The evening air hung heavy around Dev's house, carrying the last whispers of the day. Inside, the three of them sat around the small table, Singh's notes scattered like fragments of a puzzle they didn't fully understand yet.
"I could go alone," Dev finally said, his fingers tracing the edge of the wooden piece. "I know Singh wanted me to follow the clues. I can handle this."
Laxmi's eyes narrowed. "Alone? Are you serious, Dev? You've been stressed out for days. This isn't something you should face by yourself."
Shubham leaned back in his chair, adjusting his spectacles. "She's right. Even if you're capable, we're stronger together. We can divide the work, cover more ground, and—"
"I'm not arguing," Dev interrupted, a small smile forming despite the tension. "I just… I don't want to drag anyone into danger unnecessarily."
"You won't be dragging anyone," Laxmi replied firmly. "We're going, and that's final."
They agreed. Together, they would follow Singh's trail. But it wouldn't start immediately. They decided on a two-day window—enough time to prepare, gather resources, and plan their route carefully.
Shubham stayed behind at Dev's house, hunched over the wooden piece and Singh's sketches. He ran multiple tests, carefully comparing the artifact with cryptic symbols in the notes. "There's something odd here," he muttered. "It's clearly a key… but to what? And why does it feel… incomplete?"
Dev watched over his shoulder. "Singh must have left pieces of the puzzle scattered across his research. If only we knew where to start."
They worked in silence, only interrupted by the soft rustle of pages and the occasional clink of Shubham's tools. Dev recounted everything he remembered from Singh's stories about ancient structures and artifacts. Every word seemed to illuminate a small corner of the mystery, yet each answer only created more questions.
Meanwhile, Laxmi moved through the house like a whirlwind of efficiency. She made lists, packed backpacks, checked supplies, and coordinated a vehicle for their journey. She handled finances, ensuring they had enough for the unknown path ahead. Even simple things—flashlights, extra batteries, emergency rations—were accounted for.
"You two just focus on the research," she said, stacking maps neatly. "I'll make sure we don't run into problems on the road."
Dev felt a quiet gratitude for her presence. While he wrestled with anxiety and the weight of responsibility, Laxmi's calm, organized demeanor anchored him. Shubham, too, offered quiet reassurance, analyzing every clue with meticulous logic.
Night fell quickly. The street outside was empty, the city's usual hum muted under the veil of darkness. Dev glanced out the window, the wooden piece clutched tightly in his hand. Every shadow seemed to linger a second too long, every rustle of leaves carried a hint of unease.
He shook his head, trying to dismiss the feeling. Probably just stress… or the weight of Singh's trust, he told himself. Yet, a small knot of worry remained.
By the time they finally retired for the night, the house was quiet—except for the subtle creaks and whispers of the old structure. They would leave in the morning, setting out on a journey that might change everything.
Dev closed his eyes, holding the wooden piece close "Two days from now, everything will change. But tonight… I can't shake this feeling that the journey will be far from simple."