The atmosphere buzzed gently with conversations, today was Karva Chauth and it had brought the Rathores and Malhotras together an occasion that was celebrated for husband 's long life .but also about strengthening ties. It was the first time both families were celebrating together as divya wanted to.

Everyone was seated in the lavish living room. The elders chatted, the younger ones shared glances and laughter, and the air was scented with fresh marigold garlands and sandalwood incense.

Divya glanced around and softly clapped her hands together, gaining everyone's attention. "Chaliye, puja shuru karte hain ," she said with a warm smile. "It's getting late."

Arti stood up beside her, nodding with a gentle smile. Just as the two women were about to walk toward the mandir, Abhijeet looked up from where he sat next to Anand and Abhinav and asked, "Ranvijay aur Rishabh kaha reh gaye? "

Divya's smile faltered ever so slightly as she reached for her phone. "Main dekhti hoon. Dono office gaye the, late ho gaya hoga. I'll just check."

As she walked away, the room settled into a quiet buzz again.

Ishani stood silently near the carved wooden divider, her presence delicate yet anchored. His name .

It hadn't even been spoken directly to her, but it struck like a silent storm inside her chest. Her breath hitched slightly, fingers tightening around the folds of her maroon saree.

She could feel the chaos in her own heart while everyone else remained untouched by it. Her gaze dropped, and she shifted slightly, trying to calm the invisible wave rushing through her.

Divya, Arti, and Chaya stood near the mandir space, surrounded by platters of flowers, diyas, and shimmering puja thalis. Their hands moved swiftly yet gracefully as they spoke in hushed tones, their voices a gentle melody of care and tradition.

"Poora din bina khaaye nikaalna mushkil toh hota hai," Arti said with a soft laugh, placing a diya onto a silver tray.

Chaya nodded dramatically. "Main toh bas paani dekh ke ro rahi thi! Kal se fast ka naam bhi nahi lena," she added, making both women chuckle.

Divya smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Lekin mann se karein toh bhukh bhi kam lagti hai... aur sab ek saath ho toh din bhi achha guzarta hai."

Ishani stood quietly nearby, holding a large plate of fresh marigold petals and rose buds. She listened to them talk, a faint smile playing on her lips, even though her heart beat just a little faster than normal. The plate in her hand was light, but the moment felt heavy.

Divya turned to her with a kind expression and handed her a new task. "Beta, yeh puja ki thali suder se saja do. Saare kalash aur chandan bhi rakh dena."

Ishani nodded, her voice barely above a whisper, "Ji, aunty."

She moved with her usual grace, settling on the low wooden stool as she began arranging the flowers around the edges of the thali. Each petal she placed was carefully spaced, her hands steady and delicate. Her brows furrowed in concentration, and her lashes kissed her cheeks every time she blinked.

But just as she reached for the kalash, her vision swayed ever so slightly. A strange warmth crawled up her neck, and for a second, everything around her tilted.

She blinked hard and steadied herself, tightening her grip on the silver plate.

Not now, she thought, sucking in a quiet breath and keeping her eyes low.

She had been fasting too.

She was fasting for Ranvijay.

Though she wasn't married yet, she had chosen to observe the fast-quietly, without fanfare. It wasn't something expected of her, yet she had embraced it with the same grace she carried through everything in life.

She and Ranvijay had been engaged for nearly a year now. It wasn't a story written in love or shared dreams it was a decision made between two families. Anand Malhotra and Abhinav Rathore, long-time friends and business partners, had considered it the perfect alliance. And with the blessings of both sides, the engagement had taken place with grandeur.

Ishani had accepted the bond without resistance. For her, family came first. If this was what her parents believed was right for her, then she would walk the path laid out. She wanted her parents to see happy and now they are happy.

But in truth she didn't know him.

Ranvijay was a stranger with a familiar name.

And yet today, on Karva Chauth, she was fasting for him.

Not because he asked.

Not because she loved him.

But because she was raised to honor commitments... even the quiet, lonely ones. She sighed thinking all .

The preparations were complete.

The plates were decorated, the aartis arranged, and the soft scent of rose petals and incense lingered in the air. The garden had been transformed into a glowing canvas of marigold garlands, fairy lights, and brass lamps. A perfect setting for the Karva Chauth puja.

One by one, the women of house stepped into the garden with their puja thalis, the red bangles on their wrists chiming with every step.

Laughter echoed, the atmosphere filled with warmth, tradition, and anticipation.

Ishani walked at the end of the line, her steps slow, her thali held carefully in her hennaed hands. The soft tinkling of her payal was drowned in her thoughts as her eyes kept drifting toward the main gate quietly, hopefully.

Where was he?

She hadn't asked aloud. But her heart did again and again.

Divya walked up beside her, her eyes gentle, observant. "Ishani beta," she said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay? You look... tired."

Ishani blinked out of her daze and quickly masked her exhaustion with a soft smile. "I'm fine aunty... just a little light-headed. It'll go away."

But Divya had noticed her eyes-how they kept darting toward the gate, how she'd paused every time a car horn was heard from afar.

She understood.

Without saying much, she gently held Ishani's arm and said, "Come with me, beta."

Ishani followed, her heart skipping with unspoken hope.

Women stood with their thalis clutched gently in hand, their eyes lifted toward the sky, searching for the moon that would soon grant them the blessing to end their fast.

The atmosphere buzzed with quiet excitement and soft murmurs. Shiv stood slightly to the side, hands in his pockets, watching the women tilt their heads up in anticipation.

A teasing smile tugged at his lips as he said, "Chaand bhai aaja ."

A burst of laughter followed light and easy cutting through the evening's stillness. Even Abhijeet chuckled, shaking his head.

Just then, a voice rose above them all.

"Chaand!" Siya squealed, pointing toward the sky with a bright grin on her face. "There it is!"

Heads turned upward, and there it was the moon, soft and silvery, peeking out from behind the clouds like a shy bride. Smiles bloomed across every face. A soft rustle moved through the group as they adjusted their veils and prepared for the ritual.

But Arti's voice broke through the calm, her words directed toward Divya, "Ranvijay kaha hai? Ishani can't break her fast without him."

The mention of his name made Ishani's fingers tighten slightly around her thali. Her heart stilled for a moment, thudding loud enough in her chest that it drowned the distant laughter. Her eyes dropped to the ground, then lifted toward the gate again, silently pleading Come. Please come.

The air suddenly felt heavier around her.

She had kept this fast... for him.

And then she thought he must be busy as their family always says .

Divya's gaze immediately flicked to Ishani, noticing the unease etched subtly across her delicate face. Her smile faded just a touch, replaced by concern.

Divya quietly walked over to Ishani, who stood slightly apart from the group, her thali trembling ever so slightly in her hands. Her eyes remained fixed on the garden gate, as if willing him to appear.

Divya placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Woh aayega, beta," she said softly, her voice warm with reassurance.

"Thoda traffic hoga, ya koi kaam ruk gaya hoga... but he must be on his way. Don't worry, hmm?"

Ishani looked up, her eyes shimmering, the moonlight reflecting off the thin sheen of sweat on her forehead. She nodded faintly, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Meanwhile, Anand stood near the patio steps, his phone pressed to his ear. He frowned. "Phone nahi utha rahe hain dono. " he muttered, lowering the phone and exchanging a glance with Divya. A quiet tension settled in.

A wave of guilt rolled through Ishani's chest, thick and suffocating. She stepped forward, her voice clear but low. "Please... aap sab puja shuru kijiye," she urged, her eyes moving from one elder to another.

"Main nahi chahti ki meri wajah se sab ruk jaaye. Aap sab ne vrat rakha hai... main intezaar kar sakti hoon."

Her mother placed a hand on her cheek, her expression tender and conflicted. "Beta, hum thoda aur ruk jaate hain"

"Nahi Maa," Ishani said firmly, forcing a small smile on her lips. "Woh aa jaayenge... lekin sab ka bhookha rehna theek nahi hai."

Her words left little space for argument.

After a brief pause, Divya nodded. "Theek hai, phir hum shuru karte hain."

Arti, Chaya, and Divya moved toward their husbands, their thalis in hand, eyes lifted to the moon as they began the rituals, prayers whispered into the night air. The scent of incense floated between the blooming flowers.

Ishani stood behind them, clutching her own thali, a small smile tracing her lips. Her eyes didn't leave the gate. She stood still, the gentle clinking of bangles echoing with every breath she took.

Siya and Shiv stood near the decorative arch, posing for pictures under the fairy lights. Shiv struck a dramatic pose, earning an eye-roll from Siya before she burst out laughing and clicked the picture anyway.

From a little distance, Ishani stood quietly, holding her thali close, her expression soft. A faint smile played on her lips as she watched them, the moonlight catching the curve of her face.

Siya noticed her and grinned.

"Oye pyari bhabhi ," she said, walking over with her phone raised. Before Ishani could respond, the flash went off.

Ishani blinked, caught off-guard, but then her lips parted into a shy smile.

"Siya!" she laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Siya looked at the photo and whistled dramatically. "Uff... look at this candid! You're glowing like full moon, bhabhi. I'm sending this to bhai right now!"

Ishani's smile faltered, her eyes widening. "Nahi, Siya... please mat bhejna!" she said quickly, reaching out as if to take the phone.

But Siya stepped back with a mischievous smirk. "Arre kyun? Let him see what he's missing by being late. Dekho toh sahi, he'll regret it immediately."

Ishani looked down, her cheeks tinted with a soft blush. "Bas... don't tease," she whispered, barely meeting Siya's playful gaze.

"Okay okay... I won't send it... abhi," Siya said with a wink, linking arms with her. "But you really do look beautiful ".

Ishani smiled, heart fluttering quietly under her calm exterior. But deep inside, the wait still lingered-like a weight refusing to lift.

Just then, a sharp honk echoed near the gate.

Ishani's breath hitched.Her heartbeat raced, wild and uneven in her chest. She clutched her thali a little tighter, the red bangles on her wrist making a sound .

He is here .