21-01-2020, 03:39 PM
Vikram felt a reflexive twinge of excitement as she shifted in the seat next to him.
Holding her husband's gaze, Sonali spoke the words that would ultimately send that evening down the rabbit hole.
"Since it's your birthday, I'll play along. But, only until the ball goes out of play," she said, smiling at him.
Suddenly, everyone fell quiet, the only sound the television. The commentators were discussing the lineup and the choice of Walters coming off the bench. Somebody shook ice in a glass.
Sonali continued to hold Vikram's gaze, her questioning expression asking permission and daring him to say "No."
Vikram quickly considered what was happening. Again, it was not unusual for someone to suggest such a trade-off. But this was the first time Sonali had entertained the idea. She didn't seem drunk. He decided there wasn't any harm in a little playful wagering and shrugged his shoulders in deference.
"Be nice to your babhi, yaar." he said, wiggling a finger at Karan. With that, Sonali turned her gaze to Karan while picking up the remote to pause the game before the kick-off could happen.
"Until the next goal," Karan blurted out his enthusiasm getting the better of him
"We're negotiating?" Sonali looked at him and crossed her arms. "Okay, until two stoppages in play."
"Three." Karan responded.
Sonali took a minute to sip at her drink, then gave a sultry little nod of agreement.
"Alright!" Karan clapped, grinning toothily. The others shared glances between each other.
"For a man who just got married, you're pretty excited to have another woman in your lap?" Sonali teased. His expression sobered, clearly chastened. Everyone laughed.
Holding her husband's gaze, Sonali spoke the words that would ultimately send that evening down the rabbit hole.
"Since it's your birthday, I'll play along. But, only until the ball goes out of play," she said, smiling at him.
Suddenly, everyone fell quiet, the only sound the television. The commentators were discussing the lineup and the choice of Walters coming off the bench. Somebody shook ice in a glass.
Sonali continued to hold Vikram's gaze, her questioning expression asking permission and daring him to say "No."
Vikram quickly considered what was happening. Again, it was not unusual for someone to suggest such a trade-off. But this was the first time Sonali had entertained the idea. She didn't seem drunk. He decided there wasn't any harm in a little playful wagering and shrugged his shoulders in deference.
"Be nice to your babhi, yaar." he said, wiggling a finger at Karan. With that, Sonali turned her gaze to Karan while picking up the remote to pause the game before the kick-off could happen.
"Until the next goal," Karan blurted out his enthusiasm getting the better of him
"We're negotiating?" Sonali looked at him and crossed her arms. "Okay, until two stoppages in play."
"Three." Karan responded.
Sonali took a minute to sip at her drink, then gave a sultry little nod of agreement.
"Alright!" Karan clapped, grinning toothily. The others shared glances between each other.
"For a man who just got married, you're pretty excited to have another woman in your lap?" Sonali teased. His expression sobered, clearly chastened. Everyone laughed.
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