Winter stepped into his sprawling mansion with an infectious grin plastered across his face. The energy from the day was still buzzing through him. Milo, his dad, lounged on the living room sofa with a half read newspaper in hand, eyes flicking up as soon as he saw his son striding in.
"Had fun?" Milo asked, a teasing edge to his voice.
Winter bounced to the couch, plopping down beside his dad like an excited puppy. "Yes, dad." he chirped, "It was so much fun, you have no idea!"
Milo raised a brow, folding the paper with mild curiosity. "Do tell. I'm all ears."
Without hesitation, Winter began recounting the events of the day in detail, his voice animated and full of dramatic pauses. "So, I asked Ami to watch a movie after class, right! But she said she had training! I pouted like this-" Winter demonstrated a childish pout, which only made Milo chuckle, "and she said fine! But then..." Winter paused for effect, "it was a horror movie."
"And you were scared," Milo filled in, grinning.
Winter scowled. "Hey, not just me! Luca too! We BOTH were scared, okay? We clung to her arms like our lives depended on it. Marco was just laughed. Ami, she was furious! She nearly beat me up afterward."
At this, Milo threw his head back in laughter, his booming chuckle filling the room. "So, she didn't beat you up for embarrassing her?."
"Almost did," Winter said grinning.
"Sounds like quite the outing." Milo softly chuckle.
"Right." Winter beamed, proud of his tale. Just then, heavy footsteps descended the staircase. Victor, his father walked into the living room, his usual calm aura exuding confidence, draping a casual arm over Winter's shoulder as he walked to the couch. "What's about? My son and my love laughing without me? Let me join too."
"Winter's horror movie escapade," Milo supplied, smirking.
Victor smirked, eyes flicking to Winter. "Sounds like you survived. Barely."
Winter shot him a playful glare before dropping his head onto Milo's shoulder dramatically. "But you know what's, I asked Ami to stay the night, but she refused."
"Can you believe it? She said she had training tomorrow. Training!" He huffed, clearly sulking. "But you know what, whoever ends up with her... damn, they'll be luckiest guy alive." His voice was soft, almost thoughtful. Then, a teasing smile tugged at his lips. "Or maybe she'll just keep babysitting me forever," he muttered with a laugh.
Milo and Victor exchanged glance with eachother. Milo nodded. "Right. And what do you think about her, Winter?"
Winter tilted his head. "She's amazing. Cool, beautiful..." He paused and glanced at Victor. "Dad, Can't we just adopt her? Then she'd be here with us all the time."
Victor chuckled. "And what about her family? Aren't they here? They'll sue us."
Winter shook his head. "Nope. They're in India. Ami lives alone in her apartment."
Milo leaned forward, amused. "She's Indian? I've heard Indian women are religious, strong, and beautiful."
Winter grinned. "Not sure about religious, but strong? Hell yes. She always wears baggy shirts and pants like a tomboy. And, yeah, she's beautiful. When the sun hits her skin, it feels lika a caramel-honey, golden shiny angel is standing right infront of us."
Victor and Milo exchanged glances and burst out laughing.
Victor patted Winter's back. "Sounds like someone who keeps you in line."
Winter pouted. "Stop ganging up on me." He whined dramatically, "Ugh! She treats me like a baby and scolds me like I am a kid."
Victor's lips curled into an amused smile. "Still, you should've convinced her to stay. It's danger for a girl to be out alone this late. Better safe than sorry."
"She is the danger," Winter retorted, grinning.
Meanwhile, Wamika's side...
The bus jolted slightly as it travelled through the empty streets. Wamika sat near the window, her gaze fixed on the blurred city lights. The night air carried a soft chill. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed as she spotted a group of people down an alleyway. Among them, she recognized a familiar figure.
Without hesitation, she pressed the stop button, hopped off the bus. She adjusted her bag and made her way towards the group. Her boots clicked against the pavement, an ominous sound in the otherwise silent night.
From behind, she called out, "Lucia?"
The girl turned sharply, her face paling the moment she recognized Wamika. "What... what are you doing?" Lucia stammered, stepping back.
Wamika's expression remained cold. "Did you say something about Winter yesterday? About his family? Morals and humiliation?"
The men shifted uneasily, sensing the tension. One of the older guys stepped forward, clearly trying to intimidate her. "Who do you think you are, girl? Walk away before we teach you a lesson."
Ignoring them Wamika eye narrowing and stopped a few steps away. "Did you or did you not talk trash about Winter?"
Lucia stammered, backing up slightly. "I-I didn't!"
Wamika's sharp gaze flicked to the group as they sneered at her. A tall guy with a smug grin, stepped forward. "What's this? You trying to defend your little boyfriend?"
Wamika's jaw clenched as she took a slow step forward, eye blazing. Strength isn't about fists, she thought to herself. But sometimes, fists are exactly what people need.
"Teri maa ki..." she muttered underneath. Wamika's eyes turned steely. "Say that again."
The man chuckled and made the mistake of stepping closer. "I said-"
Before he could finish, Wamika swung her fist, landing a solid punch square on his jaw. The man stumbled back, cluthing his face in shock. " Saale kutte... not every man and woman hang out together are boyfriend and girlfriend, you fuckin' illiterate fuckin' old jackass." She said the fact. The rest of the group lunged toward her.
"And... hajime," she mutters underneath.
Wamika ducked the first punch, twisted her body and landing a swift kick to the man's ribs. He stumbled back, gasping.
Another rushed at her with a broken bottle, but she grabbed his wrist mid-swing, twisting it until he dropped the weapon with a cry. With a powerful elbow to his jaw, he crumbled to the ground.
Lucia stared wide eyed as Wamika moved with power. She was untouchable like a storm tearing the group.
One by one, the men fell back, groaning and defeated. The last of them hesitated, clearly rethinking his life choice. Wamika straightened, brushing a stray hair from her face, and looked him dead in the eyes. "Leave. Now."
Without a word, he turned and bolted, leaving his fallen friends behind.
Lucia turned to flee, but Wamika anticipated it. She ran ahead, taking the other side of the street to intercept her.
"Lucia! Saali ruk kutti." Wamika's voice echoed. "Don't worry, I won't humiliate you by slapping. I'll use my fists and feet. In honor."
Lucia froze just as Wamika stepped in front of her. A sharp kick to the legs sent Lucia falling to the ground.
"You were saying something about Winter's family, weren't you?" Wamika's voice was cold, but not unkind. "Do you think it's right to tear people down like that?"
"I-I'm sorry," Lucia stuttered, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean to..."
"Enough," Wamika said, cutting her off.
Lucia knelt, tears pooling in her eyes. Wamika sighed, crouching in front of the trembling girl.
"You're a woman, Lucia. That doesn't mean you get to say anything about a man, especially when you don't know anything about them."
Wamika noticed the wound on Lucia's knee, she got when she fell down. Wamika softened slightly. She pulled out some cash from her wallet, and handed it to Lucia. "Treat your wounds."
Lucia's hands shook as she took the money.
Wamika sat back on her heels, her voice gentler now. "Why are you out here with those guys? I've never seen them before, and they looked a liitle too old for your friends."
Lucia looked down, whispering, "My parents... kicked me out last year... because... my ex sent my nude pictures to my parents to blackmail us for money. I needed somewhere to go, and I needed money. I didn't know what else to do."
Wamika frowned. "So you're hanging out with people like that?"
Lucia shook her head quickly. "No... I... I just..."
Wanika sighed. "You can walk? Where's your place? I'll walk you to you place."
Lucia hesitated, but Wamika's stern gaze brooked no argument. She nodded and followed quietly as Wamika led her away.
Halfway there, Wamika shrugged off her jacket and handed it to Lucia. "Wear this. It's cold."
Lucia hesitated. "But... I..."
"It's not about modesty," Wamika said, her voice gentle but firm. "It's about being safe. Clothes like that can attract trouble at night. You're beautiful, Lucia. But beauty doesn't need to be an invitation."
Lucia nodded, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize," Wamika said firmly. "If you need money, get a decent job. Don't let people like them take advantage of you."
Lucia's eyes welled up again, but this time with gratitude. She slipped the jacket on and hugged it close as they walked in silence.
Wamika held out her hand. "Give me your phone."
Lucia handed it over, confused. Wamika saved her number into the contacts. "If you need help finding job or anything, text me. But remember, if I lend you money, you're paying it back."
Lucia smiled weakly. "Thank you..."
By the time Wamika dropped her off, she felt her temples throbbing from exhaustion. "Go inside. And don't pull anything stupid again."
Lucia nodded, "Thank you..." Wamika gave her a nod, watching as Lucia disappeared into the house. She sighed, rubbing her temples as the weight of the night finally settled in. Turning on her heels, she made her way back to her own apartment, exhaustion beginning to seep into her bones.
As she unlocked her door, she muttered under her breath, "Why do I feel like I'm babysiting half the city tonight?"
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A message from winter. "Did you get home safe?"
She rolled her eyes with a faint smile. "Idiot."
Typing back a quick reply, she collapsed onto her couch with a groan.Wamika chuckled, shaking her head as she placed the phone down. She leaned back, staring at the ceiling, finally letting herself rest.