The green traffic light blinked patiently, but the impatient world beneath it wasn't waiting.
"Horn... horn..."
A biker behind Nandini's car slammed the horn repeatedly.
"Hey, stop, will you! Or should I just ram into the car ahead?" he snapped, slapping the hood of the car in frustration.
Nandini glanced at the rearview mirror, her expression tightening with irritation, but she stayed silent, choosing to ignore the roadside drama.
With a sigh, she veered her car off the highway, turning right towards the local supermarket. After a short drive, she smoothly slid into the parking lot, cut the engine, and stepped out gracefully. Clicking the lock on her car, she disappeared into the market for groceries, her mind elsewhere.
Four days.
It had been four terrifying, rumor-filled, sleepless days since Mr. Harshad Patel's lifeless body was discovered behind Civil Lines.
The peaceful facade of Bal Kishan Society was torn to shreds. More security guards now roamed the perimeter. Additional CCTV cameras were hastily installed; dark alleys now glowed under emergency lamps. Police patrolled the colony twice daily, asking uncomfortable questions: Who lived where? Any new guests? Strangers spotted?
Every evening after 10 PM, an unofficial curfew gripped the residents. Police jeeps crawled the streets. Doors locked early. Children weren't allowed to play outside. Laughter died in throats.
And Nandini? Nandini was exhausted.
Loading the groceries into the car, she slid back into the driver's seat, started the engine, and began driving home, head spinning with unease. Her thoughts clouded the road in front of her.
What had happened these last four days? How had their perfect little society become a murder mystery headline? She couldn't even focus on the traffic light turning red.
Then—
A shadow appeared, blocking her view. Reflexively, Nandini gasped, snapping out of her trance. She flinched, her hand jerking towards the gearstick as she squinted through the windshield.
A hand slammed on her window.
She froze.
It was Ruhan.
"Get the door open, idiot!" he hissed through the glass.
Nandini gawked. "What the hell, Ruhan?! Are you crazy? You scared the life out of me!"
"OPEN. THE. DOOR."
"I will NOT open it. What's wrong with you? Is this how you knock on someone's car?!" she shot back, eyes burning.
"Open it or I'll do it myself!"
She watched as he ran to the passenger side, pulled the handle—and luck betrayed her. The damn door clicked open.
"Out. Out of my car, Ruhan!" Nandini yelled, grabbing her water bottle and swinging it threateningly.
He dodged. "Relax! I'm not here to kill you. Now drive!"
"Oh, now you give orders? Drive where? It's a RED LIGHT, genius!"
"Just drive, fool! Or do you want to die here?!"
"You'll die first, idiot! How dare you jump into my car? One call to the police—"
"Call them AFTER you save your pretty little life. Drive!"
"You think I'm a weightlifter? You told me to hit you with a 20-litre bottle, idiot! What do you think I am—Iron Woman?" Nandini snapped.
"I never said you're fat! You're... delicate. Like a tissue. Now DRIVE!"
"Ohhh, NOW you care for my fragility?! God save me from mad men like you," she spat.
Ruhan clutched the dashboard. "For God's sake, Nandini, please! They're after me!" He peeked nervously over his shoulder.
"WHO'S after you?!" she demanded.
Before he could answer—
CRACK!
A gunshot smashed the rear windshield.
Glass exploded.
Nandini screamed, shrinking into her seat.
"Told you! Drive now or get shot!" Ruhan yelled.
Heart hammering, mind numb, Nandini's foot jammed the pedal. The car lurched forward.
But her anger wasn't done. "Ever since YOU got into this car—people are SHOOTING at me! You JINX!"
Another bullet zipped past, shattering the passenger mirror.
"MOVE! GO! They think you're with me now. You can't back out!" Ruhan barked. "Unless you want to be riddled with holes."
Nandini's stomach flipped. She shoved the gear hard—first, second, third.
A biker appeared beside them—gun in hand.
Green light.
"Watch it!" Ruhan yelled.
The biker raised his weapon. One bullet. Two targets.
"I'm not dying today!" Nandini muttered, wrenching the wheel sharply. CRASH!
Her car smashed into the biker's ride. He spun wildly, skidding across the road. His gun flew, clattering onto the pavement. But another shot fired, this time hitting an electric pole—
SPARK!
The pole burst in fireworks, showering sparks onto the street.
Traffic halted. Chaos erupted. Horns, screams, confusion.
Nandini's palms sweated on the wheel as her car accelerated—60, 70, 80...
"Slow down, you maniac! Highway limit's 60!" Ruhan cried, bracing himself.
"Then why jump into my car, moron?!" she snapped, taking a blind turn.
He grabbed the seatbelt as the car swerved.
"Buckle up or shut up!" Nandini growled.
Suddenly—
BANG!
The right mirror exploded. A black SUV tailing them opened fire.
"They're STILL after us?!" Nandini gasped.
Ruhan peeked. "Two black SUVs. Full of goons. Great. Just great."
"Any more surprises?! Are we in a Hollywood chase scene now?!" she shrieked.
"Shut up and DRIVE!"
The speedometer needle quivered at 90.
Ruhan ducked low. "Shortcut—take Honey Circle!"
"I don't care if it's a circle or hell itself—we're going!" Nandini swerved hard. Tires screeched.
More gunshots. The SUV closed in.
"Why are they shooting at ME? What the hell did you do, Ruhan?!" Nandini spat.
"Long story. Drug deal. Double-crossed them. Didn't expect they'd follow me here."
"What?!! You idiot—WHY would you involve me?!"
"Because you're the only one smart enough to escape this!" he grinned.
"I should throw you out and let them eat you alive!"
"Too late now! They think you're part of this. You're marked."
Bullets sprayed again. Nandini cursed under her breath, turning sharply.
Suddenly—a barricade up ahead.
"Roadblock!" she yelled.
"Ram through it!"
"You ARE mad!"
"Do it or die!"
With a scream of fury, Nandini gunned the car. CRASH! The wooden barrier splintered.
They sped onto a service road.
"They're still behind us!" Ruhan gasped.
Nandini shot him a deadly glare. "When this is over—I'll kill you myself."
"Deal," Ruhan chuckled nervously.
Gunshots cracked behind them. The rear window burst. A bullet grazed Ruhan's shoulder. He winced but grinned.
"Karma's fast."
"Shut UP!" she snapped.
Ahead—a bridge under construction. "Dead end!" she gasped.
"Left! LEFT!" Ruhan yelled.
The car swung violently, narrowly missing the edge. Dust filled the air.
"This car will KILL me before the goons do!" Nandini yelled.
"Hey, you drive like a goddess!"
"Flatter me later, moron!"
The SUVs swerved behind, tires screaming.
"More blocks!" she gasped.
"Jump the divider—cut into the service lane!"
"No way—"
"DO IT!"
With a scream, Nandini floored the gas. The car flew over the divider, crashed onto the opposite lane. Tires burned. Horns blared. The SUVs faltered behind.
"See? Perfect!" Ruhan cheered.
"You. Are. Dead. When this is over," she seethed.
But deep down—she knew she was saving them both.
The car roared towards freedom, leaving smoke and broken glass behind.
For now.