madam, if your work of bringing this fool here is done, can I leave now?"

Priyanka shot him a furious glare. "Why the hell are you in such a hurry? Take him back with you and make sure he stays in a decent lodge!"

Sanju interrupted hesitantly, "But, Madam… what do you want me to do this time? You do remember what happened the last time we played that foul game on Prachi, right?"

Hearing Prachi’s name, Sunny’s ears perked up, his curiosity piqued. Sanju continued, "And by the way, where is Lakshmi Ji?"

Priyanka snapped at him, "Rhea isn’t going to help you anymore in winning Prachi!"

Sanju looked crestfallen. "But why?"

Priyanka dismissed his question with irritation. "That’s not important right now! What matters is that I will help you, but you need to do exactly as I say. This time, there must be no mistakes!"

Sanju, determined, nodded eagerly. "I promise you, Ji! This time, I won’t mess up! I will win my Prachi!"

Sunny grew uneasy as Priyanka smirked and turned toward him. "For now, leave him. But bring him back on the day of the Fashion Show and International Concert."

Then, without realizing Sunny was still listening, she glanced at the blade in her hand and murmured, "Now, it’s time to settle scores with the self-respect of the woman trying to snatch my Rishi from me."

Sunny’s eyes widened in shock. Sweat formed on his forehead as he recalled his past encounters with Priyanka—her obsession with Rishi and the lengths she would go to. His mind raced. She’s up to something dangerous again… just like the fire incident during Diwali. He knew he had to warn someone.

Sanju noticed his distressed expression. "What happened, Bhai? Shouldn’t we leave?"

Sunny, still anxious, ignored him and rushed toward the house. However, just as he was about to step inside, he froze. Memories flooded back—his promise to himself that he would never set foot inside this house again. The only reason I went in last time was for the job… to avenge my dad. I swore never to return.

He took a step back, battling his inner turmoil. Just then, he unknowingly collided with Aryan, who had just arrived. Both were startled.

Aryan apologized instantly, "Oh, I’m sorry, sir! I didn’t see you coming."

Sunny stood frozen, face-to-face with his younger brother—the very person he despised the most. His fists clenched, his eyes darkened with rage, but deep down, a flicker of conscience stopped him. I may hate him, but I don’t hate that girl. I need to warn him.

As Aryan turned to go inside, Sunny grabbed his shoulder, desperation evident in his voice. "Aryan, listen to me! I know this might sound strange, but believe me—your girlfriend’s self-respect is in danger!"

Aryan frowned in confusion. "Who are you? And how do you know me? Also, for the record, I don’t have a girlfriend! I really don’t understand what the hell you’re talking about!"

Sunny groaned in frustration, hitting his forehead. What’s that girl’s name? Then, an idea struck him. "Rishi’s girlfriend!"

A chill ran down Aryan’s spine. "You mean… Shahana?"

Sunny exhaled in relief. "Yes! Mark my words—someone is planning something evil against her. If you care even a little, go find her before it’s too late!"

Aryan didn’t waste another second. He sprinted inside, urgency gripping him.

Sunny, now feeling slightly relieved, turned back and left Mehra Mansion with Sanju, deep in thought. Priyanka is dangerous… she’s playing with too many lives just to get her revenge. Even I want revenge, but I’d never stoop so low as to harm those who have nothing to do with it.

A Cruel Lesson and a Silent Rescue

Inside, Aliyah glared at Shahana, who stood bewildered.

Aliyah’s voice was sharp. "What were you just saying?"

Shahana bit her tongue, feeling caught. "Aunty… I—I didn’t mean it like that! I know Aryan and Mishti are like brother and sister—"

Aliyah cut her off, her voice rising. "They are NOT brother and sister! Aryan is my son, and Mishti is Vikram’s daughter. They’ve been close friends since childhood, and now, as adults, they may become something more than that! Do you have a problem with that?"

Shahana felt an unexpected sting in her heart. Her hands trembled.

Aliyah’s tone turned cutting. "I know how middle-class girls like you trap rich guys just for marriage, just to climb the social ladder." She raised an accusing finger at Shahana. "But don’t you dare set your sights on my son. Stay away from him—consider this your final warning!"

With that, Aliyah walked away, leaving Shahana standing there, shaken and on the verge of tears.

At that moment, Priyanka spotted Shahana lost in thought. A wicked smirk curved on her lips. She discreetly slashed the back of Shahana’s gown with the blade, leaving her bareback exposed, before slipping away. Now, let’s see how you lift your head in dignity after this humiliation.

Just then, Aryan arrived, still searching for Shahana. His eyes fell on her—and then, on her exposed back. His breath hitched. From the other side, he saw people approaching.

Panic surged through him. Without a second thought, he rushed forward and pulled Shahana tightly against his chest.

Shahana gasped. "Aryan! What are you—"

He whispered urgently into her ear, "Your dress is torn at the back. If you don’t want everyone to see, stay still!"

Shahana’s body stiffened in shock. She reached behind her and realized the horrifying truth. Her voice trembled. "Aryan… what do I do now?"

Aryan quickly scanned the crowd. Neither Prachi nor Pragya nor Sarita Aunty was around. He took a deep breath. "My room is nearby. Let’s move there, just like this, before anyone notices."

Keeping her pressed against him, Aryan carefully led Shahana to his room.

Inside, as Aryan rummaged through his cupboard, Shahana sat on the bed, still shaken. "I don’t know who played this dirty trick on me… but I’m sure it’s your bossy, attitude-driven mother!"

Aryan turned to her, annoyed. "Oh, come on! Stop blaming my mom for everything!"

Shahana shot back, "Why? Is she my mother-in-law or something? So she gets a free pass to say whatever she wants?"

Aryan groaned. "Oh, really?"

As he finally found a needle and thread, Shahana recognized it. "Wait… isn’t that the same one you hurt yourself with when you started learning how to stitch?"

Aryan’s lips curved into a small smile. "Yeah… and that was the first time I felt my heartbeats change…"

Shahana blinked in surprise but quickly snapped herself out of it. Aryan, suddenly nervous, cleared his throat. "I needed it for fixing buttons. Now, let’s fix your dress."

Shahana hesitated. "You… you know how to stitch?"

Aryan smirked. "You were the one who insisted I learn, remember?"

Slowly, she turned her back to him. A strange silence settled between them. Aryan carefully began stitching, his fingers brushing against her skin.

As he worked, he murmured, "I know my mom is overprotective about class differences, but deep down, she’s not a bad person."

Shahana huffed. "Whatever. She’s your mother—you deal with her!"

Aryan chuckled. "Oh, really?"

As he finished, he struggled to break the thread. Unable to do it with his hands, he instinctively bent down and bit it with his teeth—his lips accidentally grazing her shoulder.

A shiver ran through both of them.

Without thinking, Aryan’s hands slid around her waist, and before he could stop himself, he pressed a lingering kiss against her neck.

Just then—knock knock.

-------

To be continued.

My dear readers please give in comments regarding the situation if Arhana should not come together and become Misyan and Rishana.

Chapter 39

The Unspoken Connection

A sudden knock on the door startled Aryan and Shahana, snapping them out of the moment they hadn't even realized they'd been lost in. In just a few minutes, their proximity had unconsciously stirred an unspoken intimacy between them. Outside, Mishti's voice called out, "Aryan, are you in there? Aliyah Auntie is looking for you!"

Aryan quickly turned to Shahana. "Hide behind the curtains. Come out only after I leave," he instructed. She nodded, slipping behind the drapes.

Opening the door, Aryan found Mishti standing there, her arms crossed. "What were you doing inside?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Aryan hesitated briefly before replying, "One of the buttons on my blazer came off, so I was just fixing it."

Mishti seemed to accept the explanation and grabbed his hand. "Come on now! Aliyah Auntie has been looking for you everywhere."

As she pulled him away, Aryan glanced back at Shahana one last time. Watching from behind the curtains, she felt a strange irritation. She recalled Aliyah’s words and wondered, "Could there really be something between Aryan and Mishti?" But before she could dwell on the thought, her fingers unconsciously brushed the side of her neck where Aryan had kissed her. The memory sent a shiver through her. "Then what is happening between me and him? Why didn’t I push him away? If it were anyone else, I would’ve punched him. Why am I drawn to Aryan? Why do I feel good when he's close… and bad when he's with Mishti?"

Stirring Realizations

Downstairs, Ranbir spotted Aryan and immediately questioned him. "Where have you been, bro? You weren’t on the dance floor, and now Mishti pulled you out of your room. What’s going on? Are you not enjoying the party?"

Aryan casually shrugged. "I just went out for some fresh air, and then I was fixing my blazer."

Ranbir smirked mischievously. "So, Miss Unbearable actually taught you something useful, huh?"

Aryan blinked at him in confusion.

"Relax, I was talking about stitching!" Ranbir chuckled. "She taught you so well that you’re fixing your own clothes now. Not bad!" Then, leaning in, he whispered, "I know you don’t like her, but she’s my saali sahiba after all. Try being a little nicer to her, man!"

Aryan simply nodded, but his thoughts drifted back to Shahana. Just then, she walked downstairs, and his eyes instinctively followed her. As he recalled their close moment, a soft smile unknowingly formed on his lips. Shahana caught his gaze and smiled back.

Ranbir tapped Aryan’s shoulder. "Since Prachi and I didn’t get to finish, who do you think will win—the Chief and Prachi’s mom, or Mom and Dad?"

Aryan simply shrugged, still lost in thoughts of Shahana.

Unsettling Thoughts

Meanwhile, Prachi found Shahana and pulled her aside. "Where were you? I’ve been looking for you everywhere!"

Shahana smirked teasingly. "Oh really? Were you actually looking for me, or were you too busy glued to Ranbir’s side?"

Prachi blushed and lightly smacked her arm. "Stop it, Shahana! Look, Ma is still in the game with Mehra Sir. Let’s go cheer for her!"

Excitedly, Prachi rushed forward, unknowingly stopping beside Rhea.

"Come on, Dad!" Rhea cheered.

"Ma, you got this!" Prachi called out at the same time.

Both girls turned, startled to find each other standing side by side. For a brief moment, they exchanged awkward smiles before shifting their attention back to the game.

Across the hall, Priyanka spotted Shahana, happily cheering for Pragya, and her face darkened. "How is that possible? I tore her dress… but it's perfectly fine. Did Rishi help her?" A surge of anger rushed through her. "This girl is getting too close to Rishi. I won’t allow it!"

Her lips curled into a smirk as she thought, "During the Fashion Show, when your sister wins the crown, you’ll lose the most precious thing in your life. After that, no man—not even my Rishi—will dare look at you!"

A Moment of Love and Laughter

The paper dance had reached its final stage. The paper had been folded into a tiny square, forcing the couples into the most challenging position. First up, Vikram attempted to lift Pallavi into his arms, but with his injured knee, he barely managed to hold her for a second before toppling over. The room erupted in laughter.

Pallavi scowled. "Vikram, you couldn’t hold me for even a second?"

Vikram sighed dramatically. "What can I say, Pallavi? I’m not as young as I used to be!"

At that moment, Abhi effortlessly scooped Pragya into his arms. The crowd clapped and cheered.

Pallavi nudged Vikram. "Look at that!"

Vikram sighed. "Come on, Pallavi. Anuradha ji isn’t as heavy as you!"

Pallavi glared at him while the others laughed.

Meanwhile, Abhi and Pragya remained lost in each other’s eyes. Purab cleared his throat. "Abhi, you won. You can put her down now!"

As he gently lowered Pragya to the ground, Prachi rushed forward and hugged Abhi, while Rhea did the same with Pragya. The parents exchanged warm smiles, sharing a silent moment with their daughters beside them.

A Farewell… and a Silent Wish

Soon, Sarita Behen approached Pragya. "We should leave now."

Pragya turned to the others. "It was lovely being here. We’ll see you all soon."

Vikram chuckled. "You know, Rhea was right. You are an auspicious person. For once, we had a party without any disasters!"

Aliyah and Priyanka clenched their fists at his remark.

Purab added, "Next up is the Fashion Show and International Concert at the college. Both Rhea and Prachi are participating, so we’ll see you there!"

Pragya nodded, stealing one last glance at Abhi before leaving. He nodded back.

As she walked away, Prachi turned toward Ranbir, who cheekily blew her a flying kiss. Meanwhile, Aryan and Shahana exchanged a subtle goodbye without anyone noticing.

Watching Pragya leave with her family, Abhi felt an ache in his heart. His eyes welled up with unshed tears.

Dasi, noticing his pain, clasped her hands together in silent prayer. "I just hope that one day, someone will bring Abhi’s family back together again."

------

To be continued.

Chapter 40

Aryan and Ranbir's Room: A Lighthearted Discussion with Underlying Tension

Ranbir was busy practicing his boxing skills, throwing punches at the punching bag with intensity, while Aryan stood near the dresser, browsing through Ranbir's extensive collection of perfumes.

"You know," Ranbir began, still focused on his workout, "when you fall in love, the other person changes you completely, and you don't even realize it. Today, I was so mad at Prachi—"

He went on, passionately narrating his latest argument with Prachi, but Aryan seemed completely distracted, rummaging through the bottles in front of him. It took Ranbir a few moments to notice Aryan's lack of response. Pausing mid-punch, he frowned.

"Aryan, are you even listening?"

"Yeah, yeah, go on," Aryan mumbled absentmindedly. "You were saying... you use perfumes every day so that no one finds out you don't shower, right?"

Ranbir froze, his expression turning from confusion to indignation. "What the—?! Aryan, I was NOT talking about perfumes! And for your kind information, I shower every single day! Who the hell told you otherwise?"

Aryan smirked playfully. "No one. It's just a common myth that guys who don't bathe much tend to drown themselves in perfume. And judging by the number of bottles you have here, you practically own a whole store!"

Ranbir's irritation flared. He marched over to Aryan and snatched a perfume bottle from his hands. "Then why are you so interested in them? If you have such an issue, get out of here!"

Aryan chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "Relax, bro, I was just kidding." His eyes lit up as he finally found the perfume he had been searching for. He picked it up with a satisfied smile, only for Ranbir to grab it from him.

"This one?" Ranbir examined the bottle. "It's a favorite among most of the girls in our college—especially my sister, Mishti. But ever since I started dating Prachi, she made me stop using it. She absolutely hates it. I don't get it—what's her problem with it when her own sister, Shahana, is obsessed with this fragrance? Remember how she used to hover around me in the beginning, just to catch a whiff of this scent?"

Aryan smiled to himself before casually asking, "Since you're not using it anymore, can I have it?"

Ranbir narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Who are you trying to impress, Aryan?"

Aryan stiffened. "What? Why would I use a perfume to impress girls?"

Ranbir smirked knowingly. "Because you're allergic to this perfume!"

Aryan's face fell as he realized Ranbir was right. He was allergic to it—yet this was the very fragrance Shahana loved the most.

Ranbir crossed his arms. "Now tell me, who's the girl?"

Aryan shifted uncomfortably before regaining his composure. "There's no one, dude! If there was, wouldn't you already know? I mean, I was the one who helped you sort out your mess with Prachi and Rhea, remember? I know everything that happens in your life. And just like that, you know everything about me, too. So, if there was someone, you'd have figured it out by now, right?"

Ranbir grinned and pinched Aryan's cheek. "Exactly! If my bro has someone special, I'll be the first to find out. I've known you since the day you were born!"

He let go of Aryan's cheek and clapped him on the back. "Anyway, don't forget—tomorrow is our last chance to help Prachi with the fashion show prep. I need her to win this time, so no excuses! You're coming with me, got it?"

Aryan nodded. Ranbir gave him a thumbs-up before heading out.

As soon as he was alone, Aryan sighed, his thoughts drifting back. Is Ranbir right? Is there really 'someone' in my life? He shook his head, confused.

"Because even I don't understand what's happening to me. Why do I feel this pull towards Shahana? Why does being near her feel like I'm in a completely different world? I need to figure this out... fast."

Prachi & Shahana's Room: A Change in Shahana

Prachi sat on her bed, animatedly narrating the details of her latest fight with Ranbir—how she had annoyed him, how he had gotten mad, and how she had pacified him.

But Shahana, standing in front of the mirror, was barely paying attention. She kept running her fingers through her hair, lost in thought.

Prachi frowned. "Wait a second—you're quiet? The girl who doesn't let me rest until she gets every last detail about my life with Ranbir? What's going on, Shahana?"

Shahana blinked, snapping out of her trance. "Nothing," she muttered, avoiding Prachi's gaze.

Prachi's frown deepened. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Of course I'm okay!" Shahana scoffed. "Why are you even asking that?"

"Because the Shahana I know talks non-stop! And right now, you're eerily silent!"

Shahana forced a smile. "I'm just tired, Prachi. That's all. I need some rest."

Prachi narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "Nope. Something is definitely up. Spill it!"

Shahana thought to herself, When I don't even understand what's happening, how am I supposed to explain it to you, Prachi?

Prachi waved her hand in front of her friend's face. "Hello? Earth to Shahana?"

Shahana quickly shook her head. "It's nothing!"

Prachi smirked. "Wait... are you thinking about Rishi?"

Shahana groaned in frustration. "Uff, Prachi! Why do you always bring Rishi into everything? There's nothing between us!"

Prachi grinned mischievously. "Oh really? But you two do fight a lot. And everyone knows constant fights lead to love! Just look at me and Ranbir!"

Shahana froze. Her mind flooded with memories—her never-ending fights with Aryan, their heated arguments, the moments of unexpected closeness... and that last time, when he had kissed the side of her neck.

Instinctively, she touched the spot where Aryan's lips had brushed against her skin, and a soft smile formed on her lips.

Prachi noticed and gasped. "Hey, why did you suddenly start smiling?!"

Shahana quickly turned away. "What? Is there some rule that says I can't smile?" She huffed, pulling the blanket over herself. "I'm tired of your questions. I'm going to sleep. Good night!"

Prachi watched her in shock. "I knew it! She's totally thinking about Rishi! She's just not ready to admit it yet!"

Prachi sat back, deep in thought. I should talk to Ma about this...

A Sinister Plan in Motion

The next day, in a secluded area of Dwarka Nagar, Priyanka paced impatiently, waiting for Sunny and Sanju.

When she arrived, both men were already there. She wasted no time getting to the point.

"The fashion event is tomorrow," she said, her voice laced with venom. "And that's when we'll strike."

Sanju frowned. "But what exactly is the plan?"

Priyanka smirked. "Something similar to last time. But this time, your target won't be Prachi. It'll be her sister—Shahana."

Both Sanju and Sunny looked stunned.

Sanju scowled. "But I have no interest in Shahana! My love is only for Prachi!"

Priyanka rolled her eyes. "I know that, you idiot. But Prachi will do anything for her sister. We just need to stage her abduction—record a video, make it look real. That will be enough to blackmail Prachi into marrying you."

Sanju hesitated. "Last time, I barely escaped. That Lakshmi Ji's cousin, Aryan, beat me black and blue! I couldn't move for three days!"

Priyanka smirked. "This time, there won't be any slip-ups. Because when this is over, the one who will take the fall won't be us—it'll be Rhea."

Sunny looked taken aback, but Priyanka's smirk only widened.

Her plan was already in motion.

-------

To be continued.

Originally posted by: Aleyamma47

Episode 2

As I mentioned in the previous episode, the fanfic is created while focusing completely on the younger generation of the top-rated show Kumkum Bhagya. Hence, the central characters of this ff are Prachi, Rhea, Ranbir, Aryan, Shahana, Rishi, Priyanka, Sunny and Kiara. Sunny was introduced in the previous episode. Kiara will be introduced after a few episodes.

Ranbir and Aryan bring Prachi and Shahana to a secluded warehouse in Vasant Vihar. Prachi asks “What kind of place is this?”. Ranbir answers “This is our Ran’s island”, Me and Aryan, we used to come here during our teenage day to try smoking cigarettes and have beer for the first time. Since we both have the letters ‘R’. ‘A’ and ‘N’ in common, we name this place RAN’S Island. Maybe you should have named it the “RAT’S ISLAND”, watch out for the rats!!!! Prachi, Shahana and Aryan scream “AAAAAAh”, Shahana asks Aryan’ “You are a man and you fear Rats”, Aryan answers her “Do we have to be a man or woman to fear RATS? Let’s focus on shooing away these creatures, so that we can start working.

Sunny is seen spying outside the warehouse where the four of them are seen working. “What is my little bro doing here???”

At Disha’s House

Disha feels bad for having slapped Hritik. “I shouldn’t have slapped him so hard, after all he was playing a prank on me”. Then Pragya’s words flashes in her mind “Do you want to stay alone all your life???” I’m not alone di, there’s someone who’s waiting for me, she goes near her cupboard and takes out the Sunny’s photo (the same man who was shown in the last episode). She has the flashbacks of the day she left Mehra Mansion and reaches “Shanti Niketan Ashram”. Sunny tells her “Mamma I don’t want to stay here?”. Don’t worry, my son, you have so many friends to play with over here and Mamma will come twice every week to meet you. She goes and fills the formalities of the orphanage while her tears fall on the legal papers, she starts to leave, while Sunny runs behind her and shouts “Mamma, don’t leave me here please, Mamma!!!Mamma!” Disha does turn back towards her son but her eyes are filled with tears rolling down her face. Fb ends. Disha thinks “I had to take such a decision for the wellbeing of you my son”. I did not want him to grow up facing the loud criticisms of this society. It is always difficult for a single mother to raise a child in this society, I had no means, no money, no name at that time. I was separated from my husband and disowned by my father. I did not want my child to grow up being called a “Bas*****”, it was better for him to grow up as an “ORPHAN”. All that crimes that you committed PURAB, your son has suffered for it. Not anymore, now I have made my identity and my own means in this society. Soon, Sunny, you will finish, your FASHION STUDIES and I’m sure my son will be placed in the topmost institutes. Then nobody will question us, and we will stay together.

At the warehouse, Vasant vihar

Ranbir shoos away all the RATS and says “WHEN RANBIR IS HERE!!! THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR???”. Prachi interrupts “I think Shahana, we should leave, we shouldn’t have trusted this Ranbir and come here”. Ranbir says “Come on, Miss Lecturey, don’t spoil your mood, because of those silly rats”. Shahana tries to calm down Prachi “Prachi, we don’t have much time for the fashion event and we really need help, so I think we should stay here and work together”. Prachi looks at Shahana and then at Ranbir and says “Fine, let’s work together”. Ranbir smiles brilliantly and asks her “What exactly is in your mid regarding your costumes, Prachi???” Prachi starts “I have always loved Indian traditional dresses. So, I wish that my costume will be COTTON SAREE and SALWAR KAMEEZ. Cotton Sarees by our generation is down class but I think there is a cultural signification and value in those cotton sarees, which are replaced by heavy designer and net sarees these days. So, I want to bring that flair of the heaviness through special borders and embroidered pallu in my saree. Then for Salwar Kameez, most women nowadays, prefer wearing it without the dupatta, but our ancestors had chosen to add that dupatta to our dress for a reason. If we create some speciality either through fabric paints or embroidery or through sparkling mirrors in the dupatta then I’m sure the women will love to wear the dupatta for their comfort while considering it to be a style quotient. Ranbir looks at Prachi impressively “Not bad, Miss Lecturey, your dressing sense is not that BORING as I thought it to be!!!”. Prachi stares at him, Shahana asks “So, how shall we start Prachi????”, Prachi answers You start stitching these borders for the saree which I had bought, while I will work on the dupatta and salwar kameez. Shahana says “Alright”, Ranbir tells Shahana, “Aryan will help you!!!”. Aryan looks at him surprisingly “Dude, why are you teaming me with her??? You know how she shouted at me last time when she was angry with Rhea right and I don’t know how to stitch”. Ranbir tells him “Oh come on, you didn’t forget that incident, that was a long time ago!!! Anyways, she will teach you how to stitch.” Ranbir asks to teach his brother how to stitch. Shahana says “Sure Ranbir, come MONKEY, let’s start stitching”. Aryan “I think since we are going to work together, so, it would be better if you call me by my name”. Shahana “Fine, now look at the way, we have to stitch the borders”, she shows the way to stitch and gives another needle and thread to him; Aryan takes the needle and thread and starts stitching, but unfortunately he pricks his finger too hard that it starts bleeding, he screams in pain. Shahana scolds him saying “Oh ho, Aryan, can’t you be careful, look you have pricked your finger very badly”, Shahana takes his hurt finger and puts it in her mouth to soothe it. Aryan starts feeling weird, he notices that his heart beats have started racing and then he gets reminded of his discussion with Ranbir the previous day. This Ranbir keeps talking rubbish and fills my mind with it, “I should stop thinking”. Meanwhile Ranbir tells Prachi,“ Lets see the dupattas you have and finalize which colour suits you the best” he takes a pink and places it on her “nah too bright for you”, next a navy blue one “nah too dark”, next he takes a green one “this looks like green leaves on cow dung”, Prachi frowns at him, ok let’s see this beige, this one looks different, he unknowingly drapes the dupatta around Prachi’s head and gets mesmerized on seeing her, he utters “BEAUTIFUL”, Prachi looks at him surprised and both of them get lost in each other’s eyes. Suddenly they realise what they were doing and get embarrassed, Ranbir “so let’s finalise this one, it will look great on you with black salwar kameez, I guess” Prachi nods her head in agreement. The four of them continue to work without noticing the time. Then, when Prachi looks at her watch, she cries out “Oh no! It’s too late, I have to go to the office to complete my work”, Ranbir says “Don’t worry I will talk to dad and drop you in the office without driving in OVERSPEED”, he grins after saying that, Prachi says “THANKS”, Ranbir is surprised and asks her “Miss Lecturey, who cannot stop giving me her lectures is thanking me today”. Prachi answers “Yes, without you it would not have been easy for me, Ranbir smiles brilliantly. He then asks Aryan to drop Shahana at home, but Aryan denies saying “I have go to the college for basketball coaching”; Shahana says “It’s Okay for me, I too want to go to the college to get some notes from my friend Pinky”. Ranbir says “Great, Aryan, lock this door before leaving, nobody should find out our secret hideout, me and Prachi have to get to the office now”. He goes along with Prachi. Aryan and Shahana comes and while Aryan tries closing the door, his hurt finger starts aching badly, Shahana keeps her hands on his and says, “Let me help you”, Aryan takes his hands off and moves away and asks himself “What is happening? Why did I get an electric shock when Shahana kept her hands on mine?” Shahana comes and tells him “It’s locked, lets go!” Aryan says, “I need to go home to change over, you don’t mind right?” Shahana says, “Alright”

While they leave, Sunny who was watching everything, unknown to them says “My lil’bro can’t understand what is happening with him, but I can, after all I’m his elder brother, I think I have got my first weapon to use against you Aryan, he smirks

At Mehra Mansion

Rhea is crying bitterly recalling how Abhi raised his hands against her and then Aliyah’s words of “MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN” flashes into her mind, she gets worried thinking about Ranbir-Prachi, then she starts feeling “No not all the MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN are the same, I know Pragya Auntie, who understood and helped me today, which my OWN MOTHER should have done. TEARS filled in her eyes while saying “I wish that she should have been my MOTHER”. But again, PRIYANKA’S warnings flash through her mind, she thinks “I can’t take that Prachi lightly, I will never allow her to come in between me and Ranbir.” Just then Aryan and Shahana enter the Mehra Mansion. Rhea asks Shahana “What are you doing here?”, Aryan starts to answer “Oh me and Ranbir were just helping Prachi and Shahana,,,,”, when Shahana places her foot on his, Aryan again feels his heart racing, Shahana signs him not to tell anything to Rhea. Aryan continues “Actually, Ranbir went to Prachi’s house to get some files, so while coming back, he thought he would drop Prachi to the office and asked me to drop Shahana to the college, that’s it”. Rhea says “Alright” and retires to her room smiling “Ranbir is doing the job well, according to my plan, I need not worry about what Priyanka said nor use her STUPID plan”. Aryan tells Shahana “Now that Rhea is gone will you please take your foot off mine”, Shahana “Oh, sorry”, Aryan asks her to wait there while he changes and comes back. He goes to his room thinking “Why am I having weird sensations every time Shahana comes too close to me?”.

While Shahana sits on the sofa, reading some magazines, Priyanka comes out of her room and notices her. She gets reminded of how Shahana and Rishi were in each other’s arms in the office and how Daljit (Rishi’s Nani) told her Rishi is engaged to Shahana. She fumes in anger, comes down to the dining table, takes a knife and approaches Shahana, Just then Aryan calls out “Priyanka. Don’t you have office today?” She hides his knife seeing him and answers “Oh, I just took a few days off”. Aryan asks Shahana to wait outside, while he gets a bottle of water from the Kitchen. Shahana goes outside and as she goes outside, Sunny comes and knocks at the door. Priyanka looks at him and signs him to come inside. Sunny steps inside while all the flashbacks of how he left the house with his mother leaves him emotional. Priyanka asks Aryan “How do you know that girl?”. Aryan says “Oh, we study in the same college, do you know her?” Priyanka answers “Yes, she is engaged to our employee Rishi! In short, she is his would-be wife”

Aryan is left shell shocked while Sunny smiles maliciously seeing his reaction.

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To be continued.

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Guys I’ve introduced Sunny already who is a negative character right now but will turn positive later, Kiara will be introduced after some time. Even though the other characters are already been represented by some actors, the character of Sunny and Kiara are not yet donned by anyone. While writing this story, I felt Manish Gopalani would essay the role well after seeing his antagonist role in AKAJ. While for Kiara being Prachi-Rhea’s elder sister, I think Anupriya from “Tere Liye” would fit into that role well. If you think of some other names, please do suggest in the comments.

Wow loved it ❤️. So Ranbir is helping Prachi in fashion track and Aryan already has started to develop feelings for Sahana. Also loved Pranbirs nok jhok.

Yeah Manish and Anupriya might be suirable for Sunny and Kiara roles.