Nidhi's POV
As I got ready the next morning, my thoughts went back to Randhir's anger last night. Would he still behave hostile with me? But I dismissed all of those thoughts and began brushing my hair. I wore my lucky yellow and green kurti top with green leggings. To finish it all, I wore a little makeup and slid on my glasses. Today was the big day and if we won, we could prove to the other colleges that an all boys team is not what we needed for success.
I hoped Randhir would perform well at the competition and forget about his problems for some time. I was still beyond angry at Kate and wasn't on talking terms with her. The others noticed some change but chose not to speak about it.
As we walked to the auditorium, Meera and I were talking.
"I didn't see you come in last night for a long time?" she asked.
"I was with Randhir." I said.
"Randhir? Is something..?" she asked naughtily.
"Shut up Meera. It was all because of Kate." I said and told her the entire story.
"Oh my god. I feel so sorry for him." Meera said.
"And I felt helpless Meera. I wanted to assure him that I wouldn't be a person to leave him when he needs my support. But he just left in anger. I just hope that he leaves all of that aside for some time and performs well on this competition." I said.
"After all, he is the best on our team." Meera said. We reached the orientation hall and the head began to speak.
"Welcome to the last and final round of the 2016 Annual Dream Fest! We are so happy you guys have made it all the way to finals! This round will not be easy. It will be a difficult round and if everything is not looked over, there will be a life-threatening problem." said the channel head.
"Your task will be to construct an engine for a car. This car must accelerate up to 145 miles per hour. If the car does that, you are a clear winner. The driver for this car will be drawn from this bowl of names. The driver may opt out of this but by doing so, he or she will lose 5 of the team's existing points. The driver from NUBC is Bradley Marc. And the driver from OEHS is Nidhi Balasubramanian. You have exactly two minutes to decide to opt out of this." said the head.
I, I was the driver? 145 miles wasn't an easy speed. It was risky and if there was any malfunction with the vehicle, then I would be injured. This was going to be dangerous but I was willing to do it.
"I am willing to do this." I said.
"No, I want to be driver." Randhir said.
"Randhir, but we can't afford to lose five points." I said.
"I don't care. You are not letting me have this chance. I really want to be driver." Randhir said adamantly.
"Randhir, look I know you are in anger right now but please understand. It is my decision on whether I can step back from the position or stay in the position. I will be the driver and my decision is final." I said.
Randhir and I looked at each other challengingly. He looked very angry with my decision but began to work with the group on my engine. The race would begin in exactly 2 hours, which meant we had two hours to build an engine from scratch. The team worked hard and each person did their research and contributed.
30 minutes before the race, I suited up in a jacket and pants. Meera zipped me up. I put my hair down so it would be easier for me to put on the helmet. I put on the helmet and got into the car and the rest of the team were just making last minute adjustments to the fitted engine in the car.
Derek sir was watching us with careful eyes and as my eyes met his, he gave me a look of reassurance. Randhir walked over to me and gave me a Bluetooth earpiece.
"Nidhi, this is a Bluetooth earpiece that will connect you to what everyone is saying. There is also a camera in the car that I have fitted so we can see where you are going. Please be careful." Neel said, holding my hands.
"I promise that I will be safe. I will be back with the victory before you know it!" I said. Randhir looked at Neel and I, a spark of jealousy in his eyes.
The team gathered by the base camp and connected their computer so they could view the camera inside the car. Neel tested the Bluetooth and we were all set. I put on the two seat belts that were made for extra caution. I gave a thumbs up to my team. Randhir grabbed the Bluetooth from Neel and began to operate it.
The other team was still working. They barely had time to get their driver suited up and they hadn't even installed the Bluetooth feature on the car.
As soon as the instructor said "Go!" I pressed the gas pedal. I kept increasing the speed of the car at a steady rate. Randhir was giving me instructions to go slower but I ignored him. I reached 100 miles per hour when suddenly the car began to smoke up.
"Nidhi, listen! Please stop! You are risking this for everyone on the team!" Randhir said, worriedly. His care for me was really sweet but I had to keep going. NUBC's car lost speed at 120 mph, meaning we were the clear winners. Everyone was telling me to stop the car but I wanted to hit the goal of 145mph. I was coughing under all the smoke but I managed to touch 145mph!
I could hear the entire team cheering through Randhir's Bluetooth. We had won!
"Now please stop Nidhi! It's a dangerous speed." Randhir said, afraid. I pressed my foot on the brakes, only for it not to work!
"Randhir, the brakes aren't working!" I said, paranoid. I kept trying to press the brakes but it wasn't stopping.
"WHAT? Oh shit! Did you forget to put in the brake fluid Kate?" he asked Kate. I heard a muffled yes.
Was I going to lose my life?
The car kept going and I tried my best to keep it under control. Finally, after being blinded by the smoke, I lost control of the car.
*CRASH!*
Randhir's POV
As I heard the crash on the other end of the Bluetooth and the camera go blank, my entire life froze. I knew I should have been driver. I should have stopped her from getting into that car.
I should have been that person in the flaming car right now. But my ego prevented me from speaking to her today. I was still angry about yesterday and now she is in this state because of me. This is all my fault.
I ran into the jeep and drove it to the crash site along with Professor Derek. The entire car was crashed in a tree and in flames. I threw water at the flames and while reaching for the car door, I burned my own hand.
Nidhi was being suffocated by the smoke and the airbags. I took her out of the two seatbelts and carried her to the jeep. Professor Derek drove directly to the hospital.
They took Nidhi directly into Operation Theater. The doctors were walking around saying that it was a serious case and that she had burns all over her body. The doctor took me to another room to tend to my wounds. But the pain was nothing compared to what I was going through, inside.
I hadn't even accepted her friendship yet. I was so afraid. Everyone close to me was leaving me. First Mama, Papa and now Nidhi.
I couldn't afford to lose her.
YOU ARE READING
The Definition of Beautiful
ChickLitNidhi Balasubramanian was a strong minded, average South Indian nerd with big hopes and ambitions to become a nurse. She was very kind, down to earth and was never afraid to speak up for her rights. She worked in Sky and Stars, an after school comm...
