The KTM ran through the streets for the next twenty minutes or so. They never exchanged another word until reaching the filling station. Jai navigated the vehicle in front of the filling counter, while muttering to her, "Keep your helmet on."

She didn't need a retelling of that warning. Obviously, she wasn't going to reveal her face for the people to see. She'd be damned if she did so. Rather it was a perfect opportunity for her to torture the man sitting in front of him. So, she jabbed Jai's side with her index finger making him jump on his seat. Oh, he was ticklish. Point to be noted. She smirked and did it again.

He jumped again and hissed. "What are you are doing?"

"Tickling you."

"Don't do that!" He whisper-yelled making her giggle involuntarily.

Jai seemed to have sense her mirth as he added warningly, "Do that again and I'll throw you on the road and leave."

She scoffed. "As if I don't know how to reach my home."

"Then why are you taking my help?"

At this point, the petrol pump worker came forward and extended the pipe toward the fuel tank. Jai looked ahead with a jerk while the worker proceeded to fill his bike's tank.

Meanwhile, Ritu pondered on what Jai asked. Indeed. She could've booked a cab; she still had her phone with her. Then why did she let Jai Basu, of all people, help her out of that awful situation?

She had no answer.

Once the fuel tank replenished, Jai maneuvered his vehicle out of the service station with an air of urgency. As if he'd miss a flight if he didn't reach on time. Ritu couldn't help but roll her eyes. The motorcycle vibrated beneath them as they sped down the road. Her mind drifted to the recent past. There was something unusual about Jai. His unwavering resolve certainly piqued an interest in her. Despite their bitter situation, she found herself clinging tighter to him, her heart echoing the rhythm of the engine. She sensed an unknown feeling inside her chest. She couldn't recognize what it was, but she certainly reveled in it.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she shook her head instantaneously. No! This was wrong. He was an enemy! She reminded herself again and scooted slightly behind, trying to put a little distance between them. She let out a frustrated sigh, her annoyance surpassing her ability to control it. As she did so, her nostrils caught a new unexpected scent. Amidst the faint whiff of gasoline, a subtle undertone of citrusy scent intertwined with the familiar aroma of flour and vanilla caught her senses. It was surprisingly a pleasant combination contrary to the chaos of their current situation. Without thinking much, she inhaled again then groaned inwardly. Whatever the on the earth she was doing right now, she couldn't be in her right senses. Right? RIGHT?

On a second thought, she turned her head sideways and watched the streets instead. It would take her mind off things that were messing with her. Literally! Ominously!

As the miles stretched before them, her thoughts swirled. Although her fingers were still clutching the fabric of his shirt, she was painfully conscious of her predicament. The speed and urgency of their journey were conspicuous, and she couldn't help but feel a spark of exhilaration despite herself.

It was early afternoon. So, the daylight hadn't completely vanished yet.

Jai pressed the brakes suddenly to avoid hitting a pedestrian who was recklessly crossing the road. The suddenness caused her to jerk forward and collide with Jai's sturdy back.

"What the-" she exclaimed, then gulped down the rest. Jai didn't respond but tackled the vehicle to start rolling again.

As the vehicle moved forward, her heart began racing in tandem with the engine's growl. Their outside closeness was manipulating the unfamiliar mix of turmoil and discomfort that was growing inside her since she first laid her eyes on him. It was confusing her. Logically, there should be only hatred between them, and truly she hated him. But the definition of hate seemed to have blurred somewhere along the way he was helping her even after knowing they were opponents.

With each turn of the road, she felt an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Her hands held onto his waist helplessly while his broad shoulders shifted as he navigated the bike. Caught in the whirlwind of the ride, Ritu couldn't understand why was she feeling such way. It left her bewildered, and this new feeling was both uncomfortable and confusing.

After another fifteen minutes, they reached the road that led to Ishani. Jai was the first one to break the silence between them. "I can't go near your house. They won't take it normally."

He had a point.

"I can call Shreya. I mean my sister-in-law. She can help us."

"Us? It's only you." Jai countered softly. "She can help you. You're the one in need of help."

"Whatever." Ritu rolled her eyes.

"So, call her and ask her to meet you outside the gate."

"Okay."

As Jai slowed the speed, she pulled out her phone and called Shreya.

After only the first ring Shreya received the call. "Hello, Ritu! Where the hell are you? Everybody's so worried for you! How can you be so irresponsible? You even escaped Irfan's watch! How reckless of you!" The rapid succession of questions annoyed Ritu, but she knew Shreya was rightfully allowed to question her like that.

"Oh my God, Shreya! Let me speak at least."

Shreya ignored her and continued rebuking. "Where are you? Should I call Maa? You want to talk to her?"

"Are you mad? No! If I wanted to talk to her, wouldn't I have called her instead?" She huffed. "Okay listen. I want you to come outside of Ishani. And ask Ram to bring the wheelchair. I can't walk. My legs are numb."

"What?" She shrieked. "Why? How?"

Ritu rolled her eyes again. "Come, get me, and I'll explain everything to you. Okay?" After that she disconnected the call.

Meanwhile, Jai had already reached outside the Ishani. Ritu peeked from his back. The main gate was ajar and Neil was standing in the middle alongside the gatekeepers, a walkie talkie in his hand and a cellphone attached to his ear. He was talking, and by the look of it, he was doing his job efficiently in order to find her. She was in deep trouble. Moreover, if Neil was here, then that clearly meant, Abhimanyu was also at home. Perhaps, her father too.

Oh- God! Could this day go any more disastrous?

"What did she say, the one you called?" Jai inquired as he put his legs down to keep the vehicle steady.

"She's coming. Thank God we have helmets on. They can't recognize us." Ritu responded, frowning at the phone screen. 78 missed calls, 33 text messages.

"So, you think," Jai muttered.

As she was about to ask him what he meant by that, she saw it for herself. Shreya, along with Neil, Irfan, Ganesh, Rafi was advancing towards them. Ram was trailing behind them with the wheelchair. Ritu's heart sank. The whole squad was here. She was in a deep, deep crap!

Shreya came and stood in front of the motorcycle. For a few seconds, no one talked. The burly men were glaring at Jai's head who still had the helmet on.

Ritu removed her helmet and directed her apologetic gaze on Shreya. Her eyes then swept over the rest before an incoherent word escaped her mouth. "Sorry."

"You should be," Shreya snapped. "Now get off."

"I might need some help here," she said hesitantly and waited for someone to lend her a hand which came immediately. Irfan came forward and hoisted her up from the bike, then transferred her to the wheelchair waiting right beside. She swiftly caught Irfan's hand as he was about to straighten up and whispered, "I'm sorry, Irfan. I was so so stupid. I'm really sorry."

Irfan didn't respond but straightened anyway.

She truly felt guilty for deceiving the man. Her eyes wavered as she shifted them to Jai. Shreya and Neil were already glaring at him.

"Could you reveal your identity?" It was Neil.

Jai said nothing but slowly removed his helmet revealing his face. An audible gasp left Shreya as her eyes widened at the recognition of the person.

"What are you doing here?" Neil demanded. "Why was Ritu ma'am with you?"

Jai's lips moved. "Ask her. She should be able to give you a detailed narration." He then averted his eyes towards Ritu and added, "And if she couldn't, you'll know through other sources."

Ritu blinked. Her heart racing some extra miles. Was he implying to the media? Today was a total disaster. Oh Krishna, why?

Jai then addressed her specifically. "I hope we never meet again."

"Same here. I fervently pray our paths never cross again, for the whole past hour was utterly repulsive to me. A detestable disaster! I don't want another of that in my life." Before she could process her thoughts, the words had already escaped her mouth.

Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment before he blinked, averted his gaze. Soon after, the roar of the engine filled the air and the KTM took off leaving her flustered amidst the big men and a very angry Shreya.

"Ritu, explain yourself right now! He's framed your brother in a false case! Don't you know that? What's going on?" Shreya asked, her voice infuriated.

Ritu countered sharply, "Oh, so you think I DON'T KNOW THAT? Please, Shreya. I have that much intelligence, and we didn't have any discussion regarding the case. I don't even know anything about the case! Don't pretend that you've been engaging me in your crucial discussions. Cause you're not!"

"Then what the hell was he doing with you?" Shreya demanded. Her voice rising with each syllable.

Ritu huffed and looked away. "It's a long story."

"Then start speaking!"

"Are we going to have this whole discussion here on the streets? I'm sure Papa'll approve of that excellent arrangement."

"Alright fine. We'll have this discussion in front of Papa then." Shreya turned toward Ram. "Bring her inside, Ram. Will you?"

Ram nodded without a word. With that, the somber group proceeded to step into the premises of Ishani, their postures rigid. The surrounding air seemed to sizzle with tension as they crossed the boundaries of the villa.

Krishna, please help me, Ritu thought. She was in trouble again.

Trouble was no stranger to her, but this time it wore a different face. And the face had a name! Her mind darted toward Jai. Damn it!

As the thought crossed her mind, she prayed desperately for the day to end right there. She had no bravery left to face her parents. She knew they were worried, in fact, scared. But she had nothing to pacify their anger.

Once inside, the first person that caught her attention was her mother. She was pacing back and forth across the hall while dabbing a tissue to her eyes.

"Maa," Ritu called causing Priyasha to whirl around.

"Ritu!" She exclaimed and dashed toward her in a single breath. "Where were you? And you're on wheelchair again! Why? Are you okay?"

"Yes, maa. I'm okay. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have vanished like that."

Ritu's eyes shifted from Priyasha to Abhiraj who was now approaching her with slow but steady strides. Abhimanyu wasn't there but she knew he was in his room. Jeet, however, stood up from his seat.

Before anyone else could say anything more, Shreya snitched, "She was with Jai Basu."

"Who? What?" Priyasha exclaimed, bewildered. "What were you doing with him?"

Ritu glared at Shreya but answered quietly, "It's a long story."

Priyasha was about to say something more, when Abhiraj interrupted, "I'll have some words with Ritu. Ram, bring her to my work room."

No one refuted his words. His words hung heavy in the air. Priyasha cast an anxious look toward her husband, a mix of worry and uncertainty flickered in her eyes. Meanwhile, Abhiraj focused his resolute stare on his daughter. Ritu's inside wavered in trepidation.

Her father was a man of few words, his silence often more powerful than any argument. He cared deeply for his children, that much was evident, but he possessed a firmness that could turn strict when the situation demanded it. Gyan, her twin brother, had borne the full weight of their father's displeasure when he started straying from his predetermined path. Their relationship remained rocky since then, tainted by Abhiraj's well-intentioned but unbending guidance.

However, until now, he had never raised his voice or imposed his decisions on Ritu. He had allowed her to find her own way, respecting her choices even when they differed from his expectations. But now that the situation has come, Ritu knew she was doomed. His father's calm demeanor felt like a facade about to shatter. The weight of the moment was undeniable.

In the grave silence that ensued, the unspoken verdict was palpable. Ritu was keenly aware that the judgement had been cast, because her father's resolute silence spoke volumes. The situation had evolved beyond her control now. As the realization settled in, she felt trapped, ensnared in the repercussions of her choices.

Her father wouldn't be easy with her either.

..

Author's note: What do you think of their characters? Team Ritu or Team Jai? :)