The next morning, the soft hum of mantras echoed through the Kothari mansion. Gauri descended the stairs, her eyes catching sight of the family gathered around the sacred fire. The fragrance of incense filled the air as Dadi, Veena, Urvashi, and the others sat cross-legged before the havan kund, performing a shanti puja. Yet, something felt incomplete—Sharda was missing.
When the rituals concluded, Gauri stepped closer, her expression curious. "Where is Bade Maa? I didn't see her during the puja."
Dadi's face softened with sorrow. "Today is a hard day for her, beta. It's her son Veer's birthday."
Gauri frowned, confused. "Her son's birthday? Then why is everyone so… sad? Today should be a day of celebration, not mourning."
Before anyone could answer, Vihaan spoke quietly, guilt weighing in his tone. "It would have been… if not for me. Because of me, this day became a day of unhappiness for Bade Maa."
"Don't say that," Veena said firmly, resting a hand on his shoulder. "What happened wasn't your fault, Vihaan. Some things are just written in fate."
But Gauri, sensing the tension that gripped the room, looked between them. "What exactly happened? Why does everyone look so gloomy? Did something happen to Veer?"
A heavy silence followed. Finally, Shyom exhaled deeply. "You could say that."
He continued in a somber voice, "When they were young, Veer and Vihaan never got along. Veer always felt overshadowed, believing Vihaan got more love and attention. He was older by just a year, but that one year seemed to make all the difference."
Urvashi added softly, "Veer… he often bullied Vihaan. He used to call him 'a dancer's son' to hurt him. Sharda would scold Veer for it, but that only made things worse. He started accusing Vihaan of stealing everyone's affection."
Veena's eyes glistened with old pain as she spoke. "Then came the day everything changed. Veer overheard a conversation—he learned that Kamini wasn't just a dancer, but a serpentine witch. He was sixteen, Vihaan fifteen. The very next day, there was a school marathon. Vihaan won, fair and square. But Veer couldn't accept it. He accused Vihaan of using magic to cheat."
Dadi shook her head sadly. "But Vihaan couldn't have. He was wearing his bracelet—he couldn't use his powers unless he removed it. We all tried to make Veer see reason, but he wouldn't listen. His anger consumed him."
Veena continued, her voice trembling, "In his rage, Veer nearly revealed the truth to Vihaan—that Kamini was a witch. Sharda had no choice… she slapped him to stop him. That broke something inside him. He felt betrayed, convinced that his own mother chose Vihaan over him."
Dadi's eyes moistened. "The next morning—on his seventeenth birthday—Veer was gone. He ran away from home and never returned."
"We searched everywhere," Veena whispered. "We filed reports, used police help, even resorted to magical means… but there was no trace of him. It was as if he had vanished from the world."
The room fell silent, the weight of the past pressing down like an invisible storm.
Vihaan's voice cracked as he spoke, his eyes misting over. "Bade Maa lost her son… because of me."
Gauri placed her hand gently over his, her gaze full of compassion. "No, Vihaan. You didn't take him away. The darkness of pain and misunderstanding did. You were just a boy."
But Vihaan couldn't bring himself to look at her—his heart still burdened by the guilt of a tragedy that never truly left their home.
Gauri looks at everyone, her expression soft yet thoughtful. "Bade Maa isn't angry," she says gently. "She's upset because she misses Veer. Her mind is occupied with his memories, and if she keeps thinking like this, it won't be good for her health. We have to do something—to get her mind off this day."
Vihaan looks at her curiously. "What do you mean, Gauri?"
Gauri steps closer, determination shining in her eyes. "If we keep her occupied—make her feel loved and surrounded by happiness—then maybe, just for today, she'll forget her sorrow."
Vihaan folds his arms, a faint smile touching his lips. "Hmm… and do you happen to have any idea how we're supposed to do that?"
Gauri grins, her eyes twinkling with playful confidence. "Of course I do."
She takes a deep breath, then recites softly—
"When a mother's heart weeps for her child,
Let love's laughter run free and wild.
We'll turn her sorrow into song,
And prove her heart has been strong all along."
She finishes with a smile, looking at Vihaan. "So yes, ACP Kothari—I have the perfect idea."
Vihaan raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what is that idea, Mrs. Kothari?"
Gauri smirks, crossing her arms. "You'll find out soon enough."
To be continued…