The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of the study, casting long shadows across the polished desk where Vihaan sat. His posture was rigid, his brows furrowed in thought. Yug leaned lazily against a bookshelf, while Raani perched on the edge of a chair, her eyes fixed on her brother.
Vihaan's voice broke the silence, steady but weighted. "Whatever that shadow was last night… it's far more powerful than anything I've ever faced."
Yug tilted his head. "And it wanted you to recognize it. Those words… 'you failed to identify me'… it means it surely knows you, Bhaiya."
Vihaan's jaw tightened. "It knows me, yes. But the question is—who is she?"
Raani's brows knitted. "She? You're certain it's a woman?"
Yug chuckled, tossing his sister a playful look. "Were you deaf last night, Raani? That voice practically screeched in our ears. Definitely female."
Raani's eyes flashed as she smacked the back of his head.
"Ouch!" Yug yelped, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"
"Being insufferable," she shot back.
Vihaan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Stop acting like children, both of you."
Yug raised his hands in surrender, though a grin tugged at his lips. "Of course, Bhaiya, of course we won't. But—you know what? If you had seen Bhabhi yesterday…" He gestured dramatically. "You would have fallen for her right then and there. She was like a lioness… no, scratch that. Like a goddess."
Vihaan's expression hardened, but deep down his chest stirred with something he couldn't name. Why… why did she stand against the shadow for me?
---
Kothari Mansion – Gauri's Room
The morning peace shattered with a cry.
"Vihaan! Nahi!" Gauri jolted upright, her body trembling, sweat dampening her forehead. Her breath came in ragged gasps as flashes of last night's horrors clawed through her dream.
Hearing her scream, Vihaan's head snapped up in the study. Without a word, he rushed out, Yug and Raani hot on his heels.
Inside the room, Gauri staggered off the bed, frantic eyes scanning the space. She reached for the door, desperation written on her face.
And then the door opened.
Vihaan stood there, flanked by Yug and Raani. Their sudden presence halted her steps.
Her eyes locked on Vihaan—and before she could think, her body moved. In the heat of her panic, she ran forward and threw herself into his arms.
Vihaan froze. The warmth of her trembling body pressed against him, her heartbeat pounding in sync with his own. His arms instinctively twitched as if to hold her, but he stopped himself, staring down at her with wide eyes.
Behind them, Yug smirked and elbowed Raani. "See? I told you… goddess."
Raani grinned mischievously. "More like radha running to her kanha."
Their laughter broke the spell. Gauri realized what she'd done and quickly stepped back, her cheeks flushed. "I… I only hugged you because I was panicking," she blurted, avoiding his gaze.
Vihaan said nothing, though his eyes lingered on her longer than they should have. Something stirred within him—something he didn't want to name.
The silence stretched after Gauri's hasty words. Her chest still heaved from the remnants of panic, her fingers trembling at her sides. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to Vihaan.
"Are… are you okay?" her voice cracked with the weight of worry.
Vihaan's eyes softened, just for a fleeting moment. "Yes," he said firmly. "I'm fine. Don't trouble yourself with worry."
Relief rushed through her features. Her shoulders sagged, as if a boulder had been lifted from her chest.
"Now," Vihaan continued, his tone sliding back into steady authority, "go freshen up. Wash off this vermillion from your face. It's smeared everywhere."
Gauri raised a hand self-consciously, fingers brushing against her forehead where the streaks of sindoor still stained her skin. She nodded, about to turn away—when Vihaan's sharp eyes caught the angry red mark on her temple.
He stilled. "Wait."
Before she could protest, he guided her gently to the edge of the bed and made her sit. His hands moved with unexpected care, reaching for the ointment box from the drawer.
Yug and Raani, standing in the doorway, exchanged mischievous looks but wisely stayed quiet.
Vihaan dipped his fingers into the ointment and leaned closer, the proximity pulling Gauri's breath from her chest. His touch was careful, deliberate, as he applied the cool salve to her wound.
Gauri couldn't tear her eyes away. His face was so close—the stern set of his jaw, the faint shadow of weariness under his eyes, and the rare gentleness in his expression as he focused solely on tending to her.
For a moment, the world outside blurred.
Their eyes met—an unspoken pull, raw and unguarded.
Yug bit back a grin, leaning toward Raani. "If they keep staring like that, I'll need sunglasses."
Raani covered her mouth, giggling softly.
But Vihaan and Gauri didn't notice. Their gaze lingered, a silent storm brewing between them, neither daring to look away.