Confessions of desire: the fantasies people keep off the group chat

Some fantasies are whispered about. Others stay safely tucked away in the back of your mind, replayed in high definition when no one’s watching. From playful restraint and slow-burn predator–prey tension to praise that quiets the brain and pool-table chemistry that could outdo Fifty Shades Darker, the confessions that poured in were bold, specific, and surprisingly self-aware.

What stands out isn’t shock value—it’s intention. The thrill of handing over control and knowing it’s still yours. The electricity of taboo wrapped securely in trust. These anonymous fantasies reveal that desire isn’t about chaos; it’s about chemistry, curiosity, and the delicious freedom to imagine without apology.

“I secretly love the idea of playful restraint—soft ropes, cheeky grins, and that second where I hand over control. It’s all trust, laughter, and just enough danger to make everything crackle.”
— Khushi Sharma, 22

“I’m intrigued by the predator-prey dynamic. It’s the thrill of the chase, the illusion of danger, and the unspoken understanding that it’s all chosen. It’s taboo enough to stay unshared, playful enough to feel electric, and rooted entirely in trust. That slow-building tension is what makes my heart race, and honestly, that’s the part I keep thinking about.”
— Meher Arora, 22

“I keep picturing just the two of us on a deserted island, hiding out in a cabana at sunset. Not in a sweeping romance kind of way, but more of a no one’s around and we can absolutely misbehave way. It’s the privacy that makes it feel naughty; like the fantasy works simply because it’s just us and no rules.”
— Ayesha Kumar, 23

“A fantasy I don’t usually say out loud is being praised until my brain finally switches off. I like the idea of someone confident taking the lead, noticing the little things, and telling me, very clearly, that I’m doing it right. I’m not into drama or over-the-top theatrics. I want steady control, quiet authority, and a few perfectly-timed good girl moments. In that space, I don’t have to impress or overthink. I just relax, follow, and feel completely at ease. The praise is the power. That’s what makes it addictive.” — Sanvi Ahluwalia, 21

“I know most guys’ fantasies aren’t exactly shocking, but there’s one I could never admit to my girlfriend. It’s us in the same bed with another guy. It’s charged, intimate, and impossible to ignore. The fantasy isn’t really about sharing her as much as watching her still gravitate towards me—choosing me, again and again. Maybe it’s an ego thing, maybe it’s about reassurance, or maybe it’s just curiosity I don’t plan on acting on. Either way, it lives firmly in fantasy. Private, vivid, and very real in my mind.”
— Virmaan Khanna, 24

“My boyfriend is a doctor, and my imagination refuses to hold back. Somewhere between his calm demeanour and my overactive brain lives a very cheeky role-play fantasy— purely fictional, wildly inappropriate. I keep imagining finding excuses to visit his workplace and slipping into fantasy mode despite knowing exactly where I want it to lead. It’s less about the setting and more about the tension. The looks, the restraint, the pretence. I have the white coat to blame.”
— Jiya Ahuja, 27

“It’s not a wildly kinky fantasy. Maybe it’s just the influence of Fifty Shades Darker, and the fact that my boyfriend and I play pool together a little too often. I picture a casual game that slowly turns competitive, with the tension building with every shot and smirk. One moment we’re joking, the next it’s just the two of us, pressed close on the pool table, forgetting what we were playing. In my head, the scene rewrites itself with fewer rules, more chemistry—and it’s definitely better than the movie ever made it.”
— Rhea Malhotra, 19

Images: Shutterstock

All names have been changed for anonymity. As told to Tishya Dubey 

This article first appeared in Cosmopolitan India's January-February 2026 print edition.

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