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Vikrant said, turning to Sharda with a polite tone. Sharda nodded with a smile and then looked toward Jhankar.

“Jhankar, please drop Vikrant off outside.”

Jhankar thought bitterly, forcing a smile, "I wish there was a well in the yard like in olden times; I would push him right in."

But obediently, she got up and started walking outside with him. As Ravindra observed them leave, his jaw clenched. Once the door closed behind them, he turned to Sharda, his voice laced with disapproval.

“I respect you deeply… But this girl doesn’t belong in this house.”

Sharda looked at him quietly, her calm demeanor unwavering. His displeasure was now openly visible. He had been silent in Vikrant's presence, but now that he was alone, he didn't hold back.

“The marriage was done with full rituals,” Sharda said softly. “They are husband and wife now. There was no deceit.”

“Marriages happen every day, and so do divorces,” Ravindra replied, his tone firm. “I understand the sanctity of marriage better than most. You raised Vikrant like your own son, and I can see how this affects you. But I still say this: reconsider your stubbornness.”

Sharda remained quiet. His words stung more than she was willing to show. Without replying, she lowered her head and walked slowly toward her room, her steps heavy with unspoken pain. Ravindra watched her go and then looked toward the door where Vikrant and Jhankar had just exited. In a low voice, almost to himself, he muttered,

“Vikrant can’t tolerate this girl… And I know he’ll find some way, sooner or later, to throw her out of his life…. I can't let her stubbornness ruin his life… If he loved this girl, then definitely I would have considered this marriage, but I know he does not…”

~~~~~

As Vikrant prepared to sit in the car, he suddenly turned back, glanced at Jhankar, and said with a mocking calmness.

“Now you'll have the entire day to think about how else you can trouble me with your little games. But remember this pudding incident well because I don’t just get troubled; I also know how to trouble others. Better luck next time.”

Jhankar narrowed her eyes and stared at him with rising irritation. But before she could shoot back a reply, he widened his lips in an exaggerated grin, pretending to be amused, and slipped into the car. With effortless flair, he waved at her with one hand and wore his black sunglasses with the other. Watching him leave with that smug attitude, Jhankar stompedher foot on the ground in frustration. She turned sharply on her heel and stormed back into the house, muttering to herself under her breath.

“If he thinks that all this nonsense is going to stop me, then he’s entirely wrong. I’m not scared of him, and there’s no way I’m going to let him live peacefully under the same roof. He’s crushed all my dreams, why should he get to live his life so easily? Fine, sometimes you lose a round, but that doesn’t mean you stop playing the game. I’m not one to give up so easily. I will go to any length to annoy and challenge him. The planning can wait for now, I need to speak to Aunty. If I want to get out of this prison, then I’ll need her on my side.”

Without wasting another moment, she walked purposefully toward Sharda’s room. Sharda was lying on the bed, resting. As soon as she saw Jhankar enter, her face lit up with a gentle smile, and she sat up slowly to welcome her.

“Are you tired?” Jhankar asked kindly.

“Yes, I couldn’t sit out for long, so I came back in,”

Sharda replied, settling next to her. They sat quietly for a while, the silence soft and familiar, and then Jhankar finally spoke, her voice tinged with hesitation.

“Aunty, I want to talk to you about something important. I had just completed my studies and secured a campus placement. The day after my wedding, I was supposed to leave for Delhi to join a company. But obviously, that didn’t happen. I’m not even thinking about that now… I’ve let it go. But there’s something I still need to tell you.”

She paused, gathering her thoughts, and continued.

“I want to work. Not because I want to escape from my responsibility but because I want to support my parents. I’ve always dreamed of helping them, and right now, that feels more important than anything else. I know everyone here listens to you, and that’s why I wanted to bring this to you directly.”

Sharda looked at her with gentle eyes and responded softly.

“First of all, whether or not you work should be your decision… yours alone. No one should interfere with that. But since you’ve asked me, I’ll be honest. I truly admire girls who are self-reliant, who can make their own decisions with strength and conviction. If working is your choice, then stand by it firmly. Since Vikrant is your husband, it is important to speak with him, understand his point of view, and also explain your own. But ultimately, the decision must be yours. I won’t say more than that.”

'Even if he agrees, who will listen to that zombie anyway?' Jhankar thought, rolling her eyes inwardly.

“Aunty,” she added quickly, “I also wanted to inform you that if I start working, I might not be able to spend as much time with you. And maybe Vikrant expects me to be around you, especially while you're unwell.”

Sharda tilted her head thoughtfully, then asked,

“What do you want, Jhankar? Think about that first.”

Her words left Jhankar quiet. After a while, she got up, walked to her room, and sat on the edge of her bed, lost in deep thought. Her brows furrowed as she began talking to herself aloud.

“I doubt that man is going to let me step out and work so easily. I might need his permission,” she grumbled.