Unwanted Love

1 bed!

*The title is enough for you to sense the presence of smoky scenes in this chapter*🌚  🥵

TARA'S POV

I woke up to the sound of my alarm, my eyes still heavy from the late night I'd spent working on designs. Today was important; I had to pick up some fabric samples and finalize designs for a new client. I quickly got ready, pulled my hair into a messy bun, grabbed my car keys, and headed out the door.

The drive to the supplier was smooth, but as I began my journey back home, dark clouds gathered overhead, and soon the sky opened up. The rain came pouring down in sheets, making it hard to see even a few feet ahead. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, the wipers working furiously to clear the windshield, but it was no use—the storm was relentless.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Kriti.
"Tara, how are you going to come home in this storm?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
"I'll just speed up and try to make it home in a few minutes," I replied, pressing harder on the gas.
"No, no—are you insane? Stay at a hotel until the storm subsides," she insisted.
"Okay," I sighed, slowing down a bit as the rain hammered against the car.
"Tara, slow down!" she warned.
"How did you know I was speeding?" I asked, glancing at the phone.
"I always know," she said with a smile in her voice before the call abruptly ended.
I shook my head, smiling despite the situation. "She always knows," I murmured to myself, as I reluctantly pulled over and booked a room at the nearest hotel.

By the time I arrived at the hotel, the storm had only gotten worse. I was soaked from the short dash from the car to the entrance. As I approached the reception desk, I was caught completely off guard. There, standing just a few feet away, was Sidharth. He hadn't noticed me at first, but I noticed him immediately—how could I not? My stomach dropped, and I instinctively looked away, refusing to acknowledge him.

The receptionist smiled at me. "Hey, can I get the room I booked?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, hoping this could be quick.
"Sure, let me check," she said, tapping away at her keyboard. After a few seconds, she looked back at me with a slightly apologetic smile. "Unfortunately, there's only one room available."
"Yeah, so I can have it then?" I said, feeling a knot form in my stomach.
The receptionist hesitated. "This gentleman has already paid for it." She gestured to Sidharth, who finally looked my way, his expression unreadable.
"I've also paid," I argued, my voice sharper than I intended.
She glanced between the two of us. "Well, if possible, could you both stay in the room until other rooms become available?"

I felt the color drain from my face. Sharing a room with Sidharth? No, absolutely not. I opened my mouth to argue, but then the realization hit me—I couldn't get my payment back. I had booked online, and canceling now wasn't an option.
"He can get his payment back," I said, my voice tight with frustration.
"It was also made online," Sidharth interjected, his tone as calm as ever, yet there was a hint of tension in his words.

I bit my lip, trying to think of any way out of this. But there wasn't. With no other option, I gave a curt nod, and we were both handed the key.

The walk to the room was silent, the tension thick between us. When we finally entered, I couldn't help but feel my heart sink. There, in the middle of the room, was the bed. One. Single. Bed.

I looked at him, and he looked at me, neither of us saying anything. My mind raced as I weighed my options. The bed looked like it would swallow me whole, but the idea of sharing it—or even the room—with Sidharth was enough to make me feel suffocated.

I crossed my arms, trying to steady my breathing, refusing to be the first to speak. This was going to be a long night.

"I—" I started, but the words caught in my throat. I could barely stand the tension between us. Finally, I managed, "I am not sharing the bed with you."