On August 21, 2024, the drama in the Oberoi household intensified as relationships were tested and emotions ran high. The episode opened with a conversation between Rishi and Ayush, highlighting the complex history between Rishi and Lakshmi. Rishi acknowledged that both he and Lakshmi had made mistakes in the past. However, he pointed out that Lakshmi was struggling to move on from those mistakes, constantly dwelling on them. Ayush, ever the loyal friend, defended Lakshmi, insisting she had never erred. But Rishi reminded him of the time they believed Lakshmi had died in a train accident and how she had kept the truth about Parvati hidden from them.
Rishi’s reflections took a more personal turn as he admitted to Ayush that he had not been the best husband to Lakshmi in the past. Yet, once he fell in love with her, his devotion was unwavering. He recounted the numerous sacrifices he made for Lakshmi, including choosing her over his mother, Neelam, when she forced him to pick between the two. Despite all he had done, Rishi never made a show of his efforts, letting his actions speak louder than words. He confessed to Ayush just how deep his love for Lakshmi ran.
However, Rishi faced the harsh reality that Lakshmi no longer wanted anything to do with him. She had explicitly asked him to stay away, a request that wounded Rishi deeply. He resolved to respect her wishes, vowing to support her from a distance, without making his presence known. Unbeknownst to Rishi, Anushka overheard this private conversation and decided to relay the information to Malishka.
Meanwhile, at the Oberoi mansion, Rohan and Parvati, two children who had become an integral part of the family, were thrilled with the new beds Malishka had bought for them. As they jumped on the beds in delight, Anushka pulled Malishka aside to share what she had overheard. Malishka was overjoyed to learn that Rishi had decided to keep his distance from Lakshmi. She saw this as a victory, believing that her bond with Rishi would now be stronger. Malishka attributed this turn of events to the fact that Lakshmi had seen Rishi putting their beds together, which she interpreted as a symbol of their unity. This sight, Malishka reasoned, had crushed Lakshmi’s hopes of rekindling her relationship with Rishi, leading her to push him away.
As night fell, Rishi found himself unable to stop thinking about Lakshmi. His love for her remained undiminished, and he silently vowed to fulfill all of her wishes, even if it meant staying out of her life. He resigned himself to the possibility that Lakshmi might not even want to attend the flag-hoisting ceremony the next day.
Lakshmi, on the other hand, was also lost in thoughts of Rishi. The pain of their estrangement weighed heavily on her, yet she couldn’t shake her feelings for him.
The next day, as the Oberoi family prepared for the Independence Day celebrations, Neelam greeted Rohan and Parvati with a cheerful “Happy Independence Day.” The children, in turn, returned the greeting, their excitement palpable. Harleen also wished the children, and soon the family was ready to leave for the hotel where the flag-hoisting ceremony was to take place.
Despite the festive atmosphere, Rohan and Parvati noticed that Lakshmi was conspicuously absent. They wondered why she hadn’t joined them yet. Their curiosity was finally satisfied when they saw Lakshmi descending the stairs, flags in hand, ready to partake in the celebration.
The episode closed on this note, leaving viewers to ponder the evolving dynamics between Rishi, Lakshmi, and Malishka. Rishi’s decision to silently support Lakshmi, despite her rejection, hinted at his enduring love and the sacrifices he was willing to make. Meanwhile, Malishka’s delight at the growing distance between Rishi and Lakshmi revealed her own hopes and ambitions. As the Independence Day celebrations began, the tension between these characters set the stage for more dramatic twists in the days to come.
Episode ends.
