Kashyap Mansion - Morning Puja
Golden sunlight streamed through the pooja room as Sapna conducted the morning veneration, Teju carefully passing the sacred platter to each family member:
- Uma accepted the offering with teary eyes, whispering blessings for the new brides
- Akhil performed an exaggerated pranam that made the priest sigh
- Even the housekeeper received tilak with trembling hands
Only Mihir leaned against the doorway, thumbs flying across his phone screen. Maira watched his reflection in the brass diya-the way his shoulders stiffened when laughter filled the room.
"Your turn," she said, appearing before him with the platter.
Mihir didn't look up. "Pass."
"Don't be a child. Open up." She lifted a sweetened tulsi leaf.
"Not happening." His phone buzzed. "I don't do the whole god thing."
Maira's eyes narrowed. "Oh look, your shoelace-"
"What? I'm wearing loaf-"
Her fingers darted, popping the prasad into his open mouth. Mihir's outrage dissolved into startled chewing as she swiftly:
1. Pressed a thumbful of chandan to his forehead
2. Drizzled three drops of gangajal over his head
3. Whispered "Shubh raho" with saccharine sweetness
Across the room, Moti Baa hid a smile behind her dupatta. "Beta," she murmured to Sapna, "that girl handles your rebel like she was made for it."
Sapna's gaze lingered on Mihir-who was now glaring at Maira while unconsciously pocketing the blessed flower she'd tucked behind his ear.
Kashyap Mansion - Post-Puja Gathering**
Sapna clapped her hands together, her gold bangles chiming. "Beta, we're holding your wedding reception tonight!" Her eyes sparkled as she gestured upstairs. "I've selected outfits for both couples-they're waiting in your rooms."
Teju bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Mother-in-law."
Maira echoed the thanks while her gaze swept the room-no sign of Ruby. *Probably still sulking about Sahir,* she mused, before catching Mihir rolling his eyes at the word "reception."
Moti Baa shuffled forward, her cane tapping the marble. "Listen carefully, bahus," she said, though her voice held warmth. "Tomorrow comes your first cooking ritual-"
"The real test," Uma chimed in with a playful wink.
"-so rest well today." Moti Baa's knowing look lingered on Maira. "Our kitchen has broken many proud spirits."
Sahir squeezed Teju's hand reassuringly while Mihir muttered, "God help us all," just loud enough for Maira to elbow him.
As the family dispersed:
- Sapna hurried to finalize reception details
- The priest blessed the decorative mandap being erected in the garden
- A single red bangle was found crushed near Ruby's empty guest room door
Bandhap Cave
Ruby knelt before the stone altar, her peach lehenga now stained with cave dampness. Mohana's shadow loomed large against the glowing crystals as she stirred a bubbling cauldron.
"My queen," Ruby purred, pressing her forehead to the cold stone floor. "Your sons will kneel before you by dawn."
Mohana's claw-like nails scraped the cauldron rim. "Empty promises won't break their daavansh blood."
A guttural snort echoed through the cavern as Raj emerged-his massive Bhainsasur form barely fitting through the cave mouth, hooves kicking up sparks against the rock. Mohana's eyes gleamed at the sight of his:
- Curved black horns glistening with venom
- Muscular torso now covered in coarse fur
- Human eyes burning with trapped terror
"You awakened Bhainsasur in him," Mohana observed, circling Raj like prized livestock. Her finger traced one horn. "Your father's spirit serves us well, Ruby."
Ruby's grin showed too many teeth. "Strong enough to overpower even a daavansh." She produced a pulsating red flower-its petals black at the edges. "Tonight, he'll attack them with Pataal Ketki . Their demon blood will weaken..."
Mohana's laughter sent bats fleeing from the ceiling. "And not even their precious Bishwa," she spat the name like poison, "will save them this time."
Raj's hoof scraped the ground impatiently. Ruby patted his flank. "Patience, beast. When the reception fireworks start..." She crushed the flower in her palm, its crimson dust swirling like blood in water. "...so does our hunt."
Kashyap Mansion - Guest Room
Sapna's knuckles rapped three times on the carved teak door. "Ruby, beti? May I come in?"
Silence.
She pushed the door open to an empty room-the bed neatly made, ruby-studded bangles abandoned on the dresser. Just as she turned to leave-
*Creak.*
A floorboard groaned near the ensuite. Ruby emerged in human form, her damp hair wrapped in a towel. "Aunty!" She feigned surprise, clutching her silk robe closed. "I was just freshening up."
Sapna's eyes softened. "Come, sit with me." She patted the bedspread.
Ruby perched on the edge, fingers twisting the towel ends. "About yesterday-"
"No, no." Sapna took her hand. "It's we who owe you an apology. Sahir's actions..." She sighed. "But I'll speak to your parents. We'll find you a groom worthy-"
"It's okay." Ruby's smile didn't reach her eyes. "I was angry. Said terrible things." She squeezed Sapna's fingers. "I truly want Sahir and Teju to be happy."
"You've such a generous heart!" Sapna embraced her. "Tonight's reception-you'll join us, yes? As family?"
Ruby nodded sweetly. "Wouldn't miss it."
The moment the door clicked shut behind Sapna, Ruby's face twisted. Her reflection in the vanity mirror showed her true form-yellow eyes glowing, pointed teeth bared.
"Foolish woman," she whispered to the empty room. "By midnight, you'll be mourning both sons."
Mihir's Bedroom - Pre-Reception
Maira adjusted the final gold bangle, the pink floral lehenga shimmering under the chandelier light. The delicate embroidery trailed up her waist, the back blouse ties still loose-
The bathroom door opened with a gust of steam.
Mihir emerged, towel-drying his long damp hair, water droplets sliding down his bare torso. The mirror caught Maira's gaze lingering on:
- The defined V-line leading into his low-hanging towel
- A stray droplet tracing his collarbone
- The way his muscles flexed as he rubbed his hair
Their eyes met in the reflection.
For once, Mihir was speechless. The hairbrush slipped from his fingers as he took in:
- The way the lehenga's blush tones warmed her skin
- Jasmine blossoms woven into her braid
- The delicate gold chain resting against her exposed back
"Your..." His voice came out rougher than intended. He cleared his throat. "Blouse strings."
Maira turned, presenting the loose ties. His fingers brushed the small of her back-both pretending not to notice her shiver.
"You look..." Mihir's knuckles grazed her spine as he tied the silk cords. "...presentable."
Maira tilted her head back, their lips a breath apart.
A knock shattered the moment. "Five minutes!" Sapna called through the door.
Mihir stepped back abruptly, reaching for his sherwani. "Try not to trip on stage."
"Try not to stare too obviously," she shot back-but her fingers touched the place his hands had been as he turned away.
Sahir's Bedroom
Golden lamplight danced across the dressing table where Teju sat, her emerald-green lehenga pooling around her like moonlit leaves. Sahir stood behind her, his hands surprisingly steady as he fastened the final ruby pendant around her neck.
Their eyes met in the mirror-his warm brown to her shimmering kohl-rimmed gaze. Without words, he:
1. Traced the delicate chain along her collarbone with one fingertip
2. Tucked a stray curl behind her pearl-adorned ear
3. Pressed his lips to her hairline where the sindoor met her parting
Teju caught his wrist, turning his palm upward to place a kiss on his pulse point-their private answer to the seven vows.
A knock startled them apart. "Photographer's ready!" Akhil's amused voice carried through the door.
Sahir kept Teju's hand in his as they rose, their reflections merging in the full-length mirror-his navy sherwani complementing her jewels, his fingers lacing with hers like they'd done this forever.