Fareeha felt shy about wearing the bridal nightie her mother had packed. Almas insisted (commanded) that she wore it. This was the first time she wished she had an elder sister to advise her, or a girlfriend rather than her mom. The white silk flimsy nightie was short for her liking, going just below her thigh, and the night-robe was a sheer net with decorated sleeves. What would Sarfaraz think? That she was trying to seduce him? He would tease her more, and that was the part she dreaded.

Adjusting the night robe on her shoulder, she placed her dampened hair on her back and cautiously stepped out of the bathroom. Fareeha stopped upon noticing Sarfaraz kneeling on the floor and checking on the heater. He too changed from his wet clothes and wore only a black track-pant, but she could see the label of his underpants. Now, was he trying to seduce her? Or was she over-thinking?

He turned and saw her and froze. Fareeha fidgeted with the thin straps of her nightie and glared at him.

"Have you not seen a woman in a nightie before?" Her body tremored a little, - "Ass."

Sarfaraz rose and shook his head, "Not such a gorgeous one."

Fareeha rolled her eyes, pretending to be cool.

"Ice cream is here." He said in a small voice, his eyes unmoved from her. She looked at him, extending her hand. In a trance, Sarfaraz gave his hand in hers. She slapped it away.

"Where is the ice cream, idiot."

He shook his head and chuckled, - "Oh!"

They had ice cream together, watching the rain lash out on the city and reminiscing their past's nice parts. Fareeha often brought up the embarrassing moments and had a good laugh. He let her in the expanse of him.

"I was so stupid."

"You still are," Fareeha spoke with a mouthful of ice cream in her mouth.

He nodded, - "That is why I need you." He turned, - "Be my babysitter forever. I promise I will behave nicely and won't take you for granted."

Fareeha wanted to say something, but a piece of ice cream smudged on the corner of his mouth was distracting. She reached out for it and mindlessly wiped it. Sarfaraz stilled. She looked into his eyes, felt the intensity, and lowered her gaze.

"I was wiping the ice cream. Don't think otherwise."

"I think of our kiss all the time." Sarfaraz surprised her. She moved her head and looked at him again. He leaned on the railing, tossing the empty ice cream cup in the dustbin.

"And I want to kiss you all my life." He spoke in a raspy voice. Fareeha shivered, looking away. It was definitely not from the cold.

Sarfaraz on purpose held her hand longer to take the empty cup from her. He crumbled it and threw it into the dustbin. His aim surprised Fareeha, as he wasn't looking there, but at her.

She gulped.

"I need—to—sleep—getting—" She hurried inside, and Sarfaraz followed her closely. She stopped, and he bumped into her. Fareeha gasped lightly, cracking her knuckles to ease the tension. Sarfaraz placed his hand over hers. One large hand took both her hands in one grip. She felt the tremors in her spine as his bare chest pressed against her back. And her breathing picked up pace, as he moved aside her hair and bent.

"Wha—wah—who—" she stammered, but stopped as he kissed her shoulder from the top of her lacy night robe. His other hand wrapped around her stomach. Fareeha gulped hard, getting a scratching feeling in her throat.

"You can touch me if you want. Kiss me if you want—do anything that you want." He whispered into her ears, lightly kissing her ear-lobe.

Fareeha's knees wobbled, and she felt like she would—then her head spun and next thing, darkness.

When Fareeha woke up, Sarfaraz was panicking, and a doctor checked her.

"Yeah, she is awake." The doctor with a heavy French accent, announced. Sarfaraz rushed to them and pushed the doctor to sit beside his wife.

"Dude, are you fine? What happened?"

Fareeha simply glared at him.

"Must be tiredness from the long trip. You guys relax." The doctor patted Sarfaraz's shoulder.

After he ushered the doctor out of the room, Sarfaraz hastened to his friend.

"This is why I don't hook up with virgins. You all are stupid creatures." He reprimanded, pointing a finger at her. Fareeha blinked at him and slid up the bedpost.

"Excuse me. That dialogue was so pathetic. That is why I fainted. So puke-inducing." She made a face.

Sarfaraz waved a hand,- "Bullshit." He slumped down on the bed, facing her.

"You."

"Dude, how are we going to proceed if you keep fainting like this?"

"Dude, why can't you—" Fareeha felt at the loss for words. Sarfaraz went on ranting, how he had created the mood and everything was going perfectly. She straightened and with a swift movement, grabbed the back of his head and crushed his yapping mouth with her lips.

***

He stopped, eyes widened by the suddenness. Fareeha kept her eyes closed and smoothly moved her lips over his mouth. Sarfaraz's body relaxed, and he smiled into the kiss. Keeping their mouths latched in a soft, slow kiss, he climbed on the bed. Holding her around the waist, gently laying her on the bed. Fareeha held his chiseled jawline with one hand, kissing him slow and deep. Her other hand traveled from his strong chest to his sculpted abs and she pressed on it. Sarfaraz moved behind her half-dry hair and slid his hand down her arm.

Breaking the kiss, he held her gaze strongly as he pulled on the string of her night robe. Fareeha's lips parted, inhaling sharply, feeling him peel the robe off her shoulders. Getting it off her, Sarfaraz threw it in the corner of the bed. He leaned, and she rested her back against the bedpost.

Fareeha closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. The musky scent of his body from the closeness made her lower belly tingle. She struggled to ignore it. Not again, she can't faint.

Sarfaraz kissed her ear-lobe, gliding his lips over the smooth skin of her neck, and planted a lingering kiss at the crook of her neck. She giggled, twitching from the new feeling. His lips and stubble tickled her.

Sarfaraz smiled against her skin. He held her waist firmly with one hand and held her hand with the other, entwining their fingers lightly. He moved his kisses up her throat and nibbled on her chin. She sighed, getting her breathing hitched again. Sarfaraz found her lips and sucked on her lower lip. She straightened her head and reciprocated.

As they kissed in a long, sensual manner, Fareeha clasped her thighs together, feeling the heat traveling up. Sarfaraz pulled down the straps of her nighties and brushed her collarbone and shoulder with his fingers. She trembled under him. Fareeha broke the kiss, nudging him, and got up. She smiled shyly, not looking at him, and turned her back to him.

Sarfaraz sighed and shifted behind her. Fareeha closed her eyes as he held her bare shoulders and leaned. She gasped inaudibly as he began to kiss her soft skin. His hand on her tummy moved up to her breasts.

Fareeha's heart pounded, threatening to leap out and her chest felt heavy. Her dress loosened on her breasts, exposing the little skin. He tilted her head back and kissed her deeply again. Fareeha focused on the soft leisure kiss and not his hands resting on her chest.

She quivered, gasping into the kiss as his masculine hands gently squeezed her boobs over her dress. Taking the chance, Sarfaraz dipped his tongue into her mouth. Fareeha could taste the dark chocolate ice cream. She recollected how he wished to taste the bubble gum-flavored that she had. Now he was.

The warmth of his bare upper body pressing against her naked back was comforting, his touch ticklish but soothing.

Sarfaraz brushed his fingers over her hard nipples, and she moaned lightly. He smiled into the kiss, pulling down her nightie.

Fareeha gasped, breaking the kiss. She didn't want him to stop, but she had to as she couldn't risk fainting again.

"What happened? Did I do something wrong?" He whispered, pressing his lips over her ear-lobe.

Fareeha shook her head, pulling up her dress from the neckline, - "No, no—" She replied breathlessly, - "Water." She touched her throat and gulped. He nodded and rushed to get her water.

Fareeha took a few sips and got instantly refreshed. Accidentally, her eyes wandered to the bulge at his crotch and she choked on the water.

"Dude, are you alright?" He looked concerned and sat beside her. Fareeha shook her head and handed the glass to him, eyeing his crotch momentarily and then looking away.

Should she go with the flow? It looked intimidating. How will she take him? Fareeha gulped, cursing those too many smut novels. She recollected Sarfaraz's words- that's not how the real world works.

***

"Are you done?"

She nodded. Sarfaraz drank the remaining water.

"I think we can end here. Waise bhi, we have two whole days in this room—I mean in Paris."

Fareeha shyly giggled.

He requested another picture and suggested a pose as well. Now she blushed harder, realizing why he needed his phone in the bathroom.

The night went smoothly. They faced the other side and slept. Fareeha felt content and slept peacefully. So, did Sarfaraz knowing he got his old friend back. But there was more work left. To win her trust.

The next morning, Fareeha showered and got dressed in a loose orange Palazzo set. Combing her hair, she noticed a subtle glow on her face. Was it the effect of the new city or—she blushed, keeping aside the wooden comb. She gathered her hair and tugged it neatly with a banana clip leaving her hair half open. She pulled on the long flute sleeve of her Kurtha and placed her silk floral dupatta on her shoulder. Carefully, she dabbed her finger over a nude-pink matte lipstick and wore a wristwatch in one hand and orange glass bangles in the other. She turned and found Sarfaraz casually walking out of the bathroom. Seeing him with just the towel around his waist. For the first time, Fareeha felt shy. She blinked, fidgeting with her mascara on the table.

"Wow, looking so cute." He complimented her, walking towards the bed. Fareeha was half happy and half disappointed that he didn't come to her.

"See!" He picked a collared blue jacket and showed off, - "This time I am taking this." He chuckled. Fareeha smiled.

Swiftly he wore a white Tee over his head and flexed his arms.

"Anything you want?"

Fareeha shook her head, - "I was—thinking—I will get some tea from room service." She lowered her head and clasped her hand. As she whooshed towards the landline phone, Sarfaraz held her hand and she stopped. He grinned and pecked her cheek. Fareeha gasped, touching her cheeks, and felt her skin going warm.

"I am sorry, I couldn't resist." He replied cheekily. Fareeha smiled.

"I didn't mind." She replied shyly.

"So, can I kiss you?"

"No! My lipstick."

"Arey, keep one for touch-up."

Fareeha freed her hand from his hold, - "No. you won't just stop at the kiss." Her cheeks turned red as she said so. He chuckled. She pushed his chest and made her way to the door.

"I am waiting for youin the lobby." Fareeha resisted her giggles as Sarfaraz protested in thebackground.

Sarfaraz is so much in love with her, 

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Are you excited for them to--bond?

Drop your comments, lots, lots, and lots, please. It will be brighten my day *_* Stay Tuned for the next update.