Eeshani scurried and shook her head no. Shashikala ji was puzzled by it, as Ratika was a bit different today. She examined Eeshani with her eyes over and under. Gradually her hands were pushed up to the veil. Eeshani shuddered inwardly and hoped in some way to get away.

At that moment, a girl came to the room and said, "Badi Ma, Pandit ji is calling the bride." Hemada, come hasten and get her downstairs. She was addressing both Eeshani and Shashikala ji. The hands of Shashikala ji stayed halfway. Say, Badi Ma, hurry up, seize the bride, the girl said. The Muhurat has begun."

"Yes, yes, Kashish," said Shashikala ji, "you go ahead." I'll bring Ratika." Kashish nodded and walked away to the door but checked and then looked at Eeshani strangely and appraisingly. It is not the first time that she saw Eeshani wearing the veil, and she said to herself, "Since when did this fashion shop girl begin wearing a veil?" Has some witch possessed her? Oh well... whatever." She turned and left the room.

Not listening much, Shashikala ji took Eeshani down the stairs and brought her to the mandap. Eeshani would not stop crying, but she had no choice but to do all this just because of her mother. At the same time, a man observed all things. This man was the one who had requested Eeshani to do all this. He had masqueraded and looked like a 50-60-year-old man, which in no way made him recognizable.

Eeshani was seated at the mandap by Shashikala ji. On a sofa a distance away were Vishwajeet Thakur, the father of Ratika; her brother, Vinay Thakur; and her uncle, Shang Thakur. When they saw Eeshani, whom they supposed to be Ratika, their features flushed with pride. Ratika was to get married to Vikrant Singh Shekhawat, the wealthiest businessman in Asia.

Vikrant had a father, Shrikant Singh Shekhawat, and an uncle, Vikram, sitting near the mandap and staring at it.

This is when a black car pulled in front of the palace. Vikrant came out with his blazer in a commanding pose and walked into the palace. All eyes turned to him. He gave his blazer to one of the servants and headed to the mandap.

Vikram prevented him and said, "Vikrant, thou may not sit in those clothes at the mandap." Go change quickly."

Vikrant, without replying, responded, I do not want to waste my time on such trivial things. So, he hurriedly made his way to the mandap and sat down.

As Vikrant had seen, the expressions of the guests changed somewhat, with some mumbling of surprise. He had been a groom, who had come to his wedding in a black patiala and black shirt—a daring and unorthodox vision.

The man was smiling the same, and he was looking at Vikrant. He thought in his mind, Vikrant Singh Shekhawat, the time of your downfall has arrived, and this is but the commencement of it. You are so proud of your riches and position. I will break your pompousness, I will. He laughed inwardly to himself.

The priest started chanting the mantras. The tears of Eeshani continued to flow faster as the marriage rituals went on. She never even looked at Vikrant, keeping her eyes shut and sitting quietly.