One Week Later
Rajveer came running into Vairagya's cabin and said, "Sir, may I take half an hour off?"
"Reason?" Vairagya asked.
"My family must be arriving at the station, I need to go pick them up," Rajveer replied.
"Take the hotel car," Vairagya suggested.
"No sir… I know you consider me a friend, but that doesn't mean I should take advantage of anything for free," Rajveer said firmly.
"That very self-respect is what makes me admire you time and again, Raj… Go ahead, and call me if there's any problem," Vairagya said warmly.
"Thank you, sir…" Rajveer said as he walked out, his face clearly glowing with happiness at the thought of meeting his family.
Rajveer reached the station and began waiting for the train. As soon as it arrived, passengers began disembarking and Rajveer started checking each coach for his family.
"Raj...!" someone called out. He turned around.
"Didi…!"
Sarangii grabbed his ears. "Ouch, Didi… that hurts!" Rajveer winced in pain.
"You started a job here and didn't even think it was important to inform me?" Sarangii said angrily.
"Papa…" Rajveer turned to look at Vijay Ji.
"Not my fault…" his father raised his hands in mock surrender. "She badgered me until I told her everything... and not only did she find out, she told her too…" he added, gesturing behind him to where Shikha was busy taking selfies.
"Didi… seriously!" Rajveer groaned in frustration.
"You get so annoyed… Shikha is so sweet," Sarangii said with a smile.
"Didi, you're sweet, that's why the whole world looks sweet to you… Let me give you a free piece of advice — keep your distance from that girl," Rajveer warned.
"You're just jealous," Sarangii teased.
Rajveer pouted in response.
He dropped everyone off at the hotel and immediately returned to Vairagya.
Looking at his watch, Vairagya said, "You're very punctual."
"First rule of management is time, sir…" Rajveer said confidently.
"Good. I have a meeting to attend. Can you handle the decorations and food arrangements here?" Vairagya asked, handing over the responsibility.
"Sir, may I come along with you?" Rajveer asked.
"No need, Raj. For now, just focus on your sister's wedding… The next five years you'll be working with me anyway," Vairagya said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Okay sir, I won't give you any reason for complaint," Rajveer replied with determination.
"That's what I expect from you…" Vairagya said as he picked up his coat and headed out.
Vairagya was descending the hotel stairs wearing his sunglasses when he heard someone laughing.
Two girls were playfully coming up the stairs. He tried to ignore them and quickened his pace, but one girl's laughter kept distracting him.
There were only a few steps between them now. Just as he looked at the girl, she suddenly slipped — and he quickly caught her.
"Sarangi…!" Shikha screamed from behind, but seeing her safe, her face turned pale.
Vairagya had caught Sarangii in his arms, holding her close to his chest. She could clearly hear the rapid beating of his heart.
"Sarangii, are you okay?" Shikha said, rushing to her.
Vairagya helped Sarangii stand and quickly walked away. Sarangii turned to thank him, but he was already gone.
Downstairs, Vairagya placed a hand on his chest and muttered, "They seemed like friends, so why did it feel like the first girl pushed her friend on purpose... like it was intentional… Am I imagining things…?"
Just then, his phone rang, and he shook off the thought and walked away.
"Ugh… I didn't even get to say thank you to that guy," Sarangii said with disappointment.
Shikha, lost in thought, said, "Why do I feel like I've seen that man somewhere before…?"
"What?" Sarangii asked, but Shikha just smiled and said, "Thank God you're okay… You have no idea how scared I was...!"
Sarangii smiled and replied, "I'm fine now, so let's go… By the way, which spot were you talking about? I'll ask my brother to take us. He did say he'd show me all around Udaipur…"
Shikha smiled slyly, "Sarangii, don't you think now that you're getting married, you should be depending more on your husband for outings instead of your brother? I mean, he's your brother, but your husband should also take some responsibility…"
"But after the wedding, I'll be staying with Ajit ji anyway… So I want to spend some time with my brother while I'm here," Sarangii replied innocently.
Shikha gritted her teeth but then said, "Yes, I understand Sarangii… but…"
"Didi…!" Rajveer's voice interrupted her.
"Yes Raj…" Sarangii responded.
"What are you doing here? I told you to get ready… Weren't we going to the market?" Rajveer said, slightly irritated.
"Oh… I forgot. I'll go get ready now… Shikha, you come too…" Sarangii said.
"Didi, one minute… Actually, mom's calling Shikha didi, so she can't come…" Rajveer said.
"Raj, I'm not your didi… Call me Shikha," Shikha snapped.
"Sorry, but I show respect to elders — whether they can handle it or not…" Rajveer replied, taking Sarangii's hand and heading upstairs.
"Didi… please get ready quickly. I have some work to take care of and I'll be back… And yes, please don't bring that lizard with you…" Rajveer taunted.
"Raj…!" Sarangii scolded.
"Didi, please… no arguments," Rajveer gave in.
A little while later, when Rajveer came back into the hotel corridor and saw Sarangii with Shikha, his fists clenched. He looked at Sarangii angrily, and she said sweetly, "She wanted to come… how could I say no?"
"Didi, seriously…" Rajveer muttered to himself and gestured for her to follow him.
In the market, Shikha went all out buying things she liked, and Sarangii, happy with Shikha's choices, went along. Rajveer, however, was thoroughly annoyed.
The bridal sarees and wedding outfit had already been bought. This trip was only for some makeup products and accessories for Sarangii, but Shikha made her buy so many things — most of which were entirely Shikha's choices. Rajveer watched all this from a distance, seething quietly inside.