At the hospital, Gauri leaned forward and kissed Charvi's forehead, relief flooding her heart.
Doctor Mehta entered with the fresh reports in hand. "Gauri," he said, looking almost baffled, "Charvi's recovery is remarkable. At this pace, she can be discharged tomorrow."
Gauri's eyes lit up. "Really, Doctor Mehta? That soon?"
"Yes," he replied firmly, though still shaking his head in disbelief. "Eighteen-year-old patients with her condition usually take weeks to stabilize, but Charvi's body has bounced back in just days. Honestly, I still can't find a medical explanation."
Charvi, sitting up a little straighter, smiled at her sister. "See, Gauri? I told you I'd get better."
Gauri squeezed her hand, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm just so happy you're okay."
Doctor Mehta added with a faint smile, "She's almost nineteen—her strength is admirable. But still, this recovery… it feels nothing short of miraculous."
Because Charvi was no ordinary young adult—she was Gauri's divine predictor. Her destiny demanded that her powers awaken soon, and for that, her body needed to heal at an unnatural pace. The bond between them was the key, and unknowingly, Gauri's presence was the very elixir speeding Charvi's recovery.
Meanwhile, at the Kothari mansion, Sharda summoned the entire family to the hall. Her presence alone carried weight, and everyone gathered quietly as she stood in the center with commanding poise.
"It's Vrath Savitri tomorrow," Sharda announced, her voice calm but firm. "All married women of this house will keep the fast for their husband's long life."
Dadi nodded approvingly, picking up a decorated shagun thali. She handed it to Urvashi, who bent to touch her feet. "Bless me, Maaji," Urvashi said softly.
"Always," Dadi blessed, placing her hand on Urvashi's head.
Sharda then turned to Raani, offering her another thali. "This came from your future mother-in-law. You will fast for Bharat tomorrow."
Raani smiled shyly, but before she could reply, Yug piped up with his usual mischief. "But Bharat is in London. How will she break her fast—by eating the Wi-Fi signal?"
A few chuckled, but Sharda's glare silenced them. "She will break her fast via video call," Sharda said crisply. "Tradition may bend, but it will not break."
She then instructed one of the helpers, "Go call Gauri. She must also take her thali."
Moments later, the helper returned nervously. "Bade maa… Gauri bhabhi is not at home."
Sharda's brows knitted together. "Not at home?" Her voice sharpened. "How can a daughter-in-law walk out of this house whenever she pleases? She belongs to this family now, and she must learn its ways."
The room fell silent. Just then, Vihaan entered, adjusting his uniform cap.
"Where is Gauri?" Sharda demanded the moment she saw him.
Vihaan looked up, slightly surprised. "She must be at home."
"She isn't," Sharda cut him off coldly. "Do you even know where your wife is?"
A heavy pause lingered. Then Sharda added, her tone biting, "You are failing to handle your wife, Vihaan. A husband must keep his household in order. If you can't even account for your own wife, how will you command respect outside this home?"
Vihaan clenched his jaw, silent under Sharda's scrutiny while Gauri's absence hung like a question mark in the room.
The room stayed tense as everyone avoided Sharda's piercing gaze. Vihaan still stood quietly, his hands clenched behind his back.
Sharda's voice cut through the silence. "I don't care how she lived before marriage. That life is behind her now. After marriage, she must live by this family's rules."
Her words carried the finality of a decree, leaving no room for argument. Urvashi and Raani lowered their heads, while Yug shifted uncomfortably, clearly itching to speak in Gauri's defense but restraining himself under Sharda's stern presence.
Dadi sighed softly, glancing at Vihaan, hoping he would say something, but he remained unreadable, his jaw tight.
Sharda then added, "Tell her when she returns—no excuses will be tolerated. A Kothari bahu doesn't come and go as she pleases."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the family heavy with unspoken thoughts, and Vihaan silently burning with emotions he couldn't yet put into words.
Just then, the main door opened, and Gauri stepped in, her dupatta fluttering lightly with the evening breeze. She paused, noticing the stiff expressions on everyone's faces. Yug subtly raised his brows at her, and she signaled with her eyes, what happened? Before he could whisper back, Sharda, who had been halfway up the stairs, stopped mid-step and turned, her eyes narrowing.
"Gauri," Sharda's tone carried the weight of authority. "Where did you go?"
Caught under the sudden scrutiny, Gauri clasped her hands nervously. "I… I went to meet my mom and sister," she said carefully, avoiding details about the hospital.
Sharda's lips curved in a knowing, almost cold smile. "Your family, hmm? Veena has told me quite a lot about them." She walked back down, her eyes never leaving Gauri. "Tomorrow is Vrat Savitri. Since we are also having a puja, I would like you to invite your family. It will show respect from one home to another."
Gauri nodded, relieved by the unexpected softness. "Okay."
"Good." Sharda turned to Veena. "Hand her a thali."
Veena hesitated a moment but obeyed, pressing the silver thali into Gauri's hands with stiff fingers.
Sharda's voice cut through the silence again. "Tomorrow, you will fast for Vihaan."
Gauri blinked in surprise, the words lodging in her throat. "What?" she blurted out, wide-eyed.
The thali trembled slightly in her grip, and every pair of eyes in the hall turned to her, waiting for her reaction.