Ishan

Part 1

The sun was barely a suggestion on the horizon, a faint blush of orange tinting the sky as Shubman roared down the highway on his bike. The machine hummed beneath him, the engine's purr a symphony of raw power that matched the rhythm of his heart. His eyes, dark and focused, scanned the road ahead, but his mind was lost in the steady pulse of the rock music blasting through his earplugs. The familiar riffs and beats were a welcome distraction, drowning out the world as he sang along under his breath.

"Yeah, let the good times roll..." he muttered, his voice barely audible over the music and the wind rushing past him. It was just him, his bike, and the open road—exactly how he liked it. No drama, no bullshit, just the freedom of speed and the temporary escape it provided.

But then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the fuel gauge, and his mood instantly soured. The needle hovered dangerously close to empty. "Shit, man..." Shubman groaned, his tone a mix of frustration and resignation. He didn't have time for this, but he knew he couldn't risk running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere. Reluctantly, he slowed down, scanning his surroundings for the nearest petrol pump. The highway was no place to be stranded, especially not when he had places to be—or more accurately, nowhere in particular but the freedom to get there.

Without hesitation, Shubman veered off the highway, taking a sharp left onto a narrow, winding road. This was his secret shortcut, a route known only to him that cut through the fields and led to the back streets of the city. It was faster, quieter, and most importantly, it avoided the usual busy streets. The fields on either side were a blur of green as he sped through, the smell of fresh earth and growing crops mixing with the scent of gasoline and exhaust.

He reached the petrol pump in no time, pulling in beside one of the pumps. The place was deserted, save for a bored attendant leaning against the wall, scrolling through his phone. Shubman cut the engine, removed his helmet, and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. He dismounted with the fluid grace of someone who had done this a thousand times before and approached the pump.

"Fill it up," he ordered curtly, his voice carrying the authority of someone who wasn't used to hearing 'no' for an answer.

The attendant nodded quickly, snapping out of his daze, and set to work. Shubman leaned against the bike, drumming his fingers on the handlebar, his eyes wandering across the desolate surroundings. This place had seen better days, but it served its purpose.Just as he was about to put his helmet back on, a familiar voice broke through the early morning silence."Shubman! What's up, man?"

Shubman turned to see Neel strolling toward him, a wide grin plastered on his face. Neel was one of those guys who always seemed to be in a good mood, no matter the situation. It was both annoying and endearing, but today, Shubman wasn't in the mood for small talk.

"Dead inside and out," Shubman replied with his usual sassy demeanor, not bothering to hide the edge in his voice. "Anything you want from me?"Neel chuckled, unfazed by Shubman's attitude. He knew his friend well enough to understand that Shubman's sarcasm was just his way of dealing with the world. "No, man, just... just want to take you somewhere."Shubman raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued despite himself. Neel wasn't usually this cryptic, and the fact that he was being vague now only made Shubman more curious. "Where to?"

In response, Neel reached into his pocket and pulled out two sleek, black passes, holding them up for Shubman to see. The name of an expensive bar, one that was notorious for its exclusivity and wild nights, was emblazoned in silver across the passes.

Shubman narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his voice. "And where did you steal these from?"Neel smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know me too well. But that doesn't matter. What matters is, we've got ourselves an invitation to the hottest spot in town. Let's get the girls tonight, man. It's been too long since we've had some real fun."