I had just left the villa where I stayed a few hours ago. I kept my handbag to myself closely. Suddenly, a cool drop hit my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. Frowning, I looked at the offending droplet, knowing it was the first of many.
My heart sank as I gazed up into the sky and saw black clouds swirling ominously above. The first few droplets gave way to a strong deluge, hammering against the pavement and drowning out everything else with its constant pace. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning strikes highlighted the sounds around me.
Oh, what terrible timing!
I felt panic rising within me; I didn't have an umbrella. My only alternative was to flee, anxiously seeking refuge before the storm swallowed me completely. But as I rushed forward, the rain worsened, wetting me to the skin. Why was I walking? When I would ask someone for assistance. Frustration simmered within me, combining with the cold as I battled to maintain my footing.
I'm caught here in the rain because of my sister Rhea. This morning, I was delighted, thrilled, and apprehensive to meet Vedant. I had butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing him, gazing at him, listening to him, and touching him. My heart was enveloped in a warm, loving embrace, and the world seemed brighter for me today. These past few days, I've felt a strong sense of connectedness to him, as if I'd discovered a missing piece of my soul. This love-filled mood pervades every moment, thought, and deed, making today seem magical. I believe this is how one feels when they are in love.
There is no doubt that I fell for him. Since the night, I wanted to deny with every fiber of my being that he is the person my heart does not desire, but my heart eventually prevailed over my intellect, and I realized that I adore Vedant. Even when I think about him, I feel happy and at ease. In my 22 years of existence, I have never felt this way about anyone. So I determined yesterday that if he doesn't propose to me today, I'll ask him out on a date and convince him to date me. What is the most he can say? He would say no, and I had braced myself for rejection, but I didn't want to wait.
I had worn my best salwar kameez, done a little makeup, had breakfast, and was set to meet Vedant at 12, but my elder sister duty called, and I went in to check on my sister Rhea, who was not there. I looked everywhere for her, and when I couldn't find her, I went to her friends to ask about her.
Almost all of her pals had also gone out, but then I met her one friend who was unable to join them. She informed me that Rhea and a few other girls and boys had gone to an isolated location to party. She gave me the address. I asked the manager about it, he warned me it was a dangerous area for young people to visit. Without thinking, I bolted out of the villa using the address her buddy had given me. After walking for over an hour, I was on an isolated road and it was raining. It then struck me that I would have at least approached Vedant for aid. He'd have helped me.
I stood in the center of the lonely region, looking left and right; no man was visible. It was also becoming darker due to the rain. I was almost in tears. I make a silent prayer to God to send someone to my aid. I'm not sure how I was going to get through this.
Then, amid the downpour, I felt a startling sense of warmth encircle me. I looked up, perplexed, and noticed a substantial umbrella hovering over my head. My breath froze in my throat as I followed the handle to its owner.
Vedant
My pulse raced at the sight of him, standing there like a guardian angel amid the storm, shielding me from the mayhem. I felt compelled to hug him and tell him that he was the one I needed right now, but the words would not come out of my mouth, and I continued to stare at him.
"Harshita," he called, his voice cutting through the rain.
"Vedant," I said quietly, the name departing my lips like a lost prayer.
We stood there, frozen in the moment, memories coming back with each heartbeat. It was the first time we'd been trapped in the rain together. He came to save me like my hero.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. Something flickered through me, blended with something deeper, which I couldn't quite identify. His gaze remained calm and unyielding as if he could sense the agony within me.
"Why the hell are you here? I've been looking for you like a crazy guy for the past few hours, and here you are, wet in the rain in this remote place." He spoke, the weight of his words landing on me. His attentiveness made me feel joyful on the inside.
"I'm sorry," I replied, bowing my head. There was now quiet, with only the sound of heavy rain falling.
"Why didn't you tell me? I can't imagine what might have occurred if I hadn't come seeking for you." Vedant asked quietly.
I lifted my head and glanced at him; he, too, was drenched in rain. "Rhea was on her way somewhere, and I had to stop her, but it looks like I got lost and made a fool of myself," I muttered.
He caressed my cheeks and brushed his fingers across them, "Why are you like this? Your sister despises you, so why are you attempting to help her when she is on her path of self-destruction?" he remarked softly.
"That's what family's for, right?" They would never let you destroy yourself; instead, they will try to protect one another." I remarked, smiling through my tears.
We stood there, he was holding my hands, and we stared into each other's eyes for quite some time. Then he dropped his lips to mine, kissing me gently. I returned the kiss with the same softness.
"I have been longing to see you, kiss you, hold you, and be held by you since the morning. I thought you were trying to avoid me when you didn't come to meet me in the afternoon, but when I heard downstairs that you had gone out looking for your sister, I ran like crazy," he remarked.
"I'm sorry. I was going to come meet you," I said, smiling shyly.
We didn't say anything else, just stood in the rain, smiling at one other and holding hands while the rain drenched us fully. The umbrella only shielded our heads; the rain rained from all sides, drenching our bodies.
Suddenly He flung the umbrella, and I didn't care about it. I was captivated by him. I just kept looking at him. He slipped a finger under my chin, lifted my face to meet his, and kissed me again. My hands came to rest on his chest, and he smiled into my lips. One of his hands went down to cup me behind and pull me tight. Once we got closer, our tongues connected in my lips and danced together. I was in heaven. All of my senses were wide awake and focused on him. I could smell, taste, and feel him, as well as hear his heartbeat and breathing. When we weren't kissing, I could see rain splashing on his skin.
"Are you cold?" he questioned abruptly. I wrapped myself closely against the cold.
"Let's see if we can find a hotel close. It is very unsafe to return to the villa during this rainstorm. The villa is around 1.5 hours away." He murmured, holding my hand, and I simply nodded.
We walked for another ten minutes, and the rain was pouring nonstop, leaving us thoroughly soaked. But for the entire ten minutes, all I did was watch him. Walked behind him and admired him. Was he feeling the same way I did? He stated he was looking for me like crazy. Was it possible? Can anyone like him fall for a normal lady like myself? What qualities do I have that would attract such a handsome man? I kept wondering.
It was also growing dark, and the roads seemed terrifying. I closed my eyes, thanking God because if Vedant hadn't arrived on time, what would have happened to me? Suddenly, a little hotel appeared in front of us amid the bush.
"Let go in," Vedant said, and he refused to release go of my hand. When we entered, the room appeared to be filthy and out of date. It was chaos all around. It didn't look like a hotel from the inside. The receptionist area contained a cheap table and an old, dusty vase. There was a sofa, but it was ancient and ripped on one end.
"Anyone here?" Vedant spoke loudly and looked around, but no one was present.
"Sit here. I will look around," he replied, and I simply nodded.
I sat on the sofa and felt cooler. I supported myself with my arms, but I was still shivering.
"Take this," Vedant stated. He took off his jacket and extended it to me.
"I'm fine, Vedant," I said. He didn't listen; instead, he took the jacket, moved closer to me, and wrapped it around me. He kept glancing at me. He seemed to want to tell me something right now. His gaze moved tenderly across my face. He carefully tucked the hair behind my ear, which was sticking to my face.
"Yes.." someone said from behind. Vedant turned back, straightened himself, and proceeded to the reception area.
"We want a room," Vedant stated. The manager gave me a long look before turning to Vedant.
"You two are husband and wife. We only give room to husband and wife," he remarked.
"Yep, she is my wife, Mrs. Harshita Vedant Malhotra." Vedant turned back and looked at me, and something inside me changed when he told him that I was his wife. These feelings were making me giddy. If this was my dream, I did not want it to end.
"Any proof?" the manager inquired. Vedant then removed his wallet and displayed his Aadhar card.
"My wife left her purse at home, and our phones are turned off. I'll show it tomorrow morning when our phones are charged again." Vedant spoke with such confidence. I'm a poor liar; I can't lie, and I get easily caught in such situations.
"Okay," he replied. He said, "It's room number 504" and handed Vedant the keys. Vedant collected the keys and then approached me, extending his hand. I kept my hand in his, and he held mine as we proceeded towards the room. Today's atmosphere was amazing. I'd feel in my bones. There was love in the air today.
As we entered their room, Vedant suddenly trapped my hand against the wall and caught my lips after closing the door. He did not waste a single second. He cupped my face after releasing my hands, which he held above my head. As he left, my hands sank into his hair. He tasted every area of my mouth and kissed my lips as if there was no tomorrow. It was a completely dominant kiss. He kissed me, and I let him kiss me. I was lost in him.
"You drive me crazy," he muttered after breaking the kiss. I was inhaling heavily. We were looking into each other's eyes with intensity.
"I can't believe this. We had a difficult start. I don't know what to call such a relationship," I muttered, attempting to break away from him. I wanted to preserve some distance from him. I want answers. I cannot be a wanton lady whose desires trump her intellectual skills.
"I'm not sure about you, but I am falling for you. Today, I wanted to tell you that I'd like to date you if you're interested," he added, gazing directly at me.
"But can such an environment be conducive to developing meaningful relationships? You come here to satisfy your wanton needs; how can love exist in such a place?" I asked him softly.
"Love can happen at any time and with anyone." I never thought I'd fall for someone like you, but here I am in a dirty room with a woman who makes my heart race. I desire you in more ways than you can comprehend. I want to mark every part of your body so that the entire world knows that Harshita is solely Vedant's. I have a burning yearning for you to be mine." He said this as he approached me.
"Can you trust me? Even though I have treated you like shit," he added, lifting my chin, and I knew exactly what I wanted. Even if the world thinks what I'm doing is bad, I know my heart cherishes him and I want to show him how much I care. Today is the night he will realize Harshita genuinely loves him.