The doctor and nurse immediately took Sarangi to the emergency room. Vairagya stood outside, looking through the glass door where the doctor and nurse were working swiftly. His heart was pounding with anxiety. Through the glass, he saw his beloved lying unconscious. Memories of the previous night flooded his mind — how, drunk, he had confessed his love to her, how he called her "jaan" (my life), and how that very morning, he held her close and expressed his love.
Just then, a doctor came out of the emergency room. Vairagya rushed to him. "Doctor, how is my wife?"
"Don't you know your wife is allergic to blueberries...?" the doctor asked in surprise.
Vairagya lowered his head; he really had no idea.
The doctor looked at Rajveer and said, "They are newly married..."
"Oh, I'm sorry... but please be careful in the future. She had a severe allergic reaction. We gave her some injections and her condition has now stabilized a bit. Vomiting helped improve her recovery a lot..."
Hearing this, Vairagya felt a little relief. "Can I see her now?" he asked.
"Not yet. When she improves a bit more, we will call you," said the doctor and returned to the emergency room.
Vairagya sat down on a bench, his head in his hands. After a while, Rajveer came and sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Vairagya, don't blame yourself. You didn't know anything."
"That's exactly it, Raj... On one hand, I claim to love her, and on the other, I didn't even know what she's allergic to... I put her life in danger, Raj... I don't deserve her," Vairagya said with deep despair in his voice.
"Then who deserves her... Ajit? Vairagya, if tomorrow she accidentally gave you something you were allergic to, would you blame her? No, right? So why are you blaming yourself?" Rajveer tried to console him.
Shanti Ji and Sarvam Ji came with Rudransh, but Karnika did not come. She had blamed herself for Sarangi's condition and was sitting in her room crying, feeling that it was because of her that her sister-in-law's life was in danger.
"How is my girl...?" Shanti Ji asked in a worried voice.
"She's better now, Aunty... Did you bring clothes for Vairagya?" Rajveer asked.
Rudransh handed over a packet.
Rajveer gave the clothes to Vairagya and said, "There's a hotel five minutes away. Go take a shower and change... Your clothes smell bad..."
"But jaan..." Vairagya hesitated. He didn't want to leave Sarangi alone.
"I'm here... your family has come too. We'll take care of everything. When she wakes up, she'll look for you. How can you go like this?" Rajveer explained.
Reluctantly, Vairagya agreed. He knew it wasn't right to go near Sarangi in this condition. He took the clothes from Rudransh and went to the hotel.
At the hotel, Vairagya quickly showered and changed. His mind was full of Sarangi's face. He kept getting angry at his own ignorance that he didn't even know about his wife's allergy.
When he returned to the hospital, Rajveer was waiting outside for him.
"Vairagya, she has regained consciousness and is asking for you. Let's go," Rajveer said.
Vairagya's heart started pounding fast. He immediately rushed to the emergency room. Inside, the doctor was examining Sarangi. Her eyes were open, though she looked weak. As soon as Sarangi saw Vairagya, tears welled up in her eyes. Vairagya hurried to her side and held her hand. "Jaan..."
In a weak voice, Sarangi asked, "What happened to me?"
Vairagya gently stroked her forehead. "You... you are allergic to blueberries, jaan. You accidentally ate some."
"I'm sorry... I caused you so much trouble..." Sarangi's voice was filled with guilt.
Vairagya placed a finger on her lips. "Shh... It's not your fault, jaan. The fault is mine for not even knowing. But didn't you know either?"
"But I didn't eat it, really...?" Sarangi asked in surprise.
"You were with me, so you didn't eat anything with blueberries then... So did you eat it after coming home?" Vairagya asked.
"I...? Yes, I ate cake with Karnika..." Sarangi recalled.
"Oh, Karnika likes that... but you should have been careful. Seeing you like that, jaan, I was worried..." Vairagya said in a concerned voice.
"But the cake box said strawberry, how would I know...?" Sarangi said innocently.
Vairagya kissed her head and said, "It's okay... you rest now, don't stress your mind too much."
"Where is Karnika...?" Vairagya asked as he came out, his voice tinged with worry.
"What happened, brother...? Did she do something wrong?" Rudransh asked.
"No... maybe she unknowingly gave Sarangi the blueberry cake... Where is she?" Vairagya asked.
"She... I wasn't paying attention in a hurry..." Rajveer said quietly.
"Now she'll blame herself like crazy... I'm going home... Take care of Jaan, all of you," Vairagya said and turned to leave.
"Vairagya... please stay here... Didi will need you... I'll bring her out," Rajveer stopped him.
"Son, tell Meena to cook khichdi for Sarangi..." Shanti Ji told Rajveer.
"Okay, Aunty..." Rajveer replied.
Rajveer slowly entered the room and sat down on the floor beside Karnika. He gently placed his hand on her trembling shoulder. The touch made Karnika break down even more.
"Karnika ji," Rajveer called softly. His voice was full of concern and love.
Karnika lifted her tear-streaked face, her eyes swollen and puffy. She looked like a helpless child who had made a huge mistake.
"It's all because of me, Rajveer..." she sobbed, full of deep remorse. "If I hadn't given the cake to Bhabi, then... she wouldn't be in this condition today..." Her voice broke as she cried again.
"Nothing happened because of you..." Rajveer said softly, wiping her tears. "This was fate, and since di is fine, don't worry."
"Brother...?" Karnika asked timidly. "Is he angry...? I put Bhabi's life in danger..."
"No, Karnika ji," Rajveer placed his hand over hers. "Vairagya sir is not angry... On the contrary, he was worried about you. He was about to come home, but I stopped him because he needs to stay with di right now."
Karnika hugged him to her chest, and Rajveer's eyes widened. He felt a bit uncomfortable but didn't push Karnika away.
"I didn't do anything intentionally, Raj... I really didn't know..." Karnika said, sobbing.
"I understand... Please, just be quiet..." Rajveer said softly.
"I'm sorry..." Karnika said as she moved away from him, probably realizing her mistake.
"It's okay... You rest, I'll take you to the hospital in a while," Rajveer said and left the room. He then went to Meena and started giving her instructions about preparing food.
"Raj..." Shikha called out to him.
"Rajveer... Only my family can call me that," Rajveer replied, turning around.
"But I—" Shikha tried to say.
"You're just my sister's friend, nothing more... So it's better if you call me Rajveer. Didi..." Rajveer interrupted her.
"Rajveer, I already told you, I'm not your sister..." Shikha said angrily.
"Yes, you're right... You don't even deserve that word. What would you understand about what a sister is... what a wife is, what a mother is..." Rajveer's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"So you came here to teach me about relationships...?" Shikha said bitterly.
"Absolutely not... How can someone who doesn't even know the meaning of relationships teach their value to others..." Rajveer said, glaring at her.
"What do you mean? Say it straight... Don't riddle around..." Shikha challenged.
"So listen clearly... You deliberately ordered a blueberry cake in a strawberry box so that Didi wouldn't find out and she would get sick after eating it..." Rajveer accused her directly.
"That's nonsense... Why would I do that? She's my best friend..." Shikha pretended.
"Best friend...? You're jealous of my Didi... of her luck... That's why you hatched this disgusting conspiracy to ruin her honeymoon plan..." Rajveer's anger reached its peak.
"Don't say anything, Rajveer... I'm listening, but that doesn't mean you can keep saying whatever you want..." Shikha raised her voice.
"Not yet... I was quiet till now... I just need one proof... One proof against you, then I will throw you out of Rajvansh House by force... This is my Didi's house, so stop dreaming about it..." Rajveer gave her a stern warning.
"F**k Didi's house..." Shikha shouted angrily, her eyes filled with hatred. "Vairagya got married out of compulsion, and you two siblings have started acting like kings... Do you even have the status to get your sister married into such a big house...? You don't even deserve to be servants here... And yet you and your sister are here!"
Rajveer looked into her eyes and said, "Well, Didi and I are connected by a relationship... My Didi is the daughter-in-law of this house and I am Vairagya's assistant... What right and authority do you have in this house...? Have you sold your self-respect? Otherwise, I wouldn't have tolerated so much from you...?" His voice was calm but every word was laced with sharp sarcasm.
"Will you talk to me like this, Rajveer...?" Shikha said angrily.
"You don't even deserve respect, but my values don't allow me to disrespect a girl... Otherwise, you would have heard many things by now..." Rajveer warned her.
"Enough... I'm going to Sarangi now..." Shikha said and started walking toward the room.
"Beware, if you even touch Didi... I am very possessive about my sister... If she gets even a scratch, I will burn you to ashes..." Rajveer stopped her and said, his voice a cold threat that made Shikha flinch for a moment.
Karnika came out hearing the argument, her eyes still wet and looking a little scared. Seeing her, Shikha started her act.
"Rajveer, I only gave the cake to Karnika. Now Sarangi ate it, so how is that my fault...? You're accusing me as if I did it deliberately," Shikha cried.
Rajveer was shocked by her act, then looked at Karnika, whose face showed a slight crease of pain. A sharp smile appeared on Rajveer's face.
"Karnika, tell me, what did I say when I told you not to give that cake to Sarangi...?" Shikha pressured Karnika by looking at her.
"No..." Karnika said softly, looking down. "It was my mistake..."
"Karnika ji, if you're ready, please pack the food... We're running late," Rajveer said, completely ignoring Shikha.
Karnika nodded slowly and went to the kitchen, leaving Shikha alone there.
Rajveer looked at Shikha with contempt in his eyes. "Your crying act won't work on me... I know you inside out..." His voice was stern.
Rajveer left for the hospital with Karnika, carrying food and some necessary items for Sarangi.
A little later, after dropping Vairagya, everyone else returned home. The evening, which was full of laughter and fun till yesterday, was now drowned in sadness. Sarvam ji sat silently in the garden, worry lines clearly visible on his face. Shanti ji was making something to eat for everyone. No one had eaten since morning, but nobody felt hungry.
Karnika sat sadly in her room, feeling guilty and unable to forgive herself. Meanwhile, Shikha was comfortably sleeping in her room, without any regret over her plan.
The next day, Vairagya came home with Sarangi, and Shanti ji cast a protective ritual to ward off evil eyes. The whole house sighed in relief seeing Sarangi healthy.
After going to her room, Vairagya took out comfortable clothes for her and sent her to bathe. Sarangi, still feeling a little weak, went to the bathroom quietly. After coming out, her eyes fell on a packed bag in a corner of the room — the honeymoon bag. Seeing it, Sarangi's face fell. How lovingly Vairagya had picked every dress for her! Tears came to her eyes again.
Seeing her sad, Vairagya asked, "What's wrong, jaan? Still not feeling well? Should I call the doctor?"
"I'm sorry..." Sarangi said softly.
"Sorry? But why?" Vairagya asked lovingly.
"Because of me... we couldn't go to Bali..." Tears streamed down her cheeks. Vairagya immediately went to her and held her in his arms. "Shh... don't cry... You are the most important to me. Your health is important... And as for the honeymoon, once you get better, I'll plan Europe... Bali was boring anyway..."
Sarangi looked into his eyes and said, "You're just trying to console me, right?"
Vairagya gently touched her nose with his finger. "My jaan, I'm not stupid..." he said, smiling.
"Did you feel bad...?" Sarangi asked softly, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Yes, I did... but you can change that..." Vairagya said mischievously.
"Oh? How...?" Sarangi raised her eyebrows.
"Not much... One cheek kiss, one forehead kiss, and one lip kiss... That's all I'll need..." Vairagya said with a smile.
"I won't do it..." Sarangi blushed and turned her face away.
"When did I say you have to... I'll do it myself, you just stand there..." Vairagya said as he moved closer.
Vairagya slowly approached Sarangi. She closed her eyes shyly. He first kissed her cheek lightly, then lovingly touched her forehead. Finally, he gently pressed his lips on hers.
When they parted, Sarangi's eyes were still closed and her cheeks were blushing.
"Can you open your eyes now, jaan..." Vairagya whispered softly.
Sarangi smiled softly, her heart feeling lighter. Vairagya's love was more than any pain for her. She hugged him tightly. "Thank you..." she whispered.
"You're crazy," Vairagya said, hugging her even tighter. "Now rest. The doctor said you need complete rest."
Sarangi nodded, and Vairagya laid her down.
"Shikha, what are you doing there...? Do something to convince Sarangi's baby to leave Vairagya at any cost..." Ajit was shouting angrily on the phone.
"What else can I do, tell me...? Both are lost in love, acting like a happy couple... When Sarangi fainted, you should have seen Vairagya's condition, then you'd understand how madly he loves her..." Shikha replied irritably.
"Then why are you there...? Trap Vairagya with your charm!" Ajit ordered.
"For him, his eyes only see Sarangi... He doesn't even look at anyone else... I tried to get close a few times... He insulted me badly!" Shikha expressed her frustration.
"Shikha, do whatever you want, quickly... I don't have much time. My vacations are ending; I have to go back to work... I'm not like that businessman, who gets paid even if he stays home for a month..." Ajit said impatiently.
"What should I do...? Tell me... Kidnap Sarangi or kill her...?" Shikha asked in despair.
"Find something that Vairagya can't tolerate... There must be something he can't bear..." Ajit said thoughtfully.