Dadi's voice was calm but firm.
"We will keep this marriage a secret. Nobody needs to know. We will have a small, private ceremony. Just a formality. After one year, you can divorce her quietly and marry Avija properly."
Sangeetha aunty spoke up again.
"This is the best solution for everyone. Viya does not even need to know the real reason. We can tell her it is a arrange marriage. We will arrange everything. You can divorce her after one year. She will never know the truth."
Vinay uncle objected immediately.
"Sangeetha, this is wrong. We cannot do this to Viya."
But Sangeetha aunty turned on him with fury in her eyes.
"Do you want our daughter dead, Vinay? Is that what you want? Because if Armaan marries Avija now, she will die. Do you understand that?"
Vinay uncle fell silent, his face conflicted.
Sangeetha aunty turned to Avija and began talking to her in low, urgent tones. I could not hear everything, but I could see Avija slowly nodding, tears streaming down her face.
I had heard enough.
"I am not part of this," I said coldly. "I am leaving."
I turned toward the door, but Avija suddenly grabbed my hand.
"Armaan, wait. Please."
I looked down at her tear stained face.
"It kills me to see you marry someone else," she whispered. "It destroys me. But if this is the only solution, if this is the only way we can be together, then I am ready for this. I will wait for you."
I pulled my hand back.
"I am not ready for this, Avija. I cannot betray someone like this. I cannot use an innocent person as a pawn."
She grabbed my hand again, holding it tightly.
"Girish ji said there is no harm to her. She will be completely safe. And we will compensate her. We will make her life better than it ever was. Please, Armaan. For us."
I stared at her.
"Then tell her the truth. Tell her why she is being used in this drama. Why keep it a secret?"
Avija's eyes widened.
"We cannot risk that. What if she says no? Where will we find another girl with the right nakshatra? Please, Armaan. Just trust me."
I could not believe what I was hearing. This was insane. All of it.
I pulled my hand free and turned toward the door.
"I am leaving."
But then I heard a sound behind me. A soft gasp.
I turned around and saw Dadi clutching her chest. Her face had gone gray. Her breathing was labored and shallow.
"Dadi!"
