Adultery Antarvasana: The Forbidden Fire – *** Varnika's First Surrender ***

[shailu4ever]

Madhavi’s Apartment – “Everything in Place”



The cold coffee glasses were lined up on the counter,

The murukku in a wide steel bowl, fresh coriander sprinkled on top like it was a festival dish.

The breeze from the balcony rustled the curtains gently, and in the distance, she heard a motorcycle rev, then fade.

Shruti would be here any minute.

Madhavi adjusted the dupatta on her shoulder.

Her hair was tied in a low, simple knot.

She didn’t need to do more.

She never did.

She wasn’t trying to compete, not with Shruti, not with anyone.

She looked around the living room.

The soft cushions.

The slight hum of jazz playing low on the Bluetooth speaker.

The smell of toasted cumin and ground coffee still lingering in the air.

Everything was in place.

Except her thoughts.

She stood near the balcony, watching a kid chase a ball across the parking lot.

Her eyes were still, but inside, her mind moved in ripples.

“Are you really okay with this?” Abhi had asked.

She remembered the way his voice dipped when he said it, half, disbelieving, half-aching.



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