The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the car windows, casting a soft glow on Kesar's face. She blinked awake, stretching lazily, and caught sight of her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her dark eyes sparkled, and a small, amused smile curved her lips as she admired herself.
Then reality struck — she was locked inside the car. She twisted the handle and pushed against the door, but it wouldn't budge. A flicker of irritation crossed her face as she tried to start the engine, muttering under her breath about her predicament.
Just as the car began to rumble forward, a strong hand shot through the open window, freezing it in place. Kesar froze mid-motion, startled. Outside, standing calmly, was Sarvansh. He held the car key in his hand, the sunlight glinting off it as he clicked the door open.
Kesar leapt out, brushing herself off and narrowing her eyes at him. "Who are you? And are you the one who locked me in the car?"
Sarvansh raised the key lazily. "Can't you see it's right here?"
Kesar's cheeks flushed with anger. "So it was you! How dare you! You were trying to take advantage of an unconscious girl!"
Sarvansh tilted his head, a faint smirk on his lips. "Are you mad? You were unconscious, and I saved you from the goons. That's hardly the same thing."
Kesar crossed her arms, her voice dripping with suspicion. "Oh, I know your type — first you play the hero to impress a beautiful girl like me."
"Excuse me?" Sarvansh's brow arched, and his tone was sharp. "Firstly, I'm not a hero. I'm a villain. And secondly… you're not even beautiful."
Kesar's mouth fell open in shock. "What? You're blind! Am I not beautiful? I'm the most beautiful girl in the world! All my friends say so!"
Sarvansh's smirk widened, cold and unapologetic. "They lied."
For a moment, Kesar was speechless, her hands instinctively moving to her hair as if to adjust it. Then, with a mix of indignation and curiosity, she straightened her shoulders and glared at him. "A villain, huh? Then I suppose I'll have to be careful around you."
Sarvansh's dark eyes glimmered with amusement. "Careful? Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure you have plenty of reasons to be."
The morning air crackled between them, thick with tension, challenge, and something dangerously enticing.
The late afternoon sun streamed through the Kothari mansion, painting the hall in warm amber hues. Gauri's phone buzzed insistently in her hand. She glanced at the screen — it was Charvi.
"Didi… Mom," Charvi's voice trembled over the line, "she's refusing to take her pills. I'm worried… her condition might worsen."
Gauri's chest tightened. "Don't worry, Charvi. I'll be there immediately. I'll make sure she's alright."
Within minutes, she was rushing down the grand staircase, her steps light yet determined. She paused for a moment before the living room, bowing her head to touch the feet of Dadi, Veena, and Sharda, silently seeking their blessings. Their gentle smiles and murmured prayers steadied her.
Vihaan appeared at the doorway, noticing the urgency in her stride. "Gauri, what's wrong?"
She met his gaze, worry etched across her face. "It's Mom, Vihaan. She's refusing her medicine, and her condition might worsen. I need to go to the chawl right away."
Vihaan stepped closer, concern softening his features. "I can come with you."
Gauri shook her head, determination flaring in her eyes. "No, it's alright. You stay here with the family. I'll handle this."
Vihaan's jaw tightened for a moment, but he nodded, understanding her resolve. "Alright. Be careful, Gauri."
With a last glance at him, Gauri left the mansion, her mind racing with worry and determination, every step carrying her closer to her mother and the urgency that awaited at the chawl.
The sun dipped low, painting the village streets in streaks of gold and shadow. Kesar's fiery eyes blazed as she glared at the man holding her firmly in his arms.
"You really don't even have the eye to see a beautiful girl, do you?" she snapped, voice sharp with indignation.
The man—Sarvansh—tilted his head, a flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. "And what exactly is your problem?" he asked, calm yet teasing. "Is it that I locked you in the car, or that I didn't take advantage of you while you were unconscious?"
Her hands shot out, gesturing wildly. "You—how dare you! First, you play the hero, now you mock me?"
A sudden, searing pain shot through Kesar's arm. Across the village, in a modest home, a mystical phoenix—a tiny creature trapped in a cage—screamed as a dagger pierced its wing. Instantly, the same fiery mark flared on Kesar's arm. She gasped, staggering in Sarvansh's arms.
His eyes darkened with concern as he steadied her. "What's happening? Are you hurt?"
"I… please!" she gasped, panic lacing her voice. "Take me to my house… I have to get there!"
Without hesitation, Sarvansh lifted her carefully and settled her in the car. Kesar's fingers clenched the seat, her arm still glowing fiercely as the engine roared to life. The village blurred past them, the cries of the mystical phoenix echoing behind them, drawing both toward a fate they did not yet understand.