Later that evening, Gauri held Charvi tightly in the guestroom, Gayatri standing by their side. "Are you okay?" Gauri asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from Charvi's face.
"I'm fine," Charvi replied, her voice steady but gentle. "But… are you okay? You were the one trapped in the shadow realm."
Gauri shook her head with a faint smile. "I'm okay. I knew I had to get through it… for all of us."
Gayatri stepped closer, her gaze shifting between Gauri and the Kothari mansion beyond the window. "You knew what your in-laws' ties with witches could mean," she said quietly, concern etched on her face.
Gauri met her mother's eyes calmly. "Yes… I know. But no matter what happened, this family is my family now. And family… family is never abandoned."
Gayatri frowned, worry deepening. "Gauri… it's a witch we're talking about. You can't—"
"I know," Gauri interrupted gently but firmly. "It could be ten witches, a hundred, a thousand… but I will not leave my husband or my in-laws' side when they need me the most."
Outside, Vihaan and the rest of the Kothari family watched from the window, touched and silently moved by Gauri's words and her unwavering resolve. A quiet pride and warmth settled over them, knowing that their daughter-in-law's loyalty and courage went beyond fear—it was love, honor, and strength all intertwined.
Sharda's gaze shifted from Gauri to Gayatri. For a moment, the room grew still. Then, with an uncharacteristic softness in her tone, she said, "I must also apologize to you, Gayatri ji… for the harsh words I spoke. I insulted you, and your family, without truly understanding."
Gayatri's lips curved in a faint, sad smile. "Don't apologize to me, Sharda ji. I deserved those insults. My only regret was that Gauri had to bear them in my place. She's carried the weight of my sins. But since my daughter has already chosen to forget and forgive, I, too, must let it go. After all… you are her in-laws."
The words hung heavy in the air, filled with both pain and release. Gauri looked between them, her eyes misty.
Sharda then placed her hand tenderly on Gauri's cheek, her voice firm yet kind. "I also want to make another request, Gauri. It would be nice if your mother and sister stayed here for a few days."
Gauri blinked in surprise. "But, Bade Maa—"
Sharda cut her off gently. "No buts. This is your house as well. Your family has every right to be here. And besides… your sister just underwent surgery. With her here, you can look after her properly."
Gauri's throat tightened with emotion. She nodded slowly, her voice soft. "Ji, Bade Maa."
Sharda gave her cheek a reassuring pat, and for the first time, the room felt lighter—like the walls of division were beginning to fall.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Pratham Vanshi gathered her staff, preparing to take her leave. Just as she turned toward the door, Gauri hurried down the last steps.
"Nani," Gauri called softly, folding her hands. "Please bless me before you go."
Pratham Vanshi paused. Her stern eyes softened at the word nani. She lifted her hand and placed it gently on Gauri's head. The instant her palm touched, her sight blurred—visions surged before her. A vast ocean roared, waves crashing endlessly, its waters glowing with divine radiance. At the heart of it, a single figure stood—fragile yet unyielding, shimmering like the moon's reflection on water.
Pratham Vanshi's chest tightened. So… my suspicion was true. She is indeed the Jalpanchi.
She withdrew her hand slowly, concealing the revelation behind a calm expression. "Stay strong, child," she said with measured weight in her tone. "Many more battles await you… but you will overcome them."
Gauri frowned in confusion, tilting her head slightly. "Battles? What do you mean, Nani?"
But Pratham Vanshi only smiled faintly, giving her staff a firm tap on the ground. "You will understand when the time comes."
With that, she turned, greeting the Kotharis respectfully before stepping out of the mansion, leaving Gauri puzzled and uneasy at the cryptic blessing.
Meanwhile, Veena entered her room, quietly locking the door behind her. The weight of the day pressed down on her shoulders—her betrayal, her guilt, and the storm Kamini had unleashed. She leaned against the door for a moment, shutting her eyes, trying to gather herself.
When she finally turned toward her dressing mirror, her breath caught in her throat.
Her reflection wasn't standing calmly as she was—it was crying, tears streaming down its face. Flames circled her mirrored self, rising higher and higher, trapping her inside a blazing prison. The fire crackled soundlessly, yet its intensity was terrifying.
Veena staggered back, clutching her chest, whispering in dread, "No… this… this can't be…"
Her reflection pressed its palms against the glass desperately, as though begging to be freed, the fire closing in around it. Veena's hands shook violently, torn between disbelief and terror.
The room fell unnaturally cold, yet in the mirror, the flames roared hotter, and her own face screamed silently in agony.