The fragrance of marigold garlands lingered in the decorated hall, where the family gathered before the idol of Lord Krishna. The soft glow of diyas danced across their faces as hands folded in reverence.
One by one, everyone bowed their heads in silent prayer.
Gauri closed her eyes, her fingers tightening around the edge of her dupatta. Inside her heart, words spilled like a whisper no one else could hear. Thank you, Lord Krishna, for saving my Charvi. I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to her… please grant her a long life. She is my everything.
A single tear slid down her cheek, falling before the idol.
From the corner, Vihaan's sharp eyes caught it. Almost unconsciously, his hand reached out and caught the droplet before it touched the ground. A storm brewed in his chest. Why does my heart tremble seeing her cry? Could it be… there was a reason behind her demand for money? And if I insulted her without knowing—then what sort of man am I?
His jaw tightened, the thought unsettling him more than he wished to admit.
Veena bent forward and struck a matchstick, attempting to light the sacred lamp before the idol. The flame sputtered, danced weakly, and died. She tried again, her brows furrowing. The wick refused to catch.
Dadi shifted uneasily, exchanging a glance with Urvashi. A ripple of unease passed through the hall.
Then, without warning, the air split apart with a sound so piercing it felt like glass slicing through their souls.
A scream—shrill, inhuman, filled with agony—erupted outside the mansion.
Every glass window in the hall shattered at once, exploding into glittering shards that rained across the marble floor. Children screamed, women gasped, and the men shielded their eyes.
The sacred lamp tumbled from Veena's trembling hands, rolling across the floor unlit.
The celebration had only just begun—yet in that single terrifying moment, darkness had already found its way to the Kotharis' doorstep.
The shattered windows had barely settled when the heavy wooden doors groaned under a sudden impact. A second later, they blew open with a thunderous crash, splinters scattering across the marble floor.
A shadowy figure stepped inside. Draped in darkness, her form shifted unnaturally, as if the light itself bent away from her. The festive marigolds adorning the doorway wilted instantly at her presence.
Gasps erupted through the hall. Dadi's trembling hand clutched her rosary tighter, while Urvashi froze mid-step. Veena's eyes widened in horror.
Gauri's breath caught in her throat. Her gaze instinctively darted to Vihaan. For a brief, charged moment, their eyes met—a silent exchange of fear and unspoken strength.
Before either could move, the shadow lifted her hand. Black fog burst forth, swirling like a storm, and engulfed Vihaan completely.
"Vihaan!" Gauri's voice cracked in terror, Veena's echoing behind hers.
"Bhaiya!" Yug and Raani shouted at once, their cries piercing through the chaos.
The fog lifted him off the ground as if he were weightless. Vihaan struggled, his jaw clenched, but the force was too strong. With a sudden violent thrust, the shadow hurled him across the hall.
His body crashed against the wall with a sickening thud before falling onto a side table, shattering it into pieces. Blood streaked across his forehead as he winced in pain, his hand clutching his side.
The hall plunged into stunned silence, broken only by the ragged breaths of the family and the low, eerie hum that seemed to follow the intruder's every step.
The festive lights flickered, the air heavy with dread.
And in that moment, the Janmashtami celebration had turned into a battlefield.
The family remained frozen in shock, their eyes fixed on Vihaan lying among the shattered remains of the table. Blood trickled down his temple, his body writhing in pain.
"Vihaan!" Gauri's desperate cry split the silence as she rushed forward. Yug was right beside her, his face pale with panic, while Veena clutched her saree tightly and stumbled toward her wounded son.
But before they could reach him, the shadow raised her hand once more.
A wave of invisible force blasted outward, striking them mid-step.
"No!" Gauri screamed as the energy struck her chest, hurling her across the polished marble. Yug let out a grunt as he slammed into a pillar, while Veena was flung back so hard she toppled over a tray of offerings, flowers and lamps scattering across the floor.
The three of them hit the ground with thuds that echoed painfully in the silent hall.
Dadi clutched her heart, trembling as she whispered, "Bhagwan… what is this calamity…"
The incense smoke curled in the air, mixing with the unnatural black fog that thickened around the shadowy figure.
She stepped further into the hall, each stride making the floor tremble slightly, her presence suffocating the very air.
Gauri, groaning, forced herself onto her elbows. Her hair clung to her face, her breaths uneven, but her eyes blazed with determination as they flicked between Vihaan's wounded form and the dark intruder standing before them.
The festival had become a warzone.