The group set out at dusk, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the dirt road. Shubman, as promised, stayed close to Ishan, his protective aura almost tangible. Abhi led the way, his casual demeanor masking the sharp instincts that made him an excellent scout. Hardik and Rohit followed, bickering quietly over who packed the worst snacks.
“Seriously, who brings vadapav to a stakeout?” Hardik whispered, glaring at Rohit.
“They’re healthy!” Rohit shot back. Hardik rolled his saying "yeah yeahh as you say"
“Shh,” Mayank hissed, gesturing for silence as they neared the outskirts of the marked location. A dilapidated warehouse loomed ahead, its broken windows and peeling paint giving it an eerie feel.
Shubman glanced at Ishan, who was clutching his arm tightly. “You okay?” he asked softly.
Ishan nodded, though his grip betrayed his nerves. “As long as you’re here.”
The group split into pairs, each taking a different section of the building. Shubman and Ishan moved silently through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps muffled by layers of dust.
“Why is it always warehouses?” Ishan whispered, his voice barely audible.
Shubman smirked. “Villains aren’t known for their creativity.”
Despite the tension, Ishan smiled, feeling a small surge of courage. They approached a heavy steel door, its edges rusted but locked tight. Shubman inspected it, his brow furrowing. “Stay back,” he instructed.
“What are you—” Ishan began, but his words died in his throat as Shubman picked up a rusted crowbar and jammed it into the doorframe. With a grunt, he pried it open, the sound echoing through the empty halls.
“Show-off,” Ishan muttered, earning a chuckle from Shubman.
Inside, the room was stark and cold, lit by a single flickering bulb. A table in the center was cluttered with papers, photographs, and a map marked with several red dots. Ishan froze when he recognized one of the photographs—it was of him.
“They’ve been watching me,” he whispered, his voice shaking.
Shubman stepped closer, his jaw tightening as he examined the map. “This isn’t just about you, Ishan. They’ve got plans—big ones.”
Before Ishan could respond, a loud crash echoed from somewhere in the building. His heart leapt into his throat, and he instinctively grabbed Shubman’s hand.
“Let’s go,” Shubman said, his voice calm but firm.
The crash had come from Abhi’s section. By the time Shubman and Ishan arrived, the scene was chaos. Abhi and Virat were locked in a fight with two burly men, their movements a blur of punches and dodges.
“Get Ishan out of here!” Abhi shouted, his voice strained as he dodged a swing.
“No!” Ishan protested, but Shubman didn’t hesitate. He grabbed Ishan’s hand and pulled him away, weaving through the darkened halls.
“Shubman, stop!” Ishan pleaded, trying to keep up. “We can’t just leave them!”
“They can handle it,” Shubman said, his grip firm. “I’m not risking you.”
Before they could reach the exit, a figure stepped out of the shadows. Tall, lean, and menacing, the man blocked their path, a cruel smile on his face.
“Well, well,” he drawled, his eyes locking onto Ishan. “Look who we have here.”
Shubman immediately stepped in front of Ishan, his stance protective. “Who are you?” he demanded.
The man chuckled. “Just someone here to deliver a message. You can run, but you can’t hide forever. We’ll always find you, Ishan.”
Ishan’s breath hitched, and he clung to Shubman’s arm. “What do you want from me?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” the man said, taking a step forward.
Before he could say more, Shubman moved. With a quick, calculated motion, he landed a punch squarely on the man’s jaw, sending him staggering. “Touch him, and you’ll regret it,” Shubman growled.
The man wiped blood from his lip, smirking. “This isn’t over.”
They returned to the cottage under the cover of night, bruised but alive. Abhi and Virat recounted their fight, but the group’s mood was somber. The encounter had made one thing clear: they were running out of time.
Ishan sat on the couch, his hands trembling as he replayed the events in his mind. Shubman knelt in front of him, gently taking his hands in his own. “Hey,” he said softly, “look at me.”
Ishan’s eyes met his, brimming with unshed tears. “They’re never going to stop, are they?”
“They’ll stop,” Shubman said, his voice firm. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Ishan shook his head. “You can’t protect me forever, Shubman.”
“Yes, I can,” Shubman said, his dimples appearing in a small, reassuring smile. “And I will.”
For a moment, Ishan just stared at him, his heart pounding. Then, without thinking, he threw his arms around Shubman, burying his face in his chest. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Shubman held him close, his hand resting on the back of Ishan’s head. “You don’t have to thank me, Ishan. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Across the room, Hardik watched with a grin. “Aww, look at them. So cute.”
“Hardik, shut up,” Abhi said, though his teasing smirk betrayed his amusement.
Mayank sighed, rubbing his temples. “Can we focus? We’ve got bigger problems.”
“Let them have their moment,” Rohit said, smirking. “It’s not every day you see Shubman getting all soft.”
Shubman rolled his eyes but didn’t let go of Ishan. “You’re all insufferable.”
“And you love us for it,” Hardik quipped, earning a round of chuckles.
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~To be continued
