An Affair Before Marriage

Naira carefully sipped on her Cosmopolitan. Her anxiety ringed in the sound of the sips that she took, the way the straw gurgled, the way the ice clinked. 5 years she had been with the same man. And now she was about to marry him. In less than a week!

Of course, she was excited. But, what bothered her was that she had never seen life beyond Sid, her beau. She had never dated anyone else. Hell, she hadn't even gone out for a cup with another man.

Now, when she was so close to marrying him, it scared her. She hadn't lived her life. At age 23, Sid was the only man she held hands with, only man she ever kissed, only man she had sex with. She felt like she was missing out!

Of course, she loved Sid and would never even dream about cheating on him. But, still, just for the sake of experience, she put on her best dress and came out to a bar alone. She wasn't looking for anything - just for some attention maybe. Just to know how it felt like being single and wanted, before she would be committed forever. She just wanted to flirt with hot men, maybe hold hands for a bit and, at the extreme, a slight peck on the lips, and she would be done for life. Peace forever!

Hands? She just looked at her hands and realized she was still wearing her engagement ring. She quickly took it off and kept it in her purse.

"Can I have another one of these?" She gestured to the bartender.

"Sure, ma'am!" He nodded.

As he moved away, she noticed herself in the mirror behind her.

Naira caught her own reflection, and for a moment, even she was struck by the allure she radiated. Her dark hair was styled in loose waves that kissed her bare shoulders, framing her face with an effortless elegance. Her makeup was subtle yet seductive, with smoky eyes that held a hint of mystery and lips painted a daring shade of red that commanded attention.

She wore a sleek, fitted black dress that glittered like gold and clung to her curves in all the right places. Her long legs, toned and tanned, extended from the high slit on the side of her dress, ending in a pair of stiletto heels that added an extra inch to her confidence. A delicate gold chain hung around her neck, and matching earrings sparkled as they caught the dim bar lights. She looked like a bond girl - only with a face so innocent that any man would give his life to do nasty things to her.

Beaming with confidence and liquid courage from her second drink, she decided to look around for prospects whilst sitting on the bar stool. She saw what seemed like a group of start-up bros. They all looked the same, clad in neat linen shirts and dark jeans, 3 of them wore specs, and all of them felt like they would spend all night talking about cryptocurrency and the latest video game they were playing.

She quickly dismissed them and moved her head. There, she saw Adonis in real life. A 6'4 inch man with wheatish skin, biceps so big no shirt could fit them in, curly hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He casually rested his arms on the table and smoked carelessly. She stared at him so wildly that it forced him to look at her. Their eyes locked and her heart throbbed madly. She ran her hands through her hair and waited for him to get up and walk towards her.

"Buy you a drink?"

She was startled to see a 60-something man offering to buy her a drink. While she focused on her Adonis, this old man who didn't have a single strand of hair that wasn't white had the audacity to ask her out.

"No, I just ordered this one!" She bluntly refused.

Naira went back to staring at the hot guy behind her, but right then a petite little girl wearing a tank top and shorts walked in. She went straight to the guy and hugged him tightly.

"Sorry, I am late baby!" She apologised loudly enough for the entire bar to listen.

"Well, there goes that story!" Naira whispered to herself.

When she turned around, she was surprised to see the old man sitting next to her.

"Oh, I'm just waiting for you to finish this one. It would be my honour to buy you a drink!"

For the first time that night, she properly noticed the old man. The first thing that struck her was his perfume, it was easily worth lakhs. The smell, it did something to her. He had neck-length white hair which he wore in a pony tail. He had a white goatee over almost chubby cheeks. He wore an Armani suit which was stretching widely around his fat belly.

His diamond cufflinks and watch startled Naira.

"Can I have a shot of Macallan - on the rocks?" He raised his right arm and ordered.

Naira noticed that he spoke with a very fine American accent. The man was downright ugly, but had this magnetic charisma about him.

"I'm Vijay, by the way. I'm in India after years. Business, you see. It makes you travel the world, but takes you so far away from home. And now when I'm here, back in India and my favourite bar, I saw you and it felt like home. So, I just wanted to buy you a drink and spend a few moments with you, if you don't mind!"

"Sure!" Naira's voice creaked and her throat became dry.

This guy was flirting with her from the word go. And so smoothly! Experience counts. And even though looking at his face, she would have just paid the bill and left, but the way he spoke was so charming that she was now under his spell, even if it was just one drink and a few moments.

She quickly finished her drink. The faster we get this over with the better, she thought.

"I'm done! Can I get another Cosmopolitan?" She asked the bartender.

"No, no! This drink is on me, and I don't want it to be so run-of-the-mill. Let me get you something special!"

"Sir, can you get me that bottle of Ouzo? And some lime juice and mint with it, please?"

The bartender was surprised at the old man's request. He was more surprised by how he was flirting with such a sweet little babe. But it was none of his business. He delivered what was asked of him and went away catering to other customers."

Vijay mixed a bit of Ouzo with the lime juice and shook it. He asked for a glass filled with ice and topped it with the mixture. Then, he carefully spread a few mint leaves on top and offered it to Naira.

"Ma'am!" She was surprised at his craft. Such a rich man, and he mixed her link like a next-door bartender.

"Thank you! I'm Naira!" She finally shook his hand.

"Mmmm, this is heavenly! Wow!" She meant it.

"This, darling, is Ouzito. A recipe from the heartlands of Greece. It is said that Mark Antony and Cleopatra had this drink when they met for the first time, and ended up sleeping together...Not that I'm implying anything from it haha!"

"Hehe!" Naira took another sip and laughed hesitantly keeping her eyes low.

Then, she stole a look at him. He was so fat and old, but he was so full of energy and knowledge and felt well-travelled. She thought for a moment about the hot guy she was checking out just moments earlier, but then thought this man was a decent alternative.

At least she would get pampered to a few free drinks, dabble with luxury and hear a few interesting tales before heading home. All in all, mission successful!

"You didn't tell me your name by the way!"

"Um, it's N...Nisha!" She smiled. Of course, she wasn't gonna reveal her real name to him.

"Nisha! Um, night! That's an ironic name for someone who looks like she's made out of sunbeams."

"Oh, you're too kind!"

Naira felt her heartbeat become faster with every compliment he gave. She felt uncomfortable in her tummy.

"So, what do you do, Nisha?"

"I'm an interior designer. You?"

"Oh, well! That answer will take the whole night. I do a lot of things. But, primarily, I'm a businessman!"

"It is kind of evident haha!"

"Oh is it?"

"Heheh!"

Naira could now finally look into his eyes and talk to him. As she sipped on her Ouzito, she found herself feeling more relaxed, though Vijay's lingering gaze still made her slightly uncomfortable. She was sort of enjoying the conversation when the next question suddenly brought her to her senses.

"Tell me, Nisha, do you often find yourself in places like this, alone, surrounded by the hum of strangers?"

"Not really," Naira admitted, smiling shyly. "I... I'm just here for some air. Sometimes, it's nice to step out of the routine."

"A routine can be like a cage, can't it?" Vijay ruminated, his fingers running along the edge of his glass. "It's strange how we humans do everything to make ourselves comfortable, and then complain when we feel trapped by that very comfort."

Naira was surprised. Vijay seemed to have hit a nerve in her. That line truly described her. After a turbulent childhood and teenage, Naira had always craved for a simpler life - comfort. And she found that comfort in Sid. Even though he seemed to be a fuck boy - rich, smart, witty, he turned out to be more loyal than she had ever imagined. His arms were her home, her comfort.

But ever since he had proposed to her, she felt restless. She felt that she hadn't lived at all. And now, getting married at 23! It felt like she cheated on her life, killed the million possibilities. Meeting people while traveling, kissing a complete stranger, spending a night with someone you met at a club - all of these things, she could never achieve.

It didn't mean that Sid wasn't enough for her. He was! It's just that she never had a chance to explore, and that was something she didn't want to regret at her deathbed. So, she decided to escape that normality, that comfort, just for one night.

"I agree with you!" She raised her glass to him and gulped down her drink. Vijay repeated the order for them both.

He leaned into her ear and whispered, "I know you do. Perhaps, that's what brings you here. Not just air, but a taste of something less, I don't know, predictable?"

What the fuck, Naira thought! Is this guy reading my mind? She was taken aback by his careful observation and just smiled at him. Moving her hand closer to his on the table, inadvertently. Their drinks were at the table now.

"What about you?" she asked, shrouded by curiosity. "You seem like you've been around. And you have this air about you--like you've lived many lives."

Vijay chuckled, his hand moving to straighten his cufflinks, which sparkled under the dim bar lights. "Ah, well, I suppose I have. I was born here in India, but I've spent most of my years elsewhere--New York, Milan, Tokyo... you name it. Business has a way of keeping a man on his toes. And it teaches you things that no book can teach."

He took a sip of his Macallan, savoring it as though the memory of each city lingered in the taste. "You know, I met this Zen monk in Kyoto once. He told me that the essence of life is like fine whisky--it should be cherished slowly, drop by drop. I think, he was right to an extent, but when you come across a whisky so intoxicating, you want to gulp it down as soon as possible and pour yourself another glass!"

Naira was entranced, completely lost in his words.

"So, Nisha," Vijay continued, with a sly smile. "Where would you go, if you could leave this all behind for a little while? Maybe just for a day. Where would you want to get lost?"

Naira gave the question a good thought. "Paris, maybe!"

"Wonderful choice, Nisha! The city of love! People flock the Eifel Tower, but I think the entire city is littered with love. The air, the flowers, the lights - It makes even the simplest stroll feel like something out of a romance novel."

"Ah, I'd love that!" She said with dreamy eyes.

"Well, we can't go to Paris, but I can get you a taste of that. Two glasses of Chablis, please!"

Naira sipped her latest exotic drink and could almost hear saxophone playing in the background and smell the Parisian air.

"To Paris, and to love!" Vijay raised his glass.

Naira felt her heart racing. What was this man? Her blood rushed faster as she found him looking into the deepest abyss of his heart.

As they kept talking, he shared stories about diving in the Great Barrier Reef and getting lost in the souks of Marrakech. He painted each scene with such detail that it felt as though she was living them too.

Sensing his moment, he reached across the table and took her hand. His touch was firm and warm and it melted away Naira's existence and inhibition.

"Nisha," he murmured, his voice soft yet commanding. "You have a wild spirit, I can sense that. You should never feel bound by anything--or anyone."

Naira felt as if she had walked towards the edge of a cliff and something exhilarating and terrifying awaited her. She had a strange sense of vertigo and almost rested her head on Vijay's shoulder. Sensing an opportunity, the older man pulled her on his shoulder and stroked her hair.

That last action shook Naira out of her trance.

"I, uh, I have to go the restroom." Naira excused herself.

She sat down to pee and realised her vagina was dripping wet.

"What the fuck! For that ugly old man? No, no, no...!"

Naira came out and stared at herself in the mirror. What was she doing? Letting herself get seduced by a man nearly 40 years her senior. But, the more she tried to shake away these thoughts, the stronger they became. Her hands went towards her breasts, and she imagined how Vijay's big, hairy hands would destroy her nipples. She sucked her lips, thinking how he would do the same. Her hands reached her vagina, which craved for his dick.

As soon as she started rubbing her vagina, someone entered the restroom. It was the Adonis' girlfriend. Seeing her, Naira thought how much had changed in a matter of minutes. She remembered how she was drooling over this girl's boyfriend, who was the most 10/10 man she had ever come across. And now, she was getting wetter and wetter over a 3/10 at best.

She washed her face with cold water. She convinced herself that she had done what she came out for. Now, she could leave and live peacefully with Sid for the rest of her life. She noticed her lipstick had worn off after washing her face, so she reapplied a seductive shade of red and left the restroom.

"It was nice to meet..." Naira confidently walked towards Vijay to give him a hug and leave, but he seemed to have other plans.

"Surely, you're not leaving yet. We're going to my hotel room, it's just across the street. Just a couple more drinks, then I'll have my chauffer drive you home. I promise!" Vijay was just paying up the bill and waiting for her.

"But, I..."

"Yes, it's a deal! Let's go!"

Before Naira could say anything, Vijay grabbed her arm and walked with her. His arm was so strong that Naira had no chance of refusing him. It was windy and rainy outside.

"Ah, I wanted to walk with you, but I guess we'll have to take my car." Vijay called his chauffer and he appeared with a shiny black Mercedes in a few minutes.

"Please, ma'am!" Vijay opened the door for her. Naira adjusted her dress and went in. Vijay entered the car from the other side.

"Hotel, sir?" The driver asked. He wore a white suit and a cap, yet Naira could see what his eyes were saying. He was probably bemused at his boss bringing a young and hot girl. But, being with Vijay for that little time, Naira thought maybe he was a regular at this. Picking up young women at bars!

While she was lost in her thoughts, Vijay's arm wrapped around her and he held her hand again.

"Do you like this car?" He inquired with a smirk on his face.

"It's beautiful!" Naira replied meekly.

"You are comfortable, right?"

"Yes!"

She was not. She was confused and scared. But, worst of all, she was so turned on. And sitting so close to Vijay, she could smell the perfume even more and it raised the hair on her entire body.

The car ride was short, but tense. Naira could feel lust in Vijay's eyes, which made her heart beat faster. They finally reached the grand hotel, a glass palace gleaming with luxury. The doorman opened the door, and she came out, gracefully, smoothening her dress and sighing.

The hotel was an embodiment of royalty. Glittering chandeliers, golden hues all around. Vijay wrapped his arm around her waist and took her to the elevator. He pressed the button. Upon reaching his suite, she was awestruck. It looked like a literal palace. Richness oozed everywhere she looked, floor to ceiling. Kingly sofas, queen-sized bed, and a stunning skyline from the window.

"Please, have a seat!" Vijay said in an inviting voice.

Naira sat at one of the regal sofas and Vijay sat across the table in the center. Then, he picked a wine bottle and poured them each a glass.

"A fine Châteauneuf-du-Pape," he remarked, handing her a glass and holding his up for a toast. "To exploring the thrill of the unknown."

As their glasses clinked, the sound echoed across the room and deep in Naira's heart. She took a sip, the rich flavors filling her senses. They chatted, and he impressed her with more stories of his travels and encounters with people from all walks of life. She found herself laughing at his tales, her reservations melting away as she let herself be swept up in the atmosphere he created.

As their conversation paused for a bit, Vijay got up and walked over to a music system and put on a vinyl record. Classical music filled the air with a heavenly quality. He stood in front of Naira, held out his hand and asked: May I borrow you for a dance?"

She was in two minds, but the hornier one won. She placed her hand in his, and he led her towards the center of the room. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and swayed her into a dance. Her hands were cold but she could feel his warmth all over her body. She hadn't even considered talking to this man, but now here she was - in his arms, locked in an embrace. Worse, she didn't know where they would stop because she was so enamoured by him.

Just then, the inevitable happened. Their eyes met and told each other what they wanted. He leaned down and brought his lips close to hers. She didn't resist and simply closed her eyes.

Her mind screamed at her to get away before it was too late, but her heart, her heart was in this. She forced herself to think of Sid, but the taste of wine on his lips, his perfume and his strong arms were too real to ignore. She could feel his hands on her back, and felt like that's where it belonged. She had never felt this way, not even with Sid.

The music in the background reached a crescendo and their kissed became wilder with it. What started as a romantic peck was now a full blown make out session. Salivas were exchanged, crotches were rubbed against each other and the arms had become tighter. Just then, Vijay brought his rough hand to her breast and squeezed it over her dress.

That brought Naira back to senses and she broke the kiss.

"Vijay, no!" But instead of moving further away, she moved closer into him and bit her lip.

The experienced old man understood the message and went back to fondling her breasts while kissing her, more passionately now.

Naira's mind was hit by a tsunami of emotions as Vijay's hands roamed all over her body, sending shivers when he brushed them against parts of her back that were naked. She should stop now. She should have stopped at the bar. Hell, she should have stopped at her home. This was a bad idea. But she never knew she would be so weak.

She forced herself to think of Sid--her fiancé, her lover, her everything. But in 5 years of dating, he had never felt her feel this wild. Vijay had unleashed something purely primal in her. And now her confusion faded away as Vijay whispered something so magical in her ear:

"I've been with women around the world, but I've never met anyone quite like you, Nisha," he murmured, his hand traveling up to cup her face. "You're precious - like a rare jewel!"

Her inhibitions vanished quickly, as she totally gave in to Vijay now. Even though she knew what he said was a lie, but even a lie from this man felt like magic. He must have been with hundreds, or even thousands of women, but here he was, making a nobody feel special.