Dawn of Spring

Epilogue

Epilogue

Six years later.

"You are late again."

"I am sorry! I left as soon as lunchtime started. Besides, I drive cautiously." Ahana answered by unlocking the door.

Gia huffed and slumped into the seat next to her, shoving her schoolbag roughly into the backseat. "Ugh, I liked it when Vivi drove to pick me up. He was always on time. He doesn't make me wait twenty minutes!"

"That's because he over speeds at times," Ahana smirked.

"Speed is cool." Eleven-year-old Gia grinned mischievously, showing off her missing front tooth.

"Speed is also dangerous," Ahana countered, trying to instill some caution into her young charge.

"Not if you know what you're doing," Gia argued confidently, mimicking Vivaan's relaxed tone like a pro.

"You're picking up way too many bad habits from him."

As they stopped at a red light, Ahana couldn't help but reflect on how different her life had become since becoming an adult. She would have arrived on time if her Manager had not requested her assistance at the last minute. Had she skipped lunch merely to be scolded by a youngster for how enjoyable overspeeding is? The responsibilities and pressures of adulthood weighed heavily on her mind.

Was she dull? Or perhaps those are the drawbacks of being grown up.

"He is cool and knows how to have a good time," Gia said as she continued her little speech.

"He is also reckless," Ahana said, trying to put some sense into her.

"Gotta live life on the edge - that's what he always tells me."

Ahana groaned. "You're crazy."

"Vivi's right," Gia murmured, her gaze drawn to the window. "You're just a buzzkill sometimes. Extra sensibility makes you a wimp."

"What did he say?"

Gia giggled mischievously. "That you're boring."

"I swear I'm going to strangle him." Ahana gripped the steering wheel hard, clenching her fists and pressing harder on the accelerator as the signal changed.

"Easy there," Gia joked, bracing herself against the seat as Ahana accelerated. "I was kidding. You know I love you."

"Don't make me regret giving you a ride home. As for Vivaan. I'll deal with him."

"Oh no," Gia whined, feeling herself jolt back and hit the seat. "He promised to take me to the game tomorrow. You know how much I've been looking forward to it. Just deal with him after that."

Ahana gave her a quick glance before focusing back on the road. "Ma is not going to be happy about this new side of you."

"I'll charm her into forgetting about it. I'm that good." Gia assured her with a grin.

"I can't believe you." Ahana rolled her eyes and drove her home.

****************

"Where is Gia?"

Ahana asked first thing as Vivaan opened the Diner's door for her.

"I dropped her off at her friend's slumber party after the game," he replied, motioning for her to take a seat at their allocated table.

"You are a bad influence on her, Vivaan," Ahana scolded, taking a seat across from him. "I hope you know that."

He feigned heartache, posing his hands on his heart, "You wound me, Darling!"