The following night is the reception for Cabir and Navya's wedding before they leave for their honeymoon. When I wake up the following morning, I notice the empty space beside me. I stare at it for a couple minutes, wondering if I would ever be able to fall in love again. Then again, I don't think I could ever trust anyone with my heart again. I can't help but feel depressed that I will never be loved by another. I unwillingly get out of my bed and take a shower. I notice on my way to the bathroom that I have really slept in today because it's about 3 P.M. already. I notice some missed calls from Manik, but don't feel like responding right now... maybe later, or not!

I take a warm shower and start working on my hair. I lounge around in my room watching some television for a couple hours. The dress code of the reception is black. I look through my clothing and find what I am looking for. I pull out a beautiful black halter dress.

When I look into the mirror, my satisfaction is clear across my face.

I finally head downstairs to the main hall in the hotel, where the reception is held. As soon as I walk in, I bump into my arch nemesis. My eyes linger over him wearing a sexy black suit. He wears a black shirt, with the first couple buttons open, exposing his tanned and built chest along with a black belt with a silver belt buckle. On the whole, he looked nothing short of amazing.

I just smile at his dazed state, while he looks over my appearance. I look over towards Navya and Cabir, looking as happy as ever. Navya has that glow emitting on her face, she looks so happy. I feel better knowing she is in safe hands and that Cabir loves her. I walk over towards the happy couple, while Manik falls into step with me. I give Navya a quick hug and congratulate them on their marriage. Navya just beams towards me. I smile slightly feeling a bit depressed at the moment and excuse myself.

I know I have no right to be feeling depressed, especially today. It's Navya's day to be happy and I should be happy for her. I am excited for her, but I feel bad about my own life. Looking towards Cabir and Navya reminds me of what a failure I was, I couldn't keep the man I loved. Sometimes I feel it would be easier to end it all, who would really miss me when I'm gone. I could never do such a thing because it would hurt my parents and Navya more than I can possible comprehend. I wish I had a better life to live. No matter how much I try to convince myself that I don't believe love exists, one glance at Navya and Cabir proves me wrong. It just hurts knowing that I can never have what they have because I won't ever be able to be in love again. I sigh and decide to head over to the bar. I really need a drink!

As soon as I get to the bar, I order myself an alcoholic drink to drown my sorrows in. A few seconds later, guess who decides to join me? Yeah, you don't get any points for guessing this either I mean seriously who else would come to bug me at the worst times imaginable. I take a big sip and simply say, "Hey Manik." He smiles and then looks towards my drink. He then asks the bartender to get him something to drink. He sits next to me and starts drinking. So apparently, misery does love company! I really didn't mind his presence even though he is the cause of my current depression.

Manik softly says, "You're so beautiful Nandini." I smile slightly knowing that my beauty hasn't gotten me anywhere in life except for a few perverts hitting on me here and there. After my seventh drink, I look towards Manik feeling a bit lightheaded and you know he was really looking good. I don't really know what it was that was making him look so good, but whatever it was well it was creating impure thoughts in my mind. I realize how close we are sitting next to one another. I can vaguely smell his aftershave and it is driving me insane. Oh God, these impure thoughts have got to stop right now!

I turn towards Manik and whisper, "Can we go back to Mumbai now?" He just nods understandingly and we make our way to Navya and Cabir to tell them we were going back home. Navya asks, "Nandini you're feeling okay right?" I smile and nod reassuringly, then bid them both farewell. I had asked earlier to have my bags put in Manik's car before hand so we could leave directly after the party for Mumbai. Anyways Manik and I walk towards the car in complete silence. Before he turns on the ignition I ask, "Manik you're not drunk right?" He burst out laughing and in between says, "Not nearly enough to put us on our deathbeds." I am too tired and drunk to think otherwise, so we start driving towards Mumbai. Maybe it would have been wise, not to drink...

I had fallen asleep for about an hour until that is, the car started to slow down, eventually coming to a complete halt. I jerk forward in response and look at Manik annoyed yet dizzy. He shrugs his shoulders and I turn my face so I can see the rain pouring hard against the windshield. I sigh knowing that we can't possibly drive in this type of whether. I roll down my window slightly and notice a cottage up ahead. I yank at Manik's shirt and ask him, "Manik it doesn't look like this rain is going to stop anytime soon. Look there is a cottage over there. Let's see if they will let us spend the night?" Manik just nods obediently, looking kind of cute. He really is cute, no wonder I liked him.

I think I drank too much liquor. I don't even know how I am genuinely acting so civil with him because normally I would be yelling about him not checking the weather before we left. Weirdly enough, I feel a little more chirpy and upbeat then my usual depressive and sadistic self.

We run towards the cottage, completely drenched with our clothes clinging to our bodies. Manik has his suit's jacket draped over our heads in attempts to protect us from the rain, but it obviously didn't do a good job. I look towards Manik to see his hair now completely wet and sticking up in all directions, giving him this naturally hot look. My eyes then land on his bronze chest, with water droplets trailing his smooth skin and his shirt hugging his perfectly sculptured body. I am having very lustful desires for him if you haven't noticed already and I can't seem to control myself. I pry my eyes away with great difficulty and focus on the door in front of us as we wait for the owner to let us in. I look around uncomfortably and feel ashamed and embarrassed at my own thoughts.

Just then, the servant, who is a very old man, opens the door and sees that we are completely drenched and helpless. He ushers us inside the cottage, while Manik asks, "I can't drive in the rain like this so would it be possible to stay the night?" The old man says, "Sir and Madam are away on a holiday, I don't think they would mind if you and your wife spend the night."

Manik looks towards me to see my reaction, but I'm too dizzy to even care about the wife comment at the moment. We both look towards the old man gratefully and he shows us the guest room upstairs.

Manik and I enter the room, noticing there is only one bed. Manik goes over to the fireplace and gets the fire started since it is chilly in the room. I move across the room and open the window noticing the rain still pouring outside yet more rhythmically. A smile spreads across my face. I run my fingers through my wet hair, playing with the ends as I stare outside. I then hear footsteps approaching me, stopping directly behind me. This is when the power goes out, yet the only light in the room comes from the flames emitting from the fireplace. I turn around to meet a pair of intense grey orbs looking into my soft chocolate brown ones. My features soften as I look over his handsome face, so close to my own. Our proximity becomes less important to me, yet I can't understand why. The walls of resistance I created come crashing down in that moment. I can't describe what I'm feeling right now even if I wanted to. Somewhere in my mind I know what I'm doing is wrong yet I can't stop myself. My hands reach up to brush away the hair that falls in front of his eyes. My fingers run down his cheek then slowly past his lips, feeling chills running down my own spine. I pull my hand away not knowing how I could have done something so bold.

He slowly comes up behind me again, placing his arms around me delicate waist. His fingers start tracing circles over the fabric of my black dress. The feelings of lust start to return as his lips rub up and down the side of my neck, trailing soft kisses. Not being able to suppress my moan any longer, I whisper out his name, "Manik." I turn around to face him, not knowing what has gotten into me as I trail kisses over his jaw line, feeling his rough stubble under my soft lips. I'm sure my mind was screaming or probably even pleading for me to stop, but I just couldn't think straightly with him being so near to me. I also didn't want to think at the moment, he just looks so good and I wanted him, badly. I press my body into his, liking the warmth he is providing. His hands run up and down my back and then he dips low catching my lips between his own.

The kiss is soft at first, yet it is able to wreak havoc with my emotions. He kisses me gently and slowly, leaving me thirsting for more. Before he could pull away, I deepen the kiss making it ever so passionate. My knees begin to weaken as I feel his tongue exploring the contours of my mouth. I moan into his mouth, not knowing why I ever stayed away from him for so long. My hands run up and down his chest, feeling every muscle that lies beneath. I could hear him sighing in pleasure as my hands explored his body. My hands then encircle each button and then restlessly undo them, tossing the black shirt aside. We start walking backwards until my back is pressed firmly against the wall. His lips release my own and then travel towards my neck and collarbone, leaving me breathless. My own hands run through his thick dark hair. He picks me up in his strong arms, while kissing my lips even more passionately and then walks over towards the bed.

He slowly places me on the bed and then his body hovers over mine, looking deeply into my eyes. His own eyes are glazed over with passion and are asking for my permission. My mind screams to push him away, but I can't seem to. My body rebels against my mind and forces me to close the distance between us by kissing him hungrily on the lips. He grins at my approval and mumbles, "I love you Nandini" into my mouth. I barely grasp the meaning of those words because of my overwhelming desires. Then he slowly brings the bed covers over us .

Maybe it is the fact that I'm intoxicated, maybe it is the fact that I truly did want him; mind, body, and soul... even if it was for a few moments. They say when a person is intoxicated, the release their inhibitions and lose their self control. For those few moments, I wasn't myself and I forgot everything. For those few moments, I was the girl who was madly in love with Manik Malhotra. Just for those few moments...

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Unexpected much?😜