Rudra glanced at Atul.
"No… that's not possible."
It sounded less like a statement—and more like reassurance to himself.
He paused, thinking.
My father may be cruel… but he is not foolish enough to choose a girl like her for something this important.
Still—
There was no harm in confirming.
After all, he was certain she wasn't the one.
"Fine," Rudra said, shaking his head slightly."Let's try this as well."
"I'll make the arrangements, Sir," Atul replied.
"Arrangements for what?" Rudra frowned. "It's not like I'm going to marry her."
Atul smiled faintly.
"You cannot just walk up and touch her feet directly, My Lord. It wouldn't look appropriate."
"I'll create a situation where you can touch her… without her even realizing it."
Rudra nodded.
Meanwhile…
Abha was unusually happy.
After finally taking revenge for her humiliation—
She felt… light.
"Is something special today?" Arjun asked, watching her hum while cooking.
"Not really," Abha replied casually. "I'm just… very happy today."
"And why is that?"
"I crushed someone's arrogance… right on their face," she said proudly.
Arjun narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you talking about? Tell me the truth—you're not in trouble, are you?"
"No," she shook her head. "Why would I be?"
He studied her carefully.
"And your dreams?" he asked softly."I've noticed… for the past fifteen days, you've been sleeping peacefully."
"Tell me honestly—did you start taking something? Or did you meet Pandit ji alone?"
For a moment—
Abha froze.
Her smile disappeared.
It was a valid question.
Ever since that night… after the haveli dream—
She hadn't had a single nightmare.
Was Rudra the reason?Or… was it all just in my head?
Was it possible—
That everything she had seen all these years…
The shadows, the deaths, the visions—
Were just illusions?
But then…
What about the mark on her leg?
Lost in thought, she didn't respond.
Arjun snapped his fingers twice in front of her.
She blinked, coming back.
"Should we… visit Pandit ji first… and then consult a doctor?" she asked hesitantly.
Arjun's face lit up instantly.
"You're serious? You'll actually come with me?"
She nodded slowly.
"Maybe… it's just depression," she said."My mind got distracted for a few days… and the dreams stopped."
Arjun hugged her tightly.
"We'll go tomorrow. First Pandit ji, then the best doctor in the city. Don't worry… nothing will happen to you."
Then he smirked.
"But tell me—what's been distracting you these past few days?"
Abha smiled mysteriously.
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"Who is it?"
"Who—what who?" she deflected quickly. "Go wash up. I'll serve dinner."
Just then—
Raj entered the house cheerfully.
"Honey, I'm home! Let's eat!"
Abha smiled.
"Yes, yes. Go get ready. We'll all eat together."
Raj froze.
He slowly turned toward Arjun.
Something was wrong.
As soon as Abha walked into the kitchen—
Raj leaned closer.
"Tell me honestly… what's going on? Why do I feel like I'm going to die today?"
"Did she poison the food?"
Arjun stared at him.
"Are you insane? Why would she do that? We're eating the same food."
Raj whispered dramatically—
"She has never spoken to me properly… and today she's smiling like this?"
"If I propose to her right now, she might even say yes!"
"This only happens before sacrifice… they feed the goat well before—"He made a slicing gesture across his neck.
Arjun sighed deeply.
"I asked her. She said she's just happy."
"But she definitely did something… something big."
"I can tell from her smile. She's my sister."
Raj frowned.
"But she's never been like this before. Always scared, always quiet."
"Are you sure she doesn't have a twin? Maybe switched at birth? Maybe she killed the real one?"
"Oh God… I'll die unmarried at this rate."
Arjun rubbed his forehead.
"Stop watching movies and go freshen up."
"Let's eat peacefully… and somehow get the truth out of her."
They tried.
Repeatedly.
But Abha didn't say a single word.
She simply ate… smiling to herself.
Arjun felt happy—
He had never seen his sister this carefree.
But at the same time—
A strange fear lingered.
What if she's unknowingly stepping into something dangerous?
The Next Day…
As per Atul's plan—
He and Rudra arrived at the restaurant where Abha worked.
In disguise.
"Can I help you, gentlemen?" Abha asked politely.
"Yes," Atul said. "We'd like to order this… and this."
"And please serve it quickly."
Abha nodded and placed the order.
Twenty minutes later—
As she approached their table with the food—
Atul moved deliberately.
Pretending to check his phone, he bumped into her from the side.
She lost balance—
And fell, along with the tray.
As Atul bent down to "help" her—
Rudra seized the moment.
His fingers brushed her foot.
And in that instant—
Everything became clear.
"No… this… this cannot be possible," Rudra muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
"This is a disgusting joke."
Without another word—
He stormed out.
Abha and Atul were left stunned.
"I'm so sorry," Abha said quickly. "I ruined your meal."
"No, no," Atul replied gently. "It's not your fault. It happened because of me."
He handed her some money.
"But you didn't even eat…"
"We still ordered," he said. "Please keep it."
"I'll bring your change—"
"No need. It's all yours."
"But this is much more than the bill—"
"Consider it compensation."
He gave her a meaningful look.
"We'll meet again… Miss."
And then—
He walked out.
Atul knew.
Without a doubt.
Abha was the girl they had been searching for.
Meanwhile—
Abha stood there, watching them leave.
Confused.
Unaware—
That her life had just taken a turn she could never escape.