The weeks following the wedding were a series of strained interactions and unspoken tensions. Meera and Jai continued to navigate their newly established routine, each day feeling like a balancing act between their personal feelings and the terms of their agreement. Despite their efforts to maintain distance, the attraction between them remained palpable, an undercurrent that neither could fully ignore.

One evening, after another long day of work, Jai found himself restless. The penthouse felt unusually quiet, its modern decor and empty spaces amplifying his sense of isolation. The tension between him and Meera had been growing, the unspoken emotions between them creating an atmosphere that was both charged and uncomfortable.

He decided to work from the penthouse's study, hoping to find some distraction in paperwork. Meanwhile, Meera was in the kitchen, preparing a light dinner. She was lost in her thoughts, her mind still preoccupied with the complexities of their situation. The unresolved feelings from their previous conversations and their undeniable chemistry were weighing heavily on her.

As Jai emerged from the study, the smell of food filled the air. He found Meera at the stove, her back to him. The sight of her, so focused and seemingly at ease, stirred something within him. He approached quietly, the weight of his thoughts making him move with purpose.

"Dinner's almost ready," Meera said without turning around, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue.

Jai stood behind her, his gaze fixed on her. The tension between them was thick, almost tangible. "I didn't realize you were cooking. I can help if you need."

As they finished preparing the meal, their interactions remained polite but distant.

However, as they sat down to eat, the quiet between them seemed heavier. The dinner was a mix of strained conversation and moments of silence, each of them trying to maintain composure.

After dinner, Meera began to clear the table while Jai lingered nearby, his mind racing. The physical distance they maintained was only making the tension more pronounced. He watched her, the sight of her moving about the kitchen stirring something deep within him.

"Meera," Jai began, his voice hesitant.

"Can we talk?"

Jai took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "I know we've been trying to keep things professional, but I can't deny that the attraction between us hasn't gone away. It's been hard to ignore."

Meera's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety coursing through her. "I've been feeling the same way. It's hard to reconcile what we agreed upon with what's happening between us."

Jai stepped closer, his gaze intense. "I don't want us to be just about physical attraction, but it's been hard to push these feelings aside."

Meera's breath caught in her throat as Jai's hand reached out to gently touch her arm. The contact was electric, and she felt a shiver run through her. "What are you suggesting-"

Before Meera could finish, Jai took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Her hand moved to his chest, fingers brushing against the fabric of his shirt. Her touch was tentative but filled with purpose. "Maybe we should address this," Jai responded.

Jai's eyes locked onto hers, the intensity of their emotions evident. Without a word, Meera leaned in, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was both urgent and passionate.
Jai responded immediately, his hands finding their way to her waist, pulling her closer.

The kiss deepened, their bodies pressed together as the heat between them ignited. Meera's hands roamed up to his shoulders, her fingers gripping tightly as their kiss became more fervent. Jai's hands moved up her back, his touch sending shivers through her.

In the midst of their kiss, Meera pushed Jai against the wall, her body aligning with his. The contact between them was electric, each touch and caress heightening the tension. Jai's hands slipped under her shirt, his fingers grazing her skin, causing her to gasp against his lips.

Their clothes, already slightly disheveled from earlier, now seemed almost entirely off their bodies. Meera's dress had ridden up, and Jai's shirt was partially untucked, revealing more skin than either of them had intended. The physical closeness was intoxicating, their breaths mingling as their bodies pressed together.

Jai's hands moved to Meera's thighs, pulling her closer as she climbed on top of him. The weight of their bodies pressing together created a heated friction that only intensified their desire.

Meera's movements were deliberate, her lips never leaving his as she ground against him. The sensation was overwhelming, and Jai's hands roamed her body, exploring and caressing with a desperate need.

Just as their passion reached a fever pitch, the sudden, sharp ring of Meera's phone cut through the intense moment.
Meera froze, her lips still pressed against Jai's but her eyes wide with surprise.

"What is it?" Jai murmured, his voice a mix of frustration and desire.

Meera pulled away reluctantly, her eyes darting to the phone lying on the kitchen counter. She hastily reached for it, glancing at the screen. The caller ID showed her father's name.

"I'm sorry, I need to take this," Meera said, her voice strained as she answered the call.

Jai watched her, his expression a mix of regret and desire as the moment they shared unraveled. Meera's father's voice came through the phone, and she tried to focus on the conversation, her face flushed and her breathing uneven.

"Meera," her father's voice was filled with concern. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Dad let me just call you back in 2 minutes; I promise!" Meera quickly disconnected the call- she wasn't prepared to answer his questions or Jai's questions at the moment; the intimate encounter had put her thinking capacity to a pause.

"I'm sorry, let's continue this conversation later" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jai forced a smile, trying to mask his own confusion and disappointment. "It's okay.

We should probably talk more about this, but maybe not right now."

Meera nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of longing and resignation. "Yes, I agree. Let's take things one step at a time."

& with that Meera unwillingly walked to the balcony to continue the conversation with her dad.

As they both retreated to their separate spaces, the weight of their encounter lingered. The physical attraction between them was undeniable, but the emotional complexity of their situation left them both feeling unsettled.

The night ended with a sense of unresolved tension, the passion they shared now mingled with confusion and unanswered questions. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: their relationship was far from simple, and the path they walked together would be anything but straightforward.

︴Author's note︴
Would love some feedback!