But this time it didn’t seem to be cool. The touches were painful. His lips were furiously brushing over mine. My outer self was afraid of getting bruises on my lips while my inner self loved it.

But I can't act timid? He shouldn't embarrass me like this?? Collecting all my strength this time I pushed him harder.

He was taken aback. He looked unhappy and shocked. His eyes constantly staring at me gave me chills.

But as if this all was not enough, I was precisely not allowed to move an inch  away from him. The guests were continuously approaching us to give gifts.

After this awkward kiss, I had to stay by his side and complete our act.

We were kept as a centre of attraction for almost the entire day. Both of us were exhausted till hell. And this could be clearly seen in both of our faces. The focus of the uncountable lights on us...the continuous 'click' sound of those cameras...the ocean of heads sitting infront of us...their curious eyes upon us...all these were sufficient to make us uncomfortable yet we had to put on our best masks and smile since we had no other options. 

The buffet was opened and I could see a fewer people near us. I silently oozed out from the scene and thought of giving myself a break. I headed to the cocktail section and looked at the counter. I chose the corner one where few men were chatting. 

"Irish Bomb please", I asked the waiter. 

I gripped the glass and took it close to my lips. As soon as the glass touched my lips, I flashbacked my first ever kiss that was taken away a few minutes ago. I rolled my eyes in discontented. Why did I have to kiss him back? It was nice though! What? Why am I talking gibberish? 

Keeping aside my glass, I searched for my stud-muffin. As expected he was found to be flirting with some young girls. I waved my hand to let him see me but unfortunately a girl standing next to him saw my gesture. Instantly she whispered something onto his ears and in between he looked straight at me. He too replied her something on her ears and headed towards me. 

I smiled nervously at him while he was approaching near me. 

"Eric!"

"You wanna say something?", he asked.

"Yes...Umm...I think the guests are almost gone now...only your friends are drinking...so..."

"You wanna go home?" 

I nodded. 

"Wait! I'll take you."

"No..no.. I'll manage." I insisted.

"Manage?? I mean...what is there to manage?"

"You don't need to do all these. It was a hectic day for both of us."

"No..no...I'll let my driver take you to my house."

"-----"   I looked at him plainly.

"What? You'll be staying with me from today, right?" 

Shoot!!  How can I forget that?

"When will you go, then?" I asked.

"An hour or so. Why?"

" Then let's go together. I'll wait."

I got back to my place and put the empty glass away.  I grabbed the seat and took a new glass. After I had taken a few sips, I saw my Stud-muffin was still  near me. He came and sat next to me. 

He then pulled out his left hand and placed it on my shoulder. He lowered his head and rested it on my other shoulder. 

"Dont drink too much. After this, we also have our wedding night."

What?? Wedding night?? 

"If you are unable to handle yourself, I won't too. Later don't scold me for not warning you." He smiled coyly.

Handle?? Me?? What is he up to??

"Why are your cheeks so red? Are you feeling hot?", he asked me while touching my cheeks with his fingertips. It was the time I realized that I was already blushing. 

I shook my face with which he took off his hand. I looked to the other side out of embarrassment. 

"Umm...the kiss...it did give you a shock,  right? I am sorry about that." He spoke in a low tone. 

"It was my first kiss." I said with my harsh tone. I dont know how those words came out from my mouth. Perhaps, the wine did its work.

"So...was it good? I mean...are you satisfied? No no no...I mean how was it?" He was trying hard to form an appropriate sentence. 

The feeling was uneasy. How could I answer that? What should I say? Although I wanted to say that it was awesome, but why should I say?

I gulped the bear from my glass just to avoid stretching the conversation.

"Enjoy yourself now. But I can't assure you about tonight."

Hearing this, I gulped and emptied my glass, grabbed his glass and emptied it too. This was to show him that I was a good drinker. Hugh! I can't lower my ego. 

It was 2 in the morning and the guests had left. Our families chatted for almost an hour while I was exhausted like hell. My Stud-muffin was seen nowhere from a long time. Maybe he was busy with some chicks. I was least concerned.

"Mom? Can I take some rest now?", I asked my mom with a sober face.

" Yes! Both of you need to take some rest. You two were busy since the dawn."

I rolled my eyes after hearing that. You two?? Like seriously?? I was the one who was looking like a shit from extreme exhaustion. But the case was different for him. He still had the energy to flirt. WAIT!! Am I being jealous now? No way. It is not possible.

"Mom! If I have nothing to do, I'll take a leave."

" Wait! What about the keys, Ares? Did you take it?"

Holy shit. I entirely forgot about the new apartment where I will be staying from today onwards. Damn!! It is creepy to stay next to him. 

I ran towards mom and whispered, "Are you sure there will be separate rooms?"

" NO! But there will surely be different beds in the bedroom." She whispered me back. What the hell!! 

"Ares! Won't you wait for Eric?"

I looked my left and right before speaking, "No mom! I guess he's busy. I'll go alone."

"Bye son! The car is waiting outside. I'll miss you." Mom hugged me.

" Miss you mom." I hugged her back.

Without wasting much time I took the keys from her and headed towards my so called new home. My main motive was to fall asleep before my Stud-muffin comes. I'll just take a shower and lay on my bed. This was what I exactly thought before entering the apartment.

But the apartment had its light on!!! Maybe they forgot to switch it off?? Or maybe it's automatic?? 

I tried every possible reason to calm down myself but the continuous dripping of water from the bathroom made the atmosphere very creepy to the point that my legs were unwilling to move forward. Slowly I reached my phone in the pocket and called my mom. 

"Hello mom! Is it room number 276?" I asked in a timid voice making sure not to disturb any single creature in the house. 

"Yes! Did you reach there?"

" Yes mom! Did you forgot to switch off the lights when you came to drop off my belongings today?" I asked again.

"Since I went in the morning, I didn't use the lights. Why? What happened?"

"No No! Nothing!  Bye mom. I'll call you later after I freshen up." 

I didn't want to worry her unnecessarily. After all I am a grown up. And freshly married too. Hugh!!! But this adult is frightened like hell right now.

I gathered my courage and consoled my pitiful soul that the taps might have leakage problem. I decided to fix it in the next morning itself. For the time being I'll just find my bedroom, lock the door and lay down on my bed peacefully. Hugh!! I'll do it. I can do it.

The living room was as big as a museum hall with the lavish sofa sets, tv, speakers, table lamps, shimmers and what not. Next my eyes were stuck to a door which might lead to the bedroom. I fixed my eyes on the door and took small intruding steps. I touched the handles, took a deep breathe and opened it.

DARK.

The lights of the whole apartment suddenly went off. The room was filled with darkness in no time. Thank God I didn't watch any horror movie on my way. But it was really creepy. There was uneasy fearful sensation inside my body. My now cold hands were trembling already and my legs were shaking. My heartbeat ran fast as I could hear the dripping of water. I wanted to shout and run from this misfortune but all I could do was to close my eyes and stay still. 

"Welcome dear!" I could hear a familiar voice amidst my agony. I opened my eyes and got a relief when I saw my Stud-muffin holding cake with some burning candles. 

Though I was confused at his act yet I was contended to have him near me. He placed the cake on the table and switched on the lights. The string lights were decorated on the walls; two incandescent lights were placed at the corner of the hall. There was this beautiful chandelier placed at the middle of the ceiling. I was awestruck as well as overwhelmed. I don't know what came in me that I rushed to him as I saw him standing. Not only that, I grabbed him with a tight hug. It might look awkward in other days but it was totally fine at that time. I needed it. 

His hands reciprocated giving me a warm hug. My head calmly rested on his silky shirt material while I peeped inside his body through the gap in between his shirt's buttons. I somehow enjoyed that situation.

Both my hands were touching his back and same was in the case of mine. However, he rubbed his hands on my back continuously making me shrink inside his body. I wanted to stop it, but I was thoroughly enjoying it. I know I'll be embarrassed later on, but that later part let it happen later on. I just wanted to pause the moment. His familiar cologne made me feel relax. 

Slowly I pulled my head out of his vast chest that was moving up and down. I took a step back and asked him with my eyes on the bare floor, "What are all these? Why did you bring the cake?"

" For us. Did you forget its our wedding night? Don't you want to make it memorable?"

What is he talking about? Wedding night?? I stood still not wanting to answer to any of his questions.