Today is the day of the final judgment in the Junagarh palace. Since morning, the sky has been overcast with thick clouds, as if nature itself is waiting for a terrifying consequence. The Maharaja summoned everyone to the royal court early this morning. The poison of the conspiracy that had turned Junagarh blue for four years will find its permanent resolution today. The judgment of Sushila and Shilajit will be announced before everyone.
Arohi was preparing to go to the royal court when little Prabhasha tugged at the end of her saree. There was a world of curiosity in Prabhasha's large, wide eyes. She asked in her broken, innocent voice, "Mother, why is everyone going to the court? I heard someone will be given a 'death sentence'? What is a death sentence, Mother? Is it some very yucky food?"
Arohi's heart skipped a beat. This innocent child still has no idea how great a sin her biological mother has committed. With supreme affection, Arohi picked Prabhasha up in her arms, stroked her head, and said in a calm voice, "No, my child, a death sentence is not food. It's a very fun game, but only adults can play it. You are very small now; when you grow up, I will teach you everything. Now come, go to sleep like a good girl." Arohi calmed Prabhasha by telling her fairy tales and laid her in bed. As soon as Prabhasha fell asleep, Arohi adjusted her royal attire and stepped toward the royal court with a proud, dignified stride.
The court was packed to capacity. The Maharaja sat on the high throne in the middle, with Aditya beside him, his face grave. Armed guards stood watch all around. The Maharaja commanded, "Bring forth the two criminals!"
A short while later, Sushila and Shilajit were dragged out from the darkness of the prison. Their previous royal splendor was gone. Due to the lack of the potion, their appearance was now hideous; they stood there barely able to hold themselves up, with rotting skin and grotesque facial features. Upon entering the court, they both stood with their heads bowed, for they did not know who was standing beside the throne today. They only thought that the maid 'Snigdha' would be the one to see their end today.
The Maharaja roared, "Sushila! Shilajit! Look who you are standing before today!"
Shilajit and Sushila slowly raised their heads. Their gaze fell upon an exquisitely beautiful woman standing right beside the throne. She was dressed in the attire of a Queen, with a bright red vermilion mark on her forehead, and a fire like a burning volcano in her eyes. Sushila and Shilajit froze. Their bodies turned cold as ice. They looked at each other, then back at the woman.
They both stood there like statues. No words came out of Sushila's mouth; she only began to whisper, "Snigdha? Or Arohi? How is this possible! I saw her turn to ash at the cremation ground with my own eyes! Is this some phantom?" The ground seemed to slip from beneath Shilajit's feet. He thought—the Arohi he had destroyed bit by bit was now standing before him as the rightful owner of the royal throne!
The gaze in Arohi's eyes seemed to pierce their chests like a sword. She did not flinch; there was no fear or weakness in her eyes. She only watched the downfall of her two greatest enemies. The hideous faces of Sushila and Shilajit became even more distorted with terror. They realized that for four years, the woman they had insulted thinking she was a mere maid was actually a blazing fire, ready to turn them to ash today. The entire royal assembly was silent, as a strange and terrifying battle of three pairs of eyes unfolded. When Sushila realized that the powerful woman standing beside the throne was none other than Arohi herself, the demonic nature within her awakened once more. Losing all sense of reason, she suddenly wrenched her arms free from the guards' grip and tried to pounce on Arohi. Her hideous face became even more distorted with rage and envy.
Sushila began to scream, "Who are you?! Where did you come back from? I saw you turn to ash with my own eyes, you venomous serpent! I did so much to get Aditya—I sacrificed my own beauty, I humiliated myself by performing the Nagin Dance and Gorilla Dance in front of everyone—and yet you didn't die? Is even the God of Death afraid to take you, you co-wife?"
Arohi had remained calm until now, but hearing Sushila's poisonous words, her patience finally snapped. She stepped forward slowly and before Sushila could realize what was happening—SLAP! A powerful blow landed right on Sushila's cheek. The force of the slap sent Sushila's face spinning to one side. Arohi grabbed a tight fistful of her hair and said through gritted teeth, "Watch your mouth, Sushila! How dare you utter my name with that rotting mouth of yours? Did you think you could destroy me with your cheap magic and filth? The destruction of a devil like you was always destiny!"
Shilajit stood trembling beside them, his toothless mouth quivering as he said, "Let it go, daughter Sushila; there's no point in showing rage anymore. We are trapped now; insulting them will only increase our punishment."
Sushila turned toward her father and made a mocking face, "Shut up, you worthless old bag of bones! You are a pathetic father; you couldn't do a single thing! All the old fossils have gathered here—the old Maharaja, the old Aditya, and this burnt-faced co-wife's brat who is now sitting here dressed as a Queen! I was the only beautiful one, and you all conspired to steal my beauty!"
Aditya could bear it no longer. He stepped forward and delivered another stinging slap to Sushila's other cheek. Aditya roared, "If you utter one more word about my parents or my Arohi, I will tear your tongue out! You are a foul ghoul; your place should be at the very bottom of hell!"
Arohi calmed Aditya down and said, "Let it be, Aditya; she has lost all sense of reality. She wanted to know how I am alive, didn't she? Listen, Sushila, the body you saw burning was merely a doll created by the magic mirror. It was brought before you in my likeness just to unmask your true faces. I have been wandering right under your noses for four years as Snigdha, and you didn't have the slightest clue!"
Sushila began to laugh hysterically like a maniac. She said in a repulsive tone, "Oh, you disgusting yogini! So you were the one who massaged my feet as Snigdha? Had I known then, I would have slapped you repeatedly right there, grabbed you by the hair, and burnt you alive in a flaming oven! I would have used your fat to light a torch, you witch!"
Hearing Sushila's vile words, even the subjects in the court turned their faces away in disgust. Arohi then looked into Sushila's eyes and said calmly, "That burning sensation within you will never fade, Sushila. You will rot in the dark dungeon while I rule with my husband and children. This is your punishment."
The entire royal court echoed with Sushila's screams. Shilajit stood hiding his face in a corner, while Sushila struggled in the hands of the guards, hurling one foul insult after another at Arohi. While the readers felt rage toward Sushila, they couldn't help but find it hilarious to see her get slapped across her toothless face.