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"What’s there to ask in this? Do whatever you want quickly."

As soon as Jhankar hears this, she smiles broadly, hugs Sharda, and says:

"My mother never allows me, you’re so nice. I’m going."

Jhankar quickly runs off, while Sharda smiles, glances at Vikrant, and says,

"She’s such a lively girl."

"Now you’ll see, when she comes back, she’ll wet everything… including my room… and then she’ll start sneezing over and over."

"I can’t refuse her now. Many people love the rain. Not like you, who’d rather stay locked up than enjoy the rain. If you want to stop her, go ahead and do it yourself."

"Do you think she’ll even listen to me?"

"How would I know what’s going on between the two of you—how much you listen to each other? I only know one thing—I’m not stopping her."

Vikrant immediately leaves Sharda’s room and heads to his own to prevent Jhankar from going out in the rain. But not finding her there, he starts looking around. When he can’t find her, he suddenly shouts:

"Arun! Rekha! Rani!"

Hearing his voice, everyone rushes over. Vikrant is still looking around, and as soon as they gather, he asks:

"Where has Jhankar gone? She came out, right?"

"Madam went to the terrace right after leaving Sharda Madam’s room."

As soon as he hears this, he heads rapidly toward the terrace. But when he sees what’s in front of him, his steps freeze. Jhankar is standing with her arms outstretched, smiling brightly, completely soaked in the rain. Vikrant’s gaze lingers on her. Jhankar quickly glances at him and signals him to join her. But he remains silent, just staring at her. Then she runs toward him, grabs his hand, and pulls him into the rain. As soon as he steps into the rain, Vikrant looks around and sees Jhankar enjoying herself. He tells her:

"Who gets wet in the rain like this? You’ll fall sick."

"And who gets sick just from bathing in the rain? We’ve been doing this since childhood. We get a little cold, sneeze a bit—but it’s worth it for the fun and the free shower."

As she says this, Jhankar spreads her arms again, lifts her face to the sky, and enjoys the falling drops. Vikrant begins observing her intently. He too is now thoroughly soaked. As he lifts his face, he feels the sharp touch of raindrops, just like her. Jhankar watches him closely. He stands with his eyes closed and face lifted, and his expression draws all of Jhankar’s attention. She stares at him quietly. Vikrant feels a strange peace. Slowly, he opens his eyes and looks at her. Jhankar is still gazing at him. The rain continues to fall, and they’re lost in a silent gaze when the loud thunder abruptly breaks the moment.

Jhankar quickly turns her back to him, enjoying the rain. Vikrant stands silently beside her, trying to savor this experience—something he’s never done before. But today, he plans to stay as long as she’s there, and he doesn’t mind at all. Jhankar brushes her hair back, trying to erase this awkwardness from her mind. She’s been feeling drawn to Vikrant for days, and it's only growing. The more she tries to ignore him, the more she notices him, and it’s frustrating her.

As the rain begins to slow, she turns to look at Vikrant, who’s still standing there. Then, with her eyes lowered, she begins walking away. Vikrant quietly follows. Both of them are completely soaked. Because of the slippery marble floor, Jhankar suddenly slips. Vikrant tries to catch her, but his slippers are soaked too, and he slips as well. They both fall, then check each other to make sure they’re okay. Once they realize neither is hurt, they burst into loud laughter. Their laughter echoes throughout the house, and everyone who hears it stops and smiles involuntarily.

In the morning, when Vikrant sneezes hard, everyone's attention shifts to him, and they all try to suppress their laughter and continue their work quietly. Jhankar tries to catch a glimpse ofVikrant, who is visibly distressed due to the cold. Seeing Jhankar getting upset, Sharda scolds Vikrant.

“Tell me one simple thing: to date, you have not gone out in the rain. What was the need to show unnecessary courage just so I could also bathe in the rain? Now keep sneezing continuously.”

“I will call the doctor and get the medicine. This way, you won’t have to worry unnecessarily.”

Vikrant, seeing Sharda, lightly rubs his handkerchief on his nose and starts drinking his coffee quietly. Then Jhankar suddenly speaks to him.

“This is a minor cold. My mom makes a home remedy for it. I'll prepare it for you. You will not have any problems, and you will get well soon. There is no such issue. If you do not have any problem, I will make it.”

Vikrant unexpectedly catches sight of Jhankar, prompting Sharda to quickly inform her.

“Vikrant cannot tolerate bitter things at all, so he is not going to take the home remedy under any circumstances, as it is very bitter.”

Jhankar immediately looks at Vikrant because she had once fed him bitter gourd pudding, which he had eaten very comfortably. Now she feels very disturbed thinking about this, so Vikrant tells her,

“If your home remedy is effective, then please give it to me, because I also do not want to take any doctor's medicine under any condition.”

Jhankar gives a slight nod before heading to the kitchen but abruptly turns back and informs Vikrant,