As Jai Shankar wept over Ambika's lifeless body, a ferocious roar shattered the silence of the jungle. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized the sound was alarmingly close. Panic surged through him, propelling him to act quickly. He lifted Ambika's body with trembling hands and placed it across his horse, urgency guiding his movements.
"We must go," he whispered to the horse, his voice cracking with fear. "We must get out of here."
He mounted the horse and spurred it into a gallop, desperately trying to outrun the impending danger. The horse responded with a burst of speed, but as Jai Shankar glanced over his shoulder, his blood ran cold. A group of five lions emerged from the undergrowth, their eyes locked onto him with predatory intensity.
The lions' roars echoed through the jungle, a terrifying symphony of rage and hunger. Jai Shankar urged the horse faster, its hooves thundering against the forest floor as they raced towards Dharmagiri. The landscape blurred around him, but the lions were relentless, closing the distance with terrifying speed.
In the chaos of the flight, Ambika's body slipped from the horse and fell to the ground. Jai Shankar cried out in despair, pulling the reins in a futile attempt to turn back. But it was too late. The lions reached Ambika's body and began dragging it away, their powerful jaws and claws making quick work of the lifeless form.
"No!" Jai Shankar screamed, his voice raw with anguish. He watched helplessly as the lions disappeared into the dense foliage, taking Ambika with them.
Desperation and helplessness overwhelmed him. He had failed to protect her even in death. The weight of his grief was almost unbearable, but the imminent threat forced him to continue. He turned the horse and fled, tears blurring his vision as he navigated the treacherous path back to Dharmagiri.
The journey back was a blur of sorrow and fear. The once-beautiful jungle now seemed like a nightmarish labyrinth, every shadow and sound amplifying his sense of loss. When he finally reached the edge of the village, he slowed the horse, exhaustion and despair threatening to consume him.
He dismounted and stood for a moment, trying to collect himself. The burden of the night's events pressed heavily on his shoulders, and he dreaded the thought of facing Rajeev and Vedhika without Ambika. His mind raced, but there were no answers, only a crushing sense of failure and grief.
With a heavy heart, Jai Shankar made his way towards the mansion. The familiar sight of the grand estate offered little comfort. He had left seeking answers and resolution, but returned with nothing but sorrow. As he approached the mansion, he steeled himself for the difficult conversations ahead, knowing he had to summon the strength to explain the unexplainable to those he loved.