Then Kriti paused and gazed at Ishani as though she were a serious person. Pay attention to me, Ishani; you should listen to me, I said. Well, suppose you like to have this sindoor of yours—keep it. However, keep in mind one thing: do not even dare to think of going somewhere near Mr. Vikrant. He's dangerous for you. He does not know what you are really like yet, and still he acted like that. Goods, do you think you know what he will do when he gets the truth? You'll be finished."

She started walking ahead.

Ishani, hearing this word of caution by Kriti, rushed on after her, her voice making it clear that she was anxious. "Stop scaring me, Kriti! I'm already so stressed. This is the first time in my life I think I have been starting a disaster for myself—even though I was in despair.

She picked up the little box of sindoor in her hand as she talked and looked at it.

"Enough, enough, enough," Kriti said to herself and touched her shoulder. Stop thinking about all this. What's done is done."

The two continued walking until they were at the roadside somewhere a short distance away. Next, they took a cab and drove out of the area.

The second car arrived at the river immediately after their car had disappeared down the road. From it stepped Vikrant. He made his way slowly towards the shouldering debris of the bridal lehenga and jewelry, with his piercing eyes in the firelight. The spurts brushed the surface of his face, bringing up the anger and danger in his face.

Vikrant put his hand into his pocket and produced a mangalsutra. He put it on before his eyes and looked with intensity on it. His eyes then turned to the wedding dress that was burning. Clenching his fist about the mangalsutra, he grumbled coldly and said, "So, you want to play games with Vikrant Singh Shekhawat, huh? Now see me play this game with you." You'll see soon enough."

Scorn and hatred flashed in his eyes as he gazed at the fire.

The following morning, Vikrant sat behind the mini bar of his penthouse. He had a cigar between his fingers and was slowly taking long, slow drags and looking straight at the rows of shining liquor bottles in front of him—lost in thought.

There was also Vyansh standing across the counter pouring them both drinks. Filling a glass, he asked Vikrant, What are you going to do at this time? Will you kill Ishani and be able to marry Ratika? Or is there yet another plan in thee?

He pushed a glass marginally towards Vikrant. Vikrant, without the slightest show of being pleased, picked it up and drank it.

Vyansh picked up his personal glass, walked to one of the chairs opposite Vikrant, and sat down. Then, as he started taking his drink, he looked at Vikrant without saying anything and waited.

At last Vikrant gave a puff of smoke and, in a low, threatening voice, said, "I will do something that that little mouse would never even dream of." Her existence will be worse than that of hell. Vikrant Singh Shekhawat does not like losing games. She might have begun this one, yet I will be the one to end it.

He made another swallow.