Chapter 49: A Promise Between Us

A Few Days Later,

At the Thunder Riders Racing Club:

The Racing Club was alive with energy.

(The deep, guttural roar of engines echoed across the track as riders zipped past, leaving behind trails of dust and the unmistakable scent of burning rubber.

Mechanics worked with focused intensity, adjusting gears and fine-tuning machines, while coaches huddled in groups, strategizing with their racers.

Vikram stepped through the club’s main entrance, his sharp gaze sweeping across the bustling scene.

He wasn’t a regular here, but today, something had drawn him in.

Kiara’s National Championship was fast approaching, and though she had always been fiercely independent, he felt an undeniable pull to be present—to witness her progress with his own eyes.

As he moved towards the practice track, his eyes landed on a familiar figure—Purab.)

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(Purab was leaning casually against a stack of tires, a water bottle in hand, his gaze fixed on the riders tearing up the dirt.

His relaxed posture contrasted with the intensity of the environment.

Sensing someone approaching, Purab turned—and did a double take.)

Purab: Vikram Bhai? Aap yahan?

(Vikram extended a hand, his grip firm as they shook hands.)

Vikram: Haan, socha ek baar sabse mil loon... Waise, Kiara ki practice kaisi chal rahi hai?

(Purab nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.)

Purab: Bahut acchi chal rahi hai. She’s improving every day. Bas kuch chhote- chhote adjustments hain that she needs to do.... but agar yeh pace maintain kiya toh nationals mein dhamaka karegi!

(A flicker of pride passed through Vikram’s eyes, though he kept his expression composed.)

Vikram: That’s good to hear… Lekin, Kiara kahin dikh nahi rahi?

(Purab let out a chuckle, shaking his head.)

Purab: Arrey… Kiara yahaan nahi hai. Woh Vajra Racing Circuit pe practice kar rahi hai. Uska pura focus ab sirf National Championship pe hai… so she is  training there.

(Vikram gave a thoughtful nod.)

Vikram: Hmm… Theek hai. I’ll go see her there. Waise, Naina bhi wahin hai kya?

(Purab smirked, taking another sip from his bottle before replying.)

Purab: Nahi… Woh upar apne office mein hai. Aur bataun? Uska stress level sky-high hai!

(Vikram raised a brow, an amused glint in his eyes.)

Vikram: Oh? Kis baat ka stress? Kiara toh khud confident hai.

Purab: (laughs) Aap jaante ho na?? Naina ka nature hi aisa hai. Woh aise behave kar rahi hai, jaise khud race mein participate karne wali ho!

(Vikram smirked, shaking his head. But deep down, he knew her stress wasn’t just about Kiara’s race. There was something else. Something more.)

Vikram: Theek hai… main Naina se milke aata hoon.

(Purab gave him a knowing look.)

Purab: Haan haan, jao… And haan, ek baar yeh race ho jaaye, phir ek family get-together zaroor karenge!

(Vikram chuckled, nodding.)

Vikram: Oh yes, definitely.

(With that, he turned and made his way upstairs, where Naina awaited—lost in her own world, unaware that Vikram was about to walk in and disrupt it.)

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Cut to,

Naina's office:

(The soft hum of the city filtered in through the open window, blending with the distant roar of bikes tearing across the dirt race track below. But Naina wasn’t watching the race.

She sat alone by the window, elbows resting on her knees, gaze distant, unfocused. Her fingers were clenched together tightly, a tension in her posture that made Vikram frown as he entered.

He walked toward her, his footsteps breaking the silence.)

Vikram: Naina?

(She blinked, as if pulling herself out of a trance, her expression softening when she saw him.)

Naina: Oh… Jaan? Aap yahan?

(He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, studying her face—the way her brows were drawn together, the slight sadness in her eyes.

Without thinking, he reached out, brushing his thumb across her cheek.

She exhaled at his touch, her shoulders losing some of their stiffness.)

Vikram: Kya ho gaya? Tumhari shakal pe baarah kyun baj rahe hain?

(She let out a small, tired chuckle, shaking her head as if dismissing his concern.

But Vikram wasn’t one to let things slide.)

Vikram: And don't tell me it's about the kids… I am not going to buy that. Jabse tumne bacchon ko kaha tha ki you'll be a part of us again, tabse tum really down lag rahi ho. Toh please batao... what's wrong? Waise toh I know the answer, but I want to hear it from you.

(She sighed, rubbing her hands together, looking away.

The cool breeze from the open window lifted a few strands of her hair, and without thinking, Vikram tucked them behind her ear.

The simple gesture made her close her eyes for a second, as if savoring the familiarity of his touch.

When she opened them again, something unspoken passed between them.

There was no rush, no urgency—just a quiet pull toward each other. Vikram leaned in slightly, hesitating for just a fraction of a second, giving her space to move away if she wanted to.

But she didn’t.

Her fingers found the fabric of his shirt, holding onto it lightly. And then, as naturally as breathing, their lips met.

It wasn’t hurried or desperate—just soft, warm, and filled with everything they weren’t saying.

When they finally pulled back, Vikram rested his forehead against hers, his hands still holding her waist.)

Vikram: (softly) Ab toh bata do… kya chal raha hai tumhare dimaag mein?

(She tried to look away, but he tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.)

Vikram: bolo!!!

(Naina hesitated, her fingers still gripping the fabric of Vikram’s shirt. The warmth of his touch lingered on her skin, grounding her, but the weight inside her chest refused to lift.)

Naina: (swallows hard, voice barely above a whisper) Main strong banne ki koshish kar rahi hoon, Jaan… Par pata nahi kyun, woh darr jaa hi nahi raha hai.

(Vikram stayed silent, his gaze steady on her. Over the years, he had learned that sometimes, people didn’t need solutions—they just needed to be heard.)

Naina: Jab hum shaadi-shuda thay… aapse toh mera zyada interaction nahi rehta tha. Aap toh poore din kaam mein busy rehte thay…

(Her voice held no blame, just a quiet acceptance of the past, yet there was an unmistakable melancholy laced within her words.)

Naina: (continues, her fingers twisting into the fabric of her kurti) But main… main literally poora din aapki maa ke saath bitaati thi.

(Vikram’s jaw tightened. He already knew where this was going, and yet, hearing it from her now, all these years later, still made his stomach knot.)

Naina: Unhone mujhe bahut kuch sunaaya hai, Jaan. Mere baare mein… mere papa ke baare mein… she even spoke ill about my mother—jo tabhi guzar gayi thi jab main bas ek bachi thi.

(Her voice cracked, and Vikram felt the sharp sting of guilt grip his chest.

He had always known his mother was harsh, but how deeply it had affected Naina… he had never fully realized.)

Naina: (bitter chuckle, eyes glistening) Bahut bura bartaav kiya unhone. It was not a major life threatening thing… but choti-choti cheezein roz hoti thi. Roz. Baar-baar. Woh ek-ek cheez, mere andar bas chubhti gayi.

(Vikram lowered his gaze, his fists clenching and unclenching. How had he been so blind back then? How had he let her go through all that… alone?)

Naina: (shaking her head, voice unsteady) Main aapko bata bhi nahi sakti ki unhone kya-kya kiya… kyunki agar maine bataya, you will start hating her.

(Vikram’s breath hitched. His mother—the woman he had respected all his life—had inflicted wounds so deep that Naina couldn’t even voice them.

And yet, she was still protecting him from the truth.)

Then,

(A long silence stretched between them. The only sound was the soft hum of the wind outside, carrying memories neither of them wanted to relive.)

Naina: (lets out a shaky breath) Upar se maine bacchon ko promise kiya hai ki I’ll take the next step… toh unke liye mujhe yeh karna padega.

(Her voice trembled, but there was determination in her eyes.

A strength that had been forged through years of silent suffering.)

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(Vikram exhaled deeply, watching her. Then, slowly, he shifted closer. His hands found her face, cupping it gently.

His thumbs brushed against her cheekbones, wiping away the tears she hadn’t even realized had fallen.)

Vikram: (softly, yet firmly) Naina… Main past toh nahi badal sakta. Aur main yeh bhi promise nahi kar sakta ki shaadi ke baad sab kuch perfect hoga… ki Maa badal jaayengi.

(She inhaled sharply, as if bracing herself for the worst.)

Vikram: Lekin ek baat zaroor promise karta hoon—this time, I will make sure ki tumhe woh respect mile jo tum deserve karti ho. Tumhe woh sab kuch mile jo tumhara haq hai.

(Naina searched his eyes, looking for reassurance. For once, she wasn’t trying to hide her fears, and for once, he wasn’t shying away from confronting the truth.

Vikram held his gaze, steady and unwavering, letting her see the certainty in his expression.)

Vikram: (whispering) I won’t fail you again.

(A fresh wave of tears spilled from Naina’s eyes, but this time, they weren’t just of pain.

Her shoulders trembled, but she didn’t look away. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to believe that maybe—just maybe—things could be different this time.)

Vikram: Naina... agar tum waapas aane ke liye tayyar ho, toh main waada karta hoon… yeh sirf ek 'doosri shaadi' nahi hogi. This will be a new relationship. Jo sirf bacchon ke liye nahi, hum dono ke liye bhi hogi.

(His voice wavered, his gaze never leaving hers. His fingers clenched together, as if grounding himself in the moment.)

Vikram: (softly, teary-eyed) Iss baar… iss baar, main tumhara haath pakadke chalunga. Tumhare saath khada rahunga. Har baar. Har jagah.

(Naina looked into his eyes, searching—searching for hesitation, for doubt, for anything that would tell her he was unsure. But all she saw was raw determination. A promise. A silent plea.)

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Then,

(Vikram breaks the intensity with a small smile)

Vikram: But abhi ke liye… don’t stress yourself too much!!!! Future ke baare mein zyada mat socho!! Don’t overthink, Naina!! Jo hoga, jaise hoga, manage kar lenge!!!

(A few beats of silence passed, the air between them heavy yet comforting. And then—he smirked slightly, a familiar mischief in his eyes.)

Vikram: Par abhi, I have the best way to reduce your stress.

Naina: (frowning) Kya?

Vikram: (his smirk deepening) Kahin chalte hain.

Naina: (raising an eyebrow, skeptical) A date night??

(He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.)

Vikram: Nahi babba… let’s go on a small weekend trip. Sirf tum aur main.

Naina: (eyes widening in surprise) Weekend trip? Just us??

Vikram: (softly, earnestly) Haan, babe. I feel ki sab kuch handle karne ki koshish mein hum dono paagal ho rahe hain. And I feel that we need this reset. Taaki hum phir se ek fresh mind ke saath sab kuch dekh sakein.

(Naina's lips parted slightly, her mind racing. The thought of being alone with Vikram, away from their daily chaos, felt both thrilling and terrifying.)

Naina: (hesitant) Nahi, Jaan. We can't just leave like this!!! Kiara ka race abhi aane waala hai… Kiaan ka bhi Science Olympiad hai… how can we leave them???

Vikram: (gently, but firmly) Sirf ek weekend ki baat kar raha hoon, Naina. Aur waise bhi, Kiaan aur Kiara bhi toh kabhi-kabhi weekend pe break lete hain… toh, apna bhi ek chhota sa break toh banta hai. Hamaare dimaag ko bhi reset karne ki zaroorat hai.

(Naina bit her lip, torn between responsibility and the deep yearning to let go, even if just for a little while.)

Naina: (nodding slowly, still unsure) Aap jo keh rahe ho, woh bilkul sahi hai… (pauses) Par Kiaan aur Kiara? Unhe kya kahenge?

Vikram: (frowning) Kya kahenge, matlab??? We'll tell them ki hume bhi thoda time chahiye… thoda break chahiye!!! We also need some time off!!! Hum unse door thodi naa bhaag rahe hain, Naina!!!

(She hesitated for a moment, the idea catching her off guard. She had never been on a trip with Vikram. Not like this. Just them. The thought of being away, even if just for the weekend, felt unfamiliar but… tempting.)

(Vikram watched her, his heart thudding in anticipation. And then—finally, a small smile formed on her lips.)

Naina: (exhaling, amused) You think that'll help??

Vikram: (grinning, triumphant) Guarantee toh nahi de sakta… but try karne mein kya harz hai!!!

(Naina let out a soft laugh, the first genuine one in days. And for the first time in a long time, she felt like maybe—just maybe—she could breathe a little easier.)

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Author’s Note ✨

Hey, lovely readers! ❤️

Phew! That was an intense chapter, wasn’t it? Vikram and Naina are finally peeling back the layers of their past, and oh boy, emotions are running high! From unfinished conversations, unspoken fears to unbreakable promises—this chapter had it all!

But tell me… what are your thoughts? Did Vikram’s words melt your heart? 🥺 Did Naina’s hesitation feel real to you? And that weekend trip—do you think it’s exactly what they need or a recipe for more drama? 👀🔥

I NEED to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment below! 📝 Let’s chat!! 💬

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Your support keeps this story alive, and trust me, there’s SO MUCH more to come! Buckle up because the next chapter is going to be… well, let’s just say, things are about to get even more interesting! 😏🔥