The first rays of dawn slipped into the broken windows of the old cottage, spilling a soft golden light across the floor. Vihaan lay on his back, one arm curled around Gauri, who slept peacefully against his chest. Her hair fanned across him like a veil, her hand still entwined with his as if she feared letting go even in sleep.
But Vihaan was awake. His eyes lingered on her face—her serene expression, the faint tear stains on her cheeks, the softness of her breaths. He leaned down gently, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and in that quiet moment, memories of the night they had shared flooded back—their whispered confessions, their tears, their passion.
As though sensing his gaze, Gauri stirred. Slowly she sat up, brushing her hair from her face. Her eyes immediately went to his back, her hands trailing lightly over the skin where the poison claws had torn him. She gasped softly, realizing the wounds had completely healed. Relief welled in her chest.
"You're healed," she whispered, eyes glistening with gratitude.
Vihaan smiled, tugging her closer until she was seated between his legs, her back against his chest. His arms tightened around her waist as he bent to murmur against her ear, his tone teasing but low with affection. "If I'm healed… then what do you say we go for a second round?"
Gauri turned, startled, before bursting into a shy smile. "ACP Kothari, you're impossible," she scolded, playfully pushing at his chest.
He chuckled, his lips almost brushing hers as he leaned in for a kiss. But she pressed her hand against his mouth, shaking her head gently. "No… the family must be worried sick. We've been gone all night."
For a moment he simply looked at her, a mixture of longing and amusement in his eyes, then finally sighed, pressing a kiss to her palm instead. "You're right," he admitted softly. "But one day, Gauri… I won't let you run away so easily."
Blushing, she quickly stood, reaching for her clothes. Vihaan followed suit, buttoning his shirt with a lopsided grin as he watched her fuss with her dupatta. Their eyes met once more, a silent promise passing between them, before they stepped out of the cottage—returning to the world, yet carrying with them a bond that had grown even deeper in the shadows of the night.
At the Kothari mansion, the atmosphere was heavy with unease. Sharda, Veena, and the rest of the family paced anxiously in the main hall. Raani had already left for her new home after the bidaai, but no one could think of anything beyond the absence of Vihaan and Gauri.
"Where could they be?" Sharda muttered, wringing her dupatta. "They've been gone all night."
Charvi's eyes flicked toward the door every other second, her heart pounding with dread. Yug stood beside her, equally tense, trying to reassure the elders though worry was written on his face.
Suddenly, the main doors creaked open. Everyone turned in unison.
There they were—Vihaan and Gauri—walking into the house together. Their clothes bore traces of the jungle night, their faces drawn but alive. Relief swept across the room like a tidal wave.
"Gauri!" Charvi cried, rushing forward and throwing her arms around her sister, holding her as if she'd never let go again. Gauri clutched her tightly, tears stinging her eyes at the sheer love in her embrace.
Yug strode to Vihaan, gripping him in a fierce hug. "Bhaiya! Where the hell were you? We thought—" He broke off, his voice cracking, unable to finish the worst.
Vihaan patted his back firmly, his usual composed expression softened with emotion. "We're fine," he assured, though his eyes flicked briefly toward Gauri, betraying that it hadn't been without danger.
Veena hurried forward, cupping both Gauri and Vihaan's faces, her motherly instinct breaking through her fear. "Don't you ever disappear like this again. Do you know how scared we all were?"
Sharda's stern tone followed, though her eyes were moist with relief. "You two will have to explain everything. There's something dark moving around us, and I won't have my family caught unawares."
The family gathered around them, a mix of scolding and embraces, but beneath the relief, an undercurrent of dread lingered. For even though Gauri and Vihaan had returned safely, the shadow of what—or who—they had faced in the jungle loomed large, waiting to strike again.
The family settled in the living room, everyone eager but tense as Gauri clutched Vihaan's hand, her voice trembling as she began,
"Last night… someone lured me outside. I thought it was Vihaan, but before I knew it, I was blindfolded and taken into the jungle. When I woke up, Dhruv was there—or at least I thought it was him. But it wasn't… it was Vish Purush. He tried to kill me. If Vihaan hadn't come…" her voice broke, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Everyone gasped, the horror sinking into their bones.
Sharda rose instantly, anger flashing in her eyes. "This is Kamini's doing! Who else could be behind such evil? She won't stop until she destroys us all."
Veena's face went pale as she clutched her mangalsutra nervously. "No… she's doing this to get Vihaan! She's always wanted him, that's why she's after Gauri!"
Vihaan gently but firmly held Veena's hands, steadying her. "Maa, don't panic. As long as I'm here, no harm will come to Gauri. Vish Purush is finished. He won't be troubling us again."
But before relief could settle, Urvashi and Dadi exchanged a grim look. Urvashi finally spoke, her voice low but urgent. "There's something you all must know. Last night, Yug and Charvi followed a trail into the jungle. They found… Kamini's statue. She is still trapped in stone."
The room fell into stunned silence.
"What?" Gauri whispered, shaken to her core. "But then… if Kamini is still petrified, how is she attacking us?"
Vihaan's face hardened, his shock matching hers. "This means there's something far more dangerous going on. Someone—or something—is working through her shadow."
The family exchanged anxious glances, fear growing heavier in the air. The thought that Kamini was trapped yet still managing to unleash terror on them was far worse than anything they had imagined.