Nishi slithered along the ceiling, her eyes glowing with sinister intent. A sly smile curved her lips as she unfurled her long braid, using it like a whip. With a subtle flick, she knocked a delicate antique glass piece from the higher shelf.
The object tumbled silently through the air, heading straight for Yug's head.
Charvi, mid-step, suddenly froze. A strange sensation prickled the back of her neck — an intuition she couldn't explain. Her eyes darted upward just in time to see the antique crashing down.
"Yug!" she gasped.
Without a second thought, Charvi lunged forward, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside. They toppled together, landing hard against the polished floor. The antique shattered where Yug had been standing seconds earlier, fragments scattering across the tiles.
Yug blinked, stunned, finding Charvi pressed against him. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop — her hair brushed his face, their eyes locked, breaths mingling in a charged silence.
The air thickened with unspoken tension, their hearts pounding in unison. Yug's lips curved into a small, teasing smile despite the near accident.
"Seems like you've just saved my life, Charvi ji," he murmured softly, his voice carrying a mix of gratitude and mischief.
Charvi quickly pushed herself up, her cheeks tinged pink. "Don't read too much into it. Anyone would have done the same."
Above them, Nishi hissed in frustration, her glowing eyes narrowing. Her plan had failed. With a swirl of dark smoke, she vanished into the shadows, her voice echoing faintly:
"This time you were spared… but next time, I won't miss."
Charvi brushed the dust from her dress, her eyes flicking to the shattered glass on the floor. Her brows furrowed.
"How did that antique suddenly fall? It was on such a high shelf."
Yug followed her gaze, rubbing the back of his neck casually.
"Old shelves, maybe. These things lose balance easily. A little vibration, some movement in the floor, and crash—gravity does the rest."
Charvi wasn't convinced. Her sharp eyes lingered on the spot where the antique had been. "Still… it didn't feel natural. Almost like… like it was pushed."
Yug chuckled, trying to lighten the tension.
"You've been watching too many horror shows, Charvi . Not everything's a mystery. Sometimes it's just plain bad luck."
Charvi shot him a look, her lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. "Maybe. Or maybe you're too eager to find simple answers."
Yug smirked back, tilting his head. "And maybe you're too eager to find complicated ones."
Their eyes lingered on each other, the earlier tension still thrumming in the silence between them.
Unseen to them, in the distant shadows, Nishi's laughter hissed through the air, mocking and venomous.
Charvi narrowed her eyes a little. "That didn't feel normal."
Yug chuckled, scratching the back of his neck.
"You sound like a detective. Should I be worried you'll start interrogating the shelves next?"
Her lips twitched, almost breaking into a smile, but she quickly looked away.
As they walked on, Yug's grin lingered, but his eyes grew thoughtful for a moment.
It's better she doesn't know what really lurks around here… not yet.
Charvi stepped out of the washroom, smoothing the hem of her dress and brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The faint scent of soap lingered around her as she glanced at Yug, who gave her a small nod. Together, they descended the staircase, the soft echo of their footsteps blending with the faint music from the hall below.
Downstairs, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Gauri and Vihaan stood facing each other, hands slightly trembling, the engagement rings glinting under the warm lights. The moment seemed suspended in time, every breath and heartbeat magnified as the family watched, waiting for the promise to be sealed.
Charvi's gaze shifted between them, sensing the tension and unspoken emotions weaving through the room. In that instant, she realized how fragile and potent the ties of love, duty, and destiny could be, all converging in this single, pivotal moment.
Gauri and Vihaan stood facing each other, the engagement rings glinting under the hall lights. Gauri's hand shook slightly as she held the ring, recalling how Vihaan had blackmailed her, forcing her into this moment. She swallowed her frustration and slid the ring onto his finger, her eyes flashing a mix of anger and defiance.
Vihaan caught her gaze, his own thoughts heavy. He was marrying a girl like Gauri—not for love, not for desire—but to save his mother and protect the family from the witch's curse. Every second, he reminded himself of why he had no choice, even as he accepted the ring she placed on his finger.
Their fingers touched for a fleeting moment, and neither spoke. The weight of necessity hung between them, more binding than any words could be. Both knew this engagement wasn't about love, yet it marked the first step in a path neither of them truly wanted—but both had to walk.