Drenched Ep 1

~ The Gathering Storm ~ 


The charity gala was loud, bright, and suffocating. Mira stood near the edge of the ballroom, a champagne flute held loosely between her fingers, wishing she were anywhere else. She was supposed to be networking, but her gaze kept drifting across the crowded room, inevitably landing on the one person she was trying hardest to avoid.

Kabir.

He was surrounded by investors, looking effortless in a sharp, tailored midnight-blue bandhgala. He possessed a quiet authority that drew people in, but as if sensing her eyes on him, he paused mid-sentence.

 He turned his head, his dark eyes locking onto hers across the expanse of the ballroom.

Mira didn’t look away. She couldn't. The unspoken intensity that had been simmering between them for months - ever since they parted ways on a bitter note a year ago , was suddenly back, thick and undeniable.

A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the high arched windows of the venue, followed by a low rumble of thunder that shook the glass. The monsoon had arrived early, and it was arriving hard.

Within an hour, the storm had completely knocked out the power to the district, plunging the gala into darkness before the backup generators kicked in, faintly lighting the exits. Guests were scrambling for cabs, but the roads were already flooding.


"You won't find a ride out of here tonight, Mira."
The low, gravelly baritone right behind her made her spine straighten. She turned slowly to find Kabir standing just inches away, his hands casually slipped into his pockets.

"I can manage, Kabir," she said, keeping her voice even, though her heart had already shifted into a faster rhythm.

"The main avenue is completely waterlogged, and the grid is failing," Kabir said smoothly, gesturing toward the chaotic lobby. "My penthouse is three blocks away. We can walk there before the downpour gets worse, or you can spend the night stranded in a hotel lobby with two hundred strangers."

Mira looked at the crowd, then back at Kabir. His expression was entirely unreadable, but there was a flicker of something dark and patient in his eyes.
"Just a safe place to wait out the storm," Mira clarified, setting her untouched champagne glass on a passing tray.

A slow, knowing smile tugged at the corner of Kabir's mouth. "Of course. Nothing more."