The night after Yudhvir's accident was eerily quiet. The training facility had settled into its usual stillness, with only the distant hum of the night staff making their rounds. Sukhman, exhausted from the day's practice, lay in bed, his body aching from the relentless training. His phone buzzed intermittently, messages from his friends and sister lighting up the screen, but his mind was elsewhere.
At 9:45 PM, a soft knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
Nandini stepped in, her expression serious. She hesitated for a second before closing the door behind her.
"How's Yudhvir?" Sukhman asked, sitting up.
She let out a slow breath. "Not good. He's got a ligament fracture in his right leg and minor injuries on his right arm. The doctors say it'll take at least six to eight months for him to recover fully."
Sukhman's stomach clenched. He had feared something like this, but hearing it confirmed made it all the more real. "That means…" he started but stopped himself.
Nandini nodded grimly. "Yes, the World GP Championship is in two months. If we don't register a driver, we're automatically eliminated. All the hard work, the sponsorships, the team's efforts—it'll all go to waste."
Sukhman frowned. "Is there no other driver who can take his place?"
Nandini hesitated before replying. "Well… there are drivers, but most of them are still F2 or F3 licensed. We only had two active F1 drivers in our team before you came. Yudhvir was one, and the other…" she trailed off.
"Who's the other?" Sukhman pressed.
Nandini sighed. "Jashwant Saxena. But he's unavailable. He's involved in a court case related to drugs. So right now… our only option is you."
Sukhman's eyes widened. "Me? No, that's too early! I've barely started serious training."
"You may not realize it, but you've made significant progress," she countered. "Coach Arne has been watching you closely, and he's impressed. More than that, he's been preferring you over the others lately. You have two months to prepare, and if you work hard enough, you could be ready. Please, Sukhman."
Sukhman stared at her, his mind racing. This was insane. He had come to this facility to train, to dream—but to actually compete in the World GP Championship? It was another level entirely.
His fingers curled slightly as he processed the weight of Nandini's words. Competing in a world-class event wasn't just about driving fast—it was about discipline, endurance, and mental fortitude. He was still learning, still refining his skills. Was he truly ready?
Doubt crept into his mind, whispering all the ways this could go wrong. But then, another voice—one louder, firmer—reminded him why he was here in the first place. He hadn't left home, sacrificed everything, and pushed himself to the limit just to stay in the shadows.
This was his chance. His moment.
After a moment, he exhaled, shoulders relaxing. His decision was made.
"Okay."
Nandini's eyes widened slightly before a smile spread across her face, relief washing over her. "You won't regret this."
Her confidence in him was unwavering, and that alone fueled his resolve.
Sukhman nodded, determination settling in his chest. "I won't."
---
Restless Night
That night, Sukhman lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
This must be a dream… right?
But the adrenaline coursing through his veins told him otherwise. This was real. He was going to race in the most prestigious motorsport event in the world. The thought excited him, but it also terrified him. Was he ready? Could he prove himself?
He knew one thing—he had to. The management had placed their trust in him, and he wasn't going to let them down. For now, he decided not to tell his sister, parents, or friends. Not yet.
---
Two Months Later – Greater Noida Test Drive
The last two months had been brutal.
Sukhman had pushed his body and mind to their absolute limits. Hours of grueling practice, technical studies, mental conditioning, and physical endurance training had transformed him. He was no longer the same rookie who had walked into the facility. His physique had changed, his stamina had increased, and more importantly, his understanding of the car had reached an entirely new level.
And now, standing in the pit lane of the Greater Noida Circuit, he was about to put all of that training to the test.
His hands trembled slightly as he slid into the cockpit of the F1 car, its sleek frame gleaming under the sun. The halo device curved protectively over him, the steering wheel in his hands feeling both foreign and familiar. He inhaled sharply, steadying himself.
"Ready?" Arne's voice crackled through the radio.
Sukhman exhaled. "Ready."
The engineers gave the final checks, and then—green light.
Sukhman pressed down on the accelerator, and the car roared to life. The sheer power of the V6 turbo hybrid engine sent a jolt through his body as he sped down the straight. The G-forces pinned him to the seat as he approached the first turn, but he had trained for this. His grip was firm, his mind focused.
Lap after lap, he pushed himself, getting faster with each sector. The car felt like an extension of his body, responding to his every command. It was exhilarating.
After his final lap, he brought the car back to the pit lane and stepped out, his racing suit drenched in sweat. The team surrounded him, checking the telemetry data. Arne approached him with a small smirk.
"Not bad," he said. "Actually… better than expected."
Sukhman grinned, wiping his face. He had done it.
---
Flight to Nottingham, England
The next step was the real challenge—the first race of the World GP Championship in Nottingham, England.
As Sukhman stepped into the airport alongside his team, a sense of both excitement and nervous energy filled him. It was his first international race, his first true test on the global stage. The weight of the opportunity pressed on his shoulders, but he refused to let it consume him. Instead, he breathed in deeply, steadying himself for what lay ahead.
The team moved swiftly through check-ins and security, their collective presence garnering curious glances from passersby. Dressed in team-issued jackets with their logo emblazoned on the back, they looked every bit the professionals they were. Nandini, ever the organized one, ensured all the documents, tickets, and logistics were handled efficiently. Coach Arne walked ahead, his usual serious demeanor unchanged, while the crew members exchanged light banter to ease the tension.
Sukhman found himself next to Yudhvir, who was still recovering from his injuries. Though unable to race, Yudhvir insisted on traveling with the team to support them. His right leg was braced, and his right arm showed signs of healing, but his spirit was unshaken.
"You ready for this?" Yudhvir asked as they waited in line for boarding.
Sukhman exhaled. "Yeah... I think so. Just trying to take it all in."
Yudhvir smirked. "First international flight?"
Sukhman shook his head. "No, I've been on a plane before. But this... this feels different. It's like I'm flying toward something way bigger than myself."
Yudhvir gave him a nod of approval. "Good. You should feel that way. It means you care about what's ahead. Just don't let the moment overwhelm you."
Once onboard, Sukhman was assigned a window seat. As the plane taxied to the runway, he leaned back, letting the hum of the engines vibrate through him. The moment the aircraft took off, he gazed out the window, watching the airport and the cityscape shrink below. The vast sky stretched endlessly, mirroring the limitless possibilities ahead.
He clenched his fists, his pulse quickening with adrenaline.
This is it. My journey begins now.
Sukhman glanced at the seat pocket in front of him and pulled out his phone. He scrolled through his messages one last time before the flight attendants announced takeoff. His sister, Manpreet, had left a message.
"Veerji, I hope everything goes well for you. No matter what, remember we're all here for you. I know Mummiji and Papaji haven't fully forgiven you yet, but they still ask about you every day. Show them why you had to do this."
Sukhman felt a lump in his throat. He typed a quick reply.
"Thanks, Manpreet. I'll make them proud. Take care of yourself."
The plane leveled out in the sky, and Sukhman closed his eyes for a moment. He wasn't just representing himself in this championship. He was racing for everyone who had believed in him—his sister, his friends, his team, and even those who doubted him.
The World GP Championship awaited.
He was ready..