The scintillating light filtered in through the window, falling on the wisps of Naina's black hair and gently burning it to an amber colour. Dawn was kind to her, it kissed her face, a luminous glow that was soft, patient. It nudged her awake, stirring her. Yet Naina wasn't ready, she needed more sleep. So she frowned and flipped over, blocking all the light and bringing night upon the earth.

Ahanay smiled at her frown, reaching over to wipe the drool at the corner of her lips. He caught himself at that moment, stopping and placing his hands over the steering wheel. All night, he had watched her sleep, observing those little movements that amused him. Somehow, she was able to make the seat her own king-sized bed. He tore his eyes away from her, looking straight ahead at the road. A lump formed in his throat, the lump of guilt that a child feels after disobeying his mother. He didn't have any mother, his father had killed her anyway. The only family that was left for him was his girlfriend, Priya.

How different Priya was to this tiny girl, tall, slim and a face like an angel whereas this girl . . . There was something both demonic and innocent about her. Her ferocious eyes always looked to pick some fight, her upturned nose challenged anyone who crossed her way, yet those plump lips were soft and her chin quivered in moments when she herself didn't realize her fear. And here he was, looking at her like that again.

Beyond frustrated, Ahanay unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, his body aching from the long drive. They were nearing Goa, the cheap version of Maldives, yet it wasn't for the money that he had come here. His company had booked everything in the Maldives for them, but he knew that paparazzi would hunt him there for his new investment at a startup and most importantly, his marriage. So he bought a little cottage at a secluded beach in the coast of Maharashtra which had no staff, nobody for a million miles. He had a few food parcels from Udipi at the back of the car and this was how their honeymoon was going to be. Both of them minding their own business.

He reminded himself to click a few pictures with her, to send them to his bastard of a father as proof that their honeymoon was rosy. Even from behind the bars, he could control his son's life. Ahanay grew exhausted at that thought, throwing a glance back at his sleeping wife. If only her father hadn't been such a loyal slave of his father. If only his father didn't take a fondness of his loyal slave. If only his father wasn't a murderer. If only his mother wasn't dead . . . If only.

Loosening his tie, Ahanay washed his face at the sink of the public bathroom. Although his reflection was blurry, his sharp features stood out, yet his eyes were hollow. Tiredness weighed on him as if someone had placed dumbbells on his shoulders. Something was wrong with him today. He wasn't feeling like his normal strong and huge self. He leaned against the wall, letting out a breath.

Outside, he could hear the sun's rays whipping the ground, that's how powerful they were.

Exhausted, he walked out with slumped shoulders, rolled up sleeves and a loose tie, resembling a burnt-out investment banker. Yet he was richer than an investment banker and far from burnt out. As he stepped out on the ground sizzling from the sun's harsh whips, he let out another breath. At a distance, he saw the door of his car unlock.

It was that moment. The moment where one feels their heart hammering against their chest, goosebumps prickle their skin and legs carry them faster than a cheetah. The last time he had run this fast was to the hospital with his mother bleeding in his arms. He remembered that moment, the chill of that moment as he ran towards the car, grabbing Naina and slamming her against the ground as a truck whizzed past them.

"What the fuck!" Naina cursed under him as a million thoughts rushed in his head, distracting him from his throbbing arms that were wrapped protectively around her.

"I should be the one . . ." He couldn't complete the sentence, his eyes falling on her face. Her frowning eyes turned large and curious like an owl as she stared back at him. They were so close, his heavy breathing mingling with her soft breaths. He could feel the rise and fall of her breasts under him, the length of her curved body. Just a couple more inches and he could catch her lips in his, kiss her as hard as his desire grew. And the moment he could resist no longer-

The realisation of his closeness sunk in her, and she turned her face away, muttering, "You could have just shouted."

He rolled away, his breathing hot and heavy as he laid beside her. A cluster of trees above made this side of the highway cooler, yet the warmness in the air made it difficult for either of them to move. Somehow, he felt at peace there, lying on the side of a dusty highway, beside the woman he had married.

"That was filmy," he heard the woman blurt out and felt her body shake in a fit of giggles. "I saw such scenes only in soap operas."

"You could have gotten yourself killed," he whispered, the realisation coming to him slowly. She could have died! His plan would have worked out without him doing anything! Quickly and irritably, he got up, running a hand through his hair. What had he done?

It had to be lust. Pure lust. That was it. He got carried away by playing this husband game, forgetting his bigger plan. He had to get his head straight. He couldn't let his muddled thoughts---

"Ow!" he swore under his breath as he felt a sharp slap against his arm. It wasn't the slap that was painful, it was the suddenness of it. "What on---"

"You scammed me!" She cried out and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw big, fat tears in those owl eyes. But with one blink, they disappeared. Fire flamed in her eyes and it scorched him more cruelly than the sun above. "How dare you bring me to Goa---"

"This is near Ratnagiri---"

"Not even Goa!" She cried out louder, stomping her feet against the ground like a little child throwing a tantrum. It amused him now. "I thought you were taking me to Maldives!"

"In a car?"

"You told me we were going to Maldives!" She shouted, reiterating what he had told her, "My company took care of 'everything'" You lied to me! Wait, do you even work for any company?"

He didn't work for any, he owned one.

So he shook his head, hearing her cry out again, "You are a scammer! You scammed me into marrying you and now, now---" she hiccupped and he grabbed a bottle of water from the car, quickly handing it her. But she threw it away, the water spilling everywhere. "I'm not taking anything from you! I'm not going to talk to you. End of story."

She brushed past him, marching ahead with determined steps. No longer near him, he could finally breathe. "Good," he thought as he removed their bags from the car truck. At least she would stay away from him and their honeymoon would go like any normal day.

Boy, he was so wrong.

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