2:30 AM

The doorbell rang like an alarm for drama.

Vihaan strutted in like a proud groom, still in his slightly torn sherwani, with Maahi over his shoulder—angry, furious, and kicking like a wild cat.

Maahi:

"Vihaan! Neeche utaro mujhe! Tum pagal ho! Yeh koi shaadi thi?"

Vihaan (grinning):

"Tum meri patni ho ab, attitude thoda kam karo… ghar aagaye ho!"

He finally set her down at the entrance. She straightened her clothes and immediately raised her hand to slap him—

SMACK!!

But not from Maahi.

Nani’s steel water bottle met Vihaan’s back.

Nani:

"Tu hai ya pareshani ka portable version? Dulhan ko le aaya jaise Amazon se order kiya ho — bina consent ke, bina invite ke!"

Vihaan (rubbing his back):

"Nani, mujhe lagta tha aap khush hongi."

Nani:

"Khush? Mujhe toh heart attack hi ho gaya hota agar Maahi itni sundar na hoti toh!"

She turned to Maahi, her tone suddenly sweet.

"Beta, tu toh bilkul chand jaisi lag rahi hai… bas difference yeh hai ki chand ko chaandni pasand hoti hai, tujhe toh pagal dulha mil gaya!"

Maahi gave a forced smile, still furious but too drained to argue.

Niyati walked in, holding a glass of water.

Niyati:

"Hi… Maahi bhabhi mujhe toh pehle se Shak tha ki mere bhai aur aapka kuch chal ra hai remember me Niyati. Vihaan ki behen, unfortunately."

Maahi gave a small chuckle despite herself.

Maahi:

"I’m really sorry, Niyati. Tumhare bhai ne mujhe literally uthake le aaya. Mujhe samajh hi nahi aa raha hoon ki gussa karun, roun, ya usse jail bhej doon."

Niyati (smiling softly):

"Rona bhi mat, jail bhi mat bhejna… bas thoda adjust kar lo… kya pata, is pagal ke dil mein pyaar bhi ho. Hidden version mein."

Maahi (sipping water):

"Pyaar chhodo… mujhe toh lagta hai iske dimaag mein screw hi loose hai."

Niyati laughed.

"Screw toh kya… pura toolbox hi missing hai."

Both girls laughed, and for the first time since the chaos, Maahi smiled genuinely.

Niyati (gently):

"Dekho Maahi, jo bhi hua… galat tareeke se hua. Lekin main promise karti hoon, jab tak tum yahan ho, tum meri zimmedaari ho. Bhai ne jo kiya, uske liye main sorry bolti hoon… lekin tum akeli nahi ho."

Maahi looked at her, eyes softening.

"Thanks, Niyati… Tumse milke accha laga. Kam se kam is pagal family mein ek sensible insaan toh hai."

Vihaan (from behind):

"Hello?? I’m also here, in case anyone forgot!"

Nani:

"Haan haan… sabse pehle tumhara medical test karwana hai. Dimaag check karna zaroori hai!"

The room filled with light laughter, easing the tension, as Maahi slowly started accepting this unexpected beginning—with one sane devarani, one hilarious nani, and one completely pagal pati.

Later That Night

The mansion was quiet. Nani had finally stopped her taunts, and Niyati had made Maahi comfortable in the guest room. Vihaan, wearing a mischievous smile and nervous excitement in his heart, opened the door and stepped in slowly.

“Shaadi ki pehli raat hai, Mrs. Maahi Vihaan Sharma ,” he whispered dramatically, straightening his kurta collar.

“Ab toh tum officially meri ho…”

He took a step closer, but something didn’t feel right.

Maahi was too still.

Her head tilted unnaturally, lips slightly pale, and her hands cold.

“Maahi?” he said, confused.

No response.

He moved closer, his heart suddenly dropping. He touched her cheek—ice cold.

“Maahi!!”

He shook her, panic rising.

Her pulse… weak.

Her breathing… shallow.

“Yeh kya kar diya tumne?” he choked out.

Without wasting a second, Vihaan lifted her in his arms again—but this time, the pride was gone. His hands trembled. His eyes were wild with fear.

---

Vihaan’s Private Clinic — 3:12 AM

Vihaan burst through the door of his secluded clinic, still in his wedding clothes. He laid Maahi on the stretcher, grabbing gloves, IV lines, and antidotes with urgency only a trained doctor could possess.

“Come on Maahi… tum aise nahi ja sakti. You don't get to leave me like this. Not today!”

He administered the antidote, checking her vitals every second. His confident hands trembled, fighting time, fighting fate.

“Tum mujhse nafrat kar sakti ho… mujhe maar sakti ho… lekin khud ko nahi…”

Minutes passed like hours.

And then—

A cough.

A faint movement of her fingers.

[40 Minutes Later – The room is quiet. Vihaan hasn’t moved from her side.]

Suddenly, Maahi’s fingers twitch. Her lips part slightly.

Maahi (whispers):

“Vi…haan…”

Vihaan bolts upright, his eyes wide. He leans closer instantly, grabbing her hand tightly.

Vihaan (barely holding it together):

“Maahi?! Oh my God—Maahi!! You’re awake? Say something—anything!”

Maahi (weakly):

“It hurts…”

Vihaan (gasping):

“Good! It should hurt! That’s what being alive feels like!”

He wipes his face with his arm—he’s been crying. Then suddenly, his tone changes. He's furious—but in pain.

Vihaan (raising his voice, voice shaking):

“What the hell were you thinking?! Huh?! Do you think this is some damn drama shownothing—scared me like seeing you lying unconscious in my arms. Blue lips. No pulse. Cold skin!”

Maahi (tired, hiding tears in her eyes):

“Why does it even matter so much to you, Vihaan? I was never your priority anyway…”

Vihaan (eyes burning, voice low but intense):

“You think I don’t care? Fine. From now on, I won’t.”

(turns around and walks away without another word)

---

4:03 AM

The sky was still dark, the world quiet… except for the soft rhythm of Aditi’s breathing as she slowly stirred awake.

She found herself tucked perfectly in Keyansh’s arms, his chin resting gently above her head, his fingers lightly intertwined with hers.

She tilted her head up.

He was already awake, eyes quietly admiring her like she was the only piece of peace in his chaotic world.

“Tum kab se jaag rahe ho?” she asked, her voice raspy.

Keyansh smiled faintly.

“Tab se jab tumne meri baahon mein sigh karke ‘hmph’ kiya tha. Thoda cute laga.”

Aditi smirked, rolled her eyes playfully—then leaned in.

A soft, slow kiss.

A peck on her lips. Just enough to say “I’m here.”

And then he gently pulled away, letting her rest again.

---

Around 9 AM

Maahi stirred on the hospital bed Vihaan had taken her to. Her head ached, and the events of last night came flooding back—her wedding, the poison, Vihaan’s trembling hands, the pain in his voice.

She sat up, still shaken.

The door creaked open.

It was Aditi—her eyes red from crying, but her expression soft.

Without a word, Aditi rushed forward and hugged her tight.

“Tu pagal ho gayi hai kya?” she whispered, trembling.

“Kya zarurat thi yeh sab karne ki?”

Maahi stayed still for a second, then quietly replied,

“Because… Keyansh tumse pyaar karta hai, Aditi. Aur main uske beech mein aa rahi thi.”

Aditi pulled back, shocked.

“Kya?! Maahi, no. You got it all wrong. There’s nothing like that between us.”

Maahi’s eyes welled up.

“Toh kal raat… mandap se pehle… tum dono?”

Aditi bit her lip, holding back the flood of confusion.

She sat beside her and took a deep breath.

“Yes… we did make out. But it wasn’t what you think.”

Maahi stared, confused.

Aditi continued, softly:

“That night… I was almost assaulted. Kartik tried to force himself on me. Keyansh came looking for me. He saved me, Maahi. And… I just broke. Emotionally. We were both vulnerable. It wasn’t love… it was a moment. An impulsive, emotional moment.”

Maahi looked away, processing.

Aditi touched her hand.

“You don’t get it, Maahi. Keyansh… he knew Vihaan would never let you marry someone else. He knows your husband too well. Maybe… maybe he stepped back because he didn’t want to ruin your life.”

Maahi’s voice cracked.

“Toh main kya hoon? Bas ek responsibility? Ek trophy jise Vihaan sambhal ke rakhna chahta hai?”

Aditi shook her head.

“No. You’re someone Vihaan can’t breathe without. He just doesn’t know how to show love the right way.”

A pause.

Then Aditi added, smiling weakly:

“Aur Keyansh? He is something i can,t accept but can't resist as well i agree i make our with him because i love him Maahi i loved him like Vihaan did to you I literally saw him crying for you while treating you Maahi he loves you more than anything else .”

Maahi wiped her tears, feeling a strange mix of guilt, confusion, and warmth.

Toh phir woh sab kya tha usne mujhe tod diya Aditi meri zindagi se chala gaya jab uski zarurat thi aur jab move on Kiya toh woh waapis aa gaya wou bhi pshyco ban kar kyun?

Aditi huffed

Kya pta uske reasons honge warna woh tereko dekhne ke liye apni kamar tudwane ko taiyarr rehta tha forth floor mei chhdakar dekhne aata tha tereko uska pyaar jhuta nahin ho skta woh kuch chhupa ra hai tujhse tu usse smajhne ki koshish kar kabhi na kabhi woh tujhe bta dega aakhir biwi hai tu uski.

Maahi stared at the table and then

pta nhi Aditi par agar sach mein inn sab ke peeche koi reason hai toh woh bahut pitega mujhse hearing this they both laughed and somehow her mood lighten up

Maybe this wasn’t the end of her story.

Maybe… it was just the messy beginning.

Hospital room – Maahi is lying on the bed, silent, eyes tired. Door opens suddenly. Vihaan and Keyansh walk in together.]

Keyansh (dramatically throwing his arms up):

"Shaadi nahi karni thi toh bata deti na Maahi! Itna bada stunt dikhane ki kya zarurat thi?"

Maahi (shocked, thoda guilty, weak voice):

"Keyansh… main—"

Keyansh (interrupts, sarcastically):

"Aree haan haan, mujhe yaad aa gaya… tumhare toh muh se 'no' nikalta hi nahi! Direct suicide karna zyada convenient tha, right?"

(rolls eyes)

"Waise soch raha hoon… Vihaan ka plan better tha… kidnap kar ke shaadi!Vihaan (grits his teeth, glares at Keyansh):

"Keyansh, bas kar..."

Keyansh (laughs softly, casually sits on chair):

"Nahi bhai, sach bol raha hoon. Suicide? Seriously Maahi? Film ki climax tu hi ban gayi! ‘Dulhan chali hospital’ edition!"

Aditi( angrily) - keyansh can you pls shut for a moment

Keyansh - yes my lord

[Maahi looks at Vihaan, their eyes meet for a second. Her voice is soft, tired.]

Maahi:

"I’m feeling a little weak… I think I just want to be alone for a while.