Sid turned, his gaze landing on a young woman standing nearby. She wore a confident smile, her presence commanding attention. Before he could process the moment, his boss's voice rang out, "How's your farewell gift, Sid?"
Sid shifted his focus from his boss to the woman, who stood close, her demeanor playful yet poised. He laced her waist and pulled her close, only to see a mischievous smile on her face. His friend Den clapped him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. "Enjoy, bro," he said, before exiting the room with the others, leaving Sid and the woman in the room.
Sid gently brushed her hair away from her face, his voice soft as he asked, "What's your name?"
"Riya," she replied, her tone calm yet captivating. Their proximity was undeniable, and he could sense the warmth of her presence. He moved his face closer to hers, her warm breath made his emotions feel heightened.
He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the connection between them. Tasting her sweetness he moved back only to find the same bliss on her face. Riya stepped back, her expression shifting to one of playful defiance. With a sudden push, Sid found himself landing on the couch behind him, a surprised laugh escaping his lips.
He sat back with his legs wide open, he watched as Riya moved gracefully, her energy lighting up the room. Her confidence and charm were magnetic, leaving Sid both amused and captivated by her spirited presence.
The music swirled around her as she moved with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. Each step, each turn, drew Sid deeper into her spell. He watched, captivated, as her movements mirrored the rhythm, her presence commanding the room.
But then, Alcohol kicked in and wave of dizziness washed over him. His vision blurred, and for a moment, the world seemed to tilt. When his eyes refocused, there she was—the woman in the white dress from his dreams. Her face remained a mystery, veiled in the haze of his imagination, but her presence was unmistakable.
Just like in his dream, he extended his hand toward her. She stepped closer, her movements deliberate and graceful, and placed her hand in his. The connection felt surreal, as though time itself had paused. She leaned in, her arms encircling his shoulders, and he cupped her face, the moment stretching endlessly.
Sid felt a strange mix of wonder and trepidation, as though he were caught between reality and the echoes of a dream. He held onto the moment, afraid it might slip away, leaving him with only questions and the lingering memory of her enigmatic presence. Without giving it a second thought he captured her lips, feeling the warmth and sweetness of her mouth through his tongue. He continued like this is the end of time, tracing every inch of her mouth. With his eyes closed he lived his deepest fantasy in the moment.
Sid wished he could linger in this moment forever, enveloped in the dreamlike haze that surrounded him. Yet, a nagging curiosity tugged at his heart. Who was she? He pulled back, his eyes searching for the face of the angel who had graced his dreams. But as the mist dissolved, reality came rushing in with cruel clarity. The girl in his arms wasn't the ethereal figure from his dreams—it was Riya.
His expression shifted, the wonder and warmth draining from his face as regret seeped in. The kiss they'd shared, the intimacy of the moment—it felt wrong, unnatural. Riya's face fell as she caught the change in his demeanor, her excitement turning to heartbreak. Before she could speak, Sid pushed her out of his lap, his movements abrupt, his breathing uneven as he stood. His legs faltered, a stumble betraying the turmoil within.
The room felt stifling, his emotions boiling over. He spotted Riya, who stood rooted in place, tears glimmering in her eyes. Pointing toward the door, his voice cut through the silence, sharp and unyielding. "Leave," he ordered, his gaze hard. Riya hesitated, then fled, sobbing quietly as she disappeared beyond the doorframe.
Sid collapsed onto the couch, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. Anger surged, a storm he couldn't contain, and in his fury, he lashed out—his foot connecting with the coffee table. Glasses shattered, the sharp sound echoing through the room like a cruel reminder of his loss of control. "fu*k" he whispered burying his face in his hands, rubbing his forehead as frustration warred with disbelief.
The morning sunlight painted the room in golden hues, but for Sid, it wasn't an ordinary day. He moved with a sense of finality, carefully packing the last of his belongings into suitcases that now stood like sentinels of change. His mind, however, was adrift in the foggy memories of the previous night. The hangover throbbed at his temples as he muttered to himself, "Why did I do that? What was I thinking?"
It wasn't the first time he had enjoyed a moment with a beautiful young lady, but something about last night lingered, bittersweet and raw. "She was stunning," he thought, frustration prickling at the edges of his regret. "Why did I push her away? Lost such a great chance of...…" The question hung in the air, unanswered and heavy.
That girl—his farewell gift. The memory of his boss presenting it with exaggerated enthusiasm made him chuckle. "A fortune wasted on nothing." he murmured, shaking his head.
After zipping the last suitcase, Sid sank onto the edge of his bed. For a moment, he sat still, gazing out through the window at the towering skyline that had become a part of his life. The city hummed with the rhythm of a world he would soon leave behind. He sighed, a pang of nostalgia catching him off guard. "I'll miss this place," he whispered, thinking about the quiet little town that awaited him—a stark contrast to the chaos he had come to embrace.
Taking a deep, deliberate breath, he tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. "Alright, Sid," he said, his voice steadying, "time to go home." The words felt strange and unfamiliar, yet filled with resolve. His new chapter was about to begin.
The amber liquid in Sid's glass swirled as he took one last sip, savoring the faint burn that traveled down his throat. A familiar bitterness lingered—not from the drink, but from the thought gnawing at him. His boss had managed to arrange an escort, yet a business-class flight ticket seemed like an impossibility. The company, as always, fell short of his expectations, leaving him with that sinking feeling of disappointment.
He placed the empty glass down with a sigh, pulling his phone from his pocket. A few swipes later, he tapped on his brother Rishi's number. The phone rang only once before Rishi's cheerful voice cut through the line.
"Sid, congratulations on your promotion! I'm so happy for you," Rishi greeted, his enthusiasm unmistakable.
"Thanks, brother," Sid replied, the corners of his lips twitching into a small smile. "You know, sister-in-law can't wait to share all the office tea with you," he added, chuckling softly. The playful remark held an air of affection, a glimpse of companionship in their otherwise busy lives.
Rishi laughed. "she's my bestie afterall. But tell me, have you shared the news with Mom yet?"
Sid's breath hitched slightly, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his phone case. "Yes... but no," he admitted, exhaling heavily. "She knows about the promotion, but not about me moving back home."
On the other end, Rishi chuckled knowingly. "You're trying to avoid drama, aren't you?" he said, his voice warm with understanding.
"Exactly," Sid replied, a trace of pleading evident in his tone. "Just a few months, no chaos—I can't deal with it right now." His words hung in the space between them, a quiet request for patience and support.
"Don't worry, brother," Rishi reassured him. "Take good care of yourself."
With a soft "umhmm" in response, Sid ended the call. Alone once more, he leaned back into his seat, thumb scrolling idly through his phone. The airport buzzed faintly in the background, a steady hum of arrivals and departures. As he waited for his flight, he found himself caught between the weight of the life he was leaving behind and the uncertain steps of the journey ahead.
Sid stepped onto the plane, scanning the rows for his seat. His eyes landed on a girl occupying the window seat, her head tilted as if in sleep. Her long chestnut hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her milky skin and delicate pink lips. Though clearly an adult, her features carried a youthful charm that caught Sid's attention. A gentle nudge from the passengers behind him snapped him out of his thoughts. He realized she was sitting in his seat—and pretending to sleep to keep it.
Sid leaned closer, his voice firm but polite. "Excuse me, ma'am, this is my seat." When she didn't respond, he lightly shook her shoulder. "Miss, please move to your own seat."
The girl stirred, faking confusion as her eyes fluttered open. Her voice, soft and melodic, carried an apology. "I'm sorry, I feel nauseous during flights. My seat is this one," she said, pointing to the aisle seat beside her. Her puppy-like eyes pleaded with him, but Sid wasn't ready to give up.
"Listen," he began, his tone unwavering, "I checked in early to get this seat. If you don't move, I might just land on your lap, considering the crowd behind me—"
Before he could finish, the air hostess appeared, her bright smile and professional demeanor cutting him off. "Is there a problem, sir?" she asked, her short skirt and high heels adding to her polished appearance.
Sid's mind raced. He could spend more time chatting with the air hostess if he took the aisle seat. Without hesitation, he turned to her and said, "No problem at all. We're just settling here." He slid into the aisle seat, leaving the girl in the window seat.
The girl stared at him, her disbelief evident. "Pervert," she muttered under her breath, adjusting herself in her seat. Sid pretended not to hear, taking a deep breath before turning to her. "See? I'm a good guy. I gave up my seat so you could be comfortable."
She tilted her head, her expression unimpressed. "Right," she replied curtly, her gaze shifting to the window. Sid's eyes lingered on the strands of hair falling across her face, then moved to her lips. He shook off the thought, reminding himself she wasn't his type.
Extending his hand, he introduced himself. "I'm Sid, by the way."
She hesitated before shaking his hand. "Piya," she replied.
"Nice name. You're going to—?"
"Where the flight is going," Piya interrupted, her tone flat. She plugged in her earphones and closed her eyes, signaling the end of their conversation.
Sid leaned back, deciding not to engage further with this fiery personality. His attention shifted to the air hostess, who was now giving safety instructions. Her eyes met his briefly, and she blushed at his charming smile. Sid couldn't help but grin back, enjoying the fleeting connection.