"Respected Kakbhushundi… please forgive me if I've said anything wrong."
Vipul spoke softly, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he watched Kakbhushundi burning with anger. There was a brief pause in the air, heavy and tense, as if even the surroundings were holding their breath.
"Yes, Devdoot, you have made a mistake," Kakbhushundi roared, his voice echoing like thunder. "How dare you lower yourself in front of us like that!"
"Y-yes… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lower myself…" Vipul began nervously, but suddenly stopped mid-sentence, something clicking in his mind. He looked at Kakbhushundi in confusion. "Wait… what?"
Seeing Vipul's stunned expression, Kagraj and Kakbhushundi burst into laughter. Their laughter wasn't mocking—it carried a strange warmth, almost like a test had just been passed. But for Vipul, it only deepened the mystery.
Then Kakbhushundi stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Vipul's shoulder.
"Devdoot Vipul," he said in a deep, calm voice, "you were sent here by the gods themselves… and that too for a purpose of great importance. How can you think so little of yourself?"
His voice carried a weight that settled deep into Vipul's heart.
"In truth," Kakbhushundi continued, "you are destined to play the most crucial role in a great event that is yet to unfold. And besides… you are fortunate. Not everyone gets a second chance at life after death… am I right?"
Vipul felt something shift inside him. It was as if he was standing under the protection of someone wise… someone ancient. A faint smile appeared on his face as he replied,
"Absolutely… but then again, not everyone gets to watch the Ramayana and Mahabharata again and again either, right?"
Kakbhushundi smiled at that, a glint of approval in his eyes. Locking eyes with Vipul, he asked,
"So tell me, Devdoot… what would you like to drink? Mango nectar… or water?"
Vipul folded his hands politely and smiled,
"Honestly… either works for me, Kakbhushundi."
That was enough to make Kakbhushundi laugh out loud again.
"Amazing… simply amazing! You've impressed us, Devdoot!"
The moment he joined his hands, something extraordinary happened.
Out of thin air, a large jug filled with rich, golden mango nectar appeared on the table before Vipul. Alongside it, a few cups materialized, perfectly arranged. The same happened in front of Kagraj.
The aroma alone was irresistible.
Kagraj didn't wait—he immediately pounced on the mango nectar like he hadn't eaten in ages. Vipul chuckled softly, then poured two cups, handing one to Kakbhushundi and keeping one for himself.
"Thank you," Vipul said sincerely as he lifted the cup.
But Kakbhushundi's expression turned serious once again.
"Now tell me, Devdoot… what is the reason behind your visit?"
Taking a sip of the sweet nectar, Vipul smiled calmly.
"If you were already waiting for me… then I'm sure you already know why I'm here. After all, someone who can travel through time should know everything, right?"
Kakbhushundi laughed again, clearly enjoying this exchange.
"Well said, Devdoot. Yes, I do know why you're here… but you also know the rules. Unless you tell me the reason yourself, I cannot help you. My hands are tied."
Vipul's expression hardened slightly. His tone shifted—calm, but sharp.
"Because of your powers… isn't it?"
The moment he said that, both Kagraj and Kakbhushundi froze.
Their expressions changed instantly.
For a brief moment, silence took over… and both of them stared at Vipul with a new kind of attention—one that carried curiosity… and a hint of caution.
Meanwhile…
The moment Savita stepped into Vijay's house, the entire family was left stunned.
Before anyone could understand what was happening, Savita had fallen at Om's feet, holding onto them tightly as she begged for forgiveness.
The sight alone was enough to shake everyone.
Sharda rushed forward, grabbing Savita by the shoulders, her voice filled with shock and concern.
"Sister… what are you doing? Why are you apologizing to Om like this? What happened to you… how did you end up like this?"
But before Savita could say anything, Vijay spoke—his voice cold, heavy, and serious.
"Because… your dear son and that girl are in this condition because of this woman."
The words hit Sharda like a thunderbolt.
She turned toward Vijay, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"What are you saying? Are you even in your senses? Why would she do something like that? She's Om's mother too! What would she gain from this? Tell me, Brother… this is all a lie, right?"
Deep down, Sharda already feared the truth.
Somewhere in her heart, she knew that her elder sister-in-law might be behind all of this… but she refused to accept it. She didn't want her family to fall apart.
But Manoj stepped forward, anger blazing in his eyes as he looked at Savita.
"Sister-in-law… this woman doesn't need a reason to destroy someone's home or ruin someone's life. I'm ashamed to say this… but she is responsible for everything that has happened. And her son is just as guilty."
Even after hearing this, Sharda couldn't bring herself to believe it.
Looking at Savita's broken state, she asked in disbelief,
"But why would she mess with a don in the first place?"
And then…
A voice cut through the silence.
"For money."
Everyone froze.
Every single head turned toward the direction the voice came from.
It was Om.
He stood there, his gaze fixed on Savita lying at his feet. His eyes were cold, steady… and filled with something deeper than anger.
The moment Sharda saw him, tears streamed down her face.
"How do you know this?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Did you already know everything?"
The air grew heavier.
Did Om know Savita's truth all along?
If he did… why did he stay silent?
What would happen when Savita is forced to face the truth in front of him?
Is her regret real… or just another trap?
And what about Vipul…
Was he truly brought back from death?
If yes… then why?
And why has he come to meet Kakbhushundi?
Some truths… once revealed… don't just change lives—
They destroy everything.