"Wherever I go, trouble follows."

____________________________

FLASHBACK

°•~CHARVI~•°

Right now, we were walking out the school gate. It was a long, long day today. A long, exhausting, infuriating day. I mean, I was already feeling like shit when I woke up. Then Aadya called, saying she wasn't coming to school today because one, what happened yesterday, two, she wasn't feeling well.

Stuff aside, I was still glaring at Karan, who was avoiding my eye, hiding behind Arjun. I was still freaking fuming.

Fun part? I don't even know why.

Like, I know it's not just because of what between them. I mean, I couldn't be this angry over that, right?

I get it, I'm temperamental, but still.. it can't be because of these two lovesick hormonal imbalanced fools that my BP is feeling like a roller-coaster.

Why am I getting so worked up? Have I finally lost it?

Mujhe sabse itni irritation kyu ho rahi hai?!

[Why is everything making me so irritated?!]

"I'll take my leave, bye-bye." Karan said hastily, gave us a tight-lipped smile, and literally ran away for his dear life. I wasn't really going to kill him, by the way.

I was still boring holes in his skull till he disappeared from my site.

"Charu.."

My head snapped in Arjun's direction, who was standing beside me with his hands in his pockets. How come he is so calm about the whole scenerio? He must be finding it amusing. And funny. Idiot.

He gave me a sweet smile and forwarded his hand. What the heck is he doing? "Let me take you somewhere before we go home." He said, looking at me expectantly.

"Where?"

He didn't reply and just gestured towards his stretched hand. Sigh. I took his hand, and he started leading the way.

Wherever he was taking me, it better be worth it.

___________________________

"Chocolate."

"Okay, one chocolate and one vanilla."

"Always the vanilla guy." I rolled my eyes. "Come on, yaar, at least strawberry toh lele agar ab ye kar hi rahe hai toh. Kuch toh maza aayega ye karne mein."

[At least take strawberry. It will be fun if we're doing this.]

"I like vanilla better, the classic one." He replied.

"More like the boring one. But then again, who am I to judge your taste when you're the one who's gonna taste that."

"Here.."

Arjun passed me the ice cream cone, and we settled on a nearby bench. So this was where he wanted to bring me an ice cream parlor.

Apparently, a chilled ice cream could 'chill' my mood. His words, not mine.

I made a content sound as I continued eating my ice cream. "This is heaven." I hummed in satisfaction. This was weirdly satisfying a craving I never knew I had.

Arjun cleared his throat beside me. Argh, his vanilla is bugging me. It literally tastes like foam. Toothpaste foam at that.

"So, madamè, did my idea of chilling work?" He asked with a confident smirk, as if he already knew my answer. Why ask then?

"Hmm, partially."

I shrugged. He chuckled and shook his head, continuing to eat his ice cream. If he allows me to do anything to him, god, how much I'd like to ban him from eating that thing again. He's missing out on the flavors of life by being faithful to what? That freaking vanilla.

"Toh ye ice cream treat kis liye? Koi khush khabar sunane wale ho kya?" I asked, leaning back against the bench.

[Why the sudden ice cream treat? Is there some good news?]

"Nhi, no good news. Lekin kisi ka para high tha toh bas usse line par lana tha." He said, shrugging.

[No, no good news. It's just that you were so pissed. You needed to calm down]

So, he brought me here just because I was pissed..

God, don't I love this guy? That's why he's my best-freaking-friend!

My hand went towards his arm and smack. I smacked his arm lightly like I always do to show my affection. I guess my love language is violence. Maybe. He rubbed his arm and narrowed his eyes at me. I gave him my biggest grin and

Shoot.

Shoot.

Shoot.

Not now, not now.

He raised his eyebrow, seeing my horrified expression, clearing asking 'what haplened?'.

Now, what do I tell him?

What do I say?

Heck, what should I do?

This is so embarrassing.

So very embarrassing.

"Charu.." he called out, but I didn't reply. I didn't know how to. "Charvi." His expressions hardened as he stressed my name while calling out to me. "What is it? Why are you so pale suddenly? Kya hua hai, kuch bolegi? Bata na."

[What happened? Tell me.]

Shit, I think I strained my skirt.

"I.. I.. actually.." This has never happened in my entire 18 years of life. What do I do? How can I walk home like this? He doesn't even have a spare jacket like they show in k-dramas.

Should I tell him to leave me alone?

No.

I just hope I don't ruin the bench. That'd be the limit of my embarrassment meter. How will I face myself in the mirror if that happens?

Mummy!

"Charu.." he insisted again. "Tell me, what's wrong. You know, you can tell me anything, right? You can tell me you smashed someone's head with a bat, and I'd be checking your hands for any ingury." There was a frown on his face. Wait. Why am I getting so embarrassed and anxious? It's not my fault. It's natural. And this is Arjun we are talking about.

"Uh.. woh.. periods." I spoke softly, and his expression changed as the realisation sunk in. "Do you want me to.. uhh, what can I do? Do you need a sanjtary pad?" He asked. I shook my head.

Where was I even going to.. sigh. Leave it.

I should just get home quickly. Yeah.

"Let's just go home." I said, and he nodded quickly. We stood up, and I sneakily glanced at the bench.

Thank god!

There's no stain on that bench, that's means probably, just probably my skirt is safe too. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth.

I started walking hurriedly. But Arjun grabbed my shoulders and came behind me."Let's go." He asked. And I was too.. too lost to ask anything.

I nodded, and we started walking home with him, walking behind me.

Now, it all makes sense. My anger, my behavior. My hormones were drunk on periods... uh, if that makes sense. I swear, I have the worst mood swings ever.

I was feeling less anxious now. I mentally thanked god that Arjun was here with me. I never knew my idiot friend could be a gentleman, too.

I always—Nooooo!

My ice cream!

I stared down at the fallen ice cream that was lying on the ground utterly shattered and lifeless. I looked up to see the reason behind its death. A man that bumped into me, causing me to drop my ice cream. He looked no more than 25.

And before I knew it, tears were blurring my vision, buring my eyes.

I hate my mood swings!

I don't cry in front of everyone. I don't like crying in front of others. It's embarrassing.

"Hey, hey, I'm sorry, okay. Please, don't cry." The man said, looking worried. He also didn't expect me to cry for an ice cream, I guess. And by the way, I was shredding tears. His reaction was justified.

My eyes were fixed on the ground on my ice cream, which was on the ground now.

My poor ice cream.

You'll ve missed, even tho you had a short life cycle. I'll keep you alive in my memories.

RIP.. dear icey..

"Charu, rona band kar, please. It's just an ice cream. Hum dusri le lenge." Arjun tried to console me.

[Don't cry/ we'll buy another one]

Now, how do I tell them it's not the ice cream behind my tears.

Or maybe it is.

THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING!

"Ha, chaho toh mai kharid deta hu. But pkease rona band karo. Ek nhi do le lena." The man said, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion and worry.

[Yes. If you want I'll buy it for you. Just don't cry. You can even take two instead of one.]

"It's okay, bhaiya, aap jao." Arjun told the man. The man looked between us with uncertainty, deciding whether to leave or not. He let out a sigh and finally walked away.

[You can go, it's alright]

I let out a sob.

Arjun looked at me, worried. "Ro kyu rhi hai, pagal? Come, let's go, we'll get another one." He said and turned me by my shoulder. He was still standing behind me.

[Why are you crying, idiot?]

"I.. I am not crying.. because of that." I said, wiping my never stopping tears. I must be looking like a mess right now.

"Then why are you crying?"

"I don't know!" I sobbed more. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. "Shh, it's okay. It's alright." For some reason, that just made me sob more. I need my mother!

"It's fine, It's fine." He murmured, rubbing my shoulder. "Here. You can cry on my shoulder. It'd be more convenient to cry then." He said, gesturing towards his shoulder. A chuckle escaped my mouth while I was still sobbing.

What a mess!

I am a mess.

The thought alone is making me cry more. I argued with Karan and even pulled his hair. I snitched on Veer bhaiya, emotionally manipulated Dhruv bhaiya recharge my phone during my exams.

I'm feeling so bad.

"I'm so bad." I sobbed. And this is so embarrassing. Is there any more embarrassment left for me? Arjun started guiding us to walk back home.

"Shh. You’re bad, okay? You're not bad. You're Charvi, remember?"

Was that a joke?

Was that supposed to make me stop sobbing and start laughing?

Is he really like this?

He's one of the smartest people I know yet the most dense, too. Or so, I think. Absolutely dumb or utterly insufficient in social skills?

"Kitni bhondu ho tum." I said, between my now residing sobs. He half-heartedly narrowed his eyes at me but had that smirk still.

[You're so dumb]

___________________________

Two cars stopped outside the collector's office. Virendra, Vikram, and Harish stepped out and walked in, their footsteps echoing on the old stone pathway.

The air was tense, thick with anticipation. Inside, the receptionist looked up, momentarily startled by their stern expressions and purposeful stride. She led them towards the Collector's cabin.

Without waiting to be announced, Vikram pushed open the double doors leading to the collector’s chamber. The collector, Rajan Thakur, stood up from behind his desk, clearly expecting them.

His face remained neutral, but his eyes flickered with unease, though there was also a knowing, cunning expression.

"Choudhary Sahab." Rajan greeted them with a wide grin. "Please, have a seat. Aapka hi toh intezar tha hume." Virendra and Vikram took the seats in front of them. Harish stood behind Virendra's seat.

[I was waiting for you only]

"If you were waiting for us, then you must be well aware why we are here, aren't you?" Virendra spoke, his tone calm and calculated.

Ratan grinned. "Of course, I'm well aware. But why are we getting so serious? Ye bataiye kya lenge aap. Jara apni khatirdari ka mauka hume bhi dijiye." He gestured his Peon to bring tea for them.

[Tell me what you will take? Give us a chance to show our hospitality]

"We have to be serious since the water lineage of a dense district has been delayed. Instead of fixing the lineage, you are focusing more on making trucks available for suppliers, which can wait." Virendra addressed the issue the grin on Ratan's face didn't flatter one bit. He knew this was coming.

"Janti hai, Choudhary Sahab. Woh toh bas aapse meeting fix karani thi. Ab aap thehre bade log, humse bin wajah kaha milte. Toh bas wajah banali milne ki." The peon came and kept four cups of tea on the table. "Please," Rajan insisted, gesturing towards the cups.

[I know, Mr. Choudhary. I just wanted to arrange a meeting with you. Now, you aren't the one to meet someone without any reason. So, there, I created one myself]

Vikram and Harish's eyes narrowed. Virendra's expressions were still neutral. It was hard to tell what was going on in his mind. "Here, we are then." Virendra nodded. "Now, tell me. Are you going to work on that issue or not?"

"Always the impatient one, Mr. Choudhary. Of course, I'll do that, it's my job, after all. I get paid for it.." Rajan started suggestively. His eyes scanning the expressions of each one of them.

"But the thing is, this time, I want a different payment. Hume iss baar aapse kuch chahiye, Choudhary Sahab. Bataiye denge? For the pipeline work to start, of course."

[I want something from you, Mr. Choudhary. Tell me, will you give it to me?]

"So, you want bride, huh? Isn't that what you want? You want a bribe to do your work." Vikram said. His grip on the cup was tight, and jaw was clenched.

Ratan tched, not minding his words. "Arey, Chote Choudhary Sahab, ab hum itne bhi neech nhi hai ki rishwat par uthar aaye. Aur laxmi mata ki kripa pe dhan ki kami nhi hai humare paas." He said, with a smirk, dismissing his comment.

[Junior Choudhary, I don't stoop that low. I mean, brine and me? No chance. And by the grace of goddess laxmi, I have no scarcity of money]

Virendra leaned forward, his eyes calculating. "Then what do you want, Collector sahab? Land? Or people's respect that you lack the most?"

Ratan's grin faltered a little, but he quickly composed himself. He let out a humor-less chuckle. "Mr. Choudhary, there are things that are way more precious and important than money and land, you know." He said suggestively. The three men stilled in their places. Where was he going with that?

Satified with their reactions, Ratan leaned back on his seat, letting his eyes grasp their reactions. "Suna hai.. aapki ek jawaan beti bhi hai, jo bala ki khubsorat hai," He began. Vikran fisted his palm and was about to pounce on him, but Virendra held him back by keeping his hand on his arm.

[I've heard you have a young daughter, too, a beautiful one at that]

Seeing Virendra hold Vikram back, Ratan grew more confident. "You already know, my brother, Laksh, he lives in Australia." He flaunted proudly. "Anyway, let's get this straight. The thing is, he loves your daughter and wishes to marry her."

Vikram stood up from his seat abruptly. "How dare you?! You purposefully delayed the pipeline issue for this." He went to charge at Ratan. Who stood up from his seat.

"Keep your tone in check. This is my office." Ratan said, his expression serious. Vikram set his jaw. "Do hell if this is your office or not. You shouldn't have brought my sister in this!" He roared.

Virendra stood up, holding Vikram's arm back. Vikram turned and looked at him with a look that said, 'You're still stopping me.' Virendra shook his head. Vikram huffed and stepped back.

All of that did nothing but boost Ratan's ego and made him even more confident. The smirk returned on his face. "Let's sit and talk peacefully, shall we? I'm just asking for your daughter's hand for my brother. And I'm sure Choudhary Sahab won't refuse after all. As soon as this alliance is fixed, simultaneously, the pipeline work will also be started as soon as possible. It's a fair deal—"

Slap!

Ratan's face turned sideways as a harsh slap landed on his face. He looked up to see Virendra glaring at him. "You think my daughter's life is a deal?" Slap. "You think I would trade my daughter for all this?" Slap. "How dare you regard my daughter, as if she's an object?" SLAP!

"Jante ho na hum kaun hai? Pata hai na. Phir bhi humari beti ko beech mein le aaye tum. Kya laga tha bohot bada khel khela hai tumne? Hum majboor ho kar haa kehdenge iss sab ke liye?" He stared down at Rajan, who had fallen on the ground.

[You know who I am, right? You do, don't you? Still, you brought my daughter into all this. What did you think you played a game? You thought I'd agree to this in compulsion?]

"You think I don't know about your brother's reputation?" He scoffed. "Suno. Aur dhyan se sunna. Sirf beti nhi hai woh humari, jaan hai. Jab bhi dur rehti hai humse, chinta mein do pal shanti se nhi baith pate hai hum."

[Listen. And listen carefully. She isn't just my daughter. She's my life. I am always restless, worrying about her, whenever she's away from me]

"You dared to regard her as an object. A deal. I'd rather die than let my daughter marry that useless brother of yours. Kar sakte na, toh abhi jaan le lete tumhari. Don't you and your brother dare think about her. Warna aaj chod rahe hai. Har baar itne daya nhi dikhayenge."

[If I could, I would've killed you right here, right now/ I'm sparing your life today. Next time, I won't be as merciful]

Virendra turned to leave. Vikram and Harish followed after him, giving him death glares. They were about to exit the door when Ratan called out from behind.

"You think she'll stay?" That made all of them stop in their tracks.

"She's beautiful and youthful just like her. What makes you think she'll be with you forever? What if she fell in love with someone someday? And ran away.. just like your sister did?" Ratan chuckled cruelly.

"I don't think anyone here needs a reminder of what happened to her. Sochiye, Choudhary Sahab.. kahi aapki behen ki tarah beti bhi bhag gyi toh? Samay rehte shaadi kara lijiye. Warna jaisa haal Kusum ka hua tha kahi waisa hi haal..." he deliberately trailed off in his words.

[Think, Mr. Choudhary.. what if your daughter ran away just like your sister did? Get her married before anything like that happens. I mean, who knows, what happened to Kusum might happen to her as well..]

Virendra's fists clenched on the door handle. Ratan smirked, he knew he hit a nerve this time. This plan definitely worked. Vikram leaned forward and grabbed his collar.

"You don't need to interfere in our family matters. And my sister's marriage is none of your concern. So don't dream that you'll say all this, we'll get emotional and agree to this alliance. Because that would never be happening." Vikram yanked him forward, his grip on Ratan's collar tighter than before. Ratan's jaw ticked. Insult. Humiliation. Anger. These were the words spiraling in his mind.

"Vikram." Virendra called out to him. Vikram left Ratan's collar at once, causing him to stumbling backward. The three men exited the office, leaving a fuming man behind.

I'll make sure to avenge the humiliation I felt today, Choudhary Sahab. Suth-Sameth wapas karunga ek-ek thapad aur shabd ko. Biwi toh ab woh mere bhai ki hi banegi, aur phir mai bataunga bezaati kya hoti hai.

[I'll return every slap and word with interest. She'll only be my brother's wife now. And then I'll show you what humiliation is]

__________________________

On the ride back home, the tension in Virendra's body was evident. The way his shoulders were tensed, the way he was toying with the ring in his finger absentmindedly, while staring out the window.

It was clear that as much as he'd hate to admit. Ratan's words were starting to get him.

Only one thought, dominating his whole mind—Kusum.

His sister who left them. His sister who ran away with her lover. His sister, who left everything behind. She didn't confide in him, or anyone. She just left.

Because the so-called lover she ran away with... left her. For him, she took her own life and also the unborn's. She didn't care that she had a family yearning for her, too.

Virendra's fists clenched as he closed his eyes shut too. Unknowingly, a thought surged through his mind. What if Meera ran away, too?

No, Meera would never do such a thing. She won't do that to her baba.. right? But what if she did? Love can't be controlled. What is she fell in love with someone and..

No. No. No.

Meera won't do that. She's not Kusum. She won't. She won't. She won't. He can't bear losing his daughter. Not after what had already happened.

"Baba.." his trance broke when he felt Vikram shook him. "We teached home." He said, nodding towards their haveli. Virendra got out of the car. The two of them made their way inside.

As they reached, they saw all the other family members sitting in the veranda, doing their own thing. He went and sat on the couch. Vikram followed. Amma, Ragini, and Pallavi were handpicking the chaff from wheat grains. Garv was on his laptop. Vanraj was checking some papers.

Virendra's eyes immediately searched for Meera. But she was nowhere to be seen. A wave of anxiousness washed over him. A maid came with a glass of water. "Where is Meera?" He asked to no one in particular.

Pallavi looked up from the grains, her eyes roamed here and there. "Ji, woh apne kamre mein hogi ya phir yahi kahi hogi." She said with her usual gentle tone.

[She must be in yer room or somewhere here only]

Amma made a displeasing sound. "Ek thikane pair kaha tikte hai thari chori ke. Din bhar yaha waha fudakti rehti hai. Mai keh rahi hu bigaad gyi se chori." She taunted no one really paid a mind to that since it was nothing new.

[Her feet can't stay still for a moment. She keeps on jumping from one place to another. I'm telling you, your daughter is getting spoiled]

"Tabhi! Tabhi hum soche hume itni hichkiya kyu aa rahi thi. Of course, you were the one praising me." Meera’s voice came from behind. Virendra took a breath of relief. She came towards them, her anklets jingling and skirt flowing as she walked.

[That's why! That's why I was wondering why my hiccups aren't subsiding]

"Aap thakti nhi hai din bhar humare gun-gan ga kar? Jara toh aaram diya kijiye aapne gale ko. Iss umar mein itna bolna thik nhi hota, Amma. Kitni bhar kahi hai."

[Don't you get tired of taunting me all day? Give some rest to your throat. It's not good to talk so much at this age]

Amma's eyes narrowed, that knowing grimace on her face. She turned towards Virendra. "Dekh raha hai maari toh koi ijaat hi na hai isse. Kaichi jaisi jaban ho gayi hai. Haath pile karado iske jaldi."

[Are you seeing her? She doesn't have any respect for me. Get her married soon]

Meera frowned. "Amma, ye aap har baat pe humare haath kyu pile karvane mein lag jati ho? Ankhon ke samne acchi nhi lagti kya mein? Aisa hai toh batado. Abhi chale jate hai ghar chod kar—"

[Amma, why are you so adamant about getting me married? Are you not liking my presence here? If so, just say it. I'll leave this house—]

"Meera." Virendra's stern voice cut her off. She was shocked. He never used this tone with her before. And not only her, in fact, every one of them were the same. She blinked, opening her mouth but closing it when no words came out.

Virendra's expression softened a little. He gestured for her to come close, opening his one arm. Meera came and sat beside him. He put an arm around Meera's shoulder, pulling her close to his chest.

"Kuch hua hai kya, baba?" Meera asked softly. Virendra caressed her hair and shook his head. "Nothing. Just.. don't talk about leaving again. Hmn?" Meera nodded. He sighed, holding her close to his chest.

[Did something happen, baba?]

All the eyes now turned to Vikram. It wasn't normal for Virendra to show affection so openly. And he looked restless. They were sure something was definitely up. Vikram shook his head at them, dismissing the topic. But no one was buying that.

Pallavi's eyes met Virendra's. A silent question and worry passing through her eyes. Virendra blinked in reassurance. But Pallavi shook her head. She wanted to know what was happening. What had happened to make her husband this restless? She turned towards Meera. "Meera, go make tea for your baba. He looks tired, doesn't he?"

Meera looked at Virendra and nodded, standing up. Virendra reluctantly let her go. After Meera left, all the eyes turned to the certain two men. Virendra nodded at Vikram.

Vikram started narrating the story to them. It was clear that every single one of them in that room were angry. How can that man regard their daughter as if she were some object to showcase?

Garv stood up abruptly. His posture tense, jaw clenched, and hands fisted. "How dare he? Uss saale—mera matlab, sarkari naukar ki itni himmat kaise hui? Mai abhi usse uski aukat dekha ke aata hu." He was about to move towards the door, but Vikram's voice stopped him.

[That goddamned—I mean, government servant, the audacity of him. Let me go show him his place]

"Don't, Garv. Baba already showed him place in a very efficient way. Don't bother." Garv reluctantly came back to his place, huffing. Never does he ever get a chance to show off his fighting skills because they always handle everything.

"Don't worry. Our Meera won't do any such thing." Pallavi reassured him. But his mind was still having doubts. It wasn't that he didn't trust Meera.

But he once trusted Kusum, too. But what did she do? Ran away with that so-called lover of hers and..

He inhaled sharply.

No.

Meera won't do that.

He won't let her do that.

He'll make sure his daughter doesn't suffer the same fate as his sister did. No matter what he has to do for that.

___________________________

"What did Dhruv say? Thik se train mein chad toh gya na woh?" Radha asked her husband, who was sitting on the couch, ready in his black coat, flipping the pages of a file.

[He got the train, right?]

"He got on the train well. And is most probably sleeping by now, Radha. Don't worry, tumhara beta baccha nhi hai." He said nonchalantly. His all attention on the files in front of him.

[Your son is not a child anymore]

"I know he is not a child. I was just asking. I made so many things for him, but he didn't even take a single box I packed for his journing with him." Radha muttered to herself while aggressively cutting the cauliflower in her hand.

"What about your other child? So kar uthe janab ya abhi bhi sapne dekh rahe hai?" Tarun asked, glancing at her through his specs. Radha kept the knife on the plate and looked at him.

[Is he awake or still in his dreamland?]

"Aap humesha mere bacche ke piche kyu pade rehte hai? He is wide awake and working on his laptop." Radha said in a defensive tone, defending her son.

[Why are you always after him?]

"What work does he even have? And did you see clearly? Was he working or watching some series?" He scoffed slightly, shaking his head. Radha sighed, no wanting to argue with that.

Meanwhile,

"Inke liye toh mai duniya sabse bada berojgar hu, jisse awarapanti ke alawa kuch nhi aata." Veer muttered under his breath, listening to their conversation while standing on the stairs.

[To him, I'm just the biggest good-for-nothing — someone who knows nothing beyond wasting time and wandering aimlessly]

Now, after hearing all that, there was no way he could step out of the house in front of them. He wasn’t that shameless—he had some self-respect, even if it was never respected. If he went out now, he'd not only get an earful, but he'd be late too. Double trouble.

His phone tinged with a message from Arnab, asking him to be quick. Veer rolled his eyes. Be quick his foot.

Like he could just stroll out in front of them after hearing all that. Please. He still had a shred of self-respect left, even if no one bothered to acknowledge it. Step outside now? Brilliant idea. Get hit with a full-blown lecture and be late. What a win.

He had to think so something else. And that something was only one thing—window.

He went towards his room. He stood by the door, hand hovering near the handle, but paused. One glance at the hallway and he could already hear it—the lecture. The how-dare-you, the you-call-this-responsibility?, the classic you’ve brought shame to this family. Nope. Not today.

He took a step back.

There was only one way out.

The window.

He turned slowly, eyes scanning the path like some criminal mastermind escaping a high-security prison. It wasn’t heroic—it was pure survival. He pushed the window open with practiced ease, like he’d done this more than once (which, frankly, he had).

Cold air hit his face, but it was way gentler than the storm waiting on the other side of the main door.

He clutched his helmet in one hand, and muttered, “And they say I don’t have skills,” and swung one leg over the sill.

With the grace of someone who kind of knew what he was doing but still prayed to every god on the way down, he dropped to the ground.

Mission: Escape Judgment — successful.

At least for now.

He finally reached his bike—sorry, his Munni, kicked the stand up, and slid onto the seat like he was riding into a war zone. The engine growled to life beneath him. He twisted the throttle.

But fate, of course, had other plans.

Just as he sped out of the lane with all the flair of a movie hero, bam—he collided with a scooty turning the corner from the opposite side.

What the heck!

___________________________

Who did he bump into?

Any guesses?

Adios, Mariposas🦋

Till next chapter...