The next day, at the Kothari mansion, the engagement ceremony was about to begin. Yug helped Vihaan with his broach, adjusting it neatly.
"Bro, you sure you're ready for this?" Yug asked, his tone carrying both mischief and concern.
Vihaan gave a faint smile. "I have to be, Yug. For our family's sake. The Jalpanchi is the only one who can save us from dark shadow,if I don't do this our family will be in danger and i can't let that happen."
Yug clapped his shoulder. "You've got this. And hey, no matter what, I'm with you. We'll face everything together."
Just then, Raani approached, smiling. "Adrija and her mom have arrived," she said warmly. "Dadi says it's time to begin the ceremony."
Yug nodded, and Vihaan straightened his attire, bracing himself.
Downstairs, Veena and Urvashi warmly welcomed Gayatri and Adrija into the grand hall. "Namaste, it's lovely to see you both," Veena said with grace.
Gayatri returned the greeting with practiced sweetness, while Adrija basked in the attention. Vihaan entered and greeted Gayatri respectfully. "Namaste, Chachi ji."
Gayatri's smile remained polite, though her eyes gleamed with calculation. "Namaste, beta."
---
Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Nishigandha emerged, her presence dark and menacing. Her voice rang with fury, "I won't let Sarvansh's raj,the king of the dark world unite with the Jalpanchi,the God-send destined to destroy the dark world! I'll cross every limit to stop this union,I won't let it happen at all cost."
Her long black braids twisted like serpents as the air thickened with her malevolent aura. With each step, she drained life from the passersby on the street. People collapsed into dust, their cries silenced as their bodies withered away. Even the trees rustled in terror, their leaves trembling under her dark energy.
But as Nishigandha reached the gates of the mansion, Gauri approached from the opposite side, lost in her own thoughts. Unknowingly, her foot stepped onto a shallow patch of water left by last night's rain.
The moment her foot touched it, the water shimmered with divine light. In an instant, it surged outward like a radiant wave, striking Nishigandha head-on.
"Aaahhh!" Nishigandha shrieked, her body convulsing violently as the energy electrocuted her. She was flung backward, crashing onto the ground far away from the gates, her screams echoing into silence.
Gauri, oblivious to what had just transpired, continued walking calmly toward the mansion.
---
Inside, the elders were still in conversation when the main door opened. Gayatri and Adrija stood proudly, greeting the family. Veena's smile remained warm, while Dadi nodded in calm approval.
Veena turned to Adrija, her voice gentle but probing. "You've come alone with your mother today? Where are both your sisters? won't they be attending the ceremony?"
Before Adrija could reply, a sudden stir at the entrance drew everyone's attention.
Gauri entered, her presence commanding the room. "Namaste everyone," she greeted with a serene smile, her eyes briefly locking with Vihaan's. For a fleeting moment, the air between them seemed to freeze.
But the moment shattered when Veena's face contorted with fury. She stepped forward, her voice sharp as a blade. "How dare you step into my mansion? Dogs and uninvited guests are not allowed here!"
Urvashi tried to soothe her, but Veena silenced her with a glare.
Gauri's expression remained calm, her tone cutting yet composed. "Fortunately, I am neither a dog nor uninvited."
The words hung in the air, unsettling Veena further.
"What do you mean?" Veena demanded. "You think you can just walk into the Kothari mansion like this,is this your father's house or is this a bar?"
Gauri's smile turned taunting. "It's neither aunty and neither did I come here uninvited.
The Kotharis themselves sent me an invite. Surely you're aware of this because you personally and indirectly sent me the invite."
Vihaan stepped forward, his voice low and warning. "Enough, Gauri.Stop speaking absolute nonsense,why will my mom send you an invite?"
But her eyes locked onto his, unwavering. "I'm not speaking nonsense,Mr Vihaan. I'm speaking the truth,your mom did send me an invite,not just your mom,I should say your family sent the invite."
Then she dropped the revelation like a thunderclap:
"I'm actually related to this engagement ceremony. I am none other than the bride's sister whom you all wanted to be present."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Veena's face turned pale with shock and fury. Adrija shifted uneasily, glancing between her mother and the Kotharis. She hadn't realized how much tension her request to invite Gauri would cause.
Gayatri, however, simply folded her hands, her expression unreadable, as if she had expected this storm to unfold.