Lilith (Baneva) was still asleep, her breathing soft and even, untouched by the chaos that surrounded her world. Dr. Clara stood beside her, her expression calm yet focused as she carefully injected the medication into Lilith's arm. The needle slid in with precision, and once done, she adjusted the blanket over her fragile form, tucking it gently around her as though shielding her from everything beyond that room. Machines hummed quietly, monitoring every heartbeat, every breath, every subtle shift in her condition.
"She's stable," Dr. Clara murmured, more to herself than anyone else, though the others in the room listened closely.
Throughout the entire day, they observed her. No sudden changes. No discomfort. No distress. Just a peaceful, almost unnatural stillness, as if she were caught between two worlds—resting, yet not fully present.
Meanwhile, inside Nikolai's mansion, the atmosphere was far from calm.
Adnan sat directly across from Nikolai, their gazes locked in a silent exchange of authority and calculation. Behind Adnan stood his group—The Nightfall Syndicate—eight members in total, perfectly aligned, radiating power and precision.
Four men. Four women.
The men:
Keith, American, sharp-eyed and unreadable.
Felipe, half Spanish, half Polish, his posture relaxed yet dangerous.
Viktor, half Russian, half Italian, his silence heavier than words.
Cesare, from the UK, composed with a cold elegance.
The women:
Vespera, half Greek, half Russian, her presence both graceful and lethal.
Dorothea, German, disciplined and calculating.
Andrea, half American, half Mexican, confident and observant.
Carlotta, Italian, poised with quiet intensity.
They all sat, watching, waiting.
Adnan cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the stillness.
"The weapons are returned to you. Did you get them?" he asked, his tone controlled.
Nikolai gave a low hum. "Hmhm." He nodded once.
"Good," Adnan replied.
At that moment, Dr. Leonid entered.
"Her condition is stable. She is asleep peacefully. No problems, no discomfort," he reported.
Nikolai blinked slowly—a subtle sign of approval—before leaning back into his seat, resting, though his mind was anything but at ease.
By evening, the mood shifted entirely.
It was Mehendi Night, and the time read 6:00 PM.
The house transformed into a world of celebration—decorated in deep teal and dark green, shimmering under warm lights that reflected off intricate patterns and fabrics.
Anika and Nishi carefully dressed Lilith (Baneva), who had now awakened, into a breathtaking outfit: a vibrant green lehenga layered with yellow and gold embroidery. The skirt flowed lightly with every movement, mirror work catching the light like scattered stars. Her choli was delicately fitted, adorned with floral thread designs that traced her form with elegance. A soft dupatta rested over her shoulders, and fresh flower jewelry—marigold and jasmine—wrapped around her hair, which was styled in a loose braid.
She glowed. Bright. Festive. Alive.
"Bless you, dearest angel," Anika whispered, kissing her forehead.
Lily (Neva) giggled, her tiny hands reaching out as they guided her downstairs.
The space was filled with women—Nikolai's family had come, only the women, carrying cones of henna and laughter in equal measure. Everyone sat on a large, long rug as the designs began—intricate patterns blooming across hands like stories being written in silence.
Then, Riyana began to sing, her voice soft, and the others joined:
Rangiye dao haath amar, mehendir rong-e (Color my hands with the hue of mehendi)
Shonar shopno jagey aaj ei moner majhe (Golden dreams awaken in my heart tonight)
Nacher taal-e hashir dhoni, ghorey uthuk aaj (Let laughter rise in rhythm of dance tonight)
Bondhura shob ghirey achey, shajuk premer saaj (Friends surround me, love decorates the moment)
O maayer doa, baba'r hashi (Mother's prayers, father's smile)
Shuro hoy aaj notun golpo bhalobashi (A new story of love begins today)
Mehendi raat, alo joley (Mehendi night glows with light)
Chand o hashey, tara boley (The moon smiles, the stars whisper)
Shukher pothey cholbe dujon (Together you will walk the path of happiness)
Rangiye dao paaye alta'r rong (Color my feet with red alta)
Moner majhe bajey premer shur-er dhong (The melody of love echoes in my heart)
Dholer beat-e nachey pran (My soul dances to the drum beats)
Aaj theke dujon ek-i jaan (From today, two souls become one)
The melody wrapped around the room as henna darkened on skin.
On Arina's hand, Ethan's name was written. Slowly, it grew darker. Darker than expected.
Yet her expression was far from joy.
"Ari, why sad, huh?" Lilith (Baneva) asked, moving closer.
"Lily baby… your big bhai… Ethan… he doesn't love me anymore. He's getting married to someone else… and I'll be alone again," Arina whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Lily's tiny face twisted into anger.
"Wait for Lily," she said firmly.
She stood up, her heavy skirt swaying as she waddled determinedly across the room. She spotted Karim sitting with the boys.
"Rim bhai!"
They all turned instantly. Their baby sister looked furious.
"What's wrong, love?" Aarav asked.
"C…C…Call L…Lily big bhai now. Lily very, very, very mad with him. Pretty p…p…please," she demanded.
"Okay, baby," Karim said, already dialing.
"Hello?" Nikolai answered.
"Nikki! Go to big bhai! Lily wanna talk some s…s…sense to him!"
"Huh? Sense? What happened, Bambi?"
"Go go go go go go go go go go go!!!!!!!!"
"Okay, okay, chill, hold on, love," Nikolai said, already moving.
He walked downstairs.
"Ethan!"
"Over here!"
"Lily is very, very angry with you. Did you do something wrong?"
"Not sure," Ethan replied.
"BIG BHAI!" Lily's voice burst through the phone.
Ethan froze. "Did she tell you what I did?"
Nikolai shook his head.
"H…Hello, Lily. What happened?"
"L…Lily very, very mad with big bhai. You make Lily Ari sad and cry a lot. Now Lily punish you. No hugs. No bye-bye kisses. No more Lily cookies for you anymore. And Lily no talk to you again!"
Ethan's heart dropped. "Arina cried?"
"Ha! (Yes!) And Lily write big b…bhai name on her hand. The M…M…Mehendi all black now. Lily punish you now!"
Nikolai's expression hardened. His sister cried. That alone was enough.
"Bye!" Lily ended the call.
Ethan exhaled sharply. "I'll call off the wedding."
Nikolai stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "If you hurt or make her cry again, you will not only regret it—you will burn down. Got it?"
He walked away.
Ethan sat back down, silent.
Later that night, Lily (Neva)'s henna shone beautifully, Nikolai's name intricately designed across her tiny hands. She giggled softly before drifting to sleep along with everyone else.
Meanwhile, Arina lay in darkness. Her room was completely dim. She curled into herself, crying quietly.
"Ari?"
She froze. That voice.
She wiped her tears and looked up. Ethan stood by the door. He closed it gently.
"Go away," she sniffed.
He walked over and got onto the bed beside her.
"I called off the wedding."
She blinked. "Huh… why?"
"Because I don't like them. I love you."
Her breath caught. "You… what?"
"I love you, Arina. It's you I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with only you, no matter what."
He moved closer. Their noses touched. Her eyes glistened.
He cupped her face and kissed her—slowly, deeply—as if sealing every unspoken word between them.
The wind seemed to wrap around them, carrying away doubt, leaving only truth.
The next day came with a quieter kind of celebration.
It was the Aiburo Bhat (Final unmarried meal).
Lilith (Baneva)'s family invited Nikolai—the groom—to share a lavish feast before marriage.
Nikolai arrived alone.
Outside, in the garden, a table had been arranged—elegant yet intimate.
They sat together, surrounded by soft sunlight and gentle conversation. They ate, they laughed, they gossiped.
Nikolai watched her quietly, admiration clear in his gaze.
Lilith drew softly on a piece of paper, lost in her own world, while occasionally feeding him with a small smile.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, effortlessly.
Two souls, bound not just by ceremony—but by something deeper.
Something unbreakable.