Aadhya's POV

I pulled into our driveway, anxiety gripping me. My family's worried faces awaited.

"Mom, Dad, I'm fine," I reassured, exiting the damaged car.

"Aadhya, what happened?" Mom rushed to my side, inspecting the damage.

"Some reckless biker crashed into me," I explained.

Dad's expression darkened. "Did you get his number?"

"Yes," I handed him Randhir's number.

Neilu, my brother, stormed out of the house. "Who did this?"

"Someone on a bike," I replied.

Neilu's face twisted in anger. "I'll find him."

"Neilu, calm down," Dad warned.

"No, Dad! Someone could've killed Didu!" Neilu exclaimed.

Mom intervened. "Let's discuss this inside."

Neil's POV

Fury consumed me. Someone had endangered my sister.

"I'll find him, Dad. I promise," I vowed.

"Aadhya, give me details," Dad requested.

"A black bike...helmet...he was tall," Aadhya recounted.

"Did he hurt you?" Mom asked.

"No, Mom," Aadhya reassured.

Dad's voice hardened. "We'll report this. Ensure he faces consequences."

Aadhya's POV (continued)

As we stepped inside, tension filled the air.

"Neilu, please," I pleaded.

"No, Didu! This isn't over," Neil vowed.

Dad's firm tone interrupted. "Aadhya, stay safe. We'll handle this."

Mom's worried gaze lingered on me.

I went into my room, and in my room, I couldn't shake Randhir's piercing blue eyes...

Neil's POV

I entered Aadhya's room, finding her lost in thought.

"Didu?" I said softly.

Aadhya looked up, forcing a smile.

"Hey, Neilu."

"Hey," I replied, sitting beside her. "What's going on? You're not still shaken, are you?"

Aadhya shook her head.

"Then what's bothering you?" I pressed.

Aadhya sighed. "Just thinking about the accident."

"And the biker?" I probed.

Aadhya's eyes darted away.

"Didu, tell me," I coaxed. "Who is he?"

"Nobody, Neilu," Aadhya replied hastily.

"Nobody?" I raised an eyebrow. "He smashed into you, and you're protecting him?"

Aadhya's voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't know, Neilu. He seemed...different."

"Different?" I repeated.

Aadhya nodded. "Charming, I guess. But also reckless."

My protective instincts flared. "You're not going to see him again, are you?"

Aadhya's eyes widened. "No, Neilu! Of course not."

I studied her expression, searching for any sign of deception.

"Aadhya, promise me," I urged.

"I promise, Neilu," Aadhya said firmly.

But I knew my sister. She was hiding something.

Aadhya's POV

Neilu's questioning made me squirm. I couldn't reveal Randhir's identity or our brief connection.

"Neilu, trust me," I reassured.

Neilu's skeptical gaze lingered.

"Just be careful, Didu," he warned.

"I will," I promised.

As Neilu left, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd underestimated Randhir's impact.

And Randhir's words echoed in my mind: "Don't forget to smile."

Aadhya's POV

I flopped onto my bed, thoughts swirling.

"Anant Mathur..." I whispered his name, a gentle smile spreading.

So sophisticated, kind, and genuine. Our chance encounter felt like a breath of fresh air.

"Why did I feel so at ease with him?" I pondered.

His calm demeanor, warm eyes, and gentle smile put me at peace. And his words: "May I have the pleasure of knowing you better, Aadhya?"

My heart skipped a beat.

"But he's so much older..." Doubt crept in.

Yet, his maturity and life experience drew me in. I felt seen, heard, and understood.

"Stop, Aadhya!" I scolded myself. "You can't get involved with someone so much older."

But my mind lingered on Anant's gentle touch, his reassuring presence...

"Randhir's reckless charm versus Anant's soothing calm," I mused.

Two contrasting worlds collided within me.

"What do I truly desire?" I asked myself.

As I drifted off to sleep, Anant's warm smile and Randhir's piercing gaze danced in my thoughts...

Anant's POV

I settled into my armchair, sipping whiskey. Aadhya's smile lingered in my mind.

"Such a vibrant soul," I thought.

Her laughter, her spark...it's been years since I've felt this way.

"But the age difference..." Doubt crept in.

I pushed it aside. "I'll take things slow, respect her boundaries."

As I finished my drink, I rose, heading to bed.

"A new beginning?" I wondered.

Sleep claimed me, Aadhya's face etched in my mind.

Randhir's POV

I dropped onto my bed, helmet still in hand.

"Damn, that girl's got fire," I grinned.

Aadhya's dark eyes flashed in my mind.

"But what's with her attitude?" I chuckled.

My phone displayed the time and it was really late.

"Didn't see Dad tonight," I thought.

"That's fine. Used to it anyway."

I shrugged off the familiar emptiness.

"Tomorrow's competition's all that matters."

As I drifted off, Aadhya's fiery spirit and determined gaze filled my thoughts.

"Aadhya Shekhawat..." I whispered, smiling.

Sleep consumed me.

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