A year had passed. The sun was beating down on the dusty outskirts of Ranchi where the regional race circuit buzzed with energy. The local crowd was electric, standing along the fences, waving Vaayu GP flags, and chanting names. But one name rang the loudest.
"Sukhman! Sukhman! Sukhman!"
He stood beside the sleek Vaayu GP car, his suit tight and crisp, helmet under his arm. His scar from the Tokyo crash had faded but the memory hadn't. His right shoulder bore the strength of months of grinding rehab. Today was more than just a race.
It was a return.
Coach Arne Schultz clapped a firm hand on his back. "You know the track. You know the car. You know yourself. Don't race to prove anyone wrong, Sukhman. Race because it's where you belong."
Sukhman nodded. "Danke, Coach."
He slid into the car. Siddharth, now a more confident chief engineer, ran final diagnostics.
"All systems green," he said. "Just like old times, huh?"
Sukhman smiled faintly. "Let's make it better than old times."
The lights blinked. Red. Red. Red. Green.
The engines roared.
He tore through the first bend, gliding smoothly like he'd never left. The other drivers tried to catch up, but Sukhman was poetry in motion. Precision at corners. Aggression on straights.
By lap 20, the lead had changed thrice. But in the final lap, as he caught wind behind Amar's car, he made his move.
"Come on, come on..." Siddharth muttered, watching from the pit.
Sukhman spun into the inside lane with a slick overtake, sliding past Amar and finishing with a triumphant wheel cross.
The checkered flag waved.
The Ranchi crowd erupted. It was like a dam of hope bursting.
In the pit, Nandini beamed. Arne Schultz gave a rare cheer. Siddharth punched the air.
After the cooldown lap, Sukhman pulled into the pit. As he removed his helmet, the sweat and smile said everything.
Amar ran up to him first. "Bhai, kya lap tha woh! You were flying!"
Tanvi followed with a thumbs up. "Vaayu GP is officially back, thanks to you."
Nandini joined the group. Her eyes sparkled. "You're fit, confident, and fast. I think it's time."
"Time for what?" Sukhman asked, drying his face with a towel.
"The World GP Championship. This year's slots are opening. You're ready."
Sukhman took a moment to let it sink in. "Then let's go get it."
---
That evening, the hotel in Ranchi glowed in warm golden light. Room 608, a suite with a modest view of the city skyline.
There was a knock.
He opened the door to see a broad grin.
"HARINDER!"
"Oye, mujhe bhool gaya kya be tu?" ("Hey, did you forget me or what?")
They hugged like brothers reunited after war.
"Itna time hogaya tujhe dekhe? One whole year, bro!" ("It's been so long since I saw you?")
"Kya karein, doctor ne bola tha aaram karna zaroori hai," Sukhman chuckled. ("What to do, the doctor told me rest was important.")
They sat down, laughter flowing with memories.
"Tere Ranchi waale lap ka video teen baar dekh chuka hoon! Kamal kar diya bhai!" Harinder said. ("I watched your Ranchi lap three times! You nailed it, bro!")
Sukhman smiled. "Bas return karne ka wait tha. Ab feel aa gaya." ("I was just waiting to return. Now I feel it again.")
"World GP ke liye jaa raha hai na tu?" Harinder leaned in. ("You're going to the World GP, right?")
"Haan. Nandini ne bola, I'm ready." ("Yes. Nandini said I'm ready.")
"Toh ek baat bolu? Iss baar sirf participate mat kar. Jeet ke aa. Bharat ko tera intezaar hai." ("Then can I say something? This time don't just participate. Win it. India is waiting for you.")
Sukhman looked at him, eyes steady. "Is baar, main sirf racer nahi banunga. Main misaal banunga." ("This time, I won't just be a racer. I'll be an example.")
They sat in silence, watching the city lights, two childhood friends on the edge of something great.
As the evening stretched on and laughter slowly turned to quiet, Harinder stood up to leave. He adjusted his old jacket, stretched his arms and looked at Sukhman with a soft, steady gaze.
Then he smiled and said with that familiar glint in his eyes,
"Ek baat aur bhai. Iss bar mai bhi tere sath jaunga. Tera bodyguard bankar. Thik hai na?"
("And one more thing. This time I'm going to come with you — as your bodyguard. Is that okay?")
Sukhman looked up, surprised, then broke into a laugh.
"Tu serious hain na?" he asked. ("Are you serious, man?")
Harinder shrugged. "Bilkul. Tujhse zyada mujhe bharosa hai apne punches par."
("Absolutely. I trust my punches more than your reflexes.")
The two friends shared a brief silence before erupting into a firm handshake that turned into a brotherly hug.
"Chal phir," Sukhman said, grinning. "World GP mein mere pit crew ka sabse dangerous member tu hoga."
("Alright then. You'll be the most dangerous member of my pit crew in the World GP.")
They laughed again — a sound that echoed through the hotel room, signaling not just reunion, but a new beginning..