Sketching her Shadows

The moment Saanvi uttered those words, a chill ran down her spine. The grand ballroom, once a place of celebration, now felt like a haunting reminder of a past she was only beginning to remember. She gripped the edge of a nearby pillar, steadying herself as flashes of memories flickered in her mind like an old, broken film reel.

Satya placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Take your time," he said gently. "Don't force it."

Saanvi closed her eyes, trying to grasp onto the fleeting images. There was laughter, the rustling of silk, the weight of heavy jewelry on her skin, and then—Veer. She could feel his presence, see his silhouette, but just as quickly as the vision came, it slipped away, leaving her breathless.

"It's still unclear," she admitted. "Like something is blocking it."

Before Satya could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the empty halls. They turned sharply, their hearts pounding. A tall man in his late fifties stood before them, dressed in an impeccably neat suit, his expression unreadable.

"You shouldn't be here," the man said firmly, his voice holding a quiet authority.

Satya exchanged a wary glance with Saanvi before stepping forward. "We mean no harm. We're just here to understand the past."

The man studied them for a long moment before speaking again. "The past is a dangerous thing to uncover," he warned. "Especially when it has been buried for a reason."

Saanvi frowned. "Who are you?"

The man hesitated before answering. "My name is Professor Arvind Deshmukh. I specialize in royal histories. I've been researching the Rathore lineage for years. But I suggest you leave it alone. Some stories are best left untold."

Satya tensed. "You know something, don't you? About Meera and Veer?"

Professor Deshmukh's gaze hardened. "I know enough to tell you that your search won't end well. Walk away while you still can."

With that, he turned on his heel and disappeared down the hallway, leaving behind only the weight of his warning.

Saanvi exhaled shakily. "He knows something. He's trying to stop us."

Satya nodded. "And that only means one thing—we're getting closer to the truth."

Unbeknownst to them, a faint whisper drifted through the air, a voice neither of them could hear yet.

Find me.

The shadows of the past had been stirred, and there was no turning back now.