The journey from Mumbai to Devgad had begun for Raghav and Tanvi. It was the beginning of winter — the air was crisp and cool. Soft music played in the car while Tanvi gazed out the window. Rows of trees, little rivers flowing through fields, and the salty scent of the sea — the atmosphere was peaceful and refreshing.
“Your village must be truly beautiful,” Tanvi said with excitement, her face glowing with a smile.
“Yes, Devgad is special. I’ve spent many winter vacations there. After three years, I’m finally going home,” Raghav replied, his voice filled with sweet nostalgia.
As they approached the village, Raghav suddenly went quiet. Tanvi noticed but didn’t say anything, instead immersing herself in the scenery.
____
The car finally stopped near the ancestral mansion of the Rane family.
It was a grand stone wada (mansion), holding both charm and antiquity. But behind it, at some distance, stood another mansion. Broken windows, darkened walls, and overgrown trees gave it a haunted appearance.
“Who lives there...?” Tanvi asked curiously.
Raghav, clearly tired, avoided the question and started walking ahead.
“No one. Let’s go, everyone is waiting inside,” he said.
As they entered the mansion, the Rane family welcomed them warmly. They took blessings from Raghav’s mother and uncle-aunt. Everyone was happy, asking about their marriage and their work. The old photographs on the wall and the antique wooden furniture gave the house a historic feel.
“Now that you’re here, the fun will truly begin. The wedding preparations will be in full swing!” Raghav’s uncle said with enthusiasm.
Raghav and Tanvi went to their room. From the window, the abandoned mansion was clearly visible. Tanvi couldn’t suppress her curiosity and asked again,
“Why does that wada look so deserted? Does anyone live there?”
“No one. The last time I was here, the old man who lived there died of a heart attack,” Raghav replied. “It’s just an old, forgotten place.” the tension in his voice surprised Tanvi.
That afternoon, after a hearty meal, the Rane family gathered in the living room.
Raghav and Tanvi were sipping tea with everyone, and the conversation shifted to the upcoming family wedding.
“So, when’s the wedding, uncle?” Tanvi asked, watching the excitement building up in the household.
Uncle Vishwanath, sitting in his chair, replied with a wide smile,
“It’s set for the 20th. We’ve found a perfect match for Madhavi — he’s from a nearby village, smart, handsome, and working in Mumbai.”
“Madhavi isn’t lacking either — skilled in cooking, work, everything! She’ll be a blessing to any household,” Raghav’s mother added, her voice a mix of excitement and concern.
Raghav knew how important this marriage was for his family, especially for his mother, who was deeply attached to Madhavi. Preparations had already started from afar.
“But one thing’s for sure — it’s heartwarming to see the whole family coming together,” he said.
“It’s not just a ceremony, but a union of two traditions, two histories,” Raghav’s mother added. “There’s an old saying in our family — ‘When wedding bells ring, the shadows of the past fall silent.’”
Tanvi, sensing a deeper meaning, asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Uncle Vishwanath laughed,
“Oh, it’s just an old saying. You’ll hear more of these in the coming days. Weddings in Devgad are always a mix of joy and solemnity. That’s just how it is here.”
The conversation lightened, and the focus shifted to wedding clothes and food.
Still, Tanvi couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a hidden meaning in the family’s words. But for now, she chose to let it go and enjoy the moment.
____
The next morning, Raghav and Tanvi went for a walk around the village.
The locals were kind and enjoyed chatting with the newlyweds in village, asking about life in the city. But whenever the old wada was mentioned, their expressions turned grim.
“Don’t go near that place,” an old woman warned Tanvi. “That house is cursed.”
“Oh, they’re just stories,” Raghav laughed. “There’s nothing to it.”
That afternoon, Raghav and Tanvi sat in the mansion courtyard.
Under the soft sunlight, Tanvi’s face glowed, her smile radiant. She asked many questions about the village, and Raghav answered each one patiently.
“Your village is so beautiful, Raghav. Why didn’t we come earlier?” Tanvi asked.
“Because you weren’t in my life back then. And now this village belongs to us. You’re mine,” Raghav replied with a gentle smile.
It was a special moment. It's been 2 years they're married Though their marriage was still new, their love already felt eternal. Seeing Tanvi’s joy…
“And now that you’re here, I don’t need anything else,” Raghav whispered.
“I love you so much, Raghav,” Tanvi said softly.
“And I love you even more,” he replied.
But beyond their sweet conversation, in that abandoned mansion, a shadow was listening.
_____
After dinner, the whole family was sitting together, chatting. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew, and the lights went out. For a few moments, everyone fell silent.
As darkness took over the mansion, tree branches outside began striking the windows, and the wind sounded like whispering spirits. The air turned chilling, piercing through the bones.
Tanvi tightly held her saree’s pallu and clutched Raghav’s hand.
“When will the power come back?” she asked nervously.
“In a little while,” Raghav replied, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
Then suddenly, a painful moaning sound came from behind them.
“Who’s there?” Tanvi asked, her heart pounding, but no one answered.
Raghav switched on his torch, but only the shadows of empty walls and old furniture appeared.
Her mother-in-law sensed something ominous.
“This is a bad sign,” Sunanda Rane, Tanvi’s mother-in-law, said with concern.
“Sudden power cuts and such sounds are not considered good.”
Worry was clear on her face.
“Mom, don’t give so much importance to old beliefs,” Raghav tried to calm her.
But Sunanda remained uneasy. Just as she was about to say more, a cold gust blew from outside, slamming the main door shut. The old photographs on the wall began to sway. One woman’s face in a picture began to blur — as if someone had deliberately smeared it.
Tanvi noticed the changed photo.
“This picture… it wasn’t like this before,” she said, frightened.
Raghav looked at it, but didn’t find anything unusual.
“It’s just dust. You’re overthinking,” he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
