Please don't leave me

After that, Arnav starts to leave.

Anya, with tears streaming down her face, runs after him. In her haste, she accidentally collides with a glass showpiece, shattering it. A sharp shard pierces her foot, and blood begins to seep from the wound.

Yet, she doesn't stop. She keeps running after Arnav. Seeing her struggling behind him, Arnav finally halts.

Standing in front of him, Anya pleads, "Arnav, you can't leave me like this!"

Arnav smirks sarcastically, "Leave you? When did I ever hold onto you that you're talking about being left behind? Think whatever you want!"

Anya, her voice trembling, says, "Arnav, if that temple, that love, meant nothing to you, then what was it? This marriage, these rituals—are they just a formality for you? No! Our hearts, our souls are already connected, Arnav! And you love me too, don't you?"

Arnav lets out a mocking laugh and shoves her back slightly. "You think I loved you? Come on! This wasn't love—it was a deal, a game. A game to win your emotions, your trust. And guess what? I won! But now, it's all over."

Anya, stunned, whispers, "But Arnav… I am your to-be wife."

Arnav laughs cruelly. "But you're not my wife, are you?" He then pulls Vedika forward and smirks. "Open your eyes, Anya. This is my wife. Not you. In fact, you're not even worthy of being a servant in my house, let alone my wife."

Tears welling up in her eyes, Anya shakes her head in denial. "Arnav, why are you saying all this? Just say it's a lie. You love to joke around, right? This is just another joke, isn't it?"

Arnav grabs her wrist tightly. "Oh ho, why are you getting so emotional? Is it because of these wedding bangles?" He sneers and reaches for her hands. "Here, let me break them for you!"

Just as he is about to shatter the bangles on her wrists, Anya instinctively pulls her hands back.

At that moment, Arnav's grandmother steps forward, holding Anya protectively. She glares at Arnav and says, "Arnav, what do you think you're doing?!"

Arnav shrugs. "Relax! I know you all must be furious with me right now. But do you know who's responsible for all of this?" He smirks and points a finger at Anya.

"You are." Then, with a playful blink of his eye, he turns and starts walking away.

Anya calls out desperately, "Arnav, please! Don't leave me! Where are you going?"

Before Arnav can respond, Vedika steps in between them, placing a finger on Anya's forehead. "Sweetheart, stay away from my husband, okay? I really don't like it when people set their eyes on things that belong to me—especially you. Now, enjoy your wedding… alone. We're leaving."

---

Now, let's introduce their families…

(Dev Trivedi) – Arnav's grandfather

(Usha Trivedi) – Arnav's grandmother

(Vinay Trivedi) – Arnav's father, the current chairman of Trivedi Corporation

(Poonam Vinay Trivedi) – A housewife

(Arnav Trivedi) – The MD of his own company

(Advik Trivedi) – Arnav's younger brother

(Trisha Trivedi) – Their elder sister, a college student

(Vijay Trivedi) – Arnav's uncle, owner of a separate business, deeply fond of Advik

(Pallavi Vijay Trivedi) – A housewife

(Lavanya Trivedi) – Their only daughter

And now, let's talk about our heroine…

Anya has no family. She grew up in an orphanage, where she completed her education. Currently, she has a job and also teaches specially-abled children. Additionally, she gives dance lessons to some kids in the orphanage where she was raised.

---

Back to the story…

As soon as Arnav leaves, Anya collapses to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Arnav's grandfather, grandmother, and father rush to her side, trying to console her.

But just then, Arnav's mother, Poonam, scoffs, "A bride was supposed to step into her new home today. Instead, she's taking a U-turn back to her orphanage. I warned this girl before—she shouldn't dream too big. People like her never have the status to turn those dreams into reality. Thank God Arnav came to his senses at the right time and married someone of his own status. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to show my face to society!"

Arnav's grandmother glares at her. "Poonam, that's enough! How can you say such things?"

Anya, barely holding herself together, gets up and starts walking away. But before she can leave, Arnav's grandfather grabs her hand.

"We came here to take our daughter-in-law home," he says firmly. "And we are not leaving without her."

Arnav's grandmother hesitates. "But will he agree? You know how much he despises marriage."

Arnav's grandfather's eyes harden. "He will agree. Because this isn't just about him. It's about a girl's entire life. If Anya leaves this mandap alone today, society will destroy her. They will drown her in insults. And this marriage—it's not just a small affair. The entire country knows about it."

Arnav's grandmother nods. "You're right. Call him. Bring him back."

Arnav's grandfather takes out his phone and dials a number. After just two rings, the call is answered. A commanding voice speaks from the other end.

"Shouldn't you be at the wedding, enjoying the function? Instead, you're calling me? If this is about making me come there, let me be clear—I am not coming. I already told you that."

Arnav's grandfather takes a deep breath and says, "Then listen carefully. If you don't come back right now, you will see my dead face tomorrow."

And with that, he hangs up.