Aman's words had lit a fire in Jai's chest. His temper soared.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Aman?" Jai snapped, his voice laced with irritation.
Aman, however, wasn't one to back down. With a teasing smirk, he replied, "What do you mean nonsense? Shivani is the one who's pregnant, and it's you who's having mood swings."
Jai's patience finally wore thin. "Shut up! Just shut up!" he shouted.
Startled by the outburst, Aman immediately stiffened. Like a child caught misbehaving, he pressed his finger to his lips and gestured silence, wide-eyed.
Jai stepped closer, his tone stern. "Now answer what I'm going to ask you. Straight. No games."
Aman nodded like an obedient child, silently signaling he understood.
Jai looked him directly in the eye. "Do you like Shanti Agarwal?"
---
Meanwhile, outside Jai's study…
Shanti softly knocked on Shivani's bedroom door. "Shivani ji, may I come in?"
Shivani laughed warmly. "Shanti di, you never need to ask. You're always welcome."
Yes, Shivani affectionately called Shanti "di" (sister) because she was ten years older. Shanti had remained unmarried due to financial constraints faced by her uncle and aunt, who couldn't afford her wedding. She had dedicated herself to others' happiness, quietly sacrificing her own dreams.
At that moment, Shivani was gently applying moisturizer to Aditya's cheeks. Shanti walked in, smiling.
"Shivani ji, did you call me?" she asked politely.
Shivani nodded and gestured for her to sit on the bed. "Yes, di. Please sit."
Once she was done with Aditya, she looked at him and said, "Adi beta, go to your room now. I need to talk to Shanti di."
Aditya beamed. "Okay, good night Jee-Mom! Good night Shanti di!"
And with that, the little prince left the room, still glowing with joy.
Now alone with Shanti, Shivani hesitated. "Shanti di, may I ask you something?"
"Of course, Shivani. What is it?" Shanti replied.
Shivani battled with her thoughts for a moment, unsure whether to ask. Then, gathering courage, she spoke slowly, "Shanti di… what do you think about Aman bhaiya?"
Shanti lowered her gaze, cheeks pink, and whispered, "He's… nice."
Shivani pressed further, gently. "Do you… like him? I mean, do you really like Aman bhaiya?"
Shanti's silence said it all. She gave a small, shy nod, confirming her feelings.
With a bright smile, Shivani asked, "Then… will you become my sister-in-law? Will you marry my brother?"
Shanti, still avoiding eye contact, nodded again.
Overjoyed, Shivani hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Shanti di—no, bhabi! You've made me so happy!"
Unable to contain her excitement, Shivani rushed to Jai's study room.
---
Back in the study room...
Aman had nodded silently when Jai asked him about Shanti. Jai pressed on.
"Do you want to marry her?" he asked seriously.
Aman exhaled deeply. "Jai, I do like her. I really do. I'd love to marry her, but I don't know if she feels the same about me."
Suddenly, Shivani entered the room with a beaming smile.
"She said yes!" she exclaimed. "I mean, bhabi said yes. She agreed to marry you!"
Both Jai and Aman were stunned—and then overjoyed.
Shivani consulted the family priest for a wedding date. The priest suggested an auspicious time—just two days later. Jai wasted no time and sent out invitations. He even had Shanti's uncle and aunt invited, but they not only refused to come, they tore up the card and insulted Jai's men.
When Jai learned about this, fury boiled inside him. But he kept it to himself, not wanting to taint Aman and Shanti's happiness. He even sent an invitation to Divya ji, who declined, claiming ill health. Jai believed her and never suspected that she simply didn't approve of Aman.
---
The wedding was nothing short of grand. All conversations were about Aman and Shanti's big day.
The marriage hall overflowed with guests. Jai wore a striking blue suit, while Shivani stunned in a deep red Banarasi saree, with sindoor in her hair and a mangalsutra adorning her neck. Little Aditya looked like a miniature prince in a maroon sherwani.
Jai and Shivani proudly escorted Shanti to the mandap, where Aman sat nervously, waiting. When he caught a glimpse of Shanti walking toward him in bridal attire, he couldn't look away. She looked heavenly, like an angel descended from the stars.
They guided her to sit beside Aman. The priest began chanting mantras.
"For the kanyadaan (giving away of the bride), please call the bride's parents," the priest instructed.
Jai stepped forward. "Pandit ji, I am her brother. My wife and I will do the honor."
The priest nodded with approval.
Together, Jai and Shivani performed Shanti's kanyadaan. Then, during the gathbandhan, Shivani tied the sacred knot binding the couple together. Aman and Shanti took their saat pheras, their seven sacred vows.
After the vows, the priest instructed, "Groom, now tie the mangalsutra."
Aman gently placed the sacred necklace around Shanti's neck.
"And now, apply sindoor to her hairline."
He did so, his hand trembling with emotion.
The priest finally declared, "The wedding is complete. You are now husband and wife. Seek your elders' blessings."
Shanti bent down to touch Jai's feet. Then she turned to Shivani.
"No, bhabi!" Shivani stopped her gently. "You're elder to me in both age and dignity. Please don't touch my feet. Just… give me a hug."
And with that, they embraced—two women connected not by blood, but by heart.
---
Back at the mansion...
Shivani prepared for Shanti's griha pravesh (home entry ritual). After all the customs, the guests finally rested. Shivani led Shanti to Aman's room.
The entire room had been decorated with fresh rose petals. Flickering candles cast a golden glow, making the room look magical.
Meanwhile, Aman was pacing nervously in Jai's room. When Jai walked in, he stopped in his tracks.
"What the hell are you doing here, Aman? Go to your room!" Jai scolded.
Aman grinned, cheeky as ever. "Hey! A little respect, please. I'm your brother-in-law now, not some alphabet like G-J, got it?"
Just then, Shivani entered and said calmly, "Bhaiya, it's time. You may go now."
Without another word, Aman dashed out like a teenager on his first date.
Jai and Shivani stared at each other in disbelief, trying not to laugh.
But as Aman opened the door to his room… he stood frozen.
What he saw inside shocked him.