I Think I'm Sick

Sid caught the cashier's eye as it was his turn, her smile soft and inviting. With a playful wink, he reached for his basket and began unloading groceries onto the counter, the air between them charged with unspoken flirtation. The scanner beeped rhythmically as she processed each item, her movements fluid, almost hypnotic.

Sid's phone buzzed on the counter, snapping him out. He glanced at the screen. Yash. Sliding the phone to his ear, he answered, "What's up?"

Yash's voice boomed on the other end. "What's the plan for this evening?"

"Nothing much," Sid replied, leaning on the counter as his bag of oranges went through the scanner. "Just going to unpack my stuff."

"That's so boring," Yash groaned, his voice dripping with melodrama. "Let's do something fun."

"Like what?" Sid asked, pulling his wallet out and offering his card to the cashier.

"How about we watch cricket? That new bar near the railway station opened last year. People are saying it's got good vibes," Yash suggested.

The corner of Sid's mouth quirked into a grin. His tired eyes lit up at the prospect of a night out. "Perfect, bro," he replied with a sudden burst of energy. Handing the card machine back to the cashier, he added, "See you there."

He turned his attention back to the woman across from him, her beauty amplified under the warm fluorescent lighting. Sid leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping an octave. "The new bar near the station, huh? You should try it sometime."

She smirked, clearly catching onto his intent. "Tonight, after my shift. Nine sharp," she said, her tone teasing as she handed him his groceries.

Sid's grin broadened, his signature thumbs-up sealing the deal. "See you then," he quipped, turning towards the exit with a spring in his step.

The ride back to his home was filled with a rare kind of anticipation, the kind that bubbled up when you knew a good time was just around the corner.

Sid leaned against the car, his eyes scanning the sleek white exterior. "I prefer white," he declared with a grin.

Yash, standing beside him, shook his head. "Blue's better."

Sid rolled his eyes and playfully slapped Yash on the back of the head. "Crazy pig, this car is for me, remember?"

"Who's going to ride with you in this car? Me, of course," Yash shot back, smirking. "And let's not forget, you're not even paying for it. This is courtesy of your company." He gestured toward the HR representative, who was deep in conversation with the store manager.

Sid chuckled, shaking his head. Though he hadn't expected to be transferred to this small town, the promotion and perks made it worthwhile. The car was just the cherry on top.

After finalizing the paperwork, the two friends headed to the new bar near the railway station. The place was buzzing with energy, the hum of conversations blending with the commentary of the cricket match playing on the big screen. Sid took a moment to appreciate the ambiance, impressed by how much the town had developed in recent years.

"Six! Yes!" they both shouted in unison as a player smashed the ball out of the ground. Sid was thoroughly enjoying the evening, the companionship with Yash and the lively atmosphere making it one to remember.

"This match is insane," Yash said, glancing at Sid, only to notice his friend's attention had drifted to the entrance. Yash didn't need to ask; he could tell Sid was waiting for someone. Smiling to himself, he turned back to the screen.

Moments later, the girl from the supermarket walked in. Sid's gaze followed her as she made her way to the bar. She was dressed in a striking red dress and carried herself with effortless confidence. Sid raised his eyebrows, impressed, before quickly shifting his focus back to the match, a small smile playing on his lips.

The woman took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. As the game continued, Sid found his eyes wandering back to her. Their glances met a few times, a silent exchange that didn't go unnoticed by Yash.

"Stop staring and go talk to her, bro," Yash teased, nudging Sid's shoulder. Sid chuckled, appreciating how well his friend knew him. The night was shaping up to be more interesting than he had anticipated.

Sid stood from his seat, his gaze fixed on the woman at the bar. With a confident stride, he approached her, offering his hand. "Sid," he said, his voice steady yet warm.

"Maya," she replied, her tone light but captivating as she reached out to shake his hand. The connection lingered a moment longer than necessary, the subtle tension almost electric.

Sid signaled the bartender and ordered another drink for himself, casually adding Maya's drink to his tab. She watched him with interest, a small smile playing at her lips, clearly impressed. As he handed his card over to pay, Maya leaned closer, her curiosity evident. "So, Sid, what do you do?" she asked.

"I'm area manager at the Overseas Group here," he replied, his tone modest yet proud.

Maya's expression brightened as her mind began to whirl with possibilities. "Oh, great," she said, her voice hinting at excitement. "I was planning to apply there after graduation."

Sid tilted his head slightly, intrigued. "You're a college student?" he asked, surprised at how composed and polished she seemed.

"Yes," she said, her voice steady and earnest. "I work part-time in the evenings and on weekends."

"That's impressive," Sid said, his admiration genuine.

Meanwhile, across the bar, Yash remained glued to the screen, only occasionally glancing toward Sid. A knowing smirk crossed his face as he observed the growing connection between his friend and the woman. Sid hadn't changed one bit, he thought with amused fondness. The sight of Sid offering his hand to Maya and then leading her to a quieter spot at the other side of the bar was enough to make Yash chuckle softly to himself before returning his focus to the cricket match.

Sid pulled Maya into the dimly lit corridor, the quiet hum of the surroundings amplifying the tension between them. He leaned closer, his face brushing against her hair as he caught the faint, intoxicating scent of her perfume. Circling her small waist, he buried his face in her neck. He lets out a hot blow, wrapping maya in an unexpected sense of serenity.

Her ears burned, her breaths coming in quick, uneven waves. Sid observed her reaction with quiet satisfaction, a faint smirk playing on his lips. This was the effect he prided himself on—the allure of his commanding presence, the charm he wielded with practiced ease, leaving little room for resistance.

Sid eased back, their faces close, his lips touched hers and he could feel how warm she was. Slowly--he started taking her lips between his and continued teasing her with his wet momentary kisses. He heard her whispered confession grazing his lips like a fragile plea. "I want you," she breathed, her eyes heavy with longing. His gaze met hers, dark and steady, as his reply came in a low, deliberate murmur. "There are rooms on the terrace. We'll go there." his kisses never stopped.

Her hands slid to his back, tentative yet yearning, but before she could pull him closer, his grip found her wrists, firm and unyielding. He pinned them gently but decisively against the wall, leaning in to plant petty kisses on the most sensitive spot of her neck.

Maya struggled to keep her moans in check, her breath shallow. Then, with a sudden clarity, she opened her eyes and asked, "Do you have protection?" Sid's reply was automatic, a distracted "Yes," slipping from his lips before the weight of her question fully registered. A beat later, the thought of condoms stirred something within him—a peculiar, familiar unease, like the one that had crept over him in the supermarket aisle, standing before the shelves.

Sid paused, his breath hitching as the face surfaced in his mind—Piya. The light-hearted ease he'd struggled to maintain crumbled, replaced by an unshakable disquiet. His movements faltered, and the joy he had tried so hard to muster began to dissipate. Refusing to give up sid moved back and crushed his lips on hers but Sid felt the weight of a battle he couldn't win—a fight against himself. He was no longer present, no longer with her. Instead, his actions felt hollow, slowing down he though he was forcing something unnatural, something that neither of them deserved.

Quietly, almost apologetically, he withdrew. His hand fell away, leaving Maya where she stood, confusion mingling with the faint trace of hurt etched across her face.

Sid leaned against the wall, his breaths uneven as he tried to steady himself. Maya, noticing his discomfort, gently placed a hand on his arm. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.

Sid nodded, though his exhaustion was evident. "I just shifted to this town," he said, his tone weary. "I think I'm just a bit tired."

Maya offered him a reassuring smile. "It's alright. We can meet some other day," she said, pulling out her phone. "Tell me your number."

Sid hesitated for a moment before reciting his number. Maya saved it, her smile warm and understanding. "Take care," she said before turning to leave. As her figure disappeared, Sid leaned back against the wall, his breathing gradually calming. He felt a strange sense of relief now that he was alone.

Later, Sid returned to his seat beside Yash, sinking into the chair with a heavy sigh. "I think I'm sick," he muttered, his voice low.

Yash, ever the joker, grinned mischievously. "Of course you are. Who finishes so early? Like, in only ten minutes?" he teased, emphasizing the last part with exaggerated drama.

Sid shot him a sharp glare, wondering for the umpteenth time how he had ended up friends with someone like Yash. But despite his annoyance, he couldn't help but smirk. "You're impossible," he said, shaking his head.

As the conversation shifted, Sid began to open up about the strange thoughts that had been haunting him—the dream that felt too vivid, the fleeting memories of the escort at the club, and the way Piya's face seemed to appear everywhere he looked. He was on the verge of admitting he might be losing his grip when Yash interrupted with his usual humor. "Bro, this is what happens when you play with women's hearts. You're cursed," he said, laughing at his own joke.

Sid groaned and gave Yash a playful shove, which Yash returned with equal enthusiasm. Their lighthearted scuffle was interrupted by the sudden roar of cheers from the crowd as the winning team's name flashed on the screen. Sid and Yash paused, exchanging grins before joining in the celebration, their voices blending with the crowd.

Though Sid's mind was still clouded with confusion, the energy of the moment brought him a sense of ease. For now, he allowed himself to enjoy the simple joy of being surrounded by laughter, cheers, and the unwavering support of his best friend.

Sid stepped out of his car, his gaze settling on the weathered facade of the building in front of him. The old office block stood in stark contrast to the sleek, modern premises he had left behind. He let out a sigh, muttering under his breath, "Only a few months," as he adjusted his tie and moved toward the entrance.

Inside, the HR head was waiting for him, a professional smile and a bouquet in hand. "Welcome to the office, Mr. Siddhanth Verma," she said with enthusiasm, extending the flowers toward him. Sid accepted them with a polite nod before handing them to the office help. "Put these in my cabin," he instructed, his tone brisk but not unkind.

The HR head led the way, giving Sid a brief tour as they walked through the bustling departments of the office. Sid followed at a measured pace, his sharp eyes taking in the surroundings. It wasn't long before a familiar name reached his ears—Piya. He turned his head toward the source of the voice, his heart racing for reasons he didn't want to acknowledge.

There she was. Piya stood a few steps away, engrossed in a conversation with a man over a file. Sid's breath hitched as he stared, his mind struggling to process her presence. She wasn't a figment of his imagination—she was really here. Yet, he forced himself to keep moving, his expression carefully neutral as he followed the HR to his new cabin.

Piya, sensing movement, glanced up just in time to see the new area manager disappearing into the cabin. Something about his silhouette felt oddly familiar, but she couldn't place it. "I hope this one's better," said Rayan, breaking her train of thought as he gestured toward Sid's direction, referring to the previous area manager. Piya gave a faint nod, pushing the thought aside as they returned their focus to the file in front of them.