Hey lovely ppl,

Do you like the new cover?? Or previous one was better? Please help because I'm very confused, right now.

******

I entered the room and instantly scrunched my nose in disgust.

"Can you believe it? We paid so much for this horrible place." I huffed, looking around.

"Oh, c'mon, it's not that bad," he said, carefully examining the room. He walked towards the window and opened it. As a cool breeze came from outside, I closed my eyes, breathing it in.

"Look at the view," he added, still looking outside.

I opened my eyes and walked in his direction. Then I peeked outside, a grin forming on my face. All the sadness of not getting a proper room vanished away. The water was crystal clear and the sand was white.

"Wow, it's beautiful." I breathed out. "Now, I understand why you wanted a room in this hotel."

He grinned. "This is the only hotel that provides such a beautiful view."

I nodded. "I'm glad I took your offer."

"I told you it was nice." He smirked. "Want to go for a walk?"

"Sure." I grinned. "Let me change."

"Okay, I'll wait outside," he said and stepped outside of the room.

I locked the door and pulled out denim shorts from my bag, pairing it with a crop top. After snapping sunscreen on my body, I replayed the moments that had happened before this.

**

After waiting for an hour, I finally got the chance to meet the manager. He listened and processed our problem, making a suggestion of sharing the room.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" I spat out through gritted teeth. "Why would I share my room with someone when I clearly booked it for myself?"

"Well, you can take that room for yourself by paying the remaining amount," he replied, calmly. He didn't even seem affected by my anger, and this made my blood boil even more.

"I've already paid enough as per the deal," I hissed.

"Well, that deal was valid for 7 days within the booking and, if I'm not wrong, you booked it before 1 month, right?" he raised his eyebrow, indicating that I couldn't win this with him.

"It wasn't mentioned there."

"Did you check all the details including terms and conditions?" he smirked, wrapping the situation around his fingers.

"No," I replied, getting furious. I noticed his smirk growing wider, and I controlled myself to wipe it from his bloody face.

Damn! I screwed up totally.

"Now, we have made it clear that it was entirely your fault. You can't blame us for cheating." He shrugged. "Either pay the revised money or search another hotel."

"But 30% is a huge amount, I don't have that much money." I winced to convince him. "Where will I go? Show some mercy."

He stared at me and said, "Ah, a minute ago you were shouting and threatening us, now you want us to show some mercy? Interesting."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not asking you to allow me to stay for free. I just want some discount," I whispered the last part.

He waved his hand in front of me and said, "Sorry, there is no discount in this season but I can allow you to share a room with someone. This way you need to pay the half rent only, plus my commision." He emphasized on word 'commision'.

My mouth hung open. "Commision?"

"Of course, nothing is free in this world. You can search your partner on your own because we don't want any accusation after that."

"But I don't know anyone here. How on earth I'll get a room partner?" I asked, getting annoyed. Why was it happening with me? I had planned it perfectly. There wasn't any loophole, how everything got changed?

"Well, it's not my problem," he replied, looking bored.

What the hell is this? If this was the beginning of my journey, then I don't even want to imagine the end.

"Fine." I stomped my feet and stepped outside to the hallway, where that smart ass was waiting for me.

"What did he say?" he asked, glancing at Manager's cabin.

"Guess what? He woke up on the wrong side of bed," I replied, getting angry on the manager who wasn't kind enough to allow me to stay here. I was angry with my fate, which decided to play such dirty games with me when I planned to fully enjoy this vacation. I was mad at myself for not bothering to check the term and conditions. And above all, I was annoyed with this guy who was being such a pain in my ass.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion then realisation hit him. "Are you going to sue him now?" he mocked, clearly enjoying the situation.

I turned my face in his direction and glared at him. "Your situation isn't different, so instead of making fun of me, why don't you try your luck there." I pointed towards the manager's cabin, throwing a challenging look.

"I was about to do that. No need to trash your anger on me." He rolled his eyes and walked inside the cabin.

I cursed under my breath and sat on the couch nearby.

After 5 minutes, he came back with a smug smile on his face. "Guess what? My luck is with me." He smirked, joining me on the couch.

My eyes widened and I stared at him. I would surely kill that bastard if he had given him any kind of discount. "Did he . . . ?"

"He gave me a offer in which I can share the room with someone. I just had to pay him his commision," he said, grinning.

I shook my head. "You are such a idiot. He gave me the same offer. It's their tactic to earn extra commision from customers."

He was taken aback but after few minutes, he shrugged. "I don't care as long as it's in my favour. See our problem was to get a room on our budget which is solved, right? Now avoid whatever tactics he is using. I know it's unfair but this time it's the only option we have."

I listened him carefully and realised he was right. I need a room and this was the only way I had but now the question was, how would I get a partner?

And now, I'm stuck here with him.

We both wanted a place, so he asked me to stay with him. Of course that wasn't acceptable for me, but I didn't have any preferable choice left. It was much safer to stay with a person who is from my country rather than a foreigner. We both would share the rent and by this way, we won't face any problem with money.

There was more about the deal.

"You need to promise me that you won't fall for me," he said, making rules of the deal.

"Really? Why would I fall for you?" I said, making a disgusted face.

"Every girl says that in the beginning." He rolled his eyes.

"Then mark in your diary, Mr, that I am not every girl." I crossed my arms.

"I know that." He winked. "That's why I offered you the deal. I would be safe with you," he added, clearly amused.

"I expect the same with you. Don't even try anything with me," I said in a firm voice and he held up his hand.

"Gentleman's promise."

"And one more thing, I will pay my share in the end."

"Why so?" he raised his eyebrow.

"Because I don't trust you. At least because of money, you will keep your hands to yourself. Besides, I've already paid some money in advance."

"Oh, please. I am not that type of guy who will take advantage of a girl. I don't need to do that." He sounded pissed.

"I am not interested knowing what kind of guy you are, okay? If we are going to do this together, then do it my way," I said, placing my hands on hips.

He glared at me and blew a breath. "Fine," he muttered.

"Second, just because I'm sharing a room with you, don't try to get friendly with me. Sure, we can hang out together but don't ask me anything about my life. This is one month vacation for me which I want to enjoy fully but I don't want to take anything home after this. So stay within your limits," I explained my second condition and he looked at me, thoughtfully.

He was about to open his mouth, to say something but he quickly closed it, noticing my glare towards him. "Oh, okay. Same applies to you. No personal questions, no emotional attachments and no expectations, clear?"

I nodded and took a breath of relief. Finally, things were getting easy.

"But I think, we need to introduce ourselves, right? I am Raj Rohan, from India," he said and extended his hand. "But you can call me Raj," he added.

I looked at his hand, mentally debating with myself, to take it or not. Ah, fuck it. I don't need to think too much about it. Especially when I am in foreign country with foreign people. I think, it's time when I can let my brain go on a vacation and do whatever my heart tells me to do. There was no one who would scold me or stop me for staying with a stranger or for hanging out with a stranger. I could do anything; I could live like a crazy person and no one will judge me. Hell! This was what I've always wanted.

So I smiled and shook his hand. "I'm Simi," I lied and bit my tongue for coming up with such a stupid name. Simi, really? I decided to have a sexy name but why I slipped with Simi? Ah! He was Raj and being Shahrukh Khan's fan, I couldn't ignore the unsettling feeling in my stomach after hearing that name. After all, Raj is a dream boy of every Indian girl. So I cut it short of his dream girl Simran as Simi.

Well, it doesn't mean I liked this guy or something. But it won't harm me if I could pretend that I spent my holidays with a Raj being his Simran? I know it's stupid: I was being stupid. No, I was being ridiculous. I wasn't thinking straight but how could I? He was good-looking guy with a gorgeous body and the amazing thing, his name was Raj. But he couldn't be my Raj and then why I slipped with that name?

Ah! I was getting crazy.

"Okay, nice name," he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Um, thanks," I mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

"Let me inform the manager. Wait here, I'll be back." He went inside the cabin and I slapped the back of my head for my stupidity.

*****

I went downstairs and found him leaning against the pillar nearby the reception area. I shook my head when I noticed him, flirting with the receptionist.

"Hey, if you've company then it's okay, I can go alone," I said, tapping his shoulder.

He stood straight and I got a good look of him in full Hawaiian gear: brown colour shorts, plain white t-shirt, leather sandals and a leaf lei hanging from his shoulder. He had his hands in his pockets and his hair was messy.

"Don't tell me you're jealous sweetheart. I was just asking about places where we can hangout." He smirked, smiling at receptionist.

I glared at him but didn't say anything in front of the blonde who was blushing and smiling at Raj.

Instead I took his arm and dragged him outside. "What was that?" I hissed.

"What?" He asked, innocently.

"Don't play dumb, Raj." I warned him.

"Oh c'mon. I was just kidding. Why you always take things so seriously? You are on vacation, right? So please leave your narrow minded thinking for a while." He rolled his eyes.

"I'm not narrow-minded," I said, crossing my arms.

"Then prove it." He gave me a challenging look.

"I don't need to prove anything to you, and you can't make me fall for your trap. Try somewhere else, Mister." I winked and started walking.

"Hey, wait. I'm coming." I smiled, when I heard his voice behind me.

As we walk along the shoreline, we listened to the gentle ebb of the sea and the crickets chirping in the distance. The place was crowded and bustling with activities.

"Wanna see something magical?" Raj asked and I immediately agreed without thinking once. He seemed surprised but then grinned and after taking my hand, started running towards his magical place.

We reached our destination just as the sun began its descent. Sighing contentedly, we sat down at the top of the cliff to observe the setting sun. On the left, the town lit up as the sunlight reflected off the shiny rooftops of the shops. The pink aura encasing the town seemed surreal, as my eyes followed the people heading for their homes. A cool breeze came from my right, pulling my attention to the sea.

The sea was magical as the golden sun slowly disappeared into the horizon. The air smelled of salt that you can taste when you inhale. It was enthralling moment that I was compelled to commit to memory; so I did.

I turned my face and saw Raj who was smiling, looking at the sea.

"It's beautiful. Thanks for taking me here," I said and smiled.

"Not a big deal." He shrugged, not tearing his gaze from the sea.

It was getting dark, so I decided to return back to my room. I stood up and dusted my shorts. "I'm going back; are you coming?" I asked him, when he didn't move.

"No, you go ahead. I want to spend more time here," he replied slowly and it took me a moment to realise that he was implying something else. I tried to understand the hidden meaning of his words but then I shrugged it off, thinking it wasn't my business and I shouldn't get involved myself in it.

"Sure but don't be late because I'm hell tired and won't be able to open the door once I fall asleep."

Finally he tore his gaze and met with mine. "Don't worry, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

I bit my lip and said, "Um, I said because I am getting sleepy and you don't have spare keys so it means you will obviously knock at the door and then I have..."

"Stop blabbering Simi," he cut me off. "You don't need to explain yourself because you don't care, remember?" he cocked his eyebrow, making me groan.

I mentally cursed myself and pressed my lips in a thin line. "Fine," I shouted and walked away, leaving him grinning and laughing.

*****

I was lying in my bed, waiting for Raj after eating white sauce pasta which I ordered through room service. I heard a soft knock at the door and went to opened it.

"Ah, your 15 minutes are over?" I raised my eyebrow.

"I didn't know you'd desperately be waiting for me so that you can sleep with me." He winked and stepped inside the room.

I rolled my eyes and said, "Sharing a room doesn't mean sleeping together."

I locked the door and crossed by arms when I noticed him, grinning. "Oh, really? Then what does it mean?" he said, taking a step towards me.

I narrowed my eyes and reached towards him, only to smack his head. "Ouch," he yelped.

"I hope now your useless brain will start working."

"Jeez woman, you're so violent," he muttered, rubbing his head.

"Thanks for the compliment," I replied and winked. "Anyways here, it's your pillow and blanket." I grabbed it from the bed and threw at his direction. "Make yourself comfortable at the couch."

"What?" he shouted. "I am not sleeping on the couch."

"Well, you're free to take the floor," I shrugged.

"Are you kidding me? I'm also paying the half share of this room. I'll sleep on half of the bed," he said, crashing on the bed.

"No, I was serious when I told you to take the couch. Now, get your ass from this bed because there is no way I'm sharing this bed with you," I sighed, getting frustrated.

"That would be unfair, I deserve equality here."

I rubbed my temples to ease the pain that I was feeling inside of my head. I was hell tired and wanted to sleep peacefully. "Fine, you can sleep in bed but from tomorrow we will sleep there turn by turn. Now take the couch and get the hell out of my sight."

"No, I don't agree with this." he shook his head.

"I didn't ask you," I shouted and his eyes widened. "Listen, I'm very tired right now so don't mess with me, otherwise I'll leave this room and you can enjoy both bed and room by yourself."

He stared at me, noticing any teasing but when he realized how pissed I was, he immediately got up from the bed, muttering something, and jumped on the couch.

I took a deep breath and went to the bed.

The night was going to be very long.

*****

Check out my new book "Silver Lining"

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Thanks to Irenlia for helping me in editing.

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