Morning light spilled across Ravankhet, soft and golden, illuminating the quiet village. Dev, Shubham, and Laxmi woke early at their camp, stretching and rubbing sleep from their eyes. The night had been long, filled with whispers of the past and the hum of the decoding machine running tirelessly.
Shubham rubbed his tired eyes but wore a grin. "It's done. After a full night, the paper finally makes sense."
Dev leaned forward eagerly. "So… what does it say?"
Shubham placed the final decoded sheet on the wooden table. The faded lines and dots from the ancient paper had transformed into a map. Symbols connected across hills, rivers, and forests. And at the very top, written clearly in an ancient script:
"Way to Ashram."
Dev's heart skipped a beat. "The Ashram… this is it. This is the path Singh wanted us to find."
Laxmi's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and determination. "Finally… we have a real direction. Let's make sure we honor everyone who helped us get here first."
They spent the morning visiting the villagers and the elderly workers who had shared their memories. Dev thanked them for their kindness and guidance. Shubham nodded at each person with quiet respect, and Laxmi gave warm smiles to those who had assisted them. It felt important to leave a positive mark, just as Singh always treated people with humility.
By noon, their supplies were packed, the vehicle checked, and the map secured safely with Shubham. Laxmi took the lead in preparing food and planning their route, while Dev carried a sense of urgency and responsibility. Shubham's mind buzzed with curiosity about the ancient symbols still partially undeciphered, but he kept his focus on navigating.
As they left the village, the path stretched before them—a winding route that followed the hills, crossed rivers, and passed through dense forests. Birds called overhead, and the sun dappled through the leaves, but there was an unease under the beauty of the journey. Shadows lingered at the edges of their vision. Dev felt the familiar tug of tension coil in his chest.
"Relax, Dev," Laxmi said with a teasing smile, noticing his tense expression. "It's just the first day. We've got this."
Shubham chuckled, adjusting the ancient map in his hands. "Yeah, don't let the trees scare you. None of them can decode languages or build machines like me anyway."
Dev laughed softly, shaking his head. Their banter eased some of the nervous energy, reminding him that even in the midst of mystery and danger, they had each other.
Hours passed, the sun began to lower, and they found a small stream to camp beside. As night settled over the forest, they cooked a simple meal and spoke in hushed tones, letting the day's excitement slowly fade into reflection.
Dev took the map in his hands once more, tracing the lines toward the Ashram. The path was long, uncertain, and filled with unknowns, yet it was finally real. He felt a shiver—not entirely from cold—as he imagined what might lie ahead.
The Ashram had been a dream, a destination in Singh's protective plans, and now they were on the cusp of reaching it. Whatever awaited them there, it would change everything.
He glanced at Laxmi and Shubham, their faces illuminated by the firelight. For the first time, he allowed himself a small smile. They were ready. Together, they would face whatever came next.
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying a sense of both anticipation and caution. Dev rolled the map carefully and tucked it away.
The way to the Ashram had begun… and they had no idea what awaited them at its end.