The old house smelled the same as before—of sandalwood, dust, and memories Nitya had once wanted to burn.
She walked through the halls slowly, Yug a few steps behind, carrying her small bag. His head was slightly bowed, his manner calm, just like Ayansh had instructed.
To the rest of the household, he was nothing more than "the new help." But to Nitya, he was just another quiet figure in the background. She didn't know Ayansh had placed him there like a silent guardian.
Her family greeted her in a strange way—warm smiles stretched too far, words dripping with false sweetness. The only one who didn't smile was Ritik.
He stood at the end of the corridor, leaning against the wall, eyes fixed on her. That same gaze—possessive, unreadable, dangerous.
"You're back," Ritik said, voice low. "I didn't think you had it in you."
Nitya kept her expression neutral. "I'm stronger than you think."
His lips twitched into a half-smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. I like strong people. They make the game interesting."
Yug, watching silently from behind, clenched his fists—but he didn't move. Not yet. Ayansh's words echoed in his mind: "Don't act unless you have to. But if you do, you act fast."
That night, Nitya sat by the window in her room, staring out at the moonlit courtyard. Somewhere out there, Ayansh was awake too. She didn't know it, but at that exact moment, he was standing at the edge of the village road, looking toward the house as if his eyes could reach her.
---
The next morning, things began to shift.
Nitya overheard voices in the kitchen—her aunt and Ritik speaking in hushed tones.
"She's not the same as before," her aunt said. "She's different now. Harder to control."
Ritik's reply was almost a whisper, but Yug, sweeping nearby, caught every word.
"Doesn't matter. Sooner or later, she'll bend. And if she doesn't… we'll make her."
Yug's jaw tightened. He knew he had to tell Ayansh.
That night, when the house had gone quiet, he stepped outside to the small courtyard and pulled out the old phone Ayansh had given him.
"She's not safe," Yug said quietly into the receiver. "They're planning something. I don't know what yet, but it's not good."
On the other end, Ayansh's voice was sharp and controlled.
"Stay with her. Don't let her out of your sight. And Yug… if they touch her, you don't wait for my call. You take her and get out."
Yug nodded, glancing up at the lit window of Nitya's room.
Inside, she was sitting with her journal, unaware of the storm gathering around her.
And outside, two men—one in the shadows of the village road, one in the shadows of her own home—were ready to protect her at any cost.