Downstairs
"Mom, please understand, Gauri wants to work as a taxi driver to support her family," Vihaan said, trying to persuade Veena.
But before Veena could respond, Urvashi's urgent whisper cut through the air.
"Raani... oh my god, Raani!" Urvashi's eyes were fixed on something behind Vihaan, her face pale with alarm.
Vihaan turned, following her gaze. "What's wrong?"
Urvashi's voice trembled. "Look..."
Vihaan's eyes widened as he saw Raani standing on the railing of the stairs, her eyes blank and unresponsive.
"Raani, no!" Veena screamed, her voice filled with horror and fear as Raani took a step forward and leaped down from the railing.
The room held its breath, anticipating the sound of her body hitting the floor. But it never came.
Raani landed on her feet, unscathed and unruffled, her eyes still vacant. The family stared at her in shock.
"Raani, beta, what's wrong with you?" Urvashi cried out, rushing towards her.
Raani's hands began to move on their own, slapping her face with a stinging sound. Vihaan and Yug tried to hold her hands, to stop the violent motion.
"Raani, stop! What's happening to you?" Urvashi cried, her voice breaking with fear.
Shyom looked on, confused and tense. "What's wrong with her? What's happening to Raani?"
Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding attention. Nishi stepped into the room, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
"I'll tell you what's wrong with her," Nishi said, her voice low and menacing, dripping with malevolence.
The family turned to face her, shocked and frightened by her sudden appearance. Nishi's gaze swept over them, her eyes lingering on Raani's struggling form.
"You're looking at the result of my handiwork," Nishi said, a cruel smile spreading across her face.
Her smile grew wider as she revealed the truth. "Raani is under my control now. And soon, she'll do my bidding."
The family stared in horror, their minds reeling with the implications. Urvashi's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her helpless daughter.
Vihaan's face twisted in anger and determination. "You'll never use her for your twisted games."
Nishi's gaze locked onto him, her eyes burning with otherworldly intensity. "You're the one I need. But Gauri has become a problem. She's unknowingly standing in my way, so I'll take care of her first."
Nishi strolled over to the sofa, her movements fluid and deliberate. She sank into the cushions, her eyes never leaving Vihaan's face.
"Bring Gauri to me," Nishi commanded, her voice dripping with arrogance. "In exchange, I'll release Raani. Refuse, and…" she snapped her fingers, her gaze cold.
Kerosene suddenly materialized in Raani's hand, as if summoned by Nishi's dark magic. Raani's eyes remained vacant, her movements robotic.
The family watched in horror as Raani unscrewed the cap and began pouring the kerosene over herself. Urvashi screamed, rushing toward her, but Nishi's cold laughter stopped her.
"Your choice, Vihaan," Nishi said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Gauri for Raani. The clock is ticking."
Vihaan fell to his knees, desperation etched on his face. "Please, Nishi, don't harm her. I'll do anything—just don't hurt Raani."
Nishi's expression remained unyielding. "Anything?" she repeated, her voice dripping with skepticism. "You mean you'll bring Gauri to me?"
Vihaan hesitated, his eyes darting toward Raani, who stood frozen, kerosene still pouring down her body. "Yes… I'll bring her," he whispered.
Nishi's smile curved into a cruel line. "Good. You have five minutes. If Gauri isn't here by then, Raani will be set ablaze. And it won't be a quick death."
Vihaan hurried upstairs, his heart racing with every step. He burst into the room where Gauri was waiting, unaware of the danger below.
"What's wrong?" Gauri asked, looking up from her book, irritation in her voice. "Do you plan to keep me locked up here forever?"
Vihaan didn't answer. Instead, he grasped her hand, his grip tight and urgent. "Come with me," he said, pulling her out of the room and down the stairs.
Gauri stumbled, caught off guard. "What's going on?" she asked, trying to free herself, but Vihaan held on tight, his eyes fixed on the unfolding nightmare.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Gauri's eyes widened in shock. Nishi rose from the sofa, a smirk twisting her face.
Her gaze shifted to Raani, still clutching the kerosene can, her eyes blank. Then Nishi's gaze locked on Gauri.
"Ah, Gauri," Nishi said, her voice dripping with malice. "I've been waiting for you."
Nishi's eyes gleamed with malevolent intent as she commanded, "Raani, show them my power."
Raani's eyes turned glassy, and she began to climb the wall like a lizard, her movements unnatural and terrifying. Nishi followed suit, her body defying gravity as she ascended with ease.
Gauri's eyes widened in shock, her voice stuttering. "W-what's…what's happening?"
Nishi's plan wasn't to kill Gauri—yet. She wanted to break her, make her fear for her life and leave Vihaan's side. As Nishi lifted a massive sofa to hurl at Gauri, Vihaan intervened, grabbing it and holding it back.
Nishi vanished into thin air, and Raani collapsed to the ground. Gauri fainted from shock, unaware of the full extent of the supernatural world colliding with her reality. Vihaan scooped her into his arms and carefully placed her in the sofa while the rest family members tend to raani.
Outside the mansion, Nishi scaled the walls once more, her dark magic swirling. Vihaan followed closely, his demonic powers allowing him to keep pace, his resolve hardened to end Nishi's twisted game.
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