ຊ⠀.⠀Chapter 01 — Workshop Sanctuary: Liam's Passion for Midnight⠀.⠀᭝᭝
23 Feb, 2025
**Trishindi, the city of tranquility and the tea capital of **Biranhabesh, was a place of serene beauty and timeless charm. The place was a serene blend of golden sunlight and lush greenery. The tea gardens stretched endlessly, their emerald leaves swaying gently in the breeze, while the air carried the rich aroma of fresh tea. The bumpy roads along with the hilly regions added more to its beauty. Towering trees and dense forests provided a home to exotic wildlife, from playful langurs to the melodious calls of rare birds.
The town itself moved at an unhurried pace, with roadside tea stalls offering the famous seven-layer tea, each sip a blend of warmth and tradition. Small rickshaws and bicycles navigated the winding paths, their quiet rhythm matching the peaceful flow of life. Whether in the golden glow of morning, the tranquil embrace of afternoon, or the cool mystery of twilight, Trishindi remained a place where nature and simplicity created an atmosphere of pure serenity.
It was just another evening hour at the place, the time after the Maghreb prayer, and far away from the lush greenery resided a moderate yet cozy garage. The sound of whirring machines, clanking tools, revving engines, and the occasional hiss of air or grind of metal could be heard from the garage. The mechanics were working diligently in their designated positions and tasks.
Among them, in a secluded yet advanced corner, stood a shining black R6 motorcycle. It was equipped with many enhanced features. A tall, black-haired man in his mid-twenties was seen working on the bike with utter care and passion. He was wearing a vest with his shirt tied around his waist. His toned chest was showing off just perfectly. He had grease stains on his forehead and jaw as he worked on the bike. The sound of metal on metal echoed in the background as he tightened a bolt on the machine's engine. He ran his hand along the smooth black paint, admiring his handiwork.
"Liam! Boss! Catch it!" A worker threw a small wrench towards his direction, which the male, known as Liam, effortlessly caught just in time. The sweat on his biceps glistened under the light.
Liam Ahmed, a skilled professional motorbike racer and mechanic, was known for his intense dedication to the sport and his mastery of his bike, Midnight. He had been racing at the professional level for several years, and he had a reputation for being a fierce competitor, always pushing himself and his bike to the limit. A specific wall around his bike corner was decorated with his various medals and beside it was a big showcase, bearing his trophies.
He had messy dark hair with brown almond-shaped eyes. He smiled at the worker as a thanks for the wrench. Liam was the owner plus the main mechanic of the garage. One of his subordinates-cum-friends, Jishan, approached his corner while being fascinated at Liam's high maintenance of Midnight.
"Damn, dude! The bike is shining as bright as new. You really love it a lot, don't you?" Jishan exclaimed, followed by a soft chuckle.
"Love?! That's quite an understatement, buddy! I am obsessed with her. She is not just a machine. She is my first love, my crime partner. She is my heartbeat on wheels, my princess, my baby girl. My Midnight. Without her, the racer title and the mechanic profession are meaningless to me." Liam expressed his immense love, passion, and fondness for his partner since his teenage life.
Jishan smiled at his words of admiration as Liam continued, "She has been my ultimate companion ever since Mom and Dad left me in this cruel world all alone." The mechanic expressed sadness with a small smile as he caressed Midnight's oil tank, while Jishan consolingly patted his back.
Liam had been an orphan since the age of ten; he lost his parents in an accident. Ever since then, his uncle and aunt brought him up. At the age of twelve, he started to work part-time at a garage, alongside his studies. From there, he developed an immense fondness for machines, especially for motorbikes, which also led him to pursue mechanical engineering as his career path, and later he specialized in automotive engineering. He bought Midnight using his savings and borrowing some money from his uncle too, when he was just sixteen years old.
However, when he reached the age of eighteen, his uncle and aunt shifted to America with the rest of their family, leaving him alone with his bike. That time his garage owner gave him shelter and helped him complete his further studies. After several failed attempts at getting a stable job, he decided to start his workshop. With the experience and knowledge from his part-time mechanic job and help from his boss and friends, he launched his automobile workshop-Mamta Ride Revive; he named it after his late mother's name.
With time, his workshop gained fame and respect from locals and even from outside of the city. People from various cities would come to him to get their machines fixed or redesigned. Apart from that, he had great skills while riding a motorbike, which led him to try racing and eventually turned him into a professional racer as well.
Therefore, Liam had a deep sentimental connection with his bike. For him, Midnight was his child that he catered to with care and love for ages. Despite everything, he found solace while riding her and was happy with his life. He had his workers as his family, his bike as his child, and a stable business for his living. He was satisfied and grateful with all that. Liam never failed to thank the Almighty Allah for all things in his life. Surely, he had lost many things in life, but he gained even more than what he lost. That was what always kept him grounded.
Jishan tried to divert his mind from recalling the emptiness of his life by asking about his upcoming race, "Ayo, don't get emotional now. You have a comeback to make. Are you ready for the big race tomorrow?" Jishan asked, leaning against the workbench.
"As ready as I will ever be. Midnight is in top condition, and I am feeling good," Liam replied, giving the bike one last pat before standing up.
"You better be ready. You know everyone will be watching you. Your rivals, the crowd, the commentators. They all have their eyes on you," Jishan said, crossing his arms.
Liam shrugged. "I am used to being the center of attention. It doesn't bother me. I just need to focus on the race."
"Just don't let your ego get the better of you. You know what happened last time, right?" His friend warned, a hint of concern in his voice.
Liam's expression darkened at the memory. As much as he was a humble person, his ego and adamancy could be enough only to ruin him. Last season, he had been leading the race all the way until the final lap. At the peak moment, he had let his ego get the better of him and attempted a risky maneuver, losing control of Midnight and crashing hard into a barrier. It had been a humiliating defeat.
"I won't let that happen again," Liam said firmly.
"You better not. I hope the best for you." Jishan wished him luck as he left for the day, as it was the end of his shift.
Hours passed, as one by one all workers started to leave after the end of their shifts. Liam stood in his quiet garage, the only sound the occasional clink of metal on metal as he worked on his bike. The room was dimly lit by a lone bulb overhead, casting shadows on the walls and making everything look slightly eerie.
"Come on, girl. We're in for a tough one tomorrow," he muttered, his eyes fixed on the bike. Liam was lost in thought, his hands moving with practiced ease as he worked on the bike's parts for smooth efficiency. He was in a tight situation and under a lot of pressure. It might not appear on his face, but he knew the stakes were high. The upcoming race was his opportunity to mark his comeback. He left everything in the hands of his bike, and the Almighty, he had his entire trust in them. Victory would be his, surely.
Assalamu Alaikum, Moongems. Finally, the first chapter is up! Hope you enjoy, love and support me and the story through this new starting of my author journey. I have written two opening chapters for the release, which is also uploaded. You may scroll up and read. Do vote and comment your suggestions. I will be back with a new chapter soon. Till then stay safe and sound. Have a great day ahead. Take care. Allah Hafeez. Fi'amanillah.
Write a comment ...