Even before Gauri's eyelids fluttered open, the intense crimson in Vihaan's eyes had faded, the unnatural veins receding from his face and neck. The powerful aura that had surrounded him dissipated, leaving him looking like the familiar Vihaan Kothari once more, albeit with a lingering exhaustion in his expression.
He gently supported her, his gaze filled with concern that masked the incredible transformation she hadn't consciously witnessed. He needed her to remember the fabricated memory, to believe the hooded man had simply been shot and fled, and not to recall the impossible power she had just been a hair's breadth away from witnessing.
As Gauri's eyes fluttered open, a wave of relief washed over her. She saw Vihaan's familiar face and, overwhelmed by the near-death experience and the belief that he had saved her with his quick thinking and a well-aimed shot, she threw her arms around him, tears welling up again. "Vihaan! You saved me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
But Vihaan's reaction was unexpected and jarring. He stiffened immediately and then firmly, almost roughly, pulled Gauri away from him, his expression stern. "Enough, Gauri," he said, his voice sharp and cold. "Don't even think about trying to get close like this. This is not the time or the place for such things."
Gauri recoiled as if she had been struck. His harsh words and cold demeanor were a stark contrast to the gentle way he had just held her. Shock and confusion flooded her face. What had just happened?
Gauri's face burned with hurt as she tried to explain herself. "Vihaan… I… I was just relieved and grateful," she stuttered. "I didn't mean anything else by the hug. It was just a moment of weakness."
But Vihaan's expression remained unmoved, his eyes cold and hard. "Save it, Gauri," he said brusquely, his voice dripping with disdain. "I'm not buying it. And let's get one thing clear: you don't stand a chance with me. I despise bar dancers like you, with your cheap thrills and loose morals."
Gauri felt like she'd been slapped. She tried to speak, but Vihaan turned away, attention now fixed on the walkie-talkie in his hand.
"Harsh, this is Vihaan. We need medical assistance here, ASAP. Six female victims, plus Gauri, who's also injured. Get the team here, pronto."
Gauri watched, still reeling from Vihaan's harsh words, as he walked away. The sound of footsteps and voices filled the air as Harsh, the junior officer, arrived with a team of police officers and medical personnel.
As they swarmed around her, tending to her injuries and the other victims, Gauri's gaze remained fixed on Vihaan's retreating back. She felt a mix of emotions: hurt, anger, and a deep sense of humiliation. Who did he think he was, anyway? And why did his words cut so deep?
At the Kothari mansion, Veena paced anxiously, her eyes fixed on the clock,Dadi, an,Urvashi, tried to calm her, but Veena's worry was palpable.
"He'll be home before sunset, Veena," Urvashi reassured her gently.
Veena shook her head, anxiety etched across her face. "I shouldn't have let him leave… I should've warned him, stopped him from going today."
Dadi, seated nearby, spoke in a soothing tone. "Veena, beta, we have to have faith in Vihaan. He is brave and capable. He can take care of himself."
Urvashi added, "Yes, Veena bhabhi. Panicking won't help. We have to stay calm and pray for his safe return."
Veena's hands clenched together as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm so scared… I can't stop thinking about him. What if something went wrong?"
Meanwhile, at the police station, Harsh approached Vihaan with an update. "Sir, all the girls have been successfully sent home after treatment," he reported.
Vihaan nodded, his expression stoic. "Good."
Harsh hesitated before adding, "But there's still no sign of the hooded man, sir."
Vihaan's eyes narrowed, his mind flashing back to the intense confrontation. "He'll lay low for a while," he said, his voice low. "I made sure he won't be bothering anyone for a while."
Harsh nodded, though curiosity flickered in his eyes. He knew better than to ask questions. Vihaan's expression made it clear: the matter was closed.
The hooded man, still nursing his wounds, arrived at the Witch Island, a foreboding place shrouded in mist and legend. He approached the throne of the Daayan, Nishigandha, and bowed deeply.
Nishigandha, her whip-like snaky braids writhing like living serpents, gazed at the hooded man with an unblinking stare. "Report," she commanded, her voice dripping with malevolence.
The hooded man hesitated. "I had an encounter with Vihaan. I saw his true form,he is indeed Sarvansh."
Nishigandha's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Ah, this means he still harbors the darkness within him," she cackled. "There's hope to free our queen… his mother, Kamini."
A sly smile spread across Nishigandha's face. "Since he still has the darkness in him, I'll have to help him accept it. And now, it's time to pay him a visit."