TANGLED IN THE SHADOWS

Part -31

HARDIK PANDYA

Hardik Pandya arrived at his destination in the afternoon, feeling a mix of fear and determination as he prepared himself for the night ahead. He got a room for the evening and settled , trying hard not to call his parents and worry them. As night fell, he made his way to the old palace where everything had started, recalling that fateful drunken night that had turned their lives upside down.

In the central hall of the palace, Hardik gathered the materials given to him by the pandit: red vermillion powder, a mangalsutra that symbolized marriage and protection, holy water from the Ganges, and white jasmine flowers with neem leaves for their protective properties. He carefully arranged these items in a circle, drawing a line of sindoor mixed with water to create a protective barrier.

As he lit the brass oil lamps and the fragrance of incense filled the air, Hardik began chanting ancient mantras he had learned from the pandit, invoking the power to ward off evil spirits. His heart raced as he placed offerings of sweets, fruits, and milk within the circle, hoping to appease the Shakchunni.

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew colder, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with a malevolent presence. The Shakchunni manifested before him, clad in a tattered red sari, her eyes glowing with anger and longing. She screamed that she wanted Rahul, that she would live with him forever, repeating her demands with increasing intensity.

Hardik's hands trembled as he held up the mangalsutra, the sacred symbol of marriage and protection. He sprinkled holy water towards the Shakchunni, waving the sindoor to reinforce the barrier. "You cannot have him," Hardik's voice quivered but grew firm. "You must leave."

The Shakchunni howled in defiance, her form flickering as if testing the boundaries of the circle. Hardik felt tears welling up in his eyes, fear gripping his heart as he continued chanting the mantras, each word resonating with desperate determination.

Their confrontation intensified, the Shakchunni lashing out with ethereal claws and wails that echoed through the hall. Hardik's resolve was tested to its limits, his voice cracking as he fought to maintain the circle's integrity.

In a final surge of strength and willpower, Hardik thrust his hand forward, clutching the idol of Goddess Durga tightly. With one last impassioned chant, he summoned all his courage and pushed the Shakchunni towards the light, urging her to find peace and release her earthly ties.

As the Shakchunni wailed in torment, her form began to dissipate into the shadows. Hardik collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath, tears streaming down his face. He felt drained, emotionally and physically exhausted, but relieved that the ordeal was over.

With shaky legs, Hardik ran out of the palace, leaving the remnants of the ritual behind. He stumbled into the cool night air, breathing heavily, feeling a mix of disbelief and relief that he had survived the encounter with the Shakchunni.

He collapsed onto the ground outside, his body trembling with lingering fear and adrenaline. The storm above seemed to echo his tumultuous emotions, thunder rumbling in the distance as rain began to fall, washing away the remnants of his tears and fears.