Ishq hua (Duet 1)

Chapter 42: Intense Collision

Aira's eyes widened as she looked around herself.

"Are you insane?" She hissed, but was already unbuckling her seatbelt, curiosity winning over caution.

Rishan got out first, then opened the door for Aira. "Come on. I will take you to the viewing area."

"Viewing area?" Aira asked, stepping out. The sound hit her immediately. Music blasting from the surrounding, engines revving, laughter and shouts and the general chaos of a crowd enjoying themselves without any rules to follow.

"My private seating," Rishan explained, placing a hand on the small of her back to guide her through the crowd. "You will be able to see everything from there. And you will be safe."

Tara stayed behind, and when Aira glanced back, she was still inside the car, closing the door of the passenger side.

"Wait, she is..." Aira started.

"She is racing," Rishan confirmed quietly, his voice low enough that only Aira could hear over the noise. "As me. As far as everyone here knows, I am the one behind the wheel."

"But..."

"She will be fine," he said simply. "She is better than most of them here."

They weaved through the crowd, Rishan's presence commanding enough that people moved aside without any question. Several called out greetings.

"Reaper! You racing tonight?"

"Tell the others too," Rishan called back, and Aira realized that must be his code name.

He led her to an elevated platform off to the side, a structure that looked like a VIP viewing area. There were a few other people in the chambers beside it, spectators already seated, watching the track below with the casual ease of regulars.

"Stay here," Rishan instructed, making sure she was settled on one of the cushioned seats that had been set up. "Don't leave this area. If anyone bothers you, drop my name. Understood?"

Aira nodded, still trying to process everything. From this vantage point, she could see the entire track laid out below. The course was complex, with tight turns and straightaways that would test both speed and skill.

"Rishan," she called as he turned to leave. "Tell Tara to be careful please."

His smile was soft, genuine. "Don't worry about her." Then he paused. "It's not her first here."

He disappeared back into the crowd, and Aira watched him make his way to his car.

Rishan climbed into the driver's seat, blocking Aira's view to the inside of the car because of the tinted window.

The crowd was getting louder, more excited. Other cars were lining up at the starting position. Aira counted five cars in total, that looked like they had been built for speed and nothing else.

Then she noticed another car pulling up to the lineup. A sleek black car that looked somehow familiar to her. The crowd's reaction was immediate, a wave of recognition and respect rippling through the gathered people.

The door opened, and Aira's heart stopped.

No.

Arsh stepped out, and even here among so many people trying to match his aura, he commanded attention. He looked all the same here as well. Just trying to prove his authority over everyone else.

He said something to Vyom, who had gotten out of the passenger side, and then started walking toward the starting line.

Aira's first instinct was to hide, to somehow make herself invisible. But she was frozen, unable to look away as he scanned the other cars, assessing his competition.