"Oh my God! You two got married without telling anyone!" Meera exclaimed, hesitantly.
"I mean, sure, some people deny these things these days, but still - you could've told me. I wouldn't have had a problem if one guy loved another guy."
"What? What nonsense are you talking about?" Swapnil snapped, clearly annoyed.
"If I had to get married, why on earth would I marry him?"
"How would I know?" Meera shrugged.
"Hold on. Just stop right there." Samir stepped in, offended.
"So you're saying that if you had been into guys, what's wrong with me? Why couldn't you marry me? You think I'm not good enough? At least I know how to talk to people without being rude. I'm your friend, so I understand you. But anyone else? They wouldn't last a day around you. If you had to fall for a guy, I would've been a perfect choice. But no, you don't appreciate anything."
"Don't be upset, Samir sir...." Meera tried to console him, smiling gently. "I get it. Being around him is... well, not easy. But you're a very understanding person."
"Are you completely out of your mind?" Swapnil turned to Samir.
"You're married." Then he turned to Meera. " And no, I don't love any guy. And you idiot, the marriage is between you and me! Samir was the witness!"
For a moment, the cabin fell completely silent.
Swapnil had finally said it - but not the way he had wanted to.
"You're joking, right?" Meera asked, stunned. "This is a really horrible joke, Swapnil sir. I didn't expect this from you."
Samir decided it was time to step in.
"Meera, it was an accident. A mistake. And yes - it started with me."
Seeing her stunned expression, Swapnil got up from his chair. He gently held Meera's hand and guided her to sit. Then he handed her the certificate from his desk.
"If you still think it's a joke, look at this certificate yourself. I've been out all morning because of this. I even met a lawyer."
Meera stared at the document in disbelief.
"How could you do this to me? I just found out I got married, and now, within a minute, you're telling me we're getting divorced too?" she said in a trembling voice.
"I know this is huge, Meera. A massive mistake. But what else can we do now? What good can come out of this marriage?" Swapnil asked honestly.
"What do you mean, what good can come out of it?" Meera shot back. "If you didn't want to marry me, why did you sign the papers?"
Swapnil held his head in his hands. He had no answer. He looked over at Samir helplessly.
"Meera," Samir said gently, "what do you think we should do next?"
"I'll talk to Ajay and let you know," Meera said as she began to leave the room.
Swapnil and Samir exchanged a look. Samir quickly got up and blocked her way.
"Wait - what do you mean you'll talk to Ajay? Meera, no one else can know about this. Please. This is serious."
"But you know about it?" Meera replied. "Because you're Swapnil sir's friend. By that logic, Ajay is my close friend - shouldn't he know too?"
Then suddenly, as if realizing something, she paused.
"No... no, this can't happen."
"Now what can't happen?" Swapnil asked. "What's done is already done."
"If my father finds out - and he will, because Ajay will tell him - it'll be a disaster. Ajay hates you. He would definitely tell him. This can't happen." Meera said, her voice shaking now with fear.
"Listen," Swapnil said, softening his tone. "For the first time, it's not Ajay or your father I'm afraid of. I just don't want our lives to be ruined. That's why we have to end this marriage."
He looked to Samir, who nodded in agreement.
They both believed ending it was the right choice.
"No. This marriage won't be annulled." Meera said suddenly, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Swapnil and Samir stared at her, confused.
"What do you mean it won't be annulled?" Swapnil asked.
"I mean," Meera said, looking at them both, "This happened because of your mistake. You both need to take responsibility."
The two men looked at each other, still unsure what she was trying to say.
"Take responsibility? What do you mean by that?" Swapnil asked.
Meera turned toward them with a soft smile.
"I mean this marriage will not end. At least not until I say so. And you," she looked at Swapnil, "can't refuse either."
Both men were stunned.
This was supposed to be her decision - to end the marriage quickly and quietly. But instead, she wanted to keep it.
Why?