Bridges and Barriers

The First Kiss

Law of Attraction

The first light of dawn slowly crept across the landscape near the river where Rajat and Savi had spent the night. The sky was painted with hues of pink and orange, while the gentle chirping of birds added a peaceful melody to the tranquil morning. A cool breeze rustled the leaves around them, making the scene feel almost dreamlike.

Rajat stirred, feeling the softness of the bed beneath him and the unfamiliar warmth of another body close to his. Still groggy, he tried to recall where he was. As his mind cleared, he realized that Savi had snuggled close to him during the night, her head resting against his chest, their legs tangled together. Somehow, in the quiet hours, they had found comfort in each other’s arms.

Rajat looked down at his new wife, her peaceful expression catching him off guard. There was an undeniable attraction he felt for her, something he couldn’t deny even if he tried. Savi was a beautiful woman, and he was a healthy man—it was only natural to feel drawn to her. He kept telling himself that it was normal, that it would be wrong not to feel this way. Yet, there was something more than just physical attraction. It was deeper, more complex, and it made him uneasy.

As he watched her, Rajat made a silent resolve. He could never allow himself to fall in love with her, not after what he had been through in the past. He had made mistakes before—mistakes that he couldn’t afford to repeat. He would be a husband, a companion, a supporter, and a cheerleader, everything that Savi might need in a partner, but he wouldn’t allow himself to become her lover. Love, he decided, was off-limits.

Just as he steeled his resolve, a soft breeze blew across the river, lifting Savi’s hair and causing it to fall across her face. The sight of her, bathed in the gentle morning light with her hair softly framing her features, was so beautiful that Rajat found himself mesmerized. Without thinking, he instinctively reached out to gently brush the strands of hair away from her face. As his fingers touched her skin, Savi stirred and slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, Savi still half-asleep as she tried to make sense of where she was. Then, as the reality of the situation hit her, she caught sight of how close they were, her body pressed against his, her head on his chest. Alarmed, she quickly tried to move away, but in her haste, she lost her balance and fell back onto him.

Savi: (heart racing, struggling to get up) “What…what were you doing?”

Rajat, who had been startled by her sudden movement, grabbed her shoulders to steady her before turning her onto her side to give her space.

Rajat: (calmly) “Relax, Savi. I was just trying to move your hair from your face. You were the one who snuggled close to me in your sleep.”

Savi, embarrassed and slightly flustered, quickly fixed her attire. She was still trying to process what had just happened, her emotions a confusing mix of anger, embarrassment, and something else she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

Savi: (looking at him angrily) “We married for Sai, Rajat. If you think I’m going to sleep with you, you’re deluding yourself.”

Rajat’s expression hardened at her words. He hadn’t expected such a harsh reaction, especially after the night they had shared.

Rajat: (angrily) “Wake up and look around, Savi. I wasn’t doing anything. You’re the one who came towards me in your sleep. Don’t just say things for the sake of it.”

Savi, realizing the truth in his words, muttered something under her breath, too embarrassed to continue the argument. She quickly got up from the bed, smoothing out her clothes as she tried to regain her composure.