-[ Chapter 4 Recap – Yash survives a filmy (dramatic) showdown with Mithra Varma—heir to India's shadowy political kingmakers—who offers him ₹9 lakh/month (chaar logon ki salary / four people's salary) to join her khaandaan (clan). Yash, being a chindi chor (cheapskate), nearly faints at the offer but plays it cool with tapori (street-smart) jokes like, "At least take me on a date first!" Meanwhile, at home, his baap (dad) spills tea on the Varma family's dabang (powerful) legacy, triggering maa (mom) to drag him by the ear for praising another woman. Yash, now torn between paise ka chakkar (greed) and supernatural darr (fear), meditates (sanyasi mode) to avoid dustifying his room. Verdict: Chai pe charcha (tea-time gossip) meets Game of Thrones—desi edition. ]-
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Chapter 5 – Dosti, Dumbbells, and Laddoo Loot
The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains as Yash groggily opened his eyes, blinking away the remnants of sleep. He grabbed his phone, checked the time—6:00 AM—and groaned. "Why the hell did I decide to become a morning person?"
Dragging himself out of bed, he brushed his teeth, gulped down a glass of water, and changed into his jogging clothes. A plain black t-shirt, loose joggers, and running shoes that had seen better days. He tied his laces, stretched a little, and stepped outside.
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of wet soil and blooming flowers. The streets were quieter than usual, with only a few early risers—some uncle-level walkers doing their slow-paced cardio and a few overly enthusiastic gym bros showing off their pumped arms.
Yash jogged toward the park near his house, picking up his pace as he felt his muscles warming up. A full hour passed before he returned, sweat clinging to his shirt as he walked into his room. Without wasting time, he grabbed his dumbbells—the same ones that had been collecting dust in the corner for months—and started lifting.
After a few reps, his arms screamed in protest, but he pushed through. "No pain, no gain… or something like that," he muttered. Following that, he did push-ups, sit-ups, and finally, meditation.
Once done, he hopped into the shower, letting the cold water cool his overheated body.
By the time he stepped out, fresh and dressed, the smell of breakfast filled the air. His parents were already at the dining table, his mother serving hot parathas while his father read the newspaper.
Chhaya Shah, noticing her son's healthy glow, beamed. "Look at him! I thought this fitness obsession was just a passing thing, but he's actually sticking with it!"
Kamlesh smirked, lowering the newspaper. "Finally, my genes are kicking in. I was a gym freak too, you know."
Yash snorted. "Dad, lifting tea cups doesn't count as weight training."
Kamlesh placed a hand over his heart, feigning betrayal. "This is the thanks I get?"
Chhaya rolled her eyes. "Arre, stop your drama and eat."
Breakfast was lively, with the usual family banter and Chhaya giving Yash her weekly reminder to find a "sanskaari ladki" (good girl) before she had to start hunting for proposals.
Afterward, Kamlesh and Yash helped with the housework, much to Chhaya's delight. Soon, lunch rolled around, and they settled in front of the TV with plates full of rice and dal, watching a South Indian action film dubbed in Hindi. The slow-motion fight scenes, dramatic dialogues, and villains flying across the screen kept them entertained.
Kamlesh pointed at the hero dodging bullets like he had built-in auto-aim. "Beta, if you ever get into a fight, just remember—real life doesn't have slow motion."
Yash smirked. "Maybe, but I do have Ctrl+Z."
After lunch, Yash got up, stretching. "I'm going to Abhishek's place. Be back before dinner."
Chhaya called out from the kitchen, "Don't forget! I'm making paneer tonight."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Yash replied before stepping out.
The streets bustled with life—kids playing cricket in the narrow lanes, shopkeepers setting up stalls, and auto-rickshaws weaving through traffic like they were in a Fast & Furious chase.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted to his friendship with Abhishek—and their third musketeer.
The three of them had been inseparable since school. They had their usual antics—drinking cutting chai in the school canteen, flirting (and failing) with the hot school psychiatrist, and making sarcastic comments in class that somehow never got them caught. But how they actually became friends? That part was a mystery. It was as if they had just spawned into each other's lives one day, and the universe decided, Yeah, these three are a package deal now.
A chuckle escaped Yash's lips. Those were the days.
But now, he had a dilemma. Should he tell Abhishek about his powers?
Yash knew how powerful Devraj Varma was in politics. If supernatural forces were involved, the stakes were even higher. If he dragged Abhishek into this world, he wasn't sure if he could protect him. Sure, Abhishek's family was rich—their company manufactured electronic and mechanical parts—but even they would struggle if they ended up on Devraj Varma's bad side.
Yash sighed. I'll figure it out later. Future Yash's problem.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at Abhishek's house—a neat two-story villa with a terrace. It was the kind of house that screamed "upper-middle-class but chill."
He rang the bell, and the door opened to reveal Abhishek's mother, Neelam Kalyankar.
"Yash! Look who finally decided to visit," she greeted with a warm smile. "It's been a while, beta."
Yash grinned. "Had exams, Aunty. I barely survived."
She laughed. "Exams or not, you should come by more often. Have you eaten?"
"Yeah, had lunch," Yash replied.
"Good. Then have some besan ke laddoo," she said, already heading to the kitchen.
Yash's face lit up. "Aunty, you know me too well."
Moments later, she returned with a bowl full of the golden laddoos—her specialty. Abhishek, Yash, and their third friend had been addicted to them since school.
As soon as Yash popped one into his mouth, bliss washed over him. "Aunty, I swear, if someone ever kidnaps me, just bribe me with these, and I'll spill all my secrets."
Neelam Aunty laughed. "Good to know. I'll keep a steel dabba (box) ready just in case."
Yash, still munching, finally remembered why he had come. "By the way, where's Abhishek?"
"With his father, upstairs in a meeting," Neelam Aunty replied. "He should be down soon. Just wait here."
She got up, dusting her hands. "I have some cleaning to do. If you want more laddoos, they're in the kitchen."
Yash nodded, already eyeing the remaining laddoos in the bowl. "Aunty, you're spoiling me."
"Of course," she said, ruffling his hair before walking away.
Left alone, Yash leaned back into the couch, savoring the laddoos while waiting for Abhishek to come downstairs.
As he stared at the ceiling, the dilemma returned.
If he told Abhishek about his powers, it would change things. If he didn't, he'd be lying to his best friend.
Yash sighed. Maybe I should just flip a coin.
With that thought, he reached for another laddoo, waiting for his friend to show up.
-[End]-
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[A/N: My dear readers please do support me with power stones and any suggestions you might have on chapters it really helps me a lot by knowing how my readers feel so if needed I can make some changes to the plot.
Anyway that aside, for those who didn't read the previous Author's Note. I am writing this as I am uploading the chapters... I have written the first arc but now am stuck and would really appreciate any ideas you peeps might have for me.
That's all on my side, stay tuned for more chapters. Next chapter will be up on Thursday. See ya! Hope you have a great day!]