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29.

Drishti leaves for the kitchen, and Swati, lowering her hands, follows her.

Just then, Abhimaan suddenly takes off his slipper and throws it, first at Aadir and then at Angad.

"So, you're both really eager to get married, huh?"

"No, Dad!" they exclaim quickly, jumping up from the couch and running away.

But Abhimaan approaches with his slipper in hand, pointing it at Angad, who quickly hides behind Abhiram—his only savior.

"I’ve kept quiet for too long. Especially you, Angad. You've been getting way out of line. Just because I haven’t said anything doesn’t mean you can do whatever you like!"

"Please, please! We’re your two precious sons! Your beloved boys!" they plead.

"Oh, so should I lift you both up in my arms, then?" he snaps at them. Aadir freezes, then tries to say something, but stops as Abhimaan raises his slipper again.

It lands directly on Angad’s backside.

"Oh God, Dad, this time it actually hit me!" he yells.

"Good."

Abhimaan then turns towards the girls, who immediately stand up straight.

"And you two," he says, pointing at them. "What did you see in these two when you agreed to marry them?"

Aadir’s face falls. Today is his wedding day, and on the very first day of his marriage, he’s getting a flying slipper from his dad in front of his new wife.

The girls both stand there, speechless.

"Everything," Angad mutters from behind Abhiram.

"You little—" Abhimaan starts, turning around again.

In the kitchen, her back turned as she tries to hold in her emotions. Swati hesitates for a moment, then steps forward and, without saying a word, wraps her arms around Drishti in a warm embrace. Drishti stiffens at first but then softens, her hands reaching to gently hold Swati back. The two women stand there in silence, the weight of their emotions evident as tears well up in their eyes.

"These men will keep fighting like this," Drishti says with a slight smile, "let's just embrace each other."

Swati lets out a soft chuckle, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "Haan," she agrees, her voice barely above a whisper, as they break the embrace.

"Drishti, I wanted to tell you something," Swati began softly, her voice carrying a hint of unease. "Please take care of Trisha…"

Drishti smiled warmly, placing a comforting hand on Swati's shoulder. "There’s nothing to worry about, Swati. Do I look like a villain to you?"

Swati hesitated, shaking her head. "No, but bhabhi…"

"It’s alright," Drishti reassured her. "Di won’t get angry, and you know Ma—she’s always understanding."

Swati nodded, letting out a deep sigh of relief as tension left her body.

Suddenly, they heard Rajvardhan’s voice booming from the hall, and both women walked back into the hall.

Aadir looked at his grandfather’s face, noticing how unusually quiet he seemed. He wasn’t even focusing on Rajvardhan's words; all he wanted was for his grandfather to look at him. But for the first time, niranjan didn’t glance his way.

"Okay, we’ll take our leave now," Rajvardhan said, glancing at Niranjan, who nodded. He then turned toward Antara and nodded with a smile.

Niranjan looks at them.