Chapter 62: The Tempest Unleashed

Next day,

At Vikram's house:

(The next morning, Vikram's house was bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. The golden rays filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm hue over the polished wooden floors.

The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air as Tanvi curled up on the couch, flipping through the day's newspaper.

Her eyes widened in excitement when she saw the front-page headline:

Toofani Takes the Nation by Storm: Kiara Sabharwal Wins National Championship!

(Below the bold text was a striking photograph of Kiara in her racing gear, her face lit with a triumphant grin as she held the championship trophy high.

Behind her, a roaring crowd of spectators filled the frame, their cheers captured mid-celebration.)

(Tanvi eagerly turned the page, her heart skipping a beat when she noticed another article:

Raftaar Returns: Naina Sabharwal Honored as Former Three-Time National Champion!

(The accompanying photograph was of Naina standing on a grand stage, gracefully accepting a memento.

Her poised expression exuded quiet pride, and despite the years that had passed, the fire in her eyes remained unmistakable.

The article detailed Naina's reign as a three-time national champion, her dominance in the world of motorcycle racing, and how she had stepped away from the limelight.

Now, she was being recognized as an inspiration for young female racers, paving the way for women in a male-dominated sport.

Tanvi couldn't help but smile at the beautiful irony of it all—mother and daughter, both commanding headlines on the same day, their legacies intertwined in the high-speed world of racing.

Excitement bubbled inside her as she shot up from the couch, gripping the newspaper tightly.

She hurried toward the dining area where Anuradha was carefully arranging fresh flowers in a glass vase.)

..

..

Tanvi: Maa! Dekho yeh! Kiara aur Naina bhabhi... dono ki news aayi hai! Ek saath! (her voice brimming with pride) Kiara ki news aayi hai... paper mein hai! Front page par!! The entire front page is about her!!! Aur doosre page par Naina bhabhi ka article hai, unke racing career ke baare mein likha hai!!

(Anuradha, who had been humming softly to herself, turned sharply at Tanvi's words.

Her eyes fell on the bold headline and the picture of Kiara. For a moment, she froze, her expression unreadable.

Then, in a swift motion, she snatched the newspaper from Tanvi's hands.)

Tanvi: (startled) Maa?

(Anuradha's hands trembled as she stared at the article, her face darkening with something between anger and disbelief.

Without warning, she crumpled the newspaper into a tight ball.

Tanvi gasped, her cup clinking loudly against the saucer as she hurriedly set it down.)

Tanvi: (alarmed) Aap yeh kya kar rahi hain??

Anuradha: (her voice laced with anger) Ab toh sabko pata chal gaya!!!

(She began pacing the room, gripping the crumpled newspaper as if it were a venomous thing.)

Anuradha: Pata nahi kitni embarrassment hogi ab. Log kya kahenge? Hamaare ghar mein aaj tak kisi ne aisa nahi kiya hai!

Tanvi: (standing up, bewildered) Maa, Kiara has created history!!! Aur Naina bhabhi ka naam phir se roshan hua hai!!! Aapko toh proud feel karna chahiye! Aapko pata hai, Kiara ne kitni mehnat ki hai??? Yeh uska sapna tha!!

Anuradha: Sapna? Sapne woh hote hain jo izzat badhaate hain ghar ki, naam roshan karte hain!!!! (raising her voice) Yeh? Yeh kya hai? Motorcycle racing? Ladkiyaan yeh sab karti hain kya?? Hamara samaaj kya sochega? Log kya bolenge??

(Tanvi's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief.)

Tanvi: Maa, aapko logon ki chinta hai? Kiara ki khushi ki koi parwaah nahi?

(Anuradha's breath quickened as she sank into the armchair, her fingers still clutching the crumpled paper.)

Anuradha: Main bas... main yeh nahi samajh pa rahi hoon. Kyun? Kyun yeh karna tha usse? Woh ladki hai, Tanvi. Hamaari izzat hai woh. Agar koi galat baat kare toh?? (shaking her head) Kya zaroorat thi yeh sab karne ki? Engineer ya doctor hoti, toh izzat banti.... Arrey, I would have even accepted if she had taken up a banking job... But yeh racing? Yeh toh main kabhi nahi accept karne waali!!!

(Tanvi took a deep breath, her frustration evident.)

Tanvi: Maa.... Aapki soch ko badalna, mushkil hi nahi... naa mumkin sa lag raha hai!!!!

(She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Anuradha alone with her thoughts.

The crumpled newspaper slipped from her hands and rolled onto the floor.

Anuradha stared at it, her emotions a storm of anger, fear, and something else she couldn't quite name.)

.

.

A while later,

(Anuradha rose from her seat, her movements stiff and deliberate, and walked to the dustbin.

She tossed the crumpled newspaper inside and let out a frustrated sigh. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as she headed to the kitchen.

She turned on the stove and began preparing tea, her hands moving mechanically, her thoughts elsewhere....

.

.

.

Then,

The sharp chime of the doorbell broke the uneasy silence.

Tanvi, who had been tidying the living room, walked to the security monitor near the main door. She glanced at the screen and let out a small sigh.

A group of familiar faces filled the screen—Mrs. Mehra, Mrs. Sharma, Mrs. Singh, and Mrs. Kapoor. Their expressions were curious, their eyes alight with the unmistakable hunger for gossip.)

Tanvi: (turning to Anuradha) Mummy, colony ki auntiyaan aayi hain... Mehra Aunty, Sharma Aunty, Kapoor Aunty aur Singh Aunty.

(Anuradha froze, her hand hovering over the sugar jar. A nervous wave washed over her, and she set the jar down with a loud clink.)

Anuradha: (tense, almost whispering) Dekha? Maine kaha tha na! Sabne Kiara ki news padhi hogi... ab chugli karne aayi hongi. Pata nahi kya-kya bolengi.

(She walked out of the kitchen and peeked nervously toward the door, her brows furrowed.)

Anuradha: (urgently) Tanvi, darwaza mat kholo. Zaroorat hi kya hai? Unhe lagega ki hum ghar pe nahi hain!

(Tanvi turned to face her mother, her voice firm yet understanding.)

Tanvi: (gently) Mummy, kab tak avoid karoge? Aapko unn sabka saamna karna padega. Aaj nahi toh kal. Better hai abhi mil lo.

Anuradha: (shaking her head) Mujhse nahi hoga. Tumhe nahi pata woh kaise baat karte hain. Ek-ek cheez ka tamaasha banate hain.

Tanvi: (placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder) Mummy, aap unn logon se milo. Bas calmly handle karna. Main sabke liye chai aur naashta ready kar deti hoon.

(Anuradha hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her saree pallu.

Her gaze flickered between the door and Tanvi, who gave her an encouraging nod.

The doorbell rang again, insistent this time.

Taking a deep breath, Anuradha straightened her posture and walked toward the door, her steps slow and unsure.

Tanvi turned back toward the kitchen, already making a mental note of what to serve the guests.

The doorbell rang again.... Anuradha hesitated with her hand on the doorknob, her heart pounding.

She unlocked the door and opened it, greeting the women with a forced but polite smile.

The ladies exchanged knowing glances before stepping inside, their voices already buzzing with excitement. Tanvi, from the kitchen, could hear the chatter starting and prepared herself to step in if needed.)

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Author's Note ✨🏍️

Hey dear readers! 👋💖

What a rollercoaster of emotions, right? From Kiara's historic win 🏆 to Anuradha's shock and the ever-nosy aunties at the door—things are heating up! 🔥

This chapter dives deep into the clash of generations—the old-school mindset vs. the dreams of a fearless young girl who refuses to be boxed in. 🚀 Kiara's passion for racing isn't just about speed; it's about breaking barriers, proving that girls can own the track just as much as anyone else! 💪🏽💫

But Anuradha's fears? They aren't just about "log kya kahenge"—it's years of conditioning, of being told what's "right" for a woman. Her struggle is real, even if it frustrates us. 😤💔 Will she ever accept Kiara's dream? Or will society's pressure weigh her down? 🤔

And let's talk about those aunties! 😂 Do you think they'll come in with daggers disguised as sweet words, or will they surprise us? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️💬

Stay tuned for the next chapter—because trust me, things are about to get even more interesting! 😉🔥