Seema's father was in a business that most people would call strange… but in this era, it was exactly that kind of business that had shaken the entire world.
A few decades ago, a mining team in Japan had discovered something unusual while digging through a site—strange, unremarkable stones. At first glance, they looked ordinary. But when cut open, their insides revealed something completely different… a bright, glass-like substance, filled with unknown elements.
That discovery created chaos across the world.
Scientists from across countries studied them and eventually confirmed that these were rare, ancient stones—hidden for centuries, mostly found in Asian regions. Japan and China had the highest presence of these stones, with India coming in third.
Slowly, the business around these stones exploded.
Mines were dug across different regions, and these ordinary-looking rocks—hiding something extraordinary within—became the center of a booming trade. People started calling them Z-stones, or the substance inside them, Z-material.
In India, Seema's father had built a powerful name in this very business. His reputation wasn't just about wealth—it was about his eye. People believed he had an almost uncanny ability to judge these stones.
Because from the outside, every Z-stone looked the same.
Only experienced individuals, those who had spent years studying them, could even attempt to identify their worth. But even then, no one could say for sure what kind of Z lay inside—or how valuable it would be.
That uncertainty was exactly what made it thrilling.
Big businesses started organizing competitions—events where people could test their luck and skill. Either they discovered new talent… or gave people a chance to become rich overnight.
Z-stones came in different types and colors.
Green was the most common.
Then came blue, purple, red… and finally, the rarest of all—golden.
Golden Z had only been found three or four times in centuries. Because of that, its value wasn't just high—it was insane. Even a basic green Z-stone could start at fifty thousand rupees, and from there, the price only went up depending on quality.
People were obsessed with these stones.
Because once the Z-material was extracted, it could be turned into incredibly expensive jewelry.
And today… Seema had brought Om right into the heart of that world.
They had arrived at Balloon Palace—a massive, luxurious venue that looked even more stunning because of the event. The decorations, the lights, the energy—it all screamed wealth.
Om looked around and quickly realized—
everyone here was rich.
People stood in groups, holding drinks, laughing casually while trying their luck. Before the main contest, they would go to the counters, select stones, and hope that whatever they bought would give them at least three times the return once cut open.
Some people walked away smiling.
Others… not so much.
Everyone was playing within their limits, buying stones according to their own status.
"You know,"
Seema said as she walked ahead, guiding Om,
"the most exciting part here is the auction. Big businessmen bring their best stones. And if we get lucky… if we pick the right one and it turns out to be high-grade Z… we're set."
Om followed behind her, half-listening, half-distracted.
Sometimes he looked around at the grand place, still trying to take it all in… and sometimes, he kept adjusting his clothes awkwardly.
Seema had made sure he looked the part.
On the way here, she had dragged him into a showroom and bought him a clean white shirt and black formal pants. And honestly… he looked good. Really good.
The first time she saw him in those clothes, her heart had skipped a beat.
For a moment… she almost fell for him.
But she knew Anshika loved him.
So she buried that thought instantly, locking it away before it could grow.
Now, standing in front of him, she crossed her arms and said with a slight attitude,
"You look great, okay? Stop fixing your clothes every two seconds."
Om laughed lightly, still adjusting his sleeve.
"It's just… new. Feels like it's eating my skin."
As he stepped beside her, she rolled her eyes and started walking again.
"Alright, come on. Let's go pick a stone for ourselves."
Just then, a large screen in front of them lit up. It showed a freshly cut stone, glowing green from within.
A girl's voice echoed through the hall,
"And here we have a second-grade green Z-stone! The buyer just earned eighty thousand rupees!"
Everyone's attention shifted toward the screen.
But Om… wasn't looking there anymore.
His eyes had drifted toward a nearby table filled with stones.
And suddenly—
something felt… off.
A strange sensation crept through him.
"Why do these stones feel… different?"
he muttered under his breath.
"It's like… my inner self is trying to tell me something. And… why does it feel like I'm being pulled toward them?"
Without realizing it, he took a step closer.
Then another.
His focus narrowed.
And for the first time since all of this had started—
Om decided to look… not with his eyes.
But with something deeper.
The moment he did—
he froze.
Because what he saw next…
was enough to shake him.