TANGLED IN THE SHADOWS

Part -25

As they arrived at Mahendipur Balaji Temple in the morning, the sun's first light cast an eerie glow over the ancient grounds. They approached a pandit, explaining their names and the dire reason for their visit. The pandit they spoke to gave them new clothes, instructing them to burn their old ones in the communal fire where other garments were already ablaze.

"This is to cleanse you of any residual negative energy," the pandit explained as they nodded grimly, taking the clothes.

After changing, they followed the pandit to meet an older, more experienced pandit who eyed them carefully. "Those not directly involved should stay outside," he commanded.

Dhoni, Krunal, and Jadeja moved to leave, but the old pandit stopped them. "No, Jadeja, you must stay inside. Rahul and Shubman, you must step outside with Dhoni and Krunal."

Confusion washed over them, but they obeyed. Outside, Dhoni and Krunal exchanged worried glances with Rahul and Shubman. "What do you think they're going to do?" Rahul asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Inside, the pandit turned to Ishan. "Do you want to live?" he asked, his voice heavy with a sinister edge.

Ishan, bewildered, stammered, "Y-yes, of course."

Hardik stepped forward, his voice trembling with anger and fear. "What kind of question is that?"

The pandit smiled a knowing smile. "It is a question of commitment," he said, turning to Hardik. "Do you truly want to live with Rahul?"

Hardik nodded, his determination clear. "Yes, I do."

The pandit chuckled softly. He then turned to Jadeja, his expression darkening. "You, Jadeja, possess the eye of the petni. During your parents' possession, this curse was placed upon you. When you attempt to marry, the petni will possess your partner."

Jadeja shivered, the weight of the revelation crashing down on him. "What do we need to do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The pandit looked at each of them gravely. "You must stay inside. No matter what happens, the others must not enter. The rituals will begin tonight, and you must perform the tasks I give you."

He then rose, moving to gather the necessary items for the rituals, leaving them to their thoughts.

Outside, the atmosphere was tense. Dhoni, pacing back and forth, finally stopped and looked at Rahul. "I wish I knew what was happening in there."

Rahul, his eyes wide with worry, said, "They’ll be okay. Jadeja knows what he's doing, right?"

Dhoni nodded but couldn't shake the unease. Krunal put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "They'll handle it. We just have to be ready for whatever comes next."

As the day turned to dusk, the temple's eerie silence was only broken by the distant chants and whispers of other pilgrims and priests. The shadows grew longer, and the tension in the air thickened.

Inside, Jadeja, Ishan, and Hardik waited, their hearts pounding as they anticipated the night's rituals. The old pandit returned, his face somber, carrying the items needed. "Remember," he said, "no matter what you hear or see, do not let the others inside. The success of this ritual depends on it."

With that, he began preparing the space, and they braced themselves for the night ahead, knowing they were about to face unimaginable horrors.