Next Morning
Kiara went to Shiva temple.
" Where is pundit Agnisharma", she asked the head priest.
" Are you princess of Vidhangarh ", he asked back.
" Yes", replied Kiara.
" Punditji told me you will come asking for him. And you will find him at the place you came from", he said.
Kiara was at a loss. This was a puzzle. And she was not good at them. So she went to Maddy.
" I need your help", she said.
" About", he asked.
" I am close to finding out his identity ", she said.
" How"?
" Maddy I think I have seen interwined snakes somewhere but it just is not coming back to me", she said. " And Aditi"..
" What did Aditi say", ask Maddy.
" A tough choice", she shrugged.
" Choice", said Maddy.
" I am afraid ", she said.
He hugged her.
Then she told him about Agni.
" Where you came from", said Maddy.
" Vidhangarh ", said Kiara.
" No Ki he wasn't talking about you. It was Aditi. And Aditi came from Kashi. Punditji is there. In Kashi. Close to Shiva. He said to Raj he has only one last duty left".
" Meeting me", said Kiara.
" We must hurry", said Maddy. " I will inform Raj.
In next few hours the couple stood in Kashi.
Then they began the searching a tedious job considering the amounts of sages and priests present there. But Maddy had photographs.
" Mother clicked pictures of Riya's wedding", he smiled.
They booked a place nearby as by night they couldn't find him.
Night
" Look at these photographs ", said Kiara.
They started identifying the people.
" Ah this is your mom, Shai's mom and Lisa with Riya ", said Kiara .
" This one is the dancer", said Maddy pointing to Shalini.
They spotted Vinod and Gaurav joking together.
Numaan was with Manav.
" Uncle knew a lot about Vicky. He tells us many things like him being the Eagle of business world and a strict disciplinarian ", said Kiara.
" Raj is his antonymn in discipline ", joked Maddy.
" Drives everyone nuts", agreed Kiara.
" Your father is with Salman uncle and Ro's father", said Kiara.
" Hmmm they were close friends ", said Maddy. " Look there's Raj parents".
" She is so beautiful ", said Kiara. " What the hell he ever saw in Kamini! "
" He just wished to punish his son", said Maddy. " I agree with appa though he regretted it later".
" Such violent deaths in that family ", grimaced Kiara. " I am so sad for Rocky. Poor guy is, wallowing in self guilt. "
" I am sorry too though I am relieved Raj recoincled with his brothers. I never would have imagined Rakesh doing what he did for Raj or Raj saving them from sure deaths. . Love has won Ki.. The curse is void now".
At that moment neither Maddy nor Kiara realised that Gautam forgave the kingdom and the curse was lifted.
Early next morning Maddy suggested they visit Kashi Vishwanath to take Shiva's blessings. They did. On a whim they took a boat ride in river Ganga too. They searched all the maths( a sage hotel where only sages live) and got nothing.
Until....
" Kiara look", said Maddy.
" There was a poster for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra( a holy pilgrimage circling the sacred Kailasha parvat).
A sage groupwas organising it.
" Let's go", she said.
While the couple travelled to that place...they were attacked.
Kiara fought the goons and soon overpowered the local thugs trying to rob them.
" I'll pay you", said Maddy. " No need to rob me. I need help".
" Help", a thug was confused.
" I am looking for a Himalayan sage. It's urgent. I am a lawyer in Mumbai. It was my grandmother's last wish that I take his blessings", said Maddy.
With the photograph, description and obviously money the thugs agreed.
" Trust you to become friends with thugs", scoffed Kiara. " They totally bought your bluff".
Maddy made a money sign with hands and Kiara rolled her eyes.
Finally they arrived at the place.
" Punditji we are looking for pundit Agnisharma ", Kiara asked a sage.
Most of them ignored the couple. Some remained silent on a vow. Kiara was getting frustrated but Maddy didn't lose hope.
" We have to meet him Ki", he said. " I guess this is our last chance ".
Finally a Naga Sadhu saw both of them and stared.
A bit scared they moved back before he said in a clear voice.
" GAUTAM"....
Maddy halted and turned.
" M. Maharaj", he said.
" So you came back Gautam", said the Naga. " About time. He needs you".
" Who"? Kiara was the one who asked it.
The Naga stared at her for a long time.
Kiara was intimated but held on.
Naga smiled.
" ADITI CHILD", he said smiling at her.
Kiara was taken aback...
" You know us", said Maddy. " But we are not..."
Naga raised a hand to stop him.
" Ten centuries back there was an evil", he said.
Maddy and Kiara listened.
" Keekat was his name. He fed on insecurities, jealousy and hatred. It was born in the heart of a prince and a brahmin. There was a rightful heir who lost his life and an innocent couple who were wrongly accused. Life has come a full turn my children. The hatred and jealousy and a feeling of inadequacy is back. Someone is jealous and unsatisfied.For Keekat raises his ugly head again".
" What is his relationship with snakes", asked Kiara.
" They make him powerful. Snake is born out of curse which will produce Kali or Satan", said Naga.
" How will Shiva save us", asked Maddy.
" Shiva is the destructor not protector", said Naga.
" Lord Vishnu will help us", asked Maddy.
" A power larger than everything", said Naga and chanting the name of Shiva went away.
" We are back to square one", sighed Kiara.
" Don't lose hope", said Maddy.
By evening they were tired and could not locate Agni.
" I guess we need to return to our hotel now", said Maddy.
" I guess so", said Kiara.
" There is a Vishnu temple nearby", said one of the thug. " They give free food tonight. If you guys want to try"...
" Let's do it", said Maddy.
As they stood in line to eat another of the thug came running.
" That sage you were searching", he said.
" Yes", said Maddy.
" He sits in the temple backyard. It's empty as food distribution is started", he said.
" How do you know", asked Maddy.
" He told me and asked me to send you there", he said.
Kiara held his neck.
" If you are fooling us.. "
" Miss I am standing at temple. I won't lie. Plus I get good money ".
Maddy persuaded her to leave him.
" For your own good dude I hope you are not lying", smirked Maddy.
Backyard
Agni was indded in the backyard near a tree feeding a few cows.
" Punditji ", said Maddy.
Agni turned. His face was glowing. He smiled.
" You both are here", said Agni. " Time for my last duty... "
They were dumbfounded as Agni ordered them to sit.
" Listen very carefully ", he said.
" You both get married before leaving Kashi. No questions. Time is precious. As soon as you reach Junagarh ask the remaining friends to get married soon. Before coronation will come the final hurdle. Loyalities will be checked. And also the Dharma in your hearts. You need Protector with you. Also try to find a way to reach each other in case you separate. The curse is not over. Blood will fight blood. But blood should not flow. It's upto you. Find a way",.
Agni then was quiet for some time. He looked worried.
" What worries you punditji ", asked Kiara.
Agni smiled.
" Nothing ", he said. " Innocent shall not be harmed. Make sure of it".
They both touched his feet.
" May Shiva bless, powers and guides you children. I take your leave", said Agni.
" Om Namah Shivay", he chanted.
And breathed his last....
His last duty was completed....
Next Morning
Agni was cremated by sages of Math and his ashes were immersed in Ganga as per his wish.
Maddy and Kiara got married in a Vishnu temple as per Agni's wishes. Then they flew back to Mumbai.