After exiting the apartment, I made my way to the underground parking lot. The moment I set foot on the concrete floor, my heart skipped a beat as I saw my baby waiting for me. I loved this bike more than anything in the world. It wasn't just a mode of transportation; it was my lifeline, my escape. I had bought it with my own savings, working long hours to afford it. Now, I made sure to take it with me to university every day, a constant reminder of my independence and the freedom I craved.
I approached it slowly, savoring the moment. The black leather seats gleamed under the dim lights, the chrome of the engine reflecting the faint glow. Without wasting a second, I hopped onto my bike, feeling its familiar warmth under me. I inserted the key and twisted it. As the engine roared to life, a rush of adrenaline surged through me. This bike was more than just metal and wires; it was an extension of myself.
By the time I left the apartment complex, the clock on my phone showed 9:30 PM. The night was still young, but I had other plans. My race was set to begin at 10:00 PM, and I had no time to waste. I revved the engine, maneuvering through the streets as the wind whipped through my hair. The cool night air felt refreshing, and I couldn't help but smile. This was what I lived for—the speed, the thrill, the freedom of the open road.
But as I was weaving through the streets, something unexpected happened. A black SUV suddenly appeared in my lane, swerving without warning. I had no time to react. The next thing I knew, I was thrown off my bike, landing hard on the asphalt. My forehead stung with a sharp pain, and I felt the heat of a fresh bruise forming there. My forearm throbbed with pain as I pushed myself up, cursing under my breath.
Great. Just great. Now Khushi's going to think I got these bruises from racing. I can already hear her: "I told you so! You're too reckless! One of these days, you're going to get yourself seriously hurt!" Ugh. And let's not forget the never-ending lectures that come with it. I slapped my forehead out of frustration, but instantly regretted it. The pain was like a hot poker jabbing at my brain, and I winced in agony. Fantastic. Just the cherry on top.
I was seething, my blood practically boiling. Who the hell drives like that?! Did he have a death wish? After finally managing to stand up and shake the dirt off, my eyes landed on him. Of course. The last person I ever wanted to see again—the jerk from the mall. The universe must really hate me today. I didn't even get the chance to verbally destroy him for his condescending attitude, and now—bam, here he was, ready to ruin my night all over again.
I couldn't help but mutter under my breath, "Well, well, well, look who's here to ruin my night again. Seriously, do you follow me or something?"
He stepped out of his SUV like he owned the whole damn street, swaggering toward me with that same cocky smirk on his face. I could already tell this was going to be good. Ugh, someone just punch me now.
"Hey, boy," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did you just get your license? Be careful, not everyone's as nice as me. Not everyone will stop their car from running over a teenager who's just barely gotten their license. Don't bother thanking me though. By the way, cool bike, noob."
Did he really just say that? I blinked at him a few times, my brain trying to process his words. What kind of a self-entitled jerk was this? He wasn't even sorry. No apology, no shame—just that smug little grin.
I could feel my fists balling up, the urge to knock that stupid smirk off his face almost irresistible. I was this close to giving him a piece of my mind, but I quickly remembered—I had more important things to do than deal with this idiot.
My race started in 15 minutes, and I wasn't going to waste another second on this pompous stranger.
As he got back into his shiny SUV and drove away, I stood there, staring at the road he just took. What an absolute piece of work.
I shook my head, exhaling sharply, and told myself not to let this jerk ruin my night. I had a race to win, and no rude, entitled guy was going to mess that up for me. Focus, Diya. Focus.
I checked my watch—9:45 PM. I was cutting it close.
Thank God I wasn't wearing my nerdy glasses. If I had been, they would've shattered into a million pieces after that fall. Instead, I was wearing my trusty colorless contact lenses. Perfect for racing, and perfect for situations where you might fall off a bike. Not that I didn't have complete faith in my skills.
With a deep breath and a rev of the engine, I gunned the throttle, determined to make it to the race on time—and to leave that jerk in my rearview mirror, where he belonged.
_____________________________________________________
When Rahul finally pulled up to his parents' mansion, a wave of relief washed over him. After a whirlwind few days, he was more than ready for some peace and quiet. As soon as he stepped out of the car, he spotted his younger sister Ananya dashing toward him, her face lit up with that unmistakable smile. "Bhaiya! Finally, you're here!" she squealed, arms flung wide open.
He couldn't help but smile, feeling the familiar warmth of her greeting instantly melt away the tension in his shoulders. It had been a while since they'd had a chance to really talk, and seeing her always reminded him that, in a world that constantly felt out of control, some things could still feel right. She pulled him into a tight hug, and for a brief moment, he let the outside world fade away, basking in the comfort of family.
Inside, after catching up on all the usual gossip, the family settled down for a cozy dinner. Rahul's mom opened the gift he'd brought—a delicate set of jewelry: a beautiful necklace with matching earrings. Her eyes lit up, and he could practically see her heart swelling with joy. "It's perfect, beta," she said, her voice soft with gratitude. She'd never been one for grand gestures or elaborate celebrations, always preferring intimate family dinners over extravagant parties. This simple evening was exactly the kind of night she treasured.
Just when Rahul thought the evening might glide along without incident, his mom's voice sliced through the comfortable silence, as gentle as ever but carrying that unmistakable undercurrent of concern. "Beta," she began, her gaze steady, "when will you settle down?"
Rahul sighed inwardly. Of course, he thought. The moment had come. "Mom, I'm only 25. I'm not ready for marriage yet," he said, carefully keeping the frustration from creeping into his tone.
She wasn't backing down. "But beta," she pressed, her voice now laced with genuine worry, "why don't you at least think about getting engaged?"
Engagement? Rahul blinked. Now? Really? His patience began to fray. "No, Mom, I'm not ready for that either," he replied with a light laugh, hoping humor would diffuse the tension. "Let me live my life for a little longer before I dive into all that responsibility."
But his mom, as persistent as always, wasn't done yet. "Well, some of my friends' daughters are interested in you," she added, a hopeful note creeping into her voice, as though nudging him in the direction she thought was best.
Rahul bit back a groan, maintaining a neutral expression. Of all times, why now?
His mom softened slightly, though the concern lingered. "I keep hearing about you being spotted with models and celebrity women. Hence, I thought perhaps..."
Rahul's stomach dropped. Of course. The media. He leaned back in his chair, forcing himself to appear unruffled. "Mom, it's all just noise. Those rumors are exaggerated," he said, his tone calm yet firm. "I don't pay attention to them, and neither should you. People love to create stories, but trust me— that's all they are. Stories."
His mom's skeptical gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, but she finally nodded slowly. "I just want to make sure you're not getting caught up in all of this."
"I promise you, Mom, I'm not," he said with a reassuring smile. "The press does what it does best—spins stories. I'm focused on my work and my life, not the tabloid circus."
She sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Though still unconvinced, she relented—for now.
Rahul chuckled to himself, relieved that the topic had been laid to rest. For now, he reminded himself. He knew this wouldn't be the last time his mom would bring up his future. But for tonight, at least, he could finally relax and enjoy a quiet evening with his family.