Prerna's POV:

I ran out from the hospital, just like a lifeless Autumn leaf, flying with the flow, to wander when I started traveling to the memory lane of the time, when this story of snake and ladder has begun.

I did not know about how and why it has started, but I remember the night when I faced that shark, for the very first time, being unaware of the fact that he has planned to hunt me.

Two months ago, everything was fine. Now, Rishab Bajaj had entered my life, bringing a turmoil of emotions and problems. He was a shark. I walked in the heavy rain with tears trickling down my cheeks.

But starting on the Durga Dashami! The demise of the devil has taken a devil in front of him. Was he really a devil?

Yes, for me, he was...

"Today is Durga Dashami, we are so excited Ma, we want to come with you,", Shivani mustered the strength to ask for permission to go to the pandal. Veena denied, "No. I won't take you two with me to the stall. I don't want you to work at this age"

"Ma, come on, I want to help you and I will not listen to any excuse. We are coming with you, and this is final!" Prerna announced, just like a mother would order her child. Veena sighed, "Okay, you both can come with me.", Veena had to keep her arms down after all.

Spontaneously, Basu family were also ready to leave the Basu Badi for the pandal to perform the pooja on an auspicious day. After all, it is the most awaited day for Bengalis, and being the richest and most prestigious Bengali family of Kolkata and trustee of the pandal, they had to leave.

"Nivi, we are getting late, Shona, come fast," Mohini Basu called as she knocked on Nivedita's room's door. Anupam, who desperately was in the mood to fill sindoor in Nivedita's hair-parting, stopped when he heard his mother-in-law call for his wife and, killed the mood.

"Aayi Ma", Nivedita answered shouting loud, and ran out from the room, leaving her sulking husband behind. Mohini looked at her in admiration, "You look beautiful, let's go"

"Thanks, Di, you have fulfilled my wish of attending sindoor khela, for at least once in my life," Shivani hugged Prerna.

"As if your wishes are ever going to end?" Prerna teased her, In a serious tone.

"Iss ke baad, next month tak koi wish nahi hogi, promise," Shivani cheekily said.

"Now don't butter me and get ready", Prerna laughingly ordered her younger sister, Shivani.

However, Tapur, the youngest but the snobbish child, denied joining them, "I won't go Ma, I hate sindoor khela. I am not mudding myself with vermillion"

"Tapur! It is offering to Ma", Mohini being the most snobbish lady, scolded her but Nivedita calmed her down, to maintain the order and calmness between them.

Tapur ignored her mother's scoldings, "Come on, mom! I have to go to a party", and left in her car, leaving Mohini speechless. Mohini hid her tears from Nivedita.

Mohini opened her mouth to call for her son, Anurag, but he walked out of the mansion. "I am here Ma, Baba has reached. Let's go", They left for the pandal.

The pandal was furnished with red curtains and flowers. People were dancing with kulhad. Prerna entered the pandal, dressed in a red and white Bengali saree with Shivani and her mother Veena.

Spontaneously, a car stopped outside the pandal. Mohini and her family stepped out of the car, with pride clear on Mohini's face.

Anurag's eyes were searching Prerna. When he finally saw the Sharma sisters, a smile crept to his lips.

"Hey, Shivani! Couldn't you wait for me?", He called out to the younger sister, but his eyes were focusing , Prerna.

"Anurag", Shivani turned to look at him and pulled Prerna with her.

"Prerna", he whispered and was about to go to the Sharma sisters but something hit him and he fell down.

Prerna got scared and called out loud, "Anurag!" Everyone turned to look at Anurag. He instead just said that he was fine and not hurt.

"Shubho Doshomi" He greeted the two sisters. "Shubho Doshami", they wished him. Prerna and Anurag joined the kulhad dance, whereas Shivani joined her mother at the stall.

Everyone was playing sindoor khela. Anurag raised his hands to apply sindoor on Prerna's cheeks when Mohini came and threw the plate on the floor.

She clenched her jaw, "Onu!", she glared at her son and pulled him out of there. Prerna was all alone with tear-filled eyes.

"Ma! it is a festival!"

"She is a servant's daughter," she scolded him. But Anurag interrupted, "Rajesh uncle is not a servant", She sighed and tried to knock some sense in him.

Meanwhile, an anonymous person applied sindoor on Prerna's cheeks, "Shubho Doshomi". She looked at the person in amazement he was unknown to her.

I've never thought in my nightmare, that he will be the person who will change my life, or played with me?