16) Chapter

No wonder about Vishnu's doubts. It was her. And to his surprise, she was resting peacefully.

Her head had tilted slightly to one side, her dark, silky hair braided and spread softly over her shoulder, the sunlight casting a soft glow on her skin. Her delicate features—high cheekbones, full lips, and a serene expression—gave her an ethereal quality, as though she belonged in a painting.

She was asleep. Without that piece of cloth, Vishnu had an unobstructed view of her exquisite beauty. Her soft, unguarded face seemed almost unreal in the quiet moment.

This was the same flower girl, "Mekala," he had met on the very first day at the Vatapi market. But what was she doing here, in the middle of nowhere?

As Vishnus eyes wonders towards her waist where he found something oddly and unexpected.A dagger. The handle was crafted from polished gold, intricately adorned with delicate engravings that swirled and twisted into elegant patterns, shimmering in the sunlight.

Tiny gemstones-emeralds and rubies-were set into the handle. "But.. What is a flower girl doing with a such sharp blade."

Suddenly Vishnu felt a slight shift. He gulped and looked up to see her eyes.Her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. She scowled at him.

"Can't you mind your own bussiness sir."she said coldly.

"I... I was just curious" Vishnu said carefully.

"Curiousity can be lot more dangerous than you think."She muttered and covered her dagger quickly.

"Hey, girl. I'm not a stranger, you know. Can't you remember? We met a few days ago in Vatapi." Vishnu said with a playful grin.

Mekala stiffens slightly at his words, her eyes darting nervously. She hurriedly adjusts her sari and glanced away.

"You... you must be mistaken. I... I don't know you." But Mekalas voice wavered slightly.

"Oh, calm down. I can see you have a clear problem with lying, Mekala. Your eyes are giving you away, girl. Don't worry, I won't bite." Vishu smiled knownly.

Mekala quickly looks away, her gaze focusing ahead, but Vishnu continues, to tease her further.

"Anyway, tell me—why is a flower girl like you heading to Mahishmati all alone? You've got to have a good reason, don't you?" Vishnu spelled.

For a moment, Mekala is visibly caught off guard by his straightforwardness.

"None of your business." Mekala spelled coldly.

Vishnu smiled softly and went silent deciding to let the matter rest for the time.

The journey continues, the cart slowly making its way toward Mahishmati. The landscape around them begins to shift, and the deep forest that lines the road grows denser.

A low rustling from the forest ahead catches Vishnu's attention. He straightens, his senses immediately on alert. The cart slows as a group of figures dressed in black masks step into the path, blocking their way.

"Who are they?"Mekala asked the old driver who was sitting in front of her.

Instead of repiling her, the old driver jumps off the cart and starts to run towards the opposite direction while screaming.

"Shoot"commanded the leader of the group. Then dozens of arrows shot straight towards the sky followed the old man.

The attack was swift. The old man collapsed onto the ground, forming a pool of blood. He was dead. Vishnu gulped hard.

"What's going on, Mekala? Who are they?" Vishnu whispered towards her. Mekala doesn't respond, her lips pressed tightly together. She shifts uncomfortably but says nothing. But finally she managed a word "Thieves"

"Hey, I don't know who you are sir , but we need to get out of here. If you ever value your life, follow me" Mekala whispered into Vishnus eyes, then took his hand, and tried to jump off the cart.

"Wait Look at my friend, he still is sleeping. I cant leave him."Vishnu said glancing over at his sleeping friend, Adithya.

"Well, well, you two... Where are you going, hmm? Better stop right there. Otherwise, these arrows will definitely find their way to your hearts!" The thief leader shouted with a cruel grin.

Vishnu knew he wasn't joking about the arrows. They both stopped. The theif leader came closer and closer.

"Oh well who is this beauty... Do you have anything to exchange for your lovely life my dear."The leader spelled while looking at Mekala.

"Hmmm How.. about this ...?" The thief leader said while moving his hands towards her golden dagger.

The tension in the air is unbearable as Vishnu stands frozen, caught between the threat of the masked figures and his desire to protect his friend.

But suddenly, a shift occurs—something in Mekala changes. Vishnu, already tense, watches as her eyes flash with anger.

"Take off your hand" she spelled slowly.

"What... ?" The leader asked in a confused tone.His smile faded.

"I said take off your hand"She said and suddenly something happened so quickly that Vishnu had no time to think about it.

When his eyes finally adjusted, he saw her pointing her dagger at the thief's neck. The shape blade has already marked a blood stain.

"Keep your weapons here and step aside if you want to see him alive!" she roared, her voice echoing with fury as she tightened her grip on the dagger, pressing it closer to the leader's throat.

"You... You  crazy woman" Thief leader mumbled hardly.

The group of thieves hesitated, confusion spreading across their faces. But with the realization of the situation, they all dropped their weapons and began retreating into the forest.

"Hey, you Sir... are you gonna find me something to tie this fool up, or do I have to do everything myself?" Mekala asked while raising her eyebrow towards Vishnu.

Vishnu who stood still like a statue during this whole period without blinking his eyes came into sense with Mekala's voice.

"I—I... uh... yeah, sure, I can help with that."

"I thought the men of the Chalukya kingdom could do more than just looks pretty. Don't tell me you're going to let me do all the work?" Mekala smirked.

"Hey, I just saved your life, didn't I? I mean... I stood here. You know, moral support and all that." Vishnu said grining akwardly while tieing up the thief.

"Sure, sure. You're like a very  useful rock....silent, but very supportive." Mekala chuckled darkly.

Vishnu tied up the thief and loads him into the cart while trying to recover from the shock.

"At least tell me you know how to drive a cart, or should I just start searching for some horses and hope we don't end up on a cliff somewhere?" Mekala asked with a raised eyebrow while teasing Vishnu.

"Uh... I'm pretty sure I can figure it out," Vishnu replied, rubbing his neck nervously. "Unless you'd like to take the reins, Mekala?"

Mekala gave him a playful smile. "As long as you promise not to crash us into a tree, we should be fine."

"Deal. But if we do crash, I'm blaming you." Vishnu grinned.

"Perfect. I'll be the one to save us." Mekala winked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.