Beneath the last line, a few words slowly began to appear: “To destroy the Shadow, its name must be spoken.
“Areeba said in surprise: “Name?”Meher nodded.
“Yes.
The Shadow’s real name.
“Areeba started turning the pages of the diary.
Her gaze stopped on an old page.
A name was written there: “Rashid”Areeba’s breath caught.”Rashid?
“Tears began to flow from Meher’s eyes.
“No.
“Areeba asked: “Then why is this name written here?
“Meher replied softly: “Because Rashid was not the Shadow.” “Then who?
“Meher looked toward the mirror.
Rashid’s face was no longer in the mirror.
In its place, another face was emerging.
Dadi Zohra’s.
And tears were flowing from her eyes.
Areeba said softly: “Dadi.
“From inside the mirror, Dadi Zohra’s voice came: “Areeba, set me free.
“Areeba pressed the diary against her chest.
Now she understood.The real test was about to begin.
Areeba held the diary tightly.
“How do we set Dadi free?
“Meher turned the pages of the diary.
“It is written here that to destroy the Shadow, the name of the person who first called it into the mansion must be spoken.
“Areeba stopped.
“So it wasn’t Rashid.” “Yes.” Then who was it?
“Meher softly opened the last page of the diary.
There, written in old ink, was just one name.
“Zohra.”Areeba’s eyes widened.
“Dadi Zohra?”Meher nodded.
“She did not call the Shadow.
She only took its name to stop it.” “Then how did the Shadow enter inside her?” “Because the Shadow needed a body.
“Suddenly, the door slammed shut violently.
Dadi Zohra’s voice came again: “Areeba, hurry up.
“Areeba closed her eyes and said: “I will set you free.” Meher grabbed her hand.
“But remember, the Shadow will try to scare you.” The mirror suddenly began to shatter.
One by one, the pieces of glass began to fall to the ground.
And in those pieces, Areeba began to see that night from her childhood.
Meher was holding her hand and crying.
Rashid was closing the door.
Dadi Zohra was reciting a prayer.
And Areeba…
in the end, was standing in front of the mirror.
She suddenly remembered everything.
That night, the Shadow had not chosen her.
Areeba herself had given her hand to the Shadow.
Areeba’s face turned white.
“I…
myself held its hand?” Meher nodded slowly.
“Yes.
You were very small at that time.
You didn’t even know what that thing was.
“Areeba closed her eyes.
In her mind, that old night came alive again.
Meher was screaming.
Rashid was closing the door.
And a dark shadow was standing in front of Areeba.
But another thing from that night now came back to her memory.
The Shadow had told her: “I will never harm you.” Areeba opened her eyes.
“Meher…
it had made a promise to me.
“Meher asked:”What kind of promise?” “It had said that it would keep me and my family safe.
“Meher remained silent for a few moments.
Then she said: “For this reason, it could never harm you.
Areeba asked in surprise: “Then what was everything that was happening for all these years?
“Meher answered softly: “The Shadow was scaring you, but killing you was not in its power.
“Areeba looked toward the diary.
“Then how do I set Dadi free?
“Meher said: “The promise must be broken.
“Areeba could not understand.
“Which promise?” Meher pointed toward the mirror.
“The promise you made to the Shadow in childhood.
“Areeba asked softly: “What should I do?
“Meher said: “Take its name and say that now you do not need its protection.
“Areeba took a deep breath.She stood in front of the mirror and said: “I can live my life myself.
“Suddenly, a strong wind blew in the room.
The mirror shattered completely.And at that very moment,Dadi Zohra’s scream was heard.