Chapter 1

Sunlight poured over the pristine marble verandah of the Haveli, reflecting a bright white sheen across the open courtyard. Morning heat settled thick over the Havelis estate, carrying the rich scent of damp canal soil and blooming guava orchards. High overhead, the custom-built teak archways stood tall, allowing an easy stride through the wide threshold without any need to dip or adjust posture. Soft leather juttis clicked evenly against the polished stone floor.

A heavy glass smartphone slid out from the deep pocket of the white cotton kurta. Calloused, thick thumbs hovered over the small digital keyboard, twice tapping the wrong letter before the screen flickered with a typo. A quiet laugh echoed off the brick wall. The clumsy grip shifted, opting instead to hold down the small green microphone icon at the bottom of the display.

“Ki haal ae, meri jaan? Ethe garmi boti ho gayi aa, tu France vich nazare lae rahi ae.” (How are you doing, my life? It has gotten very hot here, while you are enjoying yourself in France.)

The thumb released the glass, sending the brief audio file across the overseas cellular network toward the Mediterranean coast. The phone slipped back into the side pocket.

Broad steps carried the frame across the shaded verandah, moving toward the arched stone porch where the black Royal Enfield Bullet 500 rested on its center stand.

Polished chrome catches gleamed under the direct sunlight. Iron keys jingled in the right palm before sliding smoothly into the ignition slot beneath the round headlight. A long leg swung across the wide leather saddle. The rear springs compressed with a firm, metallic groan, settling deep under the sheer weight resting upon the seat.

Both hands gripped the wide handlebar grips. The right foot came down hard on the heavy kick-starter lever, forcing the piston through its cycle. A deep, thundering exhaust pulse blasted out from the long chrome pipe, reverberating off the surrounding masonry and shaking the dust from the low pomegranate branches nearby.