8 12 YEARS AGO..

Meanwhile back at the kautyas, Mahi was in her room figuring out the schedule for getting all the things done before she run out of time. it's been two days since Chend showed up announced at her doorsteps claiming the most valuable possession that she knew she had i.e her time. Even though it was something she promised she would do 12years ago, it has been extremely painful to her whenever she thought about her parents and her family.

Back in his room, even Chend was feeling distraught about this whenever he thinks of the girls poor face. 12years ago it didn't feel like a big deal to him. But now, he is almost rethinking it. "If only there is another way he could save both of them" he muttered sadly

But he can't go back now. Not without taking it. The whole fate of Neoon depends on it. Chend was lost in his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door.

He slowly got up and unwillingly opened the door as he knew the only person who might be on the other side of the door is Mahi and he couldn't face her.

Sure enough as he opened the door, he found mahi staring at him with full eyes. Sir Chend can I talk to you for a moment?" she said in a glumy voice. Chend could not face her. He turned around rightaway and waved his hand as through signalling her to get in. She slowly came inside and stood infront of him. Sir Chend, before i talk, i would like to ask you just one last time. Even if you think am a drag, please answer me. "Is this the only way?" she asked him looking straight into his eyes.

He looked at her and patted her head. Mahi! If there is another way, I wouldnot have even considered asking you" he said as he looked down.

"I understand! As i promised before, it will be done in three days. I did almost everything i wanted to. Now all thats left is breaking it to my family. Chend looked uncomfortable. Mahi noticed this and assured "Dont worry sir chend! You dont have to say anything. I will take care of that and also i will make sure nobody asks you anything. Believe the last thing i want is people accusing the person who gave me a second life."

"Mahi! It is not me am worried about. No matter what the circumstance was, no parent could take sanely. I am just worried what might happen to them." he replied.

"Mmm...well..there is that! Actually that is kind of another think i was hoping to ask you. I will come to Neoon. I cant let my parents watch me die. It will kill them. I want you to leave now and i will follow you in 3 days." she replied.

" There is not much time! It will be too late by the time you reach Neoon. You might not know, but it took me almost a week to come here." he said worriedly.

Mahi smirked and said " Sir Chend! Have you forgotten? I will be there before you reach!" she assured to which Chend nodded as he realised that he did really forget what she is really capable of.

Later that evening he left the town after taking permission from the kautyas. As he went on his way, he was muttering to himself only thing repeatedly. "Neoon! That little girl is coming to save you!"

Back in her house mahi made her parents and her uncle sit down around her while she stood in the middle. "There is something you need to know. And i know it might be hard to take and that is exactly why i need you to be strong." she started

"What is happening dear?" both her uncles said in unison to which her mother replied "Its time! Isnt it Mahi! That is why he came. Sir Chend." to which mahi looked at her in utter shock.

Both her parents sat with teary eyes holding each others hands. Thats when she understood that they knew about it already. But how? She never discussed with anybody in her life. But her uncles seem to be in a confusion. They have no idea what these people are talking about.

"Mom! Dad! How! When! How ...did you know?" she was trying to fight off the tears coming out of her eyes as she said these words

" When it happened..darling" her dad replied for the both of them while her mom is in complete despair.

"We were initially there when you died twelve years ago. When you came back, we knew it couldnt be possible. One day before sir chend left, your mother heard you both talking. He was giving you instructions on how to stay fully alive and thats how we found out about it. But we decided to keep quiet and let you live your life the way you want to." he explained

Both her uncles were at a loss of words after learning that their niece has died and come back. Vipin thought these people have gone crazy while vashi just sat there dumbstruck. They both looked at mahi as if they are looking at a ghost.

Mahi realising their dilemma, started telling them the whole story. "It all started 12 years ago when one day i was playing in the fields. Thats when i have died. I do not remember how i died though. All these years i have tried to uncover it but in vain." she continued

"Yes! By the time we found her she was in her last breath.There was no one around. As i went there to get her back for lunch, i saw her lying on the grass. And she wasnt moving much. In about a couple of minutes she died" he said looking at her sadly.

"Thats when my spirit has gone out of the body. I spent that day wandering around not understanding what to do. I could not cross over and neither was i heard. I just spent that day hanging around the town as i could not see you cry. But thats when a miracle happened in my life.

The next day i saw a tall man hiding in the bushes outside the town with a girl in his hands. When i went to look closely, that man grabbed my arm. I was so frightened that i was shaking. But his gaze was so warmth that i felt a calmness around me. He looked at me for a moment and said "I was searching for you!" at which i was shocked.

"For what? I am dead!" i responded

But he said he would give me a second chance in life. Though he couldnt promise for how long, he said that i would be doing a good deed only. And I...I wanted to spend some more time with you. It would give me a chance to say you proper good bye and i wanted that. That is why i said yes. That is when sir chend explained to me what he was doing and what i should be doing. That girl in his hands that day was the Neoon princess. She was unconscious then as she got hurt while she was running away from some bad people. Sir chend wanted me to exchange bodies with the princess. I should be the guardian of that body until she was safe. He promised me that you would all forget that i ever died and came back. And that all your memories about me will be the same except you will remember me with the princess face. I honestly didnt care anything about that back then. I just wanted a second chance and i got it."

"But ..Why? Why you?" vashi asked her

"Fate! I guess.. I was a wandering spirit. And not only was he able to see me , he also gave me a rebirth. What is it if not fate?" she replied

"So, you are protecting her body till now?" Vipin asked

"Yes! No one would come here and also no one could harm me. I never got to use it , but sir chend said, this body of mine is powerful and therefore it needed a lot of my energy just to stay in this body. That is what i was doing everyday in the basement. I was just trying to stay in" she stated.