Evening time... the palace was decorated like a bride.

Jayesh Agarwal sat at the wedding altar while the priest chanted mantras. Two girls were bringing Ritu Maheshwari down the stairs — and those two girls were none other than our Sheetal and Aditi.

Ritu had her face completely covered with a veil. Jayesh tried to get a glimpse of her but grew restless because he couldn't see the face of his bride. Ritu was made to sit beside him. That’s when Sheetal leaned towards Jayesh and whispered in his ear, “Jiju, don’t be sad. It’s actually a good thing no one’s seen her face yet. You’ll be the first one tonight during the post-wedding ritual. But hey, don’t forget to give my friend a nice gift for her beauty.”

Aditi smiled hearing this and gave Sheetal a look. Both girls were wearing lehengas and cholis.

Just then, Jayesh interrupted, “Wait, Panditji. One of my friends is about to arrive. We’ll begin the ceremony only after he’s here.”

His father frowned and asked, “What nonsense is this, boy? Which friend of yours is so important that the wedding needs to wait for him?”

Jayesh looked ahead and said, “Here he comes... my friend Advait Pratap Singh.”

As Aditi turned to see who he was, Urmila ji quickly stepped in and pulled the veil over her face again. Distracted, Aditi asked her, “Why did you cover my face, Ma-sa?”

Urmila ji replied, “No questions right now, I’ll explain later.”

Aditi quietly nodded and stood aside, watching Jayesh and Ritu. Sheetal, meanwhile, was observing Urmila ji and Ratan ji. Something felt off to her.

Advait walked in, glanced at Jayesh, and went to sit on a sofa like a royal, intently watching the wedding. His eyes were fixed on Jayesh and the priest. Jayesh then introduced, “Baba, this is my friend.”

His father replied, “So he’s Advait Pratap Singh? I didn’t know. If you’d told us before, we’d have made better arrangements.”

Jayesh assured, “Baba, I’ve taken care of everything.”

The priest spoke, “Yajman, the auspicious time is slipping away. Should we begin the ceremony?”

Jayesh nodded. The priest resumed chanting.

Sheetal glanced at Advait again. He looked very handsome — his entire personality was magnetic. She picked up a glass of juice and began walking near Ratan ji and Urmila ji, pretending to be casual. Meanwhile, Aditi, who’d been forbidden from roaming around, sat on a sofa behind the bride and groom, veiled.

Urmila ji turned to Ratan ji and said, “Go talk to him. He’s going to be our future son-in-law.”

Ratan ji replied, “Don’t act foolish. I’ve only spoken to his father, and he agreed. If we both talk to him now, people will start suspecting, and rumors will spread. We don’t even know what Advait thinks.”

Urmila ji folded her hands and whispered, “Dear Lord, please bring happiness to my daughter’s life. Our Jamai-sa might be a little strict, but he’ll surely keep her happy. I had 23 suitable families in Rajasthan, including Jayesh Agarwal, who is marrying Ritu today. We delayed talking to them. Then there was the Shekhawat family, but their son married a girl from outside. Now only Advait ji is left — rich, well-settled, and from our caste.”

Ratan ji, irritated, said, “Why are you talking about money? I want a son-in-law who truly values my daughter, not just wealth.”

Urmila ji snapped, “You wouldn’t understand. You’re barely home. At weddings, women compare jewelry and boast.”

Ratan ji shot back, “That’s enough. Don’t bring our daughter into this now.” With that, he walked off, and Urmila ji adjusted her pallu, muttering, “I’m doing all this for her good, and yet he has a problem.”

Sheetal, having eavesdropped, quickly put the juice down and rushed to Aditi.

Meanwhile, the wedding was complete. The bride and groom were receiving blessings and sitting on the sofa. A group of folk dancers performed the Ghoomar as Aditi watched with a smile, and Advait checked his emails.

“Palak buharu aangan ro, Rani sa padharo…” — the folk song played.

Sheetal reached Aditi, breathless, and whispered, “Aditi... listen…”

She gasped for breath as Aditi rubbed her back, concerned.

“Balam tharo gur-gur gurave, paas mharo jivdo ghano hichkave…”

Sheetal revealed, “A marriage proposal is being discussed for you… and that guy is right here! Do you know who he is?”

“Chamkacham baje, payal baje…”

Aditi stared at her, wide-eyed and anxious. Her heart was pounding.

“Baisa kheli chamkacham, ghoonghra baje…”

Just then, Advait stood up, phone in pocket, and walked with authority toward Jayesh. Sheetal pointed at him. Aditi followed her gaze.

“Dhanak preet ki sar pe odhkar, ghoomar ghoomar ghoome…”

She saw only his left profile — the white shirt, beard, and watch — because folk dancers blocked her view.

Sheetal softly whispered, “Advait Pratap Singh.” The moment Aditi heard the name, her eyes fluttered shut. Butterflies filled her stomach, and a smile spread on her lips — one that Sheetal clearly saw through the veil.

Sheetal hugged her and said, “Wow, girl! All the girls are crazy for your jiju, but he doesn’t even glance at anyone. Every girl deserves a husband like him!”

She’d already started building dreams in Aditi’s heart — and why not? Every girl wants a loving, respectful, and understanding partner.

Aditi was still daydreaming when Sheetal teased, “Already thinking about your future husband?” Aditi chased her playfully as Urmila ji exclaimed, “Dear Lord! These girls are running around like kids while their wedding talks are going on!”

Sheetal purposely ran in the direction Advait was walking from, while Aditi chased her, unaware. Her pallu slipped off, her brown hair flowing freely, her anklets jingling. The sound reached Advait’s ears. As he turned to look, Jayesh pulled him into a hug.

“Congratulations, Mr. Jayesh,” said Advait.

“Why so formal? Just call me Jayesh!” he replied.

Sheetal ran past behind them. Advait stepped back unknowingly — and bumped into Aditi. He apologized without looking. Aditi steadied herself but realized — she had just collided with her future husband. Her cheeks turned red as she quickly ran off.

“Careful, Aditi baisa,” Jayesh called out.

Hearing her name, Advait glanced back and caught a glimpse of her — only her long hair, fair back under the blouse, and lehenga. He immediately looked away, displeased.

He hated revealing clothes. He preferred traditional girls — with full blouses, veils over their heads, modesty in their eyes, and grace in their walk.

“I have to leave now,” said Advait. “I’ve got a meeting with a client flying in from Dubai tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t go hiding behind a woman like most men. Keep your pride,” Jayesh joked.

Jayesh added, “You say that now, but what if you fall for your wife’s tears? So far, even your sister’s tears haven’t moved you.”

Advait replied, “I don’t plan to marry. I don’t trust love or women anymore. These days, girls only care about their husbands and kids, not in-laws. I’ve seen too many families fall apart. I visit elderly people abandoned by their daughters-in-law every day…”

Jayesh said, “Not all girls are the same. I believe if you ever choose one, she’ll be someone who builds homes — not breaks them.”

Advait just said, “Hmm,” and walked away, hands in his pocket.

Urmila ji urged, “Go talk to Jamai-sa at least once.”

Ratan ji stopped Advait. After a long stare, Advait recognized him and respectfully bowed, “Khammaghani, Ratan sa.”

“Bless you, Advait ji,” Ratan replied.

Sheetal peeked from behind a door. Aditi arrived, ready to scold her, but Sheetal gently turned her face toward the scene.

“Look — your Jamai-sa and father-in-law are talking.”

Aditi blushed and lowered her gaze. Sheetal was thoroughly enjoying this.

Ratan ji said, “It’s nice meeting you, Advait ji. I’ve heard so much about you. Your father and I were good friends once, though work took me away. Now we only talk over the phone.”

Advait replied with hands behind his back, “Baba sa always spoke of your struggle. I’ve learned a lot from your story.”

“That’s an honor,” said Ratan ji.

Aditi still hadn’t seen Advait’s face. Yet her heart was already his — his voice, his walk, his aura… everything.

To be continue....