The Unplanned Race
The night was alive with excitement as everyone was prepared for the party. However, an unexpected change in plans occurred when Shristi insisted on joining.
"Where are you all going?" she questioned, crossing her arms as she faced Wick.
Wick hesitated for a moment before replying, "Just a party. A chance to get to know everyone better."
Shristi tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Then I want to come too."
Wick sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Shristi's expression hardened. "Fine. Then I won't lead the female team."
Wick glanced at her, then exhaled in defeat. "Alright, fine! You can come."
Before leaving, Deep handed Shristi a bracelet—a sleek, black band bearing The Shield's insignia. "This is for your protection. It shows you're with us," he said.
Shristi nodded, accepting it, and soon found herself in Wick's car, heading to the party.
---
The party was already in full swing, energy buzzing in the air as groups gathered and music played in the background. But amidst the fun, a different kind of intensity brewed.
Dev analyzed the situation, his voice serious. "From Dominar and Wallahak, 36 people showed up. Another 16 from Descent and Black Cobra." He paused, glancing at Deep. "That makes it 52 of them."
Deep nodded grimly. "And from our college, we're 9 from The Shield. The Legacy brought 11. So, together, we're just 20."
Nick folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "If a fight breaks out, they'll outnumber us. They'll play the numbers game."
Deep placed a hand on Wick's shoulder. "We need to talk."
Wick followed him to a quieter corner, but just as they left, Shristi realized she had left her phone in the car. Excusing herself, she made her way back.
Sliding into the driver's seat, she reached for her phone on the dashboard. As she was about to leave, a boy approached.
"Can you move the car a little? Just to the ramp," he requested.
Shristi shrugged. "Sure." She started the engine and repositioned the car as asked.
But the moment she parked, the sound of a siren echoed through the area.
A sleek black car pulled up beside her. Rayan. He smirked, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. "Get ready for the race."
Shristi blinked in confusion. "Wait, what? You don't understand. I'm not the one racing. Wick is."
Rayan's grin widened. "Then why are you sitting in the car, darling?"
Realizing the misunderstanding, Shristi reached for the door handle. "I should go. This isn't my race."
Rayan's expression turned cold. "Leave now, and Wick gets eliminated."
Shristi's breath hitched. Wick? Eliminated? Before she could react, she heard the commotion behind her.
Wick rushed to the ramp, his eyes dark with fury. "Shristi! Get out of the car!"
Rayan leaned back, smug. "Relax, sweetheart. I'll make it fair for you. Since you're a girl, I'll give you a five-second head start."
Shristi stared at him. "Five whole seconds? How generous."
The countdown began.
Rayan, true to his word, remained still, waiting. But instead of speeding ahead, Shristi picked up her phone and began texting.
Rayan's eyes narrowed. "What the hell are you doing?"
Shristi didn't look up. "Utilizing my five seconds." She glanced at him with a smirk. "I want people to know you lost to a girl in equal chances."
Before he could respond, the race officially started.
---
Back near the crowd, chaos erupted.
Vivek's eyes widened as he turned to Shreekant. "What the hell is going on?"
Shreekant was just as baffled. "You were supposed to be racing, Wick! Who's in the car?"
Nick, standing nearby, scoffed. "Are you kidding? I'm right here!"
Realization dawned upon Wick. His jaw clenched. "It's Shristi."
Vivek nearly lost it. "Are you insane? Do you have any idea how important this race was? She's going to crash on the first curve!"
On the track, Rayan quickly took the lead, but Shristi wasn't far behind. She maneuvered sharply, pressing the accelerator harder. Within moments, she caught up.
Rayan's smirk faltered as she pulled beside him. "Not bad," he muttered.
Then came the first curve.
Vivek gritted his teeth. "She's not braking!"
Shristi gripped the wheel tightly, her eyes burning with determination. She drifted, barely making the turn but managing to stay on track.
Wick clenched his fists. His heart pounded as he watched.
Rayan, growing irritated, veered toward her car, attempting to push her into the barricades.
Shristi's fingers tightened around the steering wheel, refusing to be intimidated.
But then Rayan changed tactics. He rammed into the back of her car, causing it to jolt forward.
Wick's vision turned red. His breathing grew shallow. "That bastard!"
The hardest turn loomed ahead.
Vivek shook his head. "If she doesn't slow down, she's going to crash."
But Shristi didn't brake. Instead, she accelerated.
Everyone held their breath.
And then—smoothly, effortlessly—she handled the turn, leaving Rayan behind.
The finish line was in sight.
And she won.
---
As soon as the race ended, Shristi stepped out of the car, her adrenaline still coursing through her veins. Before she could react, Varsha rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
"You were amazing!" Varsha gushed.
But before she could bask in her victory, Wick stormed toward her, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Are you out of your damn mind?!" His voice was sharp, furious. "Do you even realize how risky that was?"
Shristi crossed her arms. "But I won."
Wick shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. "You have no idea what you just did."
Shristi looked at him defiantly, but for the first time, she felt a flicker of uncertainty.
To be continued...