The bike didn't slow when Felix expected it to.
He noticed it almost immediately—not because he was impatient to get home, but because his body had memorized the turn. A slight lean to the left, a familiar patch of uneven road, the old tea stall on the corner. That was the route.
Instead, Nikhil kept riding straight.
Felix shifted his weight slightly, fingers tightening around the back handle. The engine hummed steadily beneath them, smooth and confident, as the road widened and the buildings thinned out. Trees lined both sides now, their shadows stretching lazily across the asphalt.
"You missed my turn," Felix said over the wind.
Nikhil didn't look back. "Didn't miss it."
"Then?"
"I felt like riding a bit more."
Felix let out a quiet breath as if expecting it, and leaned back again. He didn't argue. Felix had known Nikhil since childhood — uncontrolled, carefree — which told him that something like this would happen.
The city eased around them.
Shops pulled their shutters completely open. Office workers drifted toward bus stops, ties loosened, shoulders slumped. Streetlights flickered on one by one, casting warm circles on the pavement. The air smelled faintly of dust and evening food stalls warming up for business.
For a while, neither of them spoke, and just enjoyed the ride.
The bike slowed near a familiar park—nothing fancy, just a jogging track looping around a patch of grass, a few iron benches, and trees old enough to feel permanent. This was where Felix came for his morning runs. Where his father sometimes walked with him in silence.
Nikhil parked near the curb and turned off the engine.
Felix hopped off and stretched his arms. "Morning run spot," he said. "Didn't expect to visit it in the evening."
Nikhil removed his helmet and rested it on the seat. His usual grin wasn't there.
That alone made Felix turn fully toward him.
"Why the serious face?" Felix asked.
Nikhil leaned against the bike, arms crossed. He looked at the park, then at the road, then finally at Felix.
"Do you need money?"
Felix blinked. "What?"
"Money," Nikhil repeated, more quietly this time. "Help. Any kind of problem at home? Shop issues? Anything."
Felix stared at him, genuinely caught off guard. "Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"
Nikhil shrugged. "Because I know you."
Felix exhaled through his nose. "You're overthinking."
"Am I?" Nikhil tilted his head slightly. "Because earlier today, when Kunal pulled out that money—"
"I said no," Felix cut in.
"You hesitated," Nikhil replied calmly.
Felix froze.
It wasn't an accusation. It wasn't loud. It was simply true.
"Just for a second," Nikhil continued. "Barely noticeable. But I've known you since kindergarten, Felix. I know your pauses."
Felix looked away, jaw tightening. For a moment, he said nothing.
Nikhil stepped closer. "If something's wrong, you tell me. Don't carry it alone."
Felix's chest felt heavier than it should have.
In another life—an older version of himself—money had always been a shadow. Not enough to starve, but never enough to relax. Enough to make small temptations feel bigger than they were.
Enough to push people you loved into mistakes.
"There's nothing like that," Felix said finally, steady and firm. "I'm just… It's nothing. That's all."
Nikhil studied his face. "You sure?"
Felix nodded. "If something comes up, you'll know. I promise."
Nikhil sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But don't make me drag it out of you later."
Felix allowed a faint smile. "Deal."
They mounted the bike again.
This time, Nikhil turned toward Felix's road without hesitation.
It was 6:00 p.m. when Felix reached home.
The house was quieter than usual.
His mother wasn't there—shopping, most likely. Alex lay sprawled on the sofa, eyes glued to the television, controller resting loosely on his chest.
"You're back," Alex muttered without looking away.
Felix nodded. "Homework done?"
Alex groaned. "Almost."
Felix didn't push. He went upstairs, washed his face, changed into comfortable clothes, and checked the time.
6:30 p.m.
Right on schedule.
He headed to the shop.
The street was already alive by the time he arrived. This was the busiest stretch of the day—between 7:00 and 8:30, when office workers stopped by for essentials, families sent kids on small errands, and neighbours lingered for short conversations.
Krishna stood behind the counter, hands moving with practiced ease as he handled a steady stream of customers.
Felix didn't interrupt.
He stood slightly aside and watched.
A man asked for rice—Krishna remembered the brand without checking. A woman complained about a price—his father adjusted it calmly, explaining without defensiveness. Someone asked for credit— he refused politely, firmly, without embarrassment.
Only when the counter cleared did Krishna look up. "You really came."
Felix smiled. "Didn't want to be late on the first day."
Krishna nodded once. "Good. Watch."
For the next hour, Felix didn't touch the register.
He observed.
How his father greeted customers by name.
How he remembered preferences.
How he kept mental track of stock without writing anything down.
How he never rushed, even when the line grew long.
"This shop isn't big," Krishna said quietly at one point, "but it runs on trust."
Felix nodded. He understood that now, far more than he ever had before.
By 7:30, Radha arrived, tying her apron as she stepped behind the counter.
"Crowded today," she said lightly.
"Every day," Krishna replied.
Felix helped where he could—fetching items, organizing shelves, learning which products sold fastest and which barely moved. It wasn't glamorous work. His feet hurt. His back ached.
But it was real.
By 8:15, Radha left to prepare dinner.
At 9:00 p.m., Krishna pulled down the shutter.
As they walked home together, Krishna asked, "So?"
Felix thought for a moment. "Tiring."
Krishna smiled. "That's a good sign."
Dinner was simple. Warm. Familiar.
Felix informs his parents about tomorrow's practice at school.
After eating, Felix went to his room, sat on the bed, and didn't remember lying down.
Sleep claimed him quietly.
And Felix slept, knowing tomorrow would come early.
A.N.- This marks the end of the second day, since Felix got a second chance. I hope you are liking the story, and the pacing is good. Try to support the story by giving P.S. and adding it to the library, it will also motivate me.