Vihaan reached the temple inside the mansion, his steps heavy but his resolve unwavering. The Kothari family followed him quietly, the sound of their anklets and slippers echoing through the silent corridor.
As Vihaan approached the threshold, the soft golden glow of the diyas flickered—as though the goddess herself sensed his arrival. For years, he had been present at every puja, standing behind everyone, never able to step into the sanctum. His blood—the cursed blood of Kamini—had always held him back.
But tonight was different.
When his foot crossed the temple's sacred line, the bells above the idol rang on their own. A gentle warmth spread through the room, and the flames rose brighter, welcoming him.
The family gasped in disbelief. Vihaan's eyes widened as he looked down at his feet, then toward the idol of Devi Maa shining before him.
Pratham Vanshi stepped forward, her expression calm yet divine.
"Due to Kamini, Vihaan's heart was once shrouded in darkness," she explained softly. "It was sealed away, meant to be exploited. But with Kamini's death, that darkness is gone. Now, regardless of whether he is Sarvansh or not—if his heart is pure—he can enter the temple and stand before the goddess."
Veena's tears spilled as she folded her hands. "Devi Maa has accepted my son…" she whispered.
Vihaan lowered himself onto his knees before the idol, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"Devi Maa, thank you… for granting me entry into your temple, for freeing me from the shadow I was born under. But today, I have one more prayer—one more plea."
He lit a diya, the flame flickering softly in the still air.
"Please," he whispered, his tone breaking. "Bring back my Gauri. She risked her life to protect me—to protect this family. You gave her to me, Maa… please don't take her away. Bring her back."
His words echoed through the temple, raw and heartfelt. The family joined him in prayer, their voices rising together. Mantras filled the air—devotion so deep it seemed to shake the walls themselves.
---
Meanwhile, in Vihaan's room, the diya light from the temple shimmered faintly across Gauri's still body. Her fingers twitched, her breathing shifted. Slowly, her hand trembled, then her eyes fluttered open.
She gasped softly, her lips parting as life returned to her face. Weak but determined, she sat up and placed her feet on the floor. Gripping the railing for support, she began making her way downstairs—one slow, steady step at a time.
---
Back in the temple, Vihaan continued to chant sacred mantras, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded again and again.
"Devi Maa… please. Return my Gauri to me."
The family bowed lower, their prayers uniting into one voice.
Then, suddenly—
"Vihaan…"
The whisper was faint but unmistakable.
He froze. The family turned, stunned.
There, standing weakly at the temple's entrance, was Gauri. Her hair loose, her skin pale but glowing under the golden light, her lips curved in a fragile smile.
Vihaan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Gauri…" he breathed, stepping forward.
She smiled through tears. "Vihaan…"
He ran to her, pulling her into his arms, holding her tight as if the world might disappear around them. She trembled in his embrace, whispering faintly, "I heard you… your prayers, your voice. They called me back."
The family broke into tears of joy. Veena joined her hands, crying, "Thank you, Devi Maa… thank you for returning our Gauri."
The bells above rang once more—soft, divine, and full of grace—as the diya flames swayed brighter, bathing the couple in golden light.
Vihaan looked into Gauri's eyes, his own filled with tears and relief.
"Welcome back," he whispered, voice trembling.
And as the family gathered around them, the goddess's idol seemed to glow even more brightly—witness to a love that defied death itself.
Gauri stood at the temple threshold, still trembling in Vihaan's arms, her heart racing as the warmth of life returned to her body. The family gathered around, unable to hold back their tears.
Sharda was the first to rush forward, followed by Veena, Dadi, and Urvashi. Together, they pulled Gauri into a tight embrace, the sound of their soft cries echoing in the sacred air.
"Thank you, Devi Maa," Dadi whispered, touching Gauri's head. "You brought her back to us…"
Charvi threw her arms around Gauri, tears spilling freely. "Didi! You're really back! I missed you so much!"
Gauri smiled faintly, running her fingers through Charvi's hair. "I missed you too, my little one."
Sharda cupped Gauri's face lovingly. "You defeated Kamini by risking your own life, child. You saved everyone," she said proudly, her eyes filled with maternal pride.
Yug grinned through his tears, stepping forward. "Of course, my bhabhi is a superheroine! She's Jalpanchi!"
Everyone laughed softly through their tears. Gauri smiled — but soon, her lips trembled and her smile faded. Tears welled up in her eyes again.
Vihaan noticed immediately. He stepped closer and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Why are you crying, Gauri?" he asked softly, though his voice already carried understanding.
He took her hand, his eyes filled with knowing sadness. "I know the reason for your tears… You've just learned that you're Jalpanchi, but you also found out the truth about your past."
Gauri looked down, her heart heavy. Sharda placed her hands on Gauri's shoulders, her voice tender.
"Pratham Vanshi told us everything," she said. "About who you really are, about your parents, about the destiny you never knew was yours."
Veena stepped forward hesitantly, her eyes glistening with guilt. She hugged Gauri tightly.
"I treated you wrongly, child," she whispered, her voice breaking. "If I had known… if I had realized who you truly were…"
Gauri held her gently. "Mother-in-law…?"
Veena shook her head, tears falling. "Not just your mother-in-law — not anymore. You were the long-lost daughter of my dearest friend, Vedika."
Gauri froze, her breath catching in her throat. "Vedika… my mother?" she whispered. "You knew her?"
Veena nodded, her eyes shimmering with bittersweet memory.
"She was like my sister," she said softly. "We promised to stay in touch after her wedding… but fate had other plans."
Gauri's eyes filled with wonder and grief. "How was she?" she asked, her voice trembling.
At that moment, Vihaan looked at Veena — their eyes meeting silently. Veena nodded, understanding his intent.
"Come with me," Vihaan said gently, guiding Gauri through the marble corridor to the main hall.
There, at the center of the hall, stood a large covered frame, veiled in white silk. The air grew still as everyone gathered around.
Vihaan raised his hand, and with a soft swirl of blue energy, the cloth lifted on its own, fluttering away like a whisper.
Behind it was a beautiful, glowing wedding photograph — a young couple smiling at each other with love so pure it almost radiated from the image.
The woman wore a crimson bridal saree, her eyes shining with warmth — and though years had passed, her features mirrored Gauri's own.
Gauri gasped, her hands trembling. "Are… are these my parents?"
Veena placed her hand on Gauri's shoulder, her voice breaking with emotion.
"Yes," she said softly. "This is your mother Vedika and your father Dev. I took this photo myself… twenty-six years ago — a year before you were born, on their wedding day."
Gauri's tears fell freely as she stepped closer to the photograph, her fingers brushing the frame as though she could touch the faces within.
"Ma… Papa…" she whispered.
The air around her shimmered faintly — as though the souls of Vedika and Dev were watching, blessing their daughter who had finally found her truth.
Vihaan stood beside her silently, his hand over hers, as Gauri cried softly — not from sorrow, but from the bittersweet peace of finally knowing who she was.