Sunlight filtered into the room in thin, golden ribbons.
Kiara stepped out of the bathroom, dressed for the day — a sleek pastel gown hugging her waist, soft waves of fabric brushing her ankles. Her heels clicked lightly on the floor as she walked.
The mangalsutra rested against her collarbone, and the trace of vermillion in her hairline glowed proudly — subtle, modern, yet deeply hers.
On the bed, Yuvaan slept under the blanket, bare-chested and finally at peace.
Kiara paused.
She moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed, studying him quietly — the faint crease between his brows, the way his hand rested near her side of the pillow, like he had fallen asleep waiting for her to be safe.
"You were watching me the whole night…" she murmured softly.
Only when he had confirmed she was alive, breathing, beside him, did he allow himself to sleep.
Her heart swelled painfully.
She bent down and kissed his forehead gently.
"I won't let a curse destroy us," she whispered, fingers brushing the edge of the blanket. "Not now. Not ever."
With one last glance, she slipped out of the room, heels tapping softly against the marble floor.
---
Downstairs, the living room was warm with morning light and the faint aroma of incense.
"Good morning, Kiara beta," Uncle Vinod called out, adjusting his glasses.
Kiara smiled. "Good morning, uncle."
Chandrika turned the moment she heard the voice, relief washing over her features.
"Oh, thank God," Chandrika breathed, walking over quickly. "You and Yuvaan… you're both alright? The curse didn't affect anything, right?"
Kiara shook her head reassuringly, her gown swaying slightly with the movement.
"We're completely fine, Moti Baa," she said softly. "Really."
Chandrika cupped her cheek, eyes moist with worry and affection.
"Stay together, always," she whispered.
Kiara nodded — but her heart was already racing with another plan.
She needed answers.
She needed her father and Varun.
She couldn't rely only on hope or destiny.
Today, Kiara Shetty Pratap Singh would fight back — with wisdom, with courage, and with every ounce of strength she had left.
And before the curse even tried to strike again…
she would be ready.
Kiara tightened the straps of her heels and adjusted the flow of her modern gown. She bent slightly to kiss Moti Baa's hand.
"I'll be back soon," she said gently, her voice steady despite the flutter of worry in their eyes.
Moti Baa's hands trembled as she held Kiara's. "Be careful, beta. You've already faced so much…"
Uncle Vinod stepped forward, concern etched deep across his face. "Yes, Kiara, don't push yourself too hard. The curse… we can't take chances."
Kiara smiled reassuringly, her eyes warm and determined. "I promise. I'll be fine. Trust me."
With that, she left the mansion, her heels clicking decisively against the pavement.
---
Back in the bedroom, Yuvaan slowly stirred awake. A lazy smile spread across his face as the memories of the night coursed through him — the stolen touches, the heat of the shower, the intimacy that had left them both breathless.
But then reality hit. The looming curse, the danger surrounding Kiara, the fragile peace they had fought for — and the truth that she was not beside him now.
"Kiara?" he called softly, then louder, "Kiara!"
No answer.
Adrenaline replaced the warmth of his smile. Yuvaan swung his legs off the bed, quickly sliding into his clothes — skipping even a bath. His heart pounded as he raced downstairs, worry sharpening every step.
The mansion was quiet, almost deceptively calm, yet every instinct screamed danger.
"Where is she?" he muttered under his breath, eyes scanning every corner of the hall, every doorway, every shadow.
The curse might have given them a chance before… but Yuvaan knew better. Fate wasn't done testing them yet.
Yuvaan's pace was frantic as he barged into the hall. "Moti Baa!Uncle Vinod! Where is Kiara?"
Moti Baa's face paled, her hands wringing nervously. "She… she left the mansion, Yuvaan. Said she had something to do outside."
Vinod added, voice tense, "I don't know why, son. She just left without telling anyone properly…"
Yuvaan's heart thudded harder, a pit forming in his stomach. Without a word, he bolted toward the door.
---
Meanwhile, a few miles away, Kiara's car wheezed and sputtered to a stop in the middle of the road. She slammed the steering wheel and muttered under her breath, "Seriously? Now?"
With a sigh, she got out, eyes scanning the empty road. "If only Yuvaan were here… he'd perform a trick or two and have this fixed in seconds," she grumbled.
Then she froze mid-step, her hands flying to her face. "Wait… I am Jishwa!" she scolded herself, the corners of her mouth twitching. "God's gift. The one destined to defeat evil… and I can't even fix a stupid car?"
Kiara glanced around, making sure no one was watching, then focused her energy. She whispered an incantation under her breath, hands hovering over the car. Sparks flickered, the engine coughed, and… nothing.
She frowned, tried again. The car groaned, the lights flickered, and she kicked the tire in frustration. "What the fudge? Seriously? Powers going on and off? A short circuit malfunction?"
She pressed her palms to her forehead, muttering to herself, "I can end the dark lineage, save the world… but I can't even fix a car. Tridev, what kind of cosmic joke is this?"
For a moment, Kiara's frustration turned into a small, bitter laugh. "I guess being Jishwa doesn't mean I'm exempt from normal problems."
She leaned against the car, taking a deep breath, the weight of being a divine warrior momentarily clashing with the absurdity of a broken vehicle.