The morning sun painted the sky in hues of gold and rose as the Kotharis gathered on the resort's private field. A cool breeze rustled through the palms, carrying laughter, playful taunts, and the sound of a bat striking a ball.
It was Kothari vs. Kothari—a family cricket match, but with the intensity of a championship final.
On one side stood Team Vihaan, led by the ever-confident ACP himself, joined by Yug, Dadi, and Urvashi.
On the other—Team Gauri, captained by the newly crowned Jalpanchi, joined by Veena, Charvi, and Sharda.
Sharda had insisted she would only "supervise," but when Gauri handed her the bat and said, "Bade maa, you're the strength of our team," she couldn't refuse.
Dadi adjusted her dupatta, gripping the bat with surprising energy. "Let's see if these young ones can still match an old Rajmata's swing," she said proudly.
Vihaan laughed. "Dadi, we'll go easy on you."
Gauri folded her arms. "No need, Mr. Kothari. Because your wife is about to destroy your team's pride."
"Destroy?" Vihaan raised an eyebrow. "You couldn't even hit the last ball straight."
"Oh, I was saving my real strength," Gauri replied, smiling slyly. "After all, I'm the captain of the winning team."
Yug chuckled. "Oh-ho, here comes the battle of the century—Mr. and Mrs. Kothari edition!"
The family erupted in laughter.
As the game began, Charvi bowled first—her focus fierce—and Sharda cheered from behind. Vihaan struck the ball cleanly, sending it rolling toward the far end, but before it could cross the boundary, Gauri sprinted across the field, her dupatta fluttering like a banner of victory. She dived and caught it just before it hit the ground.
Everyone gasped and then cheered.
Gauri stood up, brushing grass from her clothes, flashing Vihaan a triumphant look. "See, I told you I was saving my power."
Vihaan smiled, both proud and flustered. "You cheated, Jalpanchi reflexes don't count in cricket."
Gauri grinned. "All's fair in love and cricket."
Even the resort staff, watching from afar, couldn't help but smile at the lively family.
Sharda, who had been quiet for days, was now laughing openly as Veena clapped and Dadi called out, "Gauri, bowl him out this time! Show that ACP who's boss!"
The energy on the field was pure, joyful chaos—filled with teasing, laughter, and unspoken gratitude for moments like these.
As Gauri prepared to bowl the next ball, she paused for a moment, closing her eyes briefly. A whisper of wind brushed past her face.
For a split second, she thought she heard that same haunting mouth organ tune from the forest.
But when she opened her eyes, everyone was watching her, waiting. She shook off the strange feeling and smiled, throwing the ball toward Vihaan.
The bat struck, the family cheered—and for now, all was laughter, sunlight, and life.
The cricket match was still in full swing—Gauri's laughter echoing across the resort lawns, Vihaan pretending to argue with Dadi about a "wrong catch."
The sun was warm, and the atmosphere was light… until Charvi quietly stepped aside.
Her throat dry, she went toward the refreshment table near the edge of the field. The staff had lined it with bottles of water and fruit platters. As she bent down to grab a bottle, a figure brushed past her shoulder—tall, lean, and wearing a hooded sweatshirt despite the heat.
For a second, nothing seemed strange. But then—
The world blurred.
A sudden flash of light burst behind her eyes, and her hand froze midair.
In her vision—
A dark mountain.
A blood-red moon.
And Vihaan—her beloved jiju—kneeling on the ground as a hooded man plunged a mystical dagger straight into his chest.
Gauri's voice echoed somewhere far away, calling his name before everything dissolved into crimson smoke.
Charvi gasped and stumbled back, the bottle slipping from her hand. Water spilled across the ground as she blinked, trembling. The hooded man was already walking away.
Her heart pounded. What… what was that? A dream? No—no, it felt real! Too real!
Without a second thought, Charvi hurried after him, her sandals tapping across the marble corridor.
"Excuse me—hey!" she called out, her voice shaky but determined.
The hooded figure didn't stop. He moved swiftly, turning a corner and entering one of the resort's guest suites.
Charvi reached just as the security guard stepped forward.
"Ma'am, you can't go in there. That area's restricted—VIP occupancy."
She tried to peek past him, but the door had already shut. The guard shook his head, blocking her view. "Please, ma'am, step back."
Charvi nodded faintly, retreating a step, her heart still racing. The strange tune of a mouth organ echoed faintly from inside the room, just like the one from her vision.
She swallowed hard, whispering to herself,
> "That man… he's real. And if what I saw is true… then Jiju—Vihaan—is in danger."
Her fingers trembled as she clutched her phone, looking toward the field where Vihaan was laughing with Gauri. For the first time since they'd arrived, her joy felt shadowed by dread.
Something dark had followed them here.
And only Charvi had seen the warning.