"Surprise… Om!"
The moment Om stepped down the stairs, his eyes fell on a sight that made him freeze mid-step.
The entire Kathwani family… along with the Mayor's family… were standing in the hall of his house.
For a second, Om just stood there, stunned. His mind raced—what were they all doing here, at this hour? But it didn't take him long to figure out one thing… his uncle had something to do with this.
A mix of surprise and a warm smile spread across his face as he looked at everyone and said,
"Arre, Mr. Kathwani, Mayor sir… all of you here? At this time?"
Seeing Om so taken aback, Vijay stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his back.
"My child… what you did for the Kathwani family… that's why Mayor sir and Mr. Kathwani have come here personally to thank you… and not just them, but their whole family."
The atmosphere inside Om's house was filled with warmth, gratitude… almost like a celebration.
But far away from this moment of joy… in a completely different world—
In Badallok… a realm hidden beyond the skies…
A breathtaking garden lay under a soft, glowing light. In the center of it stood a dome-shaped pavilion, and inside it sat Queen Neerja Devi—a demi-angel… and the ruler of Badallok.
She calmly sipped a delicate drink, her eyes wandering across the serene beauty around her.
Suddenly—
A strange, dwarf-like man came running toward her, his tiny feet pattering against the ground. He wore a glowing red dhoti with golden embroidery at the edges, and a red cloth draped across his upper body.
Breathing heavily, he reached her and said between gasps,
"Your Majesty… Your Majesty… the Serpent Messenger has come to meet you!"
The moment she heard Serpent Messenger… Neerja Devi's expression changed.
Shock.
Concern.
A flicker of something deeper.
She immediately looked at him and asked,
"Ambu… are you telling the truth? Have you seen him with your own eyes?"
Still catching his breath, Ambu nodded quickly.
That was enough.
Neerja Devi rose to her feet at once. Turning her back slightly toward him, she said in a calm yet firm voice,
"Very well. Bring him to the garden… with full respect."
Ambu bowed, though hesitation flickered across his face, and then hurried away.
Left alone, Neerja Devi stood still…
But her thoughts were anything but calm.
A strange worry settled on her face.
Something wasn't right.
Not at all.
—
Back in Om's house, laughter and conversations filled the air.
Mr. Kathwani walked up to Om, his eyes slightly moist. Without a word, he pulled Om into a tight embrace.
For a moment… silence.
Then slowly, as he stepped back, he said with emotion in his voice,
"I'm sorry, son… it took me some time to thank you properly. You have no idea… when my sister took away my children… I had completely lost hope of ever seeing them safe again."
His voice trembled slightly, but he continued,
"I called everyone I could for help… even Mayor sir did everything in his power to save my children… but then you came… like an angel in our darkest time… and you brought them back to me."
He paused, gathering himself.
"I don't know where my sister disappeared… but she transferred all the property back in my name and sent me the papers. My company is stable again… everything is safe… and the reason behind the happiness on our faces today… is you."
He looked straight into Om's eyes.
"Thank you, my son… thank you so much."
Before the weight of his words could fade, Mrs. Kathwani stepped forward. Holding Om's hands, tears welled up in her eyes as she said,
"My child… you reunited a mother with her children. I pray to God that every happiness, every success in life comes to you."
Her voice softened, filled with love,
"Thank you… from today, I don't have just two children… I have three."
The room had grown heavy with emotion.
Every eye was moist.
And just then—
Mr. Kathwani suddenly placed a set of papers in front of Om.
Om blinked in confusion, looking down at them… then back at him.
"Uncle… what is this?"
Mr. Kathwani smiled gently.
"My son… these are the same papers my sister returned to me. But after discussing it with your uncle and Mayor sir… my wife and I have decided—"
He paused for a second.
"From today… this property belongs to you."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Om's eyes widened in shock.
"What are you saying, Uncle? Just now you and Aunt called me your son… and now you're giving me these papers like I'm someone else?"
He shook his head firmly.
"I don't want property or money. I only need your blessings. And the fact that you called me your son… that's the biggest thing for me."
Hearing this, the Mayor stepped forward, his tone calm but authoritative.
"Om, son… we have already discussed this with your uncle and aunt. And you don't refuse a gift given by elders. So accept it."
But Om didn't move.
Didn't even look at the papers again.
"I'm sorry, Uncle… but I can't accept this as a gift."
His voice was respectful… yet unshakable.
The Kathwani family exchanged worried glances.
The moment had turned tense.
—
And at that very moment…
In the garden of Badallok…
Ambu was walking back… this time with a man beside him.
A man… who didn't look normal at all.
As they slowly moved closer, Neerja Devi's eyes widened with every step they took toward her.
Who was this strange figure?
And what storm had arrived… in the peaceful world of Badallok?