The Shetty family's car halted before the grand gates of the Pratap Singh mansion, its façade glowing under the gentle morning sun.
Servants opened the doors, and Bhoomi stepped forward with a warm smile that softened her entire face.
"Welcome, welcome… we were waiting," she said, her voice full of genuine affection.
Kiara stepped out, her pastel outfit shimmering lightly, and Bhoomi instinctively cupped her cheek.
"You look beautiful, beta. Come… the mehendi artists are already on their way."
Kiara smiled shyly, glancing back at Kajal.
It still felt surreal — her mother standing beside her, walking into her engagement rituals, holding everything she had lost for so long.
Chandrika guided Kiara to a beautifully decorated seating area — flowers draped like waterfalls, soft cushions in hues of marigold and rose, and delicate bells chiming with every breeze.
Kiara sat down slowly, adjusting her dupatta as Kajal settled beside her.
Bhoomi and Chandrika fussed lovingly, placing small plates of haldi, oils, and sweets around her.
The atmosphere was light, warm, filled with early chatter and the excitement of a new beginning.
---
🌫️ Meanwhile… outside the mansion
A soft wind swept across the entrance pathway.
The group of henna artists approached, carrying their bags of cones and designs, chatting quietly about the ceremony.
Then, from behind the tall hedges, a shadow unfurled—
a soft swirl of violet mist… and then a shape.
Dilruba.
Her nine fox-like tails danced behind her like drifting smoke, her eyes glowing a sinister purple.
She stepped gracefully in front of the artists, blocking their path.
At first, they froze—startled—
but Dilruba's lips curled into a honeyed smile.
"Why are you so afraid…?" she whispered, her voice like a lullaby tilted slightly… wrong.
"Dilruba is one of you. See? Same team…"
Before they could react, she lifted her fingers, the nails glowing violet, and traced a slow, swirling pattern in the air.
A soft ripple passed over the artists.
Their eyes glazed.
Their shoulders loosened.
Their breaths deepened.
Dilruba giggled — a low, eerie sound laced with delight.
"Hehehehe… now you remember," she cooed.
"Dilruba works with you. Dilruba belongs with you."
The henna artists nodded vacantly, accepting her presence.
Together — the unsuspecting real artists and the newly freed fox-tailed sorceress — they walked toward the mansion entrance.
The guards smiled, stepped aside, and opened the door…
Completely unaware that a living curse had just slipped into the celebration.
The main doors of the Pratap Singh mansion opened as the henna artists stepped inside, their bags rustling softly.
Walking among them, disguised in a flawless human form, was Dilruba — her nine tails hidden, her fox-like aura tucked behind an illusion as smooth as silk.
She glanced around the opulent mansion, her eyes widening with a childlike awe.
"Oho… what a biiiig house…" she whispered to herself, lips curling into a sly smile.
"So shiny… so rich… hehehe… perfect for mischief."
The artists followed the servant leading them into the central hall, where Kiara sat on her floral seat, surrounded by her family.
Kajal brushed Kiara's hair lovingly.
Bhoomi adjusted a cushion behind her back.
The air smelled of roses, turmeric, and pure joy.
Dilruba's gaze lingered on Kiara a moment too long — curiosity… hunger… and cruel delight flickering behind her human eyes.
---
💛 Yuvaan enters
Laughter echoed from the staircase.
Yuvaan descended with Angad and Aakash, all three dressed in crisp, colorful kurta fits.
But Yuvaan's eyes?
They found Kiara instantly — like a magnet, like instinct.
He slowed, his expression softening… playful… affectionate.
Kiara lifted her gaze at the same moment.
He didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
He simply tapped his chest subtly, then pointed at her —
a silent message only she understood.
"You look breathtaking."
Kiara flushed, biting back a smile, her cheeks tinting the softest pink.
Angad nudged Yuvaan.
"Oye… stop staring like a hero in slow motion. People can see you, haan."
Yuvaan elbowed him lightly without breaking eye contact with Kiara.
---
🌿 Dilruba begins her work
The henna artists settled around Kiara.
Dilruba gracefully slipped into the circle, her movements too smooth… too fluid… but unnoticed.
Kiara extended her palms.
The artist to Kiara's right began creating floral patterns.
Dilruba, holding a set of enchanted henna cones Taamsi had prepared for her, leaned forward with a deceptively sweet smile.
"Let Dilruba… I mean, let me do the name," she said softly.
Kajal and Bhoomi nodded politely, assuming she was simply another member of the team.
Dilruba's fingers were swift, elegant, almost mesmerizing as she drew delicate whorls across Kiara's palm.
Then, in the center of the design, she slowly wrote—
Y U V A A N
But as she pressed the final stroke…
the henna cone shimmered for the faintest second…
a thin purple thread weaving itself into the brown paste, disappearing just as quickly.
Kiara felt a tiny prickle in her palm — not painful, just strange.
She looked up.
Dilruba smiled sweetly.
"Hehehehe… perfect," she murmured under her breath.
The first step in her plan…
silently sealed.