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Nisha brings Nandani in.

Nandani wears a deep red suit with golden kadhai work stitched all over, paired with a golden dupatta. Light bangles clink on her wrists. Her dupatta covers her head, half veiling her face. She looks breathtaking.

Her gaze stays lowered, just like every girl’s does at first when the groom’s family comes to see her. Her four sisters-in-law understand that nervousness well. Each of them had lived the exact same moment once. The moment when a girl is looked at like property, as if she’s just an object being shifted from one house to another. First, girls are known by their father’s name. Later, by their husband’s. They’re told from the start that their real home is their in-laws’ house. So even in their own home, girls grow up feeling like outsiders.

Her sisters-in-law know exactly what Nandani is feeling right now. They can’t change it. Today or tomorrow, Nandani has to face it anyway. All they can do is give her silent strength.

Nandani walks in and touches Anita’s feet for blessings. Anita blesses her, but her sharp eyes scan Nandani’s soul like she’s deciding everything in a single moment.

Anita, in a cold voice: “The girl is pretty. Do you know household work? What all can you do? Do you know stitching?”

Nandani replies softly, “Yes, I do. I know stitching, knitting, and embroidery. I can make anything. Suits, salwar kameez, kurtas, and I do embroidery too.”

Anita nods, her eyes still sharp as a blade.

Anita: “Good. So what all can you make for me?”

Nandani: “Whatever you like. I can make everything for you.”

Anita turns to Sumrita: “That’s right. Girls should know all the housework.”

Then back to Nandani: “How far did you study? I heard your brothers sent you to school.”

Nandani: “Up to eighth class.”

Anita: “Hmm. Perfect for Rudra. She can at least handle the household accounts, right Sumrita?”

Sumrita: “Yes, absolutely.”

Anita: “Come, sit here next to me.” Nandani glances at her mother, who signals her with her eyes to listen.

Anita: “From now on, you’ll listen to me more than your mother, Nandani.”

Nandani sits beside Anita.

Her gaze is still lowered, but this isn’t submission. It’s quiet resolve. She’s silently carving out her place. A place she will hold for Rudrakansh. She will be his strength.

Anita to Sumrita: “Your daughter is perfect for my son.”

“I want to fix her as the elder daughter-in-law of my house today itself. We’ll do the roka now.”

Sumrita, with a wide smile: “Yes, of course. We’re all ready.”

Anita looks at Sanaya: “Beta, go tell the men outside to get ready for the roka. Tell them to bring everything from the jeep.”

Sanaya goes out and finds Advik playing with Aditiya.

Sanaya: “Advik, beta, go tell your father that Nandani Bua’s roka is about to happen.”

Advik runs to his father: “Baba, Choti Maa Saa says Bua’s roka is happening.”

Vineet understands instantly. Confused, Advik runs off.

Vineet to his father: “Baba saa, everything is ready for the roka.”

Alok to Suraj: “If you’re ready, we should do it now and fix the wedding date too.”

Suraj: “Yes, absolutely.”

Vikrant: “My brother isn’t mine anymore.”

Rudra: “Oh shut up. I know how much you love me.”

Vikrant makes funny faces.

Rudrakansh thinks to himself: _Maybe I’ll finally see her face now._

Suraj: “Vikrant, go get everything from the jeep.”

Meanwhile inside:

Neha to Nandani: “Cover your face with the ghunghat. Don’t let your husband see your face before the wedding.”

“So that when the ‘muh dikhai’ happens, you can ask for anything you want.”

Nandani: “Why, Bhabhi Saa?”

Neha: “Arre, if the husband sees your face beforehand, what will you even ask for during muh dikhai, silly?”

Nandani: “Oh. Then I won’t let him look”

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