As their embrace slowly broke, Gauri looked up at Vihaan with a playful glint in her eyes.
"That brings something to my mind," she said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Vihaan raised a brow, smiling. "And what's that?"
Gauri crossed her arms dramatically. "You used to show off as a Sarvansh—always doing one or two magical tricks here and there."
Vihaan chuckled, amused. "Oh really?"
"Yes," Gauri continued, pretending to scold him. "Do you know, I finally realized something? That night on Janmashtami, after Kamini attacked you in that shadowy form… we had a fight."
Vihaan's smile faded a little. "Why are you talking about the past, Gauri?"
"Don't think you can escape this one," she said, wagging a finger at him. "We had a fight and I stormed out of the room, refusing to come back no matter how much you called me. And suddenly—" she gestured upward dramatically— "the chandelier started shaking!"
Vihaan tried to hold back a grin.
Gauri narrowed her eyes. "Now that I think about it, you were the one who made it jingle, weren't you? Just to scare me?"
Vihaan burst into laughter, unable to deny it. "Maybe… I just wanted to test how brave my future Jalpanchi was."
"Ha!" Gauri exclaimed, hands on her hips. "You may laugh now, but those days are gone. You can't tease me anymore, Mister Sarvansh, because I have powers too. Watch and learn!"
She turned toward a glass of water on the table and waved her hands dramatically a few times, muttering under her breath.
Nothing happened.
Vihaan folded his arms, smiling. "Mrs. Jalpanchi, if you're done performing your jal tantra for the day, can we go downstairs?"
"Fine!" Gauri huffed, pretending to pout. "Let's go."
But just as they turned to leave, she noticed something glimmering at the corner of her eye—the water in the glass had risen, floating gently above the rim like a shimmering sphere of light.
"Vihaan!" she gasped, tapping his arm.
He turned, stunned, as she proudly lifted her chin. "See? Told you I could do it!"
Then, with a teasing smile, she recited:
"Queen of the waters, that's who I am,
Grace in my soul, power in my hand.
You laughed before, but now you'll see,
The magic flows — it lives in me."
Vihaan stared at her, half in awe, half in amusement. "You really are something else, Mrs. Jalpanchi."
Gauri grinned, taking his hand. "I know. Now come on—before my water ball decides to attack you for teasing me!"
Vihaan laughed, intertwining his fingers with hers as they headed downstairs—two souls, one mortal, one magical, yet perfectly in sync.
Hand in hand, Gauri and Vihaan walked down the grand staircase, their steps light yet filled with meaning. The soft fragrance of jasmine filled the air, mingling with the warm glow of diyas arranged along the marble floor.
As they reached the final step, Gauri's eyes widened. The main doorway was beautifully adorned with marigold garlands, rangoli glistening in hues of red and gold. A kalash of rice sat at the threshold, and Veena held an aarti thali, its flame gently flickering in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Gauri blinked back tears. "Griha…pravesh?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Veena smiled warmly. "Yes, beta. The last time you entered this house, I… I didn't welcome you the way I should have. My anger and misunderstanding blinded me. But today, I want to do it right — with love, with pride, and with the blessings of the entire family."
Gauri's throat tightened. Sharda came forward, resting a reassuring hand on Gauri's head.
"This home was waiting for its daughter-in-law," she said softly. "Now it's time for you to enter again — not as an outsider, but as the heart of this family."
The temple bells chimed faintly in the background, their sound like divine approval.
As Veena performed the aarti, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. The flame circled Gauri and Vihaan thrice, its golden light wrapping around them like a blessing.
"May Devi Maa always protect you both," Veena murmured. "May your love remain as unbreakable as your faith."
Gauri touched Veena's feet, her tears spilling freely. "Thank you, Maa," she said softly.
Sharda smiled through her own tears, handing Gauri the kalash filled with rice.
"Go on, my child. Step into your home."
Gauri took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she nudged the kalash with her right foot. The rice spilled forward — symbolizing prosperity and the arrival of peace.
Vihaan watched her with deep affection as she stepped across the threshold, leaving delicate red footprints on the white marble floor.
Together, they entered the mansion — not just as husband and wife, but as souls who had fought fate and darkness to reclaim their destiny.
Dadi wiped her tears proudly. "This time," she whispered, "our home truly feels whole again."
The family clapped softly, smiles and tears mingling as the diya flames danced — a quiet sign that Devi Maa herself was watching, her blessings shimmering in every corner of the house.