The family gathered around the pool, the afternoon light reflecting off the still water. Anxiety clung to the air like a heavy fog.
Suddenly, the water began to ripple unnaturally. Ripples turned to waves, and the surface rose, taking shape—a woman with a long, flowing braid, her form eerily lifelike. Gasps escaped from Suman, Vedshree, Vanraj, and Sanjeev as they instinctively stepped back.
The figure's face was hidden in shadows, but its presence radiated a chilling power, something ancient and malevolent. Then, almost imperceptibly, the water stiffened, hardening into an ice-like sculpture. Every feature was frozen in mid-motion, as if capturing a moment of life stolen.
Before anyone could react, the sculpture shuddered violently and shattered, shards spraying across the water, glinting like shards of glass in the sunlight.
The family froze, shock and fear rooting them to the spot. Vedshree's hands flew to her mouth. "The fourth sign…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Suman's eyes widened, disbelief mixing with rising terror. "It… it's happening. The Evil Eye…"
Vanraj stepped forward cautiously, trying to steady his voice. "How… how is this possible?"
No one had an answer. Only the cold realization that the darkness was returning, and each sign was more ominous than the last.
The pool rippled faintly, settling back into stillness, as if the apparition had never existed—but the dread it left behind lingered, heavy in every heartbeat.
A low, dangerous humming filled the halls, vibrating through the walls and floor. The family froze, hearts pounding in unison. Instinctively, they followed the sound to the living hall—and there, smeared across the walls in jagged black streaks, were footprints. Dark. Sinister. Unmistakably hers.
Vedshree staggered back, collapsing onto the sofa, hands pressed against her chest. Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "The fifth… the final sign…" She swallowed hard, her eyes wide with terror. "The Evil Eye… it has returned. And now… now my son, Arnav, will be in danger."
Vanraj leaned close, voice tight with urgency. "Vedshree… we have to call him. Tell him to return home. Now."
Vedshree shook her head frantically, panic threading every word. "Yes… yes, but we must act quickly… before it's too late."
Suman stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on her sister-in-law's shoulder. "Vedshree, listen. We can't let fear paralyze us. We have a plan… we call Ruby and her foster family. They must return from London immediately. The test… it has to be done now."
Vedshree's hands clenched the sofa's armrests, voice breaking. "Ruby… she's already twenty-three. Tabeezi said… said Rivanshi's powers will start awakening at this age. If she doesn't come back soon… Arnav…"
Suman's voice softened, firm but calming. "We'll bring her back. We'll protect him. But first, we must act. Every moment counts."
A tense silence fell over the hall, broken only by the faint, eerie echo of the humming. Outside, the day pressed on, oblivious to the storm of darkness awakening inside the mansion.
The temple slowly grew crowded as devotees poured in for the next aarti. The air thickened with incense, murmured prayers, and the soft clang of bells. Arnav stood slightly behind Pranati, careful not to brush against her injured ankle, when a sudden surge of people pushed forward.
Before either of them could react, the crowd pressed them closer.
Too close.
Pranati instinctively steadied herself, her hand gripping the edge of his sleeve. Arnav froze, aware of her presence in a way he hadn't been moments ago—the warmth of her breath, the faint tremor in her fingers. He shifted slightly, trying to give her space, but the crowd gave none.
At that exact moment, a garland slipped loose from a hook above—perhaps disturbed by the movement, perhaps by fate. It fell silently, settling around both their necks at once.
They both looked down.
Then up.
Their eyes met.
For a few seconds, the world narrowed to just that space between them—the noise dulling, the crowd blurring. Pranati's expression held surprise, confusion… and something softer she didn't yet recognize. Arnav's gaze lingered longer than he intended, unsettled not by fear this time, but by a strange calm he couldn't explain.
Neither of them moved to remove the garland.
Across the temple, from another section near the pillars, Bani Dadi came to a halt mid-step. Her eyes followed the murmurs, then landed on the sight before her.
The young man standing where he should never be able to stand.
The girl beside him.
The shared garland.
Dadi's brows furrowed, not in shock—but in quiet contemplation.
She pressed her palms together slowly, eyes lifting toward the sanctum. "Bhagwan…" she murmured under her breath, voice barely audible. "What sign are you showing me?"
The bell rang.
The moment broke.
The crowd shifted again, gently this time, and Pranati glanced away first, awkwardly reaching to remove the garland. Arnav stepped back, the spell loosening but not disappearing.
Dadi remained where she was, watching them walk in opposite directions—her heart heavy with questions she wasn't yet ready to voice.
To be continued....