The professor was lying unconscious on the floor as Srishti stood by watching her in panic.
"What do I do?" She thought to herself
The door swung open and Abhay rushed in adding to Srishti's woes, "I heard a scream, what happened?" He asked her as she turned away to avoid being seen in what she considered to be her hideous appearance.
Abhay then immediately called the nurse using his phone and then once again turned to Srishti, "What's the matter, it seems like you're avoiding me for some reason"
"I'm just a little shocked myself" Srishti told him who then held her by the shoulder and forced her to turn around facing him, "will you tell me why exactly are you shocked? Did something happen when you were discussing your issue with her?" Abhay asked
Srishti was surprised by his reaction given that she had expected him to react in the same manner as the professor, "don't I look hideous to you?" She asked him
"What are you talking about? You look the same as usual" he told her making her wonder if she were indeed hallucinating but if that were the case then how would one explain the professor's reaction, "then i'm not really sure about what exactly happened either" she told him
"Wait a minute... why did you ask me whether you looked hideous? Were you hallucinating again?" Abhay questioned as he looked at her
"I'm not sure and to be honest I don't really wish to talk about it right now" she dismissed him, a minute later the nurse arrived along with her helper who then began to examine the professor's condition, "she's just unconscious" the nurse then requested her helper for some water which she sprinkled on the professor's face helping them regain consciousness.
"Are you okay?" The nurse asked the professor
"Yes" she answered
"I guess something must have shocked you" the nurse assumed
"It was the snake" the professor stated much to Srishti's horror
"What do you mean?" Abhay was alarmed at the mention of a snake
"I mean there was a snake sitting on that window inside this room" the professor clarified much to Srishti's relief, "there was a snake here?" Srishti was surprised to hear that given she didn't find any herself
"Yes there was one, maybe it still here" the professor claimed
"Okay relax, let's just step out of this room and have it searched by someone from the wildlife conservation department" the nurse told the professor following which they all walked out of the staff room.
The nurse then called the wildlife conservation authority office and requested them to turn up at the campus.
"They'll take a while to get here so I guess it would be better if you'll leave for the day" the nurse advised them
"Sure" Abhay and Srishti agreed in unison
The professor agreed as well and left the premises immediately along with Abhay and Srishti.
When the officers from the wildlife conservation department arrived with their team they began to probe the entire place however couldn't find anything.
"Maybe it just managed to get out on its own already" they told the nurse
"I hope that is the case" the nurse prayed
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Srishti had returned back home where she was greeted by her parents who were concerned by her late arrival, "you've come late today" Smitha pointed
"Yes, just got caught up with a little something" Srishti told her mother
"How are you feeling today?" Harshad asked
"Better than yesterday" Srishti lied since she didn't want them to worry about her anymore.
"Thank god" Smitha heaved a sigh of relief following which Srishti excused herself and headed upstairs to her room where she locked herself inside.
"What's going on? Am I hallucinating or is any of that actually real? I'm so confused" Srishti wondered as she asked herself.
"It's all real" the feminine voice spoke out of nowhere
"Who is this and what do you want?" Srishti asked the voice
"You'll find out eventually when the time is right till then don't trust anyone or divulge anything to just anyone. Moreover be wary of Abhay and his family" the voice warned Srishti leaving her confused, "what do you mean?" Srishti asked but received no answer leaving her slightly frustrated.
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
At the Singh residence
Everyone was done with dinner and were in their respective rooms. Abhay and Lakshya who were unable to sleep stepped out of their rooms and headed to the living room unexpectedly running into each other.
"What are you doing up so late?" Lakshya asked Abhay
"Could ask you the same" Abhay responded, "let me guess you're unable to sleep as well" Abhay figured
"As well? What's keeping you up?" Lakshya was intrigued
Abhay sighed and then went on to explain, "off late Srishti hasn't really been herself, ever since you called off your wedding she seems pretty depressed to the point where she's literally seeing a shrink now and if that wasn't enough a snake showed up at the campus today"
Lakshya began to feel a bit guilty and responsible for her mental state while at the same quite concerned with the sudden appearance of a snake before the professor.
"Are you sure about a snake showing up there? I mean what could they want from the professor?" Lakshya expressed his doubts
"To be honest, I am not since I didn't really see it myself but the professor wouldn't lie either, perhaps it was an ordinary snake given it didn't attack anyone" Abhay admitted
"Then why do you seem so restless" Lakshya asked him
"I'm not sure, I guess it's because of the preparations for the annual day, we're all stressed I guess" Abhay admitted who then asked his brother the reason keeping him awake.
"I have messed up everything" Lakshya answered leaving Abhay confused, "What do you mean?"
"I just did and now i'm not sure about how to deal with it" Lakshya went on, Abhay assumed he was overridden with guilt regarding Srishti's condition.
"Well what's done is done, there's no point in crying over spilt milk. Try to make it work out instead or make up for whatever that has been messed up" Abhay told him
"This seems easier said than done" Lakshya pointed
"Then just move on" Abhay advised
Lakshya sighed and thought to himself, "I would have moved on if it were that simple"
How could he move on when the cause of his inner turmoil keeps showing up before him every now and then moreover deep down he didn't really feel right about keeping his marriage a secret and somehow wanted to disclose this fact to his family since they deserved to know.
"You pretty much seem troubled about something" Abhay took notice of his brother's expression, "you know I told this to Srishti earlier today but I guess you need to hear it as well. If there's something bothering you it's better to just come clean and share it with others. Burdening yourself with it alone isn't going to help anyone" Abhay continued
Influenced by his brother's words Lakshya resolved to disclose about his marriage with Mahima to his family.
The next day
Mahima had just arrived with her team at the Singh's residence who were right outside the main entrance waiting to be let inside. The door was opened by one of the house staff members allowing them to enter however Mahima remained outside given she was deterred by the bilva leaves festoon that was hung right up the door frame now that she got her powers back.
Lakshya who was just passing by the room noticed her hesitating outside, "Why aren't you coming inside?" He asked her only to get ignored. Mahima then took out her phone and pretended to have received a call as she walked away, seeing that Lakshya assumed she didn't want to be disturbed so he let her be and headed to Anvay's study room.
"Ashlesha can you please turn off the surveillance system" Mahima requested through telepathy.
"It's done" Ashlesha responded following which Mahima then took a long stick that happened to be lying down nearby and used it to quickly pull down the festoon from one side as a result of which it was now left hanging at the side of the doorway making it easier for her to enter.
Once inside she runs into Shipra who was surprised to see her there, "What brings you here?" She asked Mahima
"Anvay ji asked me to arrange and organise tonight's party" Mahima answered
"You'd continue working for us even after all that happened?" Shipra questioned her to which Mahima replied, "I don't let my personal life get in the way of my profession, moreover its a commitment I've made already so I can't turn back now"
"I must say you're really strong. I'm quite impressed with your dedication" Shipra remarked
"Well I dont know what to say but I hope you like the arrangements for tonight" Mahima replied
Shipra then noticed the undone festoon and called the housestaff to complain about the same, "Why is that festoon dangling at the entrance?"
As she was reprimanding them Mahima interrupted Shipra, "It's just a festoon, why are you scolding them over something like that?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you but it's quite important for the well being of my family" Shipra told Mahima
"Okay, in that case shouldn't you get it changed? I mean it looks pretty old and withered" Mahima suggested
Shipra upon noticing the festoon agreed and asked the housestaff to replace it with a fresh one much to Mahima's delight who then excused herself to join her team while the former left to visit the temple.
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
At the campus
The day as it passed remained uneventful, Srishti was busy along with rest of the student council members who were busy having the auditorium decorated for the annual day function to be held in the coming two days.
"Did you call all the guests and confirm whether they can make it" the faculty head asked Srishti
"Yes ma'am, they're all confirmed" Sristi answered
"What about our chief guest, the home minister of this state?" They asked
"I called their office and they are confirmed as well ma'am" Srishti assured the faculty head
"Good work" the faculty head then headed back to the staff room after applauding Srishti who was then approached by Abhay.
"Excuse me" Abhay uttered stood right behind her
"You're done rehearsing already?" Srishti looked surprised
"No that isn't it" Abhay told her
"Okay then what brings you here?" Srishti gave him a confused look
"It's mom's birthday and she's invited your family" Abhay informed her
"Right" Srishti sounded pretty indifferent making Abhay doubt on whether she would attend it, "You're coming right?" asked Abhay
"Why? You think I wouldn't because of Lakshya? Well don't worry because it doesn't matter anymore" Srishti told him
"Okay... see you then" Abhay headed back on stage unaware of the fact that Nyra was observing them both while they were talking causing her to fume internally.
She then questioned Abhay regarding his conversation with Srishti, "Nothing just that I invited her for mom's birthday" Abhay answered
"Is it really necessary to have her around at your mom's party?" Nyra asked him
"Mom was the one who asked me to invite her, you could say it's her way of trying to make up to Srishti" Abhay told her
"How nice of her, she wants to keep her son's ex close to the family. I wonder why though when that girl isn't even worth it" Nyra complained
"Why are you cribbing over it though?" Abhay seemed annoyed
"Because I don't like her and I don't want her around you or talking to you" Nyra ranted
"I will talk to and be around whoever I want, if you don't like it then I guess we'd have to reconsider dating each other" Abhay asserted leaving Nyra quite shocked with his unexpected yet straightforward response.
"Fine, in that case I'm coming as well" Nyra told him
"What do you mean?" Abhay asked
"I'm joining you and your family tonight so you'll have to introduce me to them" Nyra told him
"But-" Abhay was cut off
"You can invite her but not me?" Nyra narrowed her eyes in an accusing manner
"That's not it, it just that I don't think it's the right occasion for that" Abhay told her
"It's her birthday plus it's a party so it's perfect for an introduction. So it's decided, see you in the evening" Nyra told Abhay.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Shipra returned home right after visiting the temple to find Mahima hanging a festoon at the entrance which she assumed was made of bilva leaves. Upon entering the house Shipra handed over the prayer plate to the house staff and headed towards the study room right when Anvay stepped out of the same.
"Why did you ask that girl to organise my birthday party?" Shipra asked as she approached him
"Why is something wrong" Anvay was surprised by her question
"No it's just that a lot has happened and we're partly responsible for whatever happened to her as well, so I kind of feel a bit uneasy about having her nearby" Shipra expressed her aversion to Mahima's presence.
"That isn't her fault, and if we are responsible then it's only right that we own it up. She is our corporate event organiser but after judging the work and sincere efforts she put into Lakshya's wedding I decided to sign her up for all our family events as well" Anvay informed her who was quite displeased with the same, "You should have at least discussed this with me before making the decision" Shipra complained
"Since when did I have to discuss work related decisions with you?" Anvay was taken back by Shipra's unexpected reaction
"This isn't work related, this is concerned with our family's well being" Shipra pointed
"How does it matter or is it that you don't trust my judgement?" Anvay asked her
"It's not that" Shipra told him
"Then what is it? is there something I should know?" apparently Shipra did not disclose or reveal about how Lakshya unintentionally became the reason for Mahima's loss of reputation as she wasn't sure of how everyone would have reacted on learning the same.
"No there isn't, it's just that I'm upset you didn't bother to ask me at all" Shipra told him
"Okay I'm sorry, I'll make sure to have a prior discussion regarding any matter with you the next time" Anvay apologized
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The Rai's were on their way to the Singh residence, Srishti who was in the backseat of the car along with Shreya seemed to be spacing out during the ride.
When they arrived at the Singh's mansion, everyone except for Srishti stepped out of the car, "Earth to Srishti, snap out of your trance" Shreya snapped her fingers right before Srishti to get her attention.
Srishti didn't react to it much and stepped out to join them as they headed inside however Smitha was bothered by Srishti's unusual behavior and wondered about what could have been troubling her child.
"Thanks for coming" Shipra greeted them to which Smitha responded with "Thanks for the invite"
When Smitha first received the invite her initial decision was to decline attending the party however Harsh insisted on doing so to avoid offending the Singh's.
Both the sisters stayed close to each other and Srishti too didn't really wish to be left by herself there as showing up already made her quite uncomfortable and awkward until Rani approached them.
"It's been a while since we've last met" Rani remarked
"Indeed" Shreya agreed "How are you holding up?"
Rani paused for a while as she held back her tears recalling the tragedy that befell her family a few days ago, "Just okay, I know what your thinking but to be honest I guess we need this to get passed it"
"But even then-" Srishti was cut off by Rani
"It's chachi's birthday and she shouldn't be deprived of having it celebrated because of us moreover like I said we can't keep grieving forever"
"Okay if that's how you truly feel then it's fine with me" Srishti told her
Elsewhere Mahima who was overseeing the arrangement took a minute to contact Ashlesha, "Where are you, it's begun come in now" she communicated via telepathy
"Were you looking for me?" a voice asked from the back prompting to turn around to find Lakshya
"Are you high?" Mahima seemed quite annoyed
"You told me to come in" he told her as he had a menacing grin on his face
"What are you talking about again? When did I tell you that?" She questioned him who then dragged her away by the wrist to a secluded hallway.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mahima glared at him which then softened as she saw him shapeshift into Ashlesha
"I didn't expect you to get in so quickly but why did you assume his identity? What if you got caught?" Mahima scolded Ashlesha
"I had too since that's the only way I can get close enough to that healer without raising any suspicions" Ashlesha explained
"Alright but just be careful of him" Mahima told Ashlesha who then handed her a necklace, "wear this, it will prevent the healer from detecting your energy and true identity"
"Thanks" Mahima then joined her team just minutes before which Nyra makes an entry into the hall and greets Shipra, "Happy Birthday Aunty" as she handed over a giftwrapped box, "Thank you but I didn't recognise you" Shipra told her while Abhay observed them both from a distance and immediately approached them, "Is she your guest?" Shipra turned to her son, "I'm his girlfriend, I guess he didn't tell you yet but that's okay since we finally get to meet today" Nyra answered on behalf of Abhay, "Is that true" She asked Abhay who then gave her a nod "I see then, I must say I'm really disappointed that you didn't tell me earlier" Shipra then welcomed Nyra and asked her to join everyone else. "See, I told you it was going to be just fine" however Abhay wasn't quite sure about that.
In the meanwhile Ashlesha who had assumed Lakshya's identity entered Adish's room and began to look for the gemstone which was used to bind and subjugate Vikram. Ashlesha probed the entire space but was unable to find it, "Where could he have placed it?" she wondered until the densely fish tank near the window caught her attention. "This is a guestroom and there's a fish tank here how odd" Ashlesha thought to herself who then walked towards it and opened the lid to probe through the tank as she ran her hand through the plants and decor until she felt a smooth hard object at the base of the tank inside a thick patch of aquaria. As she lifted the object she was pleased to see that it was indeed the gemstone, however right at that moment she heard footsteps outside and the door swung open. Adish entered the room and looked around as if he felt a presence inside although he couldn't find anyone there, he then immediately rushed to inspect the fish tank and to his relief the gem was still there which he then took out and placed the same in his pocket after wiping it with a spare cloth from the cupboard. It was at that moment he had an unnerving vision of Vikram escaping from his confinement as a result of which Adish decides to rush to his office while Ashlesha who hid behind the window curtain was frustrated over the fact that he took the gemstone along with him. She then immediately slithers out of the window and down the pipe as she assumed Lakshya's identity once again to intercept Adish who was just about to step out of the house. "Hey I was looking for you, Mom's about to cut the cake so please join us" She told him
"I'd love too but I need to rush to my office" Adish told Ashlesha who was impersonating Lakshya
"Did something happen?" she asked him
"I just had a vision of that serpent escaping from my office so I need go and ensure that the place is secured to prevent the same" Adish told her
"In that case I'll come with you as well" Ashlesha insisted
"You don't have to, it's your mother's birthday and she'd obviously want you around" Adish told her
"In that case let's go together once we're done with the cake cutting" Ashlesha told him
"But-" Adish tried to resist but was cut off by Ashlesha who talked him into joining everyone in the hall "We should be done with that in a while and leave right after that"
"alright then" Adish reluctantly agreed
Ashlesha then telepathically informed Mahima about the same and requested her to proceed with plan B.
It was then time for the cake cutting ceremony where the cake was brought in by the house staff into the main hall where everyone was gathered, just then the real Lakshya had stepped out of his room and was about to join his family as spotted by Mahima, "You need to leave, the real Lakshya is about to join in" she warned Ashlesha via telepathy.
"I'll be back in a minute" Ashlesha who was impersonating Lakshya excused herself to avoid getting caught as the real Lakshya then joined them for cake cutting.
The birthday song was played in the background as Shipra blew the candles and cut the cake following which all the guests were being served food and drinks by the staff.
"Let's go now" Adish told a clueless Lakshya who was pretty confused about Adish's sudden call to leave
"Go where?" Lakshya asked Adish who was then interrupted by the staff member serving drinks, "Sir drinks" he asked however Adish refused, the waiter then turned to offer the same to Lakshya who accepted it however one of the guests ended up pushing Lakshya from the back as a result of which the drink spilt onto Adish's kurta.
"I'm so sorry" they apologized
"It's okay don't worry about it" Adish told them as they left with a menacing grin on their face hinting it was Ashlesha impersonating another person.
"You should get changed" Lakshya told him
"I know" Adish then headed to his room and pulled out his suitcase to pick another Kurta which he changed into right away however while doing so he forgot to take the gem out from the soiled garment's pocket and just immediately rushed outside where he saw Lakshya and gestured him to hurry.
Once they got into Adish's car he inserted the ignition keys to turn on the engine which was then pulled out by Lakshya much to Adish's annoyance, "What are you doing? We need to get to my office" Adish complained
"Indeed but only I will be the one going there" Lakshya told him
"What do you mean?" Adish asked
"You're not going anywhere" Lakshya answered as his eyes began to glow much to Adish's shock who then began to dig into his pocket assuming the gem was in his possession, "Looking for this?" Lakshya held the gemstone right before Adish, "You forgot this while getting changed"
Adish then attempted to bind the serpent before him using some mantras only to get bit in a swift move making him lose consciousness allowing the serpent to assume it's true identity as Mahima. "Ashlesha, I've managed to stall him so you'll need to take over for me while I'm gone" Mahima requested
"Okay" Ashlesha answered following which she assumed Mahima's identity while inside the house managing the party allowing the latter to leave from the scene.
Back inside the house
Abhay who was being pestered by Nyra noticed Srishti along with her sister and Rani at the other corner of the hall. He thought of joining them but knowing Nyra's temperament and insecurities made him reconsider because of which he held himself back and continued to accompany Nyra.
Srishti then excused herself and headed outside for a brief stroll in the garden. Ashlesha who had assumed Mahima's identity observed everyone at the party and noticed Srishti's absence, "Where is that girl?" Ashlesha wondered out of concern given that if she were outside the house then it could risk her discovering an unconscious Adish out there and getting their plan exposed prompting the use of her divine sight to locate Srishti which then confirmed her apprehensions. Ashlesha gestured to one of her fellow serpents posing as the house staff to go after Srishti and keep her from running into Adish in the parking lot while Lakshya was actually on the look out for him owing to their last odd conversation.
"Where is he now and what was he going on about leaving right away?" Lakshya then wondered if Adish were already waiting out and headed to meet him there unaware that he was being monitored by Ashlesha and the serpents present at the party.
Nyra who held on to Abhay's arm requested him, "can we head outside, I don't feel so great in here "
"Are you feeling okay?" Abhay asked her
"I don't know, just feeling a bit stifled in here" Nyra complained
"Well...Okay" Abhay reluctantly agreed to her request and walked out of the house along with her. They walked around the garden which was illuminated by the stringed fairy lights wrapped around the trees and the hedge of well pruned garden shrubs.
"Are you feeling better now?" He asked Nyra
"Yeah" Nyra answered who was relieved to get away from the crowd inside. As they were walking they began to discuss about the annual day play the coming next day all the while being stalked by a serpent that saw them stop by a mango tree.
The serpent then slithered up the same tree towards its lower branches near the young couple creeping up close them as it prepared to sting them.
However just when it was about to strike them the two were pushed away from the tree, "WATCH OUT!" preventing them from getting bit.
It was Srishti who instinctively rushed towards them upon spotting the snake right above them during her excursion.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Did you just push us?" Nyra snapped at Srishti
"I'm sorry but I had to" Srishti apologized while pointing at the snake that was slithering down the tree causing Nyra to let out a scream. Once the serpent got away Srishti fainted on the spot and fell to the ground prompting Abhay to rush to her side who then began to panic upon noticing the punctured bite mark on her left arm.
"She's been bit, we need to get her medical help please go and inform her parents inside" Abhay requested Nyra, he then carried Srishti up and immediately rushed to the parking lot where he runs into his brother who grew worried the minute he saw them and asked "What happened?"
"She got bit by a snake" Abhay answered
"What?! How did that happen?" Lakshya seemed pretty shocked upon hearing what happened
"The snake was going to bite me but she intervened by pushing me aside on time and got bit herself in the process" Abhay revealed
It then occurred to Lakshya that perhaps this could have been a conspiracy of some sort and wondered if it was connected to Adish's erratic call to head out.
"Take her to the hospital immediately" Lakshya directed Abhay
"What about you? Aren't you coming with us?" Abhay expected his brother to accompany him however to his sheer disappointment Lakshya refused, "I think we're in some kind of deep trouble and Adish is the only one who could help clarify what's happening"
"You know Srishti literally risked herself to protect me i.e. your brother, the least you could do is just be there for her as a friend" Abhay pointed
"For that I will always be grateful to her but right now i need to ensure everyone's safety" Lakshya told him
"Isn't Adish here for that?" Abhay asked
"That's the thing, I can't reach him. I've been waiting here for him since he apparently wanted to urgently to somewhere" Lakshya answered and suggested that Abhay leaves for the hospital without him, "Fine, but help me get her into the jeep" Abhay agreed
"Sure" Lakshya accompanied Abhay to his vehicle and helped him get Srishti on the passenger's seat behind once done he stepped away from the vehicle and turned around upon which his eyes grew wide when he noticed Adish's car prompting him to approach the same. Lakshya grew anxious at the sight of him being unconcious as he began to knock at the window incessantly.
He then picked up a rock lying on the ground nearby and shattered the window glass from the passengers side allowing himself to unlock the door and get inside.
"Wake up" Lakshya attenpted to bring Adish back to conciousness.
"Abhay get me some water" Lakshya called out to him who then immediately picked a bottle that was lying on the passenger's seat and handed over the same to his brother.
Lakshya sprinkled the same on Adish, "we need to get to my office.....or else he'd escape....his partner attacked me" he uttered in a daze under the influence of Mahima's venom.
"Are you okay? If they've attacked you that means.." Lakshya asked
"Don't worry, the venom seems to be surprisingly mild yet intoxicating" Adish assured "Please hurry or he may escape"
Pertubed by the warning Lakshya prepared to leave as he switched places with Adish.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Mahima slithered her way through the front yard of Adish's residence till she managed to get inside his house from the narrow gap below the main entrance door.
She then headed to the room where Vikram was confined and slithered her way inside. Mahima was overwhelmed by the sight of him lying on the floor seemingly very weak and exhausted.
She immediately assumed her human avatar and rushed to his side as she tried to help him get back up.
"Mahima is that you?" Vikram who was in a semi conscious state asked with his eyes slightly open.
"Who else would it be? Just look at you right now, I can't even imagine what you've endured all this while" Mahima teared up at his deteriorated condition. She then went up close to his head and bit him injecting her venom into his bloodstream with the objective of healing Vikram.
"I see you've got your powers back" Vikram smiled at her seemingly overjoyed to learn about it, "Yes I did, and I'll make sure to use them to get you out of this place" Mahima told him
"How did you manage to get past the barrier?" Vikram was curious
"It's because the healer isn't in possession of the gemstone at the moment" Mahima answered
"Then?" Vikram who was recovering asked
"I'll tell you later but we need to get out of this place right away" She then helped him get up but before she could turn around to leave they were interrupted by Adish who opened the door and stood in their way.
"Leaving so soon, I see your partner is indeed here to rescue you" Adish turned to Mahima, "turn around and return my gem" he demanded however Mahima ignored him
Infuriated by her audacity he then marched to face her however the lights went out at that very moment surrounding them all in pitch black darkness making it possible for Mahima to avoid having her identity as a shapeshifting serpent get exposed due to the negligible visibility while giving them both the opportunity to shapeshift back into serpents and slither away from the scene.
Adish then headed outside where he had asked Lakshya to wait. "What happened?" Lakshya questioned Adish
"It's just as I feared, his partner managed to set him free" Adish answered and immediately began to chase after them followed by Lakshya.
As the serpent couple managed to get away from their pursuers, Vikram stopped midway and assumed his human form prompting Mahima to follow the same.
"Why did you stop?" She asked him
"I think we should split up, that would help in confusing them and prevent them from getting us both at the same time" Vikram suggested
"That healer isn't the only one pursuing us" Mahima reminded him
"I know but it's not like that human can actually take any of us on by himself either" he told her, though he did have a point Mahima was quite apprehensive about the same.
"But-" Mahima tried to object however Vikram didn't pay heed, "we need to split up now before they get any closer. We'll meet at the forest shrine later once they lose us"
Mahima reluctantly agreed to him as they reverted back into serpents and headed away in different directions with Mahima managing to reach the shrine where she agreed to wait for Vikram.
Vikram on the other hand was ambushed by a group of snake charmers playing the been who arrived there at the request of Adish to assist him in preventing Vikram's escape.
The loud sound of the been not only tormented Vikram but even managed to get Mahima's attention who could hear the same while she was still far away waiting at the shrine making her realise the reason why Vikram hadn't showed up yet as planned earlier. Soon she found herself getting swayed by the music as a result of which she reverted back into her serpent form and began to move in it's direction.
Adish arrived at the scene along with Lakshya where snake charmers had successfully managed to subjugate Vikram.
"I see your partner isn't here right now but don't worry they will join you too pretty soon since it's most likely they aren't very far" Adish taunted Vikram who then gave him an eerie smirk
"You think you've won? Think again! You'll never be able to catch us" Vikram's body then began to glow bright with a bright yellow hue which then began to change into a dark orange shade much to Adish's horror who immediately asked everyone to get away from the serpent however the snake charmers were unable to follow him owing to the loud sound of the been.
"Everyone get away now" Adish cried out
"What's the reason?" Lakshya was confused by Adish's sudden outburst
"I am not sure but I can sense that we're all in danger and need to get away from him right away" Adish told him and continued to warn the snake charmers.
Mahima who was nearby resisted going any further and shapeshifted into her human self allowing her to observe Vikram being surrounded by the snake charmers from a distance where she stood and was horrified when she noticed him glowing "No, this can't be happening" her heart begin to sink
"Everyone get away from this place right now" Adish immediately fled from the scene along with Lakshya however the snake charmers didn't hear him and continued to remain there as they played the been. A moment later Vikram's body exploded as a result of which the snake charmers who were around him ended up dying along with him.
"NOOOoooo" Mahima wailed as she dropped down to the ground on helplessly witnessing the same.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
To be continued...
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Bloodmoon @Bloodmoon
+ 2
2 years ago
Thanks for the update... The end made me waiting for the next part ❣️