Rhea's POV:

You are almost there Ree come on one last lap and you win. Boosting my confidence I accelerated my bike.
My friends were cheering no were shouting my name at the top of their lungs, freaking out a few people around them as they now stood a few feet away from them.
Focus Ree!
I was almost at the finish line when suddenly there were gunshots and grenade sounds.
Wait for what!?

And then, with a sudden jerk, I woke up from my dream.

Breathing heavily, I rubbed my eyes and realized it was just my alarm ringing. "Not again, Mom," I grumbled, covering my face with my hands.

You see, I'm a heavy sleeper, and my mom changed my alarm tone to this shooting and blasting sound, so I wake up instantly. I usually check it before going to bed, but somehow my mom manages to change it every day.

I really need to change my phone password to stop her from messing with my alarm.

Feeling annoyed, I found my phone and turned off the alarm. Just when I was about to sink back into my comfy pillows and continue my sleep, there was a knock on my door, followed by my Mom's voice.

"Rhea wake up. It's 8 already."

"10 more minutes, please. " My eyes were drooping and I snuggled more into the comfortable warm bed.

"I said now, Rhea!" Mom yelled again.

"Ugh," I groaned pressing my face in between pillows. Throwing off the blanket. I got out of my bed stomping my foot and opened the door.

My Mom stood there with a bright innocent smile. I leaned against the door frame folding my arms and crossing my ankle and faced her with a solemn look.

"Good morning." She chirped as if nothing was wrong.

"You didn't do that again Mom. " I narrowed my eyes accusingly at her who just rolled her eyes in return.

"Well, I sure did. Nikita called last night saying you didn't pick up her calls I guess your phone was on silent. She wanted to inform you that there is a staff meeting. That's why I had to change your alarm ringtone." Mom explained.

Oh.

"Now get ready fast and come down the breakfast is ready." She ordered descending the stairs.

"Okay will be down in 30." I sighed as I leaned my forehead on the door and hit it twice trying to take myself up from the drowsiness.

How did my phone turn silent?

Maybe because you did it so that you can play games peacefully.

Well. Ahem, meet my inner conscience. Who never leaves a chance to mock me.

Conscience fanning herself wearing glasses

As I was about to get ready my phone started ringing again. I saw the caller ID it was Nikita. She is my friend from my undergraduate degree. I picked up the call.

"Hello Niki" I greeted her plainly. With no emotion in my voice.

"Bitch why didn't you pick up my calls last night?" she screamed as soon as I picked up.

"Good morning to you too," I replied sarcastically rolling my eyes.

"Answer the question don't try to avoid it." She gritted out clearly pissed at me.

"Well, I was kind of busy you know I had important work." I lied as I started arranging my bed while I spoke to her.

I was playing play station. So I don't like people to disturb me when I play games. By games, I mean not girl games but other kinds like action games.

What? Even girls play action and thrilling games.

"You mean to say playing games is your so-called 'important work' uh?" She mocked emphasizing important work.

My face scrunched in dismay.

How did she know?

"Your mom said to me." Her reply was instant.

Of course. Traitors.

"Did you just call me a traitor?" She asked in an accusing tone clearly offended.

Did I say that aloud?

"You did"

Shit.

I have this problem whenever I am self-debating or scolding someone in my mind I might say it out loud sometimes and likewise, when I am nervous I talk complete gibberish.

"Why did you call?" I snapped at her testing slide off the embarrassment.

"Just to check on you whether you are awake. We have a meeting at 9 so get your ass here soon."

"I am awake. Now let me get ready. Bye."
I hung up on her and went to get ready after arranging my bed.

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Rhea Aggarwal. I am 26. A general surgeon. I work in a hospital with my friend Nikita. She is a gynecologist.

Then...you will know when you read more.

After my shower. I dressed in black cargo jeans and a white T-shirt and applied some lip gloss. That's it.

So yeah. I hate makeup. And stick to as minimal usage of it as possible.

I don't know how many people spend time like an hour putting on makeup this early in the morning.

Is 8:30 early morning?

For me it is. Finishing my morning business I went down.

"Good morning princess." My Dad greeted me as soon as he saw me.

"Good morning Dad." I chirped hugging him from behind while he was reading his newspaper and taking a seat beside him.

Meet my dad Anand Aggarwal. He is the coolest dad one could ever get. He is an engineer.

"Dad I was thinking if you could join me tonight. It's been a long time since we played games together you know." I asked excitedly almost jumping in my seat at just the idea of us playing.

"Sure princess." he smiled and I beamed with happiness.

Playing games with Dad is the best.

That's the only time I enjoy myself the most and for one time I feel I am not faking happiness.

The true happiness of being around your parents. When they are supportive at every stage of your life.

"No Anand. " Mom chided in as soon as she heard arranging breakfast for us and took a seat beside Dad.

"Why?" I asked confused.

"Because if you start playing you won't stop it until midnight and the next day you wake up late and it's not good for your health. You have just finished your residency and started a 9-5 job and again the shift will change. So no." Mom said in a no-nonsense tone.

Typical Mom's advice.

The only person on earth who will dare to advise the Doctor herself.

Mothers I say.

Well, meet my Mom Sheela Aggarwal.

"But mom I-" I tried to reason but she cut off me.

"I said no Rhea. No more argument. Have your breakfast and hurry up you are getting late." She said sternly as she placed the food on my plate.

I stomped my foot under the table and muttered how bossy she was and had my breakfast while my dad chuckled beside me patting my back and quietly whispering into my ears 'Will play this weekend' winking at me and my face lit up. I grinned happily and my dad winked at me again at my grin.

"I am leaving then I have got a meeting to attend." Dad looked at his watch. "Bye princess, bye Sheela," He said and left with his office bag.

I looked at my plate and all my hair came to the front curtaining my cheeks. Annoyed I put them back into a bun. "Mom I think I need-"

"No" came her immediate reply not letting me complete my sentence startling me for a second as I stared at her wide-eyed.

"But mom listen to what I want to say-" I tried again to make my sentence.

"I know what you are gonna ask, you want to cut your hair because it's annoying you." She started immediately with an eyebrow raised staring at me with a straight face.

My eyes nearly popped out of my sockets.

Is she reading my mind?

I told you something is wrong with her. Issue a witch by any chance?

Oh shut up.

"How did you know Mom?" I asked stunned.

"Maybe because I am your mother." She shrugged nonchalantly.

Point taken.

"Okay fine now that you know it Mom can you please do my haircut? I want a bob cut." I pleaded.

She is a beautician. Mom has been doing my haircut since childhood. For the past few years, she has been doing my haircut short as I was a medical student and couldn't take care of it regularly so having short hair made it easier the last time she did she said she is never gonna shorten my hair above my shoulders again because now I am an 'Adult' at marriage age and not a 'Teenage' girl.

Completely Unrelated.

And I hate the m-word.

"Please?" I requested her. She ignored me blatantly as if I was some fly buzzing around her ears and continued eating breakfast.

Try another way.

Pouting I batted my eyelashes at her "Pretty please?" As I patted her hand to gain her attention.

Because this look always works on my Dad. One look at my face and he is ready to do anything for me. But it's quite difficult to work on Mom because she is immune to it after I turned 16. It does not always work on her but sometimes it does.

But still trying doesn't hurt, doesn't it?

I need an award for my acting skills.

Mom stared at me blankly "You know last time when you gave this look to me you got four tattoos." She stated blankly.

Yup. A year ago I saw some tattoos on Pinterest I begged my mother to get one of them and she allowed me after a lot of pleading and pestering because she couldn't tolerate my antics after one point and she thought it would pain a lot when I get it done. Dramatic. I know. But I grew up like a princess. As I am the only child. I get all the things I want but if it hurts I am not allowed to get that or do that.

Protective parents.

Still, I ended up getting four tattoos. Yes, four. My mom didn't talk to me for three
Days after that.

On my nape ( behind my neck )

On my left wrist.

On my right wrist.

And behind my right ear

It's not too much, right?

"Last time you gave this look and you got tattoos." She glared at me and I grinned sheepishly. "This time I am not gonna fall for it."

I tried to reason "But mom long hair disturbs me when I do surgery."

"If I remember correctly, surgeons wear hair caps before they enter an operation theatre. Am I right Rhea?" She shot back sarcastically catching on to my lie.

Oops, that backfired.

"But mom-"

"You're not getting a short haircut that's it. You are 26, not 15. Get your short haircut after m-" She took the plates and went into the kitchen.

"Mom, not the M-word. " I exclaimed loudly cutting her off from completing her sentence while packing my bag.

"Okay okay." She kept my water bottle in my bag while I was wearing my jacket and she smiled at me cheekily. I rolled my eyes at her and she chuckled hitting my back.

I kissed her cheek. "Bye Mom," I said while wearing my helmet and shades.

I can get the haircut done easily anywhere outside but I trust my mother with my hairs then anyone else. So.

Getting into the elevator I looked at my mom while fixing my jacket.

"Drive slowly." Mom yelled as the elevator doors closed. I just nodded absent-mindedly as I twirled my key in my hand and fiddled with my phone.

Coming to the parking lot I strolled to my baby, my KTM Duke 200 rotating the key between my fingers. My dad gifted me this bike when I completed my under graduation.

This bike felt the most comfortable of the lot we saw in the showroom. So we got it.

And the best part is it's in stark black color.

I love bikes. And I want to collect all the types of bikes in the world. It's on my bucket list.

Might take years. But I will do it.

There was this one time when one of my cousin brothers said bikes are not for girls and it really offended his sister and me so we both decided we were going to break the stereotype. Nevertheless, we did take revenge on him for spewing such words.

Good old days.

Pulling it out of the parking lot I drove towards my hospital. It was mid of August and the weather was partially cloudy. Perfect weather to drive faster but alas, traffic!

I hate traffic.

Driving through the traffic I took a shortcut and came into an almost deserted road with only a few vehicles here and there it looked like a residential area. I have been here only once. It's a high-class residential to be precise.

A cold breeze hit my face as I drove through the street when I was about to accelerate suddenly a Black Benz came in front of me which made me come to an abrupt halt almost making me stumble.

How did this car magically appear in front of me from nowhere?

I was ready to lash out at the driver for not honking before taking a turn but the car had already disappeared in a record time of 10 seconds from my sight when I was still regaining my posture.

Is he or she a magician?

Good that the car disappeared from my vision or I was ready to unleash my wrath on him or her with an earful of lecture and some complimentary gift of colorful words.

But, that was a close call. If I didn't slow down at the exact time I would have ended up breaking a few of my bones.

Cursing the driver I started my bike ride again and drove to the hospital.

Entering the hospital I strolled inside the hospital greeting my colleagues and scrolling through my phone.

My head engrossed in the phone I opened the door of Nikitha's room without looking up.

"Hey, Niki let's go," I said distractedly.

As Seconds ticked by, I was scrolling through my phone I realized Nikitha didn't jump on me like a monkey as she always does. Because that's how she greets me. Giving a lung-squeezing hug. "Hey co-" I looked up from my phone to find the room empty.

I looked around the room once more checking for her but she wasn't there and then I thought I will check in my room and reached my room. Maybe she is there.

Opening the door, I stepped inside only to find it dark. Switching on the lights I turned only to be frightened to my death by the sudden scream in the room.

"Surprise"

I let out a startled scream, jumping in shock, I dropped my phone and my bag and my eyes screwed shut. The room was filled with laughter shortly. I peeked one eye open to see my two friends cackling like hyenas.

"I told you...it would be fun. " Niki managed to say between her fits of laughter.

"Yeah, worth it." Another voice said.

"Oh, my God." Placing a hand on my chest, I tried to calm myself from the initial shock.

"Alina? When did you come?" I asked surprised as I saw her. She told me that she was coming this weekend.

Alina is my childhood best friend. We both did our studies in the same school till we completed high school. After that, she had other career plans so she had to move to another city. We used to meet only when she comes to her parents. She is a Lawyer.

Nikitha and I met when we were doing under graduation in medicine. Since Nikitha didn't have many friends mostly because nobody could handle her sass and craziness kidding she didn't find anyone worthy enough to be her friend or she didn't find like-minded people like hers until me Her exact words so I became friends with her and I introduced her to Alina and we three became a trio.

Alina had a smile that reached her eyes as it crinkled at the ends. She walked towards me for a hug and I squealed and hugged her hard lifting her off the ground. She laughed out loud as I twirled her around a couple of times and dropped her on her feet.

"Oh, my God. Are you here? I am not hallucinating right." I exclaimed still in surprise.

"I am here Ree. It's been such a long time right?" She gushed happily.

"I know right." I agreed as I gazed at her as of seeing a ghost.

"You look so hot, girl." She pulled back to take a look at me and winked at me slyly.

"You say this every time you meet me." I gave her a blank look and nevertheless smiled at her compliment.

I am very bad at compliments.

People never complimented me for my looks it's just since the last few years which started after I had eye surgery due to my low eye capacity to see and also after I started hitting the gym now and then.

"And your tattoos look more beautiful than the photos you sent." She gazed at my tattoo taking my wrist in her hand as if it is a newly found element.

"Hello, I am here too" Niki deadpanned waving at us.

She is a total drama queen.

Alina cleared her throat grabbing our attention. "Pack your bag ladies you are going to spend the day with me." She announced taking her bike key.

"No. Not now, we have the morning shift assigned. Niki and I will come to your home in the evening that time we will spend time." I patted her cheeks smiling at her sickeningly sweet and picked up my phone and bag which I dropped earlier and sat on my chair.

"No way Ree you are coming with me that's it. No more arguments." She tried to pull me from my chair. Keyword "tried". But she almost fell on her butt but caught hold of the table and straightened herself.

"You eat rocks or what?" Alina asked amazed as she couldn't move me an inch.

"Just gym babe." I waved off smugly as dusted my shoulders for the invisible lent.

Mimicking my words she sat opposite me grunting. I stifled my laugh at her antics masking my astonishment.

I stapled my fingers and rested them on the desk. Alina was narrowing her eyes at me while Niki didn't even spare us a glance as she was busy scrolling her phone. Maybe ogling at some hot men on social media. Because she knows this is a drama we always go through when Alina comes to meet us.

And she loves ogling men. More like celebrities tho.

Alina and I were looking at each other as if we were talking through our eyes. She was looking at me with her lips pressed into a thin line as she leaned back on the chair crossing her arms and legs. I looked at her amused and thoroughly entertained by her behavior as maintained my straight face.

"Niki comes we will go to the meeting," I told as I stood from the chair.

Nike looked at me sheepishly and I narrowed my eyes at her. I can already feel what's gonna be her next words.

"Ree there is no meeting Alina wanted to surprise you that's why I called you at 9." She finished off with a nervous chuckle and again got indulged in her ogling session.

"For god sake Niki," I sighed irritated.

I then narrowed my eyes into slits at Alina and she cocked her head to a side and snorted at her plan.

I hate people when they mess with my sleep.

"Okay here is the deal I will get you your favorite ice cream if you come with me." She offered after some time when she saw I was not making my move from my seat.

"Nope," I stuck to my words.

"We will go on the road trip which we planned a year ago." She tried to convince me.

"Nope"

"Long Night bike ride," she said with a dramatic effect because she knows how much I love going on night rides.

"Nope" Let's see how far she goes to make me accept.

"Your favorite club."

"Nope," I looked around yawning as if I was bored tho I was thoroughly entertained.

"You will not say no this time." She said with a challenging smirk.

"Depends on what your bargain is," I said smugly wounding the stethoscope around my neck.

"Recent edition of play station." My ears perked up at the mention of play station. I snapped my head towards it. I was surprised I didn't get whiplash. I looked at her with wide eyes. She smirked at me.

No way. I tried to get one but it got sold out.

"You're kidding right?" But her facial expressions screamed no-kidding. I looked at her astonished and she grinned at me.

Taking my phone I quickly applied for emergency leave and started packing my bag while Alina sat there rotating the keys between her fingers and while Niki was in her world dreamily watching no ogling at someone on her phone.

"Niki" I screamed a little which startled her and she almost fell off from her seat.

"What?" She barked bewildered.

"Let's go," I said excitedly.

Oh my God look at you, Ree. You got lured so easily.

I ignored.

"Bipolar or what?" Niki asked amused at my change of agendas.

"We will discuss this later Niki now come before she changes her mind." Alina urged smiling wide helping Niki to stand.

Hospital. Street racing with friends. Play station. Food. Books. Family and Friends.

That's where my life revolves.

This is my life.

A perfect life.

What else do you need?

Soulmate maybe? My conscious suggested.

I groaned internally.