Priyanka’s hands were tied, and she kept crying continuously. He tied the last end of her braid with a rubber band and finally untied her hands. The moment Priyanka’s hands were freed, the very first thing she did was look at her two braids, then immediately run to the mirror and stand before it. Her head was drenched with oil, so much so that even her forehead was shining. She turned sharply and glared at her brother, who was smiling mischievously while watching her. At once, she stormed over, snatched the oil bottle from his hands, and said angrily,

“I really don’t understand what on earth you want from my hair. Every time, you pour so much oil into it and tie my hair into two braids.”

The moment she said this, their grandmother burst into loud laughter. Priyanka ignored everything, climbed up on the bed, opened the bottle, and began pouring oil into her brother’s head, rubbing it firmly into his hair. Ranvijay simply sat quietly, allowing her to massage his head comfortably, as if this were his routine. Their grandmother, watching the two of them, said affectionately,

“God bless my Shera. May the girl who becomes his bride also have hair as long and beautiful as my granddaughter’s.”

Ranvijay opened one eye to glance at his grandmother, then shut it again and said lazily while enjoying the massage.

“Massage properly near the forehead with your fingers. That feels better.”

Priyanka made a face at him and, out of irritation, began pressing hard with her fingers, massaging his scalp vigorously, even trying to clutch his hair to irritate him. Yet Ranvijay only kept smiling, unfazed. She drenched his hair with plenty of oil, but it seemed to make no difference to him. Their grandmother could not stop laughing at the sight. Suddenly, Priyanka pulled the rubber band from one of her braids and began gathering his hair to pony it. At that very moment, a sharp voice echoed.

“Priya…”

Their mother, Rekha, was standing there. The moment Priyanka saw her, she quickly tied her braid back again with the rubber band, while Ranvijay burst into loud laughter. He immediately walked over to his mother, slipped his arm around her neck, and, looking at her angry face, said teasingly,

“Come on, let’s go outside and talk properly.”

As their mother left with Ranvijay, Priyanka sat down beside her grandmother and muttered with frustration,

“I honestly don’t understand the men of this family. Your same Shera, who roars like a lion in front of the whole world, comes home and turns into a little kitten, pouring oil in my hair daily, massaging his mother’s feet, and running to please her the moment she gets upset. And then there’s your son, Balvinder. By default, he always has some problem or the other, he comes in shouting, scolds one person, then another, and if no one is around, he even shouts at statues. Shouting is his favorite pastime. But the moment he enters your room, his voice dies out completely. I have to admit, Grandma, your terror works wonders. But if his Mom scolds him even a little, then this very man, who pretends to be so frightening, becomes a scared little boy standing in front of you. Tell me honestly, is this disorder running in our blood for generations?”

Her grandmother immediately pulled her ear, dragging her closer, and said in a serious tone,

“Your grandfather had a habit, if anyone spoke a single harsh word to me, he would silence that person just with his eyes. Men of the Randhawa clan may do whatever they want with their women, but they can never tolerate anyone else saying anything to them. You leave all these concerns aside, I’m more worried about Shera. Until today, no girl has ever caught his interest. Your father has shown him so many marriage proposals, but he refuses to look at any girl. Your father keeps telling me to explain to him about marriage, but I give him only one answer: “You better think carefully, because after, if you dare speak a single wrong word to his wife, what will he do to you then? … Do you think he is involved with someone?"

"Yup…. Terror…"

Hearing her grandmother’s words, Priyanka burst into laughter, answered her, and ran outside, because she was most curious about what was going on in the house these days. She had already overheard the whispers about Dushyant’s proposal and was eager to know every detail. Quietly, she tiptoed towards her parents’ room, where Balvinder was already seated, and just then Ranvijay entered with their mother. Rekha’s voice trembled with frustration as she said,

“I really don’t understand you, father and son. Such a good marriage proposal has come, and yet you keep delaying it. What is the point of keeping the girl at home? Get her married; make sure her future is secure. Nothing that happened with Aastha is bound to happen again. She is a girl, learning to understand these things.”

Ranvijay, who had been silently listening for a while, suddenly turned to his father and then spoke firmly to his mother.

“Maa, you know very well that no one can stand against us. But Priyanka is our weakness, never forget that. Yes, I agree the boy is good; I have inquired about him myself. But marriage cannot happen just because the boy is good; his entire family must also be respectable. I need everything to be right, everything perfect. I acknowledge that Dushyant is a commendable individual, but are you aware of how problematic his mother is? The things she has done to her sister-in-law, you know them very well. I won’t go into details, but I know one thing for certain, until I am fully satisfied about the boy and his family, I will never place my sister in his hands. And tell me, what harm is there if Priyanka studies a little more, learns how to handle business, and presents herself as independent? Who knows what tomorrow holds? Today the Randhawa name is strong… tomorrow it may not be…. Do you even realize how many enemies we have?”

Rekha grew even angrier as she listened to him, glaring at her son with fiery eyes. But Priyanka, listening from the side, smiled faintly, her heart swelling with pride, and then quietly walked away. Rekha’s voice cracked as she replied bitterly,

“Neither you nor I know what tomorrow will bring. All I know is that today such a good proposal has come. What will happen if this proposal slips from our hands due to your stubbornness? They are people of lineage, a family with a big name. However, madness has possessed both the father and the son. Just because of what happened with Aastha, does it have to happen with my daughter as well? I really don’t understand what demon has possessed you. And another thing, this girl’s friendship with poor people disgusts me. If I weren’t so concerned about her studies, I would never have allowed such people into this house at all.”

Ranvijay immediately understood she was talking about Swara, and he wanted to stop his mother from saying another word. But before he could, Balvinder spoke in a calm yet firm voice.

“Rekha, there’s no need for unnecessary stubbornness. Yes, we are a mafia… the whole world fears us. But you have seen what happened to Aastha. Today, Sukhwinder’s entire family is destroyed. Aastha has lost her mental balance completely. What good was it, being in a mafia? Both of us are trying our best to get justice for Aastha, searching for that boy, but what use is it now? The damage is already done, both Aastha and my brother’s family have been ruined. That is why I fully agree with Ranvijay. I will never allow such a fate to fall on my daughter, and I agree I don't know about the future. It is better that we prepare her in advance.”

Rekha turned and glared at her husband in anger, then looked back at Ranvijay and screamed furiously.

“And if, because of your so-called principles, this good proposal slips away, and your sister never gets married, then what?”

Ranvijay’s voice grew hard, his eyes filled with determination.

“Even if that happens, I won’t regret it…. What matters most to me is that my sister is alive, safe, and living with dignity. That is worth far more than any marriage. I can provide for my sister all her life. In fact, I will make her so capable that she will never need to depend on anyone. Secondly, one marriage proposal does not justify a whole life. You are still living in the old era. Try to move forward slightly. Have you seen this girl? To what extent does her innocence and childhood still remain? I don’t want her to be forced into serious situations before her time. I don’t want her laughter to fade away because of marriage. Our lives already hold so few moments of happiness. When we come home, seeing you, Grandma, and Priyanka smile—that is our greatest joy. Who knows what tomorrow holds? But you refuse to understand. Priyanka’s marriage will not happen now, and this is final. There will be no further discussion on this. I have to leave for work in Bangalore tomorrow morning, and I don't want anyone to bring up this topic behind my back. End this matter right here.”

As soon as Ranvijay got free, he went straight to his grandmother’s room. There, he noticed that she was sitting quietly on her bed with a small jewelry box in her lap, her wrinkled hands gently opening it, her eyes glowing with a childlike joy. Curious, he went closer and sat beside her. The moment his gaze fell inside the box, he saw a pair of earrings glistening softly. Without thinking twice, he leaned a little closer and asked warmly,

“These are so beautiful… For whom are they?”

“For Swara…” his grandmother replied with a tender smile.

The instant those words reached his ears, Ranvijay froze for a moment. His eyes remained fixed on the earrings, and almost unknowingly, his mind began to imagine Swara wearing them, her delicate face framed by those shining jewels. For a few moments, he felt as though the entire world around him had disappeared, there was no sound, no distraction, only the vision of Swara smiling shyly with those earrings on. His grandmother, meanwhile, continued gazing at the earrings, her smile broadening. She adored Swara immensely and had bought these earrings especially for her wedding. Since she could not walk much and knew she would not be able to attend the wedding personally, she had already decided that Priyanka would deliver them on her behalf. Only that very day, Swara herself had come to her and shared the news about her upcoming wedding. Overwhelmed with happiness, the old woman had immediately called the jeweler home and purchased the earrings without delay.

Ranvijay, unable to watch his grandmother straining herself, gently took the box from her hands and placed it safely on the side table. Then, half playfully, half firmly, he helped her lie down on the bed and said,

“Now go to sleep. I also need to rest. Tomorrow morning I have to leave early for Bangalore, so please, no more staying awake. You must quietly go to sleep now.”

She looked at him lovingly and blessed him, “Go, my child. May your journey be safe and full of success. And once you return, you must immediately start looking for a bride for you… I want to see your children.”

Ranvijay chuckled softly and replied with affection, “Yes, alright… I will surely bring a daughter-in-law home for you.”

After chatting with his grandmother for a while longer, he finally rushed back to his own room. Once inside, he quickly pulled out his wallet. The very first thing he did was take out a cherished photograph of Swara, which he had kept safe inside. A warm smile spread across his lips as he gazed at her picture. Speaking to it softly, as if she were standing right before him, he murmured,

“I’ll be away for a week, but the moment I return, I will talk to your family about our marriage. I cannot wait any longer I just want to make you the daughter-in-law of this house as soon as possible. And I promise you, Swara, whatever dreams you hold in your heart, I will fulfill them all even before you can think of them. That’s my vow to you...”

With that promise lingering in his heart, Ranvijay lay down without wasting another moment. He knew the next day would be hectic, with countless tasks to finish before his departure. Still, his biggest wish was to see Swara once before leaving, and he was determined not to delay it. He reminded himself that he must wake up early, and with that thought, he closed his eyes and drifted quickly into sleep.

The following morning, Ranvijay rose at dawn. After bathing, he dressed in a simple yet elegant kurta-pajama, his heart beating with both excitement and devotion. Without any delay, he took out his bike and rode straight to the temple. The moment his foot touched the first step of the temple stairs, a gentle smile appeared on his face, because right in front of him, he saw Swara offering water to Lord Shiva.

Her face glowed in the morning light, her features serene and radiant as she performed the ritual with utmost devotion. The soft smile playing on her lips was mesmerizing, almost divine. Ranvijay’s heart swelled with quiet joy as he watched her. For him, this sight was a blessing. Without breaking his gaze from her, he stepped inside, rang the temple bell with reverence, and folded his hands in prayer.

Swara, lost completely in her worship, did not notice him. She continued with full concentration, placing sandalwood paste carefully, her smile revealing the satisfaction and peace she felt in her heart. Her devotion spoke more than words ever could. Ranvijay stood silently, his hands joined, pretending to pray, yet in truth, his mind and heart were absorbed only in Swara.

Once she finished her prayer, Swara gracefully stood up, lifted her plate, and folded her hands in front of the deity. Ranvijay, almost instinctively, moved closer and stood beside her, also joining his hands in prayer. Closing his eyes, he whispered softly in his heart,

Until today, I have never asked for anything from you, Lord. But Swara, she believes in you so deeply. I don’t know what she is asking from you right now… But whatever it may be, please grant it to her. That is my only prayer.

When Swara opened her eyes, a calm smile lingered on her face. She looked once more at the Shivling with devotion and then quietly began to walk out, unaware of Ranvijay’s watchful eyes following her every step.

He allowed her to move a little distance ahead before he too walked after her, careful not to appear obvious. As she descended the temple steps, she reached an open courtyard below, where she paused. From her bag, she took out some grains of millet and scattered them with a tender smile. Immediately, pigeons flocked around, pecking happily at the food. Watching them, Swara’s smile deepened, her joy radiating in a way that made Ranvijay’s heart ache with longing.

Sitting nearby, tying the laces of his shoes, Ranvijay secretly watched her. The sight of her simple acts of kindness etched itself deeply into his memory. Each gesture, each smile of hers left an unforgettable imprint on his soul. These were the moments that kept him alive through his days, the very memories he carried in his heart wherever he went.

For a fleeting second, Swara’s eyes lifted and met his gaze. Realizing it, she immediately hid her smile, lowered her face, and, without another glance, finished scattering the millet before walking away quietly.

At that moment, the temple priest came near Ranvijay and applied a sacred tilak on his forehead, blessing him for a safe journey. But Ranvijay’s eyes did not move from Swara’s departing figure. Even as the priest chanted blessings for his travels, suddenly, Ranvijay moved forward and grabbed a chair, striking a boy with terrifying force. Swara, who had walked a little ahead, hears the violent sounds behind her and instantly turns back to see Ranvijay mercilessly beating the boy. No one present there has any idea why Ranvijay is doing this, but his eyes look as if they are filled with bloodlust. Just moments ago, when Swara was leaving, that boy had been staring at her in such a way as if he was about to devour her, and Ranvijay could not tolerate it at all.

The boy is now drenched in blood, and Ranvijay’s white kurta has turned crimson in several places, stained with the boy’s blood. Ranvijay immediately looks toward Swara, who is standing frozen and staring back at him. At once, he snaps his fingers sharply at her, making her jolt and clutch her chest in fright. From a distance, he yells at her with a roar.

"Khadi kya hai? Ja yahan se…"

(What are you standing there for? Go… get out of here)

She quickly runs away from there, he is standing and checking her. Ranvijay’s heart remained fixed on only one thought, that soon he would return, and when he did, he would never let her walk away again. He would bring her into his life, into his home, forever.