I froze seeing him.

What was he doing there?

Shaurya

He was Sana's distant relative so he was kinda related to me too but I didn't consider him anything, not after I knew how he was.

And also we dated when we were 15, it was only for a week because that guy was insane for him everything was a joke .

All those good looks were just wasted on him. I bet he had ADHD, all signs of his behavior say.

Of course, Disha didn't like my conclusion when I told her.

I pretended to not notice him present there with other bikers.

He waved my way directly looking at me with his annoying grin pasted on his mouth, even Dhruv who had now joined the line noticed Shaurya's obvious interest and reaction to me.

I gave my practiced smile to Shaurya as I did with any stranger and shot thumbs up to Dhruv who just ignored and looked in front.

This guy

The crowd cheered when the race started as the person dropped the flag and someone even shot the gun.

Niceee.

The crowd roared with excitement it was infectious enough to make my body fuddle with thrill. I found my eyes glued to only number 13 biker jacket in anticipation.

Had witnessed Dhruv's skills before he was just phenomenal on the road but it was something different to watch him from afar.

I made a face seeing Shaurya in the leading with Dhruv on par with him.

The track curved and the bikes disappearing in the blink of an eye along like flickering lights.

The other bikers followed the lead, the vroom sound and the enthusiasm of the crowd had me at the edge of the seat.

There was no screen to actually show where they were going and what was happening, it was nerve racking.

Since it was the street race, the only thing was the leaderboard flashing the position and number 5 was on top with number 13 below. Someone kept tabs on the race.

The one to reach the white finish mark right in the center would be the winner..

The position changed on the board with number 13 leading then 5

Then again 13.

Then went back to 5.

Darn it Shaurya just give up already.

"No doubt it will be the platinum winner" a guy said in the crowd.

5 was still on top

Come on come on Dhruv

13 was back

My phone pinged with the message.

Tashfee
How's the mother and daughter doing?

What

Oh shoot

I looked around as if my mom would appear magically waving at me.

Only over enthusiastic teens and more teens, some adults betting shouting and cursing. How can my mom be there?

Just any signs any reason I was failing to come up with other than it being she had odd interests or she was here for someone.

If I were my mom where would I be?

Somewhere, inconspicuous, less visible and obvious at the back of the steps.

I checked the leaderboard again

13 still there.

Okay stay there.

Dhruv will win it's easy for him

I looked back at the steps scanning as many faces and people, it was just crowd so much crowd, I need to get up and manoeuvre around.

Nope, my mom won't be in a crowd she's goddamn model so what retired she would sit separately.

My eyes paused at Vicky's stall, the event manager.

A small booth kind.

Separated with perfect VIP view. The screen flashed to 5 again

Darn it.

"Okay they are coming!" someone yelled.

I paused with the dilemma on what to do? should quickly head over and check the booth for mom.

I sat back when 5 still remained on the board.

I felt a gnawing feeling like I was throwing my mom off for a boy. But maybe she wasn't there.

A bike wheeled from the opposite road heading towards the mark it sped with yellow helmet rider on.

Board still showed 5.

My heart sank.

How can it be Shaurya?How can Dhruv not win ?

I have seen him ride, I have been with him, it's just impossible was he willingly losing?

No, I won't kiss Shaurya!

I had to step down to welcome the winner for yeah the victory kiss.

I better to run off or hide.

Which was difficult

With the fudging special seat given and everyone's eyes on me. Vicky's eagle eyes. Included.

I chewed my lip, can it be anyone else just not Shaurya.

Shaurya's bike was reaching the finish mark no sooner had the bike almost touched than the another bike overtook, it appeared out in a flash speed with a red helmet biker eating the mark basically like he just snatched off the position.

I got up, "Oh my god" with a hand in my mouth

Dhruv won.

Of course

Shaurya intentionally attacked Dhruv's bike with his out of spite.

Dhruv skidded out of the mark might have resulted in an accident he got a hold of his bike with one leg, the bike was almost touching on the ground.

He got up jerkily removing his helmet tossing it off with a furious look.

.Oh God he was going to kill him.

And I would love to watch that

Shaurya on the mark took off his helmet and raise his hands in mock surrender, "no hard feelings bruh, lost control lack some winner skills you see"

Dhruv appeared he wanted to strangle Shaurya who was chuckling like this was a hilarious joke.

Like I said, he was insane.

I rubbed my forehead.

The crowd was in uproar for a fight after the nail biting race.

The manager intervened shouting the winner's name, "We have the winner our usual unbeatable biker no.13, Dhruv Kashap is the fourth time winner of the skyway race." He gave the trophy and cheque to Dhruv who passed them to Neel.

The crowd clapped and hooted, there were some girls in short skirts suddenly surrounding Dhruv's spot.

I couldn't even see him.

He emerged out brushing past them his eyes skimming the crowd for someone.

My heart skipped a beat as they landed on me and widened when he found me.

The crowd started chanting Victory kiss, suddenly I felt in the lime light.

My face burned.

God this was just too public.

"He never kisses he passes it as a consolation prize to the runner up" some regular audience said from the crowd.

"He will give it up for runner up" The Vicky guy laughed like he already knew.

"No" Dhruv shot him a glare before coming towards me. The crowd cheered loudly I even wore that embarassing shashe of the Victory Kiss.

I had a smug smile all along trying to act cool when I was just waiting to grab his face.

His forehead had a sheen of sweat, his face hued red from the thrilling race, lips in a straight line ....my boy was always angry his eyes darkened by the time he reached me.

"You won" I spoke the obvious when he was just in front of me looking down at me.Jeez why was I finding it difficult to think and speak and do and just be myself.

I had kissed him before but it was not like this... Without anger and argument.

The crowd and the flashing mobile screens disappeared at that moment.

"There was no competition, just a bunch of loosers" He said pompously

"Of course your real competition is here" I said with an uncontrollable smile.

In response, he scoffed and pulled me to him by my waist, "You need to shut up" with that he claimed my lips. I tiptoed on my boots, missing my heels and the height.

I wrapped my arms around his neck like they belonged there, he pulled me up to diminish the height difference, I gasped in his mouth he found it a perfect opportunity to seize my mouth like he seized my mind and my heart.I kissed him back hard, my fingers buried in his hair.
Our previous kisses had always been hot and devouring with evident attraction but this time it was turning soft and unrushed. He tugged on my lower lip when I teased him with my tongue.

I broke apart if not for air his arms tightened around me not letting me go I kissed on the side of his mouth then on his perfect arrogant nose then on his forehead, his eyes opened, he admired me in wonder, he didn't put me down.

I didn't know what kind of expression I had but it was bare without putting any show. Something about it made him let me down.

I covered my disappointment brushing my hair back.

He looked down at the ground, rubbing his neck in a hazy state like he was having a battle within him.

He glanced at me messed up hair sticking out, lips smeared with pink lipstick at the corner of his mouth.

Heavens..... he appeared such a bad boy.

"I have to go"
He stepped back, I noticed I had moved towards him like some silly fan girl involuntarily.

"Yeah I am coming with you " I said trying to catch up with him. When he abruptly turned around.

"You are my ride" I said pushing past some guy cat calling.

Dhruv was walking so fast I was finding difficult to catch on."No you can get the cab or Lucas" he slapped on Lucas back who was congratulating him passing by,"he can take you'

Lucas was giving me a cocky look eyeing Dhruv and I.

I ignored.

"Heck no Why will I go with Lucas when I came with you? are you ditching me Dhruv? just look at me already!"
I tried to turn him around by his shoulder of course not possible so I moved in front of him

"What's the problem?" I was confused, he looked up with a clenched jaw,
"it's you"

"Me?" I laughed, a forced one,"of course you hate me alarm again my God how can I forget that you know what? I was having a good time for once but now you are acting like that"

"You are asking for something I can never give" he said.

"What? It's just a ride! Can you be more dramatic?"

"I am not talking about that"

I pondered,
"I wanted to be friends with you is it too much to ask?" I was seriously upset no matter what I do....this guy would never give me a chance

"Friends don't kiss that way" he stated as if challenging me to deny.

"Were we friends Dhruv? Do you not hate me now?" I was so confused what was this about now.

He only stared at me with a soft expression I didn't like that look. Like he was sad for me. Like he was going to say something that would make me sad and he will regret it ..Why? Why did he care? I don't get sad by his second class insults.

Oh wait... I do....

"This is ridiculous I-I don't know why we are even having this conversation can you just drop me home! That's all I want"

I broke the awkwardness. He spoilt the night.

"Silver, I can never love you" he said observing my face for my reaction.

There was this big silence.

Torn between confusion and despair. I folded my arms.

"Oh really? Do you see any one begging here? Dhruv Begging for your love? Get over yourself, you are just a jerkk... I think I will call the cab, a no would have sufficed instead of this melodrama," I whirled around with a big sigh giving none reactions.

My hands fisted I was trying damn hard to not shout. Scream. Yell. How I hated him now. He led me on. No I led myself on.

It's a rejection... Hadn't it always been?

From his side rejection, rejection, rejection,
Yet me being pathetic, pathetic, pathetic

He wasn't that special I don't need him. I- I wanted to just go home.

Oh God I might've met my mom today..

√√√√

Everything just went horrible, the night would end on such a bad note I didn't imagine. I felt like a deflated balloon and at this point I didn't have the energy to deal with family drama.

I passed by Disha to go upstairs to my room.

"You were out" she said

"Yes I was, so what?" I snapped looking back

"What Silver ? No hello? I am hurt" Shaurya said slouching comfortably on the sofa like it was his home

I gave him a tight smile,"why is he here?"

"Shaurya will be staying with us for a month his parents went on a business trip, be nice to him" My father told in a terse voice joining.

Disha started,
"We are trying to make him feel like home poor boy is feeling homesick already."- Shaurya did a crying act rubbing his eye with his fist when I glanced at him.

Yeah homesick... doing bike race

"Maybe Silver and Sana can take him to visit around the town tomorrow " Disha suggested softly.

Give me a break

"Whatever" I went up to my room and locked it, tossing my mobile on the bed before I could join it.

There was a knock at the door

If I ignore he will leave me alone.

Another knock,

Then continuously knocking

I opened the door frustratedly,"what do you want?"

Shaurya casually standing with his hands in his white hoodie and hood up,"why are you acting like you don't know me? Dude we hooked up! I was your first kiss" he got inside my room without giving me the chance to shut the door in his face.

"Why are you getting in my room Shaurya? just go trouble your cousin Sana"

He plopped down on my bed laying with the hand supporting his head giving cheshire grin,"she's boring I would like to play with her step sister"

He was a mischief maker and yeah during that one week of dating he cheated on me...like multiple times. And he gave me the reason that I was a bad kisser.

I eyed him suspiciously what did he want?

"Let's see how much your kissing has improved, you had a blast practicing on that dipshit you were rooting for so much, the sight was real heart touching" he got up, his blue eyes glinting with mirth.

"Yeah he's a dipshit" I said lowly, sitting on the recliner. I closed my eyes laying my head back. A cold shower was what I needed right now to wake me up and I just magically forget Dhruv and his words.

I felt a shadow on me,

"Shaurya go away I am really not in the mood"

"Okay" He said obediently

I doubt that.

I opened my eyes only for him to see leaning towards me and he was aiming to kiss on my cheek but I turned my head he kissed on my lips and he took the selfie from his phone. "Woah this is even better" he guffawed

"Wait-

He drew away quickly walking around the room with mobile stretched up out of my reach typing on it, definitely posting it somewhere.
"I always win take that dipshit! "

I tried to get it he was of course tall and he was grinning seeing me tail around him. He had not changed at all

I gave up, "you know what, do whatever you want" I got inside the bathroom to collect myself, I would deal with him tomorrow.