The scene outside shifted to the mansion's other courtyard, where a large, ornate swimming pool glimmered under the moonlight. **Maira** and **Mihir** emerged from a side door, sprinting towards the water's edge.
**"This is it!"** Maira gasped, thrusting the glowing vial into Mihir's hands. **"Do it!"**
Without hesitation, **Mihir** uncorked the small vial and poured the entire contents of the brilliant golden **Elixir of Life** into the pool. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the water began to **shimmer**, a soft, ethereal gold radiating from within, spreading until the entire pool glowed with a pure, captivating light.
**Maira** then raised a large, white **conch shell** to her lips and blew. A deep, resonant, and magically amplified sound echoed across the entire estate, cutting through the chaos-a clear, undeniable call.
On the main lawn, the sound hit the squad and the zombies simultaneously.
The **squad** jolted, turning towards the source. **"That's Maira!"** Teju shouted.
The **zombies** stopped dead in their tracks. Their hollow eyes turned away from the squad, now fixated on the shimmering light and the sound. As one, they abandoned their current targets and began shambling, then running, with a single-minded purpose towards the pool.
**"They're going for the light!"** Sahir observed, his analytical mind racing. **"The elixir in the water is acting as a beacon!"**
**"They are heading towards us!"** Rahi yelled.
**Teju** acted instantly. She slammed her hands together, and a massive, dome-shaped golden barrier erupted around her and the entire squad, pushing the zombies back and creating a safe zone. The mind-controlled horde streamed past the barrier, ignoring them completely, a river of bodies flowing towards the glowing pool.
Maira and Mihir stood their ground by the water's edge as the first wave of zombies-led by a snarling **Tia** and a blank-eyed **Akhil**-reached them, arms outstretched.
At the very last second, **Mihir** wrapped a strong arm around **Maira's waist**.
**"Hold on!"**
Crimson energy flared around them, and he launched them both into the air, hovering just above the pool.
Deprived of their target, the zombies' momentum carried them forward. The first ones tripped on the pool's edge, stumbling into the glowing water. Those behind them, driven by an irresistible compulsion to reach the source of the light, pushed forward, creating a chain reaction.
One by one, the entire horde of zombies-the Kashyap family, the guests-plunged into the **Elixir-infused pool**.
The moment they touched the glowing water, their bodies were engulfed in a soft, golden light.
A hushed, awe-filled silence fell over the group as they gathered at the edge of the glowing pool. The water, once a chaotic splash zone, was now a serene, golden bath of healing light. One by one, the blank, hollow expressions on their loved ones' faces began to soften.
The terrifying emptiness in their eyes flickered and faded, replaced by dazed confusion and then dawning awareness. The violent tension drained from their bodies, leaving them floating peacefully or standing waist-deep in the water, blinking as if waking from a deep, terrible dream.
**Sapna** was one of the first to fully come to. She shuddered, a deep breath rattling into her lungs as her soul snapped back into place. Her eyes, now their familiar warm brown, focused on her sons standing on the edge of the pool.
**"Sahir...? Mihir...?"** she whispered, her voice hoarse. **"What... what happened? I had the most awful nightmare..."**
**Sahir**, usually so composed, didn't hesitate. He waded into the golden water, his clothes soaking through, and pulled his mother into a tight, desperate embrace. **"You're safe, Maa. You're back."** The relief in his voice was palpable.
**Mihir** was right behind him, splashing into the pool and wrapping his arms around both of them, burying his face in his mother's shoulder. The usually flamboyant man was quiet, simply holding on. **"We've got you,"** he murmured.
Nearby, **Moti Baa** sputtered, coming to her senses. **"Arrey! Which fool put me in the swimming pool with my best sari?!"**
**Maira** and **Teju** laughed through tears, rushing into the water to hug her. **"We're just glad you're okay, Moti Baa!"** Maira said, squeezing her gently.
**Uma** hugged **Teju** tightly, looking around at the glowing water and the gathered, emotional group. **"I feel so strange... but... whole again."**
**Tia** and **Akhil** stumbled towards their brothers, looking disoriented but clear-eyed. Sahir and Mihir broke from their mother to pull their them into the group hug, a tangled, wet, emotional knot of Kashyaps, finally reunited and safe.
All around the pool, similar scenes unfolded. Guests hugged each other, crying with relief, while the squad-Rahi, Rishank, Armaan, Chandni, Rikki, Rainaksh, Shaurya, and a still-shocked Saiyaara-watched from the edge, smiles of sheer relief on their faces. They had held the line. They had won.
The golden light of the pool slowly began to fade, its work complete, leaving behind a courtyard full of soaked, confused, but deeply grateful and reunited loved ones.
The emotional silence was suddenly shattered.
**"HAPPY HOLI!"**
The shout came from **Rahi**, who stood by the edge of the pool, a massive, mischievous grin on her face. In her hands was a large, still-full bucket of vibrant red *gulal*.
Before anyone could react-before the newly cured could even fully process what was happening-she heaved the entire bucket into the air, directly above the pool.
A cloud of brilliant crimson powder rained down on everyone in the water-on **Sapna**, **Mihir**, and **Sahir** in their tight embrace; on **Maira**, **Teju**, and **Moti Baa**; on **Uma**, **Tia**, and **Akhil**.
For a heartbeat, there was stunned silence. The entire Kashyap family and their guests were now soaked, cured of a zombie curse, and coated head to toe in red powder.
Then, **Mihir** burst out laughing. It was a deep, genuine, relieved sound that seemed to break the last of the terrible tension.
**Sahir**, usually so stern, looked down at his soaked, red-stained shirt and let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
**Moti Baa** sputtered, but a smile broke through her faux irritation. **"You crazy child! This was my second-best sari!"**
One by one, laughter erupted around the pool. It was a release, a cathartic wave of joy after the fear and the fight. The vibrant red color was no longer a symbol of a sinister plot, but a return to the celebration they had all been robbed of.
The Holi celebration had officially-and joyfully-recommenced.
The vibrant energy of the celebration slowly returned, the terror of the zombie curse washed away by the golden elixir and now covered in a fresh layer of joyful color. Amid the laughter and music, **Maira** and **Teju** shared a look of silent understanding. While others began to dance again, they quickly made their way to the refreshment table.
Without a word, **Maira** grabbed the large bowl of *bhaang*, and **Teju** collected the surrounding cups. They carried them to a large trash bin and dumped everything inside, the remnants of the poisoned drink splashing into the darkness.
**"We still don't know who did this,"** Maira said, her voice low so only Teju could hear, her earlier joy dimmed by the lingering threat. **"Or why."**
**Teju** nodded grimly. **"Whoever it was, they're still out there. This isn't over."**
Before they could dwell on it further, **Rahi** and **Chandni** swooped in, their arms linking with theirs.
**"Enough serious faces!"** Rahi declared, pulling Maira towards the makeshift dance floor. **"The bad guys are gone for the meantime, and the party is back on!"**
**Chandni**, with her serene but firm strength, guided Teju along. **"You two saved everyone. Now it's time to celebrate that victory."**
They pulled the two women to the center of the courtyard, positioning them right in front of **Mihir** and **Sahir**, who were already being nudged forward by a grinning **Rishank** and **Armaan**.
"Come on, lovebirds!"Rahi shouted to the four of them. "Holi is almost over! Give us one exciting, lively performance before the sun comes up!"
From the sidelines, Tia, now herself again and buzzing with energy, clapped her hands. "Yes! And I know the perfect song! Shaky Shaky by Sanju Rathod!"
Someone quickly found the track. The infectious, pulsating beat of *Shaky* filled the air, its catchy rhythm impossible to resist.
All eyes turned to the two couples. Mihir grinned, his dramatic flair taking over. Sahir adjusted his now red-stained glasses with a sigh that was more fond. Maira and Teju looked at each other, shrugged, and let the music take over.
The four of them launched into a fun, impromptu dance, a mix of slick moves and hilarious, uncoordinated enthusiasm that perfectly captured the chaotic, joyful spirit of their survival and their love.
The rest of the family and guests formed a cheering circle around them, clapping to the beat, the nightmare finally forgotten in the sheer, shaking joy of the moment.