The grand hall shimmered in the soft glow of Diwali diyas and fairy lights, their golden reflections dancing along the walls. Laughter echoed faintly from outside where the family continued celebrating, but Gauri and Charvi had stolen a quiet moment by the sitting area, their phones propped before them as a familiar chime sounded.
The screen lit up with two smiling faces — Maira and Teju, waving excitedly from their end.
"Happy Diwali!" the twins chorused together.
"Happy Diwali to you both!" Gauri and Charvi replied in unison, their smiles stretching wide.
Maira, ever the livelier one, leaned close to the camera with her teasing grin.
"We're still sorry for not meeting you during Holi, Gauri. Things got so hectic—"
Teju interrupted, her voice lilting with amusement.
"—and besides, we knew you were too busy with Vihaan anyway!"
Charvi burst into laughter as Gauri's cheeks instantly flushed pink.
"You two will never let me live that down, will you?"
Maira folded her arms dramatically.
"Not when you kept denying you liked him! Remember Holi? You refused to admit it, so we had to take matters into our own hands."
"Oh, don't remind me," Gauri groaned, shaking her head. "You two mixed bhaang in our drinks! I still can't believe you did that."
Teju giggled.
"Worked, didn't it? You and Vihaan couldn't stop staring at each other the whole evening!"
"You were both absolutely adorable," Maira added. "And we left before you could scold us."
The four of them burst into laughter, the memory as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. When the laughter finally faded, Maira leaned in again, mischief still twinkling in her eyes.
"Alright, enough nostalgia — tell us the real news. What's the status now, hmm? Is Inspector Vihaan still 'just a friend'?"
Charvi grinned, glancing knowingly at her sister.
"Yes, Gauri. We're all waiting for your official declaration."
Gauri hesitated, the laughter fading into a soft, thoughtful smile. Her eyes grew distant as memories flooded in — Vihaan shielding her from harm, the way he looked at her as though she was the only person in the world, their song beneath the lanterns earlier that night.
Her voice softened as she spoke.
"You know… I used to think love was just a distraction — something that would only make life complicated. But then Vihaan came along, and suddenly… everything made sense. He's become my calm when everything around me is chaos. My strength when I forget my own. Just like Charvi, he's become a part of my heart I can't imagine losing."
For a moment, none of them spoke — only the faint hum of the lights and distant fireworks filled the silence.
Then Teju smiled warmly.
"You've changed, Gauri — in the best way."
"Vihaan must be something special," Maira said softly. "Hold on to that."
Gauri's eyes glimmered as she nodded.
"I will."
The four friends exchanged another round of laughter and promises to meet soon before ending the call, their screens fading — but the warmth of their bond lingering long after.
---
In another corner of the mansion, away from the laughter and music of Diwali, Vihaan and Yug stood on the balcony, the night sky blooming with bursts of gold and silver. The glow from the fireworks painted their faces as Yug adjusted his phone and put the call on speaker.
The screen lit up with two familiar faces — Mihir and Sahir Kashyap, the Daavansh twins. Maira and Teju's husbands, and two of Vihaan and Yug's most trusted allies.
"Happy Diwali, brothers!" Mihir grinned, his ever-present guitar slung behind him.
"Happy Diwali!" Vihaan and Yug replied together, smiling warmly.
Sahir lifted his glass in greeting.
"How's the grand celebration at the Kothari mansion?"
Yug laughed.
"You know us — we don't do small. Lights, sweets, and chaos everywhere."
Mihir chuckled.
"And what about our serious ACP Vihaan Kothari? The one who used to glare at the world like it's under interrogation?"
Vihaan rolled his eyes while Yug burst out laughing.
"Still can't resist teasing, can you?"
"Never," Mihir smirked. "So, ACP saab — rumor has it you and Gauri are finally seeing eye to eye. Last time, you were glaring daggers at her like she was your top suspect."
Vihaan exhaled, his expression softening as he looked out at the fireworks.
"Yeah… I was wrong about her."
Sahir leaned forward with mild surprise.
"Oh? The fearless ACP admits a mistake?"
Vihaan's lips curved slightly.
"More than one."
The night breeze stirred his hair as he continued, his tone low and thoughtful.
"When I married Gauri, it wasn't out of love. It was compulsion — a desperate move to save my family from the witch's shadow. I thought she was part of it… a dancer who'd do anything for money."
He paused, eyes reflecting the flicker of the lanterns below.
"But she's nothing like that. She's strong, selfless, and… real. When everyone doubted me, she stood by my side. When darkness tried to swallow me, she became my light."
He smiled faintly.
"She's the reason this house feels like a home again."
Yug clapped him on the shoulder, teasing lightly.
"Look at you, ACP saab, turning poet under the lanterns."
Sahir laughed.
"He's in love, clearly."
"Gone case," Mihir added with a grin. "Our Vihaan's officially lost to his Gauri."
Vihaan chuckled, shaking his head.
"If that's what losing feels like… I don't mind."
The four friends fell silent for a moment, letting the warmth of the festival fill the space between them. The night seemed calm — but beneath the laughter, a strange stillness stirred.
"Stay sharp tonight," Sahir said at last, his tone growing serious. "We've been sensing something unusual in the air."
"Darkness," Mihir added. "It moves when light burns brightest."
Vihaan frowned slightly.
"You think it's connected?"
The twins exchanged a cryptic look.
"Maybe," Mihir said. "Just be careful, ACP. The Diwali light can only blind the shadows for so long."
The call ended with laughter and brotherly goodbyes, but as Vihaan pocketed his phone, a flicker of unease lingered in his chest — the kind that never comes without reason.
---