Adultery Life of Avi Singh

[lee.jae.han]

## Update 45: The Unexpected Visitor and the Impulsive Kiss (Avi and Mala)

I woke up in the morning and saw that Bua's nighty was pulled down to her feet, neatly covering Bua. *Thank God. It's a good thing I didn't rush. Otherwise, I would have paid a heavy price.* Everyone woke up one by one. Bua looked a little sad, her cheerfulness from the night before gone. I quickly ate my breakfast, muttering a fast goodbye to Raj, and left for my house without saying a word to Bua.

When I got home, I immediately started making lunch. The rhythmic sound of the ladle hitting the pan filled the silent house. Suddenly, a sharp knock rattled the front gate. I froze. *Who would be here? Could it be Bua?* I came back without telling Bua anything. *Maybe that's why Bua came, to chastise me.* I wiped my flour-dusted hands on my trousers and opened the door.

Standing there, completely unexpected, was Mala. I felt a sudden, dizzying jolt of shock. I took a deep breath, composing my face, and stepped aside, inviting Mala in with a gesture.

Mala stepped past the threshold, looking pale. "Mala came back during the lunch break."

"But how did Mala find me here?" I countered, closing the door and blocking the kitchen from her view.

Mala nervously twisted the strap of her schoool bag. "Mala went to your class. The teacher said you hadn't come for two days. And you didn't come today either."

I leaned against the wall. "Everyone's gone to the village. The teachers aren't really teaching anything important right now. I thought I'd study at home instead of wasting my time."

Mala's gaze dropped, then darted back up. "What's that white stuff on your trousers?"

I glanced down at the flour. "Oh. I was making food."

"You know how to cook?" Mala's eyes widened slightly, her voice betraying surprise.

I shrugged. "Everyone has to eat."

"I want to watch you cook," Mala decided, pushing gently past me toward the hall.

*This girl is crazy. What’s the appeal?* "There's nothing to see," I said, following Mala to the kitchen doorway.

"I've never seen a boy cook," Mala insisted, her tone light but firm.

"Fine. Come on in, then."

In the small, warm kitchen, the conversation flowed easily as I mixed spices and Mala tackled the dough.

"What is this?" Mala asked, pointing to my misshapen dough attempt.

"That's going to be my roti," I informed Mala.

Mala laughed, a bright, clear sound. "It doesn't look like roti at all. It's going to be hard as a rock."

"Well, whatever the shape, it's my food."

"Give it to me." Mala held out her hand, taking the dough without waiting for a reply. "I'll make the rotis for you. I can do it quickly."

I watched Mala's hands, quick and practiced, transforming the dough into perfect circles while I finished the egg bhurji. The air between us was thick with the unexpected scent of cumin and domestic calm.

Mala stacked the perfect, hot rotis. "Here you go. Done."

"You sit down. I'm going to shower. I smell like cooking oil."

"Take ten minutes," Mala replied, settling at the table. "I'm not going anywhere."

When I came out, refreshed and dressed, the food was served. As I ate, Mala sat across from me, the schoool tension replaced by an unnerving domestic calm.

I thought: *What is going on in her mind? Ever since I saved her, Mala's been chasing me. Mala used the papers as an excuse, and now Mala's here. Mala even cooked for me. The situation felt confusing.*

My eyes fixed on Mala's pink lips. The heat from the morning, sparked by Pooja Bua's exposed hips, had settled low in my belly. Seeing Mala now, so close and vulnerable, desire was building inside me, demanding action.

I didn't think. I pushed my plate aside, reached across the table, grabbed Mala's head with a sudden, rough force, and pulled her forward. My mouth crashed onto hers.

Mala was terrifyingly stiff. Her back arched, her hands flattened against my chest, trying desperately to push away from the sudden, aggressive attack. Her eyes were wide and filled with pure fear. For a terrible, frozen moment, a cold wave of nausea washed over me; my ears rang with the sharp intake of her resistant breath. Then, slowly, tentatively, Mala's tension dissolved. Her mouth opened, and she began to return the kiss, meeting my passion with an intensity born of her own suppressed desire.

We kissed for ten minutes until we broke apart, both panting and gasping for air. The moment we caught our breath, the reality slammed into Mala. Her face drained of color. Without a word, Mala snatched her bag and bolted, running straight out of the door and disappearing down the lane. I was left staring at the empty doorway.

*I should have apologized for being so rough. Did I move too fast?* My biggest fear is Mala will tell her family, even though Mala was responding. *Why did Mala run away like that if Mala liked the kiss?*

I decided I'd face Mala tomorrow. If Mala was upset, I'd apologize. Then, trusting the quiet of the empty house, I went to sleep.

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