Kiara stood in front of the broken-down car, heels digging slightly into the asphalt, arms crossed over her chest. She glared at Yuvaan, who was leaning casually against the vehicle, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips.
"Fix it," she said, her tone equal parts command and exasperation.
Yuvaan chuckled softly, a dark glint in his eyes. "Oi, villain, what's so funny?" she demanded, stamping one heel lightly.
"Nothing," he said, voice low, teasing. "But the mighty Jishwa… can't fix a broken car?"
Kiara laughed, a short, incredulous sound that turned serious almost instantly. "I'm not a mechanic, okay?" Her brow furrowed as she stared at the engine.
Yuvaan straightened, snapping his fingers lightly. "Even I'm not a mechanic," he said, his tone almost boastful, "and yet here I am, about to fix it with a snap of my finger."
Kiara narrowed her eyes, trying not to smile. "It's not that I can't fix it," she said quickly, waving her hand as if that proved her point. "I just… I wanted you to use your powers. Easy peasy for me."
Yuvaan gave her a light nudge, and Kiara felt herself step closer, almost involuntarily. "Go on then," he said, his dark eyes gleaming. "Fix it."
She squared her shoulders, taking a deep breath. "I'm going… okay? It's not like I can't do this. I can totally fix it."
"I know," Yuvaan said softly, amusement and admiration mingling in his gaze.
Kiara hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was watching, and pressed her hand gently to the hood of the car. She closed her eyes, whispering under her breath, "Lord Shiva, please help me… otherwise Yuvaan will tease me forever. I'm your Jishwa, right? There has to be a connection… please, let it work."
"Wifey…" Yuvaan's voice floated softly behind her, warm and patient. "I'm waiting."
"I'm coming!" she whispered back, focusing all her energy. The small trident mark on her back shoulder glimmered faintly. A warm hum seemed to pulse through her palm, spreading into the car. Slowly, the vehicle shimmered, metal and paint glowing as if newly forged.
Kiara opened her eyes, astonished. "It… it's fixed! Yes! It's fixed!"
Yuvaan's smile was slow, teasing, but his eyes shone with pride. "You're acting like you didn't expect it to work."
Kiara quickly waved a hand, trying to regain her composure. "Do not mess with Jishwa!" she said, a faux seriousness in her tone that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Noted," Yuvaan replied, opening the car door for her with a flourish. She slid into the driver's seat, their hands brushing briefly as he handed her the keys. The electricity between them was palpable, silent and warm, a spark neither dared to break.
As the engine hummed to life, Kiara looked at Yuvaan, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips. The day felt lighter somehow, the air around them filled with possibility, mischief, and the quiet strength of the woman who was now undeniably Jishwa.
At the Shetty villa, the late afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting warm patterns across the living room. Vikram sat across from Kiara and Yuvaan, brows furrowed, a stack of ancient texts and parchment spread on the table before him.
"I've been researching," he said gravely, "trying to find a way to prevent Kalapishachi's curse… but so far, there's nothing concrete. No method, no counter-spell, nothing."
Kiara's hand instinctively gripped the edge of the chair. "So… this means there's truly no way?" Her voice was calm, but her eyes betrayed the worry twisting in her chest.
Vikram shook his head. "If there's a solution, we'll have to ask someone—somewhere that holds the truth."
"And who would that be?" Kiara asked, curiosity and hope mixing in her tone.
Vikram's gaze softened. "The mystical waterfall at the Cave of Answers. It's said to reveal truths… to answer questions no one else can."
Kiara blinked, letting the words sink in. "Wait… a waterfall… can speak now?" Her lips curled into a teasing smirk.
Varun frowned. "Chutki?"
Kiara's eyes widened. "What Chutki? I mean… radios can speak, TVs can speak, you can make a phone call—all because of sound frequencies… but now, apparently, a waterfall can speak?"
Yuvaan arched an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "Hmm… I came across a 'mechanic' who touched a broken car, and it got fixed. Does that even seem believable?"
Kiara's eyes narrowed playfully. "I did that! So why are you saying a mechanic did it?"
Yuvaan grinned, shaking his head. "Exactly. If you can fix a car with a mere touch, why can't water speak?"
Kiara tapped her temple, mock-serious. "Point taken. Maybe I should start asking waterfalls for directions too."
Yuvaan chuckled softly, the corner of his lips brushing against a small smile of amusement. "Well, if the waterfall can speak… I hope it knows what it's talking about."
The room fell quiet for a moment, tension softened by the warmth of humor, but the shadow of the curse still lingered, reminding them both that the stakes were far from over.