The Time when Meera & Swapnil left Mumbai airport,
As the plane cruised high above the clouds, Swapnil finally asked the question that had been gnawing at him for weeks.
"You still haven't told me."
"About what?" Meera asked, feigning innocence.
"The real reason you're holding on to this marriage."
"To help you." Meera replied sweetly, her voice wrapped in faux sincerity.
Swapnil controlled his temper. He gave her a tight smile. "The real reason?"
"Honestly? To help you." she repeated, offering the same answer he knew was a lie.
"Fine." he said, leaning in slightly. "If you're so hell-bent on helping me, why not go all the way?"
Meera blinked. She wasn't sure where this was headed. "All the way? What do you mean?"
"I mean, once we land in Mumbai, let's have a proper wedding ceremony. Then I'll introduce you to my family."
The color drained from Meera's face.
Swapnil saw her hesitation and knew he'd cornered her. The smirk on his lips made her realize this was a trap. He was trying to provoke her, push her into spilling the truth. She quickly composed herself.
"Why not? I'm ready. Anyway, I feel like you've been attracted to me ever since I came into your life." she said, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Am I right?"
Swapnil turned his face away, frowning. Of course she would flip the game on him. Breaking her composure was not going to be easy. But if Meera could play this game, so could he.
He took a deep breath and turned back to her. "So… you finally figured it out."
Meera looked at him, startled. What is he saying? For a moment, doubt flickered through her mind. Could he actually be serious? No, she knew him well enough by now. Swapnil wasn't the kind of man who got physically attracted easily. He was bluffing. Trying to manipulate her into revealing something. So, she decided to play along.
"You really like me?" she asked, leaning closer.
"Yes. I do." He leaned in too, keeping his voice low.
"Don't lie. I've spent months around you. I can read your expressions. You're bluffing," Meera said confidently.
Swapnil's jaw tensed. "You don't know me as well as you think. I'm good at hiding my feelings. I liked you from the very first time I saw you. That's why I kept trying to get your attention."
"And what if I said I still don't believe you?" she challenged, deliberately poking at his temper - his one weakness.
Swapnil caught on. He knew what she was doing. Still, he wasn't ready to back down.
"I'll do whatever it takes to prove it. After all, you're special." he said softly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Meera was momentarily startled. But she still had one last card to play. With a soft smile, she said, "Then tell me - what exactly do you like about me?"
Swapnil hesitated. He glanced at her. "Your eyes. They're beautiful. Makes me want to drown in them."
"Ugh, that's such a cliché line. Can't you come up with something new?"
"Hey, haven't you heard? Old is gold," he quipped.
"Don't act like you're from my dad's generation," Meera teased.
That jab got to him. No one had ever questioned his age before. She could see it irritated him - and that only pleased her more. Bullseye, she thought, and continued, "What else do you like about me?"
Now Swapnil was stuck. Beyond her eyes, what could he say? Yes, Meera was beautiful, but he didn't want to feed her ego. Still, he had to keep playing along, just in case she slipped up and gave him what he wanted.
"Your lips." he said after a pause. "Just looking at them, I can tell how soft they must be."
"Really?" Meera blushed playfully.
"What else?" he asked, smiling.
How sweet they become when they need something, Meera thought, then leaned in, locking eyes with him. "So… don't you want to know how soft they really are?"
Swapnil's eyes widened at her boldness, but he kept his composure. He leaned in too. "I do… but is there a way to find out?"
Neither of them was ready to lose.
Meera smirked, her voice a tempting whisper. "Then why don't we kiss and find out?"
That was the final crack in his restraint. Swapnil inched forward, lips barely a breath away from hers. But just as their mouths were about to meet, he pushed her back.
Meera smiled to herself. Victory.
"Shameless. You'd pull a stunt like that in front of everyone?" he snapped. "If you don't want to talk, don't. But even knowing everything, you tried getting close to me. Let's see how you behave in the office."
"Oh please. What's so shameful about kissing my husband? Doesn't matter if it's in public or private. And didn't you just say you were attracted to me? Shouldn't you test that attraction for yourself?" Meera shot back with zero guilt.
"You knew I was lying, and you still did all this," he said, seething.
"Just imagine what would've happened if I had kissed you." Meera said calmly.
"I would never let that happen. Not in a million years. You're lucky it was me. If it were someone else, do you even realize what could've happened?" Swapnil said, trying to claim some moral high ground.
"Stop pretending to be so innocent. I know I'm beautiful. No doubt about it." Meera said proudly.
"Yeah, yeah, you wish. Let everyone else stare at you. I'll never be one of them. Never...." Swapnil retorted.
"One day you'll accept this on your own. Remember my words - that's my prediction..." Meera said with a confident smile.
"Keep your silly predictions to yourself. They'll never come true. And now, please shut up. Or I swear I'll change my seat."
Meera turned her face away, a smug grin playing on her lips. She knew she couldn't push him any further today. But she'd won this round - and that was enough.
On the other hand, Swapnil had tasted defeat for the first time. He knew Meera was a stubborn, spoiled brat. But that didn't mean he'd stay down for long. He might have lost today, but one day, he'd win - and he promised himself that.