Aarav stopped Chahat just as she was about to leave and said softly,
"Don't be upset… I was just kidding. Wait, I'll take the lizard out."
Chahat looked at him for a second, then a small smile appeared on her face. "Okay," she replied gently.
Aarav walked into the bathroom, picked up a stick, and with calm ease, managed to push the lizard out through the window. Within a few moments, he returned and said in a relaxed tone,
"It's gone now. You can go and take a bath without any fear."
Chahat let out a small breath of relief. "Okay… thank you."
Aarav shook his head slightly and smiled.
"There's no 'sorry' or 'thank you' in friendship."
For a moment, both of them just looked at each other… and then smiled softly. That small moment felt different—lighter, warmer. Without saying anything more, Chahat went inside the bathroom.
After some time, Chahat came out, fresh and calm. Just then, Aarav's mother called her from her room.
"Chahat beta, come here."
Chahat walked in and sat respectfully in front of her. Aarav's mother observed her carefully—the softness on her face, the calmness in her eyes… and the faint happiness that she was trying to hide.
With a gentle smile, she said,
"Dear, your face is saying everything. Things are fine between you and Aarav now, right?"
Chahat lowered her eyes shyly and nodded.
"Yes, Mother… he listened to me. He understood everything very patiently."
Aarav's mother smiled with satisfaction and placed her hand lovingly over Chahat's hand.
"I told you… my son cannot stay angry with you for long."
Then her expression softened even more as she asked,
"Did you talk to your parents?"
At that moment, Chahat's smile faded. Her eyes slowly dropped, and her voice became heavy.
"No… they are very upset with me. They didn't even answer my call."
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
Aarav's mother didn't say anything for a second. She simply pulled Chahat into a warm hug and gently stroked her head.
"Don't cry, dear… everything will be fine. These things take time."
She cupped Chahat's face with both hands and said softly,
"And from now on, you can think of me as your mother too."
Those words touched Chahat deeply, and her eyes filled again—but this time, there was comfort in them.
Suddenly, Aarav's mother remembered something and lightly tapped her forehead.
"Oh! I almost forgot why I called you. Wait here."
She went to her cupboard, opened it, and took out a beautifully folded saree along with some elegant jewelry. Walking back, she handed them to Chahat.
"Today is your Muh Dikhai ceremony," she said warmly. "Some relatives and neighborhood ladies will come to see you. Wear this saree and these ornaments—you will look very beautiful."
Chahat smiled softly. "Okay, Mother."
She took the saree and jewelry and walked back to her room.
Soon, the house was glowing with lights and decorated with fresh flowers. The entire atmosphere was lively—laughter, soft music, and the sound of conversations filled every corner. Guests had already arrived, and most of them were women, excited to see the new bride.
In her room, Chahat was getting ready while Aarav's sister, Sikha, was helping her with great enthusiasm.
"Bhabhi, today you have to look the most beautiful!" Sikha said with a playful smile.
Chahat smiled shyly as Sikha carefully draped the maroon saree around her. The saree had delicate stone work, and its deep color made her beauty glow even more. Her makeup was soft and natural, enhancing her large almond-shaped eyes with liner and light eyeshadow.
A gentle blush added warmth to her cheeks, while a soft highlighter gave her skin a subtle glow. Her maroon lipstick perfectly balanced her look—elegant, simple, yet graceful.
Her necklace rested beautifully around her neck, the bindi on her forehead added charm, and the nose ring gave her a traditional touch. Her bangles softly chimed as she moved, her anklets shimmered with every step, and the mehendi on her hands looked dark and beautiful. The red alta on her feet completed her entire bridal appearance.
She looked… truly stunning.
Meanwhile, Sikha suddenly rushed to Aarav and said in a dramatic tone,
"Brother, come with me! I need to show you something urgently."
Her expressions were so serious that Aarav immediately became concerned.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Just come!" she insisted.
Without wasting time, Aarav followed her quickly to the room.
But the moment he stepped inside…
His eyes landed on Chahat.
And he stopped.
For a few seconds, he couldn't move… couldn't speak. He just stood there, looking at her.
She looked breathtaking.
There was something about her simplicity… something pure and graceful that made it impossible to look away.
Sikha cleared her throat loudly, breaking the moment.
"Ahem… bas bhaiya, enough!"
Aarav blinked and then looked at her with narrowed eyes. He walked toward her, lightly held her ear, and said teasingly,
"You naughty girl… so this is why you called me?"
Sikha laughed.
"Of course! And now tell me… how does your wife look?"
Aarav's gaze shifted back to Chahat, softer this time.
"Very beautiful… just like always."
Chahat felt her heart skip a beat.
Sikha immediately started teasing him, laughing at his reaction.
Just then, Aarav's mother entered the room. Seeing Aarav and Chahat together like that… smiling, comfortable… she felt a deep sense of happiness and relief.
But even in this beautiful moment, one question still remained—
Was Aarav truly moving on from Myra and accepting this new relationship?
Or was he simply accepting everything as fate… while his heart was still stuck in the past?
To find out… stay connected with the story.