The car sped away from Devendra’s mansion, leaving the world of lies behind. Inside, the silence was heavy. Meenakshi leaned against the window, her breath fogging the glass. She didn't look at Devansh. She was too busy replaying her father’s words: “He married you for revenge.”

Devansh stared at the road, his face like stone. He didn't say a word, but his grip on the steering wheel was so tight his knuckles were white.

The car came to a sudden, jarring halt. The tires hissed against the gravel, and then there was nothing but the sound of the wind.

Meenakshi’s heart hammered against her ribs. She looked out the window, but there was no house—just the empty, quiet road.

A terrifying thought flashed through her mind. “Enti veedu ikkada aapadu? Nannu encounter chesthada enti?” (Why did he stop here? Is he going to encounter me or what?)

She quickly glanced at Devansh, her eyes wide with panic. But Devansh wasn't looking at her. He leaned his head back, closing his eyes and taking a deep, heavy breath. He looked like a soldier preparing for a war he didn't want to fight.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

Meenakshi blinked, her fear turning into pure confusion. She didn't expect an apology from him. She didn't know what to say or why he was even saying it.

"Antha ayipoindi, nuvvu free avthavu ee marriage nundi anukunnanu... kani nuvvu aa idiot kuthuruvi ani naku theliyadhu," Devansh said, his voice thick with frustration. (I thought this was over and you would be free... but I didn't know you were that idiot’s daughter.)

The last line hit Meenakshi like a slap. Her fear vanished, replaced by a sudden surge of anger. She didn't care who he was; nobody talked about her father like that.

"Oyy! Evaru idiot? Nuvve idiot!" she snapped back, her eyes blazing. (Hey! Who is an idiot? You are the idiot!)

Devansh turned his head slowly, surprised by her sudden confidence. His gaze dropped to her neck, where the gold thread he had tied still rested. A small thought crossed his mind: She didn't take it off.

"Ayina nuvve antha plan chesavu! Nannu kavali ane pelli chesukuni, nannu use chesukuni ma nanna ni arrest cheyyali anukuntunnava?" she accused him, her voice trembling with rage. (Anyway, you planned all this! Did you marry me on purpose just to use me and arrest my father?)

Devansh let out a short, sarcastic laugh that echoed in the quiet car. "Nee babu ni arrest cheyyali ante, nenu ninnu em use cheskovalsina panem ledhu. Ippude arrest cheyyagalanu," he said, leaning closer to her. (If I want to arrest your father, I don't need to use you for anything. I can arrest him right now.)

He looked her up and down, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "Ayina nee lanti loose ni evaru pelli chesukuntaru?" (Anyway, who would ever marry a crazy girl like you?)

Meenakshi felt like steam was going to come out of her ears. "Ante... nenu loose aa?" she shouted. (You mean... I’m crazy?)

"Ae? Doubt aa?" Devansh replied coolly. (Why? Is there a doubt?)

"Ahh! Ayina Babu... enti babu? 'Mee nanna garu' ani piluvu!" she yelled, gritting her teeth so hard her jaw ached. (Ah! Mister... what is this? Call him 'Honorable Father'!)

Devansh chuckled, the tension in his shoulders loosening for a brief second. "Sare andi... 'Mee babu garu' ani pilusthanu andi." (Fine, ma'am... I will call him 'Your Honorable Father,' ma'am.)

"Ahhh! Get lost!" Meenakshi screamed. She grabbed the door handle and tried to push it open, desperate to get away from him. But the lock didn't budge.

"Open the lock! Nenu ma intiki vellipotha!" she cried, hitting the door. (Open the lock! I’m going back to my house!)

Suddenly, the playfulness vanished from Devansh’s face. He turned toward her, his expression turning serious and stone-cold. He reached out and caught her wrist, pulling her close until she was inches away from his chest. Meenakshi froze, her breath catching in her throat.

"Nuvvu aa intiki vellatledhu," he said, his voice a low, commanding rumble. (You are not going to that house.)

He looked directly into her eyes, his grip on her wrist firm and unyielding. "Nuvvu naatho 6 months undali. 6 months tharvatha manam divorce file cheddham." (You have to stay with me for 6 months. After 6 months, we can file for divorce.)

Meenakshi couldn't move. The intensity in his gaze was like a physical weight.

"Appatidhaka nuvvu naa wife, nenu nee husband. Idhi gurthupettuko. Ma amma ki ivem theliyadhu... theliyakudadhu. Ee 6 months naa wife la act cheyyi, tharvatha nee ishtam." (Until then, you are my wife and I am your husband. Remember that. My mother doesn't know any of this... and she shouldn't know. Act like my wife for these 6 months, after that, it’s your wish.)

"Artham ayyindha?" he asked, his voice dropping even lower. (Do you understand?)

Meenakshi didn't say a word, her heart racing so fast she thought he could hear it. Devansh’s hand tightened on her wrist for a moment, demanding an answer. Slowly, almost invisibly, she nodded her head.

"Good," Devansh said.

His hand lingered on her wrist for a few seconds more than necessary, the warmth of his skin seeping into hers. He slowly let go, turning back to the steering wheel. He didn't mention her father or her brother. He just started the car, the roar of the engine filling the silence as they headed toward the Ramineni house—his house, which was now hers.

The car rolled through the grand gates of the Ramineni enclave and came to a stop. The house was looking like a palace. As Meenakshi slowly stepped out of the car, she felt like she was walking into a different world.

Every member of the family was there. Sahasra, Mahalakshmi, Kavya, Arun, and Radhika,anand were all standing on the porch, their faces lit up with wide, genuine smiles.

Ananya looked more than happy—she looked like she had finally won a long battle. Standing a little further back was Vikram, with a small, proud smile playing on his lips.

Meenakshi and Devansh started walking toward the entrance, Ananya quickly stepped forward, holding a silver Harathi plate. The red flame danced in the light, and the scent of camphor filled the air.

"Agandi! Naa kodalu modhati saari intloki vasthundhi... harathi ivvakunda ela lopalki teesukelthanu?" (Wait! My daughter-in-law is entering the house for the first time... how can I take her inside without giving Harathi?)

Meenakshi stood there, her heart pounding against her ribs. She looked at the smiling faces around her. These were the people her father called "enemies," but all she could see was warmth and love.

Her hands began to shiver uncontrollably, and her breathing became shallow.

Devansh, standing right beside her, looked at her.His large, warm hand wrapped firmly around her small, shivering one.

The contact was sudden and powerful. His grip was steady—an "Iron" anchor in her storm. He didn't say a word, and he kept his gaze fixed straight ahead on his mother, but his fingers tightened around hers.

To the family, it looked like a romantic gesture of a husband holding his wife’s hand.

Ananya smiled even wider seeing them holding hands. She circled the Harathi plate three times, the light reflecting in her happy eyes.

"Drishti thagilela unnaru idharu... chala muddhu ga unnaru," Ananya whispered as she applied a small red tilakam on Meenakshi’s forehead.

(You both look so beautiful together that you might catch someone’s evil eye... you look very cute.)

"Kudi kaalu petti lopaliki randi," Ananya said with a beaming smile. (Enter the house with your right foot first.)

But just as they were about to step inside, the "Girls," a mischievous Sahasra and maha, blocked their path.

"Aagandi, aagandi! Perlu cheppakunda lopaliki rakudadhu!" Sahasra declared, crossing her arms like a playful border guard. (Wait, wait! You can't enter without saying each other's names!)

Devansh groaned, his patience wearing thin. "Osey, nuvvu pakkaki jaruguthava... leka nannu pakkaki thooseymantava?" (Hey, will you move aside... or should I push you aside?)

The whole family burst into laughter. Sahasra caught Aryansh let out a small chuckle while looking at her, and she couldn't help but smirk back. She wasn't backing down.

"Entra ekkuva chesthunnav? Maryadhaga perlu cheppi lopaliki ra!" Sahasra challenged. (Why are you acting up? Tell the names properly and then enter!)

Devansh, tired and wanting to end the drama, let his guard down for a split second. "Nenu, Kanthamma vacchaamu. Cheppanu ga... ippudu lopaliki ravocha?" (I and Kanthamma have come. I told you... can we come in now?)

A heavy silence fell. Everyone looked at him with confused faces. Meenakshi’s eyes widened, looking at him like he had grown a second head.

"Rey... Kanthamma evaru raa?" Rudransh asked, trying to hold back a laugh. (Hey... who is this Kanthamma?)

Devansh realized his mistake instantly. He had called her by the fake name she used in the forest. He quickly cleared his throat, covering his tracks with a smooth, fake-sweet smile.

"Adhe... nenu first thanani meet ayinappudu thana peru 'Kanthamma' ani cheppindhi. So nenu muddhuga ala pilusthanu kadha... Meenu?" (That is... when I first met her, she told me her name was Kanthamma. So I call her that as a pet name, right... Meenu?)

The "Meenu" coming from his lips felt like a spark of electricity. Some of the cousins whistled, and everyone laughed, thinking it was a cute secret between the couple.

Meenakshi felt a blush creep up her neck—not from love, but from the sheer intensity of his gaze.

Sahasra then turned to Meenakshi. "Ippudu Mrs. Devansh garu, meeru cheppali. Veediki nickname emaina pettara?" (Now Mrs. Devansh, you have to say. Did you give him a nickname'?)

Meenakshi looked at Devansh, who was staring at her with a warning in his eyes. She managed a small, shy smile and shook her head. "Nenu, Devansh vacchaamu," she said simply. (I and Devansh have come.)

The family cheered as they finally stepped inside. The moment they crossed the line, Devansh finally let go of her hand. Meenakshi felt a sudden chill where his warmth had been.

Before she could process it, Ananya, Kavya, and Radhika surrounded her, gently guiding her toward the Pooja Mandir.

"Ra thalli, deepam veliginchu. Ee inti lakshmi vi nuvve," Ananya whispered, handing her the matchstick. (Come daughter, light the lamp. You are the Goddess Lakshmi of this house.)

Meenakshi’s hands trembled as she lit the deepam. The golden flame flickered, illuminating the idols of the gods.The peace of the prayer room felt like a hug.

As she walked back into the hall, she saw the elders settled on the sofas, already chatting and laughing. It was a picture of a perfect, happy family.

She looked around for the man who had brought her here, but he was gone. Devansh had quietly slipped away, heading straight to his room upstairs, leaving her alone with his family.

The living room was buzzing with the energy of the Ramineni women. Meenakshi sat on the plush sofa, sandwiched between Sahasra and Mahalakshmi. Even though she felt like a spy, the genuine warmth of these girls was starting to make her feel nervous in a completely different way.

Sahasra, never one to let a moment stay serious, leaned in with a mischievous grin.

"Ok, nuvvu nakanna okka year peddhavive... kani nenu ninnu 'Akka' ani pilavanu. Let me call you Meenu," Sahasra declared, popping a grape into her mouth.

(Ok, you are one year older than me... but I won't call you 'Sister.' Let me call you Meenu.)

"Nenu 'Vadhina' ani pilustha," Mahalakshmi added with a sweet smile, already accepting Meenakshi as part of the family.

(I will call you 'Sister-in-law'.)

"So, meedhi love marriage kadha? Asalu vaadilo em nacchindhi neeku?" Sahasra asked suddenly, her eyes dancing with curiosity.

(So, yours is a love marriage, right? What exactly did you like in him?)

Meenakshi froze but burst out laughing at sahasra question, while Mahalakshmi playfully slapped Sahasra’s hand. After all, Devansh was her brother, and she wasn't going to let Sahasra tease his brother infront of the new bride too much.

As Sahasra continued talking, Meenakshi noticed something. Sahasra’s eyes kept drifting toward the corner of the room where Aryansh stood talking to Rudransh. Her gaze was soft, lingering just a second too long every time he smiled.

Meenakshi leaned closer to Sahasra, a small, knowing smile appearing on her face. "Mari nuvvu thanalo em choosi ishtapaddav?" Meenakshi whispered, pointing slightly toward Aryansh.

(Then what did you see in him that made you like him?)

Sahasra’s eyes went wide. She nearly choked on her grape. She couldn't believe this "innocent" new bride had caught her so easily. Maha started giggling.

"Meenu! Neeku ela thelusu?" Sahasra hissed, her face turning pink.

(Meenu! How do you know?)

"Secret," Meenakshi replied with a playful wink. For a split second, she felt like a normal girl making friends.

The laughter in the corner died down when Devansh walked down the stairs. He was dressed in his full police uniform—the crisp khaki, the polished belt, and the stars on his shoulders making him look like a literal wall of iron.

Meenakshi’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help it. He looks so handsome... she thought.

She quickly looked away, her jaw tightening. “Ey Meenu, what are you thinking? He is your enemy. Don’t forget that!” she scolded herself internally.

Devansh adjusted his cap, ready to head to the office to escape the domestic tension. But Ananya stepped right into his path, blocking the door with a firm look on her face.

"Devansh, ekkadiki velthunnav? Ee roju nuvvu ekkadiki vellatledhu. Evening First Night ki anni arrangements chesesam," Ananya said, her voice loud and clear.

(Devansh, where are you going? You aren't going anywhere today. We have arranged the First Night in the evening.)

Devansh froze. He instinctively reached up to scratch his forehead, his mind racing. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid. A "First Night" meant being locked in a room with the daughter of his enemy—the girl he had a six-month contract with. If he said no, his mother would immediately suspect that their "love marriage" was a total lie.

At the sofa, the girls were watching the exchange. They couldn't hear the exact words.

"Ma, adhi... important work undhi..." Devansh tried to argue.

(Mom, that... there is important work...)

"Ledhu! Deenikante important edi ledhu," Ananya replied, closing the argument.

(No! Nothing is more important than this.)

Devansh looked at his mother, then caught Meenakshi’s eye for a fleeting second. Without another word, he turned around and walked back up to his room, his footsteps heavy. The hunter had just been trapped in his own house.

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