Veena sat on the bed, lost in thought, her eyes heavy yet restless. Her chest rose and fell unevenly as her mind dragged her back to the horror she had witnessed only a night ago.
Last Night
She had stepped out of the washroom, the sound of dripping water still echoing, when her gaze landed on the mirror. For a moment it was ordinary—then a dark ripple spread across the glass, and a shadowy figure emerged.
Her breath froze. "Who… who are you?" she whispered, stumbling back.
The door slammed shut behind her, the room sealing itself. Trapped, Veena faced the looming darkness. "What do you want from my son?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
A chilling laugh filled the air. "Your son? No, Veena. Vihaan is not your son. He is my son."
Her knees nearly gave way. "No… no, that's not possible. You… you can't be her."
The shadow glided closer, her voice deepening with malice. "You're only lying to yourself. Otherwise, you would never fail to recognize me."
Veena's lips quivered, the name nearly breaking out. "Ka… ka—"
The shadow finished for her, whispering with cruel delight. "Kamini."
Veena stumbled backward until her back hit the wall, her hands trembling. "No… no, this can't be. You were petrified—turned to stone! How are you back?"
The shadow's laughter echoed like venom in the air, shaking the mirror itself. "Petrified? Do you really think stone could hold me forever? I am Kamini—the queen of witches, the ruler of serpents. Death itself bows to me. How could I not return… especially when my son is about to turn twenty-five?"
Veena's eyes brimmed with tears, her heart pounding in terror. "Please… don't hurt Vihaan. He is my son. Spare him, I beg you."
Kamini's shadow tilted her head, a cruel smile spreading across her indistinct face. "Spare him?" Her laughter rose again. "I might… but only if you agree to fulfill my demands."
Veena's voice cracked as she whispered, "What… what do you want?"
The room grew darker, the air suffocating, until the shadow's voice sliced through the silence like a blade.
"Gauri."
Kamini's shadow loomed closer, her voice dripping with venom.
"Tell me, Veena… are you ready to sacrifice your daughter-in-law… for the sake of your son?"
Veena's breath caught in her throat. Her knees buckled, and tears spilled down her face. She clasped her trembling hands together, her voice breaking.
"I'm… I'm ready. Just please—please don't harm my Vihaan."
A low, cruel laugh escaped Kamini, echoing through the walls.
"Good." Her form shimmered like black smoke, her eyes glowing red. "You've made the right choice, Veena. Remember, his life rests in your hands now. Fail me… and you will watch him burn from the inside out."
Veena collapsed on the bed, sobbing silently as the shadow melted back into the mirror, vanishing as if it was never there.
At the present
Veena sat on the bed, lost in the haunting fragments of last night, when the door creaked open.
She turned sharply and gasped. "Sharda ji…" Her voice wavered, but she quickly folded her hands with respect. "You've returned. Please, come in."
Sharda stepped inside, her sharp gaze scanning Veena's pale face. "What is it, Veena? You look unsettled."
Veena shook her head quickly, forcing a small smile. "No, bhabhi… nothing of that sort. I am only a little tired, that's all."
But Sharda's eyes narrowed, suspicion glinting in them. "Urvashi told me what happened last night. About Vihaan, and the shadow that dared to strike during the Janmashtami celebration." She paused, her voice low and piercing. "That shadow… could it be Kamini?"
Veena's breath caught, but she forced herself to answer. "No, no… it must be some other witch. Kamini was petrified twenty-five years ago. She cannot return."
Sharda did not move, her eyes boring into Veena as though trying to peel back the lie. Finally, she turned toward the window, her tone edged with doubt. "Perhaps. But my instincts tell me otherwise. And if they are right, Veena… you know very well what storm is about to return."
Veena gripped her saree tightly, lowering her gaze. "Yes… I know."
---
Kothari Mansion – Vihaan's Room
Vihaan pushed the door open and froze. His neatly made bed was now a battlefield of crumbs, wrappers, and a half-open sweet box. And in the middle of it sat Gauri, cross-legged, stress-eating laddoos with alarming speed.
His jaw tightened. "What on earth are you doing?"
Gauri looked up, cheeks stuffed, her expression halfway between guilt and defiance. "What does it look like? Eating."
Vihaan stepped closer, irritation sharp in his eyes. "Eating or destroying my bed in the process? You're messing it up—"
Before he could finish, Gauri stood abruptly, brushing her hands together. Her tone softened, almost thoughtful. "It's not your fault."
Vihaan blinked, caught off guard. "Meaning? What's not my fault?"
Gauri met his gaze with a strange mixture of sympathy and mischief. "It's not your fault that you're stern, grumpy… and so many other things." She sighed dramatically, walking a few steps away before plopping back down on his bed. "You grew up with your bade maa. Of course her aura would rub off on you."
Vihaan's brows shot up. "What did you just say?"
Gauri ignored the warning in his tone, tilting her head with mock innocence. "Tell me, honestly… how did you even manage to live with bade maa all these years? Just thinking about it makes me want another laddoo."
She reached for the sweet box again, stuffing another piece in her mouth with exaggerated tragedy, while Vihaan's glare deepened — though something flickered behind his eyes, somewhere between annoyance and the urge to smile.
---