The next morning, Gauri sat before the mirror, talking softly into her phone. "Yes, Maa, I'll be waiting. Bring Charvi straight to the mansion. Bade maa has invited you for the puja, so don't worry about anything. Just come."
Gayatri's gentle voice floated through. "Alright, beta. We'll leave soon."
After the call ended, Gauri reached behind to zip up her blouse, but the zipper stuck halfway. She tugged and twisted, groaning in irritation. "Why does this thing never work when I need it to?" she muttered.
Just then, the washroom door opened. Vihaan walked out, buttoning his kurta, his damp hair falling across his forehead. His sharp gaze caught Gauri's reflection in the mirror.
"Struggling again?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Gauri shot him a sheepish look. "It's stuck. Could you… help?"
He hesitated, then stepped closer. "Sit still."
His fingers brushed lightly against her bare back as he tugged at the zip, but it wouldn't move. He leaned in, breath grazing her skin, and Gauri stiffened, her pulse racing.
With a frustrated huff, Vihaan bent lower, gripping the zipper more firmly. His lips accidentally brushed her back as he tried tugging with his teeth.
Both froze instantly.
The sudden, accidental touch sent heat rushing up Gauri's neck while Vihaan pulled back quickly, the zipper finally sliding into place.
"Done," he muttered, voice lower than usual, avoiding her eyes.
Gauri turned, cheeks flushed. "Th-thank you."
He gave a curt nod, pretending to fix his watch, but the charged silence between them spoke louder than any words.
As Gauri adjusted her dupatta after the zipper incident, Vihaan noticed the jewelry box lying open on the dresser. Without saying anything, he picked up the delicate necklace.
Gauri blinked at his reflection. "What are you—"
"Hold still," he said firmly, stepping behind her.
His fingers brushed her neck as he clasped the necklace, the cool metal settling against her collarbone. Gauri's breath hitched, her eyes flickering to the mirror.
Their gazes locked.
For a long, silent moment, they just stared at each other's reflection—her cheeks faintly flushed, his expression unusually soft.
Then, without a word, Vihaan lifted the bangles from the box. He slid them gently onto her wrists one by one, the glass jingling in the quiet room. His touch lingered, not hurried, almost reverent.
Gauri couldn't stop herself from smiling faintly. "You… you're surprisingly good at this."
Vihaan's lips curved ever so slightly, but he didn't reply. He just adjusted her hand, making sure the bangles sat perfectly, before meeting her eyes again through the mirror.
The room was silent except for their breaths, heavy with something unspoken.
Gauri rummaged around the dresser drawers and muttered, "Where did I keep my dupatta…?" Her brows knitted in confusion as she searched the cupboard too, but it was nowhere to be found.
Just then, Veena entered the room, holding the neatly folded veil in her hands.
"I took it earlier," she said softly. "There was a small tear, so I had it stitched."
Gauri looked relieved. "Oh, thank you, Maa." She hesitated a moment, then bent and touched Veena's feet.
Veena froze in surprise at the unexpected gesture. Her eyes misted as Gauri looked up with a warm smile. "Bless me, that I do well today."
Vihaan, leaning against the wardrobe, smiled faintly, quietly watching the rare moment between the two most important women in his life.
Veena placed her hand shakily over Gauri's head, whispering, "Stay happy, always." Then, before her emotions betrayed her, she turned quickly and left the room.
But as she walked down the corridor, tears slipped from her eyes. Her mind dragged her back into a flashback—
That very morning, Kamini's shadow had appeared in her mirror again.
"Bring me Gauri's head veil," the shadow commanded.
Veena had stammered, "But… why?"
"Do not question me," Kamini hissed. "That veil will serve my purpose. Go."
With trembling hands, Veena had sneaked into Vihaan and Gauri's room while Gauri was in the washroom. She had taken the dupatta, clutching it like a thief.
Back in her chamber, Kamini's shadow had loomed over her. "Good," she said with a chilling smile. With one dark gesture, she bewitched the veil, infusing it with her sinister magic, before ordering, "Return it to her. Let fate unfold."
The memory broke, and Veena paused mid-corridor, pressing the dupatta ends still in her hand.
God forgive me… I'm helpless, she thought, the guilt eating her alive.
Veena entered her room quickly, locking the door behind her. Her heartbeat raced, her hands shaking as she turned toward the mirror.
Kamini's shadow appeared instantly, her eyes burning with cruel satisfaction.
Veena, her voice trembling, asked, "Wh-what do you want from Gauri? Why… why do you keep asking me to bring her things? What's so special about her?"
Kamini smirked, her smoky form swirling within the glass. "You've obeyed me well, Veena, so I will tell you. I'm going to take Gauri… with me… to the Shadow Realm."
Veena gasped, her knees nearly giving way, but she didn't argue, didn't protest. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she whispered, "If… if that will spare my Vihaan, then… then do whatever you want with her. Just don't harm my son."
Kamini laughed, her voice echoing like a hiss of serpents. "Good, Veena. That is why I chose you. A mother's fear makes her blind. As long as you keep bringing me what I ask, Vihaan's life will remain safe… for now."
Veena nodded weakly, her lips quivering, unable to meet Kamini's piercing gaze.
The mirror stilled, leaving Veena broken and guilty, whispering to herself:
Forgive me, Gauri… but I cannot lose my son.