15) Chapter

Vishnu sprinted through the crowded streets of Pattadakal, still hot on the trail of the stable boy who had his horse. Just as he rounds a corner, the stable boy darts down another alley, completely out of sight. Frustrated, Vishnu stops, panting.

"Fine! Keep the horse you little rascal ! I didn't need it anyway. Who needs transportation when I have two perfectly good legs... that are about to give out." Vishnu screamed at the boy while keeping his hands on knees.

As he straightens up, he heard a slow clap behind him. Turning around, he spots the cloaked stranger, still smirking and clearly not even out of breath.

"Oh... not him" Vishnu mutterted.

"Well done, my friend. What a valiant effort ? If running in circles was the goal, you'd have won." Stranger spelled while grinning at him.

"You! Again! Who even are you? And why are you following me?"Vishnu said while throwing his hands with exasperated voice.

The stranger laughsed and pulled down his hood dramatically, revealing his face. Vishnu's jaw drops in disbelief as he recognizes his friends face.

"Adithya?! What in the world are you doing here? Were you following me this whole time?" Vishu spelled.

"Oh, no, no, of course not. I just happened to be in the area, and what do I see? The great prince Vishnu-vardana, chasing a stable boy like a stray dog chasing a cart. It was too good to miss." Adithyasaid while leaning casually against a wall, pretending to be innocence.

"Convenient story. Let me guess...your 'business' here has nothing to do with a certain someone you've been eyeing, does it? Maybe a girl from the market? Vishnu said with a smirk.

"A girl? Vishnu, please! Do you think I'd waste my time on such silly..." Adithya said but vishnu interrupt him.

"Yes. Absolutely, yes. Silly is practically your second name." VIshnu said while teasing.

"Well, you're not entirely wrong... but I'm not here for a girl. Not this time." Adithya said while grinning.

"Oh, really? So, what then? Just came to see me trip on my own bare feet chasing a thief?" Vishnu asked with a raised eyebrow.

"And what about you, hmm? What's a prince like you doing here, chasing after stable boys instead of relaxing somewhere inisde the palace?" Adithya said while trying to change the subject.

"A mystery, isn't it? Let's agree that neither of us will ask too many questions." Vishnu relpied with a mock dramtic tone.

"Fine by me. But just for the record, I'm not leaving now. Whatever you're up to, I'm coming with you." Adithya said with a grin while pointing at Vishnu.

"Oh, no. You're not turning this journey into one of your wild adventures. I have enough chaos to handle without you adding more." Vishu said groaning  while pretending to protest.

"Too late. You'd be lost without me. Admit it." Adithya said while clapping Vishnus shoulder.

"Lost? More like exhausted. Fine, come along. But if this ends with us both getting chased out of this town, I'm blaming you" Vishnu said with a smirk.

"Don't worry, my prince. I promise to run faster than you and leave you to face the mob." Adithya said while grinning mischievously.

Both burst out laughing as they head back toward the road together.

As they walked along a dusty road under the blazing sun. Their initial enthusiasm faded, replaced by weary sighs and sweat-soaked tunics. Vishnu keeps his eyes forward, while Adithya occasionally kicks at stones, grumbling.

"Any particular reason why this road feels like it's twice as long as usual? Or is it just my bad luck for tagging along with you?"Adithya mumble while wiping his forhead.

"Maybe the road's punishing you for all your past sins. I hear it has a thing for poetic justice." Vishnu spelled with a light smile.

"If that's the case, you must have been a saint in your past life. Look at you, striding along like this heat doesn't exist." Adithya said.

"A prince should learn to endure Adithya. It is part of my job"Vishnu spelled.

"Right, endure... while forgetting your cushioned palanquin rides and royal feasts. Meanwhile, poor me over here trying not to melt into this dirt." Adithya muttered.

As they round a bend, Adithya suddenly slows. His eyes widen.

"Wait a minute. This road... isn't this heading toward Mahishmati? That's Kalachuri territory! What are we going to do there? Visit their king Buddaraja for a friendly chat?" Adithya spelled.

"I told you....no questions. Walk faster." Vishnu spelled.

"No questions?! You're dragging me into enemy territory Vishnu. At least tell me if we're walking into a trap so I can prepare my dramatic death speech." Adithya said.

"You don't need a speech. Just scream loudly enough, and they'll understand your intentions." VIshnu said with a chuckle while walking.

"Unbelievable. This is why I can never trust you. You lure me into these wild plans with no explanation, and now I'm sweating buckets on a death march." Adithya said while trying catch up vishnu.

After a while, both men slow down, visibly exhausted. Adithya flops onto a rock by the side of the road, panting dramatically.

"I can't go on. My legs are rebelling....one of them might just quit altogether." Adithya said.

"You're not the only one. Even my royal endurance has limits." Vishnu said while sitting beside him.

"Royal endurance, eh? Guess you'll have to add 'princely foot blisters' to your list of titles." ADithya said with mischievous smile.

"Very funny. You want to wait for a cart or keep walking?" Vishnu said with shooting a dry look at him.

"Wait for a cart, obviously. Let's hope some generous soul comes along and saves us from this misery." ADithya spelled.

They sat quietly for a moment, looking down the road. Vishnu plucks a blade of grass and idly twirls it between his fingers. Adithya, ever restless, leans back and pretends to examine the sky.

Time passes then suddenly the sound of a bell started to appear behind them and then they heard the sound of a slow gallop.

Vishnu and Adithya, who were sitting by the roadside, suddenly spring to life at the sound of a bell and the faint rhythm of a slow gallop. They spot a bullock cart approaching in the distance.

Vishnu jumped into his feet and waved his both arms.

"Hey there! Woh, woh, stop the cart!"

As it came nearer, Vishnu saw an old man seated at the front, guiding the sturdy bull and a lone young lady seated behind the driver.

"Where are you going with such a fine animal, uncle? It looks like it could carry you to the ends of the earth!" Adithya spelle with a wide grin while pattign the bull.

"Fine or not, this cart is heading to Mahishmati, capital of Kalachuri. And I don't appreciate strangers stopping me for nonsense" said while scrowling at them.

"Ah, Mahishmati! Just the place we were hoping to go! Lucky us, uncle. What do you say, shall we ride along? Two extra travelers won't bother your strong bull, I'm sure." Vishnu spelled with a wide smile ignoring the drivers grumpy tone.

"Lucky for you, maybe. Not so much for me. What's your business there, hmm? Speak quickly....I've got no time to waste." Old man spelled.

"Uncle, you must be the kindest soul on this road. Look at us—worn out, hungry, and utterly harmless. All we need is a little ride to Mahishmati, and we'll be out of your way. What do you say?" Adithya said.

"Hungry, eh? If you've got nothing to pay with, go eat your sweet words. They're free." Driver spelled harshly.

"Oh wait.. I forgot this.. Take this for your trouble uncle." Vishnu said while  pulling out a small pouch of coins.

Then the driver's scowl softens slightly as his eyes flick to the pouch. He hesitates, then snatches it from Vishnu's hand, weighing it carefully.

"Hmph. Fair enough. Get on then, before I change my mind." Driver spelled.

"See? I knew you were a man of wisdom and fairness, uncle." Adithya spelled with a smile.

"Yes, wisdom... or a weakness for jingling coins." Vishnu said with a smile.

"Watch your tongue, boy, or I'll throw you off before we reach the next bend." Driver scolded.

"l ll be quiet, uncle, I swear. My friend here is already loud enough for both of us." Vishnu said while raising his hands in mock surrender.

As  they get comfortable inside the cart, the lady sat behind the cart  hurriedly adjusts her sari, pulling the edge over her face to shield herself from view. Vishnu notices her movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh god, she really is such a shy girl." Vishnu thought. But he found something oddly familiar about her.

"Where have I seen her before? No, it's probably just my imagination... but still..." VIshnu thought. The young lady remains silent, her face hidden, not daring to meet his gaze. Vishnu decides not to press the matter, and leanined back slightly.

"Hey you know, Vishnu, if this mission of yours doesn't work out, you'd make an excellent merchant. That coin trick of yours was masterful." Adithya said while looking at vishnu.

"Oh hmmm. If I ever become a merchant, you'd be my first customer Adithya. I'd charge double just for your comments." Vishnu said with a smile.

"Double? And here I thought we were friends. What happened to generosity, huh?" Adithya asked.

"Generosity? You spent all my generosity when you ate my tamarind rice last week at the wedding " Vishu spelled.

The two share a light laugh, the tension of the journey momentarily eased. But as the hours pass, the day's exhaustion begins to catch up to them. Vishnu leans back against the side of the cart, his body growing heavier with fatigue. Adithya slouches beside him, his eyes were drooping.

The rhythmic clop of the bull's hooves lulled them quickly into a nap.

When Vishnu finally opened his eyes the sun was already about to set. He quickly blinked against the light. Adithya was still sleeping like a kid beside the cart.

Then his eyes fell on the girl beside him. The cloth that had covered her face was gone, revealing her face for the first time.

His heart stopped with surprise. There's no wonder about his doubts "But again how..........?"