DDS MUSIC INDUSTRY
Maira walked in, an earbud visible in her ear, and said with a smirk, "Are you sure you've taken your pills, Grandma?" Her tone was playful.
Mihir's expression turned slightly guarded, while Pushkar's eyes narrowed-relieved when he realized she was on a call and likely hadn't overheard anything. Mihir's smile returned, and he gestured casually for her to enter, his demeanor relaxing once again.
"Ah, Maira. Right on time. Let's get started," he said.
Maira pulled out the earbud and ended the call, her expression neutral. "Sir, I have your schedule for tomorrow," she said professionally as she approached his desk.
Mihir's fingers tapped across his phone screen as he continued playing his game, his eyes flicking up now and then. "Read it out," he said absently, his tone dismissive.
Maira cleared her throat and began, "Tomorrow, you have a team meeting at 10 a.m., followed by a sound check at 2 p.m. Your flight to Goa is at 4, and the music ad shoot is scheduled for 7 p.m. You'll have about three hours to settle in before the shoot begins."
Mihir nodded, still engrossed in his game.
Then he looked up, a glint in his eye. "Prepare yourself-we're going to Goa together."
Maira remained composed. "Okay, sir," she replied, making a note on her pad. Mihir watched her for a moment longer before returning to his game, saying nothing more.
---
MEDICAL COLLEGE
Teju sat outside the conference room, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. Anxiety buzzed in her chest. The door opened, and a staff member stepped out with a warm smile.
"Teju, the board would like to see you now."
Teju stood, smoothed her outfit, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. Sahir was already seated among the board members, his expression unreadable.
The chairperson smiled kindly. "Teju, after careful consideration, we're pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted. We believe you'd be a great fit for our program."
Teju let out a relieved breath, a radiant smile blooming across her face. Her eyes gleamed with tears of joy. Sahir's expression remained composed, but a subtle glint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"Congratulations, Teju," he said professionally.
Teju turned to him, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much, sir. I don't know what I would've done without your support. I'm forever grateful."
Sahir's expression softened slightly. "You're welcome, Teju. Just make sure you make the most of this opportunity."
"I will, sir. I promise. Thank you again... thank you so much!" she said, nearly choking on the words. The board members smiled, clearly pleased by the outcome, as Teju stood there beaming, still looking toward Sahir with immense gratitude.
---
GARAGE / ROADSIDE
Maira stepped into the workshop, the sharp scent of oil and grease greeting her as she approached her scooter. After paying the mechanic, she straddled the bike, feeling the familiar weight beneath her. As the engine revved, her thoughts drifted back to the reckless driver from earlier.
"Stupid idiot," she muttered under her breath, fuming. "If he hadn't cut me off like that, the engine wouldn't have failed in the first place."
As she waited at a red light, the memory replayed-the masked driver, the sharp exchange. Her eyes narrowed. Then, suddenly, Mihir's face flashed in her mind. Specifically, his eyes. Her expression faltered.
"Could it be...?" she murmured, hesitating.
But she shook her head, dismissing the thought. "No. If Mihir sir was that guy, he wouldn't have hired me. I'm overthinking."
With that, she gunned the engine and rode into the evening traffic, her doubts dissolving into the wind-for now.
---
ON A DESERTED ROAD
A young woman walked confidently down an empty road, her heels tapping sharply against the pavement. A jeep pulled up beside her, and three men hopped out, their eyes gleaming in the dim light. They circled her slowly, their voices low and suggestive.
She smiled sweetly, her voice syrupy. "Give me a lift?"
One of them grinned. "Hop in, sweetheart."
As she climbed into the jeep, her gaze flicked toward them-and for a fleeting second, something ancient shimmered in her eyes. Something dark. Something inhuman.
But the men didn't notice. Too drunk on their own bravado, they laughed and revved the engine.
She leaned back, her smile sly as the jeep disappeared into the night.
The jeep screeched to a halt in the middle of nowhere-no lights, no traffic, no sign of life. Just a barren stretch of road framed by shadows and silence. The air grew colder.
The men exchanged lecherous glances before one of them opened the door and yanked the young woman out roughly. She stumbled but caught her balance with eerie calm.
"You're going to fulfill our desires tonight, sweetheart," the leader said, his voice heavy with malice.
The second man grabbed her wrist while the third circled around to block her escape.
"Please," she said, her voice deceptively soft. "Don't do this. Let me go."
The first man sneered. "We can't let go of such an amazing lady. What a waste that would be."
She turned her face toward them, eyes narrowing slightly. "You really shouldn't."
The men laughed, stepping closer.
She suddenly shouted, "Help! Someone help me!"
Their laughter grew louder.
"No one's nearby!" the second one barked. "Scream all you want, no one's coming to your side tonight."
The woman's smirk returned, curling slow and wicked.
"I wasn't shouting for help for me," she said, stepping back.
Her foot reversed-literally bent backwards, heel where the toes should be.
"I was calling for help for you."
The men froze.
"What... what are you saying?" one of them stammered, backing away.
She raised her head slowly, her voice cold and low.
"Chalayan Daayan-Ruby."
Suddenly, her thick hair shot upward like electric cords, writhing into the air, spreading out like a black storm cloud. The moonlight vanished behind her rising mane, sucked away by something unnatural.
And then-whoosh-it all coiled into a single, serpentine braid, jet-black and pulsating with dark energy.
The men screamed and turned to run.
Too late.
The long, enchanted braid whipped forward with impossible speed, wrapping around their bodies, binding them together like insects in a web.
"Let us go!" one of them cried. "Please!"
Ruby floated a few inches above the ground now, her eyes glowing an ominous violet.
"I tricked you into coming here," she whispered. "Because I was hungry."
"No, please, don't!" another pleaded, tears now streaming down his face.
But her smile only widened, revealing her elongated, jagged teeth.
"A daayan never spares her prey."
She opened her mouth, and a dark, swirling force surged out like a vacuum. The men screamed as their life force began to drain visibly-skin wrinkling, hair whitening, bones creaking.
Their youth evaporated into her.
Within seconds, their corpses shriveled into dry, crumpled husks and dropped lifelessly to the dirt road.
Ruby landed softly, her braid now even longer, trailing behind her like a crown of death.
She turned away from the carnage, not even sparing them a glance. Her gait confident, her lips curled in satisfaction.
As she disappeared into the fog, her mind echoed with one command-
Mohana's voice.
> "Infiltrate the lives of the Kashyap sons. Watch their every move. Charm them. Ruin them. And when the time comes-bring them for me to end them."
Ruby's eyes gleamed with purpose.
The hunt had only just begun.
Meanwhile, at a modest but peaceful home tucked away in the older part of the city...
Maira parked her scooter outside the gate and stepped into the house. The scent of incense lingered in the air, mingled with the faint aroma of herbal tea. It felt like home.
"Nani!" she called out, her voice bubbling with excitement.
From the kitchen, Kailashi's voice responded, calm and curious, "Is that you, Maira?"
Maira walked in and wrapped her arms gently around her grandmother. "Yes, Nani. I got the job."
Kailashi looked up at her with pride in her eyes. "With Mihir Kashyap?"
Maira nodded. "He personally hired me as his assistant. I'll be close to him now-able to protect him, just like we planned."
Kailashi's face softened with a rare smile. "You've made me proud, Maira. But remember, staying close means staying sharp. Witches don't always strike with claws-they use charm and silence."
"I won't forget," Maira said firmly. "No one will hurt the Kashyaps while I'm watching. Not Mihir. Not his brother."
Kailashi placed a steady hand on Maira's shoulder. "Good. Keep your heart steady, and your eyes open. The battle has already begun."
Maira gave a small nod, her expression determined.
Outside, a gust of wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the quiet tension of stories just beginning.