"What are you doing here?" A stupefied Shashi asked as he tried to maintain his balance which began to falter owing to the blow he received on his head.
"I would like to ask you the same question. What are you doing here with that woman, it seems like you're trying to hurt her" Mahima replied as she gave him a cold icy stare.
Her blank poker expressions made it difficult to read into her actions as Shashi observed her.
"Why are you here and how did you get here so fast?" He asked once again
"I drove here, coming to why I'm here....." Mahima paused and walked up close to him "the same reason why you're here" She whispered in his ear following which he stepped back in a bid to get away out of fear.
Mahima then walked towards Ashlesha and leaned down towards her level, "are you okay? How could you be so reckless?" She asked, as Mahima was about to help her get up She felt something being sprayed at her, it was the bilva leaves water that Shashi carried with him in a spray bottle to stun and immobilise Ashlesha causing her to react as Shashi hoped as a result of which Mahima falls to the ground.
Pleased by the sight Shashi then begins to look for the gun he dropped but the weapon was nowhere in sight.
"Looking for this?" Mahima stood up much to Shashi's horror as she held the gun and pointed the same right at him, apparently she made sure to fall right next to where the firearm laid on the ground which Shashi failed to notice for some reason.
"Who are you and why didn't it work" Shashi was baffled by how Mahima was unaffected by the bilva leaves spray.
"You're spray is only affective against shapeshifting serpents, if it didn't affect me then isn't it obvious why? Your nephew tried the same thing a few days ago, I suppose weren't really paying attention" Mahima taunted
"So you're human?" He asked
"At the moment yes" Mahima gave him a blatant response
"Then why are you here and what do you want? Who are you really?" Shashi demanded following which Mahima pulled the trigger of the gun which was pointed at the shin of his left leg.
Shashi fell to the ground and began to squirm in pain as he got shot.
"You don't make demands infront of a person wielding a weapon but since you're dying to know I guess I'll tell you" Mahima grinned as Shashi looked up to her in pain.
Mahima took a few steps closer towards Shashi and leaned down towards him, "I'm your Karma, the one you failed to complete and left behind years back" Mahima replied
"What do you mean?" Shashi asked out of confusion
"She is the infant you failed to kill that night just like you failed to kill me" Ashlesha answered as she tried to recover from her immobilised state
"The infant?" Shashi tried to recall the night when Neelima got killed and then remembered how he killed her parents who gave him a hard time while trying to get his hands on the gem.
Her mother had a new born child tied on her back as she fought hard to thwart him from taking the gem before finally stabbing her and the serpent man and taking away the naagmani. As he was about to kill the crying new born the place began to collapse prompting him to flee.
"You mean she's that child?" Shashi asked
"Yes she's the same child whom you left to die, our naagrani's sister, the princess of our clan and the entire naaglok." Ashlesha revealed
"You thought there was no one left to avenge what happened that night, but you were wrong." Mahima told him in her cold icy tone before getting up and shooting him in the other leg.
"Does it hurt? Good because there's more to come" Mahima then shot him in the arms "this one's for murdering my parents in cold blood" following which she then shot at his chest, "this one's for bloodshed and massacre of my people"
Mahima then pointed the gun at his forehead "this one's for murdering our naagrani and hurting Ashlesha my mentor and guardian"
"Please don't shoot, stop!" Shashi begged her
"Did you stop and spare any of my kin? No you didn't, and neither will I spare you" Mahima pulled the trigger following which Shashi gets shot in the head and dies immediately.
"Good riddance" Mahima then walked towards Ashlesha and helped her get back up.
"What did you do??? You weren't supposed to kill anyone" Ashlesha scolded Mahima as she worried about her
"I know, but I couldn't watch and let him kill you either" Mahima answered
"This will affect your penance and merit, what if you get cursed?" Ashlesha reminded her
"Which is why you should have told me about your plan instead of keeping me in the dark and where is Vikram? What were you thinking when you left with that man all alone without briefing me about the same? What am I supposed to do if I lose you too? You're the reason why I survived, how could I let you of all people die?" Mahima cried out
"I wouldn't die that easily, at least not until I settle my own scores with these monsters, so you don't have to worry about me yet" Ashlesha assured her
"How can I not?" Mahima looked at Ashlesha expecting an answer
"For now let's just get away from this place, I can't afford to have anyone spotting us here with his corpse" Ashlesha urged
"Alright let's leave" Mahima then helped Ashlesha walk towards her car which was parked quite far from where Shashi was killed. Mahima opened the door to the passenger's seat and helped Ashlesha get inside following which she took the drivers seat and drove away.
........................................................................................................................................................
Back at the Sangeet event Lakshya began to look around for both Mahima as well as Abhay though neither of them were to be seen anywhere in plain sight although he did notice his uncle appeared to be quite than usual as if there something off about him but for some reason couldn't put a finger on it.
Adish then approached him, "What's the matter?" He asked Lakshya
"I don't see Abhay anywhere" Lakshya told him
"Neither do I, perhaps he's up to something" Adish muttered
"What do you mean?" Lakshya asked
Adish then showed him the tissue paper conveying the vague message "One of the staff members handed this to him, at first I assumed it was about his performance on stage but now given his absence I wonder if it were something else" Adish told him
"Hmm... that is quite unusual... he isn't the type to just leave out of the blue" Lakshya thought out loud
A moment later Shashi stepped far away from the crowd and their attention to shapeshift back into Abhay following which he rejoined the gathering as noticed by both Lakshya and Adish.
"I guess he was around after all" Adish remarked
"That's right, he isn't the type to walk out from a function without letting anyone know" Lakshya was relieved to see his brother
"I suppose you're right" Adish reluctantly agreed
As the function was close to concluding, Anvay who was busy seeing off all the guests along with Rai's received a call.
"What!? That's not possible? I think you may be mistaken, he was here just a moment ago with us" Anvay answered
"What's the matter?" Shipra asked seeming quite worried
"It's the police, they're saying they found Shashi's corpse in the middle of some road" Anvay told her
"But that's not possible" Shipra responded making her disbelief quite apparent
Adish who overheard them asked, "Where is he right now?"
"He should be around where else could he go at this hour" Anvay replied before returning his attention to the call
"The driving licence we found on him confirmed his identity, either way can you just come and see for yourself to verify the same" the police officer requested
"Alright just give me some time, I'll get there in a while" Anvay agreed
"You're actually going, but why?" Shipra questioned
"They claim to have confirmed its him and want me to verify the same in person" Anvay explained
"Even then that's quite absurd" Shipra argued
"I know but I'll still have to go and check-" Anvay was cut off
"Check what? Soumya who noticed two argue from a distance approached them to ask the same
"It's nothing bhabhi, you needn't worry about it" Anvay assured her
"Then what are you'll arguing about?" Soumya watched them as she waited for an answer
Anvay hesitated for a moment before telling what he heard from the police.
"That can't be true, he was just here a while ago" Soumya refuted
"We know that's why I'll just go and dismiss the same in person" Anvay told them all before leaving the function and heading out to the place where the police claimed to have found his brother's dead body.
........................................................................................................................................................
"Can you explain what exactly were you doing alone with that person in his car?" Mahima questioned Ashlesha who stood outside the cave which led to the Shiva temple along with her
"I was going to take him out today" Ashlesha answered
"And why didn't you tell me about the same? I would have helped you out! It's a good thing I noticed something off about that man as he left and your necklace which helped me realise it was you" Mahima told her referring to the heirloom she carried with her everywhere.
"And that's exactly why I didn't let you in on it" Ashlesha answered
"Why not? Had I not arrived you could have gotten yourself killed today. I thought we were a team, don't you trust me" Mahima asked Ashlesha waiting for an answer
"It's because you're no different from a vulnerable human at the moment, and I didn't want your penance to get affected in any manner" Ashlesha reasoned
Around 20 years ago when Mahima was still a child and had learnt about the massacre that took place for the first time from Ashlesha she vowed to avenge the death of her family and clan. However to do the same she required the Lord's grace and blessing which could be attained through a rigorous penance as advised by Mr Kailash the priest. The penance was such that it required her to surrender her powers to the Lord for a set period of time till her penance got completed and accumulated enough merit.
"Which is why we agreed to just observe them from a distance and gather information" Mahima reminded Ashlesha
"I know what I'm doing and I wouldn't have done it if it weren't necessary" Ashlesha told her as she maintained her composure
"And why was that so" Mahima looked at her
"His memories.... it's as I had suspected, he never lost them to begin with and just feigned his amnesia, if we didn't take him out then he could have been a hindrance to our revenge" Ashlesha explained
"What made you realise he was feigning it?" Mahima asked her
"His indifference, regardless of the threat that seemed to be looming over his family he appeared to be unusually quite calm" Ashlesha explained
"Okay.... even then you should have told me about it, moreover where is Vikram?" Mahima wondered quite bothered by his sudden absence
"He is-" before Ashlesha could complete Mr. Kailash walked in on them and cut her off, "you've returned after a long time Nagrajkumari, welcome back"
"Greetings, pandit ji" Mahima paid him her respects who then walked over to him and bent down to touch his feet.
"God bless you" Mr. Kailash blessed her "your penance concludes tomorrow, be prepared to receive the Lord's grace"
"I'm ready" Mahima responded
"I know, it's time you receive the fruits of your hard struggle and devotion following which we can proceed with your marriage rituals" Mr Kailash told her
"But where is Vikram right now?" Mahima asked once again
"The nagrajkumar of the Karkotak clan has been summoned by his father to prepare for the same and will see you directly on the day of the marriage" Ashlesha lied
"Really? I thought he was engaged in some case" Mahima was surprised to hear that
"He resolved it and was called back by Nagraj bhujang right away" Ashlesha informed her
"I see" Mahima replied
"We better return now, plus you need to rest for now as tomorrow is an important day for you" Ashlesha advised to which Mahima complied following which they left.
........................................................................................................................................................
Anvay was shocked to find the corpse of his elder brother right before him. He was heart broken as he watched Shashi's lifeless body being carried away by the medical staff on site.
"It seems he was murdered in cold blood, almost as if it were out of revenge" the investigating officer told Anvay, "Do you have any clue of who could have done this, as in anyone who could have harbored such deep seated hatred and enmity towards him" the investigator asked
Although Anvay knew who was behind it he denied and feigned ignorance owing to the fact that no one there from the investigating team would believe him.
........................................................................................................................................................
Anvay entered the mansion as he walked right in from the main door into the living room where everyone awaited his return.
"Why do you seem so dejected" Chandrika asked him as she dreaded to here him answer
Soumya then approached him, "They were wrong weren't they?...." she asked however Anvay remained silent.
"Why aren't you answering?" Chandrika asked him hoping it wasn't what she dreaded
As Anvay finally broke down into tears, "It's true" he answered leaving them all shocked still unable to believe what they heard.
"But how? He was with us the entire time during the sangeet then how did he end up all the way there, are you sure it was him??" Chandrika expressed her disbelief as she tried to hold back her grief
"Maa ji is right, he was right next to me. It must be someone else" Soumya tried to convince him
"No bhabhi, it was him!! I saw him lying dead with my own two eyes" Anvay answered her back "his clothes were soaked in blood as a result of him being shot down mercilessly" he cried
Everyone was devastated upon hearing that except for Ashlesha and Abhay who were quite pleased to watch the Singh family break down and suffer in grief.
The body was released once the autopsy was complete and the funeral was held the next day which was attended by the Rai's as well.
Once the rites were completed and the body was cremated everyone returned to the Singh mansion to discuss about the wedding.
"I guess we could proceed with a simple wedding instead without many guests" Smitha suggested
"I suppose that should be doable" Shipra agreed
As they continued with the discussion they were interrupted by Lakshya, "We must call off the wedding"
"You're not serious now are you?" Shipra stared at him quite surprised
"I am" Lakshya clarified
"Son, I know you're being considerate towards your elder aunt but if we call off this wedding now then there we wouldn't be able to get you'll married until we find another auspicious date and time which as advised by the astrologer won't be any sooner until the next decade" Smitha reasoned
"Perhaps it's for the best we don't get married" Lakshya told her
"What do you mean?" Smitha asked him
Before he could answer Srishti spoke up, "He's right, I guess it's for the best we don't get married"
"Not you too, why don't you get it? We can make an exception for you'll" Smitha sighed
"I know you could but to be frank I don't really want to get married right now and I guess Lakshya feels the same" Srishti told her mother
"Srishti is right, and to be honest I don't really want to marry her...." Lakshya trailed off realising his words could hurt Srishti
"See! We're on the same page, I guess we can call it off now since he's made his lack of intent quite clear" Srishti asserted as she then walked away from them holding back her tears as Shipra and Smitha called out to her hoping she'd turn back.
"Is this your final decision?" Shipra asked her son to which he replied with a firm "yes" and left the place right behind Srishti so that he could apologise to her.
As he managed to catch up to her before she got to her car, "Srishti wait!" he called out to her, Srishti then stopped in her tracks and waited till she was was approached by Lakshya.
"I'm sorry and thank you" he told her
"You needn't be sorry nor thank me, it was only right that we call off the wedding" Srishti replied
"Thank you for understanding" Srishti then walked to her car and entered the same following which it drove away as Lakshya stood there and watched the same.
........................................................................................................................................................
The sun had set for the day following which the rites and rituals to conclude Mahima's penance were in progress right outside the Shiva temple given Mahima was unable to enter the same due to her human like state.
Once the the rituals were complete the priest asked Mahima to rise up and perform the veneration in the form of a dance called the tandav to honour the Lord. Mahima complied and walked right at the center of the temple ground in the presence of several other icchaadhaari serpents including Ashlesha before she began to dance.
(This is what she was dressed like when performing the veneration dance a.k.a Tandav)
(Pretend this is the dance sequence)
As she danced, the clouds up in the sky began to thunder out loud as if Indra, the Lord of the rains and storms was in awe of the sight beneath him, the beautiful dance that was performed by the young woman followed by the winds howling out loud which were close to transforming into really strong gusts of wind surrounding the temple which continued on till she fell to the ground out of exhaustion facing entrance of the temple which had barred her from getting inside since many years.
A moment a later a really bright light broke through directly from the dark cloudy sky landing directly on and illuminating her before everyone present there indicating that she was successful in pleasing the Lord.
The priest then informed her, "Congratulations! The Lord has blessed and showered his grace upon you, your vows will be fulfilled!"
Mahima smiled in joy the minute she heard that and got up to thank the Lord.
Ashlesha walked right up to her and embraced her, "You've done it, now nothing would be able to prevent us from exacting our revenge" She declared
"I know, nothing can save those monsters from their impending doom that awaits them" Mahima vowed to Ashlesha and everyone else there "we will retrieve the naagmani and avenge our clan as well"
"Indeed we will, but for now let's enter the temple so we can welcome you can offer your prayers to the Lord along with everyone else as a fullfledged Naagin after 20 long years of living amongst the humans as one of them" Ashlesha suggested
"She's right, we need to annoint you as the successor of our former Naagrani inside" the priest added to which Mahima agreed.
The icchaadhaari serpent folk including Ashlesha and the priest assumed their true form and then waited for Mahima to follow suit, however for some reason her attempt to transform into a serpent were not successful. Ashlesha and the priest them reverted back to their human avatars.
"What's wrong?" Ashlesha asked
"I'm not able to shapeshift" Mahima answered her in a disturbed manner.
........................................................................................................................................................
To be continued...
Hello friends,
Sorry for the slow updates, but it's something I can't help at the moment owing to my classes and ongoing exam preparations. Nevertheless I will do try to complete the chapters whenever I'm free and upload the same. Also sorry for the typos and grammatical errors if there are any.
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Bloodmoon @Bloodmoon
+ 2
2 years ago
Thanks for the update and all the best for your exams ❤️