The Next Morning in the Bathroom
The warm sunlight streaming through the bathroom window gently illuminated the space, signaling the arrival of a new day. Mihir's eyes slowly fluttered open, and he found himself shirtless, lying in the bathtub. As he turned his head, he was met with an unexpected sight: Maira's peaceful face, her head resting on the edge of the bathtub, fast asleep. Their faces were inches apart, and for a moment, Mihir's gaze lingered on Maira's serene features.
As he tried to process the situation, Mihir realized that he was holding Maira's hand, his fingers intertwined with hers. A mix of emotions swirled within him - surprise, gratitude, and a hint of awkwardness.
Mihir's eyes widened as he carefully tried to extract his hand from Maira's grasp, not wanting to disturb her. But as he moved, Maira's head shifted slightly, and their lips almost brushed against each other. Mihir froze, his heart racing with the sudden intimacy of the moment.
In the Room
Mihir carefully stood up from the bathtub, trying not to disturb Maira. He gently scooped her up in his arms and carried her out of the bathroom, laying her down on the bed. As he looked at her peaceful face, vague memories began to resurface - Maira saving him from the Pataal Keetki, her taking care of him when he was unconscious.
Mihir's gaze softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair away from Maira's face. His fingers grazed her skin, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe. It wasn't until he felt his hand still touching her face that he realized his actions. He quickly pulled his hand back, his fingers running through his long hair that reached his shoulders.
Mihir took a step back, his eyes still fixed on Maira's serene features. He tried to shake off the strange feeling that had settled within him, attributing it to gratitude for her care and concern. But as he turned to walk away, he couldn't help but glance back at Maira, his heart beating with a quiet intensity.
In the Village
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the village, Ruby appeared in front of a priest, her witch form evident in her dark, eerie aura. The priest, who was heading home after a long day of prayers and community service, stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in a mix of fear and disdain.
The priest's eyes widened in fear and disgust as Ruby appeared before him in her witch form. "Daayan!" he spat, his voice trembling with revulsion. "What evil brings you to our village?"
The priest took a step back, his hands clenched into fists. "Leave now, before you bring harm to innocent people. Your kind is not welcome here." His tone was one of pure hatred and warning, as if he feared Ruby's very presence would bring darkness and destruction.
Ruby's eyes gleamed with a malevolent light as she began to walk towards the priest, her feet seemingly floating above the ground. She stepped onto the branches of a nearby tree, her weight barely disturbing the leaves as she moved closer to the priest.
"I haven't come for this village," Ruby declared, her voice low and menacing, "but for you." Her words hung in the air like a dark promise, and the priest's eyes widened in terror as he realized he was her target.
In the Private Suite Bathroom
The warm water cascaded down Mihir's body as he stood under the shower, the droplets soothing his tense muscles. But his mind was elsewhere, replaying the events that had led him to this moment. He recalled Urvi's revelation - her true identity as a Daayan, sent by Mohana to spy on him.
Mihir's expression darkened as he remembered Ruby's attack, the Pataal Keetki, and the fumes that had left him helpless. The anger and betrayal he had felt towards Urvi resurfaced, mixed with a sense of unease. How could he have been so blind to the danger lurking around him?
As the water continued to flow, Mihir's thoughts lingered on the Daayans, their powers, and their sinister intentions. He knew he had to be vigilant, to protect himself and those he cared about from the evil forces that seemed to be closing in around him.
As Mihir stood under the shower, the water washing away his physical fatigue, his mind replayed the events leading up to his unconsciousness. He remembered passing out in front of Urvi, and a series of questions flooded his mind. How did Maira arrive there? Why didn't Urvi take him? And most importantly, how did Maira manage to fight off a powerful Daayan like Urvi?
A suspicion arose in Mihir's mind, and his eyes narrowed as he thought about Maira's actions. "Interesting, very interesting," he muttered to himself, the water's soothing sound contrasting with the turmoil of thoughts brewing in his head. He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Maira than met the eye.
In the Village - Beside the Temple Banyan Tree
The air thickened around them. The priest stood rooted in place, his breathing shallow but firm, as Ruby floated down from the tree, her long braid trailing like a shadowy serpent behind her. Her bare feet touched the ground without a sound.
"Don't bother running," she said coolly, stepping closer with slow, deliberate grace. "If I meant to kill you, you'd be ashes by now."
The priest narrowed his eyes. "Then speak your filth and leave."
Ruby smiled, an eerie calmness lacing her expression. "I did some digging. Turns out you're not just any temple priest. You're the Kashyap family's kul-purohit-keeper of their rituals, guardian of their sacred fire, and... gatekeeper of their protection wards."
His face darkened. "And what business does a daayan have with such knowledge?"
Ruby's voice was laced with silk and poison. "I want in. Into the Kashyap family. And you, priest... you're my key."
The priest let out a dry laugh. "You think I'll help you destroy that family? The very family whose ancestors I've served since I took my first vows? Never."
Ruby's eyes gleamed. "You say 'destroy'-I say 'reshape fate.' Either way, you will help me. Willingly or... not."
"You will not twist my soul for your darkness," he growled. "The Kashyaps are a house of dharma. Of light. And you-" he pointed at her with his rudraksha-wrapped hand- "are born of shadows. You will never cross that threshold. Not while I still breathe."
Ruby's expression froze for a moment.
Then her smile returned, wider, colder.
"Then let's see how long that breath lasts," she whispered.
The leaves trembled above them as the light dimmed unnaturally. Somewhere, a dog howled-followed by sudden silence.
But the priest did not move.
Even in the face of death, his voice rang clear. "I may fall, daayan... but your path will remain cursed."
Ruby's smile faltered just a fraction. She turned away, her braid slicing the air behind her like a whip. "We'll see about that, panditji."
As she vanished into the rising mist, the priest dropped to his knees and began chanting under his breath, sweat beading on his brow.
Because if Ruby had set her eyes on the Kashyaps... the war had begun.
In the Village - Beneath the Temple Banyan Tree
The priest's breath came in ragged waves, his heart pounding like a war drum. He gripped his prayer beads tighter, steeling himself for whatever dark curse Ruby might hurl his way.
But she merely smirked.
"I know," Ruby said softly, tilting her head as if amused by his conviction. "It won't be easy to harm you. Your mantras, your rudraksha, your sacred fire... they protect you."
The priest's eyes narrowed.
Ruby's voice dropped an octave, laced with a sinister calm. "That's why..." - she raised her hands slowly - "I won't harm you."
With a cold gust of wind and a flash of eerie violet smoke, a glass coffin shimmered into view before the banyan roots. Encased inside, motionless and pale, was a girl no older than twenty. Her eyes were closed. Her long braid lay draped across her chest. His daughter.
The priest's blood drained from his face.
"No... no..." he whispered, stumbling forward, dropping his prayer beads. "Anandi!"
Her face looked serene, asleep rather than dead-but an ominous chain of dark vines coiled around her wrists, glowing faintly, pulsing like it was feeding on her.
"She's not dead," Ruby said coolly. "Not yet. Suspended in a state between breath and silence. But that thread... can snap very easily."
The priest's hands trembled as he pressed his palms against the glass, tears forming in his eyes. "She... she went missing two days ago. We thought-"
"You thought she was kidnapped by goons?" Ruby arched a brow. "No, Panditji. She's my guest. And if you want her heart to keep beating..." She stepped closer, her voice turning razor-sharp, "You will help me enter the Kashyap house. You will chant the rites. You will make me a part of that very family. You will open the door... for me."
He fell to his knees. "Why her?" he whispered. "Why my child?"
Ruby knelt beside him, cupping his face with ice-cold fingers. "Because you wouldn't break. But for her... you will."
For a long moment, only the rustle of peepal leaves answered.
Then, brokenly- helplessly-the priest nodded.
"I'll do it," he croaked. "I'll help you. But swear on the Tridev, you won't harm her."
Ruby stood, triumphant. "You have my word... as a daayan."
Her lips curled into a wicked grin as the coffin vanished again into the mists.
"And remember, Panditji-if you betray me... I won't kill her."
She turned to go.
"I'll turn her into one of us."