17) Chapter

"I swear my journey is full of surprises. First thieves, now a lovely young lady with a dagger who could probably run the entire Chalukyan army. What next?" Vishnu thought while taking the reins, starting to drive the cart.

Suddenly, there's a rustling sound from inside the cart. Adithya, who's been sleeping through the whole thing, yawns and stretches dramatically.

"Ugh... Vishnu, what happened? Wheres that old man ? Why is it so quiet? Did I miss something?" Adithya asked while rubbing his eyes.

Vishnu looked at Mekalas lovely face, who just shrugs with an amused smirk.

"Oh, just the usual. A bunch of thieves tried to kidnap us, Old man was killed. But this lovely lady Mekala turned them into a bunch of frightened rabbits, Now their leader is tied beside you and additionally you were snoring through it all." Vishnu spelled.

"Wait... what Thives ?I was asleep? And you didn't wake me up for the fun part?" Adithya spelled.

"Well your friend was too busy being 'moral support,'Sir. He didn't want to ruin his moment of glory." Mekala spelled quietly.

"Wait... what? You are here? When did we meet you again?" Adithya said with a confused look he clearly remembered Mekala from Vatapi Market.

"I told you we met her earlier, but even she refused to believe me." Vishnu spelled.

"Glad to know you two have such... impeccable memories. And while you're both debating, how about introducing yourselves properly? You clearly know my name, so it's only fair I know yours." Mekala spelled with a smirk.

"Vishnu is the serious one who likes to brood,Devi and I'm Adithya..the charming, handsome, and far superior friend" Adithya said while leaning towards Mekala.

"Charming? Only if you're trying to charm a buffalo." Vishnu groaned muttering under his breath.

"And you,devi lovely Mekala, Well, you're hard to forget. Especially when you've got thieves running scared." Adithya mumbled.

"Vishnu, she's perfect for us...we've got the brains, the beauty, and now the muscle."Adithya said.

"Adithya, For gods sake shut up." Vishnu said.

Adithya chuckles, clearly enjoying himself, but Vishnu avoids Mekala's gaze, his awkwardness noticeable. Mekala watches him for a moment, her amused smirk softened.

"What's wrong, Sir? Did I scare you, too? Or are you just shy?" Mekala spelled while teasing him.

"Oh no I'm just... focused on driving this cart thats it devi and i guess some one has to be calm too" Vishnu said stammering slightly, trying make it ease.

Adithya raises an eyebrow, hiding a grin. Mekala leans back slightly, her smirk fading as her own thoughts seem to catch up with her.

"Calm is good. But sometimes calm doesn't get the job done Sir." Mekala spelled softly.

Vishnu notices the change in her tone but says nothing, his brow furrowing slightly.  But Adithya, oblivious, shifts the mood with his usual playful attitude.

"Don't let him fool you, Devi Vishnu here's already got a soft spot for you. He's been talking about you since the moment you two met at Vatapi market." Adithya spelled.

"Adithya!" Vishnu said, his voice was horrified, his ears turn red.

"Is that so?" Mekala said blinking then smiled softly.

Her smile was light but doesn't fully reach her eyes, as though she's trying to mask something deeper. Vishnu looks away, flustered, while Adithya leans back with a triumphant grin.

"I... I just said you are capable. That's all."VIshnu spelled while clearing his throat, focusing on the reins.

"'Capable,' he says. That's Vishnu for i am impressed but too shy to admit it." Adithya said with a grin.

"Well, it's nice to know I've made an impression... even if it's just as 'capable.'" Mekala said smiling faintly, looking out at the road ahead.

Her voice was light, but there was a faint weariness to it, as if she's carrying a weight she hasn't shared. Vishnu noticed, but he hesitated to say anything. Instead, he drives the cart in silence for a moment.

"You did more than just make an impression." Vishnu spelled quietly almost to himslef.

Mekala glances at him briefly, her smile returning, though it's tinged with a quiet sadness. Adithya, oblivious, stretches dramatically and breaks the silence between them.

"So, Devi Mekala, since you're clearly the hero of tonight, tell us—what's the plan for this fine gentleman?" Adithya said while gestures grandly toward the bound thief.

"The plan? Simple. Stop the cart Sir." Mekala said while glancing at the thief,with a  unimpressed look.

Then she rolled the tied thief off and drops him unceremoniously onto the roadside.

"We leave him here and let nature decide his end." Mekala said calmy while getting intto the cart again.

"Wait, wait—this is your plan? Just toss him out like a sack of old grain?"Adithya spelled while blinking.

"He'll survive if he's meant to. And if not... well, the forest has its own way of balancing things." Mekala repiled while gesturing vishnu to move forward.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side. You didn't just throw him out—you threw out his chances, too!" Adithya spelled.

"Devi, are you sure about this? He's defenseless, and if those other thieves find him..." Vishnu spelled looking at Mekalas face.

"Defenseless? He's a thief. A killer. He wasn't thinking about defenseless people when he ambushed us. Besides, he has legs—if he wants to live, he'll use them." Mekala spelled cutting him off her voice was steely.

"Well, I'll give it to her—efficient and dramatic. Remind me not to sleep on her bad side, either."Adithya spelled with agrin.

"Don't worry, Sir. I'd just throw you in a river instead." Mekala spelled with a smirk.

Vishnu glances at Mekala, his lips pressing into a thin line. Even he doesn't agreed with her methods, but something about her resolute demeanor stops him from arguing further.

The cart rolls into the bustling city of Mahishmati as the first light of dawn filters through the towering gates. The air is alive with the hum of early risers setting up market stalls and the distant clang of temple bells.

"Well, this is where we part ways." Mekala said while getting out from the cart gracefully.her figure framed by the early light that catches in her dark, cascading hair.

"Wait, you're leaving already?2Adithya said with confused look.

Mekala turns, a soft smile playing on her lips, her beauty striking even in the simplicity of her travel-worn clothes.

"I've got my own work to do Sir" And she smiled faintly.

"Work? What kind of work?" Vishnu asked with a hesitant.

"The kind that doesn't involve dragging tied-up thieves Sir"She spelled with a light smile.

Adithya chuckles, but Vishnu remains quiet, his gaze lingered on her. She noticed but said nothing.

"You know, Mekala, you might just miss us. You'll realize no one else is as charming or as helpless as us."Adithya said.

"Charming, maybe. Helpless? Definitely. But no, I don't think I'll miss either." she said with a smile and turn too leave but Vishnu moved forward his voice was almost hesitant.

Are you sure you won't stay? At least for a while?" Vishnu spelled.

She stops, glancing over her shoulder. The morning light catches her profile, the delicate curve of her face and the intensity in her eyes momentarily stunned him.

"Mahishmati is big enough for all of us,Sir. Let's just hope our paths don't cross again." She spelled.

"That's harsh, Devi. And here I thought we were unforgettable." Adithya spelled with a smile.

"You are. That's exactly why I'd rather avoid you."Mekala laughed softly and turn to leave.

Her steps confident but unhurried. Vishnu watches her go, a mix of admiration and something unspoken in his expression. Adithya nudges him, smirking.

"Don't look so smitten, Vishnu. She'll be back." ADithya said towards his friend.

"She's not the kind to look back." Vishnu spelled quietly.

Mekala, as if sensing VIshnus gaze, glances back briefly. Her lips curve into a faint smile...one that holds both amusement and mystery—before she disappears into the crowd. Adithya sighs dramatically, snapping Vishnu out of his reverie.

"Well, shall we get to work? Or are you going to spend the rest of the day daydreaming about her?" Adithya said with a grin.

"Of course let's just get moving."Vishnu said wth light smile and both of them moved into the crowd.