TANGLED IN THE SHADOWS

Part -15

The next morning, they set off for the Dewri Temple. Jadeja's heart raced when he saw Dhoni near a tree, performing a ritual. Without a word, he changed direction, and the others followed, confusion etched on their faces.

Hardik whispered to Rahul, "Why did Jadeja suddenly change direction?"

Rahul shrugged, "No idea. Let's just follow him."

Once they reached the temple, they all received sacred kalavas, even though they knew another entity was after them. After the ritual, Jadeja approached the pandit and requested a private conversation. They gathered under a nearby tree, the air thick with anticipation.

Jadeja recounted everything that had been happening to them. The pandit listened intently, then asked, "Jadeja, do you think this is the same entity that haunted your family?"

All eyes turned to Jadeja, filled with curiosity. Jadeja simply nodded, his expression grim.

The pandit looked at the group and said, "The entity after Hardik is not a petni, but a Shakchunni. It is the spirit of a married woman who seeks to live again with her partner on this earth."

Krunal interrupted, "Does it want to marry Hardik?"

The pandit shook his head firmly. "No, do not interrupt. The Shakchunni is trying to possess Hardik's body and mind completely to live her life again."

Turning to Hardik, the pandit asked, "Do you have a partner?"

In a small voice, Hardik replied, "Yes," and pointed at Rahul.

The pandit then addressed Rahul, "You must go to the pond nearby and dip yourself three times. It is outside the temple grounds and away from people's presence. The rest of you stay here."

As Rahul made his way to the pond, the group stayed behind, tense and worried. Ishan whispered to Shubman, "Do you think this will work?"

Shubman replied, "It has to. We have no other choice."

Rahul arrived at the secluded pond, the water still and dark. He took a deep breath and dipped himself once, twice, thrice. As he emerged from the water, he felt a gentle caress on his shoulder. He turned to see a ghostly figure, a woman with a sorrowful expression, her hand reaching out to him.

Back at the temple, Hardik saw the figure near Rahul and sobbed, "No, leave him alone."

Suddenly, the figure materialized in front of Hardik, outside the temple, her face twisted in anger. "Leave! Rahul is mine!" she shouted, her voice echoing ominously.

Hardik's eyes rolled back, and he fainted. The group rushed to him, their faces pale with fear.

Krunal knelt beside his brother, shaking him gently. "Hardik, wake up! Please, wake up!"

The pandit stepped forward, chanting softly, trying to ward off the spirit. The air grew colder, and the laughter they had heard earlier now echoed loudly, mocking them.

Rahul, still dripping wet, ran back to the temple. "What happened to Hardik?"

The pandit looked at him gravely. "The Shakchunni has made her claim. This is far from over. We must find a way to break her hold on Hardik."

Shubman, his voice trembling, asked, "How do we do that?"

The pandit replied, "We must perform a more powerful ritual, one that will require all of you to be strong and united. This entity is deeply attached to Hardik and will not let go easily."

As they huddled together, the weight of their situation pressed down on them. The night ahead promised no peace, only more struggles against an unseen but ever-present terror.

Ishan, trying to keep his voice steady, said, "We can do this. We have to. For Hardik."

The group nodded, determination mingling with their fear. They were in this together, and together they would fight to save Hardik from the malevolent spirit that sought to claim him.

The shadows around them seemed to deepen, and the cold laughter of the Shakchunni echoed once more, a chilling reminder of the battle yet to come.