18-06-2025, 02:39 AM
Monday Night – Three at the Table, But Something Else in the Air
The rain had started well before sunset, slipping in quietly with a light breeze that turned the apartment balconies into listening stations for every soft tap of water on concrete and railing.
It wasn’t a storm—just one of those long, introspective drizzles that made the lights inside feel warmer and the silences more noticeable.
Abhi stood outside Flat 403 holding a simple box of sweets.
It wasn’t grand—just a quiet courtesy.
But the weight of it in his hand felt heavier than sugar.
After the past few days, everything felt a little different.
And tonight… he didn’t know what he was walking into, only that he wanted to.
The door opened.
Varnika stood there barefoot, a loose white tee half-tucked into soft grey shorts, her hair up in a half-undone bun.
There was something effortlessly intimate about her appearance—like she belonged to the moment before it even began.
Her sleepy eyes widened with a smile. “You’re right on time,” she said, stepping aside.
Abhi smiled back, offering the sweets. “A small thank-you… and maybe a peace offering.”
She took them with a small grin. “For what?”
“For crashing your Friday,” he said.
Varnika’s smile tilted knowingly. “Oh, we survived.”
She turned to lead him in. “Come.”
The aroma of ghee, curry leaves, and caramelizing jaggery wrapped around him as soon as he entered.
The lights were dimmed slightly, casting a soft glow over the small but tidy living space.
The rain had started well before sunset, slipping in quietly with a light breeze that turned the apartment balconies into listening stations for every soft tap of water on concrete and railing.
It wasn’t a storm—just one of those long, introspective drizzles that made the lights inside feel warmer and the silences more noticeable.
Abhi stood outside Flat 403 holding a simple box of sweets.
It wasn’t grand—just a quiet courtesy.
But the weight of it in his hand felt heavier than sugar.
After the past few days, everything felt a little different.
And tonight… he didn’t know what he was walking into, only that he wanted to.
The door opened.
Varnika stood there barefoot, a loose white tee half-tucked into soft grey shorts, her hair up in a half-undone bun.
There was something effortlessly intimate about her appearance—like she belonged to the moment before it even began.
Her sleepy eyes widened with a smile. “You’re right on time,” she said, stepping aside.
Abhi smiled back, offering the sweets. “A small thank-you… and maybe a peace offering.”
She took them with a small grin. “For what?”
“For crashing your Friday,” he said.
Varnika’s smile tilted knowingly. “Oh, we survived.”
She turned to lead him in. “Come.”
The aroma of ghee, curry leaves, and caramelizing jaggery wrapped around him as soon as he entered.
The lights were dimmed slightly, casting a soft glow over the small but tidy living space.
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