Meanwhile, far away from the warmth of the Kothari haveli, the air inside the deepest cavern of the mountains grew heavy, suffocating with the stench of death and decay. Jagged rocks gleamed with a sickly green hue, as though pulsing with some dark heartbeat.
From the heart of the cave, a tremor shook the earth as an ancient gateway cracked open, its obsidian doors grinding apart with an otherworldly screech. Flames erupted in shades of blue and black, and from within stepped a creature unlike any mortal eye had seen.
Towering, with skin like burnt stone and veins glowing faintly with venom, it bore two twisted horns curling upward from its skull. Its claws were so long they scraped against the rocks as it moved, leaving trails of sparks. Its very breath was poisonous, corroding the air around it.
A Vish Purush had risen.
With thundering footsteps, the monster advanced deeper into the cavern, until it came before a towering idol carved into the rock. It was Kamini's likeness, her eyes cold, lips curved in a sinister smile. The shadows in the cave stirred, swirling like a storm, and then poured into the statue.
The idol's stone lips parted, and Kamini's voice slithered through the cave, chilling and venomous.
"Vish Purush… I have summoned you."
The beast dropped to its knees, bowing before her.
Kamini's shadowy form shimmered in the idol's eyes as she continued, "Though my body lies petrified, I borrowed time to take human form. I came so close to seizing what is mine—Vihaan,A Sarvansh,My son. His blood has the power to break my chains, to free me completely."
Her voice grew harsher, echoing like thunder. "But someone stood in my way. A thorn that should never have existed. Gauri… or should I say, the accursed Jalpanchi."
The Vish Purush growled, its claws digging into the stone floor.
Kamini's shadow sneered. "If I am to take Vihaan, she must die. Kill her, Vish Purush. Hunt her down before the Blood Moon rises. That night is only days away, and on it… my reign will begin again."
The cavern shook as the Vish Purush roared in obedience, venom dripping from his claws, sizzling where it touched the ground. The sound echoed across the underworld, announcing that Gauri's greatest trial had just begun.
Later that night, the soft glow of lanterns spilled through the Kothari haveli, casting long shadows on the carved walls. From the courtyard below came the faint sounds of laughter and chatter—Raani's fiancé and in-laws had already arrived.
Vihaan pushed open the door to Gauri's room, intending to call her down, but froze the moment his eyes landed on her.
She stood before the mirror, adjusting her dupatta, the gentle shimmer of her outfit catching the light. Her hair fell loose across her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made his heart stumble.
For a moment, he simply watched—utterly captivated.
"Vihaan," Gauri's voice broke his trance. She turned slightly, lifting a delicate necklace in her hand. "You came at the right time. This clasp is stuck… help me fix it."
She glanced at him, puzzled by the soft smile tugging at his lips. "Why are you smiling like that? And why are you behaving so strange? Stop looking at me like that and just help."
Vihaan stepped closer, the air thickening between them. He gently took the necklace from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers.
"Turn around," he murmured.
Gauri obeyed, her heart racing as she felt him come behind her. He carefully moved her hair over one shoulder, the warmth of his hand lingering against her neck. For a moment, neither spoke.
Vihaan leaned closer, fastening the clasp slowly, as though reluctant for the moment to end. His breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
When he finished, he let his hands rest lightly on her shoulders, pulling her back just a fraction—close enough that their reflections in the mirror aligned.
Their eyes met in the glass. Neither said a word, but the silence spoke louder than anything.
For Vihaan, the realization struck harder than ever—this wasn't just duty, or fate. It was something deeper, something he could no longer deny.
And for Gauri, though she hadn't confessed it aloud, her heart had already started answering his.
Vihaan and Gauri walked downstairs side by side, still carrying the warmth of the moment they had shared in her room. The living hall had been decorated beautifully for the pre-wedding evening, glowing with golden lights and fresh flowers.
Veena, Urvashi, and Sharda were already waiting at the entrance to welcome the guests. Soon, the Ahujas arrived—Bharat with his mother Babita, father Rajnath, and his younger sister. Everyone exchanged greetings warmly.
Just then, Bharat smiled and said, "Actually, one more person is joining us tonight. A friend of mine from London. He must have reached."
At that exact moment, a tall young man, around twenty-five, stepped inside. His presence was confident yet casual, his smile quick and disarming.
"Dhruv!" Gauri gasped, her eyes lighting up.
Dhruv froze mid-step, equally stunned. "Gauri?!"
The two burst into delighted laughter, hurrying toward each other.
"I don't believe this! After all these years…" Dhruv said, shaking his head.
"It's been forever," Gauri agreed, smiling wide. "School… college… you were my partner-in-crime for everything until you flew off to London."
"And you—disappeared just before finals," Dhruv teased. "No note, no call. Just vanished! I was furious at you, you know."
Gauri laughed softly. "Circumstances… life happened. But I'm so happy you're here now."
The two of them kept praising each other—talking about old projects, pranks, and shared memories. Gauri's eyes shone with nostalgia, her laughter ringing with ease.
Vihaan, standing to the side, felt something sharp twist inside him. His jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on Gauri and Dhruv as they spoke like no time had passed.
Yug, noticing his brother's expression, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Uh-oh. Looks like a third angle just entered the picture."
Vihaan shot him a glare, but Yug only smirked more.
"Bhai," Yug whispered under his breath, "better confess your feelings soon. Or this London-return Dhruv will snatch away our Gauri bhabhi before you can blink."
Vihaan's hands clenched slightly at his sides. For the first time, he realized the danger wasn't just outside their home with Kamini—it was right here, in the form of a man from Gauri's past.