The wedding is complete

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The priest began chanting the mantras. As he continued, Yug followed each instruction precisely. But Mannat didn't react at all. Her mind was consumed with just one thought — how would she face everyone? What would she say? How would she explain? She'd have to answer everyone's questions.

These thoughts were pounding in her head. When the priest asked the bride and groom to stand for the wedding rounds, Mannat snapped out of her thoughts. Seeing her not getting up, Yug stood up angrily, grabbed her hand tightly, and dragged her into taking the rounds. Mannat felt pain in her hands. Yug walked fast, and Mannat was being pulled along.

When it was Mannat's turn to lead the round, she froze. She wasn't moving forward, as if paralyzed by fear. Seeing her hesitate, Yug leaned in and whispered in her ear, "The longer you delay, the more your father will suffer. His health is already worsening."

Hearing that, Mannat moved forward. She was helpless. Inside the villa, the media had entered and started clicking photos. Since Yug was busy with the wedding rituals, Shera had to deal with them.

Naina, from India News Agency, had come to cover the story. She had heard Yug Bajaj was getting married, but didn't know to whom. When she saw her friend Mannat, she was completely shaken. "No, this can't be Mannat. She must be at the hospital," she told herself, scanning Mannat with her eyes over and over. When she looked closely, she realized it really was Mannat.

Naina felt like she was about to collapse from the shock. Mannat marrying Yug? Impossible. This couldn't be happening.

It was 10 PM, and neither Mannat nor her father had returned home, which made Pihu and her mother very anxious. Pihu called Mayank to ask if Mannat had left the hospital.

Mayank replied that Mannat hadn't even come to the hospital that day. This confused Pihu. "If she didn't go to the hospital, where did she go? It's 10 PM and dad isn't home either. Where could they be?" Pihu started to worry about both of them.

Pihu immediately told her mother that Mannat wasn't at the hospital. Seema ji put her hand on her forehead and said, "Ugh, this girl will ruin my reputation. Yesterday was already such a bad omen, and now she's gone out today to bring even more shame."

Pihu yelled in anger, "Enough, Mom! Can't you see how much she's suffering? Don't you care about her pain?"

Seema ji also shouted, "Oh, so now you're taking her side too! I thought you were my daughter, but I guess I was wrong."

"Yes, I'm not your daughter, that's why I can see the truth. Mannat isn't your real daughter, that's why you talk about her like this." They both started arguing.

Pihu sat on the sofa, holding her head. "Mom, I don't want to argue. We need to find them. Where are they? We haven't heard anything from Dad all day, and Mannat's phone has been switched off since noon. I can't think straight."

Pihu was overwhelmed with worry. She didn't know whom to ask, where to go, or how to find them. Then suddenly she remembered Naina and called her, but Naina wasn't picking up. What now? Where should they go? Even Seema ji sat on the sofa, deeply distressed.

Pihu said, "Mom, we should file a police complaint. I'm starting to have really bad thoughts. What if we're too late?"

Seema replied, "Yes, you're right."

Back at Bajaj Villa, Naina was deep in thought. Her head was pounding. She wanted to talk to Mannat, but Shera wasn't letting anyone near her. Bodyguards were positioned everywhere, keeping the media at bay. Naina, stunned, just kept staring at Mannat.

Seeing Pihu calling, Naina didn't answer — what could she say? All she could think was, "Should I tell them? No, not yet. I have to talk to Mannat first. What kind of helplessness forced her to marry Yug Bajaj? I won't leave until I speak with her. And right now, I can't talk to anyone else."

Shera informed the media and press, "Yug Bajaj's wedding is happening in haste, which is why no guests were invited. As you can see, once the wedding is complete, sir will answer all your questions. Please maintain calm until then."

Mannat sat silently in front of the sacred fire. The priest said, "Now the groom will apply sindoor in the bride's hair parting."

Hearing this, heavy tears rolled down Mannat's cheeks. Yug, unaffected, picked up the sindoor and applied it. Then the priest said to tie the mangalsutra.

Yug tilted his head slightly, picked up the mangalsutra, and moved toward Mannat. Her tears were flowing like a river. As Yug tied the mangalsutra, some of her tears fell on his hands. He stared at her and whispered in her ear, "From today, consider this a noose around your neck — in the name of Yug Bajaj."

At 11 PM, the priest declared, "The wedding is complete. From now on, you are husband and wife."

Hearing this, Mannat turned her eyes away. This angered Yug. Just as he was about to speak, Shera came close and whispered, "Sir, the media is flooding us with questions."

Yug grabbed Mannat's hand, stood up, and walked toward the media, dragging her along. In a commanding voice, he said, "Look carefully. Take good pictures. The only headline on every news channel should be 'Yug Bajaj's Wedding.'"

A reporter stepped forward and asked, "Sir, you never told us about your relationship before?"

Yug curled his lips into a slight smile and replied, "Relationship? I love Miss Mannat Aggarwal — I mean, Mrs. Mannat Yug Bajaj — very much. And she loves me too."

Mannat was fuming at Yug's lies and kept trying to pull her hand away. But Yug gripped it tighter.

The pain in her wrist increased. Naina stepped forward and asked, "Mrs. Mannat Bajaj, would you like to say something about your relationship?"

Mannat heard Naina's voice and looked up at her. As she took a step forward, Yug tightened his grip even more.

Mannat stared at Yug in anger. Yug looked toward the cameras and said, "To everyone watching me right now on the news, I apologize for not inviting you to the wedding. But very soon, I'll throw a grand party and invite everyone. For now, goodbye and goodnight. Please return to your homes."

As he turned to leave, he paused and added, "Oh, and make sure the headlines read — Yug Bajaj's Wedding."

With that, Yug walked off, dragging Mannat with him. The media tried to follow, but Shera and the bodyguards blocked them.

Shera politely addressed the press, "You may all leave now. Thank you for coming."

To be continue...