---

*Rudrakansh* had just finished wrapping up some work back in the village and finally made it home, only to find his _Bua_ and Fufa Ji already parked in the living room like they owned the place.

The moment he saw them, his brain screamed: _Of course they’d show up today. Couldn’t these two pick a day when I’m not around?_

They never get tired of visiting. If they had their way, they’d probably pack up his whole house and drag it back to theirs along with his parents.

He glanced at his mother, who was playing the perfect sweet-and-kind _Bhabhi_ act—smiling, serving, pretending everything was normal.

_Yeah right,_ Rudrakansh thought. _She doesn’t know how to tone down the drama. Always in full character mode._

And then he spotted his brother *Vikrant*, giving him that classic teasing look—the one that screamed, _You’re the sacrificial goat today, and guess who’s sharpening the knife?_

Rudrakansh silently prayed: _Oh Bholenath, give me strength to survive Bua’s next attack._

Right on cue, Bua’s eyes landed on him. She beamed with fake affection:

“Arre Rudra beta, come here! I’ve got some _very_ good news for you.”

Rudrakansh blurted out, “So… are you guys leaving now?”—right as Fufa Ji sipped his tea and Bua took a big bite of her kachori.

The kachori got stuck in Bua’s throat.

Vikrant burst out laughing, rolling on the floor. Rudrakansh’s mother hid her giggles behind her _ghoonghat_. And poor Baba looked torn—should he laugh or go save his brother-in-law?

Bua finally recovered, coughing and saying, “Haan haan beta, I _am_ here for your own good!”

“Bas Bua, please,” Rudrakansh groaned. “Don’t start crying those big, dramatic tears now. The wheat in the village isn’t even harvested yet—we don’t need a tsunami here.”

Everyone burst out laughing again.

Once the chaos died down, Bua dropped the bomb: “Rudra, go get ready. We’re taking you to see a girl.”

Rudrakansh looked at his mother, who gave him a gentle, encouraging nod. Then at Vikrant, who was still smirking like he’d just won a war.

Suddenly Baba’s voice boomed: “Arre jaa Rudra! Sitting in panchayats with the village elders won’t bring you a bride. If you want to get married, you’ll have to do it yourself. Go, hurry up!”

Defeated, Rudrakansh trudged off to his room. A little later, the whole family headed out.

---

* Nandani’s house*

“Ha Nandani,” her Bhabhi Nisha said hurriedly, “they’re coming today to see you. Your brother just called and told me to get you ready—go, put on your best outfit!”

“Bhahbi, please,” Nandani pleaded. “Tell Bhaiya not to do this now. I can’t… I’m not ready for shaadi.”

Before she could finish, a cold, sharp voice cut through the air like a blade:

“What did you just say?”

Both Nandani and Nisha froze. Their mother, *Sumrita*, stood in the doorway, glaring at them.

“Bahu, I told you to get Nandani ready. Why isn’t she dressed yet?” Sumrita snapped. “And you, Nandani—don’t make me hear another word from your mouth. You’ll do as you’re told. We don’t ask your opinion when arranging your rishta.”

She stepped closer, her voice low and warning: “Don’t get too much tongue on you, girl. Not in your in-laws’ house. Today, the people I choose are coming to see you. You’ll behave exactly as I taught you since childhood: eyes down, speak only when spoken to, and never never meet your saas’s gaze. Do you understand?”

Sumrita turned to Nisha and shot her a warning glare. Nisha flinched and murmured in a trembling voice, “I… I’ll go get her ready right now.”

---