The evening had a strange heaviness in the air as Vikrant gently guided Prisha downstairs. Her steps were slow, her eyes lowerd, and her silence spoke louder than any words could. In the lounge, almost the entire Malhotra family was already gathered Rajveer sitting with Sailesh Malhotra, Maya engrossed in a conversation with Shrishti, while Naina occupied herself near Raunak. The luxurious lounge was buzzing with voices, laughter, and the clinking of tea cups, but for Prisha, every sound felt distant, blurred.

The moment she entered, Shrishti Malhotra rose with a warm smile, extending her hand toward the young girl. "Aao beta, kaise ho? Come, sit with us," she said in her soothing, motherly tone. Prisha, out of respect, forced a polite smile onto her lips and greeted her back with warmth, as was expected from her. She sat down beside them, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, but in those long, dragging minutes, not once did she raise her gaze toward Raunak. She avoided his presence as though he were a shadow she didn't wish to acknowledge.