Smoke. Smoke!!
Tires screeched, dust swirled around like a mini-storm.
Eyes widened in shock.
Mouths hung open.
Even Shesha stood frozen in disbelief.
Then—
Applause erupted. Loud and wild.
"Whaaat?! Oh my God! I can't believe it…"
Children began jumping in joy.
FLASHBACK — Riya remembered.
The girl she once was.
The girl who loved racing, who lived for the thrill.
The days when wealth and dreams drove her spirit.
The car halted.
The door swung open.
Riya stepped out with calm grace, ran her fingers through her hair, and walked straight up to Shesha.
**"You wanted to humiliate me.
But I didn't fall.
And now all you can do is gape at me in shock.
You were right — I don't own a car.
But the car you drive?
It belongs to none other than...
my father.
My time may be rough —
but I am still me.
I am Riya Singh.
Riya. Singh."
Shesha stammered, trying to save face, "I... I didn't mean to—"
But Riya had already walked away.
Everyone stood there stunned, as if they'd just witnessed a movie scene.
The kids? Overjoyed.
They got their free ride.
And Riya — she got her dignity back.
Just then, her phone rang.
"Riya! Where are you?!"
Someone was yelling on the other side.
Suddenly, reality struck.
"Oh shit! I'm late!"
She'd lost all track of time in the rush of the moment.
"Now I'll definitely get scolded… I gotta run!"
She sprinted so fast she didn't even notice the boy sitting nearby — and crashed straight into him.
"Are you crazy?! Who sits in the middle of the road?" she snapped, not realizing it was her fault.
The boy smiled, "Says the one who ran into me! I was sitting off to the side."
His tired eyes, flushed cheeks, handsome face, tousled hair, and slightly breathless look could've stopped anyone in their tracks.
"Oh wait... are you okay?"
She noticed he was about to vomit, his face was red with heat.
"Water? Here!"
She quickly pulled a bottle from her bag.
The boy couldn't even speak — just nodded and took it. But he began hiccuping.
Riya laughed, "Oh God! You're hiccuping and throwing up? Wait… are you pregnant?"
The boy choked on the water.
"What nonsense?!"
Riya laughed even harder, "Oops! Sorry, just trying to joke around and distract you… but hey, your hiccups are gone now, right?"
Snap! She winked and grinned. "Hiccup cured!" "Or… maybe not… oops…"
Right then, the boy's driver came rushing over to support him.
The boy turned to return the bottle — but Riya was already gone.
"Where did she go?"
He looked around, confused.
Moments later, a fluffy brown dog came running toward Riya, leaping over her playfully and licking her face. She wiped her tears and fed it the homemade snacks she had — the dog gobbled it up.
Right behind the dog came — the pregnant boy.
"Be quiet…"
Riya turned, surprised. "Wait… how did he eat? He hasn't eaten in days!"
"It's the magic of my cooking!" she joked.
"Are you feeling better now?" she asked.
"Yeah, just… a bit of food poisoning."
He handed the bottle back.
"Oh! Seems like you work way too much," she commented, noticing his rumpled clothes.
"And hey, you drive pretty well…"
He said, slightly shy.
She blushed. "Ugh, don't say that. So you saw all that?"
"I saw everything —
the rides you gave the kids,
the food you shared,
and the way you shut Shesha down."
"So you heard it all?" she asked.
"Every word," he nodded.
"But forget all that… tell me something — how long will you keep doing this?"
She looked confused.
"I mean… Don't you think you deserve more? You're smart. You should be studying."
"I can't afford school fees," she said flatly.
"There's a solution — take the scholarship test."
"Scholarship?" she echoed.
"Yup," he handed her a pamphlet.
"Wait… Paradise High School? Isn't that the school where a girl… took her own life?"
"So that's how people know us now…" he sighed.
"Anyway. Forget that. Let's talk about what matters."
"But if I start studying… who'll earn for the family?"
"There's a way — sell your food in the school canteen."
"They'll take my food?"
"I study there. I know the admin. Just drop my name if needed."
"Oh wow! So you're their brand ambassador now?" she teased.
He laughed, "Maybe! But tell me… why are you doing all this for me?"
"Because I think you're capable. And schools like ours — they need people like you. If you get a shot, just try."
Her eyes sparkled —
like sunset reflecting off a quiet lake.
Touched, she said softly, "Okay… yes. I'll try. I can do this."
The wind blew through her hair.
He smiled gently, like the calm after a storm.
"For the sunlight ahead.
For the better days."
He turned to leave with his dog.
"See you around."
"Hey, wait! What's your name?" Riya called out.
He paused, smiled without turning, and said:
"You don't know my name?"
"Never heard it?"
She frowned. "Should I?"
He looked over his shoulder, eyes twinkling.
"Akshet. Akshet Kapoor.
But… you can call me Aks."
---
The gate creaked open at home.
"Di! I won! I got a star in the fancy dress competition!"
Anshu came running, beaming with joy.
"I knew it! I knew you'd win!" Riya hugged her tight.
"You looked so adorable."
"You made me look so good, Di."
"Oh please, you're adorable on your own — those chubby cheeks and sparkly eyes? Irresistible."
"I'm so happy for you!"
Riya picked her up joyfully.
"What do you wanna eat, champ?"
"Di, can I say something?"
"Of course."
"That suicide thing I said this morning… I didn't mean it.
I just get scared when I see you hurting so much,
doing everything for me…
Sometimes I feel like it's all my fault…
I'm sorry, please don't take it to heart again."
Riya's voice trembled with emotion.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Don't ever say that again.
You're not my problem, Anshu.
You're my only happiness."
"Your smile keeps me going."
"Don't worry, Di. God will fix everything.
Good days will come — I know it."
Riya remembered the moment by the lake.
"What happened? You look so happy today."
"Maybe… God finally sent help."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah… it's time to move forward now."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… how long will we stay stuck in the past?
How long will we live life with a full stop?
Whatever comes — we'll face it.
God sees everything.
From now on — no more pain, no more fear."
Her voice was firm. Her eyes? Glowing with renewed purpose.
The sun hadn't risen yet…
but hope had.