Kothari Mansion – Nightfall
The mansion that had witnessed countless shadows now glowed with joy and relief. The family gathered in the grand hall, the soft light of diyas flickering against smiling faces. Upstairs, Veer lay in his old room, asleep under the warmth of heavy blankets, the years of his absence seeming to melt away in that peaceful moment.
Downstairs, the Kotharis could not stop talking.
"I still can't believe it," Yug said, pacing in disbelief. "After all these years, Veer bhaiya… he's actually back!"
Veena's eyes glistened. "It feels like Devi Maa has returned what fate took from us."
Dadi joined her palms, whispering a small prayer of gratitude. "Our family is whole again."
The air buzzed with happiness, yet Gauri—ever observant—noticed the one person who hadn't spoken.
Sharda sat quietly on the couch, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of her saree, her gaze lost somewhere beyond the walls of celebration.
Gauri moved closer, kneeling beside her. "Bade maa?" she asked softly. "Everyone's so happy, but you're so quiet. Aren't you glad Veer is home?"
Sharda looked at her, startled as though pulled out of deep thought. A faint smile curved her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course I am, Gauri. For years I prayed for this day… to see my son again."
Gauri tilted her head gently. "Then what's wrong?"
Sharda's eyes clouded with unease. Her voice lowered, barely above a whisper.
"I don't know," she admitted. "It's strange. My heart should be light tonight, but… it isn't. I feel as though something isn't right."
Gauri frowned slightly. "You mean about Veer?"
Sharda's gaze flicked upward, as if searching for words that refused to come. "When a mother holds her child after so long, she should feel peace," she said, her tone trembling. "But when I looked at him—when I touched his face—it felt as if…"
She paused, shivering slightly. "As if the boy lying upstairs is my son… and yet, not my son."
The room fell quiet around them. Gauri reached out, gently clasping Sharda's hands. "Maybe it's just your fear speaking," she said softly. "You lost him once… your heart is scared to lose him again."
Sharda nodded faintly, forcing a fragile smile. "Maybe you're right, Gauri. Maybe it's just fear."
But as the others laughed and talked behind them, Sharda's eyes drifted toward the staircase—the shadowed path leading to Veer's room.
Her heart whispered what her lips couldn't say.
Then why does it feel like this happiness… will cost us something?
Kothari Mansion – Early Morning
A thin veil of dawn light streamed through the half-drawn curtains, brushing across Veer's face. His eyes fluttered open, confusion crossing them as he sat up slowly. The familiar scent of sandalwood lingered in the air — a scent he hadn't breathed in for years.
His gaze roamed the room — the carved wooden furniture, the old clock ticking softly, the family portraits on the wall.
"This… this is the Kothari Mansion," he murmured, his voice trembling. "I'm… home?"
For a long moment, Veer just sat there, lost between disbelief and emotion. Then, gathering his strength, he rose and opened the door. The sound of faint laughter and clinking teacups echoed from downstairs.
As he descended the staircase, the morning light fell over him — revealing the man who had once vanished into nothingness.
Dadi looked up first. The teacup slipped slightly from her hand.
"Veer…" she whispered, as if afraid the vision might disappear.
Everyone turned at once — Sharda, Vihaan, Yug, Gauri, and Veena — their faces lighting up with joy.
"Veer!" Yug shouted, running forward.
Veer barely had time to react before his younger brother threw his arms around him. Vihaan and Gauri followed, smiling with genuine warmth. Veena wiped her tears as she joined in the embrace, and Dadi clasped her palms to her chest in gratitude.
"You're back, beta," Dadi said emotionally. "After all these years, Devi Maa has brought you home."
Veer's eyes shimmered as he looked around at all the faces — faces he once thought he'd never see again. Then his gaze found Sharda.
She stood still, her eyes glistening, her expression unreadable — a mix of relief, pain, and something deeper.
Veer walked toward her slowly, every step heavy with regret. "Ma…" he said softly, lowering his gaze. "I don't deserve to call you that after what I did. I ran away, I abandoned you all… I wasn't the son you deserved."
Sharda's eyes filled with tears as Veer knelt slightly before her. "Please forgive me," he whispered. "I was young, foolish, angry. And most of all… ashamed."
Her brows drew together. "Ashamed?" she echoed. "Then why didn't you come back, Veer? If your heart knew regret, why did you stay away all these years?"
Veer hesitated, struggling to speak as the silence deepened. His voice broke as he finally said, "Because I was ashamed of what was inside me. I envied my own brother."
Everyone froze. Vihaan's eyes widened slightly.
Veer continued, his tone laced with guilt. "Vihaan was everything I wasn't — strong, calm, responsible… and I hated myself for hating him. I thought leaving was better than letting that darkness destroy what little bond we had left."
Sharda's lips quivered as she reached out, placing her trembling hand on his cheek. "Oh, Veer…" she whispered, torn between sorrow and love.
The air in the hall turned heavy — the kind that carries both forgiveness and unspoken dread.
Gauri glanced at Sharda, sensing the unease in her eyes once more. The happiness of reunion hung in the air… yet beneath it, something darker stirred.