♦Diya♦

After a long and much-needed hot shower, feeling fresh-fresh I put a foot in my room wearing a grey satin pyjama and shirt. My wet hair was tied over my head in a towel bun.

I closed the bathroom door behind my back and strode towards the closet.

Applying body lotion and night cream, I grabbed a comb and a scrunchie from a cabinet and walked back outside. On my way, I rolled the scrunchy in my right wrist and then opened the sliding door of the balcony. The cold wind made my skin shiver.

It's windy tonight.

I switched on the balcony lights and headed towards the hanging chair in the right corner. But, stopped in my tracks as my gaze fall on the moon shining brightly in the sky full of stars.

I held the cold railing with both my hands and leaned on it. A cool breeze touched the warmth of my cheeks. It sent a chill down my spine.

Ah, it feels cold now.

Something is different about the moon tonight. The cherry on the cake the sky is clear too which is why all the stars are visible as well.

But then I would have equally enjoyed the night sky with clouds floating slowly and playing a kind of hide and seek with the moon and stars.

I kept looking at the silent and impassive moon.

*Flashback*

"Since how long?"

Hritik opened his mouth to form a lie and closes it back. He looked at the ceiling muttering something to himself. Maybe he has said all his go-to lies and now he's out of lies. Jerk!

I sighed and shook my head slowly, disgusted.

He looks into my eyes as I glare back at him.

"D... Listen-" he started.

"Why?" I cut him off thinking to sound strong but my voice betrayed me sounding weak and clogged.

He took a small step forward and I instantly walk two backwards while showing him a hand, signalling to stop.

My eyes started forming water.

"Just go!" I said while fighting back my tears hard.

A cold drop of water rolled down my nape bringing me back to earth.

I thought I had forgotten everything but maybe some memories never fade.

I sighed.

I bent a bit forward and free my hair. Holding the towel in both my palms flat, I started drying them with it. The water was mostly soaked in the towel itself.

I sat on the hanging chair and started untangling my hair but now my brain was running with thoughts of the race tomorrow.

It's a world competition. Not just any other competition. A big thing
There are contestants from all around the world. I have practised and even did well in the qualifying round in the evening today, even the track where we gonna race is familiar to me as it's here. That's an advantage.

But still, I can't make any silly mistakes and ruin it all for myself.

What if I lose? Came last? Oh no! I can't. It's not even an option at all. Hritik would get another chance to laugh at me.

A sweet smile crept up my face as I remembered how I have my buddy with me and I know I can do it. She's my lucky partner.

With that thought running through my brain, I hopped off the swing and down on my feet. As of now after a lot of effort, my hair is untangled and is just slightly wet

I pulled out all the hair from the comb and gathered those fallen on the ground. Yet then I searched keenly on the floor and after finding no hair laying on the floor, I make a mini ball of my fallen hair and throw it in the dustbin.

I'm losing a lot of hair these days. Ugh! I'll have to do something about this sudden hair fall.

I switch off the balcony lights and walked into the room. My gaze lifted to the clock hanging on the front wall, above the couch. 12.25 A.M. Time is running. It's midnight already and I have to wake up early.

I switched off the lights in the room before laying down on the bed. I unfold the blanket and cover myself.

I felt the cold breeze hit my skin and my gaze turn towards the open balcony door. I snap a hand on my forehead with my eyes closed. Argh! I forgot to close it!

I removed the blanket with heavy hands and with even heavier legs I walked towards the doors and slide it back off.

*Phone rings*

"Argh! Who is it now?" I murmured to myself in annoyance and stomped towards the table placed before the couch where the phone was ringing.

Just when I was about to grab the phone in my hands the ring cut.

I sighed.

Grabbing the phone, I sat on the couch with my legs crossed. Missed a call from Veronica.

Why did she call at this hour?

Is everything alright?

I called her back, "The number you're calling is currently busy..." I cut the call and called back again. "The number you're calling..."

She might be trying to call me.

I wait for her call with my hands resting on my lap and the phone in between them. I put my head back to rest on the couch.

As a yawn escaped me, I brought my hands to my mouth, leaving the phone in my lap. Lacing my fingers together I break the knuckles with a satisfying loud cracking noise.

I'm feeling sleepy now. Even the couch feels comfortable at this moment I can even fall asleep here.

I rubbed my eyes.

"What is she doing?!" I say to myself and opened my phone.

I saw some unread email notifications and clicked to read them.

After another yawn, I placed my chin in my left palm with it plopped up on my lift thigh and my phone in my right hand resting on my left knee. My hair fanning half of my face hiding the left side of the room. This was the most uncomfortable position but I didn't feel like moving.

I scrolled through the emails.

*Phone rings*

I immediately picked up her call and sat straight.

"Hel-" She didn't even let me finish saying hello.

"D, you know right the race starts at 9?"

"At this hour you call me to tell me that?" I said in a slow but annoyed voice.

"Yes and also don't bother about the fuel, I have told Krish about it."

Before she could finish speaking I yawned again.

"Okay, thanks!" I closed my eyes and started scratching my head with my fingers tips in a circular motion. My hair is still a little wet but Woah... it feels good!

"You know you suddenly turn out very grateful when sleepy," she teased.

"Yeah, I know. Anything else?" I say that while yawning back again.

"Back to the ungrateful behaviour we are!" she said. I'm sure she is rolling her eyes.

"Vee, I'm seriously sleepy, come to the damn point if there is any!" I pleaded.

"Don't die I'm telling. Um... so, the main thing I called you to tell iz... I'll be there for you. Tomorrow." She wobbles the last part.

I chuckled.

She has always been there for me. My timid heart squeals.

"Oyee! Fell asleep?!" she shouted.

What's wrong with her?!

"Veronica. My ears work fine. You can speak normally. And how can I sleep peacefully when you are there, right?" I ended with another yawn.

"Okay, okay, baby! Now I allow you to crawl yourself towards the sweet slumber and exotic dreams."

"Thank you milady!"

We both chuckled.

"Fine then... pick you up at 6.30?" I asked.

"Very fine. Now let me sleep! Good niiighhhtt!!

"Don't be late. Good night!"

"Yup!"

She hung up.

I smiled and stood up feeling tired from the couch. With my hands in the air, I stretched and then headed straight towards my cold bed.

While walking I stopped to put my phone to charge.

Opening my arms in the air, I fell on the bed and rolled inside the blanket.

Ahh! Tomorrow is the race. Best of you luck to me!

~~~~~~~~~~

Maa extended her right hand holding a spoon full of sweet curd, "Best of luck." She whispered sweetly. She was dressed in her white long coat over a loose-fitting kurta with white pants and chappals.

"Thanks, Mumma." I hugged her and she hugged me back.

"Don't return hurting yourself," she spoke sternly looking at me.

"Of course, Maa! It just happened once doesn't mean it'll happen again."

"Yeah but still," she replied in her strict voice and a straight face.

I saw Dad beside her smiling goofily. I control my laughter but Dad's funny smiley face is just not helping.

He was dressed in a white tee under an amazing black moto jacket over black pants with sports shoes.

Maa looked at Dad and rolled her eyes saying, "C'mon guys I'm seriously serious right now."

She sighed.

"Yeah you're always seriously serious," he looked at me and continued, "She's more grumpy 'cause she won't come with us," Dad revealed.

"It can't! Not won't." She corrected him.

I held her hands in both my hands and purred "Oh Mumma! I know you have to be at the hospital and we all know that's more important," I kissed her hands and added, "Nothing can happen to me, right?"

"Yeah... but still take care," she replied in a soft concerned tone.

"Yes," I replied with a smile creepingpingup on my face.

"Now let us go, we don't wanna be late!" Dad said.

We both waved to Mumma as we drove off.

I took out my phone from my sweater's inner pocket thinking to text Veronica that we have left.

"You calling Veronica?" Dad asked.

I shook my head and click to open my phone, "Nah texting her to be ready."

"Don't." I shifted my gaze at him sitting beside me, he continued, "I forgot to tell you. She was calling you but maybe your phone was switched off in the morning?"

I tried to open my phone.

Ohh yes! It's switched off. But why? I am sure I put my phone to charge before going to bed. Yeah, even in the morning I collected it after removing it from the plug.

I tried to switch it on but it didn't start. I didn't forget to switch on the switch! Shit, man!!!

"But why was she calling?" I asked Dad.

"Raman, can you put it in the charging," I told the driver while passing my phone to him.

"You told her to be ready at 6:30?" Dad asked with a slight furrow and confused ores.

Huh?

"No way! I told her 7:30." Why would I tell her to be ready that early?

I tried to remember what I told her.

"Right but maybe she understood 6:30 so she was calling you. I told her there must be some misunderstanding but she was adamant you told her 6:30."

"Nah I told her 7:30."

I don't remember though.

"So then she told me as she was ready she'll go to the racetrack and until we reach she can see all the preparation."

"Oh. Okay." I nodded.

I looked outside of the window and tried to recall our conversation.

My gaze focused on the sun rising. The dawn was breaking. In the early mist, as we passed along the road with speed, the sun keeps appearing and quickly disappearing amid the tall trees.

~~~~~~~~~~

We had reached and I was busy wearing my leathers.

Well, as soon as I entered, Veronica busted on me. She left no stone unturned in eating my head. I tried my best to make her understand I clearly told her 7.30 but she was a stubborn kid. Afterwards, Dad interjected and settled it.

She can satisfy herself by thinking I told her 6:30 but I honestly don't remember myself telling her that.

Krish arrived just after a while of that with a crew member helping him bring the extra fuel. They put it in our place.

He headed towards me when I was sitting on a bench and wearing all the safety gear. From his bag that was hanging on his shoulders, he fished out a stainless steel black-coloured beautiful tumbler with a cap from its side pocket and forwards it towards me.

"And this is your fuel," he handed with a smile. He was dressed in olive green pants with a faded blue coloured jeans button-down shirt and sports black shoes.

I put down the knee pad that I was holding beside me and twist open the tumbler cap very carefully trying not to get whatever was in it spilt.

Tea!

I looked up at him with the biggest grin on my face.

"You're the best!" I praised him while holding the tumbler in between my hands, I blow a little before taking a sip from it.

He chuckled and went to Dad. I saw him take out a can and gave it to him. Then one to Veronica. Like that, he gave each crew member a can. Woah.

"You're only my assistant. You don't need to bring stuff for everyone living on this planet," I commanded.

"Thank you, Krish! Whenever you feel like ditching your current brain-eating Boss you can come to me. I'll hire you any day." Veronica said in her high-pitched voice.

I narrow my eyes at her.

*Bell rings loudly*

"C'mon get ready fast. Just 15 mins," Dad said and I stood up from the bench.

I was ready and my buddy was too.

We all walked towards my bike and I hopped on it.

With a natural blush on Dad's face, he comes to pass me my helmet but stops just when I was going to take it and said, "Don't you dare come back injured, otherwise no more races!"

"Pinky promise! Anything else?" I said raising my pinky finger and chuckling.

I forwarded both my palms for the helmet and finally, he placed it on my hands.

"Best of luck Boss!" Krish wished.

I nodded with a smile.

"Let them all hot on your tail!" Veronica said energetically.

I laughed, "Let's hope."

Other than the brain bucket I was fully dressed. After putting it on, now only my eyes are visible and yes my medium-length braid.

"Let's go for it buddy!" I whispered to my bike and it started with a vroom.

The demon rumbled in the iron horse between my legs as I rolled the throttle and dashed out on the track after hearing them call my name on the mike.

I was at the front door. There were 27 riders on the grid. We had to perform 8 laps around the circuit having 16 turns and whoever's wheel touches the finish line first wins it all.

I looked around, everyone seems to be looking ready for the race.

There was a lot of noise in the background, songs were being played in high volume, sounds of riders revving their engines, blowing horns, people shouting and a lot of other loud deafening noises were heard.

My heart was pounding in my chest with excitement and nervousness at the same time. My hands were sweating as well. To calm myself a bit I looked up at the clear sky and take a deep breath filling my lungs full, held it in for a while and released it.

The flashbacks of what happened the last time came sliding in front of my eyes.

That was just a crash and it happens to everyone, every day. We are gonna rise from the ashes!

I was battling with my thoughts.

Everyone had been called out now and is on the grid ready to fly off waiting for the green signal.

The moment they declared to start, I twist the throttle to full gas and flew past everyone.

The sensation of speed hit me and I was already in my full form with no other thought than winning it.

Releasing the accelerator I pulled the brakes with a wonderful screeching sound and leaned in on the right side while holding my weight on the outer left leg at the first right U corner. Instantly again pull on the accelerator to full gas, straighten the bike with a deadly speed.

The track was on fire with the sounds of the bike's engine and the screeching on the road.

This is awesome as always!

My braid flopped behind in the air as if laughing at the riders behind, rilling them up.

I saw a bike's front wheel really close to me trying to overtake.

My focus is solely on the track, as the first corner arrived, I leaned in effortlessly putting my whole body weight on the outer leg.

No no no no no!

I pulled on the accelerator to the max speed instantly. I try my best to not give the rider behind me the chance to take over me.

He took advantage of me pulling on the break just a mini sec longer.

Oh shit!

I painfully witness him cross me in the corner.

I speed up and as the next corner arrived I am impatient to lean with my bike and now we both are neck to neck.

Bloody hell!

He again took the lead and crossed me.

I was riding second place with the third hot on my tail.

We were fighting for the place pretty badly. I was running at full speed.

Five laps were done and we were on the sixth almost done. I can feel the soreness in my hands and the sweat on my body. Despite everything my brain was just focused on the rider in front of me.

I was just waiting for him to make a single mistake and I would take advantage of that.

Just a single mistake.

~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATEEE!!!

AH FINALLY!

SORRY FOR THE CLIFFHANGER...

HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING??

IS YOUR SCHOOL REOPENING? MY BROTHER'S JUST DID AND I'M A BIT WORRIED ABOUT IT.

BTW, I'M SO HAPPY MY WOLF AND HUMAN FINALLY will be FACE TO FACE in update!

OOH LA LA!

ARE YOU GUYS EXCITED???

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT UPDATE??!!

THIS CHAPTER WAS PRETTY HARD FOR ME TO WRITE AS THE LAST WEEK TURNED OUT TO BE WAY TOO HECTIC AND BUSY. I WASN'T BEING ABLE TO SIT IN PEACE AND WRITE DOWN PROPERLY WITH CONCENTRATION.

AH BUT NOW ITS PUBLIC AND I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT IT.

IF YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER DONT FORGET TO VOTE, COMMENT & SHARE!

STAY SAFE.
UNTIL NEXT TIME.🖤🖤🖤

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Jokes

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