The next morning rolled in and everyone got up early. They got dressed and reached the breakfast table. Though everyone was moving around but there was a silence in the surroundings. Everyone was tensed and confused. Questions swarmed in their minds. The noise of cutlery clashing disturbed the perfect peace that was completely opposite to the chaos that filled everyone's mind. Balwant headed downstairs with Chandrakala.

V: Maa, Maa ko hosh aa gaya!

The family all rose up and fussed around her. Chandrakala said she was feeling fine.

Ba: Isse 4 baje hosh aya tha subah. It was too early to wake you guys up. Abhi breakfast kr lo sb pehle.

Post breakfast, the family gathered in the hall. They looked at Balwant expectantly, the eldest of the family.

Ba: Poocho.

Everyone bombarded with a series of questions.

Ba: SILENCE! (They all became quiet again) Pehle tum poocho Meera.

M: Meri behen ek naagin hai? Kb se? Aur kl unhone ye kyun kahan ki aapne ye suspect kiya tha? Veer was destined to fall for her why?

Balwant looked at Vani.

Ba: Tum dono khud bataoge ya mai bollu?

V: Dad, I will go ahead.

Veer told them the story of Akeshwari and how they took rebirth to meet each other, fulfil their destiny. The family got emotional listening to their past.

D: Bhai-Bhabhi? We are glad you guys met each in this life and ek aur baat, we don't mind having a naagin bhabhi.

The family reassured Bani and Vani were glad that things were out in open and clear with the family.

Ba: Next, Chanda?

Chandrakala: Haan, mai batati hoon ki mere saath kya hua tha..

Chandrakala told that she fainted last night and woke up in a dark place. She felt someone prick at her back but couldn't see what was happening. After that, she was left alone for a while but then she felt pain again. Hours after that, she was rescued by Daksh and his team. Tapish told her what had happened to the family. Chandrakala knew most of it as Balwant had already told her in the room.

Ch: Pr ab Karishma ka kya krna hai?

They all were worried, specially looking at Pawan and his children.

D: I don't care. Maine raat bhar socha. That woman is not my mother, as far as I am concerned, my mother died giving birth to me and this woman is not her.

P: I was really hurt by what she did but she is a danger to all of us.

Pa: Sb log meri chinta mt kro..mai sb samajhta hoon. Jis tarah ki shaktiyan Karishma ke pass thi kl, saaf pata chalta hai ki usne dark prayers ki hai, pata nahi kitni baali chadhai hongi. Kitni jaane ( Wipes a lone tear) ....Moreover, kl usne royal family pr humla kiya. In sb ki saza hoti hai cheel court me. Mere aur uska past juda hai ye soch kr usse maaf to nahi kr skte na. Jo rules ke according punishment hai, vo hai.

Ba: Tujhe bhi to Cheel court ke rules pata hai, iski saza pata hai..

Pa: (looks down) she deserves it.

Balwant nodded in understanding. That afternoon, he summoned the cheel court and Veer went along with him as he was the next king. Karishma was given a death sentence for her crimes. That evening, guards from the cheel army came and took her away. She was shifted to another, safer prison. They were going to kill her at dawn.

At the dinner table,

Pa: You know, I went to stay by her prison until the guards came. She still carries no guilt. Kept talking about her dreams for Gandhak. She- (chokes on his tears) she doesn't even remember her children's name correctly.

D: Dad, she is not mom. Your wife and our mother died all those years ago. For me, I am never going to think that this was my mom.

P: Yes Dad. Maine bhi yahi socha

Pa: I am glad that these got solved. Waise Bani beta, Veer mujhe maaf kr do. Dekho na Bani ki kl subah se kitni rasme honi thi, kl raat reception bhi tha aur sb khrab ho gaya..

B: Pr isme aapka kya dosh hai chachaji?

V: Yes Chachu! Bani ab yahi hai, rasme hum kabhi bhi kr lenge..

The family motivated each other and decided to hold a small function tomorrow for Bani. It would be her 'mu-dikhai' cum reception. Chandrakala gave her an anklet after dinner.

B: Ye kisliye maa?

Ch: Kl tumne soup banaya tha na? Aur aaj breakfast bhi. Techinally tumhari first rasoi me mujhe kuch dena tha pr...chalo jo hua so hua, ab hum uss baare me baat nahi karenge.

Bani looked at the pretty anklet and thanked her

....................

Veeranshu came to his room after playing a few computer games with his brothers to cheer them up and found his wife bent over a stool trying to wear something. He went near her and bent down.

V: Allow me, my gharwali.

He smiled softly and kept her leg on his knee. He made her wear the ankle and touched it softly. He then made her wear it in her other leg too. Bani smiled and stood up. She tapped her feet and beautifully sound came out of it.

B: (beams at him) pretty na gharwale!

She hugs him excitedly.

V: Kya kaha? Gharwale?

He teased her. Bani understood it and smacked his head.

B: Haan, gharwale! Nahi ho kya tum mere gharwale?

V: Tum mujhe jo banana chaho, mai wahi hoon.

Bani flicked his nose, saying he was too cheesy. The changed and got into bed. Bani looked at his hand wound and saw they were healed. She kissed his palm and then cuddled with him.

B: Veeranshu suno.

V: Hmm

B: Kl subah tum jaoge, excecution pr.

V: Nahi. I don't need to. My guards will inform.

B: Okay. Pr kya hoga unke saath? Mtlb kaise?

V: Sweetheart jo iss tarah ke dark practices krta hai na, uska kuch pata nahi chalta isliye we first make them drink a potion that weakens them. We then just kill them using a deadly poison so that they die quick and fast.

B: hmm..

They talk further about rules of the cheel realm and eventually fall asleep.

.....................

The next morning rolled in. Veer and Balwant and received the confirmation of her death. Her body was burned after that to avoid any risks. The family was fussing around Bani. Invites had been sent out to close friends and family. Ritu came in the afternoon after lunch to help prepare everything. They kept Bani out of work as it for her function. She roamed out aimlessly till she reached the backyard. It was really beautiful.

Bani sat their enjoying for a while.

'Accha lgta hai na yahan?'

Bani looked up to see it was Tapish.

B: Bhai aap?

T: Arey baith na Bani. Vo mere hisse ka kaam ho gaya. Ab kuch phonecalls and mails baaki they. I come to this backyard a lot to chill. It is peaceful na, that's why.

B: Bhai mai kuch madad kr doon.

T: Nahi, sbke strict instructions hai ki tujhse aur Veer se koi kaam nahi hoga.

B: Veer kahan hai bhai..

T: Vo bahar gaya hai...waise tujhe Meera doodh rahi hai..

B: Okay.

Bani went to look for Meera and found her in her room with Chachi. They both beamed when they saw her, like young girls beam at barbies.

R: Aa beta. Haath dikha, Mu dikha (Ritu checks her hands and face closely) waxing ki toh need nahi lg rahi hai....tu ye face mask laga, chal beta. Pehle mu dhona fir ye lagana, sabash!

She didn't let Bani protest and made her apply a rose-smelling paste. Meera showed her a few gowns and Bani picked one of them.

M: Uhem! Husband's favourite color!

R: Meera, uske pati ka favourite rang tujhe kaise pata

Ma: Maa, guess krna mushkil hai kya?

Mayank said coming inside the room.

R: Vo bhi hai, pr tu jaa yahan se, boys ka koi kaam nahi hai abhi..

Ma: oh, chal budhu Bani hum dono chalte hai phir

B: Mayank the moneky!

R: BANI!! (looks horrified) chup ek dum! Mask me crack aa jayega. Mayank, tu jaa abhi, tujhe Ponky aur Daksh ki help krne kaha hai na

Ma: Dramatic aurten! (rolls his eyes) wahi jaa raha tha, bs Bani ko hello bolne aya tha...chal Bani, raat ko milte hai..

Bani washed her face and took a long shower. Post this, Ritu again applied something. Meera herself got ready in that duration. She came wearing a green dress. Ritu went to get ready after that and Meera did Bani's hair and makeup.

B: Di, cartoon mt bana dena. Ye aap aur chachi ko hua kya hai? Aur Veer bhi abhi tk nahi aya.

M: aa gaya hai. Usse pehle hi guest room me bhej diya hai ready hone. Aur jb tu shower me thi tb usse chachi ne room me entry di thi taki vo apna saman le le..

B: Shaadi ho gayi hai already. Abhi bhi aap dono ko khel sujh raha hai..

M: Chup!..

Bani got ready, her hair was in a low fancy bun with silver accessory. Her face was kept natural with a light brown glossy lip.

She slipped into the gown.

R: (enters the room wearing a pink saree) Waah Bani, bohot pyaari lg rahi hai...Chal waise bhi function ka time ho gaya hai..Meera usse gift diya?

M: Haan ma abs abhi de hi rahi thi

Ritu's face went red.

R: Accha, mujhe to mere din yaad aa rahe hai (blushes) jldi de, mai bahar hi hoon

B: Ye chachi ko kya hua hai..

M: Uhne chor, ye gift le

B: Isme kya hai di?

M: dekh le

Bani opened the box and put her hand in it. It came in contact with a really soft fabric. She pulled it out and her face went red.

B: DI!! Ye kya hai?

M: (laughs) Bholi mt ban...sbko pata hai kya hota hai, and ye kya hai..ab chale

Bani quickly hid the box in her cupboards and left with Meera.

........................

Bani was walking down the staircase. Her soft gown flew behind her. Her eyes danced around the hall till they clashed with the pair of eyes they were dying to see. It was Veer. He looked breathtaking in shimmery black suit. He too, had eyes only for Bani. They were lost into each other eyes while Bani walked downstairs and he walked towards her. Bani missed a step as she was so lost into him and tripped. Veer quickly caught her.

V: sweetheart! Tum thik ho?

B: Haan.. (blushes)

V: Tumhe pata hai mai tumhe sambhal lunga isliye jaan muj kr baar baar mere samne fisalti ho..

B: Tum bhi na Veeranshu. You look very handsome.

V: Tum bhi bala ki khoobsurat lg rahi ho, pure magic!

Ch: Uhem, hum sb bhi yahin hai beta..guests bhi hai..

T: Haan Veer, teri hi biwi hai..

V: Accha? Aap pr bhi ye rule lgta hai phir toh. Dekho kaise Meera ko dekh rahe hai...apki hi biwi hai bhai

T: Isse to mai kuch kahunga hi nahi, mujhpr hi bhari pad jata hai..

The family introduced Bani into their circle. Veer stood by Bani the entire time while people came and met her. She politely smiled and spoke with them. Veer could see the appreciation in people's eyes and stood proud. He went to the dj and requested a song. He came towards Bani and gave her his hand.

V: May I have this dance ma'am?

Bani gave him her hand. Veer pecked it.

B: Off course. Make it quick though, I don't want my husband to catch me with you.

Veer's eyes danced with mischief. He smiled at her and took her towards the stage. They danced on 'Dil Ibadat'. He twirled her  and back hugged her. 

Post the song ended, another one played and many couples joined the stage.

V: Waise ma'am, kahan hai apke pati? Abhi tk nahi aye...kahin vo bhi kissi aur ke saath to nahi kr rahe dance.

B: kya pata? Accha hai na, hume time mil raha hai issi bahane..

V: Itni sundar biwi ko chorkr kahan hai vo? Mujhe to lakshan thik nahi lg rahe..

B: Tum dance kro na, mere pati ke peeche kyu pade ho..

V: Waise apko koi problem to nahi hai na

B: Kya pata ho mujhe problem. Pata kr skte ho toh kr lo..

Veer smirked and guided her into the empty hall way.

B: ye kya kr rahe ho-

V: Shh, check kr raha ho ki problem hai ya nahi..

B: Pr-

Veer ran his fingers on her bare arm and then stroked the skin visible from the cuts in her gown. She shivered at his touch.

V: Problem lg toh nahi rahi hai, pr indepth analysis krna padega..

He smirked and dipped his head in her neck. She clutched his jacket. Veer planted a soft kiss there and she moaned slightly.

V: Sb thik hi lg raha hai..pr we should be very sure..kahin baad me problem ka pata laga toh?

B: Konsi problem? Kahan ki baat kahan le jaa rahe ho, maine aisi koi problem ka toh kaha hi nahi tha..

V: Shh...mtlb tumhe touch se problem nahi hai, very good. (he ran a thumb and stroked the corner of her lips)

She parted her lips involuntarily and that was Veer's undoing. He kissed her passionately in the deserted hallway. He chewed on her lip stick and pulled back. He made a face and pulled out a handkerchief. He wiped off her lipstick and kissed her again. Bani met his passion with equal love. They kissed each other for a while before breaking it, both breathless.

B: Veeranshu!

Bani moaned his name softly and hugged him tight. She chewed on his ear and moved down kissing his neck when Veer's phone rang. She parted away with a pout. Veer picked up the phone feeling annoyed.

V: WHAT! (He pecked her pout)

Suddenly he straightened up and got serious.

V: Okay.

B: Kya hua? Sb thik hai na?

V: Yes love, just about work. Tum andr jao, mai ek mail forward krke aya..

Bani nodded and pecked his cheeks. She left to her room to redo her lipstick and straighten herself so that nobody makes fun of her.

.................

V: Ye kaise hua?

Veer spoke to his guard outside the mansion.

G: Pata nahi Rajkumar ji. Shaam ko jb executor aur baaki guards ne report nahi kiya apne reporting warrior ko toh mai check krne gaya. Wahan dekha ki jiss prisoner ka aaj execution tha, vo waha thi hi nahi. Saare guards mare hue pade they. Unme apki personal army ka bhi ek member tha. I checked his phone and saw ki apko message kiya gaya hai ki execution ho gaya hai and that the prisoner is dead and burned. Pr aisa kuch nahi hua tha. CCTV check kiya to usme sirf kuch black clothes pehne admi hi dikh rahe hai..

Veer ran a hand through his hair, super tensed. Karishma had escaped but she must have had outside help for it.

V: Prisoner ko vo drink pilaya tha?

G: Yes rajkumar ji, vo to raat me hi ho gaya tha..

V: Good! Mtlb she is not in her full powers currently. Strengthen the guards around Singhania Mansion and also sent a few patrolling teams to search for her. Inform all cheels that a criminal runt has escaped and raise alarm about it.

The guard nodded and left.

V: (thinks: Mujhe sweetheart ke pass hi rehna chahiye)

.....................

Somewhere in the nag temple. Jai sat on a stone table with Bholenath's trident in his hands.

J: Masi, ye trishul aaj bhi mere control me hai, pr pata nahi mai isse kitne time tk utha paunga. Unka milan hote hi meri bacchii hui shaktiyan bhi chali jayengi aur mai ek aam nag ban jaunga. Ek ek pal risky hai. I am feeling better aaj. Usi adi naagin ka kissa aaj hi khatam kr dete hai..

M: Kaise Jai, usse mandir me kaise laya jaye? Maine mayavi ras se usse kaboo krne ki koshish ki thi pr uspr asar hi nahi hota..

J: Kyu nahi hua ye sochne ka time nahi hai..Masi hum usse bahar maar dete hai.

M: NAHI!!!...(calms down a little) mera mtlb nahi Jai, hume usse mandir me lana hoga, vo Cheel uski raksha krne toh ayega hi. Km se km mandir me honge toh vo nahi ayega humare kaam ke beech me

J: Baat to sahi hai. Aap ek kaam kro. Nag council ki member ho aap toh. Aap pehle nagmani nikal kr do mujhe. Mai iss trishul ko usse abhimantrit krunga. Phir aap Adi naagin se madad ki goohar lagana. Usse toh ana hi padega iss mandir me aur phir mai us trishul se usse maar dunga...Adi Naagin bhi Bholenath ke trishul ke age kuch nahi kr skti. Aur to aur, mani ka asar bhi toh hoga uspr..

M: Tujhe mera sikhaya sb yaad hai, I am proud of you beta.

She, being a privileged member, guided him to the chambers that held the mani. Jai placed the mani on the trident and prayed for it to help him kill Bani. Mandakini brought them out and then began crying in front of the idol and screamed for Bani's help. Jai gave her a small wound. It wasn't fatal but it drew blood. A naagin's blood stained the floor of the prachin mandir and this automatically sent alarm to the temple's prime protector- the adi naagin!

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The temple is calling out for Bani- a call the Adi Naagin cannot ignore. Moreover, Karishma is out lose. Who do you think helped her? See you guys Monday!

xoxo