---

The table set with overflowing — glistening gulab jamuns, crisp jalebis, bowls of rich badam milk, kaju katli, and every kind of barfi lined up neatly. Beside them sat trays of samosas, kachoris, aloo pakoras, paneer pakoras, and countless other fried delights. And as if that wasn’t enough, platters of dry fruits completed the spread.

Rudrakansh’s buaa, Uma, pulled her friend Sumrita aside, eyes gleaming with pride.

“Look, Sumrita. See what a gem of a rishta I’ve brought for your daughter!”

“My nephew Rudra is about to become the sarpanch of the village. He’s the eldest son of a zamindar’s family. Your daughter will walk in as the _badi bahu_ of our home.”

Later, Uma and Sumrita slipped into a quiet room to talk.

Uma’s voice dropped to a sharp whisper:

“Keep my money ready. The moment the shaadi is fixed, I want my half upfront. No arguments. I told you before — I take payment for fixing rishtas. Otherwise, that Kamal woman was ready to give me one bigha of land just to marry her daughter to Rudrakansh.”

Sumrita nodded quickly. “Yes, yes. I’ve spoken to Abhay’s father. Just get this rishta done, and I’ll give you what I promised.”

A soft knock. Sanaya peeked in. “Maa ji, everyone downstairs is calling for you.”

“Coming,” Sumrita replied. “Go, make sure everything down there is in order.”

---

Down in the hall, the guests were seated. Anita scanned the house with sharp, calculating eyes, taking in every detail.

She turned to Suraj. “Their house isn’t as big as ours, is it? Do you think they’ll be able to manage the _dahej_?”

Suraj smirked. “Good. If the girl’s side is weaker, it works in our favor. After all, we should marry our son into a smaller family — easier to control. And elections are coming. Rudrakansh is set to become sarpanch of 15 villages this time. Alok Nagar’s daughter would be perfect for him. Isn’t that the kind of girl you wanted — one who obeys, who does exactly as you say? Uma’s told me everything about Nandani.”

Anita’s lips curved. “Don’t count on dahej yet. I’m warning you.”

“We’ll talk,” Suraj said.

Vikrant nudged Rudrakansh. “Nice house, bhai. The bhabhi must be beautiful too.”

Rudrakansh raised a brow. “How do you know?”

Vikrant grinned. “Look at her four brothers — all handsome. The sister must be too. I’m just scared she’ll take one look at your face and say no.”

Rudrakansh shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

Alok ji approached the guests. “Please, have something. Is the food not to your liking?”

Suraj shook his head. “No, bhai saab, everything’s excellent. Naman’s already spoken to you. Truly, this jodi was made by the one above — we’re just the ones bringing them together.”

Alok smiled. “Rightly said.”

Across the room, Vineet spotted his wife and she quickly stepped behind a pillar. Vikrant walked up to her, voice cold. “Yes? What?”

Avantika whispered nervously, “Maa ji is calling Nandani’s saas inside. If their talk is done…”

“Fine. Wait here. I’ll send her,” Vikrant said.

He turned to anita. “Mosi ji, you may go inside now.”

Anita rose with her usual attitude. “Let’s go. Rudra’s father can handle the rest of the talk. It’s time I see my _badi bahu_.”

At the words _badi bahu_, a faint smile tugged at Rudrakansh’s lips.

Vikrant muttered, “Don’t grin like an idiot.”

Rudrakansh silenced him with another glare.

Just then, Amen, Nandani’s brother, greeted Rudrakansh. “Rudrakansh ji, how’s the mill business going? Everyone in the nearby villages talks about you.”

Suraj puffed up. “That’s my son — always standing out.”

Vikrant whispered to Rudra, “This guy’s buttering you up hard.”

Rudra elbowed him to shut up.

Meanwhile, Anita turned to Sumrita. “Sumrita ji, your home is lovely. Tell me about your bahus.”

Sumrita began proudly:

“Avantika is my eldest bahu, Vineet’s wife. They have two sons — Advik and Davik, my eldest grandsons.

Neha is Abhay’s wife, they have one son, Anmol.

Sanaya is Adarsh’s wife, with a son named Aditya.

And Nisha is Amen’s wife — their shaadi was just a few months ago.”

She paused, then added, “I have four grandsons. And soon, Nisha will give me another. Because, sister, it’s the sons who light up a home.”

Anita nodded. “True. My sister’s bahu has three daughters. I told her to remarry.”

Sumrita agreed, “A bahu should be told upfront — give us sons, not daughters. The lineage runs through the son.”

Anita: “Exactly.”

“Now call Nandani. Let me see my _badi bahu_,” she said.

Sumrita gave Nisha a look, and Nisha slipped away.

Anita’s eyes narrowed. “You keep your bahus on a tight leash, Sumrita ji.”

Sumrita smirked. “Of course. A bahu should know her limits. I’ve raised Nandani with the same _sanskar_.”

Anita’s tone sharpened. “That’s what Uma told me. But after the shaadi, my bahu will live by _my_ rules.”

Sumrita’s voice softened, but her words were firm. “Anita ji, a saas does everything for her child’s happiness. Treat my daughter however you wish — because soon, she’ll be walking into your home as your bahu.”

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