Scene: khwaiish's nightmare continues
Khwaish, now a grown young woman, stood face-to-face with the man who had taken her father's life. Her hand trembled, but the gun she held was steady—aimed directly at his head.
"You killed my dad… Now it's your turn to die," she said coldly, eyes burning with pain.
The man broke into tears, collapsing to his knees.
"Kill me!" he cried. "I don't want to live anymore… The only one I lived for is already gone."
Khwaish's anger flickered with confusion. "What do you mean?"
"My daughter was in the hospital," the man sobbed. "I needed ten lakh rupees to save her. I had no other way. That night, I didn't want to shoot your father... But when I heard the police sirens, I panicked. Your dad jumped in to protect you, and the gun just… went off. I didn't mean to… Maybe that's why God punished me by taking my daughter away."
Khwaish's finger hovered on the trigger, but her heart faltered. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn't do it. She lowered the gun, turned, and ran—her soul too heavy to carry revenge.
She ran aimlessly until she found herself in a space filled with glowing white light. Everything was peaceful… calm. Suddenly, a fairy appeared before her.
"You have a kind heart, Khwaish," the fairy said. "You understand the difference between right and wrong. It's time for you to begin a new life."
She handed Khwaish a large egg—strangely resembling a ostrich's egg but shining like a star.
"If you're ready to leave your old life behind, take this egg and follow me."
Khoish hesitated, but then picked up the egg and followed the fairy.
Soon, they arrived at three ancient wells. The fairy pointed at each one.
"These are gates to three different worlds. You must choose one."
1. A world of love, friendship, and maybe even a family.
2. A world of power and total freedom.
3. A world of intellect… and selfishness.
Without much hesitation, Khoish dropped her egg into the first well.
A radiant light burst forth from within it.
"What is this light?" she asked.
"It means you are worthy," the fairy replied. "Worthy of entering the world of the Elementals. Now… jump."
Khwaish glanced once more at the fairy, then leaped in.
---
Scene: Jaideep's nightmare continues
Jaideep's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He grabbed Aditya by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
Then he struck him—again and again—until blood poured from Aditya's mouth.
"Please… don't," Aditya whimpered. "Who even are you?"
"I'm your stepbrother," Jaideep snarled.
Aditya, gasping, said, "You're hitting me because I used to beat Jaideep, right? Go ahead! Hit me all you want. I'll hit him back just the same. How long will you keep protecting him?"
The punches intensified. Jaideep's rage turned into something feral. Aditya's face was unrecognizable, a mess of bruises and blood.
Suddenly, a six-year-old version of Jaideep rushed in, grabbing his older self's hand.
"Stop! Don't hurt my brother! Please!"
Aditya lay unconscious. Jaideep picked up Aditya's belt and prepared to strike again.
"Stop it!" the little boy cried, leaping over Aditya to shield him. The belt struck him three, four times.
Older Jaideep froze.
"Why are you protecting him? He hurts you every day!"
The little boy cried out, "He's my brother! He can do whatever he wants… Who are you to punish him?"
Jaideep was stunned. "I'm… you. Five years from now."
The boy's face twisted with pain and disgust. "If I become like you… I'd rather die and become a star like Daddy!"
Jaideep collapsed to his knees, tears breaking free. "How long will you keep suffering like this?"
The young boy replied quietly, "If we become like him, then we're no better than him."
Jaideep stood up slowly, lifted Aditya, and laid him gently on the bed.
"The one you always beat... just saved your life," he said, then walked out.
As soon as he stepped out the door, light bathed his surroundings. An angel appeared.
"You are brave—strong enough to punish, yet kind enough to forgive."
She handed him an egg.
"Would you leave your old life for a new one?"
Without a word, Jaideep followed her.
---
Scene: Sahil's nightmare continues
Yamraj laughed. "What now, Sahil? Will you shoot yourself? Or should I kill your parents?"
Sahil raised the gun to his own head.
"Wait," Yamraj interrupted. "I'll give you another option."
Sahil muttered, "Wow… Yamraj speaks English now?"
"What was that?"
"Nothing," Sahil said quickly. "Yes, yes, give me an option. I don't want to die."
Yamraj brought forth a lifeless Jaideep—frozen, like a mannequin.
"You have one bullet. Kill him… or I'll kill you."
Sahil hesitated. He pointed the gun at Jaideep.
"Do it," Yamraj pressured him. "Kill him! What's the harm? Just do it!"
Tears filled Sahil's eyes. He glanced at his parents… then turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger.
White light engulfed him. When he opened his eyes, a fairy stood before him.
Sahil looked around, wide-eyed. "Whoa... I'm in heaven! And you… you're the Apsara, right?"
The angel tried to speak, but Sahil kept going. "At least I'm not in hell! Yamraj would've tortured me there. So, tell me, are you here to guide me? Lead me to paradise?"
The fairy finally interrupted, "Are you ready to leave your old life behind?"
"Oh yes!" Sahil smirked. "And if you're offering a new life… I have endless love to give. Just one thing though—do you have a younger sister?"
The angel frowned. "Answer the question or I'll drop you back with Yamraj."
Sahil stood still.
"I'll ask again. Yes or no—do you want to start a new life?"
Sahil raised his hand halfway.
"What's that? Speak clearly."
"You told me to answer yes or no, so how do I respond with my feelings?"
The fairy glared. "Are you dumb? Use your words!"
Sahil finally said softly, "I'm my parents' only son. If I'm gone, they'll die from grief."
The angel replied gently, "If you choose this new life, they'll be blessed with a son who's just like you—but healthy, and they'll rise from poverty too."
Sahil's voice trembled. "Like me? I don't want them to live with the fear of losing him too… They forgot to live because they were always afraid I'd die. I wish I never had cancer."
The angel reassured him, "The new boy won't be sick. He'll love them like you do, but he'll be strong."
"If they'll be happy… then I'm ready," Sahil said.
"One last thing," he asked. "Can I die in this new life too?"
"Yes," the fairy replied. "But not from your illness. You'll lose all ties to your past—except your soul… and your body."
Sahil followed the fairy. Like the others, he was taken to the three wells and dropped his egg into one.
Next chapter:-5 "The Trial of Blood and Bond"