Page 3 of Substitute Bride

THEIR LIFE

Akhil called Sonakshi. Meanwhile, the waiter served Vikrant's continental lunch. When Sonakshi finally walked into the restaurant, his expression remained unchanged. He didn’t even glance at her; he just continued eating.

“Hello…” she said softly.

Still, no reaction. She knew him too well. His cold behavior didn’t surprise her. She quietly sat across from him and observed his plate, nothing unusual. He never changed his menu. He was consistent to the point of obsession.

“I’m not feeling well. That’s why I was late,” she said gently. “I’m sorry. I know your time is important. You can ask anyone, I really wasn’t well.”

Vikrant didn’t respond. Instead, he slid the menu card toward her without looking up. It was his way of telling her to order.

“No, thank you. I’m dieting… Just juice for me.”

Akhil immediately placed the order. Sonakshi and Vikrant had known each other since childhood but had barely spoken. Since witnessing his mother betray his father and try to escape, Vikrant had become emotionally barren, unable, and unwilling to engage with women.

Still, since their marriage alliance had been announced, Sonakshi had tried multiple times to connect with him.

She had learned not to expect warmth, but nothing he did truly offended her anymore.

Vikrant ate in silence, sticking to his strict routine.

Sonakshi quietly sipped her juice, her eyes stealing glances at him.

He felt her gaze but didn’t acknowledge it.

Once he finished, he looked at her briefly and spoke.

“Anything important?”

She met his eyes and quickly shook her head. She was too intimidated to speak. Vikrant stood up, straightened his sleeves, and said firmly,

“I have to finish all my work today because I’m taking leave starting tomorrow. I waited for you, but you were late. You know I don’t compromise with my schedule. I have an important meeting in twenty minutes. I’m leaving. The driver is outside, he’ll drop you home.”

“I came in my own car,” she said quickly. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll drive myself back. And… I’m sorry I wasted your time.”

He turned to leave but paused. Pulling a card from his pocket, he handed it to her.

“Maa asked me to buy a gift for you. I don’t understand all this. Buy whatever you like and tell her I got it for you.”

She nodded slightly, stood up, and looked at the card.

“If it’s not too much trouble,” she said hesitantly, “I’d like to withdraw the amount in cash. I’ve already ordered some jewelry, and my friend designed it. She’s going through a financial crisis, and for some reason, a bank transfer isn’t possible.”

Vikrant’s sharp eyes narrowed. Akhil, sensing tension, cleared his throat loudly, reminding Vikrant of Sharda’s strict warning: control your temper. Without saying anything more, Vikrant glanced at the card in her hand and said coldly,

“This card has a limit of up to one crore rupees. If you need more, let me know. I’ll transfer it.”

“It’s more than enough… But can you please tell your manager that I want to withdraw the full amount at once? It’s diamond jewelry…”

He nodded curtly and turned to leave, mumbling under his breath,

“Only money matters…”

Akhil watched him go, concern flickering in his eyes. He knew Vikrant would now associate Sonakshi with greed, even though he'd given permission himself. He had still asked Akhil to help her with the manager, but Akhil knew how deeply Vikrant’s mind could twist a situation.

Sonakshi sat back down, staring after him. Only when he had disappeared did she let out the breath she had been holding. She glanced at the card in her hand, then lowered her eyes.

~~~~

Jhankar is applying oil to her brother Vyom’s hair, often pulling at it, which causes Vyom to shout loudly and repeatedly.

"Mom, I’m telling you, this girl wants to make me bald… She doesn’t want anyone to turn back and look at me because I’m so handsome compared to her... She’s jealous of my beauty."

"Of course, you are very handsome. Who’s stopping you from saying that? But you say I’m very beautiful, and for that, I don’t need your approval."

As she says this, she pulls his hair quite hard, making Vyom shout while grabbing her hair tightly. He holds her hair firmly but doesn’t pull back, causing Jhankar to burst out laughing loudly. Vyom starts laughing along with her as he gently combs his hair back.

“I can’t pull your hair, even if I wanted to; your hair is so beautiful that I hesitate.”

“All thanks to Mom’s hard work.”

“Exactly...”

Both laugh heartily. Nearby, Chitrali and Raghunath sit watching, delighted to witness the affection blossoming between their children after these little sibling spats. Jhankar, sitting on her brother’s shoulders, quickly says.

“I’ve been saying since yesterday that Papa gave you money, so let’s go buy a bike. Now that you won’t listen to me, you’re going to become my car yourself!”

Everyone bursts into laughter. Vyom stands, holding her legs firmly as she sits on the sofa with her legs resting on his shoulders while he’s on the floor. He starts running around the room. Jhankar shouts loudly, half in fear.

“Bro… no…”

But Vyom runs on, laughing heartily. Chitrali looks worried; she knows if he loses balance even slightly, Jhankar could get hurt badly.

She trusts Vyom’s careful hold but still can’t help feeling anxious seeing her daughter perched on his shoulders.

Vyom eventually sits down with a smile. Jhankar quickly jumps off and clings to her father.

“Papa, this car goes so fast!”

Everyone bursts into laughter again. Raghunath turns to Vyom and says.

“Son, I gave you the money last night itself. Why haven’t you bought a bike yet?”

“Papa, there was so much work at the office that I didn’t get time to look at any bikes. I don’t want to make a rushed decision. That’s why I didn’t buy it today. Tomorrow I won’t either; I want to visit 3 to 4 showrooms first. Only after that will I think about buying it the day after tomorrow.”

“It’s your wish. The bike is yours, so the choice should be yours too.”

“What nonsense… If the bike comes late, I won’t be able to ride it at all.

You know I have an interview scheduled the day after tomorrow.

After finalizing everything, I’ll be leaving within two days.

I like all three companies a lot. The problem is no one wants to help me decide where to go, saying I should work where I’m comfortable.

Do you even understand how much work is waiting for me? ”

Vyom says nothing but smiles quietly. Raghunath lovingly looks at Jhankar, who just wants to have fun and tease her brother.

~~~

Vikrant dislikes celebrating rituals but refrains from expressing his feelings in front of Sharda because she is managing all the marriage responsibilities so well.

He feels powerless to say anything against her efforts.

Despite knowing Vikrant’s dislike for these traditions, Sharda is determined to ensure the marriage proceeds with flawless rituals, and she cannot stop herself.

“I still can’t believe you’re going to become a groom. Your marriage is tomorrow. Until I see you with your bride, I won’t believe you’re married.”

“You still treat me like a small child.”

“People call you a dangerous mafia, but I call you my little Viku, who will never grow up. By the way, I told you to get Sonakshi something suitable, something wonderful for her first date.”

Vikrant can’t hide anything from Sharda, nor does he want to, so he replies immediately.

“You said that, but I think she had high expectations that I would get her something. That’s why she came prepared. She asked me what I wanted.”

“Well, that’s even better. At least she’s wearing something of her own choice. Your choice was terrible anyway.”

Vikrant turns to face her, and she bursts into loud laughter.

Akhil had told Sharda everything about Sonakshi, and Sharda doesn’t see anything wrong in it.

Every bride dreams of wearing something she chooses at her wedding.

Since Sonakshi had picked something herself, Vikrant also wanted to gift it.

For the payment, which had to be in cash, she openly tried to talk to him.

What Sharda likes most is that the girl is trying to handle everything openly, and so she refuses to hear anything negative about Sonakshi from Vikrant.

As Sharda reaches for her glass of water, some drops fall onto the table, catching Vikrant’s attention. After drinking, he carefully wipes the table with a piece of tissue paper, places the tissue beneath the glass, and then sets the glass down on top. Sharda watches attentively and comments.

“Your bride will be very upset because you find flaws in every small thing.”

“I have no control over this. You know I want everything to be perfect. It may be perfect for others, but until it’s perfect for me, I’m not comfortable.”

Sharda smiles, running her hand gently through his hair, then kisses his forehead tenderly. Tears fill her eyes this time. Vikrant is strong and can handle anything, but her eyes are now moist with emotion. He immediately grasps her hands and speaks softly.

“Why do you do this, Maa? You know I hate it.”

“You won’t understand how thrilled I was when I held you in my arms for the first time.

From that day, you became my son. I was preparing for my own son’s wedding when the accident happened, when both my husband and son burned alive.

I completely lost hope. But the day our grandmother entrusted you to me, I saw my son in you.

From that moment until today, I’ve only dreamed of you becoming a groom.

Tomorrow, when you come here with your bride, I will die of happiness. ”

“Maa, if anything happens to you, I will set the whole world on fire.”

“Don’t love me so much that you feel forced to do things you don’t want to.”

“The whole world is on one side, and you’re on the other side for me.

If you ask me to slit my throat in front of you, I will do it too.

So I never think about doing something I don’t want to do.

I’m doing everything only for you. So listen carefully, whatever you say is my order, and I will obey every word. ”

Sharda is unable to respond in words. Instead, she kisses his forehead again and smiles, because he is her happiness, and she longs to hold onto this love forever. Vikrant sits quietly, resting his head on her knees. She kisses his forehead and whispers,

“God bless you with love, my son.”

“And you are my god.”

She smiles softly and continues praying for his joyful life.