[shailu4ever]

This time slower, deliberate.

His knee stayed against hers.

Still, no reaction.

Only the faintest tightening of her lips.

Then… he let his foot slide inward, grazing the inside of her ankle.

Sandeep is there, right in front of them.

She paused mid-chew.

Her eyes lifted to meet his.

Calm on the surface, but blazing inside.

Sandeep said something about cricket.

Madhavi nodded politely, but her body had frozen.

Abhi, emboldened now, let his foot slowly nudge up along her calf.

Her lips parted slightly, almost imperceptibly

Before she bent her head to scoop more rice.

Sandeep was helping himself to pickle. “You still follow IPL, Abhi?”

“Haven’t kept up lately,” Abhi replied smoothly.

All the while tracing slow,

Teasing circles with his toe behind the veil of the tablecloth.

Madhavi’s breath hitched as her fingers tightened around her spoon.

But then, a bold moment.

She shifted slightly, and her foot pressed gently back