Pati by Mistake
Episode 1
"They say marriage changes you,
But didn't say this much!"
In winter, finding little sun rays, Chirag decided to stroll in his car that he got after several failed attempts of arguing, convincing and emotionally blackmailing his dad.
He slid into the driver's seat earlier with a grin.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Worth it.
The cold air brushed his face through the slightly open window.
He tapped the screen, scrolling through music.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Bande thokne mein aye sada first bawli. 🎶
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Now this is a vibe.
The bass filled the car. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, nodding to the beat.
Speed felt good. Freedom felt better.
The vehicle in front suddenly reduced speed for no clear reason. Chirag pressed the brake.
Metal collided with metal.
Chirag’s heartbeat pounded in his ears.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Oh Shit!
He could sense his father's anger from miles away, knowing he hit the car.
He stepped out, winter air hitting his face like reality itself.
The front of the his car was damaged. Not destroyed — but damaged enough.
And then the driver’s door opened.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Why are you cursing? You were the one who suddenly-
The man stormed forward and grabbed Chirag’s collar.
Ritik Thakar
DIKHAYI NHI DETA...AANKH HAI YA BUTTON.
(CAN'T YOU SEE....YOU HAVE EYES OR BUTTON?)
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Bhai...Maine toh kuch kiya hi nhi.
(Bro...I didn't even do anything.)
Ritik Thakar
EK BAAR MEIN FITOOR UTAR DUNGA!
(I will fix your madness in one go!)
People nearby slowed their vehicles. A few stepped out. Phones were already being raised.
The man leaned closer, his breath heavy with rage.
Ritik Thakar
PAISE DE AB TU.
(GIVE ME MONEY NOW!)
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
What? For what? You slowed down without—
Ritik Thakar
PAISE DE VARNA MAIN POLICE BULA RAHA HOON.
( GIVE ME MONEY OR ELSE I'M CALLING POLICE.)
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Kuch keh nahi raha toh chhati pe chadh raha hai.
(I am not saying anything, then you are getting on my chest.)
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
First of all, don’t shout. And I’m not the only one at fault.
People behind them honks as they were blocking the way on highway.
Ritik Thakar
Gaadi side mein laga...Aaj tera hisab karke jaunga.
(Get the car on the side... I will go after setling your account today. )
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Main bhi nhi darta...Karle jo tere bas mein hai.
(I am not afraid either...do whatever is in your power.)
Chirag gets his car on the side and so does Ritik.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Hello 📲
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Bhai...Ek Ch*tiye ne gadi thok di. Ek baar aaiyo. Bohot ainth raha hai.
(Bro...A fucker hit my car. Get here once. He’s acting arrogant.)📲
Arjun Yadav (ML)
5 minute mein aya.
(I am coming in 5 minutes.)
Chirag gets out of the car.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Hello 📲
Swara Patil (FL)
kaha hai?
(Where are you?) 📲
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
I came out for some work. 📲
Swara Patil (FL)
Ghoom raha hoga awara kutte ki tarah.
(You must be strolling like a street dog.) 📲
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Haan thik hai. 📲
Swara Patil (FL)
Sunne se pehle phone katne ki adaat badi kharab hai teri.
(Your habit of cutting off the phone before listening is very bad. ) 📲
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Toh sidhe kaam ki baat kara kar na.
(So talk about work directly) 📲
Swara Patil (FL)
Mummy asked me to tell you that...bring paneer and also chocolate for us. 📲
Nandini Patil (FL sis)
Meri do layio.
(Bring 2 for me.) 📲
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Ok. 📲
A black SUV stopped behind them.
The door opened.
And Arjun stepped out.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Kahan hai vo jo jyada pardhan ban rha hai.
(Where is it that is becoming president.)
Chirag forgot to cut call.
Ritik Thakar
Main hoon.
(It's me.)
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Bhai, ek toh tune gaadi thoki, upar se ainth raha hai.
(Brother, you hit the car first and then you are being arrogant.) 📲
Swara Patil (FL)
Hit car? Whose car? 📲
Chirag thought he cut phone so he put the phone in pocket while Swara heard everything.
Ritik Thakar
Apne dost se puch kisne thoki.
(Ask your friend who did it.)
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Puchne ki zaroorat nhi hai.
(I don't have to ask him.)
Swara Patil (FL)
He didn't tell that his car got hit and think he is big enough to handle everything on his own. 📲
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Kya chahiye?
(What do you want?)
Ritik Thakar
Compensation.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
For that, let us...Do some mistake so that we can compensate properly.
Arjun takes out a wooden stick (Lath) from his car.
Ritik Thakar
Oye… kya kar raha hai?
(What are you doing?)
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Hospital ka bill main bharunga. Tension mat le.
(I will pay hospital bill. Don't worry.)
Arjun hit Ritik on leg making him scream.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Akela samajh ke chadhega saale?
(You tried to take advantage thinking he is alone.)
Swara Patil (FL)
What is he doing? 📲
Swara Patil (FL)
CHIRAG. 📲
Ritik Thakar
Ahh! Stop it! I will complain.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Mera mama police mein hai, Police ki dhamki kisi aur ko diyo.
(My uncle is in the police, threaten someone else with the police.)
Swara stood in the living room, staring at Arjun.
It was the only way she knew him, The guy who had arrogance and thought of himself as some gangster...She then saw him several times but never talked and neither did he.
His initial impression did not seem to please her.
But now...He is trying hard not to cry.
But he is in front of her so she couldn't help but look at his vulnerable condition.
Different from the impression she had of him.
The tough guy now looked like a kid, crying as if someone stole his toy.
Episode 2
Swara stared at him longer than she should...But she wasn't just staring at him, She was zoned out while her eyes were fixed at him.
His dadi walked in slowly and sat down on the sofa.
A day no grandmother should ever live through.
She had watched her own grandson being cremated. Watched the fire swallow the child she once rocked to sleep.
She had lost her elder grandson.
Her tired eyes shifted to Swara.
The young widow.
Just a year ago, this house had echoed with wedding laughter. Bangles. Music. Teasing.
What about her now? She is a widow just after a year of marriage. Before she even understood marriage.
She noticed the way Swara had been staring at Arjun.
Swara blinked, pulled back from wherever her mind had wandered, and looked at her.
Swara stood up slowly, as if even movement required effort, and sat beside her.
Dadi lifted her trembling hand and gently stroked Swara’s head.
ML dadi
The biggest loss is yours.
ML dadi
You lost your husband.
Swara didn't say anything.
Across the room, Arjun sat crying silently — his small shoulders shaking, his face buried in his palms.
ML dadi
Arjun putar...Come to your dadi.
He hesitated for only a second before getting up and walking straight into dadi's arms.
He wrapped himself around her, holding tight.
Her one hand cradled his head. The other pressed against his back.
She stroked his hair slowly.
ML dadi
I know, I know it's tough.
ML dadi
Par yeh zindagi ki reet hai. Sabko ek na ek din jana hai.
(But this is the way of life. Everyone has to go someday.)
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Par abhi kyun.
(But why so soon?)
ML dadi
"Cry" Ab bhagwan ke faisle ko kaun chunauti de?
(How can we challenge God's decision?)
Swara’s mother-in-law let out a hollow laugh.
ML mom
Bhagwan ne kabhi suni hai hamari.
(Did god ever listened to us?)
ML mom
I had two sons...He took one from me.
Silence swallowed the room.
ML mom
Everyone is gone now.
After the rituals, after the condolences, after the footsteps faded—
The house felt unfamiliar.
Dadi looked at Swara, who sat quietly beside Arjun, her white dupatta slipping slightly from her head.
ML dadi
Sunita...I don't want to ruin her life.
ML dadi
Marry her to Arjun.
The words didn’t just shock them.
They froze the air.
ML mom
Abhi mere bete ko mare mahina bhi nhi hua aur aap...
(It's not been a month since my son died and You... )
ML dadi
Meri bhi toh shaadi aise hi hui thi unke bhai ke saath...Jab iske dada mare the.
(I was also married to my husband's brother like this... when his grandfather died. )
ML mom
Mummy ji aapka time alag tha. Tab vidhwa ko koi nhi apnata tha.
(Mummy ji, your time was different. At that time no one accepted a widow.)
ML dadi
It will only be fair if we get them married.
Arjun glanced at Swara. He had never looked at her any other way than as his brother's Wife.
He remembered the only way he had ever learned about her for the first time.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
Bhai, bohot bhook lag rhi hai.
(Brother, I am very hungry.)
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Meri toh bhen ne saaf mana kiya hai ki bhar ka nhi khana.
(My sister strictly told me not to eat junk food.)
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
I had some stomach problem so she made me fried rice.
He only knows about Nandani as they study in same college. And Nandani is his classmate.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
No, My big sister...Swara.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
She is really strict when it comes to me.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
She doesn’t talk much to others. But if someone says anything to me? Bas. Sister mode on.
Arjun takes a bite from the fried rice.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
It's not bad.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Sunakar banaya hai...Accha toh hoga hi.
(She made it after lecturing me. Of course it’ll be good.)
Arjun Yadav (ML)
She sounds dangerous.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
Very.
Arjun didn’t know then—
That one day, that “dangerous” girl would become his brother's wife.
And now—
Now she sat beside him in white.
And his family wanted to bind them together with a decision made in grief.
He had always thought of her as his bhabhi.
He wasn’t over his brother’s death. He wasn’t ready to think about futures. So he let them decide.
ML mom
I don't want to ruin my Arjun's life.
ML dadi
She needs someone...Someone beside her.
ML dadi
You know no one marries a widow.
The truth hurt more because it was real.
Arjun’s mother sighed, exhausted. Torn.
Swara quietly shifted closer to Dadi and held her arm.
She didn’t want another storm.
Swara didn’t even know where she stood in this house anymore.
Widow. Daughter-in-law. Responsibility. Burden.
Under pressure from relatives… whispers from both families… and the cruel practicality of society—
Arjun’s mother finally gave in.
Despite the six-year age gap.
Despite the unfinished grief.
And neither Arjun nor Swara had said yes.
Episode 3
The mandap was decorated beautifully.
It looked like a celebration.
But it did not feel like one.
They had combined haldi, mehendi, and sangeet into one small function. No loud music. No dancing cousins. Just rituals done quickly.
Swara sat quietly while the mehendi artist traced delicate patterns on her hands.
Hidden within the design—
Once, that same ritual had carried his brother’s name.
ML mom
I told his dadi but she never listens.
ML mom
I wanted a grand marriage but...I had to do a simple marriage.
Across the room, Swara’s mother approached her gently.
FL mom
Swara...Are you ok?
Swara looked up.
And smiled.
Swara Patil (FL)
I'm fine, Ma.
In this one year Swara learnt to hide...She barely shares anything with her parents.
Chirag Patil (Fl Bro)
I feel bad for you bro.
Arjun didn't say anything.
FL dad
Thank you for getting Arjun and Swara married.
FL dad
I was so worried for my daughter.
ML dadi
I know you are father of a daughter so you must be worried.
When the time came, they were called to the mandap.
Swara and Arjun sat side by side.
Not too close.
Not too far.
The priest began chanting mantras.
She had once promised forever to his brother.
With each round around the fire, the priest recited promises —
Of protection. Of companionship. Of loyalty. Of shared burdens.
It felt weird, it felt strange, it felt wrong, it felt selfish.
She knew she couldn’t fight everything alone.
Beside her, Arjun walked quietly.
This wasn’t desire. This wasn’t romance.
This was duty.
Arjun picked up the mangalsutra.
For a fraction of a second, his hand paused.
Then he tied it around her neck.
A streak of red in her parted hair.
When the final mantra ended, the priest nodded.
？？？
Vivah sampann hua.
(The marriage is concluded.)
Not Aarav’s wife anymore.
People came forward to bless them.
ML dadi
Khush raho.
(Stay Happy.)
They both bent to touch elders’ feet.
The house had finally fallen silent.
Guests had left.
ML dadi
It's late, you two should go and sleep.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
In one room?
ML dadi
You are married now. You have to share a room.
Swara Patil (FL)
I will....sleep in my room tonight.
Arjun nodded immediately.
Arjun Yadav (ML)
And I am going to sleep in mine.
For the first time that day—
They agreed on something without discussion.
They walked in opposite directions.
Two newlyweds. Walking away from each other.
Swara entered her room and closed the door softly.
She stood still for a long moment.
Then slowly removed her wedding lehenga.
She wiped her face. The makeup smudged slightly.
She didn’t fix it.
She lay down on the bed without changing the sheets.
Exhaustion hit her body—
But not her mind.
She pulled the blanket over herself and finally—
Her shoulders trembled as she pressed her fist against her mouth to stop the sound.
She had cried enough in front of people.
After a few minutes, she abruptly sat up.
She walked to the drawer.
Opened it.
And took out a folded letter.
Swara Patil (FL)
No more...Stepping down.
She unfolded the letter and dialed the number written at the bottom.
Swara Patil (FL)
Yes… Swara this side. You sent me a letter regarding the job opening. I wanted to know if the position is still available? 📲
Her grip tightened slightly.
Swara Patil (FL)
Oh...Thank you, I will be there for an interview. 📲
She sat back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
And then—
Like an uninvited guest—
The memory returned.
Aarav used to come home late.
That night, he had entered quietly and found her sitting exactly like this.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
What are you planning now?
He had teased, loosening his tie.
She had looked at him seriously.
Swara Patil (FL)
I don’t want to depend on anyone forever.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
You’re married, Swara. You can depend on me.
Swara Patil (FL)
I don't want to have to.
Swara Patil (FL)
I got a job offer.
Swara Patil (FL)
It’s a good company. Reputed. I had applied months ago… I didn’t even think they’d reply.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
You know how work culture is in these companies, Long hours. Pressure. Targets. It’s not easy.
Swara Patil (FL)
I know, I just want to try. I want to know how it feels.
He leaned back slightly, thinking.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
It feels exhausting, Look at me. I barely have energy left at the end of the day.
Swara Patil (FL)
I’m not saying I’ll stop taking care of home. I can manage both.
He didn’t dismiss her. He just spoke the way he had grown up hearing.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
Swara… there should be someone at home too. Mummy depends on you. And honestly… I earn enough. You don’t have to work.
In his mind, providing was love.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
People talk unnecessarily. They’ll say there must be some shortage if the daughter-in-law is working.
Swara Patil (FL)
No one says that when you go to work.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
I didn’t make society. I just live in it.
She tried once more, softly.
Swara Patil (FL)
You could at least support me.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
It’s not about support. I just don’t want you to struggle. If someday you feel bored at home, we’ll think about it again. Right now… there’s no need.
Aarav Yadav (ML bro)
Can you bring dinner? I’m really tired.
Marriage, sometimes, pauses conversations instead of finishing them.
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