The morning sun peeked through the dense pines as Shubman stood on the porch of his cottage, staring into the horizon. Ishan was still asleep inside, his delicate face finally at peace after last night’s terrifying encounter. Shubman’s thoughts churned. Whoever those men were, they weren’t going to give up easily.
As he sipped his coffee, the familiar rumble of a motorcycle echoed through the valley. Moments later, Abhishek pulled up, his leather jacket dusted with the mountain's morning chill.
“Morning, dimples,” Abhi called out, dismounting with a casual grin. His sharp features and confident stride were unmistakable. “What’s with the stormy look? You planning another of your brooding photoshoots?”
Shubman set his mug down. “We need to talk.”
---
Inside the cottage, Ishan stirred awake to the sound of voices. His sleepy eyes fell on Shubman and another man standing near the fireplace. The new arrival had an air of mischief about him, but his sharp gaze suggested he missed nothing.
“Who’s this?” Abhi asked, nodding toward Ishan, who had just stepped into the room, looking slightly wary.
“This is Ishan,” Shubman said. “He’s… someone I care about. And someone who’s in danger.”
Abhi’s brows shot up, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he walked over to Ishan, extending a hand. “Abhishek, but everyone calls me Abhi. If Shubman’s got your back, so do I.”
Ishan hesitated before shaking his hand, a small smile gracing his lips. “Thank you.”
“Now,” Abhi said, turning back to Shubman, “what’s going on?”
Shubman explained everything—from the letter that brought him and Ishan together to the men who had chased them last night. Abhi listened intently, his playful demeanor replaced with seriousness.
“We can’t let them find him again,” Shubman concluded. “But I need help.”
Abhi nodded. “We’ll need more than just the two of us. I know some people who’d be willing to step in.”
---
By the afternoon, the group began to take shape.
First to arrive was Mayank, a tech-savvy genius with an easygoing smile. He was tall and lean, always fiddling with his laptop or drone camera. “If they’re after you, we’ll track them before they can track you,” he said confidently, setting up his equipment in the corner of the room.
Next was Rohit, a former athlete with a protective streak a mile wide. His strong build and calm demeanor made him the perfect muscle for the group. He greeted Ishan with a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep you safe.”
Hardik came shortly after, carrying a bag of supplies. The joker of the group, his quick wit often lightened tense situations. “So, which one of you is the damsel in distress?” he teased, earning a glare from Shubman and a shy laugh from Ishan.
Finally, Virat arrived. A natural leader with piercing eyes and a commanding presence, he was someone everyone trusted without question. “If we’re doing this, we do it smart,” he said, his tone firm. “No room for mistakes.”
---
As the group strategized, Shubman stayed close to Ishan, who seemed overwhelmed by the sudden influx of people. “Are you okay?” Shubman asked softly, his dimples showing as he tried to comfort him.
Ishan nodded, though his eyes were uncertain. “I’m not used to… this. People caring. Helping.”
“You deserve it,” Shubman said, his voice steady. “And you’ve got me. Always.”
Ishan’s cheeks flushed, his heart-shaped lips curving into a shy smile. “Thank you, Shubman.”
---
Meanwhile, the men who had confronted them the night before weren’t idle. Their leader, Raghav—a ruthless and calculating man with a penchant for control—sat in a dimly lit room, his fingers drumming against the table.
“You lost them?” he barked, glaring at his lackeys, Arjun and Kunal.
“They were fast,” Kunal stammered, his eyes darting nervously. “And the forest—”
“I don’t want excuses,” Raghav snapped. “I want results. That boy owes us, and I won’t let him slip through my fingers again.”
“What do we do now?” Arjun asked, his voice hesitant.
Raghav’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “We follow the trail. Everyone leaves a trace, no matter how careful they think they are. And when we find them… we make them pay.”
---
Back in Shimla, Mayank’s laptop beeped, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’ve got something,” he said, his fingers flying over the keyboard. “The men chasing you last night—one of them has a record. His name’s Kunal, and he’s linked to a gang led by a guy named Raghav.”
“Raghav,” Ishan whispered, his face paling.
“You know him?” Virat asked, his sharp eyes narrowing.
Ishan nodded, his voice trembling. “He’s the one my parents owed money to. He… he threatened to—”
Shubman placed a comforting hand on Ishan’s shoulder. “You don’t have to say it. We’ll make sure he never gets near you again.”
“But how?” Hardik asked, his usual humor replaced with concern. “This guy sounds dangerous.”
“We hit them where it hurts,” Virat said, his tone decisive. “If we can gather enough evidence of their activities, we can take them down legally. Mayank, start digging. Rohit, Hardik, and I will handle physical security.”
“And me?” Abhi asked, a mischievous grin returning to his face.
“You,” Virat said, “stick with Shubman and Ishan. Keep them safe.”
“Gladly,” Abhi replied, throwing an arm around Shubman. “Besides, I can’t let dimples here have all the fun.”
Shubman rolled his eyes but smiled, grateful for the support of his friends. Together, they began to prepare for the battle ahead, each step bringing them closer to unraveling the mystery—and the danger—that surrounded Ishan.
.
.
.
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~To be continued
