The Shah of the Old Ones

Chapter 8 – A Deal, A Bracelet, and A Trip to Trouble

As things settled down in the Kalyankar house, Mithra leaned back, crossing her arms as she stared at Yash. "As surprising as it is that you're childhood friends with the heir of the Kalyankar family, my offer still stands. What do you say?"

Yash exhaled, tapping his fingers against the armrest. "Let's say I accept. How much would I be restrained?"

Mithra smirked. "You're not as stupid as I thought."

Yash rolled his eyes. "Wow. Such high praise."

Mithra ignored him. "Since you have such close ties with the Kalyankars, I won't be restricting you much. But understand this—your actions will reflect on me. If you do something insane, I'll be the one dealing with the consequences. So, if you plan on causing chaos, at least consult me first."

Yash turned to Abhishek, who instantly understood what Yash wanted to ask.

Abhishek nodded. "You should go for it. I've known Mithra for a while—it'll be good for you."

With that reassurance, Yash sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll join you."

Mithra's lips curled into a small smile—clearly pleased to have recruited someone like him. Without hesitation, she removed a bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Yash.

Yash, his inner casanova subconsciously activating, smirked. "Usually, I'd be the one giving you a ring, but since you're giving me a bracelet, should I change my name to Yash Varma?"

Mithra's eye twitched.

"First of all, no," she said flatly. "Second, this bracelet was crafted by the Kalyankars and enchanted by my family. It's designed to help people train in controlling their Mantra energy. Once you wear it, it stays on until you've learned proper control."

Yash eyed the bracelet. "Sounds useful."

He slipped it onto his wrist. Instantly, he felt his energy drain.

Yash gave Mithra an accusatory look. "Oi… what the hell?"

Mithra innocently tilted her head. "Oh, right. I forgot to mention—it drains the wearer's energy to enhance control training."

"You forgot to mention that!?" Yash groaned.

Mithra shrugged. "You'll live."

Yash muttered curses under his breath but didn't remove the bracelet.

With everything settled, Mithra got up. "I'll be leaving now. I'll be back in a few weeks to check on your progress."

She then turned to Ramesh Kalyankar. Leaning slightly forward, she lowered her voice. "About our conversation…"

Ramesh nodded, matching her tone. "Abhishek will accompany you as per our agreement."

Hearing this, Yash raised an eyebrow. "Wait, where are you headed?"

Abhishek stretched. "Some hill station in Maharashtra. Ghanekhadi. Family work."

Yash thought about it for a second before shrugging. "Cool. Have fun."

Then, as if a lightbulb went off in his head, Abhishek turned to his father and whispered, "Wait, can Yash come with me?"

Ramesh considered it for a moment before looking at Yash. "Are you fine with it?"

Yash, not thinking much, nodded. "Sure, why not?"

Mithra, however, frowned slightly. She leaned towards Abhishek, her voice dropping to a whisper. "This isn't a vacation. It could be life-threatening."

Abhishek, smirking, whispered back, "And? You think Yash is going to back down from a free trip?"

Mithra sighed. "You're all reckless idiots."

Seeing that even Ramesh didn't seem to have an issue, she relented. "Fine. Just don't slow us down."

Then, in the same hushed tone, she added, "We're meeting the heir of the Vora family at the location. Don't be late."

Yash, who had been casually listening, suddenly froze.

Slowly, he turned his head toward Abhishek, giving him a look.

"Wait. Is she talking about who I think she is?"

Abhishek, smirking, gave him a slow nod.

For a moment, silence.

Then, as if they had rehearsed this moment their whole lives, both of them suddenly burst into laughter.

Yash slapped Abhishek's shoulder. "You bastard! You hid this from me!?"

Abhishek, still laughing, dodged another hit. 

Mithra, meanwhile, just stared at them.

At that moment as if remembering something, Abhishek turned to Yash and smirked. "Be here by 5:30 AM."

Yash groaned. "Ugh. Fine."

Mithra raised an eyebrow, since the time they had decided was 6 AM.

Seeing her confused look, Abhishek simply looked at her with the look that said "You'll see."

Then, rubbing her temples, she sighed deeply. "I'm leaving before I lose my sanity."

She turned on her heel and walked out, completely ignoring the two idiots still snickering like schoolboys.

After Mithra left, Yash spent a few more hours at the Kalyankar house, pestering Abhishek to show him some cool magic tricks.

Abhishek showed off a few basic chakra-infused artifacts, including a knife that vibrated at ultrasonic speeds and a gauntlet that amplified strength.

"You're holding back," Yash accused.

Abhishek smirked. "Of course I am. You don't show all your cards at once."

Eventually, Yash left for home.

When he told his parents he'd be going to a farmhouse in a hill station with Abhishek for a few days, his mother immediately started giving him typical Indian parent advice.

"Call me every day."

"Don't eat anything weird."

"Don't go near wild animals."

"Stay away from girls."

Yash sighed. "Maa, it's not a honeymoon, it's a boys trip."

"Just making sure," Chhaya said, squinting at him suspiciously.

His father, Kamlesh, simply chuckled. "Have fun, beta. And don't end up in some sewer dead drunk."

Yash gave a thumbs-up. No promises.

The next morning, at exactly 6 AM, Mithra arrived at the Kalyankar residence, expecting to see both Yash and Abhishek ready to leave.

Abhishek was there, fully prepared, standing next to his parents.

But Yash?

Nowhere to be seen.

Mithra frowned. "Where is he? He was supposed to be here by 5:30 AM."

Before Abhishek could answer, a wild Yash spawned.

Comic relief moment aside, Yash came running towards them, looking like he had just barely woken up.

Abhishek, completely unfazed, whispered to Mithra, "This. This is why."

Mithra gave Yash an exasperated look. "Are you serious?"

Yash, still panting realised he had been played, glared at Abhishek. "You… you lied to me!"

Abhishek smirked. "I anticipated you."

Mithra groaned. "We don't have time for this. Get in the car."

Yash grumbled but got inside, still giving Abhishek the "I trusted you" look.

Abhishek just patted his shoulder. "Someday, you'll thank me."

With that, they hit the road—completely unaware of what awaited them in Ghanekhadi.

-[End]-