The marketplace was alive with sound and colour. Vendors called out in lilting voices, their stalls overflowing with fruit so bright it hurt to look at. Fabrics snapped in the warm breeze like banners in a parade. The air was thick with spice and sugar — sweet, dizzying, alive.
Ishaan darted from stall to stall, breathless. He pressed close to the sizzling skewers that crackled over coals, ran his fingers along carved stone arches, stared at mosaic tiles that caught the sunlight like a thousand eyes.
Aaron followed at a slower rhythm, sketchbook tucked under one arm. He stopped often — to trace the whirl of a dancer mid-spin, or the tired smile of a vendor counting his day's coins.
"Feels like the whole place is moving," Ishaan said.
Aaron looked up from his sketch. "Maybe it's us that's still."
The line hung there — a small stillness in all the noise.
Ishaan grinned. "You sound like one of those anime philosophers."
Aaron huffed a laugh. "And you sound like their comic relief."
"Lets Grab something to eat what say?" Ishaan asked after he had jumped over 20 stalls.
"How are you still hungry man? you literally ate from every damn store" Aaron trying to catch his breath as he is chasing Ishaan down for the past few hours.
"Oh!! don't judge my appetite brother, i can even eat you" Ishaan saying this with a grin and stomach on his hand.
"Ok, bro lets go find someplace to eat before you do this" Aaron playing along with his sarcasm.
Before Ishaan could retort, a sharp cry split through the hum of the market.
"HELP!"
The noise around them faltered, just slightly — the rhythm breaking. Then came another voice, steadier but edged with fear:"Stay back!"
Aaron's pencil dropped. "Guess you got your action."
They ran.
The market's bright chaos gave way to a narrow alley that smelled of damp stone and fruit rot. At the far end, two girls were pressed against a wall — the older one standing guard despite the limp in her leg, the younger trembling behind her.
Six men blocked the exit. Their laughter didn't fit the place. It was too quiet, too sure of itself.
"No need to run," one said, stepping closer. "We just want to talk."
Another chuckled. "We'll be real friendly."
Ishaan's earlier grin came back, colder now. "Six on two. Rough math."
Aaron flexed his hand once, eyes steady. "So much for a quiet vacation."
"Ready?"
Aaron's mouth twitched. "Always."
They stepped forward together — not like tourists anymore.