Adultery The Language of Her Heart

[yazhiniram]

The chillness from the vegetables had already faded by the time she entered the lobby.
But her body still held the warmth of that look.
The security guy—new fellow. He had looked at her with that mix of “see once, see again” boldness.
Not a mistake. Not accidental.

You’ve seen breasts before, idiot. Stop acting like it’s news.
She didn’t glare. Just walked. Bag in one hand. Chin held straight.
But the feel of his stare?
It didn’t stay outside.

---

She turned the corner towards the lift.
The door was already open.
And inside—
Radhika akka and Ram.
Radhika was talking, turning toward him with a small laugh. Something about car washing coupons.
Ram just stood there. Calm. Holding his keys. Shirt sleeves folded to elbow. Slight stubble. Nothing flashy. Just… solid.
He looked up when he saw her.
Nodded. Quiet smile.
She stepped in. The plastic bag crinkled as it rubbed against her hip.
Radhika smiled, “Shopping-a?”
“Just quick veggies,” Pavitra replied. “Got some milk too.”
The door closed.

---

The lift hummed upward.
Small silence.
Radhika leaned slightly against the railing.
Ram was beside her—not touching, but near.
Pavitra noticed it now.
The air between them.
Nothing loud.
Nothing romantic.
Just... stillness. Comfort. A kind of closeness that didn't ask permission.
And him?
His presence felt different. Grounded.
Like a tree that had grown two feet taller since last week.

---

She turned slightly, her voice light: “Let’s drink tea and then go home. I just got milk also.”
Radhika laughed. “Aiyyo, not now. Let us come properly one day. Clean and peaceful.”
Pavitra smiled, shaking her head. “One cup only. Fresh milk, full fat.”
Ram looked at Radhika once. Didn’t speak.
Radhika hesitated.
They were thinking.
Not rejecting.
Just… unsure.
The lift slowed.
Bell sound. Her floor.
She stepped out, pausing with one hand on the grill gate.
“Come if you want. I’ll start the kettle anyway.”

---

The lift slowed.
Pavitra pulled open the grill gate with one hand, balancing the warm vegetable bag in the other.
She stepped out first.

Ram stepped out.
No smile. No drama. Just followed Pavitra out like it was the most natural thing.
Pavitra didn’t say anything.
She didn’t even look surprised.
Radhika blinked.
She stood there. A half-second. Then followed.

---

That’s it.
One step forward. And I knew.
This man… he’ll follow.
Not because I pull him.
But because he’s already walking toward me.

---

The front door was open.
Inside, noise.
Slippers scattered.
Pencils on the floor.
The smell of fevicol from some craft project gone wrong.
The boys were shouting from the hall.
“Maaa! Look, rocket drawing!”
“Amma! Tell him don’t touch my sharpener!”
Ram smiled and walked toward them.
“Drawing, ah?” he asked. “Show me. Whose rocket goes higher?”
The boys didn’t know him well.
But they knew energy when they saw it.
They accepted him quickly—talking over each other, waving papers.

---

Pavitra walked into the kitchen.
She opened the fridge, took out the milk packet, and placed the steel vessel on the stove.
Radhika followed, hesitating for a second at the doorway.
“Shall I help?” she asked, eyes scanning the countertop.
Pavitra nodded. “Sugar tin is there. Dabara set is in the top shelf.”
She pulled her dupatta across her chest once and tucked it loosely.
The flame danced under the milk vessel.
Outside, Ram was still talking to the boys.
Asking questions. Not loudly.
But the kind of voice children listen to without knowing why.

---

There are men who ask before entering.
And men who just walk in like they’ve always belonged.
Ram didn’t knock.
And I didn’t stop him.

---

The milk bubbled once. Rose. Settled.
Radhika wiped the counter with a tissue. Pavitra dropped tea powder into the boiling milk.
Her fingers moved normally.
But somewhere behind her spine…
A thread was pulling tight.