The atmosphere in the Kothari mansion remained thick with tension. Laila's silvery glow illuminated the room, her mere presence casting ripples of unease through everyone's hearts.
Sharda finally found her voice and stepped forward. "Did you come only to thank us?" she asked cautiously.
Laila turned her crimson gaze toward her, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile. "No," she said softly, "I came to give an advice. My family has always protected the red moon. We punish anyone who dares to even see it." She paused, her smile fading. "So think—what will we do with those who have broken it?"
A nervous silence spread through the room.
Urvashi spoke up hesitantly. "Will you… forgive us?"
Laila's eyes softened just a little. "I can stop myself," she said, "but the others will punish. I can't stop them… I can't say more. But I will help."
Vihaan took a step forward, his expression firm. "Whoever comes next will come for us. We broke the red moon. We have to send the family away before they get caught in this."
Veena immediately grabbed his arm, her eyes glistening with tears. "Have you gone mad, Vihaan?" she cried. "You're my son, and I am your mother. Do you think I'll leave you and go?"
Sharda nodded in agreement. "Vihaan may be my nephew," she said gently, "but he's more like a son to me. And Gauri—she isn't just a daughter-in-law to this family; she's our daughter. How can we leave you both to face the danger alone?"
Vihaan clenched his jaw. "What are you saying, Mummy? I can't risk your lives."
Dadi spoke up from her seat, her voice calm but resolute. "We can't leave you alone, beta."
Shyom nodded firmly. "Our strength lies in our unity. We'll face this together."
Raani and Yug chimed in, their voices overlapping. "Yes, Bhaiya, Bhabhi—so long as we are together, no one can harm us!"
Gauri's eyes fell on Charvi, silently pleading with her to reconsider. But Charvi folded her arms and said, "Don't give me that look, sister. I'm not leaving you either. Don't forget—I'm not just your younger sister, I'm your Predictor. How can I leave you alone?"
A faint, deceptive sigh escaped Veer as he stepped forward, pretending concern. "I'll stay too," he said softly, glancing sideways at Laila when no one was looking. Their eyes met for a brief second—a silent exchange of dark understanding.
Laila's gaze swept over the family, her tone almost wistful. "Such love and unity… it's rare," she murmured.
Then her expression turned serious. "But listen carefully. The attack can happen anytime. You all must stay in different rooms."
Sharda frowned. "No. We're strong when we're together."
Laila nodded slowly. "You're right, Sharda. But if you stay together, you'll draw attention. If you're separated, you can hide—and survive. Keep an eye around you."
She raised her hand, and tiny orbs of light floated from her palm, shimmering like bubbles of moonlight. Each family member caught one, watching them glow faintly in their hands.
"Keep these with you," Laila instructed. "They'll shine when danger is near,so close your eyes and hide."
Charvi tilted her head curiously. "And… why should we close our eyes?"
Laila looked at her, her red eyes glimmering. "I don't have time to explain," she said softly. "Just do what I say."
The lights in the mansion flickered once, casting long shadows across the room as the mysterious moon princess stood among them—part savior, part omen.
Gauri's eyes trailed across the marble floor where Laila had stood just moments ago. A faint silvery glow shimmered where her feet had touched. She bent down, fingertips brushing the light — it was cool, fluid, almost breathing.
"Your footprint…" Gauri said softly, in awe, "it's made of moonlight."
Laila turned slightly, her expression serene. "Such footprints belong to the children of my family," she replied, her voice echoing faintly as if carried on wind. "Where we walk, the moon remembers."
Gauri stepped forward, eyes wide in fascination. "Does this moon of yours change size too… like the real one?" she asked, then, smiling dreamily, she began to hum and recite:
"When the moon hides, the world sighs low,
When it blooms, the oceans glow.
But even when it fades from sight,
The moon still burns within the night."
Vihaan chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You and your never-ending poems," he teased.
Gauri grinned. "Poems are protection too, you know."
Laila smiled faintly at that but her tone turned serious. "Now listen carefully — all of you must go to your rooms. Danger walks in shadows tonight. Keep your light close, and your hearts steady."
Reluctantly, the Kothari family obeyed.
The mansion soon grew quiet. The ticking of the clock was the only sound that dared move. Dadi, Sharda, and Veena sat together in their room, gazing at the window where the sky outside had turned almost pitch-black.
"Those clouds…" Sharda whispered. "They weren't there before."
Dadi clasped her hands tightly. "Something dark is gathering. Even the air feels heavy."
Elsewhere, Urvashi and Raani huddled near their window as black clouds thickened above the trees. The light orbs Laila had given them flickered faintly, pulsing like frightened hearts.
"Raani…" Urvashi whispered. "Why does it feel like the night is breathing?"
Raani's voice trembled. "Because it is…"
In another room, Vihaan paced restlessly while Gauri watched him from the bed, worry lining her face.
"I'm going out," Vihaan said suddenly, turning toward the door.
"Laila asked us not to go anywhere," Gauri said quickly.
He stopped and turned. "Who even is this Laila?"
"The red moon princess," Gauri replied quietly.
Vihaan frowned. "And how do you know that?"
She met his eyes. "When I saw her footprint — her name was etched in light upon it. That's how I knew."
He hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his gaze. But Gauri caught his arm before he could respond. "Laila made a plan to save us," she said gently. "Trust her, Vihaan."
Vihaan sighed. "She just woke up from a thousand-year sleep, Gauri. We shouldn't put all the responsibility on her."
Gauri smirked, folding her arms. "Oh, so your male ego's hurt — can't handle taking help from a girl?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Ego? Please. I believe girls are strong — maybe you're not strong enough, that's why you're hiding here."
Her mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"
And just like that, the tension dissolved into playful banter.
"Really?" Gauri said, stepping closer. "You want to test how strong I am?"
Vihaan leaned in, smiling. "I already know. You're strong enough to win every argument… and still make me apologize."
Gauri chuckled softly. "Then maybe you should start apologizing now."
Their laughter filled the room — soft, brief, human — while outside, the swirling clouds began to form a spiral, and a distant hum rippled through the night.
Something ancient was moving toward the mansion.