Riddhima bit her lip in indecision, wondering if she should…Could she…go in again? The thought of fumbling around in the dark mansion scared her. Vansh in his new form scared her. But the thought of walking away and letting him die without defeating Kabir… She certainly knew she couldn’t do that and live with herself. If anyone was innocent in this tale, it was him and he deserved much better than wasting away alone.
Her mind made, she pushed at the door. But it didn’t budge. She pushed it harder in shock. He couldn’t have…Oh my God, he had locked her out! That stubborn little…She kicked it in frustration. What was she going to do now?
She prowled outside, shuddering as the creepy garden began trying to intimidate her again. A shrieking wind whipped past her, tousling her hair. The minute she turned, sneaky vines tried to trip her. She was running out of time. Rudra would be here any minute and she didn’t want him entangled in dangerous magical stuff anymore.
She walked past dust covered windows, wondering if there were any she could break and enter from. The things she had to do for obstinate ghosts…
A wicked thought came to her, making her grin. Oh my God, this was brilliant! In his haste to run away, Vansh had forgotten to unlink himself from her. She wondered if he had completed that task yet. It was a weak bond without any direct partaking of her blood by him, but still…She touched the pendant at her neck. He had charmed it earlier to enhance their blood bond, so that they could switch places if she was in danger. Perhaps, the magic was strong enough for what she intended to do…It just had to be.
Closing her eyes, Riddhima thought of him, a light blush gracing her cheeks. She could still feel the imprint of his lips on hers. The aching hunger in his scorching kiss… In a flash, the darkness pulled her in. She gasped as her body lurch inwards. In the next moment, she was flat on her stomach right on top of the glass shards on the top floor. Fucking hell, she groaned. Trust my luck for ghost boy to be standing right here when we switched! Couldn’t he be roaming a nice spot somewhere else for a change?
It was pitch dark inside the mansion now. She heaved in deep breaths, moving carefully to avoid cuts. Her chin bled from having knocked against the glass covered floor. The rest of her body seemed unhurt, largely due to her clothing. But her palms had borne the brunt yet again. She hissed in pain, getting to her feet slowly.
“I’m going to kill you,” a familiar voice growled right behind her, making her shriek.
She pivoted sharply. Her foot slipped on the glass shards, sending her flailing. Closing her eyes tightly, she braced to hit the ground again. Strong hands caught her in an instant; Vansh’s scent enveloping her like a comforting blanket. He pulled her upright roughly, setting her safely by the railing.
Riddhima heard him snap his fingers twice. The mansion lit up in soft lights. She shielded her eyes, the sudden illumination hurting after the darkness. The dim bulbs cast a warm glow in the otherwise dreary setting, even as they added to the haunting feel of Vansh’s home. She glanced around apprehensively. The shadows seemed more pronounced, the dark corners more threatening.
“Thank you,” she whispered, looking back at him. “I-” Her words of gratitude shriveled up in her throat at his thunderous expression. His face was contorted in fury, waves of his rage touching her skin like an entity of its own. Uh oh. She stepped back out of self-preservation. Vansh was seething. She shouldn’t have used his own magic to teleport him outside in place of her. But what option had the stubborn man left her?
“When I get my hands on you, Riddhima Sharma,” he spoke slowly, enunciating each word clearly. His hands shook with anger. “I’m going to throw you in the middle of the coldest bloody lake in this area. And when you rise gasping for air, I am going to dunk you again and again…” He stepped forward menacingly. “…till you learn not to defy monsters like me.”
“You are not a monster.” She gulped, standing her ground. “You never were. I saw you…when you were a child. With your mother. You were the sweetest thing…” Surprise crossed his features, followed by pain. “It-it was your birthday. Your grandmother had baked your favourite cake. But you were so determined to help me…You said a Raisingheenia always keeps his word.” He turned away, gripping the railing.
Riddhima gave a soft laugh, remembering the cherubic little face in her visions. “I know it was a dream, Vansh. But that is you deep within– sweet, pure and selfless. I’m with you of my own free will. You may have bound me when we met, but this decision to help you…to be with you… is mine. And you aren’t selfish. It was you who spelled this pendant to protect me, even at the cost of your safety. You broke our blood tie when I was in danger. I mean, surely, selfish people don’t think of others’ well-being, do they?”
His shoulders stiffened suddenly. “I don’t understand…” he shook his head, drumming his hand against the railing. “How is this possible…”
“What? What don’t you understand? Tell me, Vansh.” She inched closer towards him, taking his hand in hers.
His head snapped to look at her. “I remember you,” he spoke hoarsely, sounding utterly confused. “How the fuck do I remember you? You weren’t there.”
“Vansh-“
He caught her shoulders, staring into her eyes wildly. “What sorcery is this? How are you in my childhood memories, Ritthima? You were never there before. I was a child, and you were you…I found you near the forest… I don’t understand…” She gaped in shock. He remembered her?
“I remember this day…” he continued, pain warping his features. “It was my birthday. My mother took me to our farm as a special treat. It…it was the last time I heard her laugh so freely. We went home, celebrated my birthday with our small family. She crooned me a beautiful lullaby that night, putting me to bed like always. When I woke up in the middle of the night, my parents were fighting. My mother was weeping, and my father was yelling the house down. It was the day she came to know about his first love and their child Kabir…My step brother.”
He gave her a little shake absentmindedly. “How do I remember finding you in the field? I have relived this day hundreds of thousands of times. It’s a part of my nightmares. And you…you were never there before. What are you playing at, little girl?” The last words were rough, like he was suspicious of her.
Riddhima pushed at him, thoroughly nettled. “What could I be playing at, you fool?” she snapped. “You are the one with years of experience in this voodoo world. You tell me how that dream could be real. Did I like go to your past or something?”
Her flippant remark made both their eyes widen. Oh my God…could it be? Did she really travel to Vansh’s past in her visions? How was this even possible? Putting aside the logistics of such a feat, wouldn’t Vansh’s mother have seen her too if that was the truth? And what about the other two visions of young Kabir and Vansh’s family in the marketplace, and then adult Kabir and Ahilya before Sutapa pulled her away?
“What the hell is happening?” Vansh echoed her thoughts.
“You see!” she uttered triumphantly. “This is why we need to talk! But would you listen? Nooooo. Why should you? Ghost Vansh Raisinghania toh apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta. You kept avoiding me. Didn’t even allow me to tell you what I know. Then you bloody locked me out! I’m telling you this for the last time, Vansh. You shouldn’t -“
A loud sound came from downstairs, halting her mid tirade. It sounded like glass shattering. Vansh vanished before she could say more, leaving her alone on the landing. What the fuck was that? She craned her neck over the railing, trying to identify the source of the noise. Something brushed against her back, making her jump. She turned, her nerves tingling in trepidation.
Something was wrong.
Riddheema…
Was someone calling her name? She stood still, surveying the dimly lit landing. “Is someone there?”
Come…Come…
She moved towards the corridor, totally creeped out by the hushed murmurs. Had the disembodied beings from the garden entered the home?
Riddheema…
Yes, someone was definitely whispering her name. This wasn’t good…not good at all.
She was beginning to feel quite warm. Where the heck was Vansh? She pulled her hair away from her sweaty neck. Even the air felt balmy now. Where was a hair clip when a girl needed one?
Her gaze landed on Vansh’s painting. And then stayed there. There was just something so fascinating about him. It wasn’t just the self confidence in his eyes or the haughty tilt to his lips. She touched the canvas, fascinated with the play of colours. Shades of bold amber, fiery red, dashes of deep midnight blue…The colours spoke of royalty, of refined upbringing, of privilege.
Ah, Vansh Raisinghania. The perfect man. The perfect son. The perfect lover. He even looked perfect in the painting. Lord of the manor. Master of his world. He thought he was a King, and everyone else were his slaves. It was there in the regal way he held himself. The hint of hauteur on his face, like he was of a better blood than others. Just like his bitch of a mother. Just like that whore Ahilya. He deserved to burn in hell. Just like them. Just like the others.
Before she knew it, her nails were digging into the thick canvas. Hate twisted to life in her heart, astounding her with its ferocity. Her nails were too stubby to do any real damage. No matter. There were other ways. She stepped back, her eyes filled with loathing and revulsion as she looked at Vansh’s aristocratic beauty.
She wanted to destroy that face.
The painting sparked at the corners, flames sputtering, and then it caught fire. The blaze was sudden and ferocious. Riddhima cried out in horror, reeling back into the railing. The flames began to rise high, eating away at the canvas greedily.
It was too hot.
Too hot.
She wouldn’t be able to bear it.
“Riddhima! What are you doing?” Vansh materialized beside her in an instant, pulling her further away from the fire. She went into his arms willingly, staring as the flames turned the ceiling sooty. Had she done that?
A nearby drape caught the fire, the flames licking up the frame quickly. It was getting hot, and then it was getting cold.
Really cold.
Vansh’s arms tightened protectively around her.
“What is happening? To me…?” she croaked, shivering violently. His skin was too hot. No, it was too cold. She couldn’t bear it. It was too much.
Vansh held her up as her legs gave way beneath her. There was a plea in her eyes. A shrill ringing in her ears.
Riddheema…
That whisper again. It raised the hairs on the back of her neck.
Riddheema. Did you…miss me?
She was unable to speak. A trance like haze took over her, making her feel like a mere observer of the happenings around.
Vansh’s turbulent eyes searched hers. He was reading her mind, she could tell. For once, she was grateful for his dedication towards ignoring her rules about privacy. She begged him to understand. To make her understand what was happening to her.
His brows snapped together. For a split second, an expression of pure hatred crossed his features. It lit a spark of comprehension in her.
“Kabir.”
Just one name. And she knew.
He was here again.
He was within her again.
Her lips rose in a smirk, as derisive laughter bubbled in her throat. She dug her fingers into his arms painfully. “Oh, Vansh. It has been years…years and years…And yet you do not die. I am disappointed. Do my efforts matter so little to you, darling brother?”
That was her voice. She could feel her lips forming the vile words. And yet, the Riddhima in her was frozen in terror, held immobile by a forceful presence in her own body.
Unlike before, she didn’t feel overcome by his presence. She didn’t feel like she ceased to exist. She was there, awake and repulsed, but trapped. Her mind was alert, and yet bound by Kabir’s will. How was he doing this?
To Vansh’s credit, he did not dump her immediately on the floor. In complete contrast to the boiling anger on his face, he lowered her to the floor gently. “Kabir, let Riddhima go.” His tone was flat, unequivocal. “This is between us. Keep it that way.”
“Why?” Kabir cackled, his eyes…her eyes alight with madness. “Does my brother love this delightful woman? How provoking, my dear. You know how I feel about that pesky emotion.”
“I do not love her. Not that its any of your business.” There was a bite to Vansh’s voice, even as his expression was stoic.
“Oh? So, if I were to, say, slit her pretty throat with this shard, you won’t care?” She didn’t know how or when he had taken it, but Kabir pulled out a nasty jagged piece of glass from behind. Vansh stiffened as he pressed the serrated edge against her throat. “You know I can do it, Vansh,” he whispered craftily. He was goading him. But for what exactly?
“What do you want, Kabir? Can you quit playing your juvenile games and be straight with me?” Vansh tried to adopt a bored stance, but Riddhima could tell he was on the edge.
“Vansh! Don’t listen to Kabir. He is just toying with you!” His tone, her tone changed. Kabir was imitating her now. What the fuck?
“Riddhima…?” Vansh got down to his knees beside her. “Is this you? Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry about me,” Kabir told him in an uncanny parroting of her mannerisms. “The shamans told me you know a mantra? Do you remember that? It will not harm me but…but we must hurry. I can’t hold him off anymore, Vansh!” He screamed as if in agony, making Vansh scramble to his feet in alarm.
No, Vansh! She yelled internally. Don’t you dare speak that bloody mantra! Read my mind…Oh God…Please…
Are you enjoying this little diversion of mine, Riddheema?
Venom dripped from Kabir’s voice in her head. He was loving this.
He held up a hand as Vansh opened his mouth. “If only you could hear your sweet girlfriend now,” Kabir tutted. “Poor thing has been screaming her head off. Nearly gave me a migraine. Are you really that gullible, brother? Thinking mantras will expel me from this world…” He cackled, watching him like a hawk.
“You asked me what I want. Well, that’s easy. I want you to suffer, Vansh Raisinghania,” his voice was like death. “Like your grandmother did when I strangled her.” Riddhima’s soul struggled within her captive body, wanting desperately to muzzle his cruel words. Words designed to push Vansh to the brink. “I want you to beg for the life of someone you love. Like your mother did for you, till her dying breath as I slowly squeezed her life away…and then burned her body to ashes.” Vansh was standing still, as if in a trance, his eyes fixed on Kabir. There was a red haze in their depths that Riddhima had never seen before. Shadows swirled around him violently.
“Unfortunately, your…my apologies, our father died years before I could get to him. I had so much to say to that spineless man…but well, I guess he had better sense to die on his own. Saved me a lot of time…Moving on…” Kabir circled Vansh like a vulture scrounging for meat. “I want you to scream, little brother. The way Ahilya did, when the flames ate away that witch’s face-“
Kabir was choking. She was choking. Vansh had gone white with rage, the pupils smoldering with dark fire. He was sucking the air from the room, a murderous expression on his face. She could see he didn’t care anymore. He was going to kill her. She didn’t want to die. Riddhima clutched her throat in panic, mouthing his name silently.
Please, Vansh. I’m Riddhima! Please. Stop. Stop!
An excruciating moment later, she could breathe again. She lay on her back, heaving in huge gulps of air. Vansh hovered over her, unbearable agony on his face. “I told you, Riddhima,” he whispered brokenly. “I told you to stay away. But you won’t listen, stubborn beautiful fool that you are.” He gathered her in his arms, staring down at her.
“Don’t speak that mantra,” she rasped urgently, clutching his suit. “Ever. It’s a trap. Just don’t. Do you understand?”
He nodded, a soft smile on his lips. “Run when I tell you to. Don’t look back.”
She tried to shake her head, but he squeezed her shoulders. “The blood bond must be broken. It’s why he is here. I’m sorry, Riddhima…” He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “I, Vansh Raisinghania, release you from our-“
And then there was hell. The windows shattered with a deafening noise. Vansh instinctively shielded her with his body as tiny shards of glass descended on them like an avalanche. She cried out, hearing glass raining down around them. They fell on her slowly, passing through Vansh’s semi transparent form. He uttered a blood curling scream, his hands tightening painfully over her body. “Vansh?” she yelled over the noise. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”
She looked over his shoulder, her eyes widening in terror. A vortex of wind was carrying the flames to other parts of the house; old furniture, wooden structures, sketches, drapes, paintings catching fire.
“Kabir is going to burn down the house!” she cried out in panic, trying to shake his prone form. “We have to leave. Vansh! Are you listening to me?”
Riddhima. She stiffened. That was Vansh’s voice in her head. The house contains my essence, fragments of my soul. It is one of my anchors to this world. He is burning it, burning me…You must go. Now. I will help you… till you are safe. Go!
His body dissipated into wisps of smoke in her hands. She screamed his name, getting to her feet. It was chaos all around. The flames were devouring the house like wildfire. Flames burned bright all around her, the scorching heat and smoke rising threateningly around her. Nothing touched her. Everything stopping within feet of her.
She nearly slipped on the glass again as she ran across the floor, grabbing the railing in time. It was hot against her body, but she could hold it comfortably.
Before she could catch her breath, the old wood gave way beneath her. She shrieked, falling forward from the first floor. Bone chilling fear raced through her as she fell, gravity pulling her swiftly towards the hard concrete. She covered her head, eyes shut tight.
There was a sharp jerk from above, and then she was lying unharmed on the ground. Riddhima got up shakily, gazing at the chaos around her. Everything was getting destroyed by the fire. All Vansh’s paintings and sketches were gone. The dresser had caught fire, the wood blazing fiery red. Billows of smoke and ash hovered over the area. It should all have choked her by now, but she was still breathing clean air.
My my, aren’t you a resilient one…
That voice. Kabir’s voice. She swiveled, on alert for the slightest movement. Was he going to possess her again? Feeling a presence at her back, she turned, coming face to face with the man of her nightmares.
He looked a lot like in her visions, dark hair curling at the nape. Stubble dusting his baby cheeks. A petulant twist to his mouth. But there was no doubt that he was a spirit. A dark one. He was nearly transparent, a malicious grin on his visage. She could see through him to the other side. He shimmered in and out of focus in the burning house, resembling a spectre from hell.
“I must thank you, Riddhima,” he spoke, his dark eyes boring into hers. “I owe this magnificent achievement to your tenacity.” He opened his arms, relishing the destruction around him. “For years, I have desired this. For years, I was denied by my dear brother. But today…Today, when you reinitiated your blood bond…I was free to enter wherever you did. Go wherever you went. Even the illusive Raisinghania Mansion.”
At her horrified expression, he clarified with a mirthless smile. “My dear, don’t look so surprised. Vansh broke his bond with you earlier. But I never did. I happen to not be such a boring paragon of virtue. Not even for your life. And see the rewards of my patience? When you were bonded to him again, I could rise again. We are brothers, you see. Half of everything he has is mine, after all.”
“You wanted it all,” she accused softly, trembling in rage and fear. “You wanted everything. His identity, his lineage, his possessions…” Angry tears formed in her eyes. “You destroyed him in life, Kabir. Why isn’t it enough for you? When does it stop?”
He chuckled. “It stops when he pays for his sins, sweet girl. It stops when he brings my childhood, my youth back. It stops when he returns my family to me.” He gave a devilish half smile, reminding her of Vansh for one heart-breaking moment. “And if he can’t do that, it stops when his soul is no more.”
“Funny how we think alike.”
That voice. Vansh.
The air ahead of her shimmered and then flickered. Vansh materialized in front of her, his form glowing with volatile energy. He adopted a protective stance, shielding her from Kabir’s view. “You won many times over, Kabir. It has to end today. I wonder who will win. Whose soul will be torn apart? Yours or mine?”
Run away, Riddhima. Don’t look back. Go. Now!
She heeded his silent command in her head, backing away hurriedly. Her heart thudded painfully as she pulled the door open. She had to get help for him. Somehow.
There was a deafening explosion behind her, stunning her into immobility. Debris flew over her head, ricocheting off an impenetrable protective shield around her.
“Vansh!”
She screamed his name, turning back. A burst of power struck her chest, throwing her over the threshold and onto a pillar outside. She slid down to the floor, staring helplessly at the burning house. The door slammed shut with a loud bang.
“No…No…” Riddhima coughed hard, rubbing her chest. There was a blue light illuminating the surroundings. She looked down to see the star sapphire glowing, the blazing radiance keeping the dancing shadows at bay. Had Vansh charmed it again to protect her?
She was way out of her depth with ghosts and their magic. There had to be some way to help him. As if on cue, she heard her name being called from beyond the walls. Rudra, she thought in relief.
Gathering her remaining strength, she stumbled towards the gate, ignoring the illusions in the enchanted garden. She could see Rudra pacing outside, a worried look on his face. His eyes looked through her as if he couldn’t see her walking towards him, despite the light from the roaring fires within the mansion. It confirmed her suspicions that there was a magical boundary beyond the entrance.
She jumped over the broken gate, falling to her knees in exhaustion. “Riddhima?! What? Where did you come from?”
Before she could answer, a huge ripple of energy washed over the area, raising goose bumps on her skin. She looked back at the mansion. The veil had lifted, exposing the all-encompassing dark magic that thrived beyond the gate. Smokey shadows rose over the eerily luminescent mansion, covering it like a shroud of doom.
“Woah!” Rudra helped her to her feet, staring at the ominous sight in awe. “What just happened? Is this witchcraft?”
“I don’t know. I don’t understand anything…Where are the shamans? Are you okay?” She chewed on her lower lip, looking him over in concern. If those shamans had hurt him…
“Are you okay? Riddhima, I should be asking you-” He trailed off, distracted by her glowing pendant. “What is this? Isn’t this the stone we bought the other day? I didn’t know it could shine like that.”
“Join the club, buddy,” she muttered under her breath, blowing on her hands to keep warm. There was an unseasonable chill in the air, making her feel ill at ease. “Do you know where the shamans are? I really need to speak to them!”
“Two of them are in the jeep. Laxmi and the other creepy woman insisted on coming with me. I have to tell you something. Wh-Wait. Riddhima!” She took off in a rush, leaving Rudra to trail behind hurriedly.
He had parked by the banyan tree, she realized, trying to run faster. Her breath came out in sharp gasps, chest still hurting from when the energy had hit her.
The moon was high in the sky, dark clouds looming threateningly. As she neared the vehicle, she could see two women hugging, hunched down near the tree. They looked up as she approached. Both were crying. Alarm coursing through her, she looked questioningly from one to the other.
“Child,” Sutapa wailed, the moonlight reflected in her milky eyes. “The curse is broken, child. You saved me…you saved us all.” She dissolved into heart wrenching sobs, her plump frame shaking. Laxmi gathered her into her arms, shushing her like one would a child.
“We are free, girl,” Laxmi swallowed, tears glistening on her cheeks. “Kabir will never possess my children again. My granddaughter is free from Ahilya’s curse. We can’t thank you enough…We are in your debt.”
“What? I don’t…” Riddhima opened and closed her mouth, shrugging helplessly in answer to Rudra’s questioning look. “How? I didn’t even do anything.”
“You were the key, child,” Sutapa hiccupped, staring at her unblinkingly. “As strange as it sounds, intentional or not, you were the key. ‘Fire will cleanse your souls of your righteous sins,’ Ahilya had said. Before you woke up, we placed a protective barrier around you, so that no evil spells may hurt you. We had no idea that you would decide to come here tonight or that the Raisinghania house would go up in flames. Our magic saved you from the fire and whatever foul things were happening inside. And in return, it freed us from the sorceress’ curse.”
Sutapa folded her hands in a plea, her wrinkled face exuding gratitude. “Please forgive us, Riddhima. For all the wrong we did to you.” Riddhima shook her head, placing a hand over the old woman’s. “We are forever in your debt, child. Whatever you ask will be yours, if it’s in our hands.”
Riddhima gaped at her. Did she really mean that?
“Please save Vansh,” she spoke firmly, lowering Sutapa’s folded hands. “There is nothing I want more.” She narrated the whole experience, the words falling over themselves in her hurry to explain. “And then I was thrown out, the door slammed shut. I don’t know what’s going on inside. This pendant has been glowing ever since. I think Vansh placed a magical protection over me again.” She let Sutapa examine the pale blue stone. “Please…Please help me…He is a good man. You said so yourself. He doesn’t deserve this. Help me save him.”
There was silence as Sutapa looked over the pendant.
“This is a star sapphire,” the old woman muttered, tracing the star shaped markings on the surface. “It has healing properties. But this is unusual…It throbs like a heart now. I feel a complex protection spell embedded into the core. Perhaps you are right, child. Perhaps, Vansh Raisinghania really did charm this again. Come here, Laxmi.” She beckoned the shaman woman closer. They both held it, closing their eyes. Sutapa uttered an incantation softly. “There. Do you feel that?”
Riddhima waited impatiently as they mulled over it. Rudra gave her a reassuring smile, patting her shoulder in support.
“I have something to tell you-“
“Hush!” she admonished him. “Not now.”
“Didi,” Laxmi exhaled finally, astonishment coating her voice. “There is a soul inside this stone. I can’t believe this…I feel him. But this spirit is weak. It’s almost like he is-“
“Dying,” Sutapa finished for her grimly.
“Vansh,” Riddhima breathed, her eyes shining with fear and confusion. How the hell was he in this stone now? She really needed a manual to understand this magical world.
Sutapa glanced at her sharply. “You didn’t heed my words earlier, child. And for your better judgement, we are in your debt. But you must listen to me now. Only a priestess can help you understand this. This is beyond our abilities. You must meet Layla with utmost haste. Vansh Raisinghania does not have much time left in our world. Do you have the address I gave you?”
At her dazed nod, the old lady gestured to Rudra to start the jeep. Turning towards her, she tied a black thread around her wrist. “This will protect you from any possession. But only for a while. Beware of spirit dreams, Riddhima. You are still blood bonded to two spirits. It eats away at your own soul’s claim on your body. Vansh’s link to you should have been weak but his magic in this stone enhances it multi fold. Kabir is playing on his half brother’s connection with you to keep his bond alive. Now that his link to us is broken, he will try to use you against Vansh. Reach Layla by evening tomorrow at any cost, child.”
Sutapa didn’t have to mention the consequences of failure.
I will not let anything bad happen to you, Vansh. Riddhima thought fiercely, clutching the pulsing stone against her chest. We will not let that evil spirit win. This is my promise to you.
* * *