Shashwat's eyes widened in horror. His face heated up so fast he thought he might combust on the spot.

"Shit!"

Snatching the handkerchief from Akash's hand, he frantically wiped his lips, heart thudding against his ribs. His voice stumbled over excuses.

"Wo... wo maine paan kha liya tha!" He blurted out.

Akash snorted, crossing his arms. "Mai kya bewakoof dikhta hoon?" He huffed, muttering a string of curses under his breath as he shook his head in mock disappointment.

The bride sat elegantly, hiding her giggles behind her veil, while the groom, Groom's side, sat on the mandapm

And standing in front of him, victorious and smug, was the bride's army.

"SHAADI MUBARAK HO, JIJA JI!!"

Siya's voice rang out through the hall, filled with mischief.

Siya, Divya, Richa, Kanak, and Reyansh stood in front of him, hands on their hips, smug, victorious, and most importantly holding his shoes hostage.

The groom's side, Akash, Darsh, Vihaan, and Arushi immediately tensed. Akash glared at Shashwat and he just ignored him.

Siya twirled the shoes in her hands and smirked. "Ab toh joote hamare paas hain aur shagun ke paise aapke paas...to kisko kya karna hai ye to sab jante hain"

Shashwat crossed his arms, smirking at the group in front of him. "Chalo bolo, kitna chahiye?"

Siya exchanged a mischievous glance with Ritika before tilting her head thoughtfully. "Ummm... zyada nahi, bas 30K per person."

Ritika, who had just taken a sip of water, choked on air. "30K PER PERSON?! Iss se kam to kidnappers maagte hain....thoda kam kar do behna mera sasural hai thosa discount to banta hai!" She coughed dramatically, patting her chest.

Shashwat's eyes widened in mock horror. "Oo bhai, bhav bahut badh gaya hai! Zara neeche lao."

"Yaar ab itna nahi de payenge thoda sa maaf kar dete hain." Richa said and high-fived Siya.

Siya tapped her chin, pretending to reconsider. "Hmm... chalo chalo, 20K per person."

Akash smirked, nudging Shashwat. "Haan, ab aayi na line pe... Shashwat, nikal 20 hazar, Siya ko de de, ye log apne aapas me baant lenge."

Reyansh dramatically shook his head. "Hellooo!! 20 hazar per person samjhe na? Ek ka nahi, sabka."

The groom's team burst into laughter at the sheer audacity of the demand.

Arushi wiped an imaginary tear, shaking her head in amusement. "Hahahaha!! Kya joke maara bhai! Chalo ab seriously batao, kitna chahiye?"

Kanak crossed her arms, her expression firm. "Joke hum nahi, aap log kar rahe ho! Chup chap 20-20K per person do aur joote le lo."

Shashwat let out an exaggerated gasp, Then, mocking Kanak's tone, he imitated her. "'20-20K per person do, joote le lo!' Arey iss se acha naye shoes na kharid lein?!"

Richa shrugged nonchalantly "Haan, theek hai. Kharid lijiye, humein kya?" She tossed her hair over her shoulder, clearly unbothered.

Vihaan gasped dramatically, "Arey ye kya baat hui?! 8 hazar ke joote ke liye 1 lakh?!"

Siya rolled her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently. "Theek hai, na aapki na meri, 70K combined. Na iss se kam na jada."

Shashwat clapped mockingly. "Waah! Kya ehsaan kiya hai aapne hum par!" he forced a fake smile.

Siya crossed her arms. "Arrey, ab kya problem hai? Aap log hi bata do, kitna dena chahiye?" she said wiggling her eyebrows.

Akash, rubbing his chin in fake deep thought, finally spoke. "10 hazar... matlab 2-2K per person."

Richa's mouth fell open in shock before she let out an exaggerated gasp. "Bahot ehsaan hoga ham to dhanya ho gaye."

"Arey, 5K de do, ek-ek le lenge." Darsh added mischievously

Divya crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Haan haan, tumse aur expect bhi kya kar sakte hain? Jahan tak soch hogi, wahin tak jaoge na! 1 hazar se zyada sapne me bhi nahi aata hoga!"

The group erupted into laughter, the banter getting livelier.

Darsh, pretending to be offended, pointed a dramatic finger at Divya. "Jyada mat bol, Ram ji ko bula ke wapas marva karwa dunga, tadka ke kalyugi avtaar!"

Divya fired right back. "Tum jyada bologe to Krishna ji ko bula kar wapas Mahabharat karwa dungi, kalyug ke Bakasur!"

Kanak, now visibly frustrated, clapped her hands loudly. "Arey tum dono abhi important discussion pe dhyan do!"

Darsh groaned. "Theek hai bhai, 30K final karte hain."

Siya narrowed her eyes. "50K."

Darsh's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. "Pachas hazaar?! Arey, isme toh ek naya dulha mil jayega!" He dramatically placed a hand on his forehead as if the shock was too much to bear.

Kanak nodded seriously, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. "Haan haan, jaa, batao, kaunsi market se naya dulha milega? Jaa ke le aao!" She gestured towards the door.

Vihaan groaned dramatically, clutching his chest as if someone had just stabbed him. "Aisa zulm mat karo! 30 hazaar lo aur humein azaad karo."

Reyansh smirked, shaking his head with mock disappointment. "Arrey, hum toh soch rahe the ek 30k per person maangenge! Dus hazaar toh advance ka bhi nahi hota uska." He threw his hands up as if utterly exasperated.

Shashwat let out a deep sigh, as if making the biggest sacrifice of his life. "Accha theek hai, 35 hazaar."

Siya gasped, placing a hand on her heart, her eyes wide with fake shock. "Bhaiya, suna? Ye log humein sirf 35 hazaar ke layak samajhte hain!" She turned to Reyansh.

Richa scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder, shaking her head in disbelief. "Beheno, humse itna sasta vyavhaar kiya ja raha hai?!" She crossed her arms, looking truly offended.

Arushi rolled her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Natak company ki puri team bani hui hai! Ek behan ka ghar basa raha hai, Ye nahi ki 15-20 tak lekar ladki ko vida karen." She threw her hands up, clearly done with all the drama.

Darsh snickered "Haan! 'Vidai ho ya na ho, shagun poora chahiye!'" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Siya smirked, tilting her head with a challenging look. "Vidai ho ya na ho, kanjoosi zaroor karni hai!" Her sharp tone made the boys groan in unison.

Shashwat sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as if this was the hardest decision of his life. "Theek hai, maan lete hain tumhari loot." His voice was filled with fake defeat as he pulled out his phone.

He threw a mock glare at the bride's side, his brows furrowed in exaggerated annoyance. "Sabko 10-10 hazar pay kar raha hoon." He shook his head.

With a few reluctant taps, the transactions were done. Everyone's phones buzzed one by one, confirming the payments.

Siya grinned, crossing her arms smugly. "Haan, ab aaye na line pe!" She lifted her chin victoriously, basking in the triumph.

Divya smirked, twirling her dupatta around her finger. "Kya fayda utha chikchik ka... Pehle bargain karte hain, phir haath jod kar paisa de dete hain!" She shook her head in fake disappointment as if she had expected better bargaining skills from them.

Reyansh snorted, nudging Shashwat. "Majboori hain becharon ki?" His lips curled into a mischievous smirk as he exchanged knowing glances with Darsh.

Akash shakes his head dramatically. "Paise bachane ka sapna sapna hi reh gaya!"

Finally, Siya bent down gracefully, picking up the groom's shoes and placing them in front of Arav with a teasing smile.

Arav smirked, slipping his feet into the shoes effortlessly. "Bahut badi kripa ki, sali ji." His eyes twinkled with amusement as he adjusted the shoes, looking up at Siya with a playful glint.

The bride's side erupted into loud cheers, clapping and high-fiving each other, celebrating their victory like they had just won a championship.

Meanwhile, the groom's side groaned in unison, shaking their heads as if mourning a major loss.

Just as the excitement died down, Arav suddenly called out, his voice cutting through the lingering laughter.

"Shashwat Akash Darsh Vihaan Dono jao, meri car ki diggi mein kuch boxes rakhe hain, lete aao."

Shashwat frowned, eyeing him suspiciously. "Kya hai?" His tone was doubtful.

Arav raised a brow "Surprise hai. Jao."

The boys trudged toward the car. Moments later, they returned, each balancing a stack of medium-sized boxes in their arms.

Fifteen.

The entire wedding party watched curiously as Arav lined up the boxes on the table, his expression smug, his movements deliberate. Then, with a victorious grin, he began handing them out one by one.

Siya got one. Reyansh got one. Divya, Richa, and Kanak each got one.

And then, Arav continued handing out more. Ritika's cousin sisters and brothers each received one too.

As realization dawned upon them, Shashwat, Akash, Vihaan, Arushi, and Darsh stood frozen. Their eyes widened. Their jaws dropped.

Shashwat gaped at the scene unfolding before him. "Ye kya ho raha hai?!" His voice cracked with disbelief.

Akash folded his arms, shaking his head in dramatic disappointment. "Bhai... kya dhokha diya hai hume!"

Arav, still smirking like a mastermind who had just pulled off the ultimate heist, finally turned to them. "Shagun ke gifts hain meri taraf se?" His tone was laced with pure mischief.

Shashwat let out an exaggerated groan, throwing his hands in the air. "Arre pehle bata dete ki gift hai! Tab to hum paisa dene ke liye kabhi raazi nahi hote!" He looked genuinely offended, as if he had been personally robbed.

Akash ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "Wahi toh! Pehle hi pata hota ki ye upar se gift bhi dene wale ho, to ek ek rupaye nikalne se pehle hazaar baar sochte!"

Siya, still relishing the victory, winked playfully. "dulhan waale hamesha ek kadam aage hote hain!" She flipped her hair dramatically, basking in her team's genius.

Divya smirked, waving her gift box in the air like a trophy. "Itna jealous nahi hote...Arushi bh...didi ki shadi me aap log bhi apne armaan poore kar lena joota churai ke!" Her grin was full of mischief as she nudged Reyansh secretly.

Shashwat sighed deeply, shaking his head as if already plotting revenge. "Ruko bas mauka Milne do!" His voice was full of fake determination, making everyone chuckle. He secretly looked at Reyansh and Arushi, making them blush.

The wedding rituals were over. The laughter, the teasing, the bargaining it had all led up to this moment.

Ritika's eyes welled up. She looked at her mother, her father, her siblings, and her friends.

She sniffled, her lower lip trembling. "Ab mai yaha nahi rahungi..."

A collective sigh passed through the crowd.

Ritika sniffed again, finally about to break down, when suddenly, a voice ruined the entire mood.

"Ro kyun rahi? Ghar jaana hai, saath mein hi!" Everyone turned to look at the source. It was Harsh.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, Ritika blinked, She stared at him. "Oh... haan bhul gayi thi!"

The crying immediately stopped.

Richa smacked her forehead. Wahi mai Sochi didi rone wala shakl kyun banai hai!"

Siya groaned. "Yahan to chhoro ghar pe bhi kisi ko rona nahi ayega vidai ke time!"

"Wahi to din bhar pahoche rahegi dekhna." Reyansh said, chuckling.

"Sunai de raha hai behra nahi hun mai." Ritika said dramatically.

"Haan chal chal sasti Animal." Reyansh said mockingly.

The entire house was buzzing with excitement as everyone packed their bags, preparing for their return journey. Clothes were being stuffed into suitcases, last-minute essentials were being gathered, and yet, in the middle of all this chaos, one person was sulking like a child.

"Guyss... train se jaana zaroori hai kya??" Darsh whined dramatically, flopping onto the bed with a groan. "Late pahochenge vapas! Why not just take a flight?"

Shashwat, who was neatly folding his shirts, rolled his eyes. "Ek din mein pahunch jaate hain, chal!"

"Aap log jao, mere liye flight book kar do. Mujhe nahi jaana dobara train pe!! I hate it," Darsh continued his protest, making a face.

Akash chuckled, shaking his head. "Jyada sukumar ban'ne ki zarurat nahi hai, thoda train ka maza bhi le!"

Darsh crossed his arms, looking truly betrayed. "Maza? Mujhe sirf dard hota hai! Bhari bhi hoti hai, thak bhi jaata hun, aur upar se late bhi pahuchte hain!"

Meanwhile, amidst all the banter, Arav had completely zoned out. His eyes were fixed on Ritika, who was dressed in a beautiful saree, her bangles jingling softly as she moved around the room, arranging her things. The soft golden glow of the evening light filtering through the window only made her look more radiant, and Arav felt his heart skip a beat.

She looked... breathtaking. Like a dream come true.

By the time they reached Mumbai, night had already fallen. The journey had been long, but the excitement and nostalgia in the air kept everyone awake. Instead of heading to their respective homes, they were all asked to stay at Ritika's house for the night-after all, tomorrow was her vidai.

As she stepped into her home, a lump formed in her throat. This place had been her safe haven for the past seven years, but now... now she would be leaving it behind.

She moved through the familiar hallways, her fingers lightly grazing the walls as memories flashed before her eyes. Every corner held a story, every room was filled with laughter and love. It wasn't just a house-it was home.

Entering her room, she found her sisters already waiting for her, their expressions a mix of excitement and sadness.

"Kya hua?" she asked softly.

Divya looked at her with hopeful eyes. "Aapke saath sona hai."

A small, affectionate smile played on Ritika's lips as she nodded and gestured for them to come inside. She knew how much they would miss her presence, just like she would miss theirs.

Just as she was about to close the door, she noticed Reyansh standing outside, looking... awkward.

He shifted on his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. "Woh... mai..." he stuttered, unsure whether he should ask or leave.

Ritika tilted her head, studying him for a moment before her smile widened.

"Aaja... baatein karenge raat bhar," she said warmly.

For a second, Reyansh just stared at her. Then, as if a switch had flipped, his face lit up with a grin-the same innocent, joyful grin he used to have as a kid whenever Ritika included him in their games.

Without a second thought, he rushed inside, plopping onto the bed with his usual carefree energy. Ritika chuckled, watching him settle in comfortably.

Ritika looked at her sisters and Reyansh, who were comfortably seated around her, and smirked. "Kuch dekhen?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

Siya, already grinning, grabbed the remote and switched on the TV. Within seconds, she found the song she was looking for and pressed play.

As the first few beats of "Ye Galiyan Ye Chaubara" echoed through the room, Siya dramatically stood up and started swaying her hands like a classic Bollywood heroine.

"Ye galiyan, ye chaubara, yahan aana na dobara... ab hum toh hue pardesi, ki tera yahan koi nahii!" she sang loudly, her voice full of exaggerated emotion.

Ritika rolled her eyes at the melodrama but couldn't hold back a chuckle. Before Siya could continue her exaggerated performance, Ritika smacked her lightly on the head.

Reyansh, who had been grinning at their antics, decided to take things up a notch. He snatched the remote, changed the song, and immediately began singing, standing beside Siya with full-on emotional expressions.

"Babul ka ye ghar behna, ek din ka thikaana hai..." he started, his voice filled with fake sorrow.

Divya, catching on to the dramatic mood, quickly joined in, matching his fake sadness.

"Ban ke dulhan ek din tujhe piya ghar jaana hai!" she sang along, wiping imaginary tears.

Siya, fully enjoying the madness, threw an arm around Ritika's shoulders and wailed dramatically, "Babul ka ye ghar gori, kuch din ka thikana haiii!!"

Ritika groaned, glaring at the three of them. "Abhi mai teeno ko room se nikal dungi agar muh band nahi kiya toh!" she warned.

But instead of being intimidated, they all burst into laughter and collapsed onto the bed, grinning at each other.

After a moment, Siya clapped her hands eagerly. "Ab koi movie lagao! Wo Chhota Bheem aur Kidmada wali movie lagana!" she suggested excitedly.

Reyansh immediately shook his head and grabbed the remote. "Nahi... Chhota Bheem Mayanagri wali!" he argued.

Ritika, narrowing her eyes, snatched the remote back. "Nahi! Kidmada wali hi lagegi!" she declared, standing her ground.

Siya grinned, knowing that Ritika would always pick the same movie-the one they used to watch together every time.

And just like that, their childhood tradition continued.

The movie started playing, and they all settled in comfortably, occasionally commenting on scenes, reenacting their favorite dialogues, and laughing at their own silly remarks. But amidst all the chaos, one person was struggling.

Divya groaned, rubbing her temples. "Tum log na... har baar movie ke beech me bakwaas karte ho! Koi shanti se dekh sakta hai yahan?!" she complained.

As the movie played on, their voices slowly faded, and one by one, they drifted off to sleep, curled up in the comfort of each other's presence.

It was their last night together like this, and they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden hue on the home that had witnessed Ritika's childhood, her laughter, her tears, and now, her farewell. The house, which had always been filled with her presence, stood silent as if it, too, was preparing to say goodbye.

Dressed in a stunning red silk bridal saree, Ritika stepped out of her room. The fabric shimmered with every step she took, her chunari delicately wrapped over her head, symbolizing the sanctity of her new journey. Her mother and sisters walked beside her, their faces holding a bittersweet smile as they tried to hold back the emotions welling up inside them.

The rituals had begun. The atmosphere was a mix of joyous celebrations and the undeniable sorrow of parting. As per tradition, Ritika reached the threshold of her home, pausing for a moment as her chest heaved with the weight of the moment.

Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up a handful of rice and coins, her fingers tightening around them. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before throwing them backward over her head. It was a sacred gesture, a symbolic repayment to her parents for all the love, sacrifices, and upbringing they had given her. It was her way of leaving behind blessings while seeking them for her new home.

As the grains of rice scattered across the floor, a soft sob escaped her lips. The finality of it hit her like a storm.

Tara, pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Meri bacchi... itni jaldi badi ho gayi tu... kaise jaane dungi tujhe?" Tara sobbed, cradling Ritika's face in her hands, kissing her forehead and cheeks as if trying to memorize every inch of her daughter before she left.

Ritika clung to her mother, her tears soaking into Tara's saree.

Divya, unable to control herself any longer, rushed forward and threw her arms around Ritika. "Didi... mat jao na..." she sobbed, her voice muffled against Ritika's shoulder.

Ritika stroked her sister's hair, her own sobs growing heavier.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Siya sat curled up on the living room sofa, clutching a picture frame to her chest. It was a photo of the three sisters together-smiling, carefree, their world untouched by the reality of vidai. She pressed the frame against her heart, her