The Shah of the Old Ones

Chapter 9 – Flirting, Fights, and Third-Wheel Abhishek

The morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the empty highway. The car hummed steadily as it cut through the crisp morning air, the faint scent of chai from their earlier stop still lingering inside.

Yash was sprawled in the backseat, arms crossed, pouting like a child who had been tricked into waking up early. Abhishek, sitting beside him, was way too comfortable for someone who had just betrayed his best friend.

"I still can't believe you scammed me," Yash muttered.

Abhishek, unfazed, leaned back against his seat. "It was a calculated prediction. You're always late, so I just adjusted the timeline accordingly."

Mithra, sitting in the front passenger seat, exhaled loudly. "You two are like children."

"You say that as if it's a bad thing," Yash quipped, flashing his signature smirk.

Mithra turned slightly, raising an eyebrow at him. "You do realize we're heading toward a potentially life-threatening situation, right?"

Yash shrugged, the playful glint in his eyes never fading. "Yeah, yeah. But stressing about it won't change anything."

Mithra narrowed her eyes. "You're reckless."

"Not reckless," Yash corrected, tilting his head. "Just selectively concerned."

Abhishek snorted. "That's just a fancy way of saying you don't care."

"Exactly."

Mithra shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "I already regret this."

Their driver—Mithra's bodyguard, a massive, stoic man who had yet to say a single word since they left—gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. This was not what he had signed up for. Babysitting one heir was hard enough. Two heirs and a chaotic wildcard? He was already contemplating early retirement.

Two hours into the journey, they pulled into a small roadside dhaba. The air was rich with the scent of fresh parathas and chai, the distant sound of a radio playing old Bollywood songs adding to the nostalgic atmosphere. A dog lay lazily in the corner, barely lifting its head as they walked in.

"Chai break?" Yash stretched, stepping out of the car.

"We don't have time for long breaks," Mithra warned.

"Relax, Queen Varma," Abhishek smirked. "Even heroes need snacks."

Yash clapped him on the back. "Exactly. And let's be real—if we die today, I don't wanna die on an empty stomach."

Mithra pinched the bridge of her nose. "You both are impossible."

As they walked to the counter, Yash leaned into Abhishek. "So… about this Vora family heir."

Abhishek smirked but said nothing.

Yash narrowed his eyes. "Bro, you knew I'd react like this and still kept quiet?"

"Of course."

Yash groaned. "Bastard."

Mithra, overhearing, frowned. "What's with the secrecy? You already know we're meeting the heir of the Vora family."

"Yeah, but," Yash hesitated, scratching the back of his head, "if it's who I think it is, then… this trip just got a hundred times funnier."

Mithra gave him a suspicious look. "You know him?"

Abhishek snickered. "Oh, he knows him very well."

Yash sighed. "Let's just say I have history with this person."

Mithra's eyebrow twitched. "Should I be worried?"

Yash smirked. "Probably."

Mithra groaned. "Wonderful."

Abhishek, watching the two, suddenly felt like the third wheel in a rom-com.

Even the bodyguard, who had long since lost all hope, subtly stepped away, secretly dialing a number.

"Yes, sir. The target has successfully integrated into the group. However… there is an unusual bond forming between him and the young lady."

A brief pause.

"Yes, I will continue to monitor."

Hanging up, the bodyguard sighed.

This was going to be a long mission.

Back on the road, the atmosphere was quieter. Mithra had pulled out a book, flipping through the pages, while Yash and Abhishek lazily munched on snacks.

After some time, Yash broke the silence. "So… why exactly are we going to Ghanekhadi?"

Mithra looked up. "You agreed to come without knowing why?"

Yash shrugged. "If Abhishek was going, I figured I'd tag along. Plus, it beats sitting at home."

Mithra exhaled sharply. "You're reckless."

"You've said that already," Yash smirked.

Mithra closed her book and looked at him seriously. "We're investigating a disturbance. The same kind that caused the attack that you got caught in that day."

Yash's smile faded. His fingers unconsciously tapped against his thigh.

"So, that ambush wasn't random?"

Mithra shook her head. "No. And whoever orchestrated it is still active."

A flicker of something sharp passed through Yash's eyes. "Then let's go find out who it is."

For the first time, Mithra saw a different side of him. The flirtatious, laid-back act had momentarily slipped away, replaced by something more… focused.

She wasn't sure why, but she felt a small twinge of admiration.

She quickly shook her head, scolding herself internally. No. Absolutely not. He's an idiot.

Still, as she glanced at him again—his face partially illuminated by the setting sun—she had to admit…

He was a good-looking idiot.

Mithra's grip on her book tightened. No. Nope. Not happening.

As the sun set, Mithra's voice broke the silence.

"Before we get there, you need to understand something."

Yash, half-asleep, blinked lazily. "Hmm?"

Mithra's voice was firm. "This isn't a game. If things go wrong, there won't be time for jokes. You have talent, but talent without caution is a disaster waiting to happen."

Yash met her gaze, his usual smirk absent. "I get it."

Mithra studied him, expecting him to make another snarky remark.

He didn't.

Something about that made her feel strangely… relieved.

Satisfied, she nodded. "Good."

Beside him, Abhishek stretched. "Alright, enough with the gloom and doom. We'll deal with whatever comes when we get there."

Yash smirked. "That's the spirit."

Mithra sighed. "I already regret bringing you two."

Yash leaned back, grinning. "Too late now, Queen Varma."

Mithra scowled. "Stop calling me that."

Yash winked. "Not happening."

Abhishek, watching them, sighed dramatically. "I feel like a third-wheel in some shitty romance anime."

Yash patted his shoulder. "We all have our roles in life, bro."

Mithra rolled her eyes but hid her face behind her book.

As the car continued down the road, the bodyguard subtly sent another message.

"Observation report: Subject continues to form a bond with the young lady. Requesting further instructions."

A reply came instantly.

"Continue to monitor. Do not interfere… yet."

The bodyguard sighed. This mission was going to be hell.

With the destination nearing and an unknown challenge ahead, the trio prepared themselves for what was to come.

Whatever was happening in Ghanekhadi—

It was about to change everything.

-[End]-