A faint chill brushed the back of Arnav's neck.
He shook it off, telling himself it was nothing—just a bad patch of network, a long day, exhaustion finally catching up.
Behind him, the streetlight flickered.
For a brief second, a shadow stretched unnaturally long along the wall—its edges wavering, hair-like tendrils swaying as if moved by an unseen wind.
It moved when he moved.
Stopped when he stopped.
Unseen.
Unfelt.
Uninvited.
Arnav adjusted his coat and continued walking, unaware that something ancient had begun to follow his footsteps—patient, silent, waiting for the moment he would be truly alone.
Meanwhile — At the Chawl
The door creaked open as Pranati stepped inside, carefully shifting her weight, her movements uneven.
Jassi looked up from the kitchen.
Her eyes immediately dropped to Pranati's ankle.
"What happened to your leg?" Jassi snapped, wiping her hands on her dupatta as she hurried forward. "Are you out of your mind? Do you even realize what you've done?"
Pranati frowned, surprised by the sharpness in her tone. "I just twisted it a little. It's nothing serious—"
"Nothing serious?" Jassi cut her off, panic flickering briefly across her face before she masked it with anger. "You've hurt yourself! Do you know what that means?"
Pranati blinked. "Means… what?"
Jassi froze.
Oh no.
Her mind raced. If she finds out now… if she finds out I already took the money—
She forced a laugh, too quick, too loud. "I mean—tomorrow is Maha Shivratri." She waved her hand dismissively. "I thought you'd perform Tandav like you usually do. That's all."
Pranati relaxed instantly, the tension leaving her shoulders. "Oh." She smiled faintly. "That's what you meant."
She eased herself onto the bed, gently rubbing her ankle. "Don't worry, Maa. By tomorrow it'll be better. I'll manage."
Jassi watched her closely. "You're sure?"
Pranati nodded without hesitation. "Of course. If it's for Mahadev, I won't miss it. I'll perform—even if I have to be careful."
Her voice was calm. Certain.
Faith, not obligation.
Jassi looked away, guilt tightening her chest for just a moment—before she swallowed it down.
"Yes," she said softly. "That's good."
Pranati lay back, staring at the ceiling, unaware of the lie hovering above her like a shadow—unaware that the dance waiting for her was not meant for the Lord at all.
Meanwhile — On the Road
Arnav walked alone, his footsteps sharp against the empty stretch of road.
He checked his phone again.
No signal.
A frustrated breath left him as he lowered the phone, running a hand through his hair. "Great," he muttered under his breath. No cab. No lift. Not even a passing vehicle willing to slow down.
Behind him, something moved.
A shadow peeled itself away from the darkness, stretching unnaturally along the road. It glided forward without sound, thinning… sharpening… reaching.
Arnav stopped abruptly, adjusting his coat as it tugged oddly against his shoulder. He turned slightly, irritated more than alert, still unaware of what loomed just inches behind him.
The shadow lunged.
A faint jingle cut through the air.
Soft. Metallic. Almost lost in the wind.
The shadow recoiled as if burned, unraveling mid-motion before dissolving completely into the night.
Arnav felt nothing—no chill, no disturbance.
Only the weight on his shoulder.
He reached up, fingers brushing against something small caught in the fabric of his coat. He pulled it free.
An earring.
He stared at it for a moment, recognition dawning slowly. Pranati's.
He turned it over in his palm, the tiny bell glinting faintly under the streetlight. "So this is where you went," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
After a brief pause, he slipped the earring carefully into his pocket. It must have fallen when they passed that pothole—when the scooter jolted, when she had steadied herself.
He exhaled, the earlier frustration easing just a little.
Unaware that something had just tried—and failed—to claim him.
To be continued soon...