Raza had a quick change into a white mirror-embellished Kurtha. Sliding up the sleeves to his elbows, he exited the guest and put up his best smile whilst happily catering to the guests. Sohail's chest swelled with pride, his ribs expanding against the fabric of his sequin Kurtha.

 "Such a nice boy. This Raza." He went around complimenting his employee.

 The way, he supervised the servers and also looked into the needs of every guest, although a family member. Raza checked on the cake and scrutinized the icing. Hastening toward the Kitchen, he halted at the bottom of the stairs.

 Manal gracefully climbed down the stairs, adjusting the velvet pallu of her deep purple saree over her bare arms. She tugged on the delicate diamond choker and flickered her diamond drop earrings. 

On the spot, Raza admired her. Her make-up was on point, done by her. But his gaze lingered on her pulp heart-shaped lips. The shade of maroon on them could never be wrong. It made her lips and face more sexy. Manal looked up and her smoky eyes met his dazed one. She held the railing of the stairs with one hand, holding the edge of the velvet pallu.

Raza gulped softly, not able to look away. The side-parted sleek bun framed her oval face. Manal lowered her eyes, and when she looked up, a slow smile appeared on her face. Raza continued to stare lovingly at her, his eyes fixated on her radiating face; eyes, and lips. Manal gave her hand. Slowly, he raised his hand. Instead of placing her hand in his, she held someone right behind him. Raza tilted his head. Asim took Manal's hand, and she walked past him. Her shoulder brushed against his arm.

"Looking gorgeous, love," Asim commented.

"Thanks." Manal looped her arms around him and leaned, - "You are looking amazing yourself." She pointed at his ethnic attire. Asim tugged on his blue jacket.

"It is designer." He grinned. Manal lightly argued with Asim for wasting so much money.

Raza watched them walk away, his expressions unreadable. Why was he enamored by her? He shouldn't be thinking about her like this. Before, he never thought of her in any such way. Their

 Kerala's trip changed their dynamics. Or was it a one-sided change from his side? Raza shut his eyes and shook his head, trying to shake off the feeling.

No. No. This was forbidden. She was forbidden. These feelings were forbidden.

During the cake-cutting, Raza couldn't distract himself from admiring Manal. Forcing his attention to starters. But all the hi-fi guests treated him like an outsider, someone not of their status. Asim was lucky in that matter, as he had Manal by his side.

After the function, Sohail and Asim see off all the guests while Raza supervises the return- gifts. Manal secretly clicked photos of her fiancé and smiled, looking at it. She was about to text him, but her annoying cousins disturbed her at the last moment. In annoyance, she absent-mindedly texted.

Out of the blue, Manal texted Raza, "Come to my room," leaving him stunned.

Why him? He looked at Sohail, busy with his sister and cousin brothers. Asim spoke something to him, then jogged out of the house. Raza scratched his head and placed a foot on the stairs. He looked up at the fleets of stairs, then glanced back. Hesitating, he climbed up. But, every time, he kept turning back. What if someone caught him? Mistaking him? Raza gripped his phone tightly.

The door was slightly open. He softly knocked at the door.

"Come in."

A wave of heat washed over Raza, despite the biting chill in the air, and he swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. Tugging on the collar of his Kurtha, he licked his lips and stepped inside. The scent of lavender and sandalwood enveloped the room like a warm embrace, mingling with the soft, dim light to create an atmosphere that felt both intimate and magical.

"B--" Before he spoke someone's soft fingers wrapped around his forearm.

Raza froze. Another hand slid over his arm. His throat dried up as a satin cloth blindfolded him.

Manal frowned, realizing Asim's frame appeared taller. She wrapped her arms around his hips and pressed her body against him. Raza shivered.

"B--Bo--Boss."

Manal's eyes sprung open. She jumped apart, turning him around, and gasped loudly.

"Can I open my eyes?"

"No." Manal squeaked.

"Why are you here?"

"You texted me."

"What?"

Raza stood aimlessly. His ears followed the clicking sound of her high heels. Manal gasped loudly again.

"F**k."

"Boss." He moved his arms.

"Don't you dare open your eyes?" She warned him, then held his arm and dragged him.

"Get out."

Raza stumbled out of the room. Outside, he ripped the cloth off his eyes and turned. Cautiously, he gave it a gentle push to the slightly open door. Manal stood near the bed checking her phone. Raza's eyes followed up her bare long legs to her latex bodysuit and paused over the belted choker to her make-up from the party. He looked around. Taking out his phone, he paused. No. He should control himself and his hormones. Raza took a deep breath and turned, walking away.

Manal tossed the phone on the bed. Her eyes fell on the door and, to avoid further embarrassment, she locked it.

Fortunately, Raza didn't see her in this outfit. Otherwise, meeting him at the office would have been super awkward. Manal laid on the bed, with her hands up, and took in a deep breath. After the Kerala trip, things had already become different for her. Now, he came into her mind often. Frustrating her. Many times, when she casually glanced at him and, could imagine his hot-bod underneath the layers of winter-wear.

Manal brought her hand close to her face and caressed her palm with her other hand. When she held his taut forearm, she had a feeling that this wasn't Asim's touch. But it was a familiar touch. She frowned, recollecting their time in Kerala. The touch was so—so—different—and not new.

She slid up against the bedpost and closed her eyes, imagining the gentle touch of his long fingers. Manal slid her hands over her arms; with her eyes closed, it was his large masculine hands.

Inhaling deeply, she opened her eyes and lay on the bed. Manal glided the back of her fingers over her collarbone, through her cleavage and down. Her other hand cupped her breast over the latex bodysuit.

Caged in his firm, sinewy arms, Raza's warm lips left moist lingering kisses, igniting fire on her skin. She glided her soft palms over his muscular biceps, her other hand dragged leisurely on his sturdy back.

Raza's brown eyes stared lovingly into her eyes; bewitching her. She took in a shaky breath, gripping his tall frame, and admired him with lust. What followed was her pure carnal desire. Their tangled bodies moved smoothly, heavy breaths against each other. Her hands and mouth explored his ruddy skin.

Manal moaned loudly, her body convulsing, and waves of euphoric pleasure passed through her. This was the best orgasm for the first time in her virgin life. Her knees shook as she pulled herself up onto the bed.

Shit!

She looked around, dazed. Thin straps of her dress fell loosely on her shoulders, her hair a mess. Manal groaned, covering her face with both her hands. Does this count as cheating? After lust had died down, now guilt overpowered her. The heaviness in her chest from the mind-blowing climax was now because of her conscience.

After freshening up, Manal lay on the bed and browsed through the photos of Asim. She paused in one, where there was Raza in the background. In white Kurtha he looked dashing, with glasses he looked like a nerd. But a hot one. Manal bit her lip, placed the phone on the table and turned the other side. She shut her eyes. 

Sorry, my lovelies. I couldn't update this weekend. So, today I will post two updates. 

So, what do you think, are their feelings mutual? Alag dono taraf lagi hai? 

So, how was the Chapter, my lovelies? Feeling sad for Asim though?

Please drop lots, lots, and lots of comments. Your valuable comments brighten my day and motivate me to write more and better. And, please do share the book with others so more people can join us on this ride.