The roka was nearing its end when Babita, smiling in high spirits, turned to Vihaan and Gauri.
"Before we leave," she said warmly, "why don't you two dance? A married couple's blessings come best when they share their happiness."
Everyone looked expectantly. Gauri hesitated for a moment, but Vihaan reached for her hand. Without waiting for her refusal, he gently pulled her onto the dance floor.
The music began—soft, romantic. Their steps were awkward at first, but soon they found rhythm in each other's movements.
Vihaan leaned closer, his voice low but heavy with sincerity.
"Thanks a lot, Gauri. You have no idea what you've done for me… for this family."
Gauri's gaze remained steady, though her tone was firm.
"Don't misunderstand. I didn't do this for you. I did it for Raani… because someone made me realize my responsibilities."
---
Flashback – Chawl, Earlier That Morning
After Vihaan had left in silence, Gauri sat down, restless and upset. Charvi returned with the vada pavs, but paused when she saw her sister's teary eyes.
"Didi… why did jiju come?" Charvi asked cautiously.
With a sigh, Gauri explained everything—how Vihaan had begged her to return for Raani's roka, and how she had refused.
"I can't risk my life again for his family," she whispered, her voice breaking.
The vada pavs slipped from Charvi's hands, falling to the floor. She looked at Gauri with both hurt and determination.
"Didi, you always told me that no matter what, we should stand by family. And like it or not, you're married to jiju. That means his family is your family now."
Gauri's face twisted in conflict. "But his family doesn't even like me, Charu…"
"Wrong," Charvi interrupted firmly. "Only jiju's mom has a problem with you. Everyone else has accepted you. You can't ignore that. Don't you see? You'll be betraying them if you walk away now."
The words struck Gauri hard. Memories flashed—Dadi's affectionate smile, Yug's support, Urvashi's concern. Slowly, realization dawned on her face.
Tears filled her eyes as she hugged Charvi tightly.
"You've become so mature, Charu… wiser than me, though you're younger. You're right. Almost everyone considers me a part of them. It'll be wrong if I don't fulfill my duty towards the family."
---
Back to the Present – Dance Floor
Gauri's eyes glimmered with that same realization as she looked at Vihaan. Their steps grew softer, more in sync.
Vihaan gave her a small smile. "Regardless of the reason… thank you for coming back."
For the first time, Gauri didn't look away. She didn't reply, but her silence carried acceptance—she had chosen to stand with the Kotharis, whether or not fate had forced her into it.
The family watched with relief and joy, while Babita beamed, clapping at the sight of their graceful dance.
The family laughed and clapped as the dance ended, but suddenly, the lights above flickered. First once… then twice… then the chandeliers shook lightly. A strange chill crept through the air.
Bharat glanced around, uneasy but clueless.
"Seems like the weather's turning bad," he said casually, smiling at Raani's parents. "Maybe a storm is coming."
But every member of the Kothari family stiffened. They exchanged quick, tense glances. They knew the truth—this wasn't weather. It was them.
Vihaan instinctively tightened his grip on Gauri's hand, leaning close so only she could hear.
"They're here… the witches are nearby."
Gauri's eyes widened in shock. Her whisper trembled.
"Witches? You mean… plural? How many, Vihaan? Two… three… or even ten?"
Vihaan held her gaze, his voice calm but firm.
"Don't panic. However many there are, I won't let anything happen to you… or to this family."
Their eyes locked—hers filled with fear, his with unwavering resolve. For a heartbeat, everything else fell away.
Gauri's lips quivered as she closed her eyes silently, her heart whispering a desperate prayer.
Devi Maa, please… protect them. Protect this family. I don't care what happens to me, just keep them safe.
---
Outside the Mansion
Across the road, the two daayans slithered forward, their ghastly forms hidden from mortal eyes. Their anklets clinked as their feet—twisted backwards—brushed the ground. Their long braids swayed like serpents behind them, their sharp nails gleaming under the daylight.
They smirked at each other, stretching their hands toward the threshold of the Kothari mansion.
"Our sister waits. No barrier can stop us."
But the moment their feet touched the holy threshold, a blinding surge of light erupted.
Like rippling water, a divine barrier spread across the doorway. The daayans screamed in agony as their bodies smoked and crackled. Within seconds, their forms turned to ash, scattering into the wind.
The air stilled. The evil had been destroyed instantly.
---
Inside
Everyone froze as the flickering stopped and the air grew calm again. The storm had vanished as quickly as it came.
Vihaan exhaled slowly, still shielding Gauri with his arm.
"They… they're gone."
No one knew how. No chants. No rituals. No weapons.
But outside, the ashes of two powerful daayans had been blown away… destroyed by nothing more than a woman's whispered prayer.
Unknowingly, it was Gauri's pure wish—her call to the Goddess—that had summoned the divine barrier and slain the daayans.
Vihaan glanced at Gauri, sensing something but not yet understanding. Their eyes met once more. She had no idea of the power she carried within.