18-09-2025, 06:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 18-09-2025, 06:43 PM by matiba2025213. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Chapter 34: The return (Act 4)
Lina adjusted the waistband of her maternity dress, the soft fabric clinging gently to her seven-month pregnant belly.
The clipboard in her hands felt more like a distraction than a shield as she moved through the narrow aisles of the sundry shop. Her voice was steady as she called out inventory counts, though she could feel the weight of Ravi and Kumar’s eyes on her from across the room. They had been lingering under the pretense of helping with the stock check, but their glances were anything but professional.
“Lina, you should sit down for a bit,” Ravi called out, his tone laced with concern. He leaned casually against a shelf, his eyes flickering to her rounded figure. “You’ve been on your feet all morning.”
She shook her head, forcing a polite smile. “I’m fine, really. Just a few more items to count.”
Kumar chimed in, stepping closer. “But you’re carrying precious cargo, Lina. You shouldn’t overexert yourself.” His gaze lingered a moment too long on her swollen belly before he quickly looked away.
Lina sighed inwardly, dismissing their words with a wave of her hand. “I know my limits, thank you.” She took a step forward, her focus returning to the shelves. But as she reached up to grab a jar of pickled mangoes, her foot caught on the edge of a loose tile. She stumbled, her breath catching in her throat as the jar slipped from her grasp.
“Lina!” both men shouted in unison, lunging toward her.
Ravi’s arms wrapped around her waist just as Kumar caught her arm, steadying her before she could hit the ground. For a moment, Lina froze, her heart pounding as she instinctively cradled her belly. The baby kicked in response, a reassuring thump against her palm.
“Are you okay?” Ravi asked, his voice tight with worry. His hands lingered on her sides, warm and solid.
Kumar hovered close, his face pale. “Did you hurt yourself? Should we call Rahim?”
Lina shook her head, her pulse slowly returning to normal. “No, no, I’m fine. Just a little shaken.” She took a deep breath, her hand still resting on her belly. “The baby’s moving. Everything’s okay.”
“You’re sure?” Ravi asked, his eyes searching hers.
“Yes,” she replied firmly, though she winced as she shifted her weight. “My leg might be a little twisted, though.”
“Let’s get you somewhere you can sit,”
Kumar said, already guiding her toward the small restroom at the back of the shop. It was a modest space with a single cot where Rahim sometimes napped during long shifts.
Lina hesitated for a moment, but the dull ache in her leg convinced her to accept their help. “Alright, but just for a minute,” she conceded.
They led her to the cot, and she eased herself down with a soft sigh. The tension in the room was palpable as Ravi and
Kumar stood awkwardly nearby, watching her with a mix of concern and something else she couldn’t quite place.
“Do you need anything? Water? A pillow?” Ravi offered, his voice softer now.
“No, I’m okay,” Lina replied, shifting slightly to find a comfortable position. She glanced up at them, forcing another smile. “Thank you for catching me. That could have been much worse.”
“We’re just glad you’re alright,” Kumar said, his gaze dropping to her belly before meeting her eyes again. “You’re… you’re really strong, Lina.”
Lina laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension in the room. “Thanks, Kumar. I think it’s more stubbornness than strength.”
But as she shifted slightly on the cot, a sharp pain shot through her legs, hips, and neck. She winced, instinctively pressing a hand to her lower back. “I think I just need to rest for a while,” she said, trying to sound dismissive.
Ravi and Kumar exchanged a glance, their concern evident. “Resting might not be enough, Lina,” Ravi said, his voice calm but insistent. “You could’ve pulled something when you stumbled. Let us help.”
Before she could protest further, Ravi left the room and returned moments later with a tube of deep heat rub. He held it up, showing her the label. “This’ll help with the soreness. Trust me.”
Lina hesitated, her brows furrowing. “It’s really not necessary, Ravi. I’ll be fine.”
“With that belly of yours,” Kumar interjected, his tone light but firm, “it’ll be hard for you to reach your legs or neck properly. Let us do this for you. We’re just worried.”
Lina sighed, knowing they had a point. Her pregnant belly made even simple tasks more difficult, and the dull ache in her muscles was becoming harder to ignore. “Alright,” she relented, though her voice carried a hint of reluctance.
Ravi knelt down beside her, gently lifting the hem of her skirt to expose her calves. His hands were warm and steady as he applied the deep heat rub, his fingers working in slow, deliberate circles. The smell of menthol filled the air, a sharp contrast to the tension that lingered between them.
Meanwhile, Kumar stepped behind her, his hands finding her shoulders. “Your neck might have twisted when you fell,” he murmured, his voice low. He began to massage the base of her neck with careful precision, his fingers pressing into the knots of tension there.
Lina closed her eyes, her breath hitching slightly. The initial discomfort began to fade as the heat from the rub seeped into her muscles, but there was something else a sensation that made her skin tingle in a way she wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
She stiffened, her voice barely above a whisper. “This… this is enough. Really.”
But Ravi’s hands didn’t stop. “Just a little longer,” he said softly, his touch lingering on her thighs now. “You need the relief, Lina. It’s important.”
Kumar’s hands moved lower too, his thumbs pressing into the curve of her neck before sliding down her shoulders. “We’re just looking out for you,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “You don’t have to worry.”
Lina’s heart raced, her mind torn between gratitude and unease. The massage had started as something genuine, but now it felt… different. Sensual. She tried to push away the thought, focusing instead on the warmth spreading through her body. But the weight of their hands on her skin was impossible to ignore.
“It’s for your own good,” Ravi said again, his voice smooth as his fingers traced the edge of her skirt. “Just relax, Lina.”
She took a shaky breath, her hands gripping the edge of the cot. The rational part of her knew she should stop them, but the ache in her muscles was fading, replaced by a strange sense of relief she couldn’t quite deny.
“Okay,” she whispered finally, her voice barely audible. “Just… just a little longer.”
Lina shifted uncomfortably on the cot, her pregnant belly making it difficult to find a stable position. Ravi knelt beside her, his hands still resting gently on her calves. “Where else does it hurt?” he asked, his voice soft but insistent.
She winced as she pointed to her hips. “It’s just a little sore there, but really, I’m fine...”
“No, Lina,” Ravi interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle. “You’re not fine. You’re hurting, and I can’t just ignore that.” His eyes held a strange intensity, a mix of concern and something she couldn’t quite place. “Lie on your stomach. It’ll be easier for me to help you.”
Lina hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Ravi, with this belly, it’s not easy to...”
“Please,” he pressed, his hand brushing her arm lightly. “Trust me.”
Reluctantly, she nodded. With a bit of effort, she turned onto her stomach, her belly pressing into the cot. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet part of her trusted Ravi...trusted that he only wanted to help. Still, her heart raced as he slowly lifted the hem of her skirt above her knees, revealing her fair legs.
“Ravi,” she began, her voice trembling, “this isn’t necessary...”
“Shh,” he murmured, his fingers already reaching for the tube of deep heat rub. “Just let me take care of you.” His hands moved to her hips, applying the rub with deliberate care. The warmth spread through her muscles, the menthol scent filling the air as his fingers kneaded her hips and thighs with a boldness that made her breath hitch.
Meanwhile, Kumar stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Your neck muscles are still stiff,” he observed, his voice low and smooth. “I need to apply more of the rub on your back to soothe the pain.”
Lina frowned, confusion flickering across her face. “What do you mean? My back...”
Before she could finish, Kumar’s fingers began unbuttoning the back of her blouse. Her protest was immediate. “Kumar, no! That’s not...”
“It’s just for the massage,” he assured her, his tone calm but firm. “I only want to help you heal faster.”
Her heart pounded as he continued unbuttoning, exposing her back completely save for the thin strap of her bra. The cool air brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She wanted to stop him, to demand that he cover her up, but something in his words and in the warmth of Ravi’s hands on her hips made her hesitate.
Kumar’s hands moved to her back, spreading the deep heat rub over the curve of her spine. His fingers pressed into her muscles, kneading with a boldness that mirrored Ravi’s touch. The sensation was both soothing and unnerving; the warmth of the rub melded with the heat of their hands, creating a tension that coiled deep within her.
This is wrong, Lina thought, her mind racing. They’re helping me. That’s all. But her body betrayed her thoughts, responding to their touch with a warmth that wasn’t entirely from the rub. Her breaths grew shallow as Ravi’s hands moved higher on her thighs, his fingers brushing dangerously close to places they shouldn’t. Kumar’s hands, too, became bolder, his palms sliding lower down her back until they reached the edge of her bra strap.
“Just relax, Lina,” Ravi murmured, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver through her. “We’ve got you.”
“We’re here to take care of you,” Kumar added, his tone equally smooth.
Lina clenched her fists against the cot, her body caught between tension and relief. The rational part of her screamed to stop them, to push them away, but the ache in her muscles was fading, replaced by a strange, undeniable comfort she couldn’t ignore. Her skin tingled under their touch, and though she tried to fight it, a part of her didn’t want them to stop.
Lina adjusted the waistband of her maternity dress, the soft fabric clinging gently to her seven-month pregnant belly.
The clipboard in her hands felt more like a distraction than a shield as she moved through the narrow aisles of the sundry shop. Her voice was steady as she called out inventory counts, though she could feel the weight of Ravi and Kumar’s eyes on her from across the room. They had been lingering under the pretense of helping with the stock check, but their glances were anything but professional.
“Lina, you should sit down for a bit,” Ravi called out, his tone laced with concern. He leaned casually against a shelf, his eyes flickering to her rounded figure. “You’ve been on your feet all morning.”
She shook her head, forcing a polite smile. “I’m fine, really. Just a few more items to count.”
Kumar chimed in, stepping closer. “But you’re carrying precious cargo, Lina. You shouldn’t overexert yourself.” His gaze lingered a moment too long on her swollen belly before he quickly looked away.
Lina sighed inwardly, dismissing their words with a wave of her hand. “I know my limits, thank you.” She took a step forward, her focus returning to the shelves. But as she reached up to grab a jar of pickled mangoes, her foot caught on the edge of a loose tile. She stumbled, her breath catching in her throat as the jar slipped from her grasp.
“Lina!” both men shouted in unison, lunging toward her.
Ravi’s arms wrapped around her waist just as Kumar caught her arm, steadying her before she could hit the ground. For a moment, Lina froze, her heart pounding as she instinctively cradled her belly. The baby kicked in response, a reassuring thump against her palm.
“Are you okay?” Ravi asked, his voice tight with worry. His hands lingered on her sides, warm and solid.
Kumar hovered close, his face pale. “Did you hurt yourself? Should we call Rahim?”
Lina shook her head, her pulse slowly returning to normal. “No, no, I’m fine. Just a little shaken.” She took a deep breath, her hand still resting on her belly. “The baby’s moving. Everything’s okay.”
“You’re sure?” Ravi asked, his eyes searching hers.
“Yes,” she replied firmly, though she winced as she shifted her weight. “My leg might be a little twisted, though.”
“Let’s get you somewhere you can sit,”
Kumar said, already guiding her toward the small restroom at the back of the shop. It was a modest space with a single cot where Rahim sometimes napped during long shifts.
Lina hesitated for a moment, but the dull ache in her leg convinced her to accept their help. “Alright, but just for a minute,” she conceded.
They led her to the cot, and she eased herself down with a soft sigh. The tension in the room was palpable as Ravi and
Kumar stood awkwardly nearby, watching her with a mix of concern and something else she couldn’t quite place.
“Do you need anything? Water? A pillow?” Ravi offered, his voice softer now.
“No, I’m okay,” Lina replied, shifting slightly to find a comfortable position. She glanced up at them, forcing another smile. “Thank you for catching me. That could have been much worse.”
“We’re just glad you’re alright,” Kumar said, his gaze dropping to her belly before meeting her eyes again. “You’re… you’re really strong, Lina.”
Lina laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension in the room. “Thanks, Kumar. I think it’s more stubbornness than strength.”
But as she shifted slightly on the cot, a sharp pain shot through her legs, hips, and neck. She winced, instinctively pressing a hand to her lower back. “I think I just need to rest for a while,” she said, trying to sound dismissive.
Ravi and Kumar exchanged a glance, their concern evident. “Resting might not be enough, Lina,” Ravi said, his voice calm but insistent. “You could’ve pulled something when you stumbled. Let us help.”
Before she could protest further, Ravi left the room and returned moments later with a tube of deep heat rub. He held it up, showing her the label. “This’ll help with the soreness. Trust me.”
Lina hesitated, her brows furrowing. “It’s really not necessary, Ravi. I’ll be fine.”
“With that belly of yours,” Kumar interjected, his tone light but firm, “it’ll be hard for you to reach your legs or neck properly. Let us do this for you. We’re just worried.”
Lina sighed, knowing they had a point. Her pregnant belly made even simple tasks more difficult, and the dull ache in her muscles was becoming harder to ignore. “Alright,” she relented, though her voice carried a hint of reluctance.
Ravi knelt down beside her, gently lifting the hem of her skirt to expose her calves. His hands were warm and steady as he applied the deep heat rub, his fingers working in slow, deliberate circles. The smell of menthol filled the air, a sharp contrast to the tension that lingered between them.
Meanwhile, Kumar stepped behind her, his hands finding her shoulders. “Your neck might have twisted when you fell,” he murmured, his voice low. He began to massage the base of her neck with careful precision, his fingers pressing into the knots of tension there.
Lina closed her eyes, her breath hitching slightly. The initial discomfort began to fade as the heat from the rub seeped into her muscles, but there was something else a sensation that made her skin tingle in a way she wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
She stiffened, her voice barely above a whisper. “This… this is enough. Really.”
But Ravi’s hands didn’t stop. “Just a little longer,” he said softly, his touch lingering on her thighs now. “You need the relief, Lina. It’s important.”
Kumar’s hands moved lower too, his thumbs pressing into the curve of her neck before sliding down her shoulders. “We’re just looking out for you,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “You don’t have to worry.”
Lina’s heart raced, her mind torn between gratitude and unease. The massage had started as something genuine, but now it felt… different. Sensual. She tried to push away the thought, focusing instead on the warmth spreading through her body. But the weight of their hands on her skin was impossible to ignore.
“It’s for your own good,” Ravi said again, his voice smooth as his fingers traced the edge of her skirt. “Just relax, Lina.”
She took a shaky breath, her hands gripping the edge of the cot. The rational part of her knew she should stop them, but the ache in her muscles was fading, replaced by a strange sense of relief she couldn’t quite deny.
“Okay,” she whispered finally, her voice barely audible. “Just… just a little longer.”
Lina shifted uncomfortably on the cot, her pregnant belly making it difficult to find a stable position. Ravi knelt beside her, his hands still resting gently on her calves. “Where else does it hurt?” he asked, his voice soft but insistent.
She winced as she pointed to her hips. “It’s just a little sore there, but really, I’m fine...”
“No, Lina,” Ravi interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle. “You’re not fine. You’re hurting, and I can’t just ignore that.” His eyes held a strange intensity, a mix of concern and something she couldn’t quite place. “Lie on your stomach. It’ll be easier for me to help you.”
Lina hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Ravi, with this belly, it’s not easy to...”
“Please,” he pressed, his hand brushing her arm lightly. “Trust me.”
Reluctantly, she nodded. With a bit of effort, she turned onto her stomach, her belly pressing into the cot. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet part of her trusted Ravi...trusted that he only wanted to help. Still, her heart raced as he slowly lifted the hem of her skirt above her knees, revealing her fair legs.
“Ravi,” she began, her voice trembling, “this isn’t necessary...”
“Shh,” he murmured, his fingers already reaching for the tube of deep heat rub. “Just let me take care of you.” His hands moved to her hips, applying the rub with deliberate care. The warmth spread through her muscles, the menthol scent filling the air as his fingers kneaded her hips and thighs with a boldness that made her breath hitch.
Meanwhile, Kumar stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Your neck muscles are still stiff,” he observed, his voice low and smooth. “I need to apply more of the rub on your back to soothe the pain.”
Lina frowned, confusion flickering across her face. “What do you mean? My back...”
Before she could finish, Kumar’s fingers began unbuttoning the back of her blouse. Her protest was immediate. “Kumar, no! That’s not...”
“It’s just for the massage,” he assured her, his tone calm but firm. “I only want to help you heal faster.”
Her heart pounded as he continued unbuttoning, exposing her back completely save for the thin strap of her bra. The cool air brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. She wanted to stop him, to demand that he cover her up, but something in his words and in the warmth of Ravi’s hands on her hips made her hesitate.
Kumar’s hands moved to her back, spreading the deep heat rub over the curve of her spine. His fingers pressed into her muscles, kneading with a boldness that mirrored Ravi’s touch. The sensation was both soothing and unnerving; the warmth of the rub melded with the heat of their hands, creating a tension that coiled deep within her.
This is wrong, Lina thought, her mind racing. They’re helping me. That’s all. But her body betrayed her thoughts, responding to their touch with a warmth that wasn’t entirely from the rub. Her breaths grew shallow as Ravi’s hands moved higher on her thighs, his fingers brushing dangerously close to places they shouldn’t. Kumar’s hands, too, became bolder, his palms sliding lower down her back until they reached the edge of her bra strap.
“Just relax, Lina,” Ravi murmured, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver through her. “We’ve got you.”
“We’re here to take care of you,” Kumar added, his tone equally smooth.
Lina clenched her fists against the cot, her body caught between tension and relief. The rational part of her screamed to stop them, to push them away, but the ache in her muscles was fading, replaced by a strange, undeniable comfort she couldn’t ignore. Her skin tingled under their touch, and though she tried to fight it, a part of her didn’t want them to stop.
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