That morning, everything was rushed. I was running late for college, and before that, I had to collect my visa. My appointment with the travel agent was at 10 a.m., and when I glanced at the clock, it was already 9:39. The office was nearly 5 km away, and my heart was pounding with stress.
When I came downstairs, Manya was in the middle of the hall, twirling in her engagement dress, showing it off to everyone.
Manya: "See, Sammy, how do I look?"
Me: "Beautiful… Bye, I'm going."
Manya: "Where are you rushing?"
Me: "Visa office. I'm already late."
Manya: "Then go with brother—he's outside."
Me: "Where?"
Manya: "There."
And then I saw him.
Sarthak.
Dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the veins on his forearm, coat draped in his hand, adjusting his tie as he walked out of the dining room. The sharp lines of his face, his confident stride… he looked so devastatingly handsome that for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Manya: "Brother, can you drop Sammy to the visa office?"
Sarthak: "Of course, why not? Let's go, Samira. Samira?"
Me: "Huh? W-what?"
Sarthak (smiling faintly): "Let's go. Aren't you late?"
Me: "Oh God, yes! Hurry! What's the time now?"
Sarthak: "9:56."
Me: "What! My appointment is at 10! Let's go!"
Without thinking, I grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the car.
At the Visa Office
By some miracle, I made it in time. After getting my visa, I rushed straight to college because it was the start of semester exams. Thankfully, I arrived just in time and managed to complete the paper.
Afterward, Anvi leaned on my desk.
Anvi: "Why were you late today?"
Me: "Visa appointment. Almost missed it too."
Anvi (teasing): "Ohhh, I thought you went on a date."
Me (grinning): "Nope. The date is tomorrow—with him. Since he's your cousin, you're coming too."
Anvi: "Of course. Why not?"
Me: "Thanks, baby."
Anvi: "No problem, Sammy."
I sighed. "You know what, I feel like drinking today. My mood's off."
Anvi: "Fine. Let's go."
We booked a cab and left for the bar.
At the Bar
We slipped into a private room, not knowing Sarthak and his friends were also there, watching.
Anvi: "What do you wanna order?"
Me: "Fruit wine, beer, and some ravioli."
Anvi: "I'll take wine and lasagna."
The waiter entered with a notepad.
Me: "One fruit wine, one beer, one regular wine, with ravioli and lasagna."
Waiter: "Alright, anything else?"
Anvi (smirking): "Yes, a handsome guy."
The waiter chuckled and left.
Me (shocked): "What! If Uncle finds out, he'll kill me!"
Anvi (laughing): "He can't do anything."
Me: "What… is he impotent?"
Anvi (whispering): "Maybe. Every time we kiss and it's about to go further, he suddenly stops and asks, 'Do you want to eat something?'"
Me: "You're joking."
Before she could answer, the door burst open.
Uncle Anirudh: "Oh, I couldn't do anything? I stop because you're too young!"
Anvi froze, her face pale. "Anirudh—"
He stormed in, lifted her into his arms, and carried her out in anger. I knew she was in trouble for the night.
Left alone, I turned to my drink. One glass, then another, and another. Until the world blurred and the room spun.
That's when he came.
Sarthak (angrily): "Why are you here again? Can't you live without drinking, drunkard?"
Before I could answer, he picked me up effortlessly, his arms steady against my trembling body, and carried me out.
At Home
Mom frowned the moment she saw me.
Mom: "She's drunk again."
Sarthak: "Hmm. Why drink so much?"
Mom: "Because she's broken by your marriage. She can't live without you."
Sarthak (quietly): "I know… but she shouldn't drink like this. She doesn't even remember our last kiss. Do you think anyone should be this drunk?"
Half-conscious, I whispered, "I love Sarthak… baby, love you."
Mom burst out laughing.
Mom: "Sarthak, what is she blabbering? Sarthak baby?"
Sarthak (awkwardly): "I should take her before she actually kisses me."
But instead of my room, he took me to his.
He laid me down on his bed, covered me with a blanket, then sat beside me, staring.
Sarthak (softly): "What nonsense do you always blabber when you're drunk, little drunkard?"
I opened my eyes hazily, sat up, and climbed onto his lap. My voice slurred.
Me: "Baby… kiss me."
He tried to turn away, but I cupped his face with both hands and pressed my lips against his. At first, he was stiff, resisting. But the warmth of the kiss… the trembling of my lips against his… something broke inside him.
He gave in.
And suddenly, his lips were moving against mine with a hunger that stole my breath. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer until I could feel his heartbeat racing against mine. The kiss deepened—slow at first, tasting, exploring. Then urgent, desperate, like he had held himself back for far too long.
His lips traveled from mine to my jawline, trailing fire across my skin before returning to capture my mouth again. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, refusing to let go.
Minutes turned into eternity. The world outside disappeared. There was only him. His lips. His warmth. His scent.
It felt like heaven—dangerous, forbidden heaven.
But just as I leaned in, trying to take it further, he froze. His breath heavy, his lips still. Then he pulled away, whispering—
Sarthak: "No… not now. Please."
And just like that, he left for the shower, leaving me trembling and hollow.
Tears blurred my vision. Didn't he just kiss me back? Am I still not enough?
I curled into the blanket and cried myself to sleep.
The Next Morning
I woke up in shock. Why was I in Sarthak's room? Panic surged through me. I slipped out quietly, praying no one saw me, rushed into my room, changed clothes, and hurried downstairs.
At the breakfast table, everyone was buzzing with excitement. For the first time in ages, I saw my elder brother Advait sitting with them. He was always so busy with work that he rarely joined us.
Me: "Why is everyone so happy today? What happened?"
Mom came out of the kitchen with a hangover decoction.
Mom: "Drink this. And we're happy because it's Advait's birthday today."
Me: "Wait… today's 16th September?"
Everyone: "Yes."
Me: "Oh no… Sorry, brother! Happy birthday!"
Advait: "It's okay, thanks. Now that everyone wished me, can I go to the office?"
Mom: "Workaholic! Fine, go."
Advait: "Thank you. Bye."
He left, and I picked up my bag.
Me: "I'm going to college."
Mom: "Okay. And Samira, stop drinking so much."
Me: "Okay, Maa. Bye."
Mom: "Bye, sweetie."
But as I walked out, one thought echoed in my head—
Last night wasn't a dream. It happened. He kissed me back.