The next morning, when Sarangi opened her eyes, she found herself in Vairagya's arms. Vairagya was sleeping peacefully; his face looked calm and innocent. Sarangi kept looking at him, a strange ache forming in her heart."If only whatever you said last night, Mr. Rajvansh, was truly meant for me... then today you wouldn't be Mr. Rajvansh to me... you'd be my Vairagya."
Just then, Vairagya's eyes opened too. As Sarangi tried to move away, he pulled her by the waist and whispered in her ear,"You were admiring me all this while, and now that I'm awake, you want to leave? That's not fair, jaan..."
Hearing him call her jaan (beloved), Sarangi was startled."Are you still drunk?" she asked.
"Early in the morning, a wife is supposed to shower love on her husband so his day goes well, and here you are, interrogating me..." Vairagya said, tightening his hold on her waist.
"You're definitely still drunk..." Sarangi tried to get up, but he held her tightly and leaned toward her face. Her eyes widened, confused by what he was about to do.
Just then, a voice came from outside:"Vairagya... Didi... are you both awake?" It was Rajveer.
"This guy's going to drown my boat of love..." Vairagya muttered.
"Speak respectfully, he's my brother!" Sarangi elbowed him.
"And my saala (brother-in-law)..." Vairagya said as he got up.
"I'm going outside. The washroom is to the left. You can use it if you want," he said before leaving the room.
As soon as Vairagya stepped out, Rajveer handed him a glass of lemon water.
"I'm sorry, Raaz... yesterday I..." Vairagya couldn't finish, feeling ashamed of his actions.
"It's good you were drunk... or I would've never seen the lover hidden inside you. Now I can relax, knowing my sister is in safe hands," Rajveer said with a smile.
"Do you think she'll want to stay with me...?" Vairagya asked, uncertain.
"By the way, yesterday you said you saw Didi with someone... who was it?" Rajveer asked.
Vairagya's fists clenched.
"Don't tell me it was Ajit..." Rajveer guessed.
"How do you know?" Vairagya was surprised.
"Yesterday, while dropping Dad, I saw them on the road. But Raaz, Didi doesn't love him... it's all a setup. Ajit is behind this," Rajveer said angrily.
"Your sister went to meet him on her own..." Vairagya said bitterly.
"Vairagya, take Didi away for a couple of days... somewhere you both can talk openly," Rajveer suggested.
"That won't help, Raaz..." Vairagya replied, disheartened.
"Trust me, Vairagya... everything you're seeing and hearing is part of a conspiracy. Just trust me once," Rajveer said firmly.
"Alright... I'll think about it," Vairagya finally agreed.
When Sarangi came out, Rajveer said,"Vairagya, you and Didi go home now... everyone must be waiting."
Vairagya nodded and signaled Sarangi to come along.
Soon, they were both in the car, and a heavy silence filled the air. Both were lost in their own thoughts.
Gathering courage, Vairagya said,"Sarangi... if I did or said anything wrong last night, I'm sorry. It was my first time drinking..." he couldn't finish.
"But why did you drink?" Sarangi asked quietly.
"Because my heart was burning..." Vairagya replied bitterly.
"What?" Sarangi looked at him, stunned.
"Sarangi... I want to ask you something, not now, but when I do, promise you'll tell me the truth without lying. Will you?" his voice was restless.
Sarangi looked at him and nodded. Vairagya stopped the car and leaned over to kiss her forehead.
Sarangi looked at him in surprise, questions in her eyes.
"What happened?" Vairagya asked.
"You're still not sober..." she whispered.
"I'm perfectly sober, jaan..." he said, looking deep into her eyes.
Hearing jaan again, Sarangi's heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks turned slightly red. That word carried a sense of belonging, of deep affection, and it sent a strange shiver through her.
Vairagya opened the door for her and held out his hand. Hesitating a little, Sarangi placed her hand in his, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
As soon as they entered the house, Shanti Ji asked,"Where were you both so early in the morning?"
"Mom, we... um... morning walk," Vairagya quickly made up an excuse.
"Both of you?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, both," Vairagya replied with confidence."Now that Vairagya Rajvansh is so fit, his wife should be too."
"You're used to hitting the gym at the crack of dawn, but my poor girl isn't. Why'd you drag her along? Try that again, and I'll break your legs," Shanti Ji scolded affectionately.
"I'll still take her... she's my wife. I'll take her wherever I want," Vairagya teased.
"She's not just your wife, she's also my daughter-in-law. And today, I planned to take her to my kitty party, okay?" Shanti Ji said lovingly but firmly.
"No way, not happening today, Mom. Today, I've planned a special outing with my wife," Vairagya declared with mischief in his eyes.
Sarangi looked at him in shock — When did this plan happen? The question was all over her face.
"You hush now... Sarangi, dear, you tell me — who will you go with today? Your dramatic husband or me?" Shanti Ji asked with mock sweetness.
Sarangi looked from Vairagya to her mother-in-law, both acting like kids fighting over her.
She looked at Vairagya, made a sweet innocent face, and he subtly nodded like saying, Your choice.
"I'll go with you, Mom..." Sarangi said. Shanti Ji's face lit up with a smile.
"You heard that, didn't you? Now go cry somewhere, jealous fool," Shanti Ji teased Vairagya.
"Fine, go get ready, dear. After so long I finally get to show you off. Dress so well that all my friends faint out of envy!" she said, gleefully excited.