Few Hours Later – Rajput Family Estate
By the time the world slumbered in Mumbai, Vikram Das had already crossed the ancient iron gates of the Rajput family estate, hidden deep within the old quarters of the city.
No fanfare. No guards. The night itself seemed to hold its breath as he walked through the quiet courtyards, past lotus ponds and ancient pillars lit by lantern light.
He reached his temporary chamber—an old royal guest room, untouched for decades.
He took off his outer robes, laid down without a word, and closed his eyes.
The silence was absolute.
-
But sometime after midnight...
His eyes flew open.
He sensed it before he heard it.
The door had opened.
He sat up instantly, bare-chested beneath the sheets, hand moving toward the dagger under his pillow. The room remained shrouded in pale moonlight filtering through the lattice window.
A silhouette stood there—leaning slightly, as if struggling to walk.
"Maya?"
It was her. Barefoot. Fragile. But awake.
