Pilot

The sun hung low over Vikram Palace, but inside, the atmosphere was anything but serene. Aparna’s face was twisted with rage as she physically shoved Anika away, her voice echoing through the grand hallway. "If you ever fight her again, you will regret ever stepping foot in this house!" Aparna hissed.

Just then, Vikram walked into the parlor, his brow furrowed as he took in the scene of chaos. "What is going on again?" he demanded, looking between the two women. "Aparna, why are you always having a problem with Anika?"

Anika sat on the floor, trembling and crying in visible pain. Aparna didn't offer a shred of sympathy. She simply pointed a finger at the sobbing girl and barked, "She fought with Pooja!" Without another word, Aparna turned on her heel and walked out. Left alone with his niece, Vikram knelt down to console Anika before eventually following after his wife.

Over at Hamfa Mansion, the mood was deceptively light. The Hamfa family sat gathered around the large dining table, sharing their evening meal. Raghav took a crisp bite of an apple, a wide smile spreading across his face. "I am so happy to see everyone here," Raghav remarked, looking at his family with pride.

Swara, however, had her mind on other things. "This family will only truly be complete once we have a daughter-in-law," she noted pointedly. Shabir caught his mother’s gaze and gave a small, knowing smile."Mom, very soon," he promised.

Rhyan chimed in, excitement bubbling in his voice. "Shabi! I’m going back to school tomorrow to accept my results." Nearby, Jia and Sophia exchanged a worried look, their minds drifting toward the looming shadow of their future school fees. Shabir, sensing the unspoken tension, nodded to his brother. "Okay. I’m heading to the garage now. When I get back, I’ll give you the money."

As the meal continued, Swara cast a sharp, disrespectful glance toward her husband. On the balcony of Vikram Palace, Anika sat in solitude. The night air was cool, but it did little to soothe her thoughts as she stared into the distance. Her quiet was interrupted when Pooja suddenly appeared. "I’m sorry for what happened earlier," Pooja said softly.

Anika looked up, her expression tired. "It’s okay."

"Guess what? We are going to Hari’s house tonight!"

For the first time that day, Anika’s eyes lit up. "When are we leaving?" Her excitement was short-lived. Iana entered the room, trailing her two children behind her. "Where are you going?" she asked, her voice cold. "Iana Aunt, we’re going to Hari’s place," Pooja explained.

"With Anika?" Iana’s eyes narrowed. "No," she snapped, cutting them off. "Anika, you are not going. Now go and feed Slim and Sham." Anika’s face fell, the brief spark of joy extinguished. She bowed her head and left with the children, leaving a disappointed Pooja standing alone in the doorway.

Back at Hamfa Mansion, the dinner-table peace had evaporated. Swara stormed into the bedroom to confront Raghav. "You are responsible for all of this! Shabi is doing everything, while you sit here doing nothing!" Raghav looked at her, his expression hardening. "STOP!!"

"Stop!" Raghav repeated, his voice strained. "You know I don’t have money. Why do you keep pestering me?"

"You liar!" Swara retorted. "You have money, but your selfishness won't let you spend it. Shabir has been caring for the whole family. You are the one who should be responsible, but what do you do? Nothing but sit there reading newspapers. I regret marrying you today!" She turned and left the room in a fit of rage, leaving Raghav reeling. He sat in the silence of the room, her taunts echoing in his ears. What will I do now? he thought, a deep sense of shame washing over him.

Meanwhile, Pooja arrived at Hari’s house, her earlier disappointment replaced by excitement as she reached the door. "Pooja! How are you?" Hari greeted her warmly.

"I am fine, Aunty!" Pooja replied, hugging her happily. "How is everyone at home?"

Pooja pulled back, her face clouding over. "They are all fine! But do you know what happened earlier today?Iana stopped Anika from coming to your house here. I pity her; she was crying so heavily."

Hari’s expression remained stony. "She deserved it! You had better stay away from her, or else she will ruin your life."

"Ok!" Pooja replied.

At Vikram’s Palace, Rahul and Singh were huddled together discussing their mounting academic troubles when Satu entered the room. "I have a lot of COs in my post-exams," Singh admitted, his voice thick with worry. "I’m very worried right now."

Rahul waved a hand dismissively. "Why are you worried? COs are a regular thing for me. Don't worry, you can handle them."

"How?" Singh asked.

"Bro! Money."

"Money?"

"Yes! Just bribe the lecturers and they will clear everything. I have done that before and now see, I have no COs." Satu, having finished in the bathroom, walked past them. "Hey guys!" he muttered before leaving them to their plotting.

At Shabir’s Garage, the pressure of the day was rising. "Hi, Mr. Shabir. I want it for 500,000, please," a buyer said.

"It is worth more than that because it is a very quality product," Shabir countered.

The buyer shook his head. "Last price! 550,000. If not, I will go away." Shabir paused, his mind racing. If I did not agree, how will I pay Jia and Sophia's school fees for next term? I don't even know what to do. I will just accept it. "Fine! Bring the money." Shabir took the cash, and the buyer left with the product.

Back at Vikram's palace, Anika cried heavily on her bed and decided to call her mom. "Everybody is fine, but I am tired of staying here. Nobody respects me here," Anika whispered into the phone.

Kareena’s voice came through the line, calm and steady. "I knew everything, but Aparna is like your mother too. So don't worry, she will never do something that will bring harm to you."

"But..." Anika tried to explain further, but Kareena stopped her.

"Just calm down and sleep. Goodnight!" Kareena hung up. In her mind, she prayed, "I pray you find a perfect husband and live happy. Ameen." Anika recited her prayers and finally slept.

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