Finding Love in the City

44. Another chance at love

Indeed they did regret their actions, and whatever had happened the first time was forgotten in a drunken haze. However, when it happened for the second time, things were too raw and fresh to forget. With her legs locked around his waist, his body had been in sync with her as she met each of his movements with her own. He could still recollect how majestic it felt when he moved inside of her as her calves were on his shoulders, thrusting at a pace that surprised him too. She could not misremember how he kept up with his hip movements so that her most sensitive spot could be hit over and over again until she could come undone with her eyes rolled back in pleasure. Neither could they forget the aftermath of the transcendental experience. They had shared a sweet kiss with each other. It was totally unexpected, uncalled for, but then it felt nice. Somehow, that one kiss was able to convey a million emotions, their pain, their heartbreaks, the remnant amount of love they still had in their hearts for someone else.

However, staying away was the only option left because they didn't wish to ruin the friendship they had with each other. They went back to their general routine. Struggling to get out of bed each morning, going to work like a robot programmed to do so, skipping meals as certain cuisines reminded them of their exes, avoiding group hangouts as much as possible since they were tired of forcing themselves into smiling, and retiring early to bed, twisting and turning through the night as the betrayal pained them smack dab in their chest.

But then a month and a half later, Piyali was not too sure about what was happening to her. She felt nauseous and dizzy. The aroma of certain things sickened her. And she had missed her periods.

Scared of finding out what the results would be, she bought a pack of pregnancy test kits and went to his luxurious apartment on the other end of the city. Nervous she was to the extent that she continued to call for the elevator with a press of the button despite the car waiting for her to enter it, opening and closing with a ding at intervals. Only when a curious passerby asked if everything was alright with her did she apologize and go ahead to the fifth floor, hiding herself from the stranger because of the mortification coursing through her veins.

***

Shubham was having a lazy day. He had woken up late because he slept late, moping till midnight over the way he had lost his precious Nandini, drinking till the wee hours of the morning, and gazing at the beautiful pictures he had of her. When he woke up, the hangover was ridiculous, the headache was beyond tolerance, and he was so hungry that he could gobble down almost anything and everything.

Freshening up, he made his way towards the kitchen to fix himself a sandwich when the doorbell to his plush apartment rang, and he grumbled before retracing his steps towards the door. As soon as the door swung open, he was surprised to see his friend and his not-so-one-night-stand in front of him, fiddling with the hem of her jacket, her handbag slung limply around her shoulders. He hadn't seen her in over a month, and damn, did she look sexy in those knee-length boots, black jeans, and a black leather jacket. His mind wavered off to how exotic it would be if she were to put those boots on—only those on—as he kissed every inch of her skin.

His reverie broke when she cleared her throat. Pursing his lips, he said, "It's the middle of the day, Piyali. Do you really want to have sex now?"

She gasped and narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you take me to be some random horny floozy who would just... just..." She rolled her eyes. "Let me in. I have something to tell you."

He stood out of her way, and as soon as she entered, he banged the door shut. Irked he was because of the sudden intrusion when he was famished and also because he didn't wish a repeat of the same misstep. Twice. Nonetheless gesturing towards the couch, he said, "Please sit. Coffee?"