THE DESTINATION -

Delhi, the capital of India. Suru, a 23-year-old girl, was pursuing her graduation at Delhi University. She was full of energy, sometimes acting a bit silly but smart, with a natural sense of style and good looks. Suru had many talents, like drawing and fashion design, but she was pursuing a degree to satisfy her parents.

Finally, after a long time, she got a chance to return home for the Diwali festival. She wouldn't miss it for anything. After getting her holiday leave, she traveled back to her hometown, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

But Suru had no idea what was about to happen to her.

"I know what's going on in your mind, Suru," said an old lady, touching Suru's forehead.

"I am Shirankala Parathma Devya. But you can call me Shirankala," she said.

Hearing the name, Suru raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Shirankala Pathman… what? That's a hard name to say. Sorry!"

"It's alright, Suru. Just call me Shirankala," the old lady replied.

"Hi, Shirankala Aunty. But… why are you here, in my room?" Suru asked, looking confused.

"Danger. I sensed danger around you. That's why I came," the old lady said.

"Danger? Uhh… something doesn't feel right. I overheard some men talking about something, but I didn't understand. Still, I'm pretty sure it's dangerous. But hold on—how can you feel danger? Danger isn't something you can just… sense!" Suru said, feeling doubtful.

"I don't have time to explain everything, Suru," the old lady replied. "But I sensed something special within you. That's why I'm here. I need your help, because this danger can only be faced by someone I can trust."

The old lady's words left Suru completely baffled.

"What are you even talking about? I'm sorry, but I have no idea what's going on. You're in my room, asking me for help with something I don't understand. And you're saying I have something inside me? I'm not feeling well—I have a bad headache. I think you should leave, please," Suru said, frustrated.

"I'll go. But remember this, Suru: you are not just an ordinary person anymore. You have a connection. I can feel it, and I'm certain it's a sign of something big. My instincts are never wrong," the old lady said.

With a quick snap of her fingers, the old lady vanished. A wave of darkness covered Suru's eyes, and the next thing she knew, the woman was gone.

"What the…?! Where did she go? She vanished. Oh no… this can't be happening!"

Dinner Time

"Do you need anything else, Suru?" her mother asked.

"No, I'm done. I'm not feeling very well, Mumma," Suru replied, looking tired.

She left the dining table and went for a walk on the balcony. Thoughts from earlier in the day began to swirl in her mind. "Is it really possible? Do I have something inside me? That old woman… she vanished out of nowhere. Was it a dream or something else? I'm normal… right? Am I normal?" Suru muttered to herself. Normally, she didn't get so panicked, but tonight, an unsettling feeling gnawed at her.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, a young man sat at his computer, trying to access files that weren't his.

"Oh, come on. This isn't usually so hard to trace. Why is it taking so long?" he grumbled.

A few minutes later, a knock on the door interrupted him.

"What is it?" the man asked, annoyed.

"Sorry to disturb you, Manik, but your father needs you downstairs. He has something important to discuss," said a man dressed like a personal guard, with dark glasses and a headset.

"I'll be right there. You can go," Manik replied, focused on his screen. "Just a few more clicks… There, found the loop! That wasn't too hard. They should really secure their data better, or they'll keep losing it."

Standing up, he muttered, "Let's see what's so urgent with Mr. Deshmukh," and left his desk. As he went downstairs, he saw his father seated on the sofa, with the same guard standing nearby, waiting for him.

"Keep the hiring strong. I want the best people working for me," Mr. Deshmukh said to the man standing beside him.

"Got it, sir. The plane is ready. Just let me know when you're set to go," replied the guard.

"Chaudhary Uncle, going somewhere alone, are we? At least invite me! You know how much I miss those trips abroad," joked Manik as he came down the stairs toward his father.

"No, no, Manik! This isn't a trip. Just business. Your father's going alone this time," Chaudhary replied.

Hearing this, Manik looked at his father, who was watching him seriously, even as he joked with Chaudhary.

"Manik! I got calls from your college. They informed me about how much you've been missing classes," his father said.

"Father, the stuff they teach is so basic. I'm doing well on my own. Exams are nothing—I topped my campus last year, remember? It's all part of college politics," Manik replied, sounding annoyed.

"That's no way to speak to me, Manik! When I say go to class, you go! Got it?" Mr. Deshmukh's stern face made Manik feel uneasy.

"Anyway, I'm heading to the U.S. We've expanded our industry there, and I need you to stay focused on your studies. This is all about your future. That advanced software industry I've been working on is important to me, and I've been teaching you this since you were in third grade. You have to handle it one day. So stay focused," Mr. Deshmukh continued. "I'll see you soon."

With that, he headed outside, where a plane was waiting. "Take care of him, Chaudhary. It's all up to you now," he said to his guard.

"Of course, sir. I'll keep an eye on things here. I'm sure this time you'll make it happen," Chaudhary replied.

And with that, Mr. Deshmukh boarded the plane, which flew off into the sky.

"I think I'm just an experiment for this family. They brought me into this world just to expand their empire, their business," Manik muttered to himself, his tone serious.

But as Mr. Deshmukh left the house, Chaudhary walked back in and overheard Manik's words.

"That's not true, Manik. They only want you to be better. After all, you're the successor of the Deshmukh family," Chaudhary said calmly.

"Huh! Successor? Wait until I get power in my hands. Then you'll see what I do with this family," Manik said, his voice full of bitterness.

"What are you saying, Manik? This is your family, your blood. How can you—" Chaudhary began, but Manik cut him off.

"Blood? Relation? No, Uncle Chaudhary. This is a blood war. Do you know what they did to my mother? All of them—each and every one of them. I'll take my revenge, and they'll regret ever crossing me," Manik said, his voice shaking as tears welled up in his eyes at the thought of his mother.

"Calm down, Manik," Chaudhary said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know what happened to her. I know everything. But my hands were tied because of your father. I'm sorry. They blinded Mr. Deshmukh from the truth—that's why he doesn't know about any of it."

"Uncle, they'll pay for this. I'll make them," Manik said, wiping his eyes. "Do you know when Dad will be back?"

"It'll take around two months," Chaudhary replied.

"Perfect. That's just enough time. Let's head to Delhi—back to my hometown," Manik said firmly.

"But your classes, Manik. Your father won't forgive you this time. You know the college is under Deshmukh Industries, so there's no way to cover this up," Chaudhary said, worried.

"Relax, Uncle. Just book a train ticket for me. This time, no calls will reach my father," Manik replied, rushing toward his room.

As he packed his bag, he smirked. "I hacked their ERP system. Now I can attend classes without actually being there. Ha! Problem solved," he thought to himself.

Manik was busy packing his bags to go back to his hometown. Meanwhile, in another corner, Suru was having her breakfast the next morning.

"When is your train, Di?" her younger sister asked.

"Morning, 10 AM. So, I should leave after breakfast," Suru replied.

"Take care of yourself, Suru. I know this Diwali wasn't great for you, but don't stress about it, okay?" her mother said softly, holding Suru's hand.

Suru nodded and finished her breakfast. She went back to her room to check if she had everything she needed. After packing, she walked toward the door.

"Suru!" a strange voice called out from behind her.

She turned around, but no one was there. "What was that? That voice... Maybe I'm imagining things. I need to take better care of myself," she thought, holding her head.

Suru shook off the feeling and walked to the exit door.

"If you need anything, just call me. I'm only a call away," said her elder cousin brother.

"Sure, brother, I will. Please take care of Mumma and everyone. I'll call you once I reach my hostel," she said as she got into a taxi.

Suru's train arrived, and she was ready to leave for Delhi. At the same time, on another platform, Manik reached the station with Chaudhary, who had dropped him off.

Both trains arrived at their platforms. Suru and Manik got on board, heading toward their destinations.