As soon as she landed at the airport, Kajal saw that Lata’s mother had come to pick her up. But Lata wasn’t there.

Upon reaching home, Kajal ran to Lata and hugged her tightly—

“Hey! Are you mad at me?”

Lata didn’t say a word.

“You won’t talk to me? What’s wrong?”

Her mother stepped in, “She’s upset because you didn’t come during the festival. Go, make it up to her.”

While sitting in the car, Kajal handed Lata a small gift.

“Open it!”

Lata frowned. “Will this change anything? Do you think I’ll forgive you so easily?”

“Oh, just take a look!”

As soon as Lata unwrapped the gift, she gasped in surprise.

“Wait! This is that ring—the one you loved the most!”

Kajal smiled. “Yes, and from today, it’s yours.”

For a moment, Lata looked stunned.

“Really? You’re giving me something so precious to you?”

Kajal smirked. “You’re the most precious to me!”

“Hmm, yet it took you a whole year to come see me?”

They both laughed, but Kajal noticed something in Lata’s eyes—a shadow, as if she was hiding something.

A Shadow of Doubt–

Kajal smirked and said, “Look at the bride-to-be! So much celebration even before the wedding! If you’re getting this much pampering now, what will happen later?”

Lata’s father beamed with joy. “Oh, our daughter will live like a queen! The groom is a wonderful young man, just the kind of son-in-law we wanted!”

Kajal chuckled. “Alright then, tell me—what does this groom-to-be do?”

Lata, taking a bite of food, said enthusiastically, “Didn’t I tell you? He works at a bank! A government job! He’s such a sweet person—you’ll like him the moment you meet him!”

Kajal teased, “Hmm, well, I’ll have to wait and see! But listen, if he doesn’t talk to me properly, I’m going to be mad!”

Her father laughed. “Oh no, don’t worry! He loves talking. Once he starts, he won’t stop!”

But amidst all this, Mamoni remained completely silent.

Kajal noticed an unusual tension on her face as she served food, a quiet worry hidden beneath her usual warmth.

Kajal spoke gently, “You’re not saying anything, Mamoni? You like him too, don’t you?”

Mamoni didn’t respond—she just gave a faint smile.

Lata looked at her father and said, “Mom’s just too emotional! She can’t bear to stay away from me, that’s probably why she’s quiet!”

But Kajal sensed something was off.

“She’s definitely hiding something!”

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