Gauri collapsed on the lonely road, her breaths ragged, her body trembling. Memories of her recent ordeals surged back with suffocating force. The moment Vihaan and his family revealed the secret of the witch to her replayed in her mind. She had laughed, refused to believe them — until tonight.
Her mind's eye flashed with horrifying images: Nishi's long braid slithering like a serpent as she scaled the wall, Raani's blank eyes and body climbing beside her with reversed feet, defying gravity like some monstrous creature. Gauri clutched her head, screaming, unable to push the visions away.
Her knees gave out before a roadside Hanuman temple, its small shrine glowing faintly from the flickering diya. She dragged herself closer, gripping the iron railing of the mandir as if it was her only anchor.
"Why is this happening to me?" Gauri sobbed, collapsing at the steps of the deity. "I didn't want to believe them… but I saw it with my own eyes. The braid, the feet, the wall… Oh God, save me! Please free me from this fear!"
Her cries echoed into the quiet night.
Suddenly, a mysterious woman approached from the shadows. Draped in a simple white saree, she radiated a calm yet commanding aura. She bent and gently placed her hand on Gauri's head. A strange energy coursed through Gauri, enough to steady her trembling for a moment.
"You are caught in a web of darkness," the woman said, her voice deep, almost timeless. "A malevolent force binds this family. But you are not beyond rescue."
Gauri lifted her tear-filled eyes, desperation plain on her face. "What do you mean? What's happening to me? Why me?"
The woman's eyes glittered, sharp as though piercing through her soul. "You already know something is wrong. You saw what others dare not see. Yet you try to run from it. The truth will follow you, child — until you face it."
Gauri shook her head violently, trying to pull away. "No! I don't want to go back to that house. That place is cursed. I can't! I just want to get away… away from all of this!"
The woman's hand pressed firmer on her head, her gaze unyielding. "You cannot run. Darkness hunts the weak, and you have been chosen by fate. Only by standing firm will you break free. Running will only drag you deeper into the web."
Gauri's voice broke, choked by sobs. "But I… I can't. I'm too scared. I can still see her climbing that wall, her braid—her feet… reversed! I'll go mad if I go back there!"
The woman's eyes softened, though her tone remained resolute. "Fear is natural. But within you lies strength you have not yet touched. Trust yourself, girl. Stand, and you will endure."
---
Meanwhile, at the Kothari mansion…
Vihaan informed the family that Gauri had left the house. Veena's face paled with shock.
"This is not possible," Urvashi muttered, her voice anxious. "Raani's in-laws are coming tomorrow to meet the family and see our new daughter-in-law. What will we tell them if Gauri isn't here?"
Shyom nodded gravely. "Gauri's presence has been our shield. Without her, we are exposed to the supernatural forces circling this house."
Veena pressed her hand to her forehead, distressed. "We cannot let the darkness grow stronger. She must return."
Vihaan's jaw tightened. "I'll bring her back. Whatever it takes, I'll convince her."
Yug raised an eyebrow, his tone cautious. "How will you convince bhabhi after everything she's seen? She watched the impossible with her own eyes. She's traumatized."
Vihaan's determination did not waver. "She needs to know the truth, Yug. And she needs to know she's not alone."
Yug's words carried weight as he leaned closer. "It's not just the supernatural she fears, bro. She feels betrayed because we kept secrets from her. If you want her back, you'll have to give her more than safety — you'll have to earn her trust again."
Vihaan fell silent, his mind heavy with Yug's words. He knew he couldn't just demand Gauri's return. This time, he would need honesty, patience, and a heart laid bare.
Meanwhile, Gauri finally reached her home at the chawl, her feet aching and her eyes swollen from crying. She staggered up the narrow staircase, her hands trembling as she pushed the creaky wooden door open.
Inside, Charvi looked up in surprise from where she was folding clothes. Before she could speak, Gauri rushed forward and collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Didi!" Charvi exclaimed, holding her tightly. "What happened? Why are you crying like this? Did someone hurt you?"
Gauri shook her head violently, clinging to Charvi as though she might slip away. Her voice broke as she tried to speak. "I… I saw it with my own eyes, Charvi. Everything Vihaan and his family told me… it's true."
Charvi froze, her hands tightening on Gauri's shoulders. "True? What do you mean?"
Gauri pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face pale with terror. "The witch… she's real. I didn't believe them when they said it. I thought it was all some… some made-up nonsense. But tonight—" her voice cracked as she covered her ears, as though trying to block the memory — "tonight I saw a woman climb the wall with her long braid swinging like a snake, and Raani followed her… her feet were reversed, Charvi!"
Charvi's eyes widened, her body going rigid. "Re… reversed feet?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Gauri nodded frantically. "Yes! And their eyes… their eyes were blank, like they weren't even human. They defied gravity, climbing like monsters. I thought I was going to die, didi. If Vihaan hadn't stopped her…"
Charvi cupped her sister's face, trying to calm her, though her own heart was pounding. "Didi, listen to me… breathe. Don't cry like this. We'll find a way. You're safe here with me."
But Gauri only broke down further, burying her face in Charvi's shoulder. "Safe? No one is safe, Charvi. Not me, not Vihaan, not his family… this darkness won't leave us. I don't know what to do anymore!"
Charvi held her tighter, her eyes darting to the shadows of their small room, as if suddenly afraid they weren't truly alone.