Yug tugged at Vihaan's arm, pulling him toward a quiet corner away from the laughter and cheers. "Bhaiya," he whispered with a knowing smirk, "I can see what's going on."
Vihaan folded his arms, trying to look stern. "Of course, everyone can see what's going on. It's Gauri's birthday. She's enjoying with the kids. What else is there to see?"
Yug narrowed his eyes, wagging a finger. "Not that version. Your version."
Vihaan arched a brow, feigning ignorance. "What are you trying to say, Yug? Are you mad?"
Yug grinned wider, pulling out his phone. "Don't pull the elder-brother ignorant card on me. I came prepared." He tapped the screen, showing a short video clip—Vihaan standing at a distance, watching Gauri with the children, a soft smile unknowingly playing on his lips.
Vihaan's eyes widened. "You recorded me?"
"Of course," Yug puffed his chest proudly. "You're ACP Vihaan Kothari. I needed solid proof before presenting my case." He leaned closer, lowering his voice mischievously. "Bhaiya, you can deny it all you want, but the truth is—you're falling for Bhabhi."
For a heartbeat, Vihaan's mask slipped, his silence betraying what he refused to admit. But then, with a swift motion, he pulled Yug closer, smacking him lightly on the head. "Idiot."
Yug yelped, rubbing his head dramatically while laughing. "Ha! If you're hitting me, it means I'm right."
Vihaan turned away, hiding the faintest blush creeping onto his face.
Vihaan's gaze lingered on Gauri from across the hall—still blindfolded, laughing with the children, her anklets jingling softly as she moved. His chest ached at the sight. He turned abruptly, retreating deeper into the corridor, but Yug followed, his eyes sharp and mischievous.
"It doesn't matter what I feel," Vihaan muttered under his breath, his voice low, rough, as though the words had been tearing at him for years. "Gauri will definitely leave me someday."
Yug's brows furrowed, his teasing smirk fading. "Why would you believe that, Bhaiya? You're acting like it's already written in stone."
Vihaan's jaw clenched. He looked down at his hands, as if they were something cursed. "Because when she comes to know the truth… when she learns I'm a Serpentine witch's son… a monster… a Sarvansh… she will leave. Who would stay with someone like me?"
For a heartbeat, only the distant sound of children's laughter filled the silence. Yug stepped closer, his voice soft but steady. "Come on now, Bhaiya. Gauri Bhabhi didn't leave when she found out this house and our family were haunted by a witch. She didn't leave when you were attacked by that shadow. She didn't leave even when she was trapped in the shadow realm."
Vihaan's eyes flickered, pain and doubt swirling in them.
Yug laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Then I believe she won't leave when she discovers this truth either. She's stronger than you think. And it's better if she hears it from you—not from anyone else."
Vihaan stared at the floor, torn between fear and hope, while in the background Gauri's carefree laugh carried down the corridor like a promise he didn't yet dare to believe.
From the shadowed balcony above the hall, a figure stood still as stone. Veena's face—or what appeared to be Veena's face—was lit faintly by the glow of the birthday decorations below. Her eyes, however, burned darker than the flickering candles on the cake.
Downstairs, laughter bubbled like a spring. Gauri, blindfolded, twirled with the children, her anklets chiming, her smile unguarded. The family's voices rose in joy, a rare warmth settling over the Kothari mansion.
Up above, Kamini—hidden in Veena's skin—let out a low, venomous chuckle, her lips curving into a cruel smile. She leaned slightly on the railing, her nails scraping against the wood as she whispered to herself, the words dripping like poison.
"Enjoy yourselves while you can… this celebration will soon turn to mourning." Her eyes locked on Vihaan, who stood a little apart, still watching Gauri. "My son. My Sarvansh. He doesn't yet know what he is… or what he's destined to do."
Her gaze shifted to Gauri. The smile deepened, predatory and cold. "He will kill the one destined to end the clan of witches. He will kill the Jalpanchi."
The sound of the children's laughter below rang louder, but Kamini's words slithered into the air like a dark prophecy, unseen and unheard by those it threatened.