The Arora family had been working on decorating the wedding hall for Shrishti's engagement. Rajveer had suggested that they hire a decorator but Sarla had been adamant that she wanted to do it herself. Things had finally started to settle and she wanted to enjoy every part of the engagement that had bought with it so much happiness. She looked across the hall where Preeta was finishing the flower arrangement around the stage when the rings would be exchanged.

Watching her daughter put her all in to making this day special for her younger sister Sarla felt a pinch in her heart. Preeta was such a sweet and caring person, she didn't deserve what Karan had done to her, in fact what all of the Luthra's had done to her! Sometimes she felt like marching over to Luthra house and strangling Karan, slapping his and demanding answers but then she thought that he wasn't worth it – Preeta was too good for him! Being lost in her thoughts she jumped slightly when Preeta tapped her on the shoulder.

"Preeta..."

"Maa aap kya soch rahi hai?"

"Nahi bass mein asse hi..."

"Maa aap jhooth kyn bol rahi hai mein janti hoon ke aap pareshan hai... toh abb bata bhi dijiye ke app kyun pareshan hai?"

"Aa re, mein toh bass thoda ghabra rahi hoon ke kuch unch neech na ho jaiye... Akaash ka parivaar bohot aacha hai lekin woh bohot bade log hai..." she said not wanting to upset Preeta by mentioning the Luthra's.

"Bass inti si baat? Maa mein ne aap ko kaha than na Janki Maa Shtishti ka pura khayal rakhegi" she smiled "App ko kya lagta hai Shrishti Janki aunty se aise hi itni chipak ti rahti hai? Unka naam Janki aunty hai aur jab bhi Shrishti unko bulati hai usse Janki maa ki kami mehsuse nahi hoti" Sarla looked at her a little confused not really understanding the logic so Preeta continued.

"Jab Shrishti choti thi taab Janki Maa ne usska bohot kayal rakha hai. Mein to school jati thi aur Papa kaam pe toh woh zyada tar Janki maa ke pass rahti thi. Jab hum bade huwe Janki Maa aur Ram Papa Delhi shift hogye toh Shrishti unnhe bohot miss karti thi. Phir Papa..." A sadness glazed over her eyes as she thought about her father. Sarla noticing the change in her mood gently placed her hand on Preeta's shoulder causing her to come back to the now.

"... Aur phir hum Mumbai agye aur aapse mile, aur Shrishti ko aap ke saath saath Janki aunti bhi mili" she smiled again.

"Ha aur aap dono yahan meri hi baate karte rahiye, kisi ko yeh kayal nahi hai ke aaj meri saagi hai aur saat bajne ko hai!" Shrishti called from behind the two ladies. Sarla and Preeta stared at Shrishti who was looking stunning in her outfit. Janki Maa knew how much Shrishti loved peacock feathers and so she had had her whole outfit designed in the colours of a peacock.

"Abb aap dono mujhe hi dekhte rahoge ya kuch bologe bhi?" Shrishti whined.

"Shrishti..." Preeta smiled and moved to cup Shrishti's cheek "Bohot pyaari lag rahi hai" she kissed her forehead making the ever so bold Shrishti blush. Sarla too moved closer to Shrishti

"Ha Preeta sahi kahe rahi hai... kisi ki nazar na lage!" saying that she moved to put a black dot behind her ear.

"Kya Maa..." Feeling awkward Shrishti changed the subject "Mein toh always achi dikhti hoon lekin aap dono agar abhi taiyar nahi huwe to saab kahege woh dekho hot and happening Shrishti Arora ki behen aur Maa ko... aisa lagta hai ke woh abhi ghar ki safiyi kar ke aarahe hai! Meri kitni insult ho jayegi?"

"Dekho isse..." Sarla said twisting Shrishti's ear

"Ahhh Maa yeh kya kar rahi ho? Lag rahi hai!"

"Itni badi hogayi hai aur har wakt mazak!"

"Chodiye na Maa, aaj iska din hai" Preeta smiled as Sarla left Shrishi's ear. "Waise yeh sahi kahe rahi hai hume taiyar ho jana chahiye, saab ate hi honge" she continued. Slowly the Arora's made their way to get ready.

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After Karan's outburst Mahira had sobbed and stomped her feet hoping someone would help her. She had looked at Sherlyn who remind a silent spectator and then to Kareena who was lost for words.

Seeing her daughter so helpless Ramona had then turned to Rakhee for help. Rakhee however replied very calmly that Karan had made his decision and she wasn't going to get involved. She had then turned to Rishabh and asked him to ready the car, this had effectively shut Mahira and Ramona up.

As Rishabh made his way to the car Karan insisted that he would go with Rishabh, Rakhee, Roo and Kritika. He had bluntly refused to take Mahira with him and not wanting to cause another argument and risk of Karan backing out of the marriage Kareena had dragged Mahira and Ramona with her in Sameer's car.

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Having been sent a video of what had happened at Luthra house there was one individual at the venue that was happy. Standing among the guests they were now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Luthra's and just on cue said Luthra's walked through the doorway.

"Mom..." the Luthra's turned to look at Roo who had stopped mid-step and was staring at the stage that had been set up at the front of the hall.

There on the stage stood Shrishti with her arm interlocked with Akaash Shergil. Rishabh looked towards Akaash and then back to his sister who made an attempt to move towards the stage. Rishabh however, grabbed her hand and prevented her from getting any closer. Roo began to struggle,

"Roo... Please" Rishabh all but begged.

"Lekin Rishabh bhai woh...."

"Nahi Roo tumne Mom ko promise kiya tha ke tum yahan koi drama nahi karongi" to most Rishabh's attitude seemed somewhat strange, he was at his sister's husbands engagement and stopping her from intervening... but he knew what Rajveer was capable of... he knew that if they were to do anything here his sister would bare the brunt of it and that wasn't something he was willing to allow! He and Rakhee had explicitly warned the family and Roo and Sameer were made to swear on Rakhee that they wouldn't create a scene in the engagement.

Remembering her promise Roo reluctantly backed down. Rakhee moved closer to her daughter whose eyes had began to fill with tears and drew her into a supportive hug. She looked across the hall at Shrishti who had been watching them since they walked in and she saw her smile their way. 

Her heart hurt... it hurt for her daughter and it hurt to see how much they had hurt Shrishti for her to hate them so much that seeing them hurting made her happy... a sudden fear gripped Rakhee's heart – would Preeta feel the same way? Would Preeta who had considered her a second mother also hate her? Rakhee clenched her fists to stop herself from crying, she didn't think she could see hate in Preeta's eyes especially not when it was directed towards her and her family!

"App log?" Sarla's question bought everyone's attention to her. She wasn't too sure why the Luthra's were here and she began to worry that they would insult her daughters on such a joyful occasion.

Kareena saw this as an opportunity... she never liked Sarla and after what her and her daughters had done to Roo Kareena couldn't help but give her a piece of mind.

"A..." but she wasn't given the chance as a deep masculine voice cut her off

"Hello Mr Luthra" placing himself in between Sarla and Kareena Rajveer spoke to Rishabh.

"Hel... hello Mr Shergill" Rajveer smirked at Kareena who took a step back under Rajveer's challenging glare.

"App meri Maa se toh mile honge?" Rajveer asked putting an arm around Sarla. The Luthra's looked at the duo with mixed emotions, "I mean innse miliye, yeh hai meri Sarla Maa – Meri Pari ki Maa" he continued looking directly at Karan when he said 'meri Pari'. Karan however didn't notice for he wasn't paying attention . While the drama took place around him Karan's eye roamed around the hall looking for one person and one person only!

"Where was she?" he questioned in his mind. His frustration began to increase as he was unable to spot a certain Ms Arora. As the conversation continued between the rest of the group Karan managed to slowly move away without being noticed – or so he thought!

Shrishti was keeping a close watch on the Luthra's and didn't miss anything and nor did Rajveer! However they both chose to remain silent.

Karan walked around the hall searching for Preeta, he needed to see her his heart screamed. He walked towards the dressing rooms when he finally heard the sound of laughter coming from around the corner. His heart skipped a beat and he quickly followed the sound, he saw some young girls coming towards him and he quickly took out his phone and put it to his ear. He faced the wall to avoid unnecessary questioning in regard to why he was in this part of the venue and not among the guests.

As the girls made their way past him he rounded the corner and noticed a white duppata disappearing into the room. A grin made its way to his lips as he stealthily followed her into the room.

"Yaar yeh Shrishti bhi..." she let out a frustrated sigh looking at the mess her sister had made of the room. She began searching for the bracelet her crazy sister said she'd left in this room and had suddenly decide that she now wanted to wear. Looking at the mess she almost gave up looking for it but then thought Shrishti had sent her to retrieve it and it was Shrishti's day so she heaved another sigh before she began her search.

Preeta whirled around in fear as she heard a distinct click of the door being locked.

"Tum!"

"Ha mein" he smirked

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho? Aur tumne yeh door kyun lock kiya?" she fired. But he continued to stare at her lost in the woman that stood in front of him – 'Mine' his heart whispered and he took a step forward.

Registering his movements Preeta became a little conscious but chose to remain where she was, near the dressing table at the other side of the room.

"Meine poocha tumne..."

"Sunna meine babydoll" he smirked again as he took a few more steps closer. Her mind told her this was dangerous and she should run but remembering Shrishti's earlier words about him trying to control her and her life she decided she wouldn't let him intimidate her and remained put.

This is what he loved about her, no matter how nervous she was his babydoll would never back down! One final step bought him into her personal space meaning she now had to tilt her head up to look him in the eyes.

"Tum..." but she got lost in his chocolaty eye and was unable to finish. But the effect was mutual, the smirk left his lips and a gentle smile took its place. It could have been seconds, it could have been minutes, hours, days or years, but they continues to gaze into one another's eyes.

The sound of giggling close to the room broke Preeta out of her revive and she looked away to gather her thoughts.

"Hai babydoll sharmate huwe kitni pyaari lagti ho" Karan ran his finger along her reddened cheek enjoying the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingers. Quickly Preeta slapped his hand away and push him causing his to take a few steps back.

"Don't touch me!" she snapped "Tum yehan kya kar rahe ho aur tumhari himaat kaise huwi asie door lock karne ki? Aur tum kis hak se mujhe babydoll bol rahe ho? Kitni baar kahena parega mera naam Preeta hai... Preeta Arora!"

Her actions and words sparked his anger, how dare she push him away? And then to question his rights? Didn't she know she was his? As she continued to rant he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into him caging her in his arms.

"Hak toh bohot hai Mrs Preeta Karan Luthra" he whispered in her ear as she struggled to free herself. She closed her eyes feeling him so close to her, his words making her belly flutter and causing her to stop struggling. Karan smirked with pride, no matter how much she denied it... no matter how much she ran... she would always melt in his arms.

The moment was again broken this time by the sound of Janki auntie's voice.

"Tum saab yahan kya kar rahi ho?" Janki Aunty questioned outside the room.

"Auntyji hum Akaash ki cousins hai... aur hum toh uss famous cricketer ke piche aye hai..." an unknown voice replied. Karan smirked seeing Preeta's change in expression, she clearly didn't seem pleased that some fangirls were following him.

"Kon cricketer? Chado tum log. Tum saab chalo abhi todi der mein saagi shuru ho ne wali hai..."

"Lekin auntyji..."

"Koi lekin wekin nahi chalo yahan se" Preeta could hear the girls whine while Janki aunty was herding them away. She looked up and noticed Karan smirking. She didn't like that smirk, she knew the workings of his devilish mind enough to know what we was thinking!

"Tum yeh smirk karna bandh karo... aur mujse dur raho!" she pushed him back as she realised how close they were still standing.

"Babydoll tum aise 'J' hoti ho na tab bohot cute lagti ho"

"Dekho mein koi 'J' nahi hoon..." she pointed her finger at him to emphasise her point only to have him interlink his finger with hers.

"Don't worry baby doll, tumhe 'J' hone ki raurat hi nahi hai... yahan sab jante hai ke tum meri ho"

"What rubbish! Yeh kya baak rahe ho?" he grinned as she struggle to free her finger.

"Rubbish nahi baby doll..." he moved closer to her and leaving her finger he gently placed his palms on her shoulders and turned her around so that she was facing the mirror. "Log hume saath dekh kar toh yehi samjenge na... Aur kahenge - 'What a good looking couple' right Mrs Luthra"

Preeta looked at the reflection staring back at her, she hadn't thought about the fact that just like her he too was wearing white. She glanced at the intricate work of his kurta in the reflection, was it a coincidence she asked herself as she noticed that it matched the work on her blouse. Her eyes met his with a million and one questions

"White is definitely your colour..." he smiled as ne nuzzled her neck "... and it looks even better when it's my choice" his answer made her gasp.