Chakravuyh (Season 2): The Rise of the Evil

Someone is Back

The bell of Malik Mansion echoed through the otherwise silent house.

Karishma, who had been sitting upstairs, immediately lifted her head. For a moment she simply listened. The bell rang again.

She slowly got up and made her way down the staircase. Her steps were tired, but something about the unexpected visitor made her hurry slightly.

As she opened the main door, her dull expression immediately softened.

"Shivani"

Standing before her was Shivani, the woman who had stood beside the Mallik family through some of their darkest hours. A lawyer by profession and a trained psychologist, Shivani had always been more than just a professional acquaintance to them. She had been one of those people who appeared whenever everything else seemed to be falling apart.

Karishma stepped aside.

"Come inside, Shivani. Please."

Shivani smiled gently and entered.

Karishma led her toward the living room.

"Baithiye," Karishma said, pulling out a chair for her.

Shivani sat, but her eyes immediately moved toward the staircase.

"Karishma... main Haseena ko dekh sakti hoon?"

Karishma's smile faded slightly.

"Ji. Bilkul."

She lowered her eyes.

"Aapko mujhse poochne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Shivani. Aap un logon mein se hain jo humare har achhe-bure waqt mein humare saath khade rahe. Aap uss raat bhi aayi thi... Haseena ko bachane ke liye."

Her voice became fragile.

"Bas... kismat ko kuch aur hi manzoor tha."

Karishma's head bowed. A tear escaped before she could stop it.

Shivani immediately placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Karishma... tumne yahan tak bahut kuch saha hai."

She gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Jis himmat se tumne itna sab sambhala hai, ussi himmat se aage bhi sambhal logi. Sab theek hoga."

Karishma nodded silently.

They climbed the stairs together.

---

The moment the bedroom door opened, the familiar sound of the machines greeted them.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Haseena lay motionless on the bed.

The tubes and wires surrounding her had become an almost permanent part of the room. Her face was peaceful, but the stillness of her body was painful to witness.

Shivani stopped beside the bed.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

She simply looked at Haseena.

Then her expression softened.

"Jazbaaton wali bai..."

Her voice trembled faintly.

"Ab bas bahut seh liya tune."

She reached out and gently touched Haseena's hand.

"Ab bahut ho gaya. Hum tujhe aise nahi dekh sakte."