18-09-2025, 10:37 AM
(This post was last modified: 18-09-2025, 03:32 PM by Steel. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Late afternoon the next day, Abhi slouched on the couch, stared blankly at the TV while playing a random Netflix show, but his mind was elsewhere, replaying last night.
![[Image: 014.png]](https://i.ibb.co/Zbh3bjK/014.png)
![[Image: 015.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/0jWtkQgC/015.jpg)
The front door clicked open, and Madhuri swept in, her office bag slung over her shoulder, wearing a cream sheath dress till her feet with a deep neckline and sleek heels clinging to her frame.
![[Image: 014.png]](https://i.ibb.co/Zbh3bjK/014.png)
She kicked off her heels with a tired huff, her hair slightly messy from the city humidity.
"No one's home yet?" she yelled, glancing around before spotting Abhi.
Her face softened into a smile. "Oh sweetie, you're here already? How was high college?"
Abhi straightened, brushing crumbs off his shirt. "It was fine, maa.." he said, quieter than usual.
Her eyes narrowed, catching the shift, but she didn't press. "Good. Are you hungry? I'll go make something quick for you."
She dropped her bag on the table and headed to the kitchen, her dress swishing with each step.
Abhi's gaze followed her, unwillingly, snagging instinctively on the way the fabric hugged her hips, spotting a faint outline of her bra strap through the dress. He clenched his jaw, as the memory of the bra from last night hanging free flickered in his mind. He forced his eyes back to the TV, but the damage was done.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he fished it out with shaky hands. Ishaan: "Is she home yet? Keep me updated." Abhi's throat tightened.
He didn't want to answer, didn't want to play this game, but his fingers moved anyway, like they belonged to someone else. "Yeah. Just got back from work." He hit send, then shoved the phone under a cushion, as if hiding it could erase what he'd done.
Madhuri returned with a plate of upma, setting it beside him. "Eat, you look pale," she said, her voice laced with concern.
She sat across from him, fanning herself with a news magazine, the dress slipping slightly to reveal her collarbone.
Abhi's eyes darted there, smooth, golden skin glistening with a sheen of sweat, before he caught himself, shoving a spoonful of upma into his mouth to cover the flush creeping up his neck.
She didn't notice, too busy flipping pages, but then the doorbell rang. Madhuri frowned, standing to answer it.
A delivery guy stood by the door, "Mrs. Madhuri?" he asked, handing her a parcel.
"Yes, who sent this?" she asked, turning it over in her hands searching for the label.
"No sender info, ma’am," The guy shrugged and left. Hesitantly, she opened it, revealing a single red rose and a folded note.
Her brow furrowed as she read it, lips parting slightly, then she stuffed it back in the wrapping, her cheeks tinged pink.
![[Image: 015.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/0jWtkQgC/015.jpg)
"What's that, mom?" Abhi asked.
Madhuri waved a hand, too quickly. "Nothing, just... office stuff, wrong delivery." She tossed the parcel into her bag and forced a smile and retreated to the kitchen.