FEW MONTHS LATER

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

I nodded my head even when I didn't feel like I was close to okay. My head was pounding and I knew there was no escape from this. What had I thought anyway? It was all a mistake. With this, I thought that death was much pleasanter.

I cursed every time someone asked me if I was okay. How could I be even close to okay? I regretted living when there was nothing to cling on to. It was a tough road, but I was doing everything alone.

Legally, things were in my favor except for the fact that I was banned from legal racing for a whole year. Ashley was in mental institution, the properties were in my name again, school had understood my plight and I had even become a mini-celebrity there. But internally, I knew I was damaged.

There was no changing things back.

If only Brian had intervened a little earlier than he had, maybe... maybe Dad would have been alive along with Robert today. But then again, he wouldn't have forgiven himself for putting me up to that game. He would have died a little every day in guilt.

With broken bones and and internal bleeding I had stayed back in the hospital after waking up for another month to be discharged completely. But as soon as I was discharged, the same memories haunted me back - the things I had seen and heard were too much to deal with. The solitary life back at home didn't help.

My trips to hospital increased two fold and so did the hospital bills. Without an income I struggled and for many nights I wished that I hadn't come out from the coma.

That was when the VS enterprises came to rescue me. They had trained me to be a model of sorts and with the mystery I had provided for their magazine cover, I had become a hit in their field. They had offered me a job with an insurance.

Though it was a pity job, I snatched it with both hands.

"So, what do you think of this one?" Simon asked me. He pointed towards the magazine with a white Mercedes picture on it. "Will this be okay with this setting?"

Ever since Simon had come to know about my situation, he had taken up the initiative to help me stand on my own feet again. After much debate with Cole, he had made me a graphic cover editor assistant since I had a few ideas about the photos and their angles.

"White is not much of a color, Simon." I said, putting the pictures together. "See, Black will be much better here than a white one."

"She is right." Cole agreed with me. After a month of me joining, he had warmed up a little. "And what's with those flowers? We don't need them."

"We do." I said, almost wanting to roll my eyes at him. He always argued with my ideas and themes even when all of us knew that it was eventually going to be a hit. "I asked for it."

"Tell me, why does a tyre model need a flower to pose with?" Cole crossed his arms together.

"It's a couple shoot." I said, standing up. My crutches knocked on the hard wooden floor as Simon walked behind to hold me if I fell. "See, the guy holds the girl at her waist, giving her the flowers. One of her leg will be up this way." I pointed my crutch towards one side. "And the flower bouquet will fall near the tyre."

"Like grabbing the audience with emotion." Simon said behind me. "I like playing with emotions."

He wasn't the first one that I had met who wanted to play with emotions. "Welcome to the club." I muttered, staring at my plastered legs.

There was still another week before they were finally talking it off of me and I couldn't wait any longer.

"Fine." Cole agreed. "Let's get this done and then you are off."

I nodded my head as we all moved to the shoot area where I instructed the couple to stand and pose with a few styles I had in mind. The photographers and the crew were patient with me as I hobbled around the area making sure that the picture was similar to the one I had in mind.

"That's a wrap." I clapped my hands together. "Thank you everyone."

"You are good at this." A photographer who was looking at the pictures said to me without taking his eyes off of the screen. "If you ever want to get into photography, you should give me a call."

"Thank you and I will." I said, smiling for the first time the whole day.

Victory speeds were the only thing that kept me sane these days. Simon and Cole both had been considerate with me and the work took my mind off of things.

"So, you want a ride or is there a ride coming to pick you up?" Cole asked as he looked at his cell-phone.

"No, I have a ride." I smiled at him. Though he acted hot headed with me, he was a softie at heart. "Thanks though, I'll take that offer tomorrow."

"It's only a one time offer, Scar." He said, not looking at me as I smiled at his answers.

My phone buzzed and I knew my ride was here. "I will get going then. See you next weekend."

I hobbled my way out the building to see a red mini-van waiting for me. I smiled at the girls who sat at the front seat. "Come on, lazy bones, you need to hurry up."

The back door was opened up and I climbed in. "So, where are we going?"

"The dressing shop, of course." Tammy said. "Monica wants to see if the dress still fits her after she hogged two hamburgers in a row."

"That is not true." Monica huffed as she started the car. "I just needed another check of things before the wedding."

Along with Dad, Robert was also injured that night. He was in the hospital too, but he had recovered quickly. With all that taking the main scene, Monica had decided to push the wedding further ahead. After around two pushes, she had settled for Thursday next week.

"And my opinions don't matter anymore." Tammy, her only friend from work said. "She needs yours now. Since you are a cover editor and all."

I chuckled at her as Tammy waved her hand in mock disgust. We drove to the shop quicker than we had anticipated. After about two hours of standing in front of the mirror, Monica huffed.

"So, what do you think? Should I be keeping this on top of the white veil or should I use just the flowers for it."

"Anything is fine." Tammy said, slouching on the couch. "God, we went over this thousand times already. You agreed with veil."

"Does it even matter." I said, rubbing my hands over my bandaged head. It was itchy and I wanted to rip it all off.

"It does!" Monica almost screamed in horror at me. I winced at her sharp voice and shrunk in my seat. "It's my wedding and I want to know."

I heaved a sigh and looked at her. She had put on the white dress that reached till the ground even when she was wearing a six inch heel. She looked fluffy and cute, holding a white veil on one hand and white plastic flowers on the other.

"With veil." I said, rolling my eyes at her.

"Cool, then today I will wear flowers." She announced.

"What was your point of asking?" Tammy asked her, laughing. "You are just giving her a headache."

"Well, it's my dinner rehearsal today and I have every right to pester." Monica said, sticking her chin up. "Ain't that right, Scar?"

"Of course." I said.

"What are you wearing?" Tammy asked and I knew exactly what she meant. I was covered in bandages all over and I could only hope that they would be removed just before the wedding so that I wouldn't be snatching away the bride's look on that day.

Being the maid of honor, I knew I just couldn't hop around with my crutches.

"It's golden." I said.

"Really?" Tammy asked, more to herself than me. "Mine is peaches. Mon said that maid of honor gets the special suit."

"To be honest, we should all be wearing the same thing." I said. "We two are the only girls on her side."

"Well, just for your information, I do have many." Monica said. "I just don't know them as personally as I know you guys."

Tammy and I laughed at her jokes while she put on a face at us. My stomach ached as I laughed, making me stop mid-way.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked, getting closer to me for inspection. "We can go home if you're not comfortable."

Comfortable was one word which I hadn't been accustomed to ever since I came back. Though my stitches had been taken off, the bandage on my ribcage was still there covered by my cloths. My hands were tied to my neck to keep the broken arm in place. Across my forehead there was a bandage sitting proudly like a crown. And I limped while I walked.

Comfort was a luxury for me that I couldn't afford.

"I'm good." I smiled at her.

Monica nodded her head and gave me another look before she went to pick her shoes for the evening. Tammy went along with her to help her choose.

I sighed as I rested my head on the sofa rest, closing my eyes. Even with all the physical pains I was in, this was the best I could have afforded in a long time. They made me feel like I wasn't alone anymore. 

Mira and Monica had literally pulled me into their lives and had asked me to even move in with them. I had politely refused, but I was greatly touched by their words. I knew I had to become strong again and it wouldn't be fair for Dad if I chose the easy way out.

Ever since I made my peace with the fact that he wasn't around anymore, I had understood the reason why he had kept those things from me. His constant need to protect me from the racing world, the wild nights and the glamorous lights were making sense.

But just like they said, racing was in my blood.

I knew too much to back out on races now. I was the Wild and I wanted to stay that way. Ever since the case, the legal world had banned me from races for an year. One year was like a hibernation period for me to settle my limbs and make peace with the past. A bigger part of me was happy for the break. I deserved it after having gone through so much in those fields.

"You ready?" Tammy asked as she came back with a few more bags in her hands. "Let's get out of here."

I nodded my head at her as I slowly got up the cushion. Monica came behind and helped me up as I held the crutches in my hand trotting my way out. Just as we went out, I saw a familiar car outside the store.

"Look, who's here." Monica said, rolling her eyes. "Tam, I think Scarlet got things covered from here."

My cheeks flamed as I looked away.

"Yeah, right." Tammy snickered rolling her eyes. "We should get going then."

"Hey, ladies." Robert climbed up the stairs to reach us. He smiled as he neared us, giving us a salute. "All done with the shopping?"

"Yeah." Tammy said. "We even got a tux for you." She reached forward as if she was whispering to him. "It's Dolce."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Tammy had an eye for him ever since she came to know that Monica had a brother. Though Robert looked too young for her, she didn't hesitate to flirt.

"Really?" He asked, leaning into her, but the smirk on his face was not mistaken.

"Guys!" Monica whined. "You both know that he's taken, right?"

"No, he's not." I glared at him. "He can go on with the hunting spree, flirting with every girl he sees."

Robert laughed at my outburst, but put his arms around my shoulders affectionately. "Tammy, you heard that, right?" Tammy giggled like a school girl. "She gave me the permission."

"Fuck off." I muttered, jerking my hands away from him, as I tried to get down the stairs.

Robert and I were back to our usual self much to my relief. I knew what he did was wrong and it hurt like a bitch, but I realized that with him next to me, that pain was bearable.

My Dad's death had pulled me out of the trance and I had forgiven them all. Yes, it still hurt when I looked back, but I was letting go of things I didn't have control over. Those memories only made it heavier to carry around.

Having Robert made things easier for me. He had asked for forgiveness for a thousand times when I had come out of the coma. He told me that he loved me and had held my hand every day in that hospital room, promising me better days.

Ever since I had declined the offer to move in with Mira and Monica, Robert had volunteered to settle with me in my house. He had given up his coop and had brought his bags to my place as soon as I was discharged from the hospital.

Mira, who was bit orthodox was more than happy with the new information. When she learned that her son was staying with me, she stopped pushing me to stay with her. As for me, I was never more than happier.

"Come on, babe." Robert said, the inertia of laughter lingering on his lips.

I turned around to see him. His hair was cut in a trendy fashion and I was in love with the style. It gave him a bad boy look, especially when he completed his attire with that Tom Cruise goggles. His white shirt was tucked in the front while it hung lose at the back. His baggy jeans hung a little low on his waist.

As I watched him, my crutches on which I had balanced slipped. But before I could fall, Robert was at my side, catching me by my waist.

"I had promised you I would never let you fall." He smiled at me, his dark eyes looking into my soul. "Except for me, of course."

That was true. These days, I was falling for him over and over again.

"God, they are having PDA again." Monica muttered. "I can't watch it, Tammy."

My cheeks turned rose red as Robert pulled me to his side, with a smirk on his handsome face. The number of scars on his face had increased ever since that night, but he couldn't have been more handsome to me. Rob, placed a kiss on my forehead much to Monica's dislike.

"Ratan, I know you are just doing it to spite me." Monica glared at her brother. "Why are you here anyway? It's my dinner rehearsal today and I'm not letting Scarlet go a meter away from me."

"Dan had a few words to be exchanged with her." Robert said, as my grip on him tightened. "Then she has to meet her school friends."

"You look more like her assistant than her boyfriend." Tammy smirked. "She has you wrapped around her little finger, Ratan."

Rob looked at me, a gentle smile lingering on his lips. "Well, that's the way I like it, Tamara." He stressed on her name.

"It's Tammy!" She glared at him.

"Fine, get her back two hours before the event." Monica wagged her index finger. "And if you don't, you have no idea what's coming at you."

"Come on, babe." He said, taking my hand in his. "Let's obey her orders this one time."

---

It was a simple dress with light purple frills with dark highlights. Lily helped me with the dress while Nick helped me with the makeup and hair. It was ironic knowing how I wanted to get dressed for him once. Now, I was more than happy to be his friend. I couldn't see him any other way than that.

Now, I had eyes for someone else.

I wanted to agree that things happened for a reason, but I couldn't. If given a chance I would do the exact same things I did before, knowing what I knew back then.

My friends dropped me off to the venue much to Robert's dislike, because he wanted to pick me up. He had warned them to take care of me or else he would come and hunt them down. But, Nick was the only one who thought it was hot.

Now, as I sat next to Mira, smiling at the couple who had practiced their vows in front of their family and friends, I felt content. After a very long time. Even after losing everything, with no family of my own, I found my home in these tiny moments and that was enough for me.

"What's with the wedding and the crying?" Mira said, dabbing her eyes with the tissue. She gave one to me and smiled. "If Monica sees me like this, then she would scream right here."

I chuckled at her words. "Oh, she sure would."

Robert walked to our table, with a glass of water for Mira. He was still a non-drinker and with my recent accident, he had banned me from going a meter towards the bar, let alone a drink.

"This is for you, Ma." He said, placing the glass in front of her. He took a seat next to me, placing a kiss on my cheeks. "You want anything, babe?"

I shook my head no. I had everything right in my arms.

"You guys are making me cry more." Mira said, still smiling as her eyes moistened. "Go and dance. Shoo. I don't want to mess my makeup tonight."

Robert and I laughed at her. "Mira, I have a ligament tear, and with this bandage on my head, I'll look like a creep there."

"You will be fine." Robert rolled his eyes, as he stood up, buttoning his blazer. "Besides, I don't think anyone will be watching you when I'm next to you, showing off my dance moves."

"Mira, your son is a jerk." I turned towards her with a sweet smile.

"You should teach him some manners, then." Mira said, but the double meaning behind her words were not lost on me.

"You heard the lady, come on." Rob smirked and I huffed before standing up. "You don't need the crutches. You can lean on me, Scarlet."

"I know." I whispered as I placed my hands in his as he lead me to the dance floor. He was very gentle with me as we swayed to the slow music just like the rest of them.

Robert was with a cream shirt upon which he had worn a black blazer. He looked more than handsome and if I could be honest, a few girls had their eyes settled on my guy. But his eyes were on me and it didn't waver for even a tiny moment.

"What's with the smile, babe?" Robert asked as our eyes met.

"I love you." The words were out of my mouth even before I could stop it. I had never said those words to him before and telling it now, without a grand gesture seemed to fit us.

Robert's eyes widened at my confession. "What did you say?" He turned me to face him, his eyes searching for answers.

"I... I'm not repeating it again." I muttered, my cheeks red with embarrassment. Robert chuckled at my discomfort.

"Take your time, sweetheart." He said, pulling my chin up. "I'm not going anywhere. But that doesn't mean that I can't say it to you, right?"

"Don't say!" I said, cupping his mouth with my good hand. "Don't."

Robert's smirk only grew. "I lowe you." I sighed, removing my hands from his mouth. I closed my eyes and put my head on his shoulders, as he circled his arms around me. "I have news for you."

"What?" I asked, looking up at him.

"You know you are supposed to go to college after the exams, right?" My moods instantly fell on hearing that. 

Ashley had not only ruined my family but had also snatched away my life as well. Nick, Lily and James had all got selected to a college and I was the only one who was left behind. With everything, I didn't know if I was eligible to apply now. Besides, I didn't have money to afford it.

"Can we not talk about it, Rob?" I pleaded looking around. It made me feel inferior and worthless.

"No, hear me out." He said, pulling me towards him. "I applied to a few colleges in your name for art. And... a handful of them have accepted it as well. Full scholarship."

"What?" I asked, dumb folded at his revelations. "You did what?"

"I had to involve Simon in it, but it worked out fine. Hey, and I applied for some too." He looked away, clearly embarrassed about it. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, he bet me to it. "I got into MIT."

"What?" My shock was evident. "Oh, my God! Wow!"

"Shush!" He looked around. "No one knows yet. But I'll go where you are going." I opened my mouth to disagree, but Rob placed a finger on my lips. "No more discussions about it, Scar. I mean it."

"Fine, then, I'm going to an institution which is near to MIT or a racing school, pretty much anything." I shrugged.

"But you don't want to go to college?" He asked, hurt evident on his face. "Baby, you can tell me if you don't want to go."

"No, I want to. Dad would have wanted me to go." I said, looking away. We had now stopped swaying and were just standing on the dance floor talking in whispers. "But I want racing too. I can't lose that."

"Who said anything about losing racing?" He asked, with a smile on his face. "You can always freelance them, my love. You talked to Dan in the noon, you heard him. He might hook you to races when you come back for summer or something."

My face broke into a smile. For the first time in my life, things were going in my favor and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I had a guy in my life who loved me more than anything in the world. He had built our life way ahead of me with the luxuries that I hadn't even dreamed of.

I placed my hand on his face, pulling it towards me. His five o'clock stubble teased my skin as I looked at his brown eyes.

"I love you, Rob." I said, a little clearer this time. "More than you can ever imagine." I leaned in further, pressing my lips to him. "I. Love. You."

Robert pulled me against him, deepening our kiss. His mouth broke into a smile as I gasped at the intensity. As our lips met, everything around us seemed to vanish into thin air. It was only the two of us.

This kiss spoke of promises of tomorrow. It was of the truth that we had found too difficult to open up to each other. It was everything. It was perfect.

My hands involuntarily reached for him, grabbing his hair in my hands. Robert's hands lingered on my waist, holding me as my knees weakened. The strap on my broken hand bit into my skin.

"Ow." I muttered, breaking our beautiful kiss.

Robert laughed on my lips, as he realized what I was muttering about. "Slowly, Ms. Wild." He chuckled. "This time, I'm not going anywhere."

"Argh!" I glared at my strap and the skin that had turned red with the bite. "Idiotic strap."

"I thought you were wildly driven towards races, babe." Robert smirked, lifting up my chin to him. "But now, I know it was all for me. But I love it."

"And I love you."

---

THE END

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