The following morning, Priyanka heads to a cafe nearby to have some breakfast. She checked into the hotel last night and got a few hours of sleep. It wasn't much but it should be enough. She showered and changed into a fresh outfit — jeans and a tee and topped it with a bomber jacket.

She wants to explore which is why she's here on the streets, ignoring the facilities the hotel has offered.

She finishes her breakfast — coffee and sweet bun, with a satisfied smile. Then she heads out, walking aimlessly until she encounters a large crowd.

Colourful banners hung across the street from one end to another, display the name of the event. Bike Race from Manali To Shimla. Sign up to participate.

Among the crowd gathered, there are bikers — both men and women, and among them, there's a familiar face. Priyanka smiles as she looks at the man.

The handsome biker, her saviour, is also here to participate in this race. Just when she thinks she should say hi to him, he looks her way.

She approaches him with a wave. He's got his helmet off, his perfect, flawless face glistening under the sunrays. That stubble and those bangs falling over his forehead, make him look quite rugged despite the gentlemanly demeanour. As he stares back at her, he looks a little astonished to see her here, but then smiles a little.

"Manali to Shimla, how interesting!" Priyanka exclaims, now standing next to the biker, and looking at everyone. "Waise bike to main bhi chalati hun, lekin high speed par nahin,'' she says, patting down her biker jacket. "20 ki speed par."

"20 ki speed par?"

The biker guy taunts and she playfully smacks him in the chest. The guy is nimbly dressed, biker gear and jacket in place. He chose a neon-navy blue theme today. In that outfit he wore, the man looks dazzling in broad daylight and so does his bike which is a smexy Yamaha WR155R. A rather rugged model, well suited for the Himalayan roads.

"Helloo? Maine pucha kya tum twenty ki speed se khush ho?" The biker asks, and Priyanka stops scrutinizing him when he throws a quizzical look.

"Nahi, Mr Sharif," she replies, folding her arms, "but haan, 20 per bahut comfortable lagega. Aur Mumbai ka traffic mein sirf 20 per hi chala sakte hain."

The biker throws his head back and laughs. His eyes narrow as he looks at Priyanka. "Dushyant."

Priyanka looks at him and raises an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"Mera Naam," says the biker. "Dushyant. Ab Ham Dobara mile hain to itna to aap jaan hi sakti hai mere bare mein, Miss Priyanka."

Priyanka smiles at the biker — Dushyant. She feels joyful as she nods at him.

"Smooth... Dushyant, tum mujhe tum keh sakte ho, aur sirf Priyanka."

Dushyant grins at her, giving a subtle nod. He forwards his hand for a handshake, which Priyanka accepts and they smile at each other.

As they pull away, Priyanka feels as if someone is watching her. She felt like this in the hotel too, but she ignored it. She looks around, but she finds no one is watching her.

There is only half an hour left for the race to begin. Dushyant talks about how this is a government-organized race, and how it is very popular and can be very rewarding.

Priyanka nods at him, happy that he's making small talk.

"But this race needs a partner," Dushyant says, and Priyanka looks around, only to find that most bikers assembled here are guys, and they have a bunch of tough-looking females as their partners.

Priyanka watches Dushyant for a while as they lapse into silence. He's checking his bike. Is he alone here? Just when she thinks this, his partner, Sonia (Dushyant looks up and addresses the girl by that name) arrives.

Priyanka wishes Dushyant good luck and moves away, to give them privacy. She felt like talking to Dushyant some more but she didn't want to be a third wheel. Sighing, she decides to look around the place for a while.

However, not much time passes, and her little detour takes her back to her handsome saviour. The race hasn't begun yet, She finds Sonia and Dushyant, arguing with each other.

"Please, Dushyant! Main tumhare sath is race mein hissa le rahi hun. Apni jaan par khel ke! Kam se kam Iske bad to tum mere pyar ko maan lo!"

Dushyant makes an irritated face at Sonia, a slim woman who is dressed in a biker outfit. They both don't have their helmets on. The argument looks pretty heated. Priyanka looks between them.

"Sonia, main tumhe hazaar baar keh chuka hun!" Dushyan sounds both exasperated and angry as he says this. "Main tumse pyar nahin karta. Aur pyar aisa thodi hota. Tum please yeh pyar ki bheek mangna band karo!"

Sonia glares at Dushyant. Her shoulders slump and she tries to sound calm when she talks. "Ab main kya karun? Maine tumhe manane ki kitni koshish ki. Ab bheek mangne ke alava aur kya rasta bacha hai!"

Dushyant sighs. "Sonia, we were friends and adventure enthusiasts. I told you many times ki main tumse pyar nahi kar sakta. Main kisi se bhi pyar nahin kar sakta aur na hi karna chahta. Fir Bhi tum maanti mahin ho. Agar tum is ummid ko leke mere sath race mein hissa le rahi ho, ki kabhi main tumse pyar karunga... agar tum meri acquaintance sirf isliye bani ho, ki main tumse pyar karunga... To hume isko yahi per band kar dena chahiye. It's okay Sonia, Tum aaj ke race mein hissa na lo."

Sonia is shocked and so is Priyanka.

Priyanka tries to step in between, apologizing for eavesdropping but it's too late. Sonia walks away in a huff.

Priyanka turns to Dushyant, frowning. "Yeh kya hai? Tum is race mein hissa nahin le rahe? As far as I know, tumhe racing mein hissa lena bahut pasand hai. To kyon nahin le rahe ho hissa?"

Dushyant looks at Priyanka. He looks tired now, the earlier angry young man is gone. "Agar tumne meri aur Sonia ki baten sun liya to tumhe pata hona chahiye, ki main race mein hissa kyon nahin le raha. Is race mein hissa lene ke liye partner ki zarurat hai."

Dushyant turns away. Priyanka watches him remove his biker jacket and gloves and toss it to the floor. He runs his hands through his hair and sighs.

He looks very disappointed and she wants to help him.

"Tumne meri madad ki hai ab main tumhari madad karungi!" Priyanka says and Dushyant looks at her in shock.

"What?"

He blinks and stares at her. "Main Samjha nahin..."

Priyanka smiles. "Main banungi tumhara partner. Main hissa lungi is race mein tumhare sath."

Dushyant remains wide-eyed and Priyanka shows him a very bright smile. It takes her about a minute to fully convince him, but soon, they make some last-minute preparations.

Dushyant hands her his spare pro-racing biker jacket and pair of gloves and helps her put on the protective gear by giving her directions.

Priyanka smiles. He really is a gentleman. An average guy would have used this opportunity to touch her but Dushyant didn't.

"Are you sure tum yeh karna chaahti ho?"

Priyanka smiles. "Yes. Yeh to main kar chuki hun. Remember, Jab tumne mujhe Hotel tak choda?"

Dushyant shakes his head watching her. "Yaad na dilao. I feel a little guilty now. Looking back at that incident, it was dangerous and risky. Mujhe shayad tumhe us tarah bina protective gear ke danger ko expose nahi karna chahiye tha. Tum shayad bahut dar gayi Hogi. Uske liye I am really sorry."

Priyanka shakes her head. "Arey Nahin! Main to dari nahin! Yeah, thoda dar laga tha per fir bad mein bahut maza aaya. Aur mujhe un drunk logon se chutkara bhi to mil gaya. Thanks, Dushyant. You only helped me. Ab don't worry too much, I will be fine."

Dushyant looks at Priyanka."Are you sure? You said tumhe 20 ki speed acchi lagti!"

Priyanka laughs. They are only talking now, but this conversation already feels like the one with a close friend.

"Tumhe shayad nahin pata, lekin main Mumbai mein apni boring si life ko chhodkar yahan per sirf adventure karne ke liye aayi hun, Dushyant. Mujhe yeh karna hai. Waise bhi meri shaadi ho jaye, to main uss jhanjhat mein fans hii jaaungi. Abhi soch rahi hun thoda zigdagi ka maza le loon..."

Dushyant looks at Priyanka as she babbles. He hasn't told her anything about his life. They've only met but she babbles all this? So she is getting married? Does she have a fiance? Do they love each other?

Dushyant remembers his own loveless family and the bonds between them. He wants to ask Priyanka a few questions but he knows that there are certain boundaries that can't be crossed yet.

Priyanka may be earnest but he is still not a close friend, and he doesn't have the right to ask her this. Yet this new information that she has a fiance makes him somewhat uncomfortable.

Just then, the organizers of the race announce on the klaxon that the race is about to begin.

Taking that as a cue, Dushyant puts his thoughts aside and pats Priyanka on the arm. When he smiles at her, his smile is a genuine one. He has long ago decided that he would live in the present and enjoy the present moment, and that's what he is going to do now.

He will make most of this moment he shares with Priyanka. He hopes that she also will do the same.

They hop onto his bike and get ready, lining up with the other racers as the race begins. Just before they accelerate and dash forward, Dushyant looks at Priyanka.

"Tumne sahi Kaha Tha. Mujhe racing bahut pasand hai. Par main racing mein jeetne ke liye hissa nahin leta. Main ye manta hun ki zindagi mein bahut ai cheezen hain jo jeet se badhkar hai."

Priyanka processes his words as they barrel forward. The wind against her body is incredible, but she has all the protective gear in place shielding her. They are going at a breakneck speed again, but she is not nervous.

The scenery passing by is a blur but Dushyant's deep words ring in her ears.

She can't understand what he meant by that, but she can definitely relate to the meaning, whatever it is. She has to apologize to him again. She thought of him as a shallow man when they first met, but he is turning out to be this gentle soul.

She recalls his conversation with Sonia.

He turned down Sonia, but he was also clearly telling her that there was no hope for them to be together. His honesty was commendable, but he also said he wouldn't fall in love.

Priyanka can't help but think it is sad if he means those words. Whoever Dushyant falls in love with would be lucky, this, she is sure, as she clutches onto his shoulder, and they continue to race forward.

***

Vineet aimlessly roams the Shimla streets, stepping out of his hotel after finishing his breakfast. He feels a little restless though the town around him is charming.

After walking around for a while, he finds a familiar face next to a jewellery shop.

The young woman from earlier, Ruhana is trying out different bracelets and earrings put up on the display, chatting up with the shop assistant and laughing at something the other girl said.

Vineet doesn't know why, but looking at her makes him smile. Maybe it makes him smile because she's so vibrant and full of life. Unlike last time when he beckoned her closer, this time, she finds him looking at her, and asks him to come closer.

"Vineet! Aap yaha? Arey hotel ke cafeteria mein se gayab hi hogaye the aap! Main bas bill bharne gayi thi aur aap gayab ho gaye!" she says and laughs.

Vineet feels a little shocked but also happy. "Oh, I'm sorry. I really didn't think aap wapas ayengi."

Ruhana shakes her head. "Kaise na aati. Maine bola tha na, ki we shouldn't leave someone alone with their thoughts. At least main toh nahin chodti."

Vineet smiles. "Yes. Main hi galat tha. Ya main soch nai raha tha main kya kar raha tha. I'm sorry."

Ruhana shakes her head again. Vineet seems like a sweet soul. He doesn't need to apologize as he hasn't done anything wrong.

"Arey, please. Aap itne bar sorry na bolo. Ho Jata hai kabhi kabhi. Ab hum dobara mil gaye hai na? I'm happy. Aur yes, main aapse sorry aur thank you na sunna chahti. Toh kyun na hum dost ban jaye? If you need a friend here in Shimla, I can be one. Well, at least, until we leave this place that is."

Vineet looks at her in shock yet again. Ruhana regrets what she said. She doesn't know why she offered a hand of friendship. It still feels she did the right thing, but she doesn't want to force it on anyone. Especially not on Vineet, who is a very friendly and kind guy, going by what she has observed so far.

Like before, Vineet surprises her by smiling and shaking his head.

"Aapke jaisa dost shayad har kisi ko chahiye, Ruhana," he says, looking at her again. "I'm glad hum dobara mile abhii. I wanted to be alone, but now I'm glad meri mulakat aap se hui hai. So... yes... Let's be friends until we leave Shimla."

Ruhana is elated to hear those words. They don't shake hands but subtly nod at each other. Vineet is a stranger who has only become her friend just now, so why does he make her feel this way? Whatever the reason maybe she is glad to have a friend in this Himalayan town. Solitude is the best but the company of a friend who can understand you, and does things together, is even better.

***

"Breakfast ho gayi hai, aap kahan jana chahte hain?" Ruhana asks Vineet as they walk on the streets.

Vineet shrugs. He doesn't have any particular destination in mind. So he says, "I am fine going anywhere. Aap kahan jana chahte?"

Ruhana can't think of any media destination but the idea suddenly hits her. She remembers now; how can she forget something so important?

Smiling, she takes Vineet's hand and guides him through the streets.

They reach a book fair organized by a local publishing house. While Ruhana is thrilled to see all those books on display and enthusiastic readers browsing through them, Vineet keeps his eyes trained on Ruhana observing the girl. He didn't know before but now he knows, she is a book lover.

He clears his throat bringing her out of her thoughts. "Lagta hai aapko kitaben pasand hai?"

Ruhana nods. "Bahut zyada. Kahaniyan aur zindagi ek Jjaisi hoti hai, par mere liye toh kahaniya hi zindagi hai. Kya aapko kitaben acchi lagti hain?"

Vineet smiles. He always admired people who are passionate about something in their life. Right now, he sees the same drive and desperation in this girl.

"Maine apni zindagi mein bahut kam kitaben padhi hai, Ruhana. School mein padha tha children's books aur historical books, aur company setup karte hue kuchh personality development books."

The bright smile on Ruhana's face from earlier drops a little. "To iska matlab aapko fiction books acche nahin Lagte Hain?"

Vineet shakes his head. "Aisa Nahin Hai."

He tries to convince Ruhana, but she is not fully convinced, and she continues to pout as they scan the books on display.

Vineet doesn't know what to say to pacify her. He is looking around at the books but gasps as he spots a familiar name among them.

"Yeh Kitab.. Ruhana aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin ki aap ek author hai?"

Ruhana smiles a little. She takes the book that Vineet is clutching in his hands. The book she wrote, titled Trials of true love.

"Bas batane ki wali Thi. Aur yeh koi bahut badi accomplishment nahin hai. I am still a budding author. This is my first book."

Ruhana tries to sound modest but Vineet shakes his head.

"Koi bhi baat chhoti nahin hoti hai. This is a big accomplishment! Sach mein! Wow, this is amazing! Main yrh kitab zarur padhunga!"

Vineet smiles and looks like he wants to purchase the book, and Ruhana is unsure.

"Arey, par abhi to aapne kaha tha ki aap zyada kitabe nahin padhte. Aur aapne koi fiction book nahi padha? I don't want to force you to read anything."

Vineet smiles at Ruhana hearing her words. "Please meri baaton ka woh matlab nahin tha. Mujhe bas mauka nahi mila kabhi is tarah ke kitab padhne ka. I am always open to exploration. Main bhi Shimla isiliye aaya tha."

Ruhana watches Vineet as he makes his way towards the billing counter. He is serious about purchasing this book. She runs after him.

"Ye book To Love Story Hai. To aap ko love stories pasand hai?"

Ruhana still feels like this is a bad idea because this book is about two best friends falling in love. And Vineet got rejected by his best friend! What if reading this book evokes bitter feelings in him?

Vineet assures Ruhana with a smile. "I have faith that I will love this book, Ruhana. Kyunki isko aapne likha hai. It will be one fascinating love story especially when someone as compassionate as you have written it. I'm sure."

Ruhana feels embarrassed hearing the high praise; and she can only look at Vineet with wide eyes, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.

"And rahi baat Love Stories ki... I don't hate them or anything. In fact mujhe pata bhi nahi ki pyar kya hota hai. So it's fine, and I have faith ki aapka book mujhe kuch sikhayega."

Ruhana smiles and shakes her head. " It's so sweet ki aap mujhe Itna praise kar rahe ho, aur itna maante ho mujhe. But main Kafi simple ladki hun. Aur Love Stories bhi kafi simple hi hote hain. Truly. Chahe jitni bhi stories aaye, love ka ek Naya definition bina kahe reh hi jata hai. I mean no one can define love. Uske itne sare definition hai aur itne sare tareeke..."

Vineet smiles looking at her intently. Ruhana once again feels embarrassed, realizing they are standing really close, right near the billing counter and are talking about love. She is discussing a topic as deep as love with this stranger she has only met and become friends with. What's wrong with her?

"I know but I can be patient. Main Sikh Jaunga."

Vineet's answer is quite straight forward but somehow it touches her heart. Ruhana smiles. He makes the payment, and she thanks the man who has purchased her book.

"Thank you, Vineet. Authors ke liye encouragement sach mein ek bahut badi cheez hai! Thank you for purchasing my book and saying all these kind words about me. I hope you like this book. Feel free to share your thoughts on it with me."

Ruhana tries to smile at Vineet brightly but it comes out as awkward. She is a little nervous for a different reason now because the guy is going to read her book!

Vineet smiles and reassures her that he will give her feedback. Ruhana once again thanks him, then she thanks the organizers who have featured her book, and the two of them leave the book fair.

As they walk down the streets again. Ruhana opens up about her struggles as an author, how her parents did not encourage her, and how she is looked down upon in the family because she didn't make a big name for herself. Vineet sympathizes with her and says it's the same with business. Things happen. There are ups and there are lows but one must only keep going.

Ruhana looks at Vineet. She thought from what she saw that Vineet was weakened after his best friend rejected his proposal, but that doesn't seem to be the case. This guy still has a positive approach on life. He isn't depressed.

He may have felt hurt but he is not someone who will withdraw. She is glad to know this.

Just when the two of them smile at each other and turn around the corner, they are faced with an angry-looking Abhilasha. She glares at Vineet first before glaring at Ruhana.

She says something which angers Vineet and an argument ensues.

***

TBC!

Please vote and comment!

RuVineet I hope you liked this chapter! Lots of love to you! Ruhana ka case pretty relatable na?

Everyone who read! Thank you! <3