Sameera's POV:
The moment the flight landed in Mumbai, something inside me shifted. Maybe because this city still carried too many versions of me. The girl who had fallen in love here. The girl who had broken here. And the girl who had run away from everything two years ago without looking back.
Beside me, Rishita was already struggling with her third suitcase before we had even properly exited the airport. "Rishi," I deadpanned while dragging my own luggage behind me, "are we attending Janhvi's wedding or permanently shifting to Alibaug?"
She glared at me dramatically while adjusting her handbag. "Fashion requires sacrifice."
"You packed enough outfits for the bride too."
"Excuse me? Janhvi should be grateful I came prepared."
I stared at her for a second before shaking my head. "You genuinely concern me."
By the time we somehow managed to drag all the luggage outside, I was already exhausted.
"Woah," a familiar voice called out suddenly. "Your best friend clearly believes in overpacking." Aryan leaned casually against the car wearing sunglasses and his usual amused expression.
Rishita immediately narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me? These are essentials."
"Madam, one human being does not need these many suitcases for a single wedding."
"Fashionable people's struggle, you won't understand."
"I'm literally more fashionable than you."
"Please. You still wear those ugly college hoodies."
"They're vintage."
"They're tragic."
I sighed dramatically while both of them immediately started bickering like they had known each other forever.
"Can we leave before one of you gets abandoned here?"
The drive to Alibaug took almost three hours, filled with nonstop music, terrible singing, wedding gossip, and Rishi bullying Aryan every ten minutes.
The resort was beautiful by the time we reached. Huge fairy lights glowed around the entrance while wedding staff moved around carrying flowers and decorations. The sound of distant music already echoed somewhere near the beachside lawn.
Aryan helped us check in while Rishi continued arguing with the staff about carefully handling her luggage "because emotional attachment exists."
"Oh thank God," I sighed dramatically after getting my room key. "We have separate rooms. Finally I can have some peace."
Rishi gasped. "Oh you don't like peace, girl."
"No," I replied while taking my suitcase from her dramatically, "I love my peace. And I'm going to enjoy it very much."
She pointed a finger at me suspiciously. "This attitude disappears the second Saharsh Wankhade walks in."
I immediately started walking away.
"Goodbye."
Her laughter followed me all the way down the hallway.
The second I entered my room, exhaustion hit me completely. The room overlooked the beach, soft evening light filtering through the curtains while the sound of waves echoed faintly from outside.
I took a long shower hoping it would calm my thoughts. It didn't. Because somehow my brain kept returning to one person.
Him.
I closed my eyes under the warm water, remembering the last time we had seen each other in Bangalore. The tension. The almost-kiss. And then those stupid phone calls interrupting everything.
After that, he had gone distant and cold again. And somehow that hurt more than his anger ever did. Because for one second there— I had seen him unfold again. Seen my Saharsh beneath all those walls. And then he disappeared right back behind them.
I leaned against the shower wall with a tired sigh. He was hurt deeply. I truly understood how much damage those two years had done to both of us. This distance between us… It wasn't going to disappear easily.
But this time— This time I would fight for him. For us. No matter how difficult it got.
I changed into my bathrobe after showering and stepped out while drying my hair with a towel. That's when someone knocked loudly on my door. I frowned slightly before opening it— And immediately got attacked.
"Sammmmm!"
Janhvi practically threw herself on me the second she saw me. I burst out laughing while hugging her back tightly.
"Careful! I just showered!"
"I don't care!" she squealed dramatically. "Finally you're here! Do you know how happy I am to see your face in real life after like ten million video calls?"
I smiled instantly at her excitement. "It's your wedding. How would I miss it?" Then I grinned mischievously. "Also the least expected person in our group is getting married first. I had to witness this historical event personally."
Janhvi gasped dramatically. "You evil woman."
"I'm just honest."
"Oh my God I love you," she said before hugging me again. She entered the room while rambling excitedly about decorations, outfits, relatives, and how Daksh's family had already started embarrassing him. I sat beside her on the bed laughing at her chaos.
"So," I asked finally, "has everyone arrived?"
"Almost. Our group is mostly here except Sanskruti. Poor thing had some work in Mumbai so she'll miss a part of the functions."
I nodded slowly. Then casually— I asked, "And… what about the groom's side?"
Janhvi immediately stopped talking. Then slowly looked at me. "Oh my God," she said dramatically. "You know you can directly ask if Saharsh is coming or not."
I looked away instantly. "I was just asking generally."
"Sure."
"I was."
"Sameera."
I groaned. "Fine."
She crossed her arms smugly. "I honestly thought you wouldn't come because of him. After your breakup and then whatever happened in Bangalore…" Her voice softened slightly. "It's going to be difficult facing him again and again, right?" I stayed quiet.
She continued carefully, "You told me he gave you a really hard time there."
I laughed softly at that. "Yeah. He definitely did."
"Don't worry," she said immediately, grabbing my hand dramatically. "I'll protect you from him."
I looked at her for a second before shaking my head slowly. "No."
"What?
"I want him to come.I want to face him," I admitted quietly. "I want him back."
Janhvi's jaw literally dropped. "What?!"
I laughed at her expression. "Stop reacting like that."
"No because WHAT? Sameera Gayaki voluntarily admitting feelings? Is the world ending?"
I threw a pillow at her. But then my smile softened slightly. "I'm actually thankful he came back into my life again because of work," I said honestly. "Yeah, he's been a complete asshole and tortured me professionally…" I rolled my eyes. "But somewhere between all that, I realized that I still love him. And I think…" I smiled faintly, "he still loves me too. It's just hidden beneath a lot of anger."
For a moment Janhvi just stared at me.
Then suddenly she grabbed both my shoulders dramatically. "WOW. Bangalore has changed you." I burst out laughing. "No seriously," she continued emotionally. "Look at you! Mature. Confident. Fighting for love."
"Please shut up."
"I'm so proud of you."
I smiled helplessly. Then finally asked softly, "So… is he coming?"
Janhvi smirked instantly. "Yes." My heartbeat betrayed me immediately. "He'll probably arrive at night," she continued casually. "Maybe during the party tonight." Janvhi stood up excitedly before walking toward the door. Then turned dramatically. "Oh and Sameera?"
"Hm?"
"Look beautiful tonight if you want to impress him."
Before I could throw another pillow at her— she ran away laughing.
Saharsh's POV:
The party had already started as I reached the resort. Music echoed through the beachside lawn loud enough to vibrate through my skull while fairy lights hung above the dance floor like glowing stars. People were already drunk, screaming lyrics they barely knew, dancing without rhythm, glasses clinking everywhere. The entire place looked chaotic, loud, alive.
And there I was—straight from the airport. Travel exhaustion sitting heavily in my bones after the delayed flight and back-to-back meetings before leaving Bangalore. Perfect condition for a wedding party. Exactly where I wanted to be.
The second I entered, Daksh spotted me near the bar and came straight toward me. "Finally!" he shouted over the music before pulling me into a hug. "The groom was about to lose hope."
"Tragic," I muttered dryly.
Shivam laughed from beside him while handing me a bottle of water. "You look horrible."
"I feel horrible."
"That's because you insist on working till the last second like a fifty-year-old businessman."
I ignored him completely. Or at least I tried to. Because even while talking to them, my eyes kept moving around the venue unconsciously. Searching. Scanning. Looking for one specific person I absolutely should not be looking for.
Daksh caught it instantly. A smirk spread slowly across his face. "Your girl hasn't arrived yet."
I looked at him flatly. "What my girl?"
"Oh shut up."
"I'm not looking for anyone."
Both him and Shivam burst out laughing.
"Bro," Daksh said dramatically, "it's literally written all over your face."
"You're imagining things."
"Yeah?" He folded his arms smugly. "Then why have you checked the entrance like six times since you came here?"
"I was looking for you idiots."
"Liar."
I exhaled sharply, already irritated. "Can we not do this tonight?"
Daksh only grinned wider. "Janhvi told me everything, by the way."
That immediately made me suspicious. "Everything what?"
"What a complete dickhead you've been to Sameera in Bangalore."
I gave him a look. "It was work."
"Bullshit. You made her wait three hours downstairs."
"She came unannounced."
"You tortured her entire team."
"They were inefficient."
"You stared at her like you wanted to kill anyone standing near her."
I stayed silent.
Daksh pointed dramatically. "Exactly."
Before I could argue again, he laughed and patted my shoulder. "Relax. I'm going to find my bride before someone else steals her."
And then he disappeared straight toward the dance floor where Janhvi was already dancing with the girls. Shivam moved beside me at the bar, clearly enjoying my suffering. "You know," he said casually, "for someone claiming he doesn't care, you look extremely restless."
"I'm tired."
"Hmm."
"And I'm not looking for her."
"Sure."
I ignored him again and took another sip of water. Then suddenly the crowd near the entrance screamed louder. My eyes lifted automatically. And every coherent thought in my brain disappeared instantly.
Fuck.
Sameera walked in with the girls laughing beside her—and the entire damn party blurred around her. She wore a short white bodycon dress that fit her body perfectly. The soft fabric hugged every curve, enhancing her waist, her hips, those long bare legs that instantly dragged my attention lower than it should have gone. Her hair fell over one shoulder in loose waves, skin glowing under the golden lights while she laughed at something Rishita said.
And God. That dress was dangerous. The kind that made a man lose every ounce of self-control without even touching her. Everything disappeared the second she walked in, the entire fucking room stopped existing for me. She moved straight toward the dance floor with the girls while the DJ changed tracks.
She's a changed person now. She carries herself differently. More confident. More aware. Like she knew exactly how beautiful she was and what effect she had on people.The worst part? She absolutely knew I was watching her. Her body moved effortlessly with the music, laughing freely while Janhvi pulled her closer into the crowd. Every few seconds some random guy turned to look at her, and honestly I understood them.
How the fuck was anyone supposed to not look at her tonight? Suddenly my brain started running in directions it absolutely should not have been going. That white dress pushed up slightly under my hands. My palms sliding over her thighs. Her back pressed against my chest while I kissed the side of her neck.
"Dude." Shivam's voice snapped through my thoughts. He was staring at me with the most entertained expression possible. "And someone said he wasn't looking for Sameera."
"Fuck off."
Shivam burst out laughing. I immediately held my hand out toward him. "Give me that drink."
"Oh now you want alcohol?"
"Yes."
He handed me the glass with a smug grin while I took a long sip instantly. Because I genuinely needed something cold in my system immediately. My body was reacting before my brain could stop it. The level of effect this woman still had on me after everything—was honestly humiliating.
Then suddenly— her eyes lifte straight toward me across the crowded dance floor. And fucking hell. The second our eyes met, she slowed. Just slightly. And then very slowly the corner of her lips curved upward.
I should leave this party. This thought lept running running through my head while I stood near the bar pretending to listen to Shivam talking about something completely useless. Because every few seconds my eyes drifted back to her automatically. Sameera laughed loudly at something Kiara said before making her way toward the bar, and the second she came closer, I felt my entire body tense unconsciously.
Fuck.
Up close was worse. Much worse. The dress looked even more dangerous now, every curve visible enough to completely ruin a man's sanity. Her cheeks were slightly flushed already, lips glossy, eyes sparkling. She slid onto the barstool beside me casually like my entire nervous system wasn't collapsing because of her presence.
"One whiskey," she told the bartender before glancing sideways at me with a small teasing smile.
I raised an eyebrow immediately. "Didn't know you drink."
She leaned one elbow lazily against the counter. "Used to not." The bartender placed the shots in front of her. "But now," she continued while lifting one between her fingers, "once in a while is okay, right?"
And before I could say anything— she took the shots one after another without even flinching. My eyes dropped to her throat instinctively as she swallowed, her head tilting back slightly, lips parting afterward with the faintest exhale.
Jesus Christ.
She looked so fucking hot doing absolutely nothing. I gripped my glass harder. Because right now all I could think about was how badly I wanted to touch her. To pull her closer. To drag her somewhere private and finally kiss that smug little smile off her lips. She looked toward me again afterward, licking the tiny drop left near her lip absentmindedly, and I swear my brain stopped functioning for a second.
"You're staring, Mr. Wankhade."
I forced myself to look away. "You're drunk."
"Mhm." She smiled lazily. "Not yet."
Before I could answer, Kiara suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed both Sameera and Shivam dramatically. "No boring faces allowed. Dance floor. Right now."
"I'm fine here," I muttered immediately.
"Shut up," she said before grabbing my wrist too. "You especially need to loosen up."
And somehow within seconds, I found myself standing on the dance floor beside Sameera while loud music vibrated through the entire resort. She laughed while dancing with Kiara for a minute before slowly moving toward me, her body swaying effortlessly with the music.
Then suddenly— her hands came around my neck casually. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. My breath caught instantly. She looked up at me through half-drunk eyes, cheeks flushed from alcohol and dancing, lips curved into the prettiest smile I had seen in years.
"Sameera," I said quietly, holding her waist automatically to steady her, "you're drunk."
"Mhm." She shook her head cutely. "I'm not."
"You can barely stand."
"That's rude."
God.
I was actually losing my mind. Up close, she was devastating. Those eyes. Those lips. The warmth of her body pressed against mine while music pulsed around us. I couldn't stop looking at her mouth. Couldn't stop imagining kissing her right there in the middle of the dance floor. Couldn't stop imagining how she would sound if I dragged her somewhere alone after this.
Her fingers played lazily behind my neck while she moved closer unconsciously, and every soft brush of her body against mine made my thoughts darker. Needier. Wilder. I wanted her under my hands so badly it physically hurt. Wanted to hold her against me and devour her slowly until she forgot every reason she had for leaving me.
The crowd around us slowly blurred. Music faded into the background.
At some point I forgot literally everyone around us. There was only her. Only Sameera. Dancing against me with flushed cheeks and sleepy eyes while looking at me like I still belonged to her. And maybe the worst part? A part of me still did.
I didn't even realize the party had started ending until Daksh suddenly appeared beside us laughing. "Bro," he said dramatically, "the party's over."
I blinked once, finally coming back to reality. Sameera was still leaning against me. My hand was still firmly around her waist. And judging by the way she swayed slightly when she tried standing properly— she was far more drunk than she thought.
Janhvi immediately pointed at her accusingly. "She's drunk. Leave her to her room."
I looked at her flatly. "Why me? I'm sure you guys can handle your own friend."
"Nononono," Sameera protested instantly, pointing dramatically at everyone. "I can go to my room on my own. I don't need anyone."
And before anyone could stop her—
she started walking away. Very badly. Her steps completely unstable. Heading absolutely nowhere near the rooms.
"Bro," Daksh sighed tiredly while gesturing around at the rest of the drunk crowd, "look around. Nobody here is in their senses. Please handle her."
Janhvi folded her hands dramatically. "Please."
I exhaled sharply before turning around to find Sameera already walking toward the beach instead of the resort rooms.
"Shit."
I immediately followed her. She almost lost balance near the sand before I caught her quickly by the arm.
"No," she complained instantly, trying to pull away. "I can find my room myself."
"Yeah," I muttered dryly while steadying her properly. "I can clearly see that."
She blinked up at me slowly.
"Your room," I informed her patiently, "is on the other side."
"Oh."
She just stood there after that looking adorably confused. I removed my jacket and placed it around her shoulders automatically before pushing her hair gently away from her face. The night breeze near the beach was cold. And drunk idiots got sick easily.
"What?" I asked quietly when I noticed her staring at me with a soft smile.
"You're nice."
I snorted lightly. "Don't spread rumors."
She laughed softly at that. Then tried walking again. And nearly fell immediately. I caught her before she could hit the ground and finally lost patience. Without thinking further, I picked her up directly into my arms.
She gasped softly before immediately protesting. "Leave me. I can walk."
"Yes," I said dryly while adjusting her weight against me. "I've already witnessed your excellent walking skills."
She kept mumbling complaints while lightly hitting my shoulder, but honestly— she weighed almost nothing. I frowned unconsciously while carrying her easily toward the resort. This girl seriously needed to eat properly.
"Room number?" I asked.
She went quiet for two seconds before answering obediently against my neck. "305."
"Good."
The rest of the walk passed mostly with her sleepy mumbling random things while I tried very hard not to think about the fact that she fit perfectly in my arms.
Like she always had.
When we finally reached her room, I unlocked it using the code Janhvi had texted me earlier and carried her inside carefully. The room was dimly lit, soft yellow lamps glowing near the bed. I walked over slowly before laying her down gently against the mattress. She looked peaceful suddenly. Her eyes closed softly, hair spread across the pillow while my jacket slipped slightly from her shoulder.
And for a second— I just stood there staring at her. Completely ruined. My fingers moved before I could stop them. I brushed a strand of hair away from her face gently before caressing her cheek slowly with the back of my hand.
"What is it in you," I whispered quietly, "that keeps pulling me back every single time?"
Even after the hurt.
Even after the anger.
Even after she left me broken two years ago— I still couldn't stay away from her.
I finally stepped back slightly, forcing myself to leave before I did something stupid.
But suddenly— her hand caught mine. Weakly. Sleepily. And pressed it against her cheek. "I miss you," she whispered so softly I almost thought I imagined it. "Please don't go…"
My chest tightened painfully. Her eyes opened only slightly, unfocused from sleep and alcohol before her fingers slowly curled around the back of my neck.
Then suddenly— she pulled me closer.
And her lips were against mine. Soft and Warm. Sleepy but enough to completely destroy whatever control I had left. My entire body froze instantly.
She barely deepened the kiss before exhaustion pulled her away again, eyes already fluttering closed. Then she simply curled closer against the pillow while still holding my hand tightly against her chest.
Like even in sleep— she didn't want to let me go.