The Sun & the Stars Aligned

Aditya Singh Chauhan

A warm glow enveloped the field as the sun dipped below the horizon, creating long shadows that danced across the landscape. Here we are, on the starting line, we stood face to face, gearing up for an exhilarating horse riding race. 

This dude, standing right beside me, tossed out a challenge. If he loses, he'll manage the media fuss about the recent articles regarding my ex-girlfriend and take down all of them. It's a breeze for me, but who'd want to bother with the media and waste time when his uncle runs a media company?

So I took the challenge as it was a no-brainer for me. I've been into horse riding for ages, ever since I was in school. 

We nodded, and our horses sensed the change. Without saying much, we made our horses go. The wind blew through our hair as we raced side by side, a perfect mix of speed and skill. 

"You remember the deal. Right?" I said as I tugged on the horse's reins to pick up its pace.

"It would be better to discuss the deal after the race is over. Who knows, you might end up losing," he laughed as he turned in my direction.

The sound of hooves echoed as we got closer to the finish line. Me and Rudra leaned forward, super focused. Everything around us blurred; the only thing on our minds was getting to the end.

Approaching the finish, I urged my horse ahead with a burst of energy. We crossed the line first, an easy win for me.

Breathing heavily but excited, I slowed the horse down. I looked at him, right there beside me. The competition turned into shared grins. We both knew the real fun was in the ride.

In the business world, where most relationships are purely for business reasons, Rudra Mehra is a person I see as a genuine acquaintance and a close friend. When I entered the business scene, he was one of the few, along with my family, who believed in me. Now, it's common knowledge that I have a solid business mindset. Since I became a part of the company, our business has grown tenfold.

"Alright, it's decided then. You're in charge of handling the articles." I grinned and shot him a smirk.

"I was planning on helping you with that from the beginning. Just wanted to test your riding skills, see if they've gotten rusty or not," he said, as if he could ever outdo me. This bastard.

"Believe whatever helps you sleep at night," I remarked, rolling my eyes at him.

"I truly wish you find someone to share your life with, so I can have my own peace and enjoy life. Or just tie the knot soon, buddy; dealing with the troublesome media is just too much of a headache," he said with sincerity as he dismounted from the horse.

"I don't see that happening. I'll probably end up marrying someone my family deems suitable. Love and those silly feelings aren't my thing," I stated disinterestedly. "Besides, going on dates is just a waste of time. I'd rather invest that precious time in building another business." Giving my horse over to the stable staff, I grabbed the towel from him and wiped away the sweat.

"But what if you're missing out on something amazing? You can't deny the magic of falling for someone, the joy of being in love." He gave off the impression that he's had his fair share of love experiences.

"Isn't it pathetic how much time we waste on certain people and in the end they prove they weren't worth any of it" I handed the towel back to the staff. "And besides, time is non-refundable. Use it with intention." I reverted back.

Magic or not, it sounds like a headache to me. I'd rather not complicate my life with emotions.

"You never know, my friend. Love might find you when you least expect it, and you'll realize it's worth every second. I am looking forward to the day you'll have to eat you words." he replied with a grin.