Areeba pressed the photograph against her chest.
She made up her mind.
In the morning, she would go to Andheri Haveli again.
In the morning, Areeba was standing alone in front of Andheri Haveli.
Even in the daylight, the mansion seemed silent just like before.
She took a deep breath and opened the door.
As soon as she stepped inside, she felt that same old coldness.
But this time, she was not scared.
“Meher?” No answer came.
Areeba went straight toward the room where the old mirror was kept.
The room was empty.
Only a small white flower was lying on the ground.
Areeba picked up the flower.
At that very moment, a faint light appeared in the mirror.
Areeba looked toward the mirror.
This time, she did not see her own reflection.
She saw Meher.
Meher was smiling.
Tears came to Areeba’s eyes.
“Meher…
can you hear me?” Meher nodded slowly.
Areeba said: “I have come to free you.” Inside the mirror, tears came to Meher’s eyes.
Then she placed her hand on the mirror.
Areeba also placed her hand on the exact same spot.
The glass suddenly became warm.
A faint voice echoed in the room: “Name your fear.” Areeba closed her eyes.
She said softly: “I am afraid of the darkness.” Then she said: “I am afraid of losing my loved ones.” Her voice was trembling.
But she did not stop.
“But now I will not run away from my fear.” The mirror flashed brightly.
And at that very moment…
Meher’s hand came out from inside the glass.
In surprise, Areeba grabbed Meher’s hand.
Meher’s fingers were cold, but this time they did not have the same weakness as before.
“Areeba,” Meher said softly, “now let me go.” Areeba held her hand even more tightly.
“I cannot lose you again.” Meher smiled.
“This time you are not losing me.” The mirror slowly began to glow.
Meher’s body began to come out from inside the glass.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew in the room.
The old photographs hanging on the walls began to fall to the ground.
Areeba closed her eyes.
Then everything became completely silent.
When Areeba opened her eyes, Meher was standing in front of her.
Just like a normal human being.
Tears flowed from Areeba’s eyes.
“Meher…” Both hugged each other.
Meher said softly: “Now your fear is finished.” Areeba asked: “So now the Shadow is also finished?” Meher looked toward the mirror smiling.
The glass was now completely clear.
“Yes.” Areeba looked into the mirror.
This time, she could see only her own reflection.
No shadow.
No face.
No darkness.
Meher said softly: “Let’s go, Areeba.” “Where now?” Meher looked toward the open door of the mansion.
“Outside.” Both stepped outside the mansion together.
And for the first time, the doors of Andheri Haveli closed on their own behind them.
Areeba turned back and looked at the mansion.
The door was closed, but this time there was no fear inside her.
Meher was standing near her.
“Where will we go now?” Areeba asked.
Meher smiled slightly and said: “Where life starts over again.” Both started walking toward home.
On the way, Areeba suddenly felt that there was something in her fist.
She opened her hand.
That same old key.
Areeba looked at Meher in surprise.
“This is still with me.” Meher saw the key and smiled.
“There is no need for this anymore.” Areeba placed the key on the ground.
Both moved forward.
Behind them, the mansion stood silent.
But after going some distance, Areeba looked back one last time.
A faint light was burning in the upper window.
Areeba stopped.
“Meher…” Meher turned and looked.
“What happened?” Areeba pointed toward the window.
“The light.” Meher kept looking at the mansion for a few moments.
Then she spoke softly: “Let it burn.” “Why?” “Because some darknesses become light themselves.” Areeba smiled.
Both held each other’s hand.
And this time, they kept walking toward home without looking back.
Reaching home, Areeba opened the door.
Dadi Zohra was sitting in the drawing room at that very moment, waiting for them.
As soon as her gaze fell on Meher, she remained completely silent for a few moments.
Then tears came into her eyes.
“Meher.” Meher slowly went near her.
“Dadi.” Dadi Zohra grabbed her hand.
“Twenty years have passed.” Meher said smiling: “But you did not stop waiting for me.” Dadi Zohra cried.
Areeba kept looking at both of them.
For the first time, she felt that the story of Andheri Haveli was not just a scary story.
This was the story of those people who kept hiding their pain for years to s ave each other.
Dadi Zohra looked toward Areeba.
“Now both of you are free.” Areeba asked: “Can Meher stay with us now?” Dadi Zohra said smiling: “Now no one can stop her.” Meher looked toward Areeba.
“I will go nowhere.” Areeba smiled.