IRA's POV
My entire body shivered, my back resting against the cold floor. The water from the shower pelted me like a thousand needles.
I ran my fingers through my wet hair, clutching it tightly as the scent of him-still clinging to my skin-threatened to overwhelm me. I tried to pull myself together, but his words, his gestures, and the memory of his touch still haunted me.
I felt possessed by his presence.
My mind kept spiraling into flashbacks. The way he makes me feel... it's a way no one else ever could. Not even my family.
He touched my skin and my hair as if he were memorizing me, as if he were watching me take my very last breath.
The memory felt like it was shattering every single cell in my body.
"Aditya..." My voice broke as I whispered his name. What are you doing to me? Why are you killing me without even laying a hand on me?
I tried to wash away my tears under the spray of the shower. No, Ira, you can't be this broken. But the tears kept falling.
Hot against my frozen cheeks.
My body felt like ice, and my legs were so weak I could barely stand.
Somehow, I managed to crawl out of the bathroom and wrap a black bathrobe around myself. I caught my reflection in the mirror. A small, faint smirk appeared.
I lit the cigarette placed between my lips and looked at the mirror.
My eyes were swollen, and my lips looked like bruised petals. My lashes looked naturally long against my pale skin. Looking at my small nose and flushed cheeks, I was reminded of him saying, "Her small eyes and big nose."
I saw the flowers he left and felt like I was living in a fictional world. I picked up the note, and a real smile finally touched my lips.
"By Mr. Bastard," I whispered.
My cold lips brushed against the paper; it felt like I was kissing him.
Suddenly, my eyes fell on the family photo-me, my brother, my mom, and a man standing beside my mom.
My lips began to quiver again.
I didn't even want to say his name.
My vision blurred, and I had to take a deep, steadying breath.
I stepped out onto the balcony. The cold wind bit at my skin, sending a fresh shiver down my spine. I looked out at the darkening sky, wondering if it would rain.
I have so many questions for God.
Suddenly, my heart stopped.
Aditya was standing right there, just outside my apartment. The apartment wasn't big, just twelve floors, and I lived on the seventh floor, but he was positioned as if he could see right into my soul.
I had never seen him like this before-so still, so intense, but with some different expression over his face.
"I never thought you liked cigarettes," he said.
My voice trembled as I noticed the smoke. His cheeks creased into a silent gesture toward me. I realized I was still holding a cigarette between my own fingers, and I quickly threw it away, taking a sharp breath.
"Sometimes," I said, trying to act as normal as I could, "but I guess I'm just lame."
"It affects your health," he said, his voice dropping an octave so I could hear the weight of it.
"Not more than you're affecting my heart," I replied, unable to look away from his eyes.
He smiled-a real, seductive smile-and winked at me.
I suddenly realized I was wearing nothing but a bathrobe with a loose tie. I felt exposed, the heat rising to my face.
"Give me five minutes!" I yelled, running toward my closet.
I caught another glimpse of myself in the mirror.
My face was a deep crimson.
Stop smiling, Ira. Just stop.
ADITYA'S POV
I saw her wearing a black crop top with black trousers. She looked fresh, but not the way I wanted. I didn't want those swollen eyes. I didn't want her locked away or alone.
I love her even more when she smiles, when she speaks nonstop, even when she gives me those rude replies.
I just love her.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Singhania?" she asked.
I held her wrist and pulled her toward me. Her palm touched my chest.
"True or lie?" I asked.
My cold breath against her neck made her shiver, and I liked that.
"Aditya..." I heard my name from her lips.
It has never sounded so breathtaking.
"Hmm?" My lips brushed against hers.
Her hands clutched my black leather jacket. Her hair smelled so damn good. Her body pressed closer against mine as her legs slowly wrapped around me.
"Are you okay, babydoll?" I asked, finally stopping the teasing.
Our eyes met.
I saw her lips turning a deeper pink. Her small nose was getting warm.
She looked even more beautiful when she blushed.
She closed her eyes and took a long breath, but her smile didn't disappear.
"You're looking very handsome, Aditya," she said.
"Always in your eyes," I said, cutting her off.
She slowly hugged me, her hands wrapping around me tightly while hiding her face.
"Now can you tell me what you are doing here?" she asked, rubbing her face against my black T-shirt.
"I was just missing my moon," I said. "Would you like to go somewhere?"
I took her face in my palms.
"At this time?" she questioned.
"Okay, let's go."
We both sat in the car and headed toward Marine Drive. I watched the clock-it was 2:00 AM. I saw her wrapping her hands over her legs, her face turning toward me.
"If you stare at me like that, I will kiss you, babydoll," I said, taking a left turn.
"Before me, did you have any girlfriends?" she asked.
I saw her eyes praying for an answer.
"Especially no."
"I need to count them," I said with a teasing smile.
She narrowed her eyes.
"Can I be your last?" she asked.
I stopped the car instantly.
My heartbeat went fast the moment I heard her.
My eyes slowly looked at her.
I hovered closer and gently held her face in my palm before pressing my lips against hers like a hungry man, like a thirsty man.
"You are my first and forever, IRA," I said softly.
I removed her seatbelt and slowly pulled her onto my lap.
My hands moved toward her neck, pulling her closer.
"You feel so fucking good, Ira," I whispered against her lips.
She curled her fingers through my hair.
When I finally pulled back, our foreheads rested against each other while my lips brushed lightly near her collarbone.
"You are driving me insane, Aditya," she whispered.
After an hour, we reached Marine Drive. Her head rested against my body while my arm wrapped around her shoulders. My lips brushed softly against her cheek while her eyes watched the silent ocean.
Then... I saw her eyes close.
Not sleepy ones.
Just peaceful.
"Have you ever been scared of something?" she asked softly while watching the waves.
The cold wind moved her hair slowly, and for a moment, I just kept looking at her.
"Yup," I said quietly, my eyes fixed on my moon beside me. "Everyone does."
I took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Every person living on this earth has at least one fear."
"And what kind of fear do you have?" she asked, covering herself more properly with my jacket.
Her voice sounded calm.
But her eyes-
They were searching for something inside me.
"A fear of losing," I replied with a painful smile.
My fingers tightened around her palm unconsciously.
Then I slowly took my eyes off her and looked toward the dark sky filled with scattered stars.
For a second, silence stayed between us.
Only the sound of waves crashing nearby.
"Oh..." she whispered softly. "Same fear."
My eyes instantly met hers.
There was something broken hidden behind her smile.
"You miss your parents?" she asked gently while rubbing her thumb against my palm.
"Yup," I answered quietly, licking my lower lip.
My throat suddenly felt dry.
Heavy.
As if even speaking about them hurt.
"At least you have someone of your own to miss," she said softly, forcing the word at least.
And I felt it.
Her pain.
Through her trembling voice.
Through her shivering lips.
Through the sadness she kept hiding behind fake smiles.
But then suddenly, she smiled a little and tried to lighten the moment.
"But now, you know... I can miss you too," she said softly. "You are mine."
She tried to act normal.
Trying to make things better between us.
Trying to make this suffocating atmosphere a little easier to breathe in.
And God-
She had no idea what those words did to me.
"Shall we go? It's already four in the morning, Aditya," she said softly.
I ran my fingers through my thick hair and looked at her.
Honestly-
I didn't want this night to end.
"I don't want to leave you right now," I muttered. "I'll miss you on my bed, babydoll."
"Oh, really?" she said with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, I'm not kidding," I said, making sure she understood I actually meant it.
I moved a little closer toward her.
"I want you to hug me every night," I whispered softly. "Kiss my forehead... my cheeks... my lips before I sleep."
My eyes stayed fixed on hers.
"I want you with me twenty-four seven. Three hundred sixty-five days, Ira."
The moment our eyes met properly, I saw a tear escape from her eyes.
And before I could even react-
She hugged me tightly.
Very tightly.
As if I was her last breath.
"Are you okay?" I asked softly while kissing her hair and running my fingers through it slowly.
"Shut up," she muttered, but I could hear the tears in her voice.
"First you make me emotional and then ask me this," she said again.
My smile deepened instantly.
And honestly-
It never left my face the entire way back home.
...
I finally reached home and entered inside quietly.
The lights were dim.
And the first thing I saw was Veer sitting on the sofa.
"Ladki ka chakkar? Hmm?" he said immediately with a smirk.
"Nahi yaar," I replied casually, putting one hand over his shoulder.
But then suddenly he narrowed his eyes at me.
"You smell different," he said suspiciously.
I instantly pushed him slightly away.
"Are you blushing?" he said dramatically. "Oh my God... Mr. Aditya Singhania is blushing!"
Before I could stop him, he punched my nose lightly.
"Ahh, yaar!" I overreacted immediately while he started laughing.
I shook my head and walked toward my room.
The moment I entered, my eyes fell on Sammy sleeping peacefully on the bed.
Four pillows were placed around her so she would not fall while sleeping.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
I threw my car keys onto the sofa and immediately fell onto the bed beside her, pulling her carefully into my arms.
And suddenly-
I smelled Ira's fragrance on my T-shirt and jacket.
My smile deepened again.
My body felt exhausted.
Tired enough to sleep for days.
But my soul-
It did not want to sleep at all.
I opened my phone and stared at the pictures we clicked together tonight.
Her smile.
Her eyes.
Her face.
Everything.
And somewhere between those thoughts...
Without even realizing-
I fell asleep.
IRA POV
The moment I reached the office, I felt something different in the air.
Everyone was staring at me.
And when I say everyone-
I mean it.
For a second, I wondered if something happened.
But without giving it much attention, I entered my cabin quietly.
My body felt tired.
I just wanted to sleep.
But of course... how could I?
I placed my hands on the table and closed my eyes for a moment.
And suddenly-
Last night started replaying inside my mind again.
His smile.
His voice.
His touch.
And unknowingly, my smile deepened.
Butterflies filled my stomach instantly.
"IRA!"
I heard my colleague's voice and quickly opened my eyes.
"Hmmm?" I replied, trying to act normal.
But my smile refused to disappear completely.
Without saying anything, she placed a newspaper in front of me.
My eyes shifted toward it.
And suddenly-
My eyes widened.
"Fuck..." I muttered under my breath.
"You never told me... hmm?" she said teasingly.
"It's fake. You know reporters do these things when they don't get real news," I said quickly.
"Hmmm..." she hummed again, clearly not believing me.
"But you both look good together," she said before leaving my cabin.
The moment she left, my body felt hotter.
Slowly, I read the headline again.
"Aditya Singhania with his new girlfriend."
My eyes drifted toward the pictures.
The photos were taken in such a way that it almost looked like we were kissing each other.
Oh God.
I immediately opened my phone and checked the internet.
Instagram.
News pages.
Social platforms.
Everywhere-
Same pictures.
Same headlines.
Same rumors.
After gathering some courage, I opened the comment section.
Some comments were sweet.
Some were horrible.
I took a deep breath and quickly shut my phone.
But suddenly-
My cabin door almost banged open.
And I saw him.
Aditya.
The moment I saw him like this, my breath almost stopped.
"Are you okay? Don't cry, Ira. Give me one hour. I'll remove this news and the man who made it," he said quickly in one breath.
His face looked tense.
Worried.
And for some reason...
That affected me more.
Slowly, I grabbed the collar of his black shirt and pulled him closer.
His breath hit my face instantly.
Then softly-
Very softly-
My lips brushed against his.
I kissed him slowly, feeling his lips move slightly against mine.
My tongue lightly wet his dry lips.
And immediately, I felt his large palm settle against my waist.
"I'm okay," I whispered softly against his lips. "And there's nothing wrong in this news... right?"
I asked while kissing him slowly again.
His arm wrapped more firmly around my waist, pulling me closer.
His nose brushed against mine.
"Hmm... but those comments," he murmured softly. "Did you read them?"
His cold breath touched my neck, sending shivers through my entire body.
"Hmmm," I whispered softly.
"You feel bad?" he asked while looking directly into my eyes.
"A little... this much," I said, showing him with my fingers.
His eyes followed the gesture carefully.
Then slowly, I pressed my lips against his again.
Deeper this time.
More honest.
More needy.
"I can't tolerate that, sweetheart," he murmured against my lips.
I smiled faintly before whispering softly,
"If God gives you something good, He also gives you something bad... so you can respect the good one and understand its importance."
For a second, he just kept looking at me silently.
Intensely.
"Now kiss me hard... like it's our last kiss."
The moment those words left my lips, something changed inside his eyes.
And without focusing on my last sentence, he kissed me again.
Harder.
His lips moved against mine desperately, like he wanted to pour every emotion into this one kiss.
His hand tightened around my waist while his forehead lightly to
uched mine between breaths.
A shiver ran through my legs instantly.
My breathing became uneven.
I grabbed the edge of the glass table behind me for support, but before I could steady myself properly, he lifted me effortlessly and sat me on the table.
My breath almost stopped.
And then he kissed me again.
Slower this time.
Deeper.
Like he was completely lost in me.
A soft moan escaped from my lips before I could stop it.
His smirk appeared instantly against my skin.
"I like this, you know," he whispered teasingly.
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