Shekhawat House was in complete chaos.. Pratap Singh stood in the middle of the chaos, pacing with his phone glued to his ear, updating his sister Roshini about Ranvijay’s sudden and unconventional choice of life partner.
Indira Devi sat nearby, her gaze distant yet contemplative. She wasn’t entirely at ease with the idea of Sanyukta, but understanding Ranvijay’s stubbornness, she reluctantly decided to give her a chance. After all, she didn’t want him to remain unmarried for life. “Mujhe lagta hai ki agar isse mana kar diya toh yeh kuch aur zyada ulta seedha kar baithenge,” she muttered to herself.
Pushpa, however, refused to entertain the thought. The disbelief in her voice was sharp as she repeatedly questioned everyone around her. “Woh ladka kaise kisi aurat ke pyar mein pad gaya? Jab har ladki uski shaadi ke liye taiyaar hai, toh yeh ek divorcee maa ko le aaya?”
She couldn’t understand why Ranvijay wasn’t listening. She tried convincing him, reasoning with him, and even pleading, but he remained unfazed. Her frustration was evident to everyone.
Ranveer and Anjali sat on the corner couch, watching the chaos unfold. Their expressions carried a rare calm, a quiet acceptance that others in the house didn’t seem to share.
“Ranvijay loves her so much,” Anjali said softly, breaking the silence between them. “He never wanted to settle in life, and now he’s ready to fight the world for her.
I just hope he knows what he’s getting Sanyukta into and sticks by her side till the end. Kuki ghar wale maan bhi gaye na, tab bhi woh usse wholeheartedly kabhi accept nahi karenge.”
Ranveer leaned back, exhaling deeply. “Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, Anjali. They’re just shocked because it’s not a common thing. Don’t overthink.” His voice carried a note of defense, as though shielding his family from judgment.
Anjali chuckled humorlessly, shaking her head. “Not a common thing? Agar Sanyukta ki jagah Ranvijay ek single father hota, toh it would have been more than normal. Sab log yeh keh rahe hote ki kya kami hai Ranvijay mein. Konsi badi baat hai agar uska ek bacha hai...” She paused for a moment, her voice dropping.
“Vahi Sanyukta ka ek bacha hone se sabko problem hai. No matter how progressive one tries to show themselves from the outside, andar se unka orthodox mindset aur aurton ko lekar discrimination kabhi khatam nahi hota.”
Ranveer shifted uncomfortably but didn’t interrupt.
“It’s not easy to be a woman,” Anjali continued, her voice firm and unyielding. “Na pehle tha, na aaj hai. Hamesha ladna hi pada hai ek aurat ko basic cheezon ke liye bhi.”
Ranveer finally spoke, his tone gentle but cautious. “I know all of that. But abhi ye sab bolne ki zarurat nahi hai. Ghar mein waise hi sab tensed hai.” He stood up, his hand brushing against Anjali’s shoulder lightly as he moved to join his father on the other couch.
Anushka sat on the floor nearby, playing with Aarvi. She had no doubts about her brother’s decision. “Koi kitna bhi kuch kar le,” she murmured to herself, smiling. “Ranvijay bhai will definitely marry the girl he loves.”
The excitement in her eyes sparkled as she imagined meeting her future bhabhi. “I just can’t wait to meet Sanyukta bhabhi in person—jo mere bhai ko handle karne ka talent rakhti hai!”
Ranvijay entered the hall, his steps measured and his face calm, though inside, he mentally groaned at the sight of everyone staring at him like he was on trial. He leaned casually against the wall, letting his gaze fall on his father.
"I hope aap logon ne decide kar liya hoga ab tak toh," he said, his voice steady but laced with a hint of sarcasm as he addressed Pratap Singh.
Pratap, sitting at the center of the room like a king on his throne, crossed his arms and replied sternly, "Haan, kar liya hai… stay unmarried. But what you want just can't happen."
If his father had said this a month ago Ranvijay might have been relieved, even happy. But now, after meeting Sanyukta, promising her , and assuring her about a better future together and taking care of Avu , backing out was not an option.
Ranvijay exhaled deeply, walking over to the couch and making himself comfortable as though they were discussing the weather.
"Hmmm... aapne apna man badal diya hai toh maine bhi options change kar diye hain, Papa," he said with a calmness that made the room freeze. "Now you have to decide ki aap log meri shaadi mein aana chahte hain ki nahi."
The audacity of his words was shocking, spoken as smoothly as if he were discussing a dinner invitation. Pratap’s glare could have made any other person wither under its intensity, but Ranvijay met his father’s eyes without flinching.
"Aap log society aur so-called rules ke liye meri khushi chhod sakte hain toh I guess it’s fair enough for me to fight for my happiness," Ranvijay continued, his tone calm yet firm.
"Waise bhi aapka consent sirf shaadi mein aane ke liye hi chahiye tha. Dulha main hoon, dulhan woh hai… par ab woh family blessings chahti thi, aur mujhe laga ki aap log khush honge. Lekin aap sab ne mujhe galat sabit kar diya."
He leaned back on the couch, his tone growing sharper, "But it’s okay. I’m an adult. I know what’s best for me. I can manage my own wedding. You all can join in whenever you feel like it… you’re all wholeheartedly invited to Ranvijay and Sanyukta’s wedding."
The declaration was like a bomb detonating in the room. Pratap shot up from his seat, his face red with fury. "How dare you!" he thundered. "Humari reputation… humara naam mitti mein milana chahta hai tu ek ladki ke liye aur uske bache ke liye? You are nothing but a disappointment to me!"
He turned sharply toward Indira Devi, his tone accusatory. "Dekh liya Maa, aapke laad pyar ka natija? Aaj yeh apne parivaar ko chhodne ke liye tayar hai ek ladki ke liye."
Indira, who had remained silent until now, observed Ranvijay carefully, as though trying to read his heart.
Pushpa, unable to hold back her emotions, stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. "Ranvijay beta, yeh sab kya bol raha hai tu? Kya tu usse apni maa se bhi zyada pyar karta hai? Haan? Please beta, hum tera bhala hi chahte hain," she pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation.
Ranvijay looked at her, his expression softening slightly but his resolve unshaken. "Bhala chahte hain, par meri khushi nahi. Aap mujhse pyar karti hain, lekin usse accept nahi karna chahti jisse main pyar karta hoon," he replied firmly.
He paused, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "Ek baar soch toh liya hota Maa uske baare mein. Aapki bhi ek beti hai. Kal ko, by any chance, Anushka ke saath yeh hota toh kya aap usse bhi Sanyukta ki tarah hi judge karengi?"
Pushpa’s teary eyes hardened, and she glared at him. "Shut up! Tu apni behen ke liye aisa soch bhi kaise sakta hai? Us ladki ne aisa kya jaadu kar diya hai ki tujhe sahi galat ka farak hi samajh nahi aa raha?"
Ranvijay sighed, standing tall now. He’d had enough of the drama. "Main shaadi kar raha hoon Sanyukta se… that’s my decision for myself. Ab aap logon ko jo suit kare, woh kariye. If you want to join us in our happiness, I’d be more than glad. Agar nahi, toh shaadi toh hogi."
Pratap’s voice thundered again, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Just get out of my house right now! I don’t want a son who tries to degrade my name."
The room went silent, save for the audible gasps of shock.
"Papa, hum baith ke baat kar sakte hain… abhi aap please relax kariye," Ranveer interjected, trying to mediate. But Pratap wasn’t listening, his rage fixed on his defiant son.
"Pratap, yeh kya bol raha hai… hosh mein toh hai tu?" Indira finally spoke, her voice calm but laced with authority.
Pratap turned to her, exasperated. "Aap dekh nahi rahi yeh kya bol raha hai? Iss ghar mein rehna hai toh mere hisaab se rehna hoga. I won’t let him tarnish my image."
Ranvijay, ever composed, smirked faintly. "Chala jaata agar ghar aapka hota. Ghar toh Dadaji ka hai… unki wife hain abhi, toh decide aap kariye ki kaun reh sakta hai aur kaun nahi."
Indira sighed deeply, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "Apne room mein jaa, Ranvijay… aur family ki importance ko samajh. Tum le sakte ho faisle apne liye, lekin parivaar ko chhod kar nahi… saath mein lekar."
Ranvijay smiled slightly, walking over to her and giving her a quick hug. He leaned in to whisper, "Dadi, meri setting karwa do… nahi toh aapko aur usse dono ko bhaga ke le jaunga aur phir hill station mein rahenge."
Indira chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Bohot badmaash ho gaya hai tu… jaa abhi apne baap ka BP mat badha. Main hoon na tere saath."
Ranvijay grinned, giving her a wink before heading to his room, leaving the family in a stunned silence.
****************** Sanyukta sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts circling back to her conversation with Ranvijay earlier in the day. She had decided to take a leap of faith, but fear gripped her heart like a vice. This wasn’t just about her anymore—it was about her little boy, her Avu.
She could endure anything for herself, but the thought of her Avu facing rejection or heartbreak was unbearable.
Ranvijay seemed genuine—his words carried a conviction that was hard to ignore—but what about his family? Would they accept Avu? Would they accept her?
She knew Ranvijay must have convinced them, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. How could he be so confident in a world where people judged so harshly?
Her phone pinged, pulling her out of her whirlwind of thoughts. She frowned at the message from an unknown number:
Kal aaunga main tumhare ghar officially rishta lekar.
A soft smile played on her lips. She knew who it was—who else would have the audacity to text without introducing himself?
She quickly typed back: Aap kaun???
His response came almost instantly: Aur kitne logon ki haan boli hai tumne rishte ke liye jo yeh poochna pad raha hai?
She chuckled, already sensing his teasing tone. I don’t remember saying yes to anyone. Kuch log khud se assume kar ke baithe hain, lagta hai, she replied, biting her lip to suppress her growing smile.
Her phone buzzed again, but this time it wasn’t a message—it was a call. She hesitated for a moment before stepping onto the balcony to avoid waking Avu.
"Itni raat ko kisi ke paas aise call nahi karna chahiye," she said, answering the call with mock annoyance.
"Of course kisi ke paas nahi karna chahiye, par hone waali biwi ke paas kar sakte hain," his smooth reply left her momentarily stunned.
"Maine haan toh nahi kaha abhi," she countered, sinking into the balcony chair, trying to keep her voice steady despite the small smile tugging at her lips.
"Na bhi toh nahi kaha," he quipped. "And you see, main bada hi positive insaan hoon. Moreover, I trust my charms. Tum na keh hi nahi sakti," he said with his characteristic confidence, making her roll her eyes.
"Ho gaya khud ki tareef kar ke?" she asked, shaking her head at his antics.
"Ho gaya. Ab zara tum bhi kar do toh maza aa jaaye," he laughed, his carefree tone making her smile despite herself.
"Main aa raha hoon rishta leke...yeh kya hota hai? What about family? Ya khud hi aa jaoge?" Sanyukta asked, trying to keep the conversation light while masking the vulnerability she felt inside.
"Family bhi aa jaayegi, par kal main akela hi aa raha hoon. You know, your family can interrogate me properly... also, I need to impress my little partner too. His acceptance matters the most," Ranvijay said, his voice softening.
Her heart clenched at his words. His sincerity was disarming, but her fears weren’t so easily quelled.
"Maa ne bataya hai usko aapke baare mein. He’s too little to know ki sabke papa hote hain. He was surprised when Maa told him he can have a father too and was asking me again and again if that’s true or not," Sanyukta said, her voice faltering as she remembered the innocent questions Avu had asked earlier.
Ranvijay was silent for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. The depth of Avu’s expectations hit him harder than he expected.
"Ranvijay..." Sanyukta’s voice broke his thoughts. "I can bear anything, but not my baby getting hurt. Aap abhi bhi blackout kar sakte hain... I would not bear my little boy’s heart breaking."
Her words snapped him back to reality. "What made you think so?" he asked, his tone serious now. "I know our reasons for getting married are different, but Avu is not part of any convenience or plan. I would accept him—infact, I have already accepted him as my own."
His words were steady, filled with a determination that surprised even him.
Sanyukta let out a small hum, her heart softening further.
"See you tomorrow then...main evening mein aaunga. Morning mein ek court hearing hai meri," he said, his tone lighter now as he ended the call.
Ranvijay lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts were consumed by Avu—the innocent boy whose life was now intricately tied to his.
When he had decided to marry Sanyukta, it was supposed to be a matter of convenience—a logical decision to avoid unwanted pressures and expectations. But Avu wasn’t part of any plan. Avu was something else entirely.
His resolve to marry Sanyukta and give Avu the best life he could strengthened with each passing moment. Nothing—not his family, not society—could deter him now.
But deep down, Ranvijay wondered. How long could he cling to the idea of this being a marriage of convenience? How long before his carefully constructed logic unraveled in the face of something far deeper, something he couldn’t yet put into words?
I wonder agar ye sach mei pyar karta toh kya hi karta ........
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