02-05-2025, 11:47 AM
I locked the door behind me softly.
The click sounded small and sharp inside the quiet house.
When I turned around,
I saw Arjun still staring at me.
His juice glass rested forgotten on the sofa arm.
His eyes were wide, open, shining.
He smiled suddenly.
"Anni..." he said softly.
"You smell like jasmine."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I laughed lightly.
"It's not me da," I said, adjusting my bag strap.
"It's the jasmine flowers."
I reached behind my ear.
Pulled out the small soft string of jasmine flowers.
It was little crushed now, full of evening sweat and temple smell.
Without thinking,
I threw it playfully toward him.
The flowers floated in the air like a small white cloud
and landed on his lap.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He caught it quickly with both hands.
Lifted it to his nose.
Smelled it slowly, deeply.
Then he smiled cheekily.
"This smells like you, anni," he said.
His voice was soft but teasing.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I laughed again.
Pulled his leg playfully:
"Oh... you know my smell also nowadays, ah?"
He laughed shyly,
looking down for one second,
then looking back at me.
His boyish face was full of small happiness.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled warmly.
Kept my bag properly on the side table.
Then, like always after coming back from temple,
I closed my eyes for a second.
Joined my hands softly.
Prayed inside my heart.
Thank you God.
Protect my family.
Protect my heart.
Forgive my small sins.
I touched my forehead with my fingers.
Opened my eyes slowly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Then I moved toward the kitchen.
The loose pleats of my saree brushed my thighs when I walked.
My petticoat still felt little loose, sitting lower on my hips.
The soft kitchen lights flickered warmly above.
I tied my saree corner nicely at my waist.
Started preparing dosa batter.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I could hear Arjun's footsteps following me softly.
He leaned casually against the kitchen doorway.
Watching me.
I poured the dosa batter on the hot tawa.
The smell of hot iron and butter filled the kitchen air.
The dosa batter spread round and thin under my hand.
As I moved,
I could feel it.
Arjun’s eyes were stuck somewhere.
I shifted slightly,
adjusted my pallu across my chest.
From the corner of my eye,
I caught him.
His eyes were moving shamelessly between
the open pallu gap,
the side curve of my blouse,
the sweat shining softly on my neck.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled secretly.
Without turning fully,
I said in a soft teasing voice:
"What are you looking at da?"
I could feel his body stiffen slightly.
He coughed once.
"Nothing anni," he said quickly.
His voice was guilty, boyish, soft.
I laughed softly.
Turned my head slightly, smiling wickedly.
"You want me to feed dosa..."
I paused,
then added slowly, teasing more:
"Or you want me to feed you?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
His face turned fully red.
He laughed nervously.
I laughed too.
Both of us remembered it at the same time —
the card game night —
where I had fed him with my boobs for one daring minute.
The memory floated between us like warm mist.
But we said nothing more about it.
Just laughed softly.
Let the sweet sin sit quietly between us.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The dosa was ready.
Golden, hot, crispy.
I placed it on a plate.
The old chutney from morning was still there —
I mixed it lightly to make it fresh.
We both sat at the small dining table.
Eating dosa slowly.
The chutney tasted cool and salty against the hot dosa.
We didn’t talk much.
Only small smiles, small soft chewing sounds, small stolen glances.
The house was warm and soft around us.
-------------------------------------------------------------
After dinner,
we moved to the sofa.
Sitting lazily.
The TV was still playing.
Some old comedy show with too much noise.
I sat on one side, adjusting my loose saree nicely around my knees.
Arjun sat the other side,
his elbows resting on his knees,
leaning slightly forward.
The smell of ghee dosa and jasmine flowers floated softly between us still.
The night moved slowly around our small secret world.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The TV was playing loudly in the hall.
Some boring comedy show.
I leaned back against the sofa lazily, adjusting my saree properly over my legs.
Arjun sat forward, tapping the remote in his hand.
Suddenly, he changed the channel.
Clicked to YouTube.
Started searching.
Within a few seconds,
the soft tune of an old Tamil romantic song floated into the room.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Vaseegara..." from Minnale movie started playing.
The soft voice of Bombay Jayashri filled the small living room.
Slow, sweet, soft.
The jasmine smell from my hair,
the ghee dosa smell from the plates,
and now this soft romantic song —
everything made the air feel heavier, dreamier.
The tune touched the walls.
Touched our skin.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun smiled cheekily.
He turned his head toward me.
"Anni... let's play a game?" he asked sweetly.
His eyes were twinkling like a small naughty boy.
I looked at him sideways.
Smiled knowingly.
"I know your plans, sir," I said, laughing softly.
"Better let's go and sleep."
I teased him lightly,
adjusting my loose hair behind my ear.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He shook his head fast.
"Anni... it's only 8:30 now!" he said, almost complaining.
"Tomorrow no work also.
Only going to check some rooms."
I raised my eyebrow.
"You already found a room right?" I asked casually.
He grinned.
"I want to explore more options, anni!" he said proudly.
I chuckled.
This boy.
Never enough.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I nodded slowly, smiling.
"Fine," I said.
"Let's play."
I folded my legs on the sofa.
"Cards?" I asked.
"Or something else?"
He lifted his eyebrows.
"Cards, anni!" he said immediately.
I smiled more.
"Can we play carrom board instead?" I asked, half laughing.
"Fine anni," he said, grinning, not minding.
"But what are the rules?" he asked quickly, pretending innocent.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I gave him a small long look.
Pulled his legs softly.
"I know what you are planning," I said.
My voice was teasing.
But inside, a small secret current floated.
He laughed shamelessly.
No fear.
No hiding.
Just full open laughter.
Like a boy caught stealing chocolates from kitchen.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled back.
Shook my head slowly.
Then pointed my finger playfully at him:
"Everything is fine...
Until you stay in your limits."
I said it with a mock serious face.
He lifted both his hands up in surrender.
"Promise, anni!" he said, still laughing.
The soft song changed in the background.
"Un Perai Sonnale..." from some old movie started playing now.
The slow Tamil love words floated around us like a soft private blanket.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The night sat softly around us.
Two hearts,
one small secret song,
and an old innocent game getting ready to start.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I stood up from the sofa,
adjusting my saree neatly around my waist.
The soft cotton brushed warmly against my legs when I moved.
I went to the corner shelf near the hall window,
searching for the carrom board.
It was lying inside, tilted against the wall,
covered with a light layer of dust.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Arjun, come da," I called him casually.
He jumped up from the sofa immediately.
Came near, smiling.
He peeped inside the shelf.
It was little deep inside.
He scratched his head, thinking.
Then suddenly he said, grinning cheekily:
"Anni... can I lift you?
You can reach and take it easily."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I burst out laughing.
"Mr!" I said teasingly.
"Fetch the dining chair and get it yourself.
No need to lift me!"
I gave him a small knowing smile.
He caught the meaning immediately.
His face became shy, smiling.
He nodded and ran off to the dining table.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He pulled a chair carefully.
Brought it near the shelf.
Climbed quickly and reached inside.
Within seconds,
he pulled out the old carrom board.
It was dusty and dull.
I took it from him carefully.
We placed it down on the floor.
I took a soft cloth from the kitchen.
Wiped the surface properly, blowing off the dust.
The powder smell of old wood and chalk floated in the air.
-------------------------------------------------------------
We set the board nicely in the center of the hall.
Arjun sat on one side, folding his legs.
I sat on the opposite side, adjusting my saree nicely over my knees.
The soft romantic Tamil song was still playing faintly in the background.
"Kanave Kanave..." floated from the TV speaker now.
The house felt warm and cosy.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun smiled brightly.
"Anni... you know how to play?" he asked sweetly.
I smiled secretively.
"You will see," I said, adjusting my bangles lightly.
My mind floated back to old memories.
During college holidays,
we used to play carrom board at home —
me, my brothers, cousins —
sitting on floor mats, laughing and fighting for coins.
I knew this board game very well.
-------------------------------------------------------------
We set the coins properly in the center.
Placed the red queen neatly inside the white circle.
Arjun gave me the striker first.
"Ladies first," he said, laughing.
I nodded casually.
Rubbed the striker lightly on the board, feeling the smoothness.
Aimed.
And shot.
-------------------------------------------------------------
First shot.
One white coin pocketed.
Smoothly, cleanly.
Arjun's mouth opened slightly in surprise.
I smiled inside.
Took another shot.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Second shot.
Another white coin gone.
Then third shot — fourth shot.
In three quick rounds,
I had pocketed all my white coins
and even captured the red queen properly.
I smiled casually and leaned back.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun sat there, blinking.
There were still four black coins sitting lonely on the board.
His striker was untouched.
He had not even played properly.
He looked at me.
Eyes wide.
Mouth smiling helplessly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He understood fully now.
He could not win against me.
He could not give any dares to me.
The first victory belonged to me.
And now,
it was my turn to give the first dare.
A slow wicked smile touched my lips.
The game had started.
And the night was young.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I sat cross-legged on the floor,
adjusting my saree neatly over my knees.
The soft cotton brushed warmly against my ankles.
The carrom board was glowing softly under the yellow hall light.
The coins were scattered from the last winning round.
Arjun was sitting opposite me, smiling shyly, his fingers tapping the striker.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled slowly.
Tilted my head.
Asked casually, teasingly:
"Tell me da...
from that day... after the last game ended...
what were you thinking?"
I crossed my arms playfully,
leaning slightly forward.
My bangles clinked softly when I moved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun scratched the back of his head shyly.
His hair was messy from sitting and playing.
He looked like a small college boy caught stealing sweets.
He smiled a small guilty smile.
Then spoke slowly, choosing each word carefully.
"Anni..." he said.
"I felt lucky."
"I felt grown-up."
"And... I felt good, anni."
He paused.
Looked into my eyes seriously.
His voice became softer, respectful:
"And on you...
my respect grew so much, anni."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I sat quietly, listening.
The soft Tamil romantic song was still playing in the background,
mixing with the slow whir of the fan.
The way Arjun said it —
not childish, not dirty —
but full of clean, simple admiration.
My heart softened a little inside.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I laughed lightly to break the mood.
"That's all?" I teased.
"Good to hear da."
I adjusted my pallu casually and added:
"I thought you might have thought badly about me...
like cheap or something."
I smiled playfully.
But inside, a small tiny fear peeked out.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun immediately shook his head strongly.
His voice was firm.
"No, anni! Never!"
He said it almost like an oath.
His face was serious, full of real feeling.
"No bad thinking, anni... only more respect," he said again softly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled gently.
A small soft warmth grew inside my chest.
A small relief.
A small pride.
I nodded slowly, accepting his feeling silently.
The soft jasmine smell floated from my hair.
The saree pleats brushed my thigh lightly as I adjusted to sit properly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I clapped my hands once softly.
"Fine da," I said, smiling brightly.
"Next round starts!"
Arjun grinned.
-------------------------------------------------------------
We arranged the coins again neatly in the center circle.
Placed the red queen properly.
This time, I gave him the first striker.
"Your turn first," I said sweetly.
He nodded seriously.
Rubbed the striker on the side.
Focused fully.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I sat back slightly, smiling secretly.
This time,
I decided.
I would go easy.
Let him enjoy winning.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He played seriously.
Every shot was careful.
His body was stiff with concentration.
His lips pressed tightly together when he aimed.
The striker flicked here and there.
Coins started disappearing one by one.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I played casually.
Missed easy shots purposely.
Smiled secret smiles when he pocketed coins.
In just few rounds,
he cleared his coins.
The red queen too.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He looked up at me, his face shining like a boy who found treasure.
"Won!" he said proudly, lifting both hands.
I laughed softly, clapping lightly.
"Good da," I said.
"First win!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun's face was full of excitement.
He rubbed his palms together mischievously.
"Anni..." he said, smiling naughtily.
"I want you to continue the same way where we stopped at last game."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I blinked once.
Paused.
Raised my eyebrows slowly.
Gave him a mock shocked look.
"What?" my face asked silently.
I tilted my head slightly, waiting for him to explain.
My heart was beating a little faster.
The night air pressed softly against my bare waist where the saree tucked loosely.
The soft romantic song floated lazily behind us.
And the carrom board sat silently between us —
waiting for the next mad dare to begin.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The click sounded small and sharp inside the quiet house.
When I turned around,
I saw Arjun still staring at me.
His juice glass rested forgotten on the sofa arm.
His eyes were wide, open, shining.
He smiled suddenly.
"Anni..." he said softly.
"You smell like jasmine."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I laughed lightly.
"It's not me da," I said, adjusting my bag strap.
"It's the jasmine flowers."
I reached behind my ear.
Pulled out the small soft string of jasmine flowers.
It was little crushed now, full of evening sweat and temple smell.
Without thinking,
I threw it playfully toward him.
The flowers floated in the air like a small white cloud
and landed on his lap.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He caught it quickly with both hands.
Lifted it to his nose.
Smelled it slowly, deeply.
Then he smiled cheekily.
"This smells like you, anni," he said.
His voice was soft but teasing.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I laughed again.
Pulled his leg playfully:
"Oh... you know my smell also nowadays, ah?"
He laughed shyly,
looking down for one second,
then looking back at me.
His boyish face was full of small happiness.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled warmly.
Kept my bag properly on the side table.
Then, like always after coming back from temple,
I closed my eyes for a second.
Joined my hands softly.
Prayed inside my heart.
Thank you God.
Protect my family.
Protect my heart.
Forgive my small sins.
I touched my forehead with my fingers.
Opened my eyes slowly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Then I moved toward the kitchen.
The loose pleats of my saree brushed my thighs when I walked.
My petticoat still felt little loose, sitting lower on my hips.
The soft kitchen lights flickered warmly above.
I tied my saree corner nicely at my waist.
Started preparing dosa batter.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I could hear Arjun's footsteps following me softly.
He leaned casually against the kitchen doorway.
Watching me.
I poured the dosa batter on the hot tawa.
The smell of hot iron and butter filled the kitchen air.
The dosa batter spread round and thin under my hand.
As I moved,
I could feel it.
Arjun’s eyes were stuck somewhere.
I shifted slightly,
adjusted my pallu across my chest.
From the corner of my eye,
I caught him.
His eyes were moving shamelessly between
the open pallu gap,
the side curve of my blouse,
the sweat shining softly on my neck.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled secretly.
Without turning fully,
I said in a soft teasing voice:
"What are you looking at da?"
I could feel his body stiffen slightly.
He coughed once.
"Nothing anni," he said quickly.
His voice was guilty, boyish, soft.
I laughed softly.
Turned my head slightly, smiling wickedly.
"You want me to feed dosa..."
I paused,
then added slowly, teasing more:
"Or you want me to feed you?"
-------------------------------------------------------------
His face turned fully red.
He laughed nervously.
I laughed too.
Both of us remembered it at the same time —
the card game night —
where I had fed him with my boobs for one daring minute.
The memory floated between us like warm mist.
But we said nothing more about it.
Just laughed softly.
Let the sweet sin sit quietly between us.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The dosa was ready.
Golden, hot, crispy.
I placed it on a plate.
The old chutney from morning was still there —
I mixed it lightly to make it fresh.
We both sat at the small dining table.
Eating dosa slowly.
The chutney tasted cool and salty against the hot dosa.
We didn’t talk much.
Only small smiles, small soft chewing sounds, small stolen glances.
The house was warm and soft around us.
-------------------------------------------------------------
After dinner,
we moved to the sofa.
Sitting lazily.
The TV was still playing.
Some old comedy show with too much noise.
I sat on one side, adjusting my loose saree nicely around my knees.
Arjun sat the other side,
his elbows resting on his knees,
leaning slightly forward.
The smell of ghee dosa and jasmine flowers floated softly between us still.
The night moved slowly around our small secret world.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The TV was playing loudly in the hall.
Some boring comedy show.
I leaned back against the sofa lazily, adjusting my saree properly over my legs.
Arjun sat forward, tapping the remote in his hand.
Suddenly, he changed the channel.
Clicked to YouTube.
Started searching.
Within a few seconds,
the soft tune of an old Tamil romantic song floated into the room.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Vaseegara..." from Minnale movie started playing.
The soft voice of Bombay Jayashri filled the small living room.
Slow, sweet, soft.
The jasmine smell from my hair,
the ghee dosa smell from the plates,
and now this soft romantic song —
everything made the air feel heavier, dreamier.
The tune touched the walls.
Touched our skin.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun smiled cheekily.
He turned his head toward me.
"Anni... let's play a game?" he asked sweetly.
His eyes were twinkling like a small naughty boy.
I looked at him sideways.
Smiled knowingly.
"I know your plans, sir," I said, laughing softly.
"Better let's go and sleep."
I teased him lightly,
adjusting my loose hair behind my ear.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He shook his head fast.
"Anni... it's only 8:30 now!" he said, almost complaining.
"Tomorrow no work also.
Only going to check some rooms."
I raised my eyebrow.
"You already found a room right?" I asked casually.
He grinned.
"I want to explore more options, anni!" he said proudly.
I chuckled.
This boy.
Never enough.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I nodded slowly, smiling.
"Fine," I said.
"Let's play."
I folded my legs on the sofa.
"Cards?" I asked.
"Or something else?"
He lifted his eyebrows.
"Cards, anni!" he said immediately.
I smiled more.
"Can we play carrom board instead?" I asked, half laughing.
"Fine anni," he said, grinning, not minding.
"But what are the rules?" he asked quickly, pretending innocent.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I gave him a small long look.
Pulled his legs softly.
"I know what you are planning," I said.
My voice was teasing.
But inside, a small secret current floated.
He laughed shamelessly.
No fear.
No hiding.
Just full open laughter.
Like a boy caught stealing chocolates from kitchen.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled back.
Shook my head slowly.
Then pointed my finger playfully at him:
"Everything is fine...
Until you stay in your limits."
I said it with a mock serious face.
He lifted both his hands up in surrender.
"Promise, anni!" he said, still laughing.
The soft song changed in the background.
"Un Perai Sonnale..." from some old movie started playing now.
The slow Tamil love words floated around us like a soft private blanket.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The night sat softly around us.
Two hearts,
one small secret song,
and an old innocent game getting ready to start.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I stood up from the sofa,
adjusting my saree neatly around my waist.
The soft cotton brushed warmly against my legs when I moved.
I went to the corner shelf near the hall window,
searching for the carrom board.
It was lying inside, tilted against the wall,
covered with a light layer of dust.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Arjun, come da," I called him casually.
He jumped up from the sofa immediately.
Came near, smiling.
He peeped inside the shelf.
It was little deep inside.
He scratched his head, thinking.
Then suddenly he said, grinning cheekily:
"Anni... can I lift you?
You can reach and take it easily."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I burst out laughing.
"Mr!" I said teasingly.
"Fetch the dining chair and get it yourself.
No need to lift me!"
I gave him a small knowing smile.
He caught the meaning immediately.
His face became shy, smiling.
He nodded and ran off to the dining table.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He pulled a chair carefully.
Brought it near the shelf.
Climbed quickly and reached inside.
Within seconds,
he pulled out the old carrom board.
It was dusty and dull.
I took it from him carefully.
We placed it down on the floor.
I took a soft cloth from the kitchen.
Wiped the surface properly, blowing off the dust.
The powder smell of old wood and chalk floated in the air.
-------------------------------------------------------------
We set the board nicely in the center of the hall.
Arjun sat on one side, folding his legs.
I sat on the opposite side, adjusting my saree nicely over my knees.
The soft romantic Tamil song was still playing faintly in the background.
"Kanave Kanave..." floated from the TV speaker now.
The house felt warm and cosy.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun smiled brightly.
"Anni... you know how to play?" he asked sweetly.
I smiled secretively.
"You will see," I said, adjusting my bangles lightly.
My mind floated back to old memories.
During college holidays,
we used to play carrom board at home —
me, my brothers, cousins —
sitting on floor mats, laughing and fighting for coins.
I knew this board game very well.
-------------------------------------------------------------
We set the coins properly in the center.
Placed the red queen neatly inside the white circle.
Arjun gave me the striker first.
"Ladies first," he said, laughing.
I nodded casually.
Rubbed the striker lightly on the board, feeling the smoothness.
Aimed.
And shot.
-------------------------------------------------------------
First shot.
One white coin pocketed.
Smoothly, cleanly.
Arjun's mouth opened slightly in surprise.
I smiled inside.
Took another shot.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Second shot.
Another white coin gone.
Then third shot — fourth shot.
In three quick rounds,
I had pocketed all my white coins
and even captured the red queen properly.
I smiled casually and leaned back.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun sat there, blinking.
There were still four black coins sitting lonely on the board.
His striker was untouched.
He had not even played properly.
He looked at me.
Eyes wide.
Mouth smiling helplessly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He understood fully now.
He could not win against me.
He could not give any dares to me.
The first victory belonged to me.
And now,
it was my turn to give the first dare.
A slow wicked smile touched my lips.
The game had started.
And the night was young.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I sat cross-legged on the floor,
adjusting my saree neatly over my knees.
The soft cotton brushed warmly against my ankles.
The carrom board was glowing softly under the yellow hall light.
The coins were scattered from the last winning round.
Arjun was sitting opposite me, smiling shyly, his fingers tapping the striker.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled slowly.
Tilted my head.
Asked casually, teasingly:
"Tell me da...
from that day... after the last game ended...
what were you thinking?"
I crossed my arms playfully,
leaning slightly forward.
My bangles clinked softly when I moved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun scratched the back of his head shyly.
His hair was messy from sitting and playing.
He looked like a small college boy caught stealing sweets.
He smiled a small guilty smile.
Then spoke slowly, choosing each word carefully.
"Anni..." he said.
"I felt lucky."
"I felt grown-up."
"And... I felt good, anni."
He paused.
Looked into my eyes seriously.
His voice became softer, respectful:
"And on you...
my respect grew so much, anni."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I sat quietly, listening.
The soft Tamil romantic song was still playing in the background,
mixing with the slow whir of the fan.
The way Arjun said it —
not childish, not dirty —
but full of clean, simple admiration.
My heart softened a little inside.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I laughed lightly to break the mood.
"That's all?" I teased.
"Good to hear da."
I adjusted my pallu casually and added:
"I thought you might have thought badly about me...
like cheap or something."
I smiled playfully.
But inside, a small tiny fear peeked out.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun immediately shook his head strongly.
His voice was firm.
"No, anni! Never!"
He said it almost like an oath.
His face was serious, full of real feeling.
"No bad thinking, anni... only more respect," he said again softly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I smiled gently.
A small soft warmth grew inside my chest.
A small relief.
A small pride.
I nodded slowly, accepting his feeling silently.
The soft jasmine smell floated from my hair.
The saree pleats brushed my thigh lightly as I adjusted to sit properly.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I clapped my hands once softly.
"Fine da," I said, smiling brightly.
"Next round starts!"
Arjun grinned.
-------------------------------------------------------------
We arranged the coins again neatly in the center circle.
Placed the red queen properly.
This time, I gave him the first striker.
"Your turn first," I said sweetly.
He nodded seriously.
Rubbed the striker on the side.
Focused fully.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I sat back slightly, smiling secretly.
This time,
I decided.
I would go easy.
Let him enjoy winning.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He played seriously.
Every shot was careful.
His body was stiff with concentration.
His lips pressed tightly together when he aimed.
The striker flicked here and there.
Coins started disappearing one by one.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I played casually.
Missed easy shots purposely.
Smiled secret smiles when he pocketed coins.
In just few rounds,
he cleared his coins.
The red queen too.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He looked up at me, his face shining like a boy who found treasure.
"Won!" he said proudly, lifting both hands.
I laughed softly, clapping lightly.
"Good da," I said.
"First win!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Arjun's face was full of excitement.
He rubbed his palms together mischievously.
"Anni..." he said, smiling naughtily.
"I want you to continue the same way where we stopped at last game."
-------------------------------------------------------------
I blinked once.
Paused.
Raised my eyebrows slowly.
Gave him a mock shocked look.
"What?" my face asked silently.
I tilted my head slightly, waiting for him to explain.
My heart was beating a little faster.
The night air pressed softly against my bare waist where the saree tucked loosely.
The soft romantic song floated lazily behind us.
And the carrom board sat silently between us —
waiting for the next mad dare to begin.
-------------------------------------------------------------
![[+]](https://xossipy.com/themes/sharepoint/collapse_collapsed.png)