The episode opens with Kusum informing Mangal that their food has been ruined by water, leaving them both concerned. Mangal, distressed, wonders what they can do. Kusum bleakly responds that nothing can be done and advises her to change her clothes. Meanwhile, Adit removes his shirt and ties it to the pump to stem the water flow. When Kusum approaches him, she tells Adit that their efforts have been in vain. Adit, blaming himself, vows to fix the situation.
Elsewhere, Sowmya is on the phone, insisting to expedite Adit and Mangal’s divorce and offering to pay a premium for it. She quickly hangs up as Adit walks in, dropping her phone in surprise. Adit requests a loan of 30k from Sowmya, promising to repay her once he secures a job. Sowmya obliges and sends him the money.
Later, Mangal calls the assistant director to check on the food and learns that it will be handled in two rounds — half the dishes must be brought from home, while the remainder will be prepared in front of the judges. After ending the call, Mangal tells Kusum that they won’t have enough time to dry the food for the shoot. To their astonishment, Adit presents Mangal with a dehydrator as a gift, prompting heartfelt thanks from her. Sowmya witnesses this, eager to confront Adit for spending her money on Mangal, but her phone rings, cutting her off.
The next day, Mangal successfully dries the food just in time, and they head to the program venue with everything ready. Upon arrival, Niketan’s mother makes mocking remarks towards Mangal and Kusum, to which Kusum responds sharply. Sanjana announces that a special judge will be joining them, who turns out to be Sowmya Tandon. As Sowmya contemplates why Sneha couldn’t come due to health issues, Niketan attempts to shake her hand, but she coldly refuses, stating she doesn’t shake hands with betrayers. When she reaches out to greet Mangal, Mangal respectfully greets her with folded hands instead.
Adit is puzzled as to why Sowmya didn’t mention her presence at the program. Shanti approaches Adit, suggesting that Sowmya may be there to sabotage Mangal. Sowmya then declares that only one member from each team can participate in this round, and they must prepare their dishes before the judges. She adds that two contestants will be eliminated while five will move on to the next stage. Mangal decides to take on the challenge herself and asks Kusum to step aside. Although Kusum expresses concern about Mangal managing alone, Mangal reassures her that the dehydrator will help her prepare everything. After some hesitation, Kusum agrees and leaves.
In a parallel subplot, Jia informs Karthik that she is ready for marriage. Karthik, however, hesitates and asks for six months to recover his memory. Shocked yet supportive, Jia agrees to wait for him, likening her devotion to that of Parvati waiting for Lord Shiv. Grateful, Karthik thanks her, while Jia secretly vows to teach Lakshmi a lesson.
Later, Jia presents Karthik with a newspaper article accusing Raghuveer of causing his wife’s death, questioning why Lakshmi had lied to him. Karthik and Gayatri arrive, and Karthik confronts Lakshmi about being Raghuveer’s second wife. He demands answers and calls for Raghuveer. When Raghuveer appears, clearly intoxicated, it is revealed that Jia had spiked his drink. Karthik shows him the newspaper article and accuses him of murder. Raghuveer snaps back, ordering Karthik to stop and shockingly disclosing that Lakshmi is not his wife, and they were never married.
Raghuveer then confides in Gayatri that he can’t maintain the facade any longer. Stunned, Karthik demands to know who Lakshmi’s real husband is if not Raghuveer. Raghuveer suggests that Karthik should ask Lakshmi herself and leaves. Karthik turns to Lakshmi, urgently seeking the truth, but she walks away in tears, leaving him frustrated. He then asks Gayatri for answers, but everyone remains silent. Determined to uncover the truth, Karthik states he knows what he must do and storms out. Meanwhile, Jia smirks, confident that Lakshmi will be unable to outmaneuver her.
The episode concludes on this dramatic cliffhanger.