The vanishing sun painted the skies of Sonambar in fiery gold and orange hues. Wedding preparations were carried out with great enthusiasm in the Rana household.

"Neither of the bangles fit! Sakshi's knuckles hurt trying them on," Ranveer said, raising his brows in dismay. Thirteen days had passed since Sakshi conceded for the wedding.

He lifted a fat bangle crusted with glittering heart-shaped diamonds and handed it to his father. Seated on the sofa in the living room, Udayveer stretched his bare feet on the carpet, examining the bangle.

"Stupid Pushpa has not sent the right size! I shouldn't have trusted her," Udayveer said.

"Shall I get a replacement?"

"These custom made pieces take a week to arrive. We need them for the wedding tomorrow morning!"

"Sakshi has a set of gold bangles. She can manage with that."

"Kushwant was elated that we are offering diamonds in dowry. What will he think?"

"We'll explain to him about this mishap."

"Nonsense! I want our family to be the first in Sonambar to deck the bride in diamonds. It will increase our status by many folds."

"I must transport Sakshi's belongings to the Vardhan house in a while. I'll take her to the jewellery shop and find a close match."

"Our men will take care of the transportation."

"What if they mess up? They are adept in handling weapons, not a girl's clothing and stuff," he said with a grin.

Udayveer burst out chortling. "That's true! Your sister is very particular about her things. You deliver it safely at her in-laws home."

Conceding with a nod, Ranveer careened to his sister's room. His heart weighed heavily, knowing it would soon be empty. He won't have a cheerful person to welcome him home. Who else was he going to love, spoil and pamper? Maybe her son or daughter, someday. Despite the dark events of the past month, he loved her the same. Letting her go was par to ripping off a part of his heart. Inhaling a shallow breath, he knocked on her door.

"Saash?"

Sakshi harkened to her brother's dull voice. Zipping the last bag of clothes, she unlocked the door.

"Are these all?" he asked, sweeping his finger across the three bags on her bed.

"Yes," she said.

"I need to leave your luggage with the Vardhans. Baba would like us to exchange the bangles. Come along with me."

"Why should I? I'll give you my bangles, you check the size and purchase it."

"Don't be resentful, it's your big day. At least have the joy of selecting your jewellery."

"I'm not selecting my life partner, of what concern is jewellery?"

"Kritesh, load these bags in the backseat of my jeep!" Ranveer called out to one of the servants.

The man meekly entered the room and carried her luggage outside.

"What are you planning for your cat? Ballu, right?"

She clicked her tongue in disapproval. "His name is Barfoo. Lajo Aunty will take care of him henceforth."

"That is sweet. I thought you'll be taking him with you."

"Didn't you say Mrs Vardhan is allergic to animals?"

"I said that? Oh yes, I did. Anyway, come soon. We're running late."

"Late for what?"

"Dinner! It's getting dark, no more questions."

Sakshi grunted and followed him to the jeep. The extreme saccharine fragrance from the roses lined in the verandah made her nauseous. The fact that they were placed in the shape of a heart in view of her wedding with Hemant made it worse. For a moment, she wondered what on earth she was up to. Marrying an egoistic, lecherous fool to save Ayush? Lajo was right. When you love someone more than yourself, that love renders you powerless. It becomes a weapon people fling at you. Do this, or I'll hurt the one you love. Udayveer had mastery over the weapon. He juxtaposed everything skillfully that she couldn't refuse.

Getting into the front seat with Ranveer, she threw her head back and closed her eyes. He started the jeep and drove through the dark alleys and crooked roads of North Sonambar.

"Saash, I didn't kill Jeetu," he said, puzzling her.

Spine straightened into a line, she gazed at her brother with parted lips. "What do you mean?"

"I did intend on shooting him. When I reached the place, his little girl came out of the house to pick up her ball. I pulled the trigger thinking it was him and nearly fired at her. Thankfully I moved the rifle and ended up shooting a streetlight."

Sakshi gasped and shuddered at the thought of little Madhu being shot instead of her father.

"It struck me as to how low I've fallen in want of power. I remembered your anxious eyes when you stopped me from the balcony. I realised I could never forgive myself if I went ahead."

For the first time, she saw tears in her brother's eyes. He was indeed speaking the truth.

"I called Baba and requested him to file a case on Jeetu. He called me a coward and ordered Hemant to do it. Baba and Kushwant Uncle have been praising him for being a tough man."

"Shame on all of them! I'm proud of you, Bhaiyya. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"You were very angry. I was worried you'll think I'm lying."

"I believe you, Bhaiyya."

"Feels good to hear you call me that."

She smiled for the first time in days. A pang of sorrow struck her that she had to leave him forever. Bidding adieu to her parents was no big deal. They weren't with her most of the time. But her brother was indeed her hero. After what he revealed, her love and respect for him skyrocketed.

Ranveer pulled in at SJ Jewellers, the largest jewellery showroom in the entire district. Glancing at his watch, he ushered Sakshi inside. Bright lighting and the subtle fragrance of lime graced the air-conditioned interiors. The glass cabinets holding exquisite pieces of ornaments reflected Sakshi's worn-out features.

A salesman with the store tag approached them. "Hello, how may I help you?"

"These custom made bangles from your shop are not up to the mark!" Ranveer said.

"We do have an option to choose pieces of jewellery that correspond to the MRP of what you purchased. However, you cannot receive gold coins or cash in return."

He rolled his eyes. "Can I exchange it or not?"

"You can, sir."

"Then why are you telling me stories? People like you elaborate a one-line answer for ten marks during exams."

"Bhaiyya, he's doing his job. Calm down," Sakshi whispered, smiling apologetically at the salesman.

Ranveer placed the bangles and the bill on a velvet pad, sliding it across the glass table. Examining the contents, the man nodded.

"These are worth three-lakh fifty-thousand Rupees, sir. You can choose any product up to that amount."

"Show me some gold bangles, chains and earrings."

In spite of her apathy regarding the wedding, Sakshi couldn't bury her curiosity at her brother's actions.

"Bhaiyya, aren't you supposed to exchange these for another pair of diamond bangles?"

"Diamonds have only twenty-five percent resale value once you purchase it. But the value of gold remains the same as the market prices."

Being a commerce student, Sakshi grasped his words, not the intention behind them.

"Why should we care about resale value, anyway? None of us mortgage jewellery."

With a rueful smile, he tousled her hair. "Select whichever pieces you like, but do it fast."

Pursing her lips, she shrugged and selected a thick coin chain, a pair of peacock jhumkas, and zigzag bangles. The salesman calculated the price of the products on his monitor screen, deducting the exchange value.

"Sir, the total cost of these is three-lakh seventy-thousand Rupees. Your outstanding bill is twenty thousand."

Ranveer reached into his pocket and placed two bundles of thick green notes in front of him. "Twenty thousand."

The man joined his palms in a grateful namaste and packed the ornaments into maroon velvet boxes with metal clasps. He slid them into a jute bag with the store logo.

"Thank you," Ranveer said Sakshi told the man and exited the place.

"Baba will be mad seeing these gold ornaments."

"He won't be seeing them."

"There's something off, Bhaiyya. I can feel it in my gut."

"Not in your gut- in your imagination."

She bit her lower lip, pressing back a tearful smile. The bantering with her older brother would become a thing of the past. A memory to be cherished from a distance. Ranveer ignited the jeep engine and turned it in the opposite direction.

"Where are we heading?"

"I want to show you something. Keep silent and wait for it."

Quieting her thoughts, she leaned back and rolled down the windows, breathing in the cold evening air coupled with the scent of mud after a drizzle. Streetlights cast their warm glow on the half-empty roads. Looking askance at Sakshi, Ranveer steered down the lane reaching the railway station. Halting at the entrance, he gestured at her to move ahead.

Her nervous system tensed in anticipation. Gulping, she trudged into the poorly lit station. The silhouette of a young man seated on a bench arrested her attention. Her breath hitched in uncertainty.

"Ayush?!"

"Yaara!"

The soles of her slippers slapped against the cement platform as she sprinted to him, crashing into his arms. Nearly landing down, he steadied his limbs and draped his strong arms around her.

"Sakshi," he groaned against the warmth of her body.

She shut her eyes and tugged the topmost button of his shirt. "I'm sorry, Ayush. I put you through too much trouble.

"I wouldn't mind more trouble for you."

She punched his arm and burst out laughing, tears of joy brimming her eyes and smudging the dark kohl. Drying her eyes with his thumb, he fished out a train ticket from his front pocket and presented it to her.

"You and I? To Mumbai?!" she said.

He nodded, grasping her nose and giving it a slight shake.

The thumping of luggage on the pavement made her turn around. Ranveer hauled the bags on top of a cement bench. Sakshi felt dizzy about what was transpiring in front of her eyes.

"Confused, Saash?"

She raised her eyebrows, tilting her head in a nod.

"I understood Baba will never change. He feels Hemant is the one for you, I know that's a recipe for disaster. I won't tolerate anyone hurting my little sister, let alone marry her off to that sick scoundrel!" Ranveer said, irises flaming.

"I thought you were okay with Hemant."

"Plain pretence in front of Baba. When Hemant showed his true colours with you, I rejected him in my mind. He reaffirmed that by killing Jeetu without a second thought. That coward doesn't want to pick on someone his size but attacks from behind the back!"

A buoyant smile spread across her lips. "I'm glad you understood me."

He patted her shoulder. "The moment Baba told me you were seeing a guy, I was more curious than angry. I know your choices are the best, and I wanted to find out about this guy," he said, patting Ayush's back.

"Then?"

"Ayushman confronted Baba within our mansion. He didn't back off seeing the guards, nor rifle, nor Baba. He loves you more than his life, Saash. He is a brave chap. I enquired about him from various sources and got a satisfying report. That's when I decided to set you free from this cage," he said.

Ayush chimed in. "All this was your brother's idea. We spoke ten days ago and formulated this plan. He helped me sell my house with Papa's approval. We also leased a two-bedroom house in Mumbai."

"What about your luggage, Ayush?"

"I've sent it to Mumbai already," he explained.

Receiving a call, Ranveer walked out of the platform with his phone to his ear. A short while later, he returned with a group of five people and a child, four of whom Sakshi identified- Darshak, Gaurav and his wife Maanya, and little Chirag.

She raised her brows quizically at Ayush.

"They're here for our wedding registration. Darshak sir picked up all of them as witnesses. The eagle-faced man is the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Ranveer Bhai wouldn't have it any other way," he said.

Sakshi basked in her newfound happiness. "Am I dreaming?"

She pinched Ayush, making him wince. "I'm not!"

Scrunching his nose, he whispered, "You are supposed to pinch yourself, yaara!"

"Sorry, sorry," she said with a childlike grin.

The eagle-faced man, as Ayush described him, twirled his snowy moustache and splayed the documents on a makeshift table made from stacking the luggage. "We usually don't solemnise wedding at such a venue, Mr Ranveer. I'm agreeing to this solely because it is an emergency."

"Thank you, Mr Kashyap. Your assistance in this hour of need is much valued."

"Bride and groom, please step forward. Check and confirm your details, then sign in the respective boxes."

Ayush's occupation read Accountant. Sakshi's eyes widened seeing 'self-employed entrepreneur' beside her name. She shot a glance at Ranveer, the latter shrugged and winked. With the good wishes of their friends, Ayush and Sakshi debossed their thumbprints and signed the document with trembling fingers. Darshak, Gaurav and Maanya signed as witnesses. The registrar nodded and imprinted his indigo seal of approval.

"By the power vested in me as Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Sonambar, I pronounce Mr Ayushman Singh and Mrs Sakshi Kumari Singh as husband and wife."

The group clapped and cheered in hushed voices. Darshak shook their hands and offered congratulations with a cash-filled envelope. Gaurav and Maanya handed them a mini box enclosed in shimmering gift wraps with the label 'happy married life'. For a brief moment, she thought of Vinnati. Her best friend was heartbroken that she was marrying Hemant. She would be enthralled to hear the shocking change in plans.

Sakshi's eyes met Ayush's in the oily evening light. This handsome singer was her husband- hers till her last breath. From the morning they met at the fair to this moment as a married couple, their love evolved into a strong bond. Strong enough to move her brother to act on their behalf.

"Thanks a million to everyone for gracing this new beginning of our life," Ayush said.

"We are very grateful," Sakshi said.

"It's the least we could do. All the best for your future," Gaurav said.

Darshak grinned. "True love always finds a way. Like the king and queen in the music video."

"What video?" Ranveer asked.

"Didn't they tell you? They acted in my music video. It has more than fifty thousand views on YouTube," Darshak said.

"Sorry, I didn't tell you earlier," Sakshi said and Ayush corroborated her words with a guilty frown.

"No regrets on this special day, Saash. Message the song link later, I'd like to have a look."

"Sure, Bhaiyya."

As they conversed, the faraway siren of the train pierced the air. The locomotive headlamp lit the railway track with a welcoming glow. Bogies lined up before the platform, beckoning them to get in. Ayush and Ranveer carried Sakshi's belongings into their compartment.

"The time has come," Ranveer said, extending his arm out to Sakshi.

Taking hold of her ice-cold hand, he placed it in Ayush's warm hand with a gentle smile.

"I'm giving you a piece of my heart, Ayushman. Not a stroke of her kohl should fade because of you."

"I promise, Ranveer Bhai."

"If you make her cry, she will twist your ears."

Sakshi guffawed. "I'm not like that!"

"Careful, Ayushman!" Ranveer said.

"What about Baba? What if he hurts you?!"

"I have a foolproof plan to handle him, worry not," he said as the train began taking off. "I must go now."

Sakshi threw her arms around his neck and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Bhaiyya, I'll miss you a lot."

Placing a kiss on her forehead, he gripped her shoulders. "May you be blessed forever. May all your dreams come true. May you stay happy with the person you love."

Tears of gladness found their way to her eyes. "Will you come to see me?"

"Definitely. How can I be without doing so?" Ranveer said and got off, joining the others on the platform.

The train chugged out of the station as Sakshi waved out to her brother from the doorstep. Ayush squeezed her shoulders in his comforting grip, a smile fluttering his lips that she was finally his. Their trials had yielded this fruitful relationship.

Ranveer and the rest of the friends devolved into miniature versions of themselves as the train pulled away. When they were no longer visible, Sakshi returned to the seats in the sparsely occupied A/C compartment. She secured the bag of gold jewellery inside a suitcase and shut it tight. Ayush inched behind her and locked his arms around her waist, making her giggle softly.

"Congratulations, Mrs Ayushman Singh."

Her palm rested over his jaw. "I love you, Ayush."

"I can't believe you were ready to marry Hemant for my sake."

"The things we do for love."

"Anyway, let's forget all that, shall we?"

"Absolutely, Ayush," she said, turning around with misty features brimming with glee.

"I was pleasantly surprised when Papa agreed to this plan. Turns out he liked you even after knowing everything. Your delicious food truly captivated him!"

"As they say, the way to a person's heart is their stomach."

"On a serious note, he loves you very much. You remind him of my mother- your courage, innocence, intelligence. That's what he said."

A content smile ruffled her lips. Despite the fatigue, her naughty gaze surveyed the surroundings. Gripping his collar, she pulled him to herself.

"I dare you to do something," she said.

"Anything for you."

"Can you kiss me?"

He hadn't seen this quirky side of her. Amused and astounded at the same time, he raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

Without another word, he leaned in and pressed his moist lips on hers. Her eyes widened in surprise at the warmth of his touch. Closing her eyes, she relished his gentle, intimate kiss. Spirals of ecstasy rushed through her veins. She grasped his broad shoulders and pushed her weight on him. His trembling hands steadied her waist. He felt her tender quivers against his strong frame. With a peaceful smile, he kissed her forehead. She was his. Only his forever.

The distant calls of a chai vendor made them pull away. Still panting and reeling, she placed a kiss on his cheek. "It feels so good to call you my husband. I love you so much."

"Your kiss showed it all," he said, a hue of scarlet staining her cheeks. His rough fingertips brushed the strands of hair from her face, careful not to touch her sensitive neck.

"Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city. You will have more opportunities to pursue your singing."

"And your business. I've shortlisted a few MBA colleges close to our new house."

"With our love, we will make that house a home," she said.

The vendor crossed them carrying a couple of steel cans and a stack of paper cups. "Chaaai! Coffee! Sir, Madam, chai?"

"Chai, yaara?"

"One cup please," she said.

"Do you have coffee?" Ayush asked.

"Yes, sir."

The man filled two cups with steaming hot chai and coffee and placed them on the mini side table.

"Thank you." Ayush drew out two ten crisp notes and handed them to him. Once the man left, a playful grin played on his lips.

"Don't even think of it, Ayush. Better drink your coffee before it turns cold."