01-05-2025, 07:32 PM
Nobody noticed us sitting in the corner.
The temple was busy, noisy, but where we sat —
it was quiet,
calm,
hidden behind the big stone pillar.
The oil lamps were flickering gently.
The soft smell of camphor and jasmine floated around.
I sat cross-legged on the cool stone floor.
My orange saree was pulled tightly over my knees.
Anusha sat beside me, her green chudi pant brushing lightly against my saree cloth now and then.
Our thighs touched softly.
Cotton against cotton.
Skin warmth passing through the layers.
Both of us were eating slowly.
Silently.
The pongal was sweet and hot.
The sundal salty and soft.
My fingers were sticky with ghee.
Her small hands were also shining slightly with prasadam oil.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As I lifted another small handful to my mouth,
my eyes drifted to her face.
I paused.
A small single rice grain from the pongal was stuck just below her lower lip.
Right at the corner.
It was clinging cutely to her soft skin.
I smiled gently.
"Anusha..." I said softly, tilting my head.
She looked at me.
"There is something stuck on your lips," I said, pointing lightly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She quickly tried to wipe it with her fingers —
but she wiped the wrong side.
The rice stayed there, stuck, stubbornly.
I chuckled lightly under my breath.
Without thinking too much,
I leaned forward.
My right hand lifted.
Slowly, carefully, I touched her lower lip with my fingers.
Brushed the rice grain softly.
It fell down onto the floor.
But in that small second,
my fingers brushed her lips properly.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The feeling was different.
Soft.
Supple.
Warm.
Not like men's lips — rough or hard.
Hers were so gentle.
So delicate.
For a second, I understood deeply —
why men loved touching women’s lips.
Why kisses meant so much.
Because a woman’s lips carried a softness
that could melt even strong hearts.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I pulled my hand back slowly.
My fingertips still tingling softly.
Without wiping my hand,
I casually started eating again with the same fingers.
The taste of prasadam mixed strangely with the memory of her lip's softness.
Anusha sat quietly, eating small mouthfuls.
Her face was slightly red.
Her eyes were looking down at her banana leaf.
But I knew she had felt the touch too.
A small silent electricity floated between us now.
It sat on the air.
It sat on the stone floor.
It sat between our thighs which were still touching lightly.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Our thighs were brushing softly through saree and chudi cloth.
No hard pressing.
Just a slow, innocent, continuous touch.
But the cotton cloth was thin.
And the skin warmth passed through easily.
Each tiny movement of eating,
each small adjustment of sitting,
made the thighs rub lightly again.
I could feel it.
She could feel it too.
Our bodies understood.
Our hearts knew something had changed.
But we didn’t talk.
Not even one word about it.
Only silence floated softly around us.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We finished eating slowly.
Folded the banana leaves neatly.
Placed them aside near the pillar.
Anusha wiped her fingers on her dupatta corner shyly.
I wiped mine on my saree end casually.
We smiled softly at each other.
Small, nervous, knowing smiles.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We got up carefully.
The stone floor was cold under my bare feet.
My petticoat felt little loose still, slipping slightly on my hips.
I adjusted my saree once properly.
Anusha stood close beside me, adjusting her dupatta properly over her chest.
We walked slowly toward the temple main gate.
The air was cooler now.
The evening sky was becoming darker.
Soft prayers floated behind us like a river.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We reached the sandal stand.
The old man sitting there smiled toothlessly.
We gave him our token and collected our sandals.
I bent slightly, adjusting my saree nicely over my ankles.
Slipped my feet into the soft slippers.
Anusha did the same beside me.
Our movements were slow.
Careful.
Full of small secret tension we both were hiding quietly.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We stepped outside the temple gate together.
The street outside was calmer now.
Few shops were closing.
The roasted peanut smell still floated in the air.
We started walking slowly back toward our apartment society.
The footpath was dusty and cracked.
Small soft breeze lifted the saree edge slightly.
The sandals slapped lightly under our feet with each step.
We walked side by side —
our arms brushing now and then.
Our shoulders bumping lightly sometimes.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As we reached closer to the apartment compound,
the familiar security cabin came into view.
The evening lights from the building windows shone warmly.
The air felt different now.
Heavier.
Full of secret small feelings.
We were nearing the security gate slowly.
Our footsteps soft.
Our breathing slow.
Our hearts carrying small private storms inside.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As we walked slowly towards our apartment gate,
I was feeling light inside.
The prasadam taste still floated in my mouth.
The soft temple bells still rang somewhere inside my heart.
Anusha walked beside me —
quiet, calm, her small dupatta swinging slightly with each step.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Without thinking,
my fingers went to my ring.
It was a small habit from many years.
Whenever I felt happy, or dreamy, or thoughtful,
I would play with the ring on my right hand finger.
Now also,
I slid the gold ring out slightly,
so it was sitting loose on the tip of my finger.
I started rotating it slowly between my thumb and index finger,
feeling the smoothness of the gold,
smiling to myself.
The cotton pleats of my saree brushed softly against my legs when I walked.
The soft evening breeze kissed my sweaty neck.
The society gate was just a few steps away now.
The familiar security cabin light blinked in the distance.
----------------------------------------------------------------
My eyes were floating in dreams,
smiling at Anusha softly.
I didn’t notice.
Near the edge of the gate,
a small stone was lying near the corner.
My sandal caught on it.
I slipped a little.
Not a full fall —
just a small sudden jerk.
But it was enough.
The loose ring sitting at my fingertip
slipped out.
It flew lightly from my hand
and rolled quickly toward the side ditch near the corner.
I gasped softly.
My hand grabbed air uselessly.
I watched helplessly as the golden flash disappeared into the ditch shadows.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anusha stopped immediately.
She turned toward me.
"Pavi, what happened?" she asked quickly, worried.
I stood there frozen for one second.
Heart beating fast.
"My ring," I said, voice low.
"It slipped... it fell into the ditch."
I looked down toward the dark small ditch.
It was narrow and wet.
Some dry leaves and mud were collected inside.
Because of the weak evening light,
I couldn’t see anything clearly.
The ring had disappeared into the blackness.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I pulled out my mobile quickly.
Turned on the torch.
Bent down slightly.
Shined the light into the ditch carefully.
The torch light showed wet ground,
dead leaves,
small stones.
But no ring.
It had rolled somewhere deeper maybe.
Or maybe hiding behind some small stones.
I tried moving the torch left and right.
But still no sign of it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anusha stood beside me.
Bending slightly.
Also looking carefully.
Her ponytail brushed my shoulder when she leaned close.
But I was not thinking about anything else now.
Only fear was sitting in my chest.
It was a gold ring.
Almost 4 grams.
Not small.
If Kartik found out,
he might get angry.
Or scold me for being careless.
I swallowed once.
My throat felt dry.
We both stood there,
faces worried,
bending toward the ditch,
the torch light shaking in my hand.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Just then,
soft footsteps came behind us.
I turned my head slightly.
It was Prakash.
He had noticed us standing and searching.
He came slowly behind us,
wiping his hands on his uniform pants.
He stopped a few feet away.
Spoke politely:
"Madam, what happened?" he asked,
his voice soft and curious.
His eyes shifted between me and Anusha,
then looked toward the ditch area where the mobile torch was shining.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I straightened up slowly.
My saree brushed softly against my legs when I moved.
I switched off the torch to save battery.
My heart was still beating fast.
Anusha looked at me quietly, waiting for me to speak.
The evening air felt heavy.
The sky above was slowly turning black.
The soft streetlights flickered above our heads.
We stood there together —
three people at the edge of the gate —
one small missing ring pulling all our attention.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at Prakash with a worried face.
My heart was beating heavily inside my chest.
I opened my mouth and said in a low, urgent voice:
"My golden ring fell down...
it rolled into this ditch exactly here."
I pointed at the place with my mobile torch,
showing him the spot where I had slipped.
Prakash’s face changed slightly.
He understood my worry immediately.
Gold ring was not a small thing.
Especially for a woman like me —
who had simple small things in life —
every piece of jewellery meant something.
----------------------------------------------------------------
He nodded quickly.
"Mam, don't worry," he said softly.
"I’ll check properly."
I heard myself talking to him in a normal tone for the first time.
No anger.
No irritation.
Maybe because Anusha was standing beside me.
Maybe because I was too tired and worried now.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Prakash turned and walked quickly to the security cabin.
We stood there waiting.
The night air was cooler now.
A small dog barked somewhere far away.
I hugged my bag tightly to my side.
My petticoat was slipping low on my hips still,
but I didn’t care now.
Only the ring was sitting in my mind.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Prakash came back in two minutes.
He was carrying a big torch —
thicker and brighter than my mobile light.
He switched it on.
A strong white light shot out from it,
cutting the darkness easily.
He bent down carefully,
pointed the torch into the ditch,
and started searching slowly.
The beam of light moved left and right,
over the dirty water,
dry leaves,
small stones.
But no golden flash appeared.
No sign of the ring.
----------------------------------------------------------------
After two-three minutes,
he stood up and asked again:
"Mam... exactly where it fell down?"
His voice was still polite, but tired.
My worry exploded inside me.
I lost my temper little bit.
I snapped at him:
"I already told you!
It fell exactly here!
When I slipped on that stone, it rolled inside!"
I pointed hard again, feeling angry and helpless.
Anusha touched my arm softly, calming me.
Prakash didn’t get angry back.
He just nodded, bent down again,
and started checking more carefully.
----------------------------------------------------------------
After few more minutes,
he came back to me.
"Mam," he said softly.
"I will check every corner properly.
Don’t worry."
He stood holding the big torch near his hip.
His uniform was slightly dirty from bending near the ditch.
He spoke patiently:
"Since it’s already night, it’s difficult to see everything clearly.
I will check couple of more times tonight.
If I don’t find,
I’ll inform the association.
Tomorrow morning, full light will be there,
I will search properly again and find it."
He paused, looking at me kindly.
"If you want, madam, you can go home now.
I’ll handle this and inform you," he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I stood there silently for one second.
The night air pressed softly against my sweating neck.
The streetlight buzzed faintly above.
Anusha stood beside me quietly, her dupatta swinging lightly.
Prakash stood in front of me,
holding the big torch like a soldier,
waiting for my answer.
The small ditch lay silent at my feet,
hiding my small golden dream somewhere inside it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I stood there for one more small second.
The cool night air touched my cheeks.
My hand gripped my handbag tightly at my side.
I looked at Prakash.
His face was serious.
He was still holding the big torch, waiting for my words.
I gave a small tired smile.
"Fine," I said softly.
"Let me know if you figure out."
Then after a small pause, I added:
"Don’t worry... it’s my loss.
I’ll manage it."
My voice was simple, casual.
Outside, I behaved innocent.
Like a good madam, full of patience.
But inside my mind?
I was smiling wickedly.
"My dog will fetch the ring and give it back to me,"
I thought quietly.
I knew how Prakash would behave.
I knew his eagerness.
I was sure he would not rest until he brought the ring back to my feet.
The thought made a small private smile flicker in my heart.
But outside, my face stayed clean and worried.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I turned slowly.
Walked away from the ditch.
Anusha walked closely beside me.
She placed her hand softly on my shoulder.
"Pavi, don’t worry," she said gently.
"We will get it somehow."
Her voice was soft like butter.
Full of simple affection.
I smiled weakly, not saying anything.
The slippers slapped slowly under our feet as we walked toward the lift.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The lift doors opened with a soft sound.
We stepped inside together.
Anusha pressed the '7' button.
The light blinked faintly.
The lift doors closed with a small thud.
Inside the lift, the space felt small and private.
The soft fan whirred above.
The smell of temple flowers and prasadam still floated between us.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Without warning,
Anusha turned toward me.
She put her arms around my shoulders softly.
Pulled me into a gentle hug.
My face pressed lightly against her shoulder.
Her soft chudi cloth brushed against my cheek.
Her body was warm.
Smelling faintly of soap and fresh cotton.
I stayed silent.
I didn’t move.
I let my forehead rest softly against her shoulder.
I closed my eyes once, just for a second.
The small hug floated between us —
silent, kind, sweet.
The lift moved up slowly, humming.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The '7' light blinked.
The lift stopped.
The doors opened with a soft ding.
We pulled back from each other naturally.
No words.
Only small quiet smiles.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We stepped out into the corridor.
The night was silent.
Only the sound of one far TV playing inside some flat.
I adjusted my saree properly over my hips.
Held my bag tightly.
I turned to Anusha and said:
"Come home whenever you are free, okay?"
My voice was soft, inviting.
She smiled sweetly.
"Yes, Pavi," she said.
She gave a small shy nod.
Turned toward her flat and started walking slowly.
I watched her for one second.
Then smiled softly to myself.
Walked toward my own door.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I unlocked the door carefully.
Stepped inside.
The familiar smell of home touched my nose.
I closed the door behind me with a soft click.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the hall,
Arjun was sitting lazily on the sofa.
TV was on.
Some comedy serial was playing loudly.
He was holding a glass of juice.
Wearing a casual black T-shirt and grey shorts.
When he heard the door sound,
he turned his head quickly.
The moment he saw me,
his eyes widened slightly.
His whole face changed in one second.
From lazy to alert.
He kept staring for a small extra second.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I stood there silently.
Bag hanging from one hand.
Saree pleats slipping softly over my ankles.
The weight of the whole evening still sitting in my chest.
The TV played loudly in the background.
But between me and Arjun —
a small new silence grew.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The temple was busy, noisy, but where we sat —
it was quiet,
calm,
hidden behind the big stone pillar.
The oil lamps were flickering gently.
The soft smell of camphor and jasmine floated around.
I sat cross-legged on the cool stone floor.
My orange saree was pulled tightly over my knees.
Anusha sat beside me, her green chudi pant brushing lightly against my saree cloth now and then.
Our thighs touched softly.
Cotton against cotton.
Skin warmth passing through the layers.
Both of us were eating slowly.
Silently.
The pongal was sweet and hot.
The sundal salty and soft.
My fingers were sticky with ghee.
Her small hands were also shining slightly with prasadam oil.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As I lifted another small handful to my mouth,
my eyes drifted to her face.
I paused.
A small single rice grain from the pongal was stuck just below her lower lip.
Right at the corner.
It was clinging cutely to her soft skin.
I smiled gently.
"Anusha..." I said softly, tilting my head.
She looked at me.
"There is something stuck on your lips," I said, pointing lightly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She quickly tried to wipe it with her fingers —
but she wiped the wrong side.
The rice stayed there, stuck, stubbornly.
I chuckled lightly under my breath.
Without thinking too much,
I leaned forward.
My right hand lifted.
Slowly, carefully, I touched her lower lip with my fingers.
Brushed the rice grain softly.
It fell down onto the floor.
But in that small second,
my fingers brushed her lips properly.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The feeling was different.
Soft.
Supple.
Warm.
Not like men's lips — rough or hard.
Hers were so gentle.
So delicate.
For a second, I understood deeply —
why men loved touching women’s lips.
Why kisses meant so much.
Because a woman’s lips carried a softness
that could melt even strong hearts.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I pulled my hand back slowly.
My fingertips still tingling softly.
Without wiping my hand,
I casually started eating again with the same fingers.
The taste of prasadam mixed strangely with the memory of her lip's softness.
Anusha sat quietly, eating small mouthfuls.
Her face was slightly red.
Her eyes were looking down at her banana leaf.
But I knew she had felt the touch too.
A small silent electricity floated between us now.
It sat on the air.
It sat on the stone floor.
It sat between our thighs which were still touching lightly.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Our thighs were brushing softly through saree and chudi cloth.
No hard pressing.
Just a slow, innocent, continuous touch.
But the cotton cloth was thin.
And the skin warmth passed through easily.
Each tiny movement of eating,
each small adjustment of sitting,
made the thighs rub lightly again.
I could feel it.
She could feel it too.
Our bodies understood.
Our hearts knew something had changed.
But we didn’t talk.
Not even one word about it.
Only silence floated softly around us.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We finished eating slowly.
Folded the banana leaves neatly.
Placed them aside near the pillar.
Anusha wiped her fingers on her dupatta corner shyly.
I wiped mine on my saree end casually.
We smiled softly at each other.
Small, nervous, knowing smiles.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We got up carefully.
The stone floor was cold under my bare feet.
My petticoat felt little loose still, slipping slightly on my hips.
I adjusted my saree once properly.
Anusha stood close beside me, adjusting her dupatta properly over her chest.
We walked slowly toward the temple main gate.
The air was cooler now.
The evening sky was becoming darker.
Soft prayers floated behind us like a river.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We reached the sandal stand.
The old man sitting there smiled toothlessly.
We gave him our token and collected our sandals.
I bent slightly, adjusting my saree nicely over my ankles.
Slipped my feet into the soft slippers.
Anusha did the same beside me.
Our movements were slow.
Careful.
Full of small secret tension we both were hiding quietly.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We stepped outside the temple gate together.
The street outside was calmer now.
Few shops were closing.
The roasted peanut smell still floated in the air.
We started walking slowly back toward our apartment society.
The footpath was dusty and cracked.
Small soft breeze lifted the saree edge slightly.
The sandals slapped lightly under our feet with each step.
We walked side by side —
our arms brushing now and then.
Our shoulders bumping lightly sometimes.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As we reached closer to the apartment compound,
the familiar security cabin came into view.
The evening lights from the building windows shone warmly.
The air felt different now.
Heavier.
Full of secret small feelings.
We were nearing the security gate slowly.
Our footsteps soft.
Our breathing slow.
Our hearts carrying small private storms inside.
----------------------------------------------------------------
As we walked slowly towards our apartment gate,
I was feeling light inside.
The prasadam taste still floated in my mouth.
The soft temple bells still rang somewhere inside my heart.
Anusha walked beside me —
quiet, calm, her small dupatta swinging slightly with each step.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Without thinking,
my fingers went to my ring.
It was a small habit from many years.
Whenever I felt happy, or dreamy, or thoughtful,
I would play with the ring on my right hand finger.
Now also,
I slid the gold ring out slightly,
so it was sitting loose on the tip of my finger.
I started rotating it slowly between my thumb and index finger,
feeling the smoothness of the gold,
smiling to myself.
The cotton pleats of my saree brushed softly against my legs when I walked.
The soft evening breeze kissed my sweaty neck.
The society gate was just a few steps away now.
The familiar security cabin light blinked in the distance.
----------------------------------------------------------------
My eyes were floating in dreams,
smiling at Anusha softly.
I didn’t notice.
Near the edge of the gate,
a small stone was lying near the corner.
My sandal caught on it.
I slipped a little.
Not a full fall —
just a small sudden jerk.
But it was enough.
The loose ring sitting at my fingertip
slipped out.
It flew lightly from my hand
and rolled quickly toward the side ditch near the corner.
I gasped softly.
My hand grabbed air uselessly.
I watched helplessly as the golden flash disappeared into the ditch shadows.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anusha stopped immediately.
She turned toward me.
"Pavi, what happened?" she asked quickly, worried.
I stood there frozen for one second.
Heart beating fast.
"My ring," I said, voice low.
"It slipped... it fell into the ditch."
I looked down toward the dark small ditch.
It was narrow and wet.
Some dry leaves and mud were collected inside.
Because of the weak evening light,
I couldn’t see anything clearly.
The ring had disappeared into the blackness.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I pulled out my mobile quickly.
Turned on the torch.
Bent down slightly.
Shined the light into the ditch carefully.
The torch light showed wet ground,
dead leaves,
small stones.
But no ring.
It had rolled somewhere deeper maybe.
Or maybe hiding behind some small stones.
I tried moving the torch left and right.
But still no sign of it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Anusha stood beside me.
Bending slightly.
Also looking carefully.
Her ponytail brushed my shoulder when she leaned close.
But I was not thinking about anything else now.
Only fear was sitting in my chest.
It was a gold ring.
Almost 4 grams.
Not small.
If Kartik found out,
he might get angry.
Or scold me for being careless.
I swallowed once.
My throat felt dry.
We both stood there,
faces worried,
bending toward the ditch,
the torch light shaking in my hand.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Just then,
soft footsteps came behind us.
I turned my head slightly.
It was Prakash.
He had noticed us standing and searching.
He came slowly behind us,
wiping his hands on his uniform pants.
He stopped a few feet away.
Spoke politely:
"Madam, what happened?" he asked,
his voice soft and curious.
His eyes shifted between me and Anusha,
then looked toward the ditch area where the mobile torch was shining.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I straightened up slowly.
My saree brushed softly against my legs when I moved.
I switched off the torch to save battery.
My heart was still beating fast.
Anusha looked at me quietly, waiting for me to speak.
The evening air felt heavy.
The sky above was slowly turning black.
The soft streetlights flickered above our heads.
We stood there together —
three people at the edge of the gate —
one small missing ring pulling all our attention.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at Prakash with a worried face.
My heart was beating heavily inside my chest.
I opened my mouth and said in a low, urgent voice:
"My golden ring fell down...
it rolled into this ditch exactly here."
I pointed at the place with my mobile torch,
showing him the spot where I had slipped.
Prakash’s face changed slightly.
He understood my worry immediately.
Gold ring was not a small thing.
Especially for a woman like me —
who had simple small things in life —
every piece of jewellery meant something.
----------------------------------------------------------------
He nodded quickly.
"Mam, don't worry," he said softly.
"I’ll check properly."
I heard myself talking to him in a normal tone for the first time.
No anger.
No irritation.
Maybe because Anusha was standing beside me.
Maybe because I was too tired and worried now.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Prakash turned and walked quickly to the security cabin.
We stood there waiting.
The night air was cooler now.
A small dog barked somewhere far away.
I hugged my bag tightly to my side.
My petticoat was slipping low on my hips still,
but I didn’t care now.
Only the ring was sitting in my mind.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Prakash came back in two minutes.
He was carrying a big torch —
thicker and brighter than my mobile light.
He switched it on.
A strong white light shot out from it,
cutting the darkness easily.
He bent down carefully,
pointed the torch into the ditch,
and started searching slowly.
The beam of light moved left and right,
over the dirty water,
dry leaves,
small stones.
But no golden flash appeared.
No sign of the ring.
----------------------------------------------------------------
After two-three minutes,
he stood up and asked again:
"Mam... exactly where it fell down?"
His voice was still polite, but tired.
My worry exploded inside me.
I lost my temper little bit.
I snapped at him:
"I already told you!
It fell exactly here!
When I slipped on that stone, it rolled inside!"
I pointed hard again, feeling angry and helpless.
Anusha touched my arm softly, calming me.
Prakash didn’t get angry back.
He just nodded, bent down again,
and started checking more carefully.
----------------------------------------------------------------
After few more minutes,
he came back to me.
"Mam," he said softly.
"I will check every corner properly.
Don’t worry."
He stood holding the big torch near his hip.
His uniform was slightly dirty from bending near the ditch.
He spoke patiently:
"Since it’s already night, it’s difficult to see everything clearly.
I will check couple of more times tonight.
If I don’t find,
I’ll inform the association.
Tomorrow morning, full light will be there,
I will search properly again and find it."
He paused, looking at me kindly.
"If you want, madam, you can go home now.
I’ll handle this and inform you," he said.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I stood there silently for one second.
The night air pressed softly against my sweating neck.
The streetlight buzzed faintly above.
Anusha stood beside me quietly, her dupatta swinging lightly.
Prakash stood in front of me,
holding the big torch like a soldier,
waiting for my answer.
The small ditch lay silent at my feet,
hiding my small golden dream somewhere inside it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I stood there for one more small second.
The cool night air touched my cheeks.
My hand gripped my handbag tightly at my side.
I looked at Prakash.
His face was serious.
He was still holding the big torch, waiting for my words.
I gave a small tired smile.
"Fine," I said softly.
"Let me know if you figure out."
Then after a small pause, I added:
"Don’t worry... it’s my loss.
I’ll manage it."
My voice was simple, casual.
Outside, I behaved innocent.
Like a good madam, full of patience.
But inside my mind?
I was smiling wickedly.
"My dog will fetch the ring and give it back to me,"
I thought quietly.
I knew how Prakash would behave.
I knew his eagerness.
I was sure he would not rest until he brought the ring back to my feet.
The thought made a small private smile flicker in my heart.
But outside, my face stayed clean and worried.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I turned slowly.
Walked away from the ditch.
Anusha walked closely beside me.
She placed her hand softly on my shoulder.
"Pavi, don’t worry," she said gently.
"We will get it somehow."
Her voice was soft like butter.
Full of simple affection.
I smiled weakly, not saying anything.
The slippers slapped slowly under our feet as we walked toward the lift.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The lift doors opened with a soft sound.
We stepped inside together.
Anusha pressed the '7' button.
The light blinked faintly.
The lift doors closed with a small thud.
Inside the lift, the space felt small and private.
The soft fan whirred above.
The smell of temple flowers and prasadam still floated between us.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Without warning,
Anusha turned toward me.
She put her arms around my shoulders softly.
Pulled me into a gentle hug.
My face pressed lightly against her shoulder.
Her soft chudi cloth brushed against my cheek.
Her body was warm.
Smelling faintly of soap and fresh cotton.
I stayed silent.
I didn’t move.
I let my forehead rest softly against her shoulder.
I closed my eyes once, just for a second.
The small hug floated between us —
silent, kind, sweet.
The lift moved up slowly, humming.
----------------------------------------------------------------
The '7' light blinked.
The lift stopped.
The doors opened with a soft ding.
We pulled back from each other naturally.
No words.
Only small quiet smiles.
----------------------------------------------------------------
We stepped out into the corridor.
The night was silent.
Only the sound of one far TV playing inside some flat.
I adjusted my saree properly over my hips.
Held my bag tightly.
I turned to Anusha and said:
"Come home whenever you are free, okay?"
My voice was soft, inviting.
She smiled sweetly.
"Yes, Pavi," she said.
She gave a small shy nod.
Turned toward her flat and started walking slowly.
I watched her for one second.
Then smiled softly to myself.
Walked toward my own door.
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I unlocked the door carefully.
Stepped inside.
The familiar smell of home touched my nose.
I closed the door behind me with a soft click.
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Inside the hall,
Arjun was sitting lazily on the sofa.
TV was on.
Some comedy serial was playing loudly.
He was holding a glass of juice.
Wearing a casual black T-shirt and grey shorts.
When he heard the door sound,
he turned his head quickly.
The moment he saw me,
his eyes widened slightly.
His whole face changed in one second.
From lazy to alert.
He kept staring for a small extra second.
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I stood there silently.
Bag hanging from one hand.
Saree pleats slipping softly over my ankles.
The weight of the whole evening still sitting in my chest.
The TV played loudly in the background.
But between me and Arjun —
a small new silence grew.
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