The Second Bloom [Completed ✓]

30. Anger, pain and regret (Varun's POV)

My head pounded relentlessly as I slowly opened my eyes, the dull throb pulsing through my temples.

God, what the fuck happened to me ?

It took me a moment to adjust to the dim light in the room.

My vision was still hazy. I blinked a few times, trying to piece together where I was.

The room was unfamiliar.

Not the one I shared with Malini, not even any part of the house I could immediately recognize.

Confusion washed over me like a cold wave. I stirred slightly, trying to sit up, when I felt something—someone—beside me.

An unfamiliar touch, soft and warm.

My muscles stiffened, and the haze in my head began to clear as alarm bells rang in my mind.

I slowly turned my head, my heart pounding in my chest as my eyes settled on the figure next to me.

Nandani.

God.

God.

She was lying there, her head nestled against my chest, her body curled into me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Her face was peaceful, her breathing steady. But what sent a bolt of shock through me was the fact that she was completely naked.

Her bare skin pressed against mine.

My breath caught in my throat.

I couldn’t breathe.

My mind refused to process what I was seeing, what I was feeling. I jerked back instinctively, but my body wouldn’t move the way I wanted it to.

That’s when I noticed, my leg was draped over her, my arm slung across her torso, and my hand... My hand was resting on something soft, something that I immediately knew I shouldn’t be touching.

Panic surged through me.

Air was drawn out of my lungs as I snatched my hand away, horrified by the realization of where it had been.

My heart raced, thundering in my chest. I struggled to untangle myself from her, every inch of my body tense with shock.

The sudden movement made her stir slightly, but she didn’t wake.

I froze, staring at her, every muscle in my body tight with dread. I couldn’t understand—what the hell had happened? Why was I here? And why in God’s name was I naked?

I looked down at myself, at my bare skin, and the sight sent a chill through my entire being.

No clothes.

Nothing. I was just as exposed as she was.

My mind raced, fragments of the previous day spinning wildly in my head.

The Holi celebration.

The bhang. The laughter and colors.

But how did I end up like this?

The last thing I remembered clearly was that I heard Malini's voice asking me to rest. I tried to recall what had happened next, but it was like grasping at smoke.

Every time I thought I had a memory, it slipped away before I could catch it.

My throat felt dry, my head still pounding as I forced myself to sit up. I looked around the room frantically, trying to make sense of it all.

My breath came in shallow bursts as I ran a hand through my hair, my thoughts racing in every direction.

How had it come to this? What had I done?