"I am not—" Reyansh began, then cut himself off and glared. "Wait a second, how do you even know where she went?"

Samaira gave him a knowing grin. "Of course I know. Do you think she will go on a date and not tell me? Her best friend knew where she went."

Reyansh instantly got interested, as did Vihaan. Ahaan and Agastya watched the conversation, amused.

Reyansh crossed his arms. "Okay, then. Where did she go?"

Samaira asked mischievously, "Why should I tell you?"

He blinked. "What?"

She tilted her head playfully. "What if you go and destroy their date?"

"Date?" Reyansh choked on his own breath. "Who said anything about a date?"

Samaira raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh, please. Don't play dumb. You're obsessed with this 'where-is-Ruhi' mission."

"I just want to see him," Reyansh mumbled. "You know... medically."

Samaira burst into laughter. "Medically? What are you going to do, check his heartbeat with your presence?"

Reyansh tried to salvage his pride. "I'm just saying—what if the guy is a shady, manipulative idiot? What if he tries to emotionally damage her? I'm just looking out for her well-being."

"You're forgetting," he added dramatically, standing and pointing at himself, "I am also a doctor, Samaira."

Samaira dramatically clasped her hands. "You poor soul. And I'm guessing your 'medical instincts' told you to protect her? What an amazing reason to spy on her date."

Twenty minutes later, Samaira and Reyansh were sitting at the table behind Ruhi and her date. They both looked more like thieves than spies. Reyansh was wearing black jeans with a black T-shirt, and a black leather jacket with a mask on his face, and Samaira did the same.

Most of the people were looking at them with suspicious eyes, but they were busy spying on Ruhi and her date as Samaira kept on updating Ahaan, Vihaan, and Agastya through the phone.

Ruhi was sitting at the corner table of the café, especially reserved for couples, dressed in a beautiful white salwar suit, looking... radiant.

She smiled gently at a clean-cut, very polite-looking man who offered her a bouquet of white roses just like her dress.

Reyansh growled. "Why is he giving her flowers already? Isn't that too soon?"

Samaira replied with an evil glint in her eyes. "It's a date. People give flowers on dates. Unlike some people who give nothing but sarcasm and gray hair."

"I am the gift," Reyansh muttered.

Samaira chuckled. "If this is a gift, I am sure Ruhi will be asking for a return receipt."

Back at the palace, the boys were dying of laughter from Samaira's live text commentary.

Group Text:

Samaira: Flower count: 1

Reyansh: The way he's sitting is arrogant.

Ahaan: HE'S JUST SITTING NORMALLY.

Vihaan: Rey, do you want me to send anti-acid pills for your burning jealousy?

Agastya: Reyansh, blink twice if you need a therapist.

Suddenly, the guy on the date laughed at something Ruhi said. Ruhi threw her head back laughing, genuinely enjoying herself.

Samaira turned to Reyansh, surprised. "She's... happy."

Reyansh clenched his jaw. "Yeah. I noticed."

"She looks relaxed," Samaira added softly.

"Too relaxed," Reyansh muttered. "Look at the guy. He's trying too hard."

Samaira snorted. "And yet, she's smiling."

Reyansh didn't say anything for a long minute.

Finally, he turned to her, dead serious. "Do you think she likes him?"

Samaira shrugged. "I don't know yet. But if she does, I'll support her."

Reyansh swallowed hard. "And what about me?"

She smirked. "Well, that depends. Are you going to keep pretending you're not jealous?"

Reyansh looked away.

They watched as Ruhi leaned in slightly and the guy poured her more water like a gentleman.

"I don't like him," Reyansh whispered.

"I know," Samaira said sadly. "But does that matter?"

Reyansh opened his mouth, then shut it again.

Samaira patted his shoulder. "Come on, Dr. Oberoi. Let's go before you burst a vein."

As they drove off, Samaira messaged the group.

Samaira: "Mission over. He's nice. Ruhi's happy. Reyansh is not."

Ahaan: "Mission FAILED."

Within 10 minutes, Reyansh and Samaira were back in the palace.

The atmosphere was unusually quiet; they all didn’t say a word to Reyansh. No one spoke. Not even Samaira. Her usual sass was missing, replaced by something unreadable. Once again, she had masked her expression.

Reyansh sat on the couch with his head resting on the pillow, eyes closed. Vihaan was scrolling on his phone without reason. Agastya also avoided eye contact with Reyansh, and Ahaan kept his focus on his laptop.

And Samaira? She was lost in thought. She didn’t know what to do. Ruhi was looking genuinely happy today, and she knew she couldn’t deny it. And not to mention, the guy was also decent—exactly the one Samaira and Amyra would like for her. And that didn’t sit well. Not with her, and definitely not with the sulking volcano next to her.

Suddenly, a loud and happy voice echoed through the living room.

"GUYSSSSSS! HE WAS SO SWEET!"

She practically floated into the lounge, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling with excitement and happiness, and a bouquet of beautiful white roses in her hands.

Everyone sat up straight. Reyansh’s mouth fell open seeing Ruhi this happy; Samaira blinked. Vihaan muttered, "Oh, shit."

Ruhi didn’t notice any of their expressions. She quickly rushed to Samaira, hugging her tightly.

"Samaira, this was one of the best dates of my life, and look what he got me! My favorite—white roses! How did he even know?"

Samaira forced a smile as she hugged Ruhi and said, looking at the beautiful bouquet of white roses, "Yeah, they’re beautiful, Ruhi."

Reyansh let out a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a groan, which Ruhi didn’t even notice.

Ahaan cleared his throat. "So... uh... how was the date?"

Ruhi beamed and said, "It was amazing, Jiju. He is so well-mannered and thoughtful. He even volunteers in a children’s clinic in his free time."

Reyansh mumbled, "Saints always turn out to be serial killers."

Vihaan raised a brow. "Wow. Sounds like the perfect Mr. Right for you, huh?"

Ruhi grinned and nodded. "He really is. He actually listens when I talk. Not just the words, but like, really listens, you know."

Samaira’s smile remained frozen in place, but her heart clenched. She was happy for Ruhi, truly. But a sideways glance at Reyansh, who looked like he was about to faint any minute now...

Agastya asked, "So... what’s his name?"

Ruhi smiled with bright eyes. "Dr. Shaurya Khanna."

Right at the moment they entered, Amyra, Jeevika, and Nitya all smiled widely seeing Ruhi with a bouquet of roses and a bright smile.

The girls rushed to her like bees to honey.

Nitya asked excitedly, "So, how was the date? Ms. Ruhi."

Jeevika squealed. "Tell us everything! Spill right now!"

Amyra hugged her sideways and said, "We need all the details. Nothing to be left out."

"Okay, okay, guys!" Ruhi laughed. "I have so much to tell you. Let’s get changed and meet in my room in 10 minutes!"

"Yup. Perfect!!" they all replied, and the girls quickly went to their rooms except Samaira, who stayed for a few minutes.

Vihaan turned to Reyansh. "So... still not jealous?"

Reyansh didn’t answer.

Ahaan sighed, looking at his brother’s expressionless face. "Rey, we get it. It sucks. But... she looked genuinely happy."

Reyansh stood abruptly. "Yeah. She did."

Samaira finally spoke. "Rey..."

He shook his head, pacing slowly. "I can’t compete with that guy. He’s good-looking, a gentleman, probably writes poetry and plays guitar. What do I have? A medical degree and sarcasm?"

"You are amazing, Reyansh; you are a neurologist," Agastya said quietly. "And you are a royal prince."

"Doesn’t seem like it’s enough, though," Reyansh muttered.

Samaira’s voice was barely above a whisper. "Maybe not now. But it’s not over. Not until you don’t try. It’s not like they are getting married tomorrow. You still have time."

Vihaan added, "That guy might’ve given her white roses. But you gave her memories. And that’s not nothing, even though it hasn’t been a long time, but you guys care for each other."

Reyansh didn’t reply and just left. Samaira gave a weak smile to Vihaan as she went to Ruhi’s room.

Amyra, Samaira, and Jeevika were waiting impatiently in Ruhi’s room. The moment Ruhi got out of the closet, they dragged her to sit on the bed and looked at her excitedly.

"Ruhi!!! Spill now," Amyra said like an excited teenager, as Jeevika and Samaira also looked at her with the same curiosity and excitement.

Ruhi, who was brushing her hair, turned to look at the three with a smirk. "Hmmmm... where should I start?"

Amyra narrowed her eyes impatiently. "No small talk. Just tell us: Are you marrying that guy?"

Ruhi blinked at her, then burst into laughter, making the three confused.

"Oh, my God, are you guys serious?" Ruhi said, laughing. "You really thought I was interested in that date?"

Samaira tilted her head, sighing in relief. "Wait. You're not?"

Ruhi shook her head with amusement. "No! Are you joking, Samaira? You know me better than that. Me and that happy on the first date? Impossible."

Jeevika blinked, confused, as she asked, "But... you looked happy. You came in grinning and squealing!"

"That’s because everything went perfectly, just not in the way you’re thinking," Ruhi said, lying on her stomach. "You guys really don’t remember Shaurya?"

"Wait," Amyra paused, thinking for a few minutes. "Shaurya? From college?"

Samaira and Jeevika looked confused, as they were both in different colleges than Ruhi and Amyra.

"That one!" Ruhi gave a smirk. "Shaurya is the guy my parents set me up with. We recognized each other the moment we met, laughed for a solid minute, and then both said, ‘This is never happening,’ at the same time."

Samaira narrowed her eyes, arms crossed. "You mean... the entire thing was a fake?"

"Not exactly," Ruhi said, grinning ear to ear. "We sat, had coffee, laughed about our parents’ matchmaking desperation, and then I told him straight-up—I’m not into the idea of marrying anyone right now. I don’t even want to date. I barely tolerate most humans."

Ruhi smirked. "And guess what? He felt the same. Turns out, he’s got someone he actually likes—someone he’s going to confess to soon. So we made a deal: be each other’s shield. I told my parents that we both want time. We even video-called them together and explained the situation."

Samaira blinked, surprised, and asked, "So the whole time you were smiling and complimenting that guy was because he helped you convince Uncle and Aunty to drop the idea of the marriage?"

"Exactly!" Ruhi said, hugging the bouquet closer. "He gave me these flowers because we survived a matchmaking date without losing our minds."

Jeevika said, smiling, "I am glad you guys were able to convince your parents."

Ruhi nodded.

Samaira smirked but said nothing.

Meanwhile

With the Boys

The boys were sitting in the lounge looking at the miserable Reyansh, who they could swear was ready to burst out.

Done with looking at miserable Reyansh, Vihaan finally said, "I still can’t believe Ruhi liked the guy this much after one date."

Reyansh blinked slowly, like he hadn’t heard it. Then, almost robotically, he looked up. "She didn’t say anything when she came back. Just smiled and ran to Samaira like she won the damn lottery."

Agastya raised a brow and asked Reyansh, "You okay, bro?"

"Yeah, yeah. I’m just..." Reyansh muttered to himself. "Processing."

Ahaan, who was observing everything, finally asked, "What if it’s serious?"

Reyansh immediately sat up, making everyone startled.

"I mean," Agastya continued, "she did look happy. She was not much into dating and all, according to Amyra, so maybe she really liked him."

Vihaan nodded, though he was trying not to laugh at the panic spreading on Reyansh’s face. "You’re right. Ruhi’s always been cautious, but maybe she really liked him."

"Okay, stop it," he snapped at them, making them stunned, trying to look calm but failing miserably. "Ruhi doesn’t like anyone that fast. She doesn’t..."

Just then, Vihaan got a call from Nitya.

Nitya: "Bhai, I have sent the CCTV recording of the palace on the day of the Sangeet to you."

Vihaan: "Okay. I will—"

Suddenly, the call got interrupted, and Vihaan heard, "Come on, Nitya, we need to tell you about Ruhi’s marriage and her Mr. Perfect."

Hearing this, everyone got alert. Reyansh quickly snatched Vihaan’s phone and kept it on speaker. Fortunately, because of the interruption, Nitya didn’t cut the call.

The boys sat in silence for a second. Then they heard—

Amyra: "So, Ruhi, you’re really ready for marriage now?"

All four boys got alert.

Samaira: "Finally, girl! You took so long, I thought you ditched us."

Nitya (laughing): "Sorry, guys, I had some work. But I’m here now. So, Ruhi, spill. When’s the wedding?"

There was a pause.

Ruhi (in her usual calm tone): "After a month of Amyra and Ahaan’s wedding."

Ahaan choked on his drink. Vihaan nearly dropped the phone. Reyansh looked like someone had just kicked him in the chest.

Agastya blinked. "Did she just say wedding?"

Ahaan stared at the phone. "A month after ours?! What-what the—what?!"

Back on the call:

Nitya: "Oh my God! Congratulations, girl! I’ve got the perfect gift for your wedding night."

Amyra (snorting): "If it’s that red lacy nightdress, forget it. Samaira already beat you to it."

Samaira (giggling): "You bet I did! I even made sure it has a matching robe. Because comfort and sass are both essential."

Ruhi: "Guys!" laughs "Stop it! I swear, you all are more excited about my wedding night than the actual wedding!"

Nitya (laughing): "Because, girl, there is no man in the world who can handle you. So, finding someone who you like is truly astonishing."

Jeevika: "True. It’s more romantic than the court marriage I thought you’d end up with."

The boys’ expressions were a mix of horror. They all thought it was a funny thing, but now that they realized that Ruhi was serious, they were worried for Reyansh, who was clenching his jaw so tightly that Vihaan thought he might break it.

Agastya patted Reyansh’s shoulder. "Bro... breathe. You’re going pale."

Reyansh’s voice was low. "She’s not serious. She’s messing with them."

Ahaan: "The bouquet. The smiles. The glowy cheeks. She’s serious, my man."

Vihaan tried to lighten the mood. "At least the nightdress thing is funny—"

Reyansh shot him a glare so deadly that Vihaan immediately went quiet.

On the call:

Nitya: "So, where’s the honeymoon?"

Ruhi: "Let’s get married first, then we’ll talk about the honeymoon!"

Nitya: "Ohoo—you are very excited for your honeymoon."

Reyansh had enough. He grabbed the phone and angrily tapped the screen, ending the call.

"That’s it. We’re done listening to this madness," he said.

Every inch of his body screamed disbelief.

She said she’s getting married. She was laughing. She sounded happy...

Reyansh clenched his fists. "That’s it. I don’t care. Let her do whatever she wants. It’s her life anyway. Who am I to stop her?"

In Ruhi's Room

Nitya was looking at Ruhi in disbelief. After a few moments, Ruhi couldn't control herself from laughing and said, "Really, Nitya? Do you really think I would get so impressed by someone just after one date? The only person who can impress me is myself."

Nitya looked stunned as she whined, "You guys pranked me?! That's not good. Means you're not actually getting married?"

"Nope," Ruhi said with a smirk. "Turns out Shaurya was my college friend and was just as uninterested in this marriage as I was. I told him straight up that I wasn't looking for anything romantic, and he said, 'Oh thank God, same here.' We laughed, called our parents, explained everything, and it's over. Case closed. Clean, drama-free, and effective. Thankfully, Mummy and Papa decided not to bother me with this marriage setup for at least a few months."

Amyra grinned. "Honestly, it was such a grown-up way to handle things. I'm proud of you and also a little disappointed. No table flipping? No dramatic exits? No throwing water on faces?"

Ruhi chuckled. "Nope. Just two adults awkwardly sipping coffee, agreeing to disappoint our parents and be free."

Jeevika laughed at Amyra's words and said, "Amyra loves drama. No wonder she really made a mafia king fall in love with her."

They all laughed at this.

Samaira leaned toward her, grinning. "So, how does it feel?"

"To be able to get away from an arranged marriage blind date without any drama?" Ruhi smirked. "Honestly? Amazing."

Nitya shook her head. "You all are insane."

Ruhi just beamed.

Laughter was still echoing through the air when Nitya suddenly shot up like she'd been struck by lightning.

"OH. MY. GOD!" she shouted in shock.

Samaira, Ruhi, Amyra, and Jeevika got startled, Amyra almost falling off the bed.

"Woah, what happened, Nitya?" Samaira asked, confused.

"How can we completely forget? It's Amyra Bhabhi's bachelorette party today!" Nitya said with a face of dread.

That quickly lit up everyone's brain as they looked at each other with horror. They all jumped out of bed and started running here and there. Fed up with all the hustle, Jeevika shouted, "GUYSSSS—CALM DOWN."

Hearing this, they finally all relaxed as Jeevika said, "Why are you all panicking? We only have to get ready. Everything is already prepared; the venue is done, and the food and drinks are done. Games, fun, and everything is already set up."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," Ruhi said, once again plopping on the bed.

"Of course, madam, you went on a date. It's common that you will forget everything," Samaira said with a smirk as Ruhi threw a pillow at her face.

"That's alright. We still have four hours to get ready," Samaira said, lying next to Ruhi.

"Four hours is not enough. How the hell did time pass so quickly today? We didn’t even do anything," Ruhi said, confused.

"Actually not. It’s just you and Samaira who were free. I, Jeevika, and Nitya cleared up all the documents for the hospital, and then we went to do a full investigation of the hospital. We will be starting the hiring of the staff soon. What did you do, Samaira, the whole day? I hope you have taken rest," Amyra said, looking at Samaira curiously.

Samaira laughed nervously. What should she tell them? That she troubled her maybe-jiju for a whole day or that she went to spy on Ruhi’s date? She said, "I slept, ate, and binge-watched dramas the whole day."

Ruhi and Amyra looked at Samaira with suspicious eyes but didn’t say anything.