In evening, Kavita and Rahul were sitting in the living room.

Paakhi walked in, gently guiding Siya with her.

Kavita looked up and smiled softly.

“Siya, come… sit.”

Siya hesitated for a second, then sat beside Kavita.

Just then, Rahul’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and stood up.

“I’ll be back,” he said, walking away.

Kavita turned toward Siya.

“How are you feeling now?”

Siya lowered her eyes.

“I’m… okay.”

Kavita gently held her hand.

Siya’s heart skipped a beat.

Siya knew this moment was coming.She knows now she had to face.

Kavita spoke calmly, her voice full of warmth.

“Siya, I know you have suffered a lot. And I know you are still suffering.”

Siya’s throat tightened.

“But you can’t stay like this forever,” Kavita continued.

“You have to move forward. I know your thoughts are tangled… and I know your marriage happened at the hardest moment of your life.”

Siya clenched her fingers, tears gathering in her eyes.

Kavita said softly,

“But daughter, a marriage is a marriage. It doesn’t matter when it happens. When it happens, it ties two souls together.”

Finally, Siya whispered, her voice breaking,

“Aunty… can’t I say no?”

Tears slipped from Siya eyes.

Kavita smiled sadly and shook her head.

“No, daughter. Marriage cannot be broken so easily. It is said that when two people marry in one life, their bond carries on for seven lives.”

Siya’s control shattered.

“But aunty—”

Siya broke down completely.

Kavita pulled her into a tight embrace, caressing her hair.

“I know your mind is exhausted. I know everything feels unfair right now. But don’t worry… one day, you will understand.”

Kavita slowly pulled back and smiled faintly.

“And Siya… I know you and Aarav hate each other.”

Siya stiffened.

“But do you know something?” Kavita added gently.

“That day… Aarav himself announced that he wanted to marry you.”

Siya broke the hug abruptly and looked at her, stunned.

Kavita nodded.

At a distance, Aarav stood silently, listening to everything.

Kavita turned her gaze toward him.

“Aarav , come here.”

He nodded and took a step forward.

Siya quickly wiped her tears, her heart pounding.

Aarav came forward and sat down.

Kavita looked at him and asked casually,

“How was your day, Aarav?”

Aarav was still looking at Siya.

“What, Mom?” he asked absent-mindedly.

Siya lowered her eyes, her fingers curling into the edge of her dupatta.

Kavita smiled knowingly.

“Aarav, listen to me.”

He finally shifted his gaze toward kavita.

“So,” Kavita repeated softly,

“how was your day?”

Aarav glanced at Siya once more, then replied quietly,

“It was good.”

Kavita’s smile widened, as if satisfied.

Kavita turned toward the head maid.

“Arrange dinner.”

The maid nodded and left.

Kavita turned back to Siya. Her voice was gentle but firm.

“Today, you’ll eat with us. Okay?”

Siya looked up at her, surprised for a moment.

Kavita nodded reassuringly.

After a pause, Siya nodded too.

Everyone took their seats at the dining table.

Siya glanced at the table and quietly sat at the far corner.

Kavita noticed and said gently,

“Siya, sit here.”

Siya shook her head lightly.

“It’s okay, aunty.”

Kavita nodded, understanding. She knew adjusting to a new family wasn’t easy—especially not like this.

Paakhi came and sat beside Siya.

Aarav sat next to Paakhi.

He could have sat beside Siya…

but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

Dinner began.

Paakhi served food to Siya first.

“Eat, di.”

Then Paakhi served Aarav as well.

“That’s enough,” Aarav said.

But Paakhi kept adding more, a mischievous smirk on her face.

Aarav shot her a glare.

“Bhai, just eat,” Paakhi said innocently.

Siya remained silent, listening to them quietly.

Suddenly, memories flooded her mind—memories of another table, another home.