Bhai aur Bhabhi poore ghar mein kahin nahi hai..." He disconnected the call abruptly, slamming his phone down as his jeep’s speed surged forward. His fingers clenched tightly around the steering wheel, knuckles white, and his jaw tensed with frustration. He was sure she couldn’t have run away easily—but the fact that he had misunderstood her and fallen right into her trap made his anger turn inward.

(She isn't anywhere in the house.)

His phone rang again—Soori’s name flashing on the screen. He snatched the phone and answered quickly.

"Bhai aap ghar aajaiye..."

(Come home...)

"Mil gayi?"

(Did you find her?)

"Bhai aap ake khud dekh lijiye..."

(Brother, come and see for yourself...)

His steps slowed as he spotted Jai standing near a tree.

"Soori?" he called out.

"Bhai neeche..." came Soori’s voice through the call. He looked down—and there she was, lying on the ground. Shock crashed through him.

He disconnected the call and took a few steps forward, bending down toward her.

"Lagta hai khuli hawa mein sone ki aadat hai..." Soori joked from behind him, glancing at the small window she had jumped through into the backyard.

(Looks like she likes sleeping in the open air.)

Guru stared at the tiny window, a wave of disbelief washing over him. How on earth did she fit through that small hole? For a moment, a shadow of melancholy passed through his eyes.

"Bhai, Bhabhi ko yahi sone do? Ya andar leke chale?" Soori asked, but all he gave her was a cold glare.

(Should we let her sleep here? Or bring her inside?)

"Doctor ko call kar..." he ordered sharply.

He lifted her carefully in his arms, bridal style, and for the first time really looked at her—his wife—her face soft and vulnerable. Shaking off the storm of thoughts, he sighed deeply and carried her inside.

He sprinkled a few drops of water on her face.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was the ceiling. For a moment, she was confused—how had the sky turned into the ceiling? Then her gaze shifted, meeting Guru’s, who held a glass of water patiently.

Quickly, she closed her eyes, not wanting to answer any questions. She had no energy left. No one pressed her. Silence hung until the doctor arrived.

"Bas thodi weakness ki wajah se inhe chakkar aagaye the, aap inhe kuch khila de aur yeh medicine dede... or ho sakta toh koi stress na hi diya jaye toh accha hoga..."

(She’s a little weak, that’s why she fainted. Give her something to eat and these medicines. And if possible, don’t give her any stress.)

The doctor handed over some medicine and packed up. After a last lingering look at her, confusion written all over his face, he left.

Seeing Soori walk beside the doctor, Guru seized the chance to ask, making sure no one else was around.

"Waise ye thi kaun?"

(By the way, who is she?)

Soori stopped and smirked.

"Woh apki, apun ki, Jai ki, is poori duniya ki Bhabhi hai..."

(She is the sister-in-law of you, me, Jai, and the whole world.)

"Aur Guru bhai ki?"

(And what about Guru?)

"Unki biwi hai, tabhi toh hum sabki Bhabhi hui."

(She’s his wife, that’s why she’s our sister-in-law.)

---

"Mujhe nahi khana..." she whispered weakly.

(I don’t want to eat.)

Soori grinned, hopeful.

"Samosa, woh toh khati hongi aap?"

(Samosa, you must eat that, right?)

"Nahi..." Her smile vanished instantly.

"Me dieting pe hu." she lied smoothly.

(I’m on a diet.)

"Biryani?" Jai tried again, adding another tempting option.

"Me vegetarian hu... SUDDHA SHAKAHARI!" she snapped, grinding her teeth in irritation.

(I’m a vegetarian... pure vegetarian!)

"Toh veg biryani?"

"Ji nahiii!!"

"Dal, chaval, sabji, roti, paneer, parathe—kuch toh khati hongi na aap..."

(Lentils, rice, vegetables, bread, paneer, parathas—you must eat something, right?)

"Ha khati hu na... logo ko dimag jaake fry karke laadon." she blurted out sarcastically, but Soori didn’t get the sarcasm at all.

(Yeah, I like to fry people’s brains and bring them.)

Soori laughed and turned to Jai.

"Guru bhai ka dimag fry karde kya?"

(Should we fry Guru’s brain?)

Jai rubbed his head where Soori had slapped him and sighed deeply, stepping out to find Guru on the phone.

"Bhai..."

Guru turned, raising his eyebrows at Jai.

"Bhabhi..." Jai whispered, eyes begging him to notice her drama.

Jai turned away as Guru’s attention shifted to Soori, who was approaching them.

"Bhai... lagta hai Bhabhi bhooke marne ke poore mood mein hai..."

(Brother... looks like sister-in-law is in full ‘starving to death’ mood.)

Guru’s phone rang again.

"Tum dono yaha se kahi nahi jana, apun late hojayega... aur jo bhi hai khane ka sab kamre mein rakhdo, bhook lagegi toh khana hi padega."

(Don’t go anywhere from here, I’ll be late... and keep all the food in her room, if she feels hungry she’ll have to eat.)

He answered the call and hurried outside.

---

Avni glanced at the wall clock; her eyes widened in shock. It was 12:23 PM.

"Avni get up!!!"

"It’s too late and you’re sleeping like a pig!!"

Memories of her mother flooded her heart, and tears welled up. Her mother would have scolded her harshly for waking up so late.

Or maybe she’d never have let me come here... I’d still be living with her.

She wiped her tears away just as she heard a noise outside.

So by law, she was married without her consent.

Nice.

She opened the door cautiously and looked around, searching desperately for someone who could save her. All hope drained when her eyes landed on Guru.

She stared daggers at him, her gaze burning with hate. Behind him, sensing someone’s presence, Guru turned and found his newlywed wife glaring fiercely.

Their eyes locked longer than expected, but there was no warmth—only hatred and something darker.

Seeing a woman in his house after so long was still a shock to him, and the thought of living with her haunted him.

He was sure if she got the chance, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill him—but who cared?

No one was going to give her that chance—not in this life.

Her grip on the door tightened, memories of everything he had done crashing over her. An urge to hurt him surged inside, but she shut the door firmly in his face.

She took a deep breath, telling herself to calm down—for now.

Before stepping into the bathroom, she peeked inside to check if it was clean. It was old-fashioned but decent enough. She ignored it; right now, only cold water could soothe her burning heart.

She washed her face and suddenly realized—she had no toothbrush, no toothpaste, nothing. Not even clothes.

Stepping out, she scanned the room and spotted the bag Soori had given her last night.

"Thank God."

She opened it and found sanitary pads, shampoo, and other essentials. Toothbrush and toothpaste too. She hadn’t expected this from him.

Playing the so-called husband card?

Curious, she opened another bag filled with clothes. Laying the garments on the bed, she tore open the packages—and her eyes nearly popped out in shock.

Anger exploded inside her. She threw the packages open and her rage reached its peak.

Her fist clenched tight. Without thinking, she stormed out and found him sitting on the sofa, still on the phone.

His focus shattered at the sight of her.

Before he could say a word, she hurled all the dresses right at his face.