Prologue
Banaras never truly slept. Not when darkness lived behind devotion. Not when blood flowed silently beneath holy waters.
And not when powerful men buried secrets inside the city's shadows.
Rain poured heavily across the ancient streets while temple bells echoed through the stormy night.
Inside an old Shiva temple—a woman screamed in pain.
Her trembling cries mixed with the violent sound of thunder outside as another woman tried desperately to help her.
"Saas lijiye... please himmat rakhiye...
The older woman's hands shook while tears filled her eyes.
She had worked for her for years. Not just as a maid.
But as someone loyal enough to stand beside her even tonight.
Even when death waited outside the temple doors. Another painful scream escaped the pregnant woman as she clutched the wet temple floor beneath her.
The red sindoor in her maang had already mixed with sweat and tears. Fear filled the air around them. Because both women knew—if they were found tonight...neither the mother nor the child would survive.
Outside, the sound of vehicles echoed faintly through the rain-covered streets of Banaras.They were searching.
The older woman panicked instantly.
"They are coming..."
But the pregnant woman suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly despite her weakening strength.
Fear.
Desperation.
And a mother's helplessness filled her tearful eyes.
"Listen to me carefully..."
Her broken voice trembled painfully.
"If something happens to me... take her away."
The older woman immediately shook her head with tears.
"No! Nothing will happen to you!"
But another scream tore through the temple before she could say anything else.Then finally—the cry of a newborn echoed inside the temple. For a brief second, silence followed.
The older woman quickly lifted the baby into her trembling arms while tears rolled down her face.
A girl.
The mother looked toward the child weakly.And something shattered inside her eyes.
Love.
Pain.
Fear.
And unbearable helplessness.
The baby cried softly while thunder roared outside.
Then suddenly—the sound of approaching footsteps echoed near the temple entrance. The older woman froze completely.
They found them.
Panic consumed the temple instantly.
The mother immediately looked toward the baby one last time before forcing herself to speak.
"Give her to me..."
The older woman carefully placed the newborn into her trembling arms. The mother stared at her daughter silently. As if trying to memorize every little feature before fate separated them forever.
Then slowly—from around her neck, she removed a small Mahadev locket and gently made the baby wear it.
Tears streamed endlessly down her face. With trembling hands, she lifted the baby toward the Shivling placed beneath Mahadev's idol.
Her lips trembled violently.
"Please Mahadev..."
A sob escaped her throat.
"Protect her..."
Her tears fell onto the baby's tiny forehead.
"Keep her safe..."
The older woman cried silently beside her.
The mother gently kissed the baby's forehead before whispering softly,
"Jiska koi anth na ho..."
"Infinite... eternal..."
A painful smile appeared on her lips through tears.
"She will be called Ananta."
Her fingers caressed the child's tiny face lovingly.
"My daughter will always live happily..."
"Wherever she goes... she will remove darkness..."
But the next second—the sound of footsteps came dangerously close. The mother's expression changed instantly. Fear crashed into her eyes again.
She immediately pushed the baby into the older woman's arms desperately.
"TAKE HER AWAY!"
The older woman cried helplessly.
"Par aap—"
"CHAHE KUCH BHI HO JAYE—"
Her scream echoed through the temple.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
"YEH BANARAS WAPAS NAHI AANI CHAHIYE!"
Silence followed for one horrifying second. The mother grabbed the older woman's hand tightly.
"Promise me..."
Her voice broke completely.
"Never let her come to Banaras."
"Meri beti ko iss andhere se door rakhna..."
The older woman nodded through tears.
Then finally—the mother looked at her daughter one last time.
Weak.
Broken.
Dying.
Yet her eyes still held only love
"Meri Ananta..."
"Mumma loves you a lot..."
Outside, footsteps reached the temple entrance.
The older woman immediately clutched the baby protectively against her chest and ran into the stormy night.
Out of the temple.
Out of Banaras.
Taking the child away—while behind them, fate quietly began writing a story soaked in obsession, blood, and darkness around the girl named Ananta.
