Vairagya had just arrived at his office when his assistant came running and said,"Sir, there's a problem..."
"Then get it treated," Vairagya replied without any emotion.
"Sir, the problem is at the hotel..." the assistant corrected himself.
Vairagya's eyes narrowed.
"Sir, the destination wedding at our Udaipur hotel is in trouble because Khanna has occupied the place. So, I was thinking maybe we should call Vishal sir..."
Vairagya cut him off,"I'll go there myself."
The assistant nodded and started informing him about the rest of the schedule.
Krishna Nivas
Vijay ji returned home tired and collapsed onto the sofa.
"Are you listening, dear?" he called out.
"Yes, tell me," Savita ji responded, bringing water from the kitchen.
"Our Sarangi's in-laws want the wedding to be held in Udaipur. They mentioned a hotel name... what was it...? I just can't remember," Vijay ji said, rubbing his forehead.
"Rajvansh Hotel," Rajveer said as he entered, carrying loads of bags, which he dumped on the sofa.
"Yes, that's the one," Vijay ji confirmed in a tired voice.
"So, is there a problem?" Savita ji sensed something was off.
"Mom, a one-day stay at Rajvansh Hotel costs over ten thousand per room. And the wedding won't just be for a day. There are thousands of hotels in Udaipur, but they only want Rajvansh. Is this fair? We are middle-class, and so are they — there should be some understanding!" Rajveer said, frustrated.
"Son, don't talk that way about the groom's side," Savita ji tried to explain.
"Oh, so you plan to trouble the bride's family like this for my wedding too?"
"Shiva, Shiva... What are you saying?" Vijay ji scolded.
"Why? You can give dowry but not take it? Dad, the one who tolerates a crime is more guilty than the one who commits it. Just say it directly — we can't afford a grand wedding!" Rajveer shouted.
"Son, this isn't dowry. Everyone has dreams…" Savita ji tried to reason with him.
"Mom, please. I'm not a kid who won't understand. And honestly, couldn't you find someone better for Sarangi di?" Rajveer asked, angered.
"What are you saying? He has a government job — he'll treat her like a queen," Savita ji replied, annoyed by the argument.
"Government job... huh..." Rajveer muttered under his breath.
Just then, Sarangi entered with Shikha, and everyone went silent.
"Hello Aunty, how are you?" Shikha asked with her sweet smile.
"Oh Shikha, dear! How were your exams?" Savita ji asked.
"Great, Aunty," Shikha said as she sat beside Rajveer.
Rajveer immediately stood up and went to his room. Shikha clenched her fists.
"Now that you're here, we won't have to manage much for Sarangi's wedding. I don't know much about makeup, lehengas, or fashion — and you know how hopeless Sarangi is with all that. Please help her, stay with her," Savita ji requested.
"Don't worry, Aunty! It's my best friend's wedding — everything will be first class! Right, Sarangi?" Shikha smiled.
Sarangi nodded.
In Sarangi's room, Shikha asked,"This ring… is this your engagement ring?"
Sarangi nodded.
"Wow! You're so lucky to have found someone like Ajit. This diamond must be worth at least 2 lakhs. Not everyone is as lucky as you," Shikha said, lounging on the sofa.
"If you like it that much, wear it today. But return it tomorrow, okay? I have to meet Ajit ji and I can't go without the ring," Sarangi said, handing it to her.
Shikha's eyes sparkled. She quickly wore the ring and smiled."Don't worry, darling. You'll have it back tomorrow."
Sarangi smiled and began showing her clothes and jewelry. Shikha was staring at everything wide-eyed.
Shikha belonged to a poor family. Expensive clothes and jewelry were unaffordable luxuries. Her tastes were extravagant, and to fulfill them, she befriended rich boys and girls. Sarangi's family wasn't extremely rich but capable enough to give their children a good life. Sarangi considered Shikha her best friend and shared everything — from clothes to college bags and makeup products.
But for Shikha, Sarangi didn't really matter — only her belongings did.
"This red dress is so beautiful, Sarangi. But it will only look good on fair skin. You're not dark-skinned, but not fair enough either… Should I keep it?" Shikha asked, holding up a red sharara dress.
"If you like it, then keep it. There's no 'mine' or 'yours' between us now," Sarangi replied with a smile.
"Exactly," Shikha grinned, holding the dress against herself. Then she sighed and said,"Never mind, I don't want it."
"Why?" Sarangi asked in surprise.
"Because I don't have matching earrings or heels. What's the point of taking the dress?" Shikha set the dress aside.
"That's it? Wait a minute," Sarangi said and went to her closet, bringing out white pearl earrings and red heels.
"These will match perfectly," she said, handing them over.
Shikha's eyes gleamed. She snatched them up and said,"Then I'll wear this when I meet Jijaji tomorrow!"
Sarangi smiled.