Kushagra stands in the center of the lavishly decorated living room, his fists clenched tightly by his sides. Across from him, Raj, his father, watches him with an unwavering gaze, his hands clasped together in front of him. The weight of unspoken words thickens the air between them.
After a long silence, Raj finally speaks, his voice cold and unwavering. "Kushagra, stop with these childish antics. You have to get married."
Kushagra exhales sharply, his patience hanging by a thread. He keeps his voice low but firm. "Dad, how can I marry someone I don't even know? Someone I don't love? You know there's someone else in my life."
Raj's eyes narrow slightly, his posture remaining composed. "Love?" he scoffs. "Do you think love matters in a marriage like this? I made a promise to my friend, and I intend to keep it. That's all that matters."
Kushagra's chest tightens. He has always known his father to be a man of his word, but this? This was his life, not just some business deal.
He takes a deep breath, his hands balling into fists as he tries to keep his emotions in check. "Dad, please, listen to me-"
Raj raises a hand, cutting him off. "No, you listen to me, Kushagra." His voice drops lower, but the weight of his words is crushing. "If you refuse this marriage, you will no longer be the heir to this company."
Silence.
Kushagra's breath catches in his throat. He stares at his father, disbelief flashing in his eyes. "What?"
Raj takes a step closer, his expression unreadable. "It's simple. No marriage, no company. The moment you agree to marry her, the company will be yours."
The words hit Kushagra like a punch to the gut. His entire life the years of effort, sacrifices, and sleepless nights he had poured into this business now dangled in front of him like a prize he had to earn by walking away from the one thing he truly wanted.
His jaw tightens as his mind races. If he walks away, he loses everything. If he agrees, he loses Saniya.
His fingers tremble slightly, but he quickly clenches his fists again, masking his turmoil behind an unreadable expression. "You're giving me a choice that isn't really a choice at all, Dad."
Raj smirks slightly, knowing full well that he holds the power in this conversation. "That's business, son. Learn to make sacrifices."
Kushagra swallows hard, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.
This wasn't just about a marriage. This was a test. And he had no idea how to win.
Scene: Yani house
Yani is lying comfortably on her bed, lazily scrolling through Instagram when a soft knock interrupts her. She barely looks up before her mother, Tara Mehta, steps inside with a warm smile.
"Yani, come downstairs," her mother says lovingly. "Your father is back from the hospital. He's waiting for you."
Yani sits up with a jolt, her phone nearly slipping from her hands.
"Mom, seriously? Dad is back?"
Tara chuckles at her daughter's excitement. But before she can reply, Yani has already jumped off the bed, the cool tiles beneath her bare feet completely forgotten. She races out of the room, nearly tripping over the rug, and dashes down the stairs.
In the living room, Vikram Mehta, her father, sits on the sofa, talking to family members. The moment Yani sees him, her heart swells with relief.
She doesn't stop to think she just runs up behind him and throws her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly.
"Dad, I missed you so much!" she whispers, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Why did you take so long? You have no idea how happy I am right now."
Vikram chuckles softly, gently patting Yani's head.
"I missed you too, princess," he says warmly. "But now I'm back, so no more worrying. Everything will be alright." He smirks playfully and adds, "By the way, Mrs. Mehta hasn't been bothering you too much in my absence, has she?"
Yani lets go and plops down beside him, pouting.
"Dad, you have no idea! Mom has been torturing me!" she complains dramatically. "Every day, she scolds me about how much I sleep, how long I spend on my phone, and how I don't know how to do any work. She keeps saying, 'What will you do when you go to your in-laws?' It's been torture, Dad! Thank god you're back!"
Just then, Mrs. Mehta walks down the stairs, her arms crossed.
"Oh, here we go again," she sighs.
Yani turns to her, feigning innocence. "I was just telling Dad about the injustice I suffer in this house."
Mrs. Mehta raises an eyebrow. "Oh really? Why don't you enlighten us about this 'injustice' of yours?"
Yani opens her mouth to retort, but Vikram laughs and raises a hand to stop her.
"Alright, alright, you two," he says. "No need to start World War III on my first day back."
Both Yani and her mother turn to him and say at the same time, "It's not funny!"
For a second, there's silence. Then, everyone bursts into laughter.
Yani's brother, Anil, shakes his head and smirks.
"Dad, this is their daily drama. Now that you're back, be prepared to hear it all over again."
Yani shoots him a glare and points at him.
"Dad, this guy has been troubling me a lot in your absence. You need to do something about him too!"
Vikram shakes his head, amused, while the laughter continues filling the house.
Just then, Yani's sister-in-law, Anita, enters with a tray of steaming tea and snacks.
"Alright, enough now," she says playfully. "Dad just got home, and you all have already started troubling him!"
Everyone settles down, sipping tea, laughter still lingering in the air.
Then, amidst the casual chatter, Vikram sets his cup down and clears his throat.
"Yani," he says, his voice calm yet firm. "I have arranged your marriage with my friend's son, Kushagra."
A silence falls over the room.
Yani, mid-sip, suddenly chokes on her tea. She coughs violently, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Dad... you're joking, right?" she asks, forcing a nervous laugh.
Vikram's face remains unreadable, his gaze steady.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Yani stares at him, searching for any sign of humor. But his expression remains serious.
Her heart drops.
"No... you don't look like you're joking at all," she murmurs.
Vikram gives a slow, approving nod.
"Exactly. I'm not joking. I have made my decision. Kushagra is a good man, and you will be happy with him. Trust me, he will take care of you."
Yani's fingers tighten around her cup.
"But Dad... I have dreams. I don't want to ruin my life like this. I want to achieve something first before even thinking about marriage!"
Vikram exhales deeply, then leans back against the sofa. He closes his eyes for a moment, as if lost in thought. Then, in a low, solemn voice, he speaks:
"By the time your dreams come true, I might not be here anymore, Yani. Is that what you want?"
Yani's breath catches.
"Dad, don't say that-"
"It's the truth." Vikram opens his eyes, looking straight at her. "I don't have time. I am in the last stage of cancer. Anything could happen to me at any time."
The weight of his words sinks into the room like a heavy storm cloud.
Yani's heart pounds painfully in her chest.
"Dad, stop this emotional blackmail. Please..." she pleads, her voice cracking.
She turns desperately towards her mother.
"Mom, please! Tell him to stop this!"
Mrs. Mehta calmly places her cup on the table.
"Your father is not wrong," she says simply.
Yani's stomach twists into knots.
And then, Anil chuckles, trying to lighten the mood.
"Honestly, I feel bad for the family where Yani is going to marry. Poor Kushagra! He has no idea what he's getting into," he teases. "She doesn't even know how to cook!"
Yani's head snaps toward Anil, her eyes blazing.
"Mom! Tell this idiot to shut up, or I swear I'll turn him into a mashed dish today!"
Anil laughs harder.
"Ohhh, so you'll turn your husband into a mashed dish too, huh?" he smirks.
That's it.
Yani jumps to her feet.
"Anil, you are DEAD today!" she growls.
She lunges towards him, but before she can reach, Vikram's firm grip pulls her back.
"Enough." His voice cuts through the tension like a blade.
Yani freezes.
Vikram pushes her gently back onto the sofa.
"Both of you, stop this childish nonsense," he says, his tone sharp yet controlled. "You're both grown-ups now. It's time to act like it."
Anil rolls his eyes and shrugs.
"See, Dad? She acts like a child. And she's supposed to get married soon?"
Vikram's eyes darken as he shifts his gaze to Anil.
"Before pointing fingers at your sister, take a look at yourself. You're a father now, yet you still act like a child. I don't know what to do with either of you."
Yani smirks as Anil grumbles under his breath.
Anil pouts, trying to act innocent.
"Dad, it's not me! Yani starts it first! I don't even say anything!"
Yani opens her mouth to argue, but before she can speak, Vikram's voice drops into a dangerously quiet tone.
"Enough. Both of you."
The entire room falls silent.
Then, Vikram's piercing gaze lands on Yani.
"Yani, you will marry kushagra."
Yani's fingers curl into fists.
"But Dad-"
"That's it. The matter is closed." His voice leaves no room for argument. "There will be no further discussion about this."
A heavy silence settles over the room.
Yani's world shatters into pieces