Aarav stood up, still carrying Siya gently in his arms. Without a word, he walked straight to the car. His parents and Paakhi followed behind, moving quickly but quietly.

He sat in the car with Siya cradled against him. The driver started the engine, and in the next car, his parents followed closely.

On the way, Rahul called their family doctor.

they reached the mansion. Aarav carried Siya directly to his room. The doctor was already waiting.

After checking her vitals, doctor carefully bandaged her head, applied ointment, and gave a few medicines .

“Just let her rest,” the doctor advised. “She’s in shock and injured. Take care of her.”

Once the doctor left, Paakhi gently applied ointment to Siya’s body while siya was in deep sleep due to exhaustion and pain .

Aarav watched silently, his own eyes glistening with tears. He quickly turned his face away, unwilling to show his emotions.

Rahul placed a reassuring hand on Aarav shoulder.

“We are proud of you,” he said softly.

Kavita nodded in agreement. His father left shortly after.

Paakhi sat beside Siya, holding her hand gently.

Kavita entered and said. “Paakhi, come with me and sleep”

“No, mom,” Paakhi replied firmly. “I want to stay here with didi.”

“daughter. Aarav is here. She’ll be safe. You need to rest,” kavita said softly.

Paakhi finally left, leaving the room quiet.

Now, Aarav and Siya were alone. She lay unconscious on his bed, fragile and silent, while he stayed by her side, silently vowing to protect her—no matter what.

Aarav sat in front of her, watching her sleep. Her face looked pale and fragile. Slowly, he reached out to hold her hand

then stopped midway.

Memories rushed back into his mind.

Flashback_

Siya was running through the corridor, smiling brightly. She wore bangles and anklets that made a faint, musical sound as she moved.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone.

“Ahh!” she exclaimed and looked up.

Aarav stood right in front of her.

“Are you blind?” she snapped.

“What are you saying?” Aarav replied coldly. “Mind your language.”

Just then, Veer came running behind her and stopped between them.

“Am I invisible or what?” Siya complained.

Aarav sighed his jaw clenched in anger.

“Both of you, stop fighting,” Veer said firmly.

“He didn’t even see me,” Siya muttered angrily. “He’s blind.”

Aarav glared at her.

“Calm down, Siya,” Veer said.

With a huff, Siya turned and walked away.

Flashback End_

Aarav closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

Another image flashed in Aarav mind—Siya being dragged away by Raj, fear in her eyes, rage burning in his own.

Then reality hit him fully.

He had married her in that condition—unconscious, broken, shattered.

His hand finally moved. This time, he didn’t stop.

He gently touched her hair, caressing it with care and tenderness, as if afraid she might disappear.

The entire night passed like that. Aarav didn’t sleep even once. He stayed beside her, watching over her, protecting her.

As sunlight filtered through the large windows of the Goenka mansion, his eyes grew heavy, filled with exhaustion and pain.

His friend was gone.

Her brother was gone.

Her father was gone.

Still, he continued to gently stroke her hair.

And then—

She stirred.

She gasped and opened her eyes, then weakly tried to sit up. Her head spun, and she held her forehead, breathing unevenly. Slowly, she looked around the room—it was unfamiliar.

Then her eyes fell on him.

Aarav gulped and lowered his gaze.

In an instant, memories flooded her mind. She remembered her father lying lifeless on the ground, blood spread all around him. Beside him was her brother Veer, his white kurta soaked in blood.

She screamed, “No!” and broke down, crying uncontrollably.

Paakhi, who was outside, heard Siya’s voice and ran toward the room. Kavita also heard the scream and rushed in.

Siya was crying badly. Aarav said softly, “Siya don't cry , Your health is not good.” He moved closer to hold her, but siya pushed him away and continued crying.

Paakhi entered, followed by kavita Seeing them didn’t stop Siya’s tears.

Paakhi went to her and held her gently while Siya cried in her arms. Aarav stood up and turned his face away. Kavita came closer, held Siya’s hand, and said softly,

“Don’t cry, daughter.”

Kavita tried to calm her, but Siya was sobbing uncontrollably. Slowly, Siya moved away from Paakhi and said in a broken voice,

“My brother… my father… I want to go to them.”

She tried to get up from the bed.

Kavita said gently, “Siya, we’ll go together.”

But Siya shook her head. “No. I want to go now.”

She started walking. Paakhi stood there her own eyes teary, watching her.

Aarav rushed to siya and held her hand, but she pushed him away. Just then, her gaze fell on the large mirror in front of her. She froze.

A nuptial chain hung around her neck. Her eyes slowly moved upward, and she saw her hair parting filled with vermilion.

Her hand trembled as she touched the vermilion and nupital chain.

Aarav understood and froze where he stood.

She turned toward them, her breathing uneven. “What is this?” she whispered. “My… my hair parting is filled with vermilion. And this nuptial chain…” her hands shaking as she hold nupital chain.

Her breath grew heavier, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Kavita said softly, “Daughter, calm down. Your health—”

“Tell me, aunty,” Siya said, her eyes brimming with pain and tears.

After a moment of silence, kavita spoke, her voice low and heavy.

“Yesterday… in the mandap… Aarav married you.”