Lockdown Desire ( lock with him)

Increasing white hairs, nosy colony aunties prying into her marital status, a cranky boss, creeping weight gain, relentless parental taunts, and the ever-growing work stress-this pretty much summed up Devratna's life. At 34, this South Indian millennial was just another IT professional grinding away in Hyderabad, juggling deadlines and dodging rishtas like a pro.

Thirteen. That was the number of times she had been rejected by potential grooms. By now, she had learned to laugh it off, but deep down, it still stung. Needing a break from reality, she planned a much-needed trip to Kashmir with her best friend-only for said friend to ditch her at the last minute. Frustrated but determined, Ratna took a leap of faith, boarded the flight solo, and arrived in the breathtaking valley, ready to unwind in the cozy little villa she had booked for herself.

Life was good. Peaceful. Until the pandemic hit.

With the world shutting down overnight, Ratna found herself stranded in the villa, trapped by an indefinite lockdown. And to top it all off, she wasn't alone-stuck with her was the maddeningly handsome villa owner, whose presence was quickly becoming impossible to ignore.

The world outside was in chaos. But inside that villa? A different kind of tension was brewing. One that had nothing to do with the pandemic-and everything to do with the way their gazes lingered just a little too long.