Standing so close, his presence wrapping around her like a force of nature, his voice dropping into something dark, teasing, and utterly consuming.“I’d love to ruin your lipstick right now, would that be okay?,” The words barely registered before she felt it—The slow, deliberate tilt of her chin as his fingers curled under her jawline, his touch firm, possessive, yet unbearably gentle.A small gasp left her lips, but it was quickly swallowed by the warmth of his mouth pressing against hers.It wasn’t just a kiss.It was an unspoken confession, a challenge, a wildfire igniting between them.His lips moved slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the taste of her, exploring every inch with unhurried intensity.Hema froze at first, her mind completely blank, her body unsure if she wanted to push him away or pull him closer.But when his other hand slid around her waist, tugging her just slightly against him, her body betrayed her.A soft, involuntary whimper left her throat, and she felt
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
Zayden stood frozen, his breath slightly uneven, his fingers clenching at his sides as he processed the warmth still lingering on his lips—Only to be hit with the cold splash of reality.A sharp chill ran down his spine, his white kurta drenched at the shoulder, the sting of the water balloon snapping him back into the real world.The kiss.The way her fingers had fisted his kurta.The way she had gasped against his lips, completely breathless.It was a dream—just a dream.His jaw tightened, his throat dry, his pulse still racing as if it had actually happened.No. It wasn’t real. But it will be.His fingers twitched at his sides, his wet kurta sticking to his skin, but he barely noticed. His mind was already set.He was going to make it real.Starting now.He pushed back his wet hair, his sharp gaze scanning the Holi-drenched crowd, searching for her.And then—he found her.There she was.Hema.And she wasn’t alone.Zayden’s muscles tensed as he saw Arvind standing beside her.Too c
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
Arvind sat in the dimly lit living room of his house, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers gripping his hair. His father sat across from him, staring blankly at the floor, his face lined with exhaustion and worry. His mother, usually the one who held the family together, sat silently in the corner, wringing the edge of her saree, her eyes red from crying.The news had come earlier that morning—the factory where his father worked had shut down due to financial losses. Overnight, his family had lost their only stable source of income.And now, Arvind was the only earning member of the household.His mind was in chaos. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. Their debts, their daily expenses, his sister’s education—how could he handle it all alone?“We’ll find something,” his father muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “I’ll keep looking.”But his voice lacked confidence.His mother sniffled. “We still have the loan to repay, Arvind. We can’t delay t
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
The next morning, Arvind sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the confirmation email for his transfer.He was leaving for Bangalore in two days.And yet—he felt no relief.Instead, his chest ached with guilt.Not because he was leaving his family.But because he was leaving Hema.A soft knock on his door made him look up.“Hema,” he breathed.She smiled gently, stepping inside. “So, you’re really going.”He exhaled, rubbing his face. “I don’t have a choice.”“You do,” she said. “And you’re making the right one.”He looked at her, searching her face for something—anything—that told him she would miss him.She just smiled. Calm. Understanding.And for some reason, that hurt him more.“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly. “For leaving you alone.”Hema blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. “You’re not leaving me alone, Arvind. You’re going after something bigger. I’m proud of you.”His heart clenched painfully.He wanted her to tell him to stay.He wanted her to say she needed him.But she was
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
Hema rubbed her tired eyes, blinking at the bright screen in front of her. The numbers blurred together, but she forced herself to focus.She had promised herself that she would leave early today, but work had piled up at the last moment.A soft knock on her glass cabin door made her look up.Her colleague, Priya, stood there, her handbag slung over her shoulder.“Hema, the office cab is waiting,” Priya said. “Come, let’s go.”Hema glanced at her screen, then at the time—8:20 PM.She exhaled, shaking her head. “You go ahead. I need another half an hour to finish this.”Priya frowned. “Are you sure? It’s getting late. You know how—”“I’ll be fine,” Hema reassured with a tired smile. “I’ll book a cab later.”Priya hesitated before nodding. “Okay, just be careful. Call me when you reach home.”Hema nodded, watching her colleague walk away before turning back to her screen.The silence of the nearly empty office felt heavier now.Meanwhile – The Oberoi Hotel, MumbaiZayden sat in his pent
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
The Moment She RanThe moment Hema’s feet hit the pavement, she knew she had no choice but to run as fast as she could.Her heart pounded against her ribs, a wild, erratic beat that matched the rapid slaps of her sandals against the road.The city around her blurred. The dim streetlights, the parked rickshaws, the stray dogs rummaging through trash—all of it faded into the background as pure survival instincts took over.Behind her, the men shouted.“Catch her!”“Don’t let her get away!”Their voices sent an ice-cold shiver down her spine.She clutched her bag tighter against her chest, her fingers curled so tightly around the strap that her knuckles turned white.She could hear their footsteps pounding against the pavement, their heavy boots hitting hard against the ground.They were close. Too close.The Streets of Mumbai at NightMumbai was a city that never truly slept, but at this hour, the streets were quieter than usual.A few scattered pedestrians walked along the sidewalks, m
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
The skies over Mumbai rumbled ominously as dark clouds rolled in, casting a shadow over the bustling city. The streets were chaotic yet alive, with honking cars, street vendors shouting their wares, and umbrellas bobbing up and down in a sea of humanity. The first drops of rain began to fall, tentative at first, before the heavens opened in a relentless downpour.Hema Kapoor a young engineer darted through the crowded street, clutching a worn leather folder to her chest as if her life depended on it. Her pale peach salwar kameez was soaked, the soft fabric clinging to her slender figure, but she paid no mind. Her long black hair, loosely braided, was already dripping, and the rainwater trailed down her delicate face. Her skin, glowing with a golden hue, was flawless, as if kissed by the sun. Her almond-shaped eyes, outlined with eyeliner, held a quiet strength, though the panic in them was hard to miss.“Excuse me!” she called out, her voice soft but urgent, almost drowned out by the
Last Updated : 2025-02-22
The hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound in the otherwise silent building of ZN Corporations, Mumbai. A handful of employees moved briskly through the corridors, their movements precise, almost mechanical, as though the very presence of the building demanded perfection.And then, the world seemed to still.A sleek black limousine rolled up to the front of the office building, glistening under the sunlight. The door opened, and a polished black Oxford shoe emerged, followed by a tall, imposing figure. Chris Zayden , the enigmatic CEO of ZN Corporations, stepped out of the car.Dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, Zayden exuded power with every step he took. His broad shoulders, sharp jawline, and piercing gray eyes made him look more like a monarch than a businessman. His posture was upright, his every movement calculated and deliberate. There was no need for words; his aura commanded silence and respect.The staff froze. Some lowered their heads instinctive
Last Updated : 2025-02-22
The Moment She RanThe moment Hema’s feet hit the pavement, she knew she had no choice but to run as fast as she could.Her heart pounded against her ribs, a wild, erratic beat that matched the rapid slaps of her sandals against the road.The city around her blurred. The dim streetlights, the parked rickshaws, the stray dogs rummaging through trash—all of it faded into the background as pure survival instincts took over.Behind her, the men shouted.“Catch her!”“Don’t let her get away!”Their voices sent an ice-cold shiver down her spine.She clutched her bag tighter against her chest, her fingers curled so tightly around the strap that her knuckles turned white.She could hear their footsteps pounding against the pavement, their heavy boots hitting hard against the ground.They were close. Too close.The Streets of Mumbai at NightMumbai was a city that never truly slept, but at this hour, the streets were quieter than usual.A few scattered pedestrians walked along the sidewalks, m
Hema rubbed her tired eyes, blinking at the bright screen in front of her. The numbers blurred together, but she forced herself to focus.She had promised herself that she would leave early today, but work had piled up at the last moment.A soft knock on her glass cabin door made her look up.Her colleague, Priya, stood there, her handbag slung over her shoulder.“Hema, the office cab is waiting,” Priya said. “Come, let’s go.”Hema glanced at her screen, then at the time—8:20 PM.She exhaled, shaking her head. “You go ahead. I need another half an hour to finish this.”Priya frowned. “Are you sure? It’s getting late. You know how—”“I’ll be fine,” Hema reassured with a tired smile. “I’ll book a cab later.”Priya hesitated before nodding. “Okay, just be careful. Call me when you reach home.”Hema nodded, watching her colleague walk away before turning back to her screen.The silence of the nearly empty office felt heavier now.Meanwhile – The Oberoi Hotel, MumbaiZayden sat in his pent
The next morning, Arvind sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the confirmation email for his transfer.He was leaving for Bangalore in two days.And yet—he felt no relief.Instead, his chest ached with guilt.Not because he was leaving his family.But because he was leaving Hema.A soft knock on his door made him look up.“Hema,” he breathed.She smiled gently, stepping inside. “So, you’re really going.”He exhaled, rubbing his face. “I don’t have a choice.”“You do,” she said. “And you’re making the right one.”He looked at her, searching her face for something—anything—that told him she would miss him.She just smiled. Calm. Understanding.And for some reason, that hurt him more.“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly. “For leaving you alone.”Hema blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. “You’re not leaving me alone, Arvind. You’re going after something bigger. I’m proud of you.”His heart clenched painfully.He wanted her to tell him to stay.He wanted her to say she needed him.But she was
Arvind sat in the dimly lit living room of his house, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers gripping his hair. His father sat across from him, staring blankly at the floor, his face lined with exhaustion and worry. His mother, usually the one who held the family together, sat silently in the corner, wringing the edge of her saree, her eyes red from crying.The news had come earlier that morning—the factory where his father worked had shut down due to financial losses. Overnight, his family had lost their only stable source of income.And now, Arvind was the only earning member of the household.His mind was in chaos. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders. Their debts, their daily expenses, his sister’s education—how could he handle it all alone?“We’ll find something,” his father muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “I’ll keep looking.”But his voice lacked confidence.His mother sniffled. “We still have the loan to repay, Arvind. We can’t delay t
Zayden stood frozen, his breath slightly uneven, his fingers clenching at his sides as he processed the warmth still lingering on his lips—Only to be hit with the cold splash of reality.A sharp chill ran down his spine, his white kurta drenched at the shoulder, the sting of the water balloon snapping him back into the real world.The kiss.The way her fingers had fisted his kurta.The way she had gasped against his lips, completely breathless.It was a dream—just a dream.His jaw tightened, his throat dry, his pulse still racing as if it had actually happened.No. It wasn’t real. But it will be.His fingers twitched at his sides, his wet kurta sticking to his skin, but he barely noticed. His mind was already set.He was going to make it real.Starting now.He pushed back his wet hair, his sharp gaze scanning the Holi-drenched crowd, searching for her.And then—he found her.There she was.Hema.And she wasn’t alone.Zayden’s muscles tensed as he saw Arvind standing beside her.Too c
Standing so close, his presence wrapping around her like a force of nature, his voice dropping into something dark, teasing, and utterly consuming.“I’d love to ruin your lipstick right now, would that be okay?,” The words barely registered before she felt it—The slow, deliberate tilt of her chin as his fingers curled under her jawline, his touch firm, possessive, yet unbearably gentle.A small gasp left her lips, but it was quickly swallowed by the warmth of his mouth pressing against hers.It wasn’t just a kiss.It was an unspoken confession, a challenge, a wildfire igniting between them.His lips moved slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the taste of her, exploring every inch with unhurried intensity.Hema froze at first, her mind completely blank, her body unsure if she wanted to push him away or pull him closer.But when his other hand slid around her waist, tugging her just slightly against him, her body betrayed her.A soft, involuntary whimper left her throat, and she felt
Zayden’s breath hitched for a fraction of a second, something deep, unsettling, and almost magnetic rooting him to the spot.His sharp, blue-gray eyes traced every movement she made—the way her waist twisted effortlessly, the way her hips swayed subtly with each spin, the way her body moved with natural grace, as if she were made for this rhythm.She was fluid, uninhibited, lost in the music, unaware of how intoxicating she looked under the warm sunlight filtering through the Holi-drenched air.His gaze drifted lower, catching the way the fabric of her now multi-colored white Anarkali hugged her silhouette, flowing with her as she moved.The fabric clung just enough to highlight the gentle curve of her back, the soft dip of her waist, the way it flared as she twirled, revealing glimpses of her ankles, her swift, effortless footwork, dusted with color.The contrast of the bright pinks, yellows, and blues against her fair skin made her look like something out of a dream—untouchable, sur
The morning air inside the small apartment was filled with the aroma of fresh parathas, spicy chutney, and sweet jalebi. The dining table was simple but warm, much like the woman who sat across from Zayden, watching him with knowing eyes.Zayden sat with his usual composed demeanor, his white kurta sleeves rolled up, exposing his strong, veined forearms as he took another bite of the soft, buttery aloo paratha.The meal was delicious—far from the luxurious hotel food he was used to—but he barely noticed. His mind, against his usual control, was somewhere else.Or rather, on someone else.His sharp blue-gray eyes flickered toward the door again, almost subconsciously, as he checked the time on his watch.Where is she?It had been over an hour, and Hema still hadn’t returned.He wasn’t the type to wait for anyone. Not in business. Not in life. But this was different.And the only person who seemed to see right through him was sitting across the table, hiding a smirk behind her cup of te
Hema stood frozen, her skin still tingling from Zayden’s touch. to push away what had just happened.She quickly stepped away from the doorway, adjusting her dupatta and taking a deep breath to calm herself. Without another word, she turned and walked straight to Arvind’s house, which was right next to hers.A Familiar WarmthAs soon as she entered, a warm voice greeted her.“Hema, beta!” Arvind’s mother, Mrs. Sharma, beamed as she saw her, clapping her hands together in joy. “Look at you!”Hema smiled softly as she stepped forward, her cheeks still stained pink from Zayden’s touch.Mrs. Sharma’s eyes softened with emotion. “After so many years, I finally see you like this again,” she murmured, her gaze filled with warmth and nostalgia.Hema lowered her eyes, her heart tightening. She knew what she meant. After her brother’s passing, she had stopped celebrating Holi properly. But today… somehow, she had gotten colored again.Mrs. Sharma gently placed a loving hand on her head, blessin
