Abha couldn't understand what had just happened to her.
Her employer had witnessed the entire incident from his cabin. He stepped out, snatched the money from her hand, and glared at her in anger.
"How many times have I told you to work properly? Every time, you find a way to drive my customers away."
He shoved a small amount of cash into her hand.
"This is your salary for the month. Now leave. You're fired."
Heart heavy, Abha walked out. Once again, she would have to search for a new job.
The constant nightmares had left dark circles under her eyes. Because of her appearance, no big company was willing to hire her. What was the use of a degree she couldn't even utilize?
For now, Arjun's salary was enough to keep the household running, but Abha didn't want to sit idle and drown in her thoughts. That's why she kept taking up small jobs at restaurants.
Now, with nothing left to do, she decided to take a break—meet the Priest and a doctor, and then figure out what to do next.
She called Arjun.
"I'm going to meet the Priest."
"What? Why suddenly? We planned to go in the evening. Why are you going alone? Wait, I'll come. Did something happen?" Arjun fired questions one after another.
"Relax! I'll answer everything later. Nothing serious happened. I just got fired. Since I have time now, I'll go meet the Priest. You focus on your work—we'll talk in the evening."
Before he could respond, she cut the call.
Meanwhile…
Rudra had trashed his office in rage.
His fury was uncontrollable, his monstrous aura threatening to break free from the human body he inhabited.
Just then, the messenger appeared.
Atul stood there helplessly, unsure how to calm Rudra—but the messenger's presence gave him slight relief.
"Seems like you didn't quite like your father's choice," the messenger said with a smirk.
"If you're here to mock me, leave," Rudra growled. "I am in no mood to tolerate anyone right now."
"I'm not here to test your patience," the messenger replied calmly. "I bring news. Your brother has already arrived on Earth… and he is quite close to that girl."
Rudra's eyes darkened.
"You understand what that means, don't you? His closeness to her… means your distance from her."
"That will never happen," Rudra said coldly. "She belongs to me. My brother has already lost this game. Atul—bring her to me. By any means necessary."
Atul paused, thinking carefully.
"I'll get her a job here, sir. That way, she'll stay close to you at all times."
"Offer her whatever it takes. But tomorrow… she should be here."
The messenger watched silently. Atul was thinking—but Rudra still didn't understand one thing:
Anything created by the Divine cannot be bought… not even His own son.
But some lessons are best learned the hard way.
The messenger vanished.
At the Holy Temple
When Abha arrived, she found the Priest deep in meditation.
The moment she stepped inside, his voice stopped her.
"Stop right there. Don't take another step."
She froze.
"Until now, the dark shadow was following you. But now… it has surrounded you completely. No one can save you from it."
His words sent a chill down her spine.
Then he continued,
"But the Divine has shown mercy. Someone has been sent to protect you. Find that person—the one whose presence calms your mind, whose nearness keeps your nightmares away. Stay close to them. That is the only way."
Before she could ask anything, he closed his eyes again, returning to meditation.
Confused but silent, Abha walked out.
The moment she left—
The "Priest" opened his eyes.
It was Atul.
And then, he disappeared.
The Truth Behind the Illusion
A short while later, the real Priest arrived at the Holy Temple.
He found all his disciples unconscious.
The moment he stepped inside, he sensed it—
A dark presence had entered the temple.
But… there was also the faint trace of a human aura.
Which meant only one thing—
Someone's path was being deliberately misled.
But who?
Who could be so important that even dark forces would interfere?
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Priest decided to consult the sacred scriptures.
Back at the Office
Atul returned.
"It's done, sir. Very soon, she will come to this company on her own. And I assure you—your brother won't be able to stop her."
Rudra smiled.
He knew now—nothing could stop him.
All that remained… was to make her say yes.
Abha's Realization
Abha kept thinking about what the Priest had said—
Or rather… what Atul, disguised as the Priest, had told her.
For the past month, she hadn't had a single nightmare.
Why?
She tried to recall.
The day she went to Rudra's office…
That's when it stopped.
Could it be… that someone in that place was the reason her darkness had quieted?
Maybe… just maybe…
That was her answer.
And with that thought, she made a decision—
She would go to Rudra's company…
and submit her resume.