Kumkum Bhagya: Rishton Ki Ankahi Kahani

Chapter 97

Rishi's Dilemma – A Risky Move

Rishi stared at Sunny as if he had lost his mind. "You want me to send a marriage proposal for Prachi? Are you insane?"

Sunny crossed his arms. "Think about it, Rishi. If Prachi gets a proposal from you, it might shake Ranbir up. He's too proud to admit his mistakes, but if he sees that someone else is willing to step up for Prachi, he might finally realize what he's about to lose."

Rishi ran a hand through his hair, pacing in frustration. "This is ridiculous! You expect me to use my life as some kind of bait in your plan?"

Sunny exhaled. "I know it's a gamble. But if we don't do something, Ranbir will marry Rhea, and trust me—none of them will be happy. You may not care about Ranbir, but do you want Prachi to suffer?"

Rishi hesitated. Prachi had always been a good friend. She didn't deserve to be in this mess. But this? This was too much.

"Even if I agree, what makes you think Prachi will say yes?" Rishi challenged.

Sunny smirked. "Is she says a yes then I know what to do next."

Rishi groaned. "I hate you so much right now."

Sunny chuckled. "I know. But you'll thank me later."

Sunny's Plan – A Secret Meeting

At an old, secluded café on the outskirts of the city, Sunny paced impatiently, checking his watch. He had called Rhea, Rishi, Aryan, Shahana, Sanju, and Rakhi for an urgent discussion, but Rakhi had yet to arrive.

"Where the hell is Ms. Chashmish?" he muttered under his breath.

Rishi, leaning against the table, crossed his arms. "Are you sure she even got the message?"

"Of course, she did," Sunny replied, still glancing at his phone. "Something's off."

Sanju, sprawled lazily in a chair, rolled his eyes. "Forget Bhabhi Ji, Bhai. What I don't get is why we're even doing this. Why the hell are we trying to reunite Ranbir and Prachi? I mean, isn't this the perfect time for me to step in and woo Prachi?"

Sunny's jaw tightened. "Shut up and listen to the plan."

Sanju huffed. "I'm just saying! What's even in this for you?"

Before Sunny could retort, Rhea cut in, arms folded, her expression skeptical. "For once, I agree with Sanju. Why do you care about Ranbir and Prachi?"

Sunny was taken aback by her words. He couldn't reveal that he considered Pragya Maasi and Chucks as his own family, which made their daughters—Rhea and Prachi—his family too.

He exhaled sharply. "Because Ranbir is making the biggest mistake of his life, and none of you seem to be doing anything about it."

Aryan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "And what's the plan?"

Sunny smirked. "Simple. We create chaos. Enough chaos to make him realize he's still in love with Prachi before it's too late."

Shahana arched a brow. "And how exactly do we do that?"

Sunny leaned forward. "By making him jealous. By making him regret. And most importantly—by making sure Prachi moves on in a way that drives him insane."

As Sunny began laying out the details of his plan, his mind kept drifting back to Rakhi (Ms. Chashmish).

Where the hell was she?

Rakhi's Shocking Discovery

Meanwhile, Rakhi was nowhere near the café. Instead, she stood frozen inside her dimly lit room at St. Thomas Convent, R.K. Puram, her entire world shifting beneath her feet. Across from her sat Tanu—the woman she had believed was her mother—with a smug expression, her eyes glinting with the triumph of having finally found her.

"Are you telling me the truth?" Rakhi's voice trembled.

Tanu feigned a wounded look. "Why would I lie to you, my child? After you left, something changed in me. My motherly instincts awoke, and I realized the terrible mistake I had made. So, I divorced Nikhil and sent him to jail for what he did to you."

Rakhi's breath hitched. She had spent years believing no one would ever avenge her, that no one would ever stand up for her. And now, the woman who had despised her the most throughout her life was claiming to have done the impossible.

Tears welled up in her eyes. "You... you really put him in jail?"

Tanu reached out and cupped her face gently. "Of course, sweetheart. You're my daughter. How could I let him get away with hurting you?"

Rakhi's walls began to crumble. For so long, she had yearned for a mother's love—acceptance, protection. And now, Tanu was offering it freely.

She swallowed hard before whispering, "I'm pregnant, Mamma."

Tanu's eyes widened in genuine shock. She hadn't expected this. "With... Nikhil's child?"

Rakhi nodded, her hands instinctively resting on her stomach. "I don't even know how to anymore."

A flicker of calculation passed through Tanu's eyes, but she masked it quickly with a concerned look. "Rakhi, this changes everything. But don't worry. I will take care of everything."

Rakhi looked at her hesitantly. "How?"

Tanu smiled. "I've already found a suitable groom for you. A man who will accept you with your past, with your child."

Rakhi's heart pounded. A groom? She had never even considered marriage. But then, an image of Sunny flashed through her mind.

"Who is he?" she asked hesitantly.

Tanu patted her hand. "You'll meet him soon. Trust me, dear, you'll be happy."

Rakhi looked on, uncertainty clouding her mind.

Back at the Café

Sunny checked his phone again. Still no message from Rakhi.

Something was definitely wrong.

But for now, he needed to focus.

"Alright," he said, snapping his fingers. "Here's what we do first..."

As he continued outlining the plan, his instincts screamed at him.

Rakhi wasn't just late. Something had happened to her.

Prachi's Shock – An Unexpected Proposal

The next day, Prachi was sitting in her college library, flipping through her notes absentmindedly when she received a call from Pragya.

"Prachi!" Pragya sounded worried. "You won't believe what just happened!"

Prachi frowned. "What now?"

"Rishi's family sent a marriage proposal for you!"

The book in Prachi's hand slipped and hit the table with a loud thud. "What?"

Pragya continued, "Yes! His parents came to our house with an official proposal. I am in shock. Where did this even come from?"

Prachi felt her heartbeat quicken. This had to be a joke. A cruel prank.

"This doesn't make sense," she whispered.

Pragya sounded equally puzzled. "I know. You and Rishi have never been more than friends. Why would he do this?"

Prachi's mind raced. And then, a horrifying thought struck her.

Did Ranbir know? Was this a sign that everyone had truly given up on her and Ranbir?

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To be continued.