The next morning, the sunlight filtered softly through the tall glass windows of the Desai mansion. Newspapers, TV channels, and online headlines were flooded with Ishita Desai's name. "A Star Who Rose from the Ashes!" "Ishita's Unstoppable Comeback!" "The Brother Who Protected a Star!"
Everywhere Mukul's bold statement during the interview was trending. The video clip of him stepping in front of reporters, saying, "If anyone dares harm my family, even the King of Hell can't save them," had gone viral. Some called him fearless. Others called him dangerous. But to his family, he was simply Mukul, the boy they had waited ten long years for.
When Mukul entered the mansion, he was greeted with warmth. The whole family—his mother Nandini, father Raghav, and his three sisters Shreya, Sanya, and Ishita—were already sitting in the living room, talking excitedly. The TV played Ishita's concert highlights on repeat.
"Mukul!" Shreya called out happily. "Look! You're all over the news again!"
Sanya smiled proudly. "First, you saved my hospital reputation, and now Ishita's music career. You're like our family guardian."
Mukul chuckled softly and scratched his neck, a little embarrassed. "I just did what I had to."
Raghav looked at his son with a calm but proud smile. "You've done more than that, Mukul. You protected your family with courage. You acted like a man who knows both heart and mind."
Nandini nodded. "You've grown into someone extraordinary, Mukul. I'm proud of you."
Hearing their words, Mukul felt a warmth in his chest he hadn't felt for years. After so long, he was finally home—not just in body, but in heart.
As they continued talking, Ishita turned to Mukul, her eyes curious and glowing with excitement. "By the way, Mukul…" she said teasingly, "I wanted to ask you something."
Mukul looked at her, tilting his head. "Hmm? What is it?"
"The seven songs you wrote yesterday…" Ishita said, leaning forward. "They felt like something I've heard before. The rhythm, the words, the emotion—it all reminded me of someone."
"Someone?" Mukul asked, pretending not to understand.
"Yes," Ishita nodded eagerly. "It reminded me of Kael Miro! You know, the mysterious songwriter who no one has ever seen but whose songs rule the world charts! His lyrics touch the soul, his melodies are timeless! He's my inspiration!"
The moment she said the name, Mukul's smile stiffened a little. His sisters noticed instantly.
Sanya leaned forward, grinning. "Hey Mukul, your ear's turning red again."
Shreya laughed softly. "Oh no, not again. That only happens when he's trying to hide something."
Ishita blinked, confused. "Wait—what do you mean?"
Nandini chuckled. "It's his little secret. Whenever Mukul lies, his ears turn red."
Ishita's eyes widened, connecting the dots. "Wait a second… no way… it can't be!"
Mukul quickly tried to change the topic. "W-well, it's getting late. I should—"
But Ishita jumped up, pointing at him dramatically. "It is you! You're Kael Miro!"
The whole room went silent for two seconds—and then exploded into laughter and surprise.
Sanya gasped. "No way! My little brother is Kael Miro?! The legend who doesn't even give interviews?!"
Shreya clapped her hands and said with mock disbelief, "Now it makes sense! The lyrics you wrote in five minutes yesterday—it felt too professional to be ordinary."
Ishita, however, didn't laugh. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she stepped forward. "You mean… all this time, my dream of singing a Kael Miro song…" She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "It was actually my own brother's song?"
Mukul looked away shyly, scratching his neck again. "I didn't want to say anything. I just wanted you to follow your dream without pressure."
Ishita's tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled widely. She suddenly hugged him tightly. "You idiot! You made me chase your songs all these years! I even cried once because I thought I'd never meet Kael Miro—and you were here all along!"
Mukul laughed softly, patting her head. "Sorry, Ishita di. I just wanted you to shine on your own."
Shreya smiled fondly. "He's just like Dad. Always working in the shadows."
Raghav chuckled, his deep voice filled with pride. "A government officer hides secrets for the country, and my son hides his talent for the world."
Even Nandini's eyes glistened. "Kael Miro or Mukul Desai… you're my son, and that's what matters."
Ishita wiped her tears and said, "Well, now that I know the truth, I won't let you go so easily. You're writing all my next songs, Mr Secret Star!"
Everyone laughed, and Mukul smiled gently, though his face still carried that quiet, humble glow.
As the laughter filled the mansion, Mukul looked at his family—his heart felt light. For years, he had lived behind different names and masks, building guilds, running empires, saving lives. But here, he was just Mukul—the boy his family had once lost and finally found again.
And as he looked out the window at the rising sun, he whispered to himself, "No matter how many names I have, I'll always protect the ones I love."
That morning marked not only Ishita's rise to global fame, but also the moment the Desai family realised who their youngest truly was—
A genius who built in silence, fought in shadows, and loved in light.