another violent jolt shook the plane - the nose of the jet tilting downward.
Screams echoed.
The plane was going to crash.
Urvi screamed. The pilot's voice was gone. Oxygen masks dropped.
Mihir opened his eyes, chest heaving.
And then-
SNAP.
Silence.
Everything froze.
Passengers mid-scream, food trays mid-air, the plane itself mid-nosedive. Maira - eyes wide, still half over Mihir - was frozen too. Her pendant hung in the air, mid-glow.
Only Mihir moved.
He slowly sat upright, brushing his coat down. His expression was calm - but his eyes held a cold fire.
"Not today," he muttered.
He stood up in the motionless jet, walking past the suspended flight attendants and weightless debris. The world was a paused painting.
Outside the window, even lightning bolts in the clouds were frozen mid-strike.
Mihir raised one hand, fingers slightly twitching as he focused. The glowing witch mark on the back of his neck was faintly visible again - but he clenched his jaw, suppressing it.
He waved a hand toward the cockpit. The instruments corrected themselves, dials spinning back into place. The plane leveled.
The cracked panels began to mend.
He turned, walking back down the aisle until he reached Maira - still frozen, her hand half-raised protectively.
Mihir looked at her for a beat.
Then at the earring in his pocket.
A strange flicker passed through his eyes.
But he said nothing.
He raised two fingers.
"Resume," he whispered.
SNAP.
Sound returned like a crashing wave.
The jet jolted but now leveled out.
Screams turned to gasps. The oxygen masks bounced softly.
Maira blinked in confusion, still shielding Mihir. "Did... we crash?"
Mihir calmly fixed his collar, smirking slightly.
"No. We're fine. Guess the pilot got control just in time."
He stood up and walked toward the back, as if nothing had happened.
Maira frowned slightly, her pendant still glowing faintly.
Something was off - but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Inside the Jet - Moments After Crisis
As the turbulence finally ceased, the passengers slowly relaxed, unaware of the supernatural pause that had just occurred.
Mihir returned to his seat, looking composed as ever.
Urvi, who had been screaming moments ago, suddenly sprang from her seat and rushed toward him.
"Baby! Oh my God, are you okay?!" she squealed dramatically, flinging her arms around Mihir's neck and burying her face against his chest.
Mihir blinked once, clearly not as shaken as she was, but he let her cling.
Maira, still seated nearby, pulled herself up straight and adjusted her hair, her expression tightening as she watched Urvi drape herself all over Mihir like a drama queen in slow motion.
Urvi sniffled theatrically.
"I was so scared! I thought the jet was going to crash and we'd die! Thank God you're safe, sugarplum."
Maira muttered under her breath, "Yeah, thank God indeed."
Urvi finally pulled back but left her hand on Mihir's shoulder, eyes fluttering.
Maira rolled her eyes hard enough to strain a muscle.
"Somebody hand her a trophy already," she mumbled to herself.
Urvi's eyes snapped to her.
"Did you say something?"
Maira gave her the blandest smile she could muster.
"Just admiring your survival instincts."
Urvi narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Mihir smirked faintly, amused by the tension but saying nothing.
Instead, he leaned slightly toward Urvi.
"We'll talk more after landing."
Urvi nodded quickly, her tone turning sugary again.
"Of course, baby."
Maira turned toward the window, gritting her teeth,
East Valley University - Old Abandoned Building (Noon)
The sun hung high over the campus, casting golden light across the sprawling university grounds. Laughter and footsteps echoed faintly from the central quad-but at the far edge, silence ruled.
A crumbling abandoned building, once a faculty wing, now stood forgotten-veiled by ivy, its windows shattered and halls gathering dust. Few dared to walk near it.
But today, someone did.
Ruby Rathore stepped through the rusted gates, her stilettos crunching dried leaves underfoot. Dressed in a stylish yet understated maroon saree, she looked out of place amidst the decay-but her expression held calm purpose.
Inside, the air felt different-stiller, thicker, as if the shadows resisted the sunlight.
From deep within the structure, a voice rasped, "You must have a death wish... walking in here, alone."
Ruby didn't flinch.
From behind a broken pillar, Sunehri emerged-disguised as a frail cleaning staff, her face hidden beneath a loose dupatta. But her aura crackled with dark power.
She stepped closer, shedding her illusion with a chilling grin.
"I know what you are, daayan. But this is my territory. Leave before you regret it."
Ruby's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Regret... isn't in my vocabulary."
Without warning, Sunehri raised her hand, sending a gust of shadowy wind hurtling toward Ruby.
But Ruby didn't budge. Her eyes suddenly glowed a piercing yellow. In a blink, her sleek black hair unraveled and transformed into a single, writhing, enchanted braid that lashed out and snaked around Sunehri's throat, suspending her midair.
Sunehri gasped, clawing at the braid.
"You-! You're not just a daayan... you serve someone... someone ancient..."
Ruby's voice was as smooth as silk and twice as dangerous.
"You're clever. Yes. I don't serve just anyone. I carry out the will of Maha Daayan Mohana."
Sunehri's red eyes widened.
"Mohana still walks this realm?"
Ruby released her suddenly. Sunehri fell hard to the ground, coughing as she scrambled to her feet.
"Why... why are you here?" Sunehri asked warily.
"I'm not here to fight," Ruby replied. "I'm here to assign you a task. One your... appetite might enjoy."
Sunehri licked her dry lips. "Speak."
"There's a girl. Tejaswini Kakkar. First-year student. She has something buried within her... something dangerous.She is Bishwa."
Sunehri took a step back, visibly rattled.
"The girl with the star-shaped birthmark... That's her?"
Ruby nodded once.
"She hasn't awakened. Her powers are dormant. But if she ever realizes who she is... she could ruin everything. So you will kill her. Quietly. No drama. No delay."
Sunehri was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Consider it done."
Ruby turned toward the sunlight spilling through a broken window, her braid slithering back into place.
"Make sure it is. Or Mohana will come for you next."
With a last flick of her braid, Ruby vanished into the light, leaving only dust and tension behind.
Sunehri stared after her, muttering under her breath.
"Bishwa won't even know she was special... until it's too late."
Goa - Beachside Resort, Afternoon
The sun shimmered over the calm sea, casting golden light across the sprawling resort. Inside the bustling lobby, luxury met chaos as crew members from the ad shoot milled around, prepping for the day.
A sleek SUV pulled up. Mihir, Maira, and Urvi stepped out, greeted immediately by the hotel staff offering garlands and chilled towels.
Receptionist (cheerfully):
"Welcome, Mr. Kashyap. Your suites are ready."
Urvi, clinging to Mihir's arm with forced enthusiasm, squealed,
"Omg, baby! This place is so dreamy. We need poolside photos later, okay?"
Maira, walking a few steps behind and dragging the luggage herself, sighed quietly to herself.
Maira (dryly, under breath):
"Resort's fancy. Too bad someone forgot their personality at home."
She wasn't jealous. Just deeply allergic to unnecessary drama.
The hotel manager handed over the room keys.
Receptionist:
"Room 307 for Mr. Kashyap, 308 for Miss Urvi, and 309 for Miss Maira."
Mihir nodded, taking the keys. As the ad shoot producer approached to greet him, Mihir raised a hand.
Mihir (calmly):
"Postpone the shoot till tomorrow. I'm exhausted. I'll shoot in the morning."
The producer blinked in surprise but quickly adjusted.
Ad Owner:
"Absolutely, sir. I'll inform the crew and shift everything to 9 a.m."
Urvi (clapping excitedly):
"Yay! That means we can relax tonight, sugarplum. I missed cuddling with you."
Maira, already halfway to the elevator, muttered to herself with a tired exhale.
Maira (flatly):
"I missed silence."
As they entered the elevator together-Mihir stoic, Urvi giddy, and Maira stone-faced-the tension between class clown and class act was almost comical.
From beneath Maira's top, her pendant flickered faintly.
Just once.
She didn't notice.
But something... or someone... did.
shyap Mansion - Night - Sahir's Room Balcony
The night sky stretched quiet and endless above the Kashyap mansion. Stars blinked lazily while the wind rustled faintly through the garden trees. Sahir stood at his balcony, arms resting on the railing, his thoughts far from the calm night around him.
He wasn't thinking about the stars. His mind was locked on one name. Tejaswini.
The way she had charged toward the rooftop. The way she had spoken, firm yet compassionate. And the way she had pushed Tara to safety, not even thinking about her own life. Her fall. His rush to save her. The soft, shocked gratitude in her eyes.
The door behind him creaked open gently and soft footsteps approached.
Sapna stepped out, her shawl wrapped loosely around her shoulders. She watched her son for a moment before tapping him lightly on the arm.
Where are you lost, Sahir
Sahir blinked and gave a half-smile
Nothing really, just thinking
Sapna narrowed her eyes
Since when did you start keeping secrets from your mother
He sighed and turned to face her, his expression softer now
I was just thinking about a student. Tejaswini Kakkar. A new girl at college. She ran away from her wedding to pursue medicine
Sapna raised an eyebrow, intrigued
She did what
She looked amused but concerned.
Sahir nodded slowly
Yes. And the board was ready to reject her because of it. But I supported her. I believed in her. She's passionate. Brave. And today... she did something I won't forget
He paused, his voice lowering
"She saved a girl named Tara. That same girl we brought in under observation. She was on the rooftop, about to jump. Everyone just watched. But Teju went up there and tried to talk her down. When Tara leapt, Teju pushed her out of danger... and almost fell herself"
Sapna's eyes widened, one hand moving to her heart
"Oh my God. Did she get hurt".
Sahir shook his head gently
"No. I froze time and caught her before she hit the ground".
Sapna exhaled in both relief and awe
"You used your power... after so long".
She looked at him with pride
"That girl must be really special".
Sahir turned his gaze back to the stars
"There's something about her. Something rare. She's brave. She cares. And she's not afraid of standing alone"
Sapna smiled as she watched her son, her voice filled with gentle insight
"Girls like that come into your life for a reason, Sahir. Keep her close. Watch over her".
Sahir didn't reply immediately. But his fingers tightened slightly on the railing. His mind was made up.