Can see how the instruction may have been confusing. I think it was technically correct though, firstly it is very unusual in a radar environment to be given any kind of conditional climb and it is wholly frowned upon. If somebody had decided to do it I would expect a more explicit instruction such as "route KOK, BOMBI, after BOMBI climb FL350". As in any situation when you are not sure, you did the correct thing, seek clarification.