Soul Swap: Trapped Forever

After landing in his destination, as soon as Sarvagya unlocked his phone, a message notification popped up on the screen:

"Welcome to Manali! I hope you love this place. Enjoy your time with your wife. And hopefully, you'll return home with some good news."

For a moment, Sarvagya frowned in confusion. He and Tripti had just landed in Manali after a ten-hour flight. Though they had caught some sleep on the plane, exhaustion still clung to their bodies. Pushing past the fatigue, Sarvagya booked a cab, loaded their luggage, and settled into the backseat next to Tripti.

The cool mountain air seeped through the slightly open windows, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Manali, with its snow-draped peaks and winding roads, felt like a completely different world from the chaos they had left behind.

As he pulled out his phone to check the time, the message appeared. It was unsettling. Someone knew exactly when they had landed. Someone was watching.

Tripti, seated beside him, kept glancing around restlessly, her fingers gripping the strap of her handbag. Sarvagya noticed and finally asked, "What's wrong? You've been acting strange since morning."

Tripti hesitated, then murmured, "I don't know... I just have this weird feeling that someone is watching us. There's no one in sight who seems suspicious, but I can't shake off this strong feeling that every move we make is being observed."

Sarvagya considered her words carefully. "Is that why you were so uncomfortable when I mentioned kissing you earlier?"

She nodded, biting her lip. "Yes. I felt like someone was staring at us. And besides, I don't really like public displays of affection beyond holding hands or maybe a side hug. I believe that private moments should remain private. Otherwise, they attract unnecessary attention, sometimes even bad luck. Do you get what I'm saying?"

Sarvagya chuckled and took her hand. "Oh, I understand perfectly. So, from now on, I'll keep my romance reserved for our bedroom."

Tripti laughed at his dramatic tone. She had actually been referring to Sejal, Sarvagya's stepmother—the woman who despised his happiness and constantly schemed against him. Sejal's hatred ran so deep that she could not bear to see him smile. It was as if his joy physically pained her.

When Sarvagya had been abroad, Sejal's reach had been limited. But now that he was back, sharing a roof with her, he knew he would have to deal with her petty games firsthand. And this message... it had Sejal's manipulative fingerprints all over it.

Sarvagya exhaled, his jaw tightening. I don't want to ruin our honeymoon over this. But if Sejal has someone tailing us, I need to be careful. I have to ensure that Tripti and I enjoy our time here while keeping the truth about our relationship hidden from her.

Lost in thought, Sarvagya didn't even realize when the cab pulled up at their resort. It was only after Tripti called his name a few times that he snapped out of his daze.

He quickly paid the driver and helped with their luggage before leading Tripti inside. She was busy taking in the grand interiors—warm wooden aesthetics, a chandelier casting soft golden light, and a giant window revealing snow-capped mountains in the distance. Meanwhile, Sarvagya walked over to the receptionist and confirmed their reservation.

Once he collected the keys, he turned to Tripti. "Let's go."

She nodded, grabbing her bag, and walked beside him down the elegantly carpeted hallway.

As soon as Sarvagya opened the door to their suite, Tripti gasped. He, too, stood frozen for a moment, completely awestruck. The room was nothing short of a dream.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered an uninterrupted view of the valley, and the spacious suite was furnished with the finest decor. But the real showstopper? A private pool with crystal-clear water shimmering under soft lights.

Tripti spun around the room, her eyes shining with excitement. "Oh my God! This is insane. A resort inside a resort? A private pool and this breathtaking view? Damn!"

Sarvagya laughed. "Now I see why it was so expensive. But hey, at least one thing Sejal did right—even if it was for the wrong reasons."

Tripti smirked. "Poor Shashank. He was supposed to be here, wasn't he? I bet he put in a lot of effort finding and booking this place."

Sarvagya nodded with a wicked grin. "Oh, I'm going to mess with him so much when we get back. He won't hear the end of it."

Tripti, still admiring the view, suddenly turned to him. "You do whatever you want later. Right now, I need to jump into that pool. I can't resist."

Sarvagya grabbed her wrist playfully. "Not so fast, Jaan. First, we eat and rest. We have days ahead to enjoy this. And trust me, swimming at night is a whole different level of fun."

Tripti pouted. "Fine. I'll listen to you this time because I'm exhausted. But if you don't let me swim at night, you'll regret it."

Sarvagya smirked. "Yes, Your Majesty. Your wish is my command."

Rolling her eyes, Tripti dug into her suitcase. "I'm taking a shower. I won't be long. Order some food in the meantime."

Sarvagya's lips curled into a teasing grin. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "And what if I want to join you?"

Tripti's eyes widened. Then, realizing what he meant, she turned beet red. "You shameless man."

Before he could say anything else, she pushed him away and darted into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

Sarvagya chuckled. "Shy, huh? But you didn't say no, so I'll take that as a yes."

As he turned away, his eyes landed on the clothes Tripti had forgotten in her hurry. He picked them up, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Without hesitation, he stepped toward the bathroom door—which, to his delight, was slightly ajar.

And then, with the air of a man who knew exactly what he was doing, he slipped inside and quietly shut the door behind him.

_______________________

The warm steam curled around the air as Tripti stepped into the spacious shower, the gentle hum of water cascading against the marble walls filling the silence. Her skin tingled as the heat enveloped her, melting away the fatigue of the long journey. She closed her eyes, tilting her face upward, letting the rivulets trickle down her neck and shoulders, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

Just as she reached for the soap, she felt a presence behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Her breath caught as strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into the warmth of his bare chest.

"Sarvagya," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the rhythmic patter of water.

"Mmm?" he murmured against her damp shoulder, his lips grazing her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

She turned slightly to glance at him, only to be met with the intense heat of his gaze. His dark eyes held an unspoken promise, a longing that mirrored her own. The world outside ceased to exist in that moment—just the two of them, encased in steam, their heartbeats syncing in a silent melody.

He traced his fingers along the curve of her spine, feather-light yet electrifying, making her shudder under his touch. "You left your clothes outside," he said, his voice husky, teasing.

Tripti felt a blush rise to her cheeks, though the heat of the water already painted her skin a rosy hue. "And you thought that was an invitation?" she retorted, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Sarvagya chuckled, low and deep, his lips trailing up the column of her neck. "You didn't stop me, did you?"

Her hands found their way to his, fingers intertwining as she leaned into him. Every touch, every whisper of breath against her skin ignited something deeper, something primal. She turned in his arms, her hands resting against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her fingertips.

The water cascaded between them, creating a thin veil of warmth that did little to mask the fire simmering between their bodies. Sarvagya lifted her chin gently, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw before he leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn't hurried or desperate; it was unhurried, savoring every second, as if time itself had surrendered to their embrace.

Tripti sighed into the kiss, her fingers tangling in his damp hair, pulling him closer. The tension of the past few days melted away, leaving behind only the raw, undeniable connection they shared.

As his lips trailed down to her collarbone, she whispered, "I love you."

Sarvagya paused, resting his forehead against hers, his breath mingling with hers in the confined space. "I love you more," he murmured before capturing her lips again, this time with more fervor, more urgency, as if he could etch those words into her very soul.

The water continued to pour around them, but it was no match for the storm they created between them—a tempest of passion, love, and the unbreakable bond they had forged in fire and fate.