Rajput Family Mansion…
The heavy oak doors of Maya's chamber creaked open, revealing the soft glow of lanterns swaying from ornate holders on the stone walls. A sweet fragrance of sandalwood and healing herbs lingered in the air. It was early evening, and the palace's quiet corridors gave an almost sacred calm to the rooms inside.
Vikram Das entered the room…
On the bed lay Maya Rajput, still as the surface of a still pond. Her limbs remained paralyzed—motionless from the chest down since that night she was struck by the forbidden soul energy—but her face turned slowly toward him, her tired eyes brightening the moment she saw him.
"Maya," Vikram said softly, standing beside her bed.
"You came…" she whispered, voice faint but layered with gratitude.
"I came to inform you," he said, placing the satchel down near the bedside table. "Tomorrow morning, before sunrise… I'll begin your treatment."
Her lips parted, and her fingers twitched slightly in response. "You… really mean it?"
