Deewaniyat ~ A Jeenat Five-Shot [Completed]

Author's Note: Based on the Prompt by @Indulekha00 in Submit Writing Prompt Thread who requested for writing: A prompt for the mysterious lovers

The lovers are cursed, the way to unbreak it is next to impossible. But they make it happen.

The curse, reason for it and the remedy, I leave to the writer's imagination.

The prompt is inspired from the movie 'Lady Hawk'. Here the lovers are cursed that the guy will turn into wolf at night and the girl into hawk in the morning. They keep each other's company but never in human form. 'Always together but eternally apart'. Here is a clip to inspire you

https://youtu.be/1ODVyWqW4ps

Introduction:

Jeet and Mannat's love is bound by an ancient curse, keeping them apart in a way no lovers should be. As fate tests them, they embark on a perilous journey to defy destiny. With time against them and dangers lurking, they must fight for love before it's lost forever.

Chapter 1

Shadows of the Past

The wind howled through the ancient ruins, carrying whispers of a tragedy long forgotten by time but never erased from fate. Beneath the blood-red sky of a waning moon, a sorrowful figure stood on the crumbling edge of an old fortress, her fragile form illuminated by the flickering torchlight.

Anjali Chaudhary’s heart had been shattered beyond repair.

"Yogesh… why?" she whispered, the name of the man she had once loved trembling on her lips. But the only answer she received was the cold silence of the night.

He had promised her forever, spoken of love with words dipped in honey, only to tear her apart for another woman—Kashvi. Anjali had begged, pleaded for an explanation, but Yogesh had simply turned away, leaving her with nothing but the weight of her own insignificance.

Tears streaming down her face, she stepped forward, her feet grazing the edge of the cliff. And then, with one last breath, she let go.

The sound of her fall echoed through the valley below, silencing the night.

In that moment, as if the heavens themselves had wept, Rajswaroop Chaudhary arrived, only to find his beloved daughter lifeless. His hands trembled as he held her broken body, grief morphing into something darker—something vengeful.

He stood, lifting his gaze to the cursed moon, and with a voice that cut through the night like a blade, he swore:

"From this moment forth, the Malik bloodline shall suffer for what they have done. If ever a Malik dares to love a Chaudhary, fate will strike them down before they can unite. Their love shall be cursed, their bodies kept apart by death itself!"

The curse was spoken. And fate listened.

Present Day: Two Strangers, One Fate

Jeet Chaudhary never believed in love.

Not the poetic kind, not the destined kind, and certainly not the kind that could change lives. For him, love was fleeting, temporary—something people whispered about but never truly understood.

Mannat Malik, on the other hand, had always imagined love as something fierce and unbreakable. She had never been one for arranged matches or family expectations. If she ever fell in love, it would be on her terms.

Neither of them knew that fate had already written their story.

The first time Jeet and Mannat met, it was anything but romantic.

College was meant to be a fresh start, but their meeting was a clash of fire and thunder.

Jeet had been playing basketball with his friends, sweat glistening on his forehead, when the ball—thrown too hard—slammed straight into Mannat’s coffee cup.

The scorching liquid spilled down her white shirt, leaving behind an angry stain.

"What the hell?" she snapped, turning to glare at the offender.

Jeet smirked, unfazed. "Not my fault you were standing in the way, princess."

Mannat’s eyes flared. "Princess? Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize this court belonged to your royal highness."

His smirk deepened. "Now you know."

From that moment on, they were rivals.

Their clashes were legendary.

During a debate competition, Jeet had smirked at her across the stage and said, “You argue well, Malik. Too bad you’re always wrong.”

Mannat had shot back with a cold smile. “Coming from someone who thinks arrogance is a personality trait, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The audience had erupted in laughter, but Jeet had simply grinned.

Mannat infuriated him. She was passionate, fearless, and had a mind as sharp as a blade. She was the only person who could go toe-to-toe with him, who didn’t melt under his charm. And yet, as much as they fought, he couldn’t help but admire her.

Mannat, too, found herself noticing things about Jeet she wished she hadn’t. He wasn’t just the confident, cocky guy everyone saw—there was something deeper beneath the surface. She hated to admit it, but despite their constant arguments, she found herself drawn to him.

The change was subtle at first.

The stolen glances. The lingering moments after every argument. The way their fights started to feel less like battles and more like an unspoken dance.

And then, one evening, everything changed.

The Moment That Changed Everything

It had been raining heavily, the sky painted in hues of gray, when Jeet found Mannat sitting alone in the college library. She looked different—tired, lost in thought.

For the first time, he didn’t tease her. He simply sat down beside her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Mannat looked up, surprised by the softness in his voice. She hesitated, but then sighed. “Nothing that concerns you.”

But Jeet didn’t leave.

He just sat there, silent, waiting.

And before she knew it, the words spilled out. The pressure of expectations. The weight of her family’s name. The loneliness of standing strong all the time.

Jeet listened.

And when she was done, instead of mocking her like she expected, he simply said, “You don’t have to carry it all alone, you know.”

Something in that moment shifted.

From that night on, their rivalry softened into something else. Something neither of them had the courage to name.

Jeet found himself seeking her out—not to fight, but simply to be around her.

Mannat, too, started to notice things about him she had ignored before. The way he ran his fingers through his hair when he was frustrated. The way he always stood up for the underdog, even if it meant going against his own friends.

They weren’t enemies anymore.

But they weren’t lovers either.

Not yet.

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To be continued.

Chapter 2

The Night of Realization

It was a college bonfire party. The music was loud, the laughter infectious. But Jeet’s eyes were fixed on one person.

Mannat.

She stood near the fire, laughing at something her friend said, the golden glow illuminating her face. Jeet had never seen her like this—unguarded, free. He realized then that he was no longer fighting against her.

He was falling for her.

And when her eyes met his across the fire, he knew she felt it too.

That night, they didn’t argue. They didn’t fight. They simply walked together, away from the crowd, down towards the empty college library.

"What are we doing, Jeet?" Mannat asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jeet hesitated. He knew what he wanted to say. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t care about their families, about anything that stood in their way.

But instead, he cupped her face, letting his fingers trace the curve of her jaw.

"Something we should have done a long time ago."

Mannat’s breath hitched. She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. And then, she kissed him.

It started soft, hesitant—like they were afraid of what it meant. But then it deepened, their bodies pressing together as years of denial melted away.

Desire ignited between them, and before they knew it, their hands explored each other, breaths uneven, hearts racing.

Then, just as their bodies were about to unite—

A violent gust of wind tore through the library.

The lights flickered, shadows stretched unnaturally across the walls. And then—Mannat gasped in pain, clutching her chest as if something invisible was choking her.

Jeet’s eyes widened in horror.

"Mannat? What’s wrong?"

She staggered back, her skin turning deathly pale. A dark bruise was forming on her collarbone—a mark appearing out of nowhere.

"Jeet… I can’t breathe!" she choked out.

Then, in an instant, she collapsed.

Jeet barely caught her before she hit the ground, his heart pounding in terror. His screams echoed in the dimly lit library as he held Mannat in his arms. Her body was convulsing, her breathing ragged, as if some unseen force was tearing her apart from the inside.

"Mannat! Wake up!" he pleaded, shaking him desperately. But her eyes fluttered shut, her face pale.

The wind howled outside, rattling the windows, and the air around them crackled with an eerie energy. The whisper returned—haunting, merciless.

"Love shall be their death."

Jeet’s heart pounded in terror. He didn’t know what was happening, but he knew one thing—Mannat was slipping away.

And then—the door burst open.

Jaideep Chaudhary and Ranvijay Malik stormed in, their faces pale with a mix of fear and urgency. Behind them, Jeet’s grandmother and Mannat’s mother rushed in as well, their expressions grim.

Ranvijay knelt beside Mannat, pressing his hands against his daughter’s chest, murmuring something under his breath. A wave of warmth spread through Mannat’s body, and slowly—her breathing steadied.

Jeet looked up at Ranvijay with wide, tear-filled eyes. "What is happening to her?"

Ranvijay swallowed hard, glancing at Jaideep. For the first time in years, the two men—who had always stayed away from each other—stood side by side, bound by an unspoken understanding.

"They don’t know," Ranvijay muttered.

Jaideep nodded solemnly. "It’s time they learned the truth."

The Curse Unveiled

Mannat sat up weakly, her forehead covered in sweat. She was still disoriented, but the pain was gone.

Jeet clutched her hand tightly as they both turned toward their families.

"What the hell was that?" Mannat asked, her voice hoarse.

Jeet's grandmother sighed heavily, her eyes filled with sorrow. "It was the curse."

Mannat frowned. "Curse?"

Ranvijay exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair before finally speaking. "Decades ago, long before either of you were born, our families were once connected by an engagement."

Jaideep’s jaw tightened. "My great grand-aunt, Anjali, was engaged to your great grandfather, Yogesh. But..."

Mannat gasped, her grip on Jeet tightening.

"What? But—"

"But he loved someone else," Ranvijay admitted, his voice heavy with guilt. "He loved Kashvi. And because of that love, he broke off the engagement."

Jaideep’s expression darkened. "And Anjali… she couldn’t bear it. She took her own life in despair."

A thick silence filled the room, the weight of their words sinking in.

Then, Jaideep’s mother spoke, her voice almost a whisper. "Her father, Rajswaroop Chaudhary, was consumed by grief. He cursed our bloodlines that night."

Ranvijay nodded, his eyes meeting Mannat’s. "He swore that if a Malik and a Chaudhary ever fell in love again, if they ever tried to become one… one of them would die."

Mannat and Jeet stared at them in stunned silence.

"This is insane," Jeet finally said.

"You’re saying that just because of some old curse, we… we can’t be together?" Mannat’s voice broke.

Jaideep sighed. "The curse is real. You just saw what happened tonight."

Ranvijay looked directly at his daughter, pain etched across his face. "You must end this, Mannat. You have no choice."

Mannat stood abruptly. "No."

Ranvijay’s eyes widened. "Mannat—"

"No," she repeated, shaking her head. "You don’t get to tell me who to love. I love Jeet, and I will not walk away from him because of some ancient grudge!"

Jeet stood beside her, his eyes burning with determination. "Neither will I."

Jaideep stepped forward, his face unreadable. "Jeet, you don’t understand. This curse—it cannot be broken. Many have tried, and all have failed."

"Then we will find a way," Jeet said firmly.

Jaideep clenched his jaw. "Even if there was a way, it would be next to impossible."

Ranvijay’s expression softened, a hint of fear in his eyes. "And if you fail… one of you will die."

Mannat turned to Jeet.

And in that moment, without speaking, they made their decision.

They would not accept this fate.

They would fight.

No matter the cost.

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To be continued.

chapter 1

We already have a twist in the tale. The Malik line is born as woman, not a man.

Did the father realize what he did? He didn't just punish one family, he punished two. His own line will suffer too.

chapter 2

The curse comes to life again. The families are no longer fighting each other though. Can the fight the curse together?

Chapter 3

The Impossible Task

"You said people have tried to break the curse before," Jeet said. "How?"

Jaideep and Ranvijay exchanged a look before Jeet's grandmother finally spoke.

"There is only one way."

Mannat's heart pounded. "Tell us."

"The only way to break the curse is to unite as one on the night of a lunar eclipse... at the exact place where Anjali took her life."

Jeet frowned. "That's it? That's all we have to do?"

Jaideep shook his head. "No. The curse will resist you. The moment you step onto that land, you will face unimaginable obstacles. Shadows will rise. The spirits of the past will try to stop you. And if you fail to complete the ritual before the eclipse ends..."

Ranvijay finished the sentence. "One of you will die instantly."

A heavy silence followed.

But then, Mannat squared her shoulders.

"Then we will make it happen."

Jeet smirked slightly, despite everything. "It wouldn't be the first time we've done the impossible."

Ranvijay clenched his fists. "You don't understand. This is not a game. You are going up against forces beyond our understanding."

Mannat met her father's gaze. "I don't care."

Jaideep sighed, running a hand over his face. He looked at Jeet, his son—the boy who had always been stubborn, just like his mother.

"You truly love her?" Jaideep asked softly.

Jeet didn't hesitate. "With everything in me."

Jaideep closed his eyes, exhaling sharply.

"Then God help you both."

Because they were about to face a battle no one had ever won.

The Path of Shadows

The weight of Jaideep's words settled over the room like a storm cloud. Jeet and Mannat exchanged a glance, their fingers instinctively reaching for each other's hands.

Ranvijay exhaled sharply. "If you're truly going through with this, you need to be prepared. No one who has tried before has lived to tell the tale."

Mannat lifted her chin. "Then we'll be the first."

Jaideep studied his son carefully. "You're going to need help. There's a priest—Pandit Vishram. He knows more about the curse than anyone. He lives deep in the old forest."

Jeet nodded. "Then we leave tonight."

The Priest's Warning

The old temple sat hidden among twisted trees, vines crawling over its stone walls. As Jeet and Mannat stepped inside, they found Pandit Vishram kneeling before a dimly lit altar, deep in prayer. His frail form seemed untouched by time, but the moment he turned, his eyes burned with ancient knowledge.

"I knew you would come." His voice was low, reverberating through the temple walls.

Mannat stepped forward. "You know about the curse?"

The priest gave a solemn nod. "I know that many before you have died trying to break it."

Jeet's jaw tightened. "Then tell us how to survive."

Vishram gestured for them to sit. "The ritual must be completed at the place of Anjali's death. But the spirits that guard the curse are bound to protect it. They will use your greatest fears against you. They will lure you into traps, twist your mind, turn you against each other."

Mannat swallowed hard. "How do we fight them?"

The priest's gaze sharpened. "With your love."

Silence stretched between them.

"The curse was born from heartbreak, from betrayal. The only thing that can unmake it is love strong enough to defy death itself." Vishram's voice lowered to a whisper. "But if either of you hesitates—if even for a second you doubt each other—the shadows will consume you."

Jeet and Mannat exchanged a glance. There was no hesitation in their eyes.

"We won't fail," Jeet said firmly.

The priest studied them before finally nodding. "Then take this."

He placed a small vial of something dark red into Jeet's hand.

"Blood from the altar where Anjali last prayed. It will help guide you through the darkness."

Mannat hesitated. "And if we don't make it before the eclipse ends?"

Vishram's expression darkened. "Then one of you will die instantly."

A chill ran down Mannat's spine. But Jeet only tightened his grip on her hand.

"We won't let that happen."

And with that, their journey to break the unbreakable curse began.

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To be continued.

Chapter 4

Into the Heart of Darkness

The ruins of Anjali's final night lay deep within the Chaudhary estate, abandoned for decades. Twisted vines crawled over crumbling walls, and the air smelled of damp earth and something ancient. It was said that no one who entered the ruins at night ever came back.

Yet, here they were.

The moon was beginning to shift, inching closer to the blood-red eclipse.

Jeet held Mannat's hand as they stood at the edge of the ruins. Behind them, the flickering lanterns of the estate glowed like distant stars, but ahead—only darkness.

"Are you ready?" Jeet whispered.

Mannat exhaled slowly. "As long as you're with me."

Without another word, they stepped forward.

The moment their feet touched the ruins, a gust of icy wind roared through the air. The temperature dropped instantly, and the shadows seemed to lengthen, twisting unnaturally.

Then—the whispers began.

"Go back..."

"This is not your place."

"You will fail like the rest."

Mannat shuddered, but Jeet squeezed her hand. "Ignore them."

They pushed forward. The moon was darkening, time slipping away.

But then, the air around them shifted.

And suddenly—they were not alone.

The Spirits of the Past

The ruins came to life with flickering figures, ghostly silhouettes watching them with hollow, haunted eyes. Some were dressed in royal attire, others in wedding clothes—past lovers, torn apart by the curse.

And then, one figure stepped forward.

Anjali.

Her pale face was streaked with sorrow, her voice an echo of the past.

"You cannot break what is bound by blood."

Jeet squared his shoulders. "We will."

Anjali's eyes darkened. "Then prove your love... or die like the others."

The ground shook violently, and suddenly—Jeet and Mannat were separated.

Jeet's Nightmare

Jeet stumbled backward, his vision blurring. When he looked up, he was no longer in the ruins.

He was standing in his home—but everything was wrong.

His father, Jaideep, was there, along with Mannat—only she wasn't looking at Jeet. She was smiling at Rudra.

Jeet's breath hitched. "Mannat?"

She turned, but her eyes were cold. "I never loved you, Jeet."

Pain lashed through his chest.

"You were never enough," Mannat's voice was sharp, cruel. "Did you really think love could break a centuries-old curse? You're weak, Jeet. And I don't want you."

His heart shattered.

And for a moment—just one moment—he believed it.

A shadow lunged for him.

But then—

"Jeet!"

Mannat's voice cut through the illusion like a blade.

Reality snapped back. The nightmare dissolved, and Jeet found himself back in the ruins.

Mannat was running toward him, tears in her eyes.

"It wasn't real," she whispered, gripping his face. "I love you. Don't let them break you."

Jeet swallowed hard. "They almost did."

"But they didn't," Mannat said fiercely.

Jeet took a breath, strength returning. He cupped her face. "I love you, Mannat. No matter what they show me, nothing will change that."

A scream of rage echoed through the ruins.

The spirits recoiled.

"Then face the final trial." Anjali's voice was filled with fury. "Unite as one before the eclipse ends... if you dare."

The moon was almost fully covered.

It was time.

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To be continued.

Chapter 5

The Final Trial

The ruins trembled beneath their feet as Anjali's spirit retreated into the shadows, leaving Jeet and Mannat in eerie silence. The blood moon loomed above them, almost fully eclipsed. Time was slipping away.

Just as they took a step forward, a slow, mocking clap echoed through the ruins.

"How romantic," a voice sneered.

Jeet and Mannat spun around.

Rudra.

He stood at the edge of the ruins, his face half-lit by the moonlight, his obsessive gaze fixed on Mannat. His eyes, filled with an unsettling hunger, trailed over her form.

"Did you really think I would let this happen?" he asked, tilting his head.

Mannat stiffened. "Rudra, leave."

He chuckled darkly. "You were supposed to be mine, Mannat. You were never meant for him."

Jeet stepped in front of her, fists clenched. "Stay the hell away from her."

Rudra sighed, as if disappointed. "You don't get it, do you?" His eyes darkened. "If I can't have her, no one can."

And before Jeet could react—Rudra lunged forward, a dagger gleaming in his hand.

A Race Against Time

Jeet barely managed to dodge the first strike. The blade sliced through the air, missing his throat by inches. He twisted, grabbing Rudra's wrist, but Rudra fought like a man possessed.

"You ruined everything!" Rudra snarled, forcing Jeet backward.

Mannat tried to intervene, but Rudra shoved her away, sending her stumbling onto the cold stone ground.

Jeet's vision blurred with rage.

He lunged at Rudra, punching him square in the jaw. Rudra staggered back, but before Jeet could press forward—

A scream tore through the night.

Mannat's scream.

Jeet whipped around—just in time to see Rudra gripping Mannat's wrist, pulling her toward the ruins' edge.

"If you go through with this," Rudra whispered into her ear, "you will die, Mannat. The curse will take you. Why risk everything for a love that is doomed?"

Mannat ripped herself free. Her eyes burned with defiance.

"Because I love Jeet."

Rudra's expression twisted with fury. He raised his dagger—

Jeet moved on instinct.

With a roar, he tackled Rudra, sending them both crashing onto the stone floor. The dagger skidded away, landing near the ruins' edge.

Jeet pinned Rudra down, rage surging through his veins. "This ends now."

Rudra sneered. "You'll never make it in time."

Jeet's eyes flicked to the sky. The eclipse was seconds away from completion.

"Mannat, go!" he shouted.

Mannat hesitated, looking between Jeet and Rudra.

"Now!" Jeet roared.

Mannat turned and ran toward the sacred altar—the place where Anjali had taken her last breath.

Rudra, realizing what was happening, let out a furious scream.

He swung his fist, catching Jeet across the face. Pain exploded in Jeet's skull, but he refused to let go.

Mannat reached the altar just as the blood moon fully eclipsed.

A powerful gust of wind tore through the ruins. The spirits screamed.

The air around them crackled with energy.

Jeet knew—this was the moment.

Summoning all his strength, he slammed Rudra's head against the stone floor. Rudra went limp.

Without a second thought, Jeet sprinted toward Mannat.

The wind howled, the ruins shaking violently. The spirits of the past swirled around them, trying to stop them.

But Jeet grabbed Mannat's face, looking into her eyes.

"No more running."

Mannat nodded, tears brimming.

The Breaking of the Curse

The moon hung heavy in the sky, its crimson glow bathing the ruins in an otherworldly light. The curse had fought them, tried to break them apart—but love had prevailed.

Now, there was only them.

Jeet cupped Mannat's face, his thumb brushing over her trembling lips. "Are you sure?" he whispered.

Mannat's gaze held no hesitation. Only love. Only longing.

"I've never been more sure of anything."

And then—he kissed her.

It was slow at first, tender, filled with the weight of everything they had endured. But as her fingers tangled in his hair, as their bodies pressed closer, the fire between them ignited.

A soft sigh escaped Mannat's lips as Jeet's hands traced the delicate curve of her waist, pulling her against him, molding her body to his. The heat between them was electric, searing away the last remnants of the curse.

The wind howled outside the ruins, as if the spirits raged against their defiance. But Jeet and Mannat didn't stop.

They shed the weight of centuries along with their fears, their barriers, their clothes.

Lying beneath the open sky, Mannat shivered—not from the cold, but from the way Jeet's fingertips skimmed over her skin, his touch reverent, worshipping.

"You are mine," he murmured against her throat, his lips blazing a trail down her body.

Mannat arched into him, pleading for more. "And you are mine."

Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, souls intertwining, becoming one. Every kiss, every touch was an unspoken vow—a promise that no force, no past, no curse would ever separate them again.

And as they reached the height of their love, as they shattered together beneath the eclipse, the land trembled.

The curse screamed one last time—before breaking apart into nothing.

Silence.

Then—peace.

The air was different. Lighter. Freer.

Jeet and Mannat lay in each other's arms, breathing as one.

The past was over. The darkness was gone.

And their love had finally won.

A Celestial Sign of Destiny

As Jeet and Mannat lay entwined, their bodies still humming from the fire they had ignited, the red glow of the eclipse began to fade.

The sky, once bathed in the blood moon's ominous hue, shifted.

A streak of silver light pierced through the darkness.

Mannat, still wrapped in Jeet's embrace, opened her eyes just as a star shot across the heavens, illuminating the ruins. The once-ominous shadows that had lingered for centuries vanished, dissolving into the night.

And then—the wind changed.

It was no longer cold. No longer haunting.

It was warm. Gentle. Like a whisper of blessing.

Jeet exhaled, his fingers tracing soft patterns on Mannat's bare shoulder. "Do you feel it?" he murmured.

Mannat nodded against his chest. "The curse... it's really gone."

From the distance, an ethereal voice—soft, almost like a sigh—carried through the air.

"Be free."

Mannat stilled. "Did you hear that?"

Jeet pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I think it was her."

Mannat looked up at him, realization dawning in her eyes. "Anjali."

As if to confirm it, a final gust of wind rustled through the trees—light, peaceful, carrying the scent of jasmine. The scent of a woman who had once lost everything... but was now, finally, at peace.

Jeet smiled, pulling Mannat closer. "She let us go."

Mannat closed her eyes, pressing a soft kiss to his chest. "And now... we can truly begin."

Above them, the sky was reborn.

Where there had once been a cursed blood moon, now a golden full moon shone brightly, bathing them in light.

A sign from the heavens.

That their love, their Deewaniyat, was now—eternal.

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The End.