Adultery Undercover Desires

[John446]

CHAPTER – 69


The next morning, Kavya and her mother rose early, the quiet of the house broken only by the soft clatter of breakfast dishes. Kavya’s mother prepared a simple meal of parathas and curd, her hands moving with a familiar rhythm that stirred memories of childhood mornings. They ate in near silence, the weight of the hospital visit ahead pressing on them, but the shared meal a small comfort. As they stepped out into the crisp Delhi morning, the city already buzzing with life, Kavya felt a cautious hope, her mother’s presence beside her a tentative anchor.
They arrived at the hospital, the familiar antiseptic smell greeting them as they hurried to the ICU. Danish was there, his eyes tired but bright with relief as he saw them. He’d stayed through the night, keeping vigil, speaking with doctors, ensuring everything was in order. “There’s good news,” he said, his voice warm but hushed in the hospital corridor. “Your father’s recovering faster than expected. The doctors say seeing Kavya yesterday… it’s made a difference. His vitals are stronger, he’s responding to treatment.”
Kavya’s heart leapt, tears welling up as she looked at her mother, whose face broke into a tearful smile. “He’s getting better,” her mother whispered, clutching Kavya’s hand. The nurse allowed them a brief visit, and Kavya’s father, though still weak, opened his eyes when they entered, a faint smile crossing his lips as he saw his daughter. Kavya’s tears fell, but they were lighter now, tinged with hope.
After the visit, Kavya’s mother turned to her, her expression soft but firm. “Kavya, take Danish home. He’s been here all night, handling everything. He needs rest.” She glanced at Danish, gratitude in her eyes. “You’ve done so much. Let Kavya take you back.”
Danish started to protest, but Kavya nodded, seeing the exhaustion in his face. “Ma’s right,” she said softly, taking his hand. “You’ve been amazing, but you need to rest now.” He smiled faintly, too tired to argue, and they said their goodbyes to her mother, promising to return later.
The cab ride back to the house was quiet, Kavya’s hand resting in Danish’s, the city’s morning bustle a backdrop to their shared relief. Her father’s recovery, the mending of old wounds with her mother, and Danish’s unwavering support wove a fragile but growing hope. As they stepped into the familiar warmth of her childhood home, Kavya felt the weight of the past easing, a new chapter unfolding with her family slowly coming together again.
Danish headed straight for the bathroom, the sound of running water soon filling the air as he freshened up and took a long shower, washing away the hospital’s sterile weight. Kavya moved to the kitchen, her hands familiar with the space despite the years away. She prepared a simple breakfast—toast, eggs, and fresh fruit—arranging it on a tray with a glass of juice.
When Danish emerged, his hair damp, changed into a comfortable lower and t-shirt, he found the tray waiting on the dining table. “You didn’t have to,” he said, his voice grateful as he sat down. Kavya smiled, sitting across from him, watching as he ate with quiet appreciation. The meal was simple, but the normalcy of it grounded them both after the intensity of the past days.
After breakfast, they moved to the bedroom, the afternoon light filtering through the curtains. They lay on the bed, side by side, the exhaustion pulling them into a relaxed stillness. Kavya wore her cut-sleeves kurti and salwar, the slight deep neck of the kurti revealing the soft upper swells of her chest, her hair loose around her shoulders. Danish, in his lower and t-shirt, turned to her, his eyes soft. “Thank you,” Kavya said quietly, her voice filled with emotion as she reached for his hand. “For staying with me through all this, for being there at the hospital, for everything.”
Danish squeezed her hand, his thumb brushing her skin. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he said, his voice low and steady. “We’re in this together, Kavya. Always.” They talked softly, words of gratitude and relief weaving between them, the weight of her father’s recovery and the mending family ties a quiet hope in the room. The bed held them in its gentle embrace, the home’s familiar creaks and the distant hum of Delhi outside a backdrop to their shared moment of peace amidst the storm that was finally easing.
Tears spilled over, tracing warm paths down Kavya’s cheeks as she squeezed his hand tighter, her heart aching with love and gratitude. “I was so scared,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Scared I’d lost them forever, scared I’d have to face this without you. But you… you made me feel like I could carry it all, because you were carrying it with me.” She shifted closer, her body curling toward him, the soft fabric of her kurti brushing against his arm, the faint scent of her jasmine perfume mingling with the clean warmth of his skin post-shower.
He reached out, his hand cupping her cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb. “We’re stronger together,” he murmured, his voice a quiet vow. “Your father’s getting better, your mom’s opening her heart again… this is just the beginning, Kavya. We’re rebuilding it, all of it.” His fingers lingered on her face, tracing the curve of her jaw, his touch a silent promise of unwavering support.
Kavya’s breath hitched, her chest rising and falling beneath the deep neck of her kurti, the emotion swelling as she leaned into his touch. “I love you so much,” she whispered, her voice raw, the words carrying the weight of every moment he’d stood by her, from the pain of her parents’ rejection to the hope of her father’s recovery. She pressed her forehead against his, their breaths mingling in the small space between them, the world outside the room fading to a distant hum.
Danish’s hand slid to the back of her neck, his fingers threading gently through her hair. “I love you too,” he said, his voice low and fervent, each word a tether pulling her closer. “Every step, every tear, every smile—I’m here for all of it.” They lay there, bodies close, hearts closer, the soft creak of the old bed and the distant call of a street vendor outside weaving a cocoon around their shared vulnerability. The light shifted through the curtains, painting golden flecks across Kavya’s skin, her tears drying as hope settled in their place, the love between them a quiet strength carrying them through the fragile new beginning with her family.
Their conversation had slowed, the weight of their shared emotions lingering in the quiet. Kavya’s voice, still thick with the rawness of gratitude, broke the silence. “Danish,” she whispered, her eyes searching his, the depth of her love and relief shimmering in their dark depths. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you these past days. You’ve been my everything.” Her words trembled, carrying the weight of the hospital vigils, the sleepless nights, the years of estrangement now softening into hope.
Danish’s eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face as he leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers. “Kavya,” he murmured, his voice low and fervent, “you’re my strength. Seeing you with your father, with your mom… it’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” His breath was warm against her lips, the closeness stirring something deeper, a longing that had been buried under the chaos of the past days. It had been so long—days of hospital corridors, of worry and exhaustion, where even a stolen kiss had felt impossible.
Kavya’s breath hitched, her free hand rising to cup his cheek, her fingers trembling slightly as they traced the stubble along his jaw. The air between them thickened, charged with unspoken need. She tilted her head, her lips brushing his in a tentative, featherlight touch, testing the waters of their shared hunger. Danish responded instantly, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as he deepened the kiss, slow and deliberate, savoring the moment they’d both craved.
Their lips moved together, soft at first, then with growing urgency, the kiss stretching into a long, passionate embrace that seemed to erase the days of distance. Kavya’s lips parted under his, a soft sigh escaping as she pressed closer, her body molding against his, the curve of her chest brushing his t-shirt. Her fingers tightened on his face, pulling him closer, her kiss hungry yet tender, pouring every ounce of gratitude, love, and pent-up longing into the connection. Her tongue brushed his, tentative at first, then bolder, tasting the faint sweetness of the juice he’d drunk at breakfast, the intimacy grounding her in the moment.
Danish’s hand slid from her neck to her lower back, pulling her flush against him, his palm pressing into the soft fabric of her kurti, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath. His other hand found her waist, fingers splaying over the curve of her hip, the thin material of her salwar doing little to hide the heat of her body. He kissed her deeply, his lips firm yet gentle, exploring every nuance of her mouth, the slow drag of his tongue sending shivers through her. He felt the softness of her upper swells against his chest, the deep neckline of her kurti shifting slightly with their movement, revealing more of her creamy skin, the sight and feel of her igniting a fire that had been banked for too long.
Kavya’s response was instinctive, her body arching toward him, one leg sliding over his, the smooth skin of her calf brushing against his lower. Her hands roamed, one slipping to the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his damp hair, the other trailing down his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath the thin cotton of his t-shirt. Her kisses grew more fervent, a soft moan vibrating in her throat as she lost herself in him, the world narrowing to the heat of his lips, the strength of his hands, the way his body fit perfectly against hers.
The room seemed to pulse with their shared rhythm, the creak of the old bed a soft counterpoint to their breaths, growing heavier, more ragged. The sunlight shifted, casting a warmer glow across Kavya’s exposed collarbone, the delicate chain of her mangalsutra glinting faintly where it rested against her skin. The faint scent of her jasmine perfume mingled with the clean, masculine scent of Danish’s soap, filling the air with an intoxicating intimacy. Outside, a stray breeze rustled the curtains, carrying the distant sound of children playing in the neighborhood, their laughter a stark contrast to the intensity within the room.
Danish pulled back slightly, just enough to catch his breath, his forehead still pressed to hers, his eyes dark with desire and love. “Kavya,” he whispered, his voice husky, “I’ve missed this… missed you.” His hand slid up her back, fingers tracing the curve of her spine through her kurti, eliciting a soft gasp from her. She responded by capturing his lips again, the kiss deeper, more desperate, her body pressing closer as if she could merge with him entirely. Her lips were soft, pliant, yet demanding, her tongue dancing with his in a slow, sensual rhythm that spoke of days spent apart, of nights where worry had stolen their closeness.
Kavya’s fingers curled into his t-shirt, tugging him closer, her chest heaving as she kissed him with a fervor that matched his own. The deep neck of her kurti shifted further, the soft swells of her chest pressing against him, the warmth of her skin searing through the thin fabric. Danish’s hand tightened on her hip, his thumb brushing the exposed strip of skin where her kurti had ridden up slightly, the touch sending a jolt through her. She moaned softly into his mouth, the sound muffled but raw, her body trembling with the intensity of their reconnection.
They kissed for what felt like an eternity, the world outside fading entirely—the hospital, the worry, the years of pain dissolving in the heat of their embrace. The bed creaked beneath them, the old springs protesting softly as they shifted, Kavya’s leg hooking more firmly over his, pulling him closer. The sunlight warmed their skin, the faint tick of a wall clock marking time they no longer cared about. Their kisses slowed but didn’t stop, each one lingering, savoring, a silent vow to reclaim every moment they’d lost. Kavya’s lips were swollen, her breath coming in soft pants, her eyes half-lidded with love and desire as she finally pulled back, her forehead resting against his, their breaths mingling in the small space between them and their nose brushing.
Danish’s hand tightened on her lower back, his thumb brushing the exposed strip of skin where her kurti had ridden up, sending a shiver through her. “I missed you too,” he murmured, his voice low and fervent, thick with the same longing. “Every second, Kavya… I’ve been aching for you.” His words were a spark, reigniting the fire between them, and before she could respond, his lips captured hers again, the kiss deeper, more urgent, a hungry reclaiming of the intimacy they’d been denied for days.
As their lips melded, Danish’s hands moved with purpose, sliding to her hips, his fingers digging gently into the soft flesh beneath her salwar. With a slow, deliberate strength, he lifted her, guiding her body with ease born of familiarity. Kavya gasped into his mouth, her hands gripping his shoulders as she followed his lead, her legs parting instinctively to straddle him. He settled her onto his lap, her knees sinking into the mattress on either side of his thighs, her salwar bunching slightly at her hips, the fabric brushing against his lower. Danish leaned back, his back resting against the carved wooden headboard, the old bed creaking softly under their shifting weight, the sound a intimate counterpoint to their ragged breaths.
Kavya’s body pressed against his, her chest flush with his t-shirt, the deep neck of her kurti offering a tantalizing view of her creamy upper swells, now heaving with each breath, the mangalsutra glinting where it nestled between them. Her hands framed his face, fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the stubble rough against her palms, as she kissed him with a fervor that matched his own. Her lips were soft but demanding, parting to welcome his tongue, the slow, sensual dance of their mouths sending heat pooling through her. She moaned softly, the sound vibrating against his lips, her hips shifting slightly in his lap, the movement instinctive, drawing a low groan from Danish.
His hands roamed her hips, fingers splaying over the curve of her waist, the thin fabric of her kurti doing little to mask the warmth of her skin. He felt every inch of her—the softness of her thighs pressing against his, the gentle weight of her body grounding him, the way her curves fit perfectly against him. His thumbs brushed the exposed skin at her waist, tracing slow, deliberate circles, each touch eliciting a soft gasp from Kavya, her body arching into him. The deep neckline of her kurti shifted further, revealing more of her chest, the sight driving him to kiss her harder, his lips trailing briefly to the corner of her mouth, then back to her lips, unwilling to break the connection for long.
The room was a sanctuary of their intimacy, the golden afternoon light softening into a warm amber, casting long shadows across the worn bedsheet, the patterns dancing over Kavya’s skin like a lover’s caress. The faint scent of sandalwood and jasmine hung heavy in the air, mingling with the clean, crisp scent of Danish’s soap and the subtle musk of their growing arousal. The old ceiling fan spun lazily above, its soft whir blending with the creak of the bed, the rustle of the curtains, and the distant hum of Delhi’s streets—a symphony that wrapped them in a world of their own. The brass agarbatti holder on the bedside table held a thin trail of smoke, curling upward like a silent witness to their passion.
Kavya’s fingers slid into his hair, tugging gently, pulling him closer as her hips rocked subtly against his cock, the friction sending sparks through them both. Her kisses were a mix of tenderness and desperation, her tongue exploring his with a slow, sensual rhythm, tasting the faint sweetness of his breath, the intimacy of it grounding her in the moment. Danish’s hands tightened on her hips, guiding her movements, his own breath hitching as he felt the heat of her body through the thin layers of their clothes. His lips moved with hers, firm yet reverent, each kiss a vow, each touch a reclamation of the days they’d lost to worry and exhaustion.
The headboard pressed against Danish’s back, the carved wood cool against his t-shirt, a contrast to the heat of Kavya’s body in his lap. Her salwar rode up slightly, baring the smooth skin of her thighs, the sensation of her bare legs against his driving him to deepen the kiss, his tongue stroking hers in a slow, deliberate dance. Kavya’s chest pressed closer, the soft swells of her breasts brushing his chest, the mangalsutra catching the light as it shifted with her movements. Her moans grew softer, more frequent, muffled against his lips, her body trembling with the intensity of their connection.
Danish tilted his head, his lips brushing the sensitive spot just below her ear, eliciting a soft gasp from Kavya. Her fingers tightened on his shoulders, nails digging slightly into the cotton of his t-shirt as his mouth began its slow exploration.
He kissed her neck with deliberate care, his lips soft but firm, tracing every inch of her skin—from the delicate hollow beneath her ear to the graceful slope where her neck met her shoulder. Each kiss was a slow, sensual press, his tongue darting out to taste the faint salt of her skin, the jasmine of her perfume mingling with her natural warmth. Kavya’s head tilted back, exposing more of her throat, her breath hitching as she moaned softly, the sound raw and unguarded, vibrating through her chest. Her hands slid to the back of his neck, fingers threading through his damp hair, pulling him closer, urging him on.
Danish’s lips moved lower, his kisses growing hungrier, his mouth opening wider to suck gently at the tender skin of her neck, leaving faint, fleeting marks that bloomed under his attention. The sensation sent shivers through Kavya, her body arching in his lap, her thighs tightening around his hips as she pressed herself closer. His hands, still splayed over her hips, guided her subtle movements, his fingers digging into the soft flesh beneath her salwar, feeling the heat of her body through the thin fabric.
Emboldened by her moans, Danish’s lips trailed further, sliding down the elegant column of her neck to the exposed upper swells of her breasts, the deep neckline of her kurti offering no resistance. The creamy, soft mounds glowed in the warm light, rising and falling with her ragged breaths, the delicate chain of her mangalsutra glinting where it rested against her skin. He kissed the upper curve of one breast, his lips reverent at first, brushing softly, savoring the silky texture of her skin. Then, with a low groan, he opened his mouth wider, sucking gently at the tender flesh, his tongue tracing slow, deliberate circles, tasting the faint sweetness of her.
Kavya’s moans grew louder, a mix of pleasure and need, her chest heaving as she held him tightly, one hand gripping the back of his neck, the other clutching his shoulder, her nails leaving faint crescents in his skin. Her body trembled in his lap, her hips rocking instinctively, the friction against his lower drawing a guttural sound from deep in his throat. Danish’s mouth worked with fervent devotion, sucking harder at the upper swells of her breast, his lips and tongue leaving a trail of warmth and faint, rosy marks. The deep neckline of her kurti shifted further, baring more of her chest, the sight and feel of her driving him to worship every inch with his mouth.
The room pulsed with their shared intensity, the amber light casting a golden halo over Kavya’s skin, the mangalsutra catching the glow as it shifted with her movements.
After lingering on her upper swells, his mouth hot and insistent, Danish’s desire surged, the days of pent-up longing breaking free. With a sudden, primal growl, he gripped her hips tightly, his fingers digging into the soft flesh beneath her salwar. In one fluid, powerful motion, he tossed her onto the bed, the old mattress bouncing slightly as she landed on her back, her hair fanning out across the pillow like dark silk. Kavya gasped, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and anticipation, her chest heaving beneath the deep neck of her kurti, the creamy swells of her breasts glistening faintly from his kisses.
Danish moved with a wild, unrestrained energy, his body hovering over hers as he came on top, his knees bracketing her hips, his hands planting on either side of her head. The shift was electric, a raw, untamed hunger in his eyes that Kavya felt like a physical force, igniting her own desire. It had been days—days of hospital corridors, of worry and exhaustion, of stolen moments where their love had been pushed aside. Now, that restraint shattered, and Danish was a man possessed, a wild beast driven by the need to reclaim her entirely.
He lowered himself, his lips crashing against her neck with a ferocity that made her moan loudly, the sound echoing in the quiet room. His mouth was hot, open wide, sucking hard at the tender skin just below her jaw, his teeth grazing lightly before his tongue soothed the sting. He kissed her neck like a predator devouring its prey, each press of his lips fierce and possessive, leaving a trail of rosy marks that bloomed under his attention. Kavya’s hands flew to his back, nails raking down the cotton of his t-shirt, pulling him closer as her body arched beneath him, her thighs parting instinctively to cradle his hips.
The bed creaked loudly under their weight, the old springs protesting as Danish’s body pressed against hers, the heat of him searing through their clothes. His lips moved with relentless hunger, sucking and kissing every inch of her neck, from the delicate hollow beneath her ear to the sensitive spot where her pulse thundered. His breath was hot and ragged, mingling with her moans, the sound raw and primal, filling the room.
Kavya’s moans grew desperate, her body writhing beneath him, her legs wrapping around his waist, pulling him closer. She felt the wildness in him—the raw, unrestrained need that had been bottled up for too long, and it set her ablaze. Her fingers clawed at his back, tugging at his t-shirt, her hips bucking against his, the friction sending sparks through them both. Danish’s hands roamed her sides, one sliding beneath her kurti to trace the bare skin of her waist, the other gripping her thigh, hitching her leg higher around his hip. His mouth never stopped, sucking hard at her neck, his tongue tracing the curve of her collarbone, then returning to the sensitive spot that made her gasp his name.
The room was a furnace of their passion, the amber light deepening as the afternoon waned, casting long, sensual shadows across the rumpled bedsheet. The faint scent of sandalwood and jasmine was overwhelmed by the heady musk of their arousal, the air thick with the heat of their bodies.
Kavya’s moans filled the room, raw and unrestrained, her head thrown back, throat exposed as she surrendered to the storm of his passion. Her thighs tightened around him, pulling him closer, the friction of his body against hers sending waves of heat crashing through her. The amber light bathed them in a golden haze, shadows dancing wildly across the walls, the ceiling fan’s lazy whir a futile whisper against the inferno of their desire. The mangalsutra swung with each thrust of her hips, the delicate chain catching the light, a symbol of their bond now tangled in the chaos of their reunion.
Suddenly, a sharp, insistent trill cut through the haze—the shrill ring of Kavya’s phone, vibrating against the wooden bedside table where it lay next to the agarbatti holder. The sound was jarring, a cold intrusion into their heated sanctuary, the screen lighting up with the word Ma in bold, white letters. Danish froze mid-suck, his lips still pressed to the pulsing vein in her neck, his breath hitching as the reality of the outside world crashed in. Kavya’s eyes snapped open, her chest still heaving, her body trembling beneath him, caught between the fire of their passion and the sudden jolt of alarm.
For a moment, they stayed locked in place, the phone’s ring echoing in the charged silence, the bed still creaking faintly from their earlier fervor. Danish lifted his head slowly, his lips glistening, his eyes dark with a mix of frustration and concern as he met Kavya’s gaze. Her face was flushed, her lips swollen, her hair a wild halo around her, but the ringing pulled her back, her heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. “It’s Ma,” she whispered, her voice hoarse, thick with the remnants of her moans and the new edge of worry.
Danish nodded, his jaw tight, the wildness in him tempering as he shifted his weight, rolling slightly to the side to give her space. Kavya’s legs unwrapped from his hips, her salwar sliding down as she scrambled to sit up, her hands trembling as she reached for the phone. The bed creaked loudly in protest, the sheets twisting further, the amber light catching the sheen of sweat on her collarbone, the faint marks on her neck glowing like badges of their stolen moment. She grabbed the phone, her fingers fumbling slightly, the screen still flashing Ma as the ringtone persisted, a relentless reminder of the world beyond their bed.
She swiped to answer, pressing the phone to her ear, her breath still uneven as she tried to steady her voice. “Ma?” she said, the word coming out shakier than she intended, her free hand clutching the edge of the bedsheet, knuckles white. Danish sat up beside her, his hand resting gently on her lower back, his thumb tracing soothing circles through her kurti, grounding her even as his own pulse raced from their interrupted passion.
“Kavya,” her mother’s voice came through, urgent but laced with a fragile hope that cut through the haze of desire. “You need to come to the hospital. Now. Your father… he’s awake, fully awake, and he’s asking for you again. The doctors say it’s a miracle—he’s talking, Kavya, Her mother’s words tumbled out, thick with emotion, the sound of her quiet sobs audible even over the phone.
Kavya’s eyes widened, tears welling up instantly, a mix of relief and lingering adrenaline flooding her. “He’s… he’s talking?” she repeated, her voice breaking, her hand flying to her mouth as the weight of the news sank in. Danish’s hand tightened on her back, his eyes searching hers, catching the shift in her expression. She nodded frantically at him, mouthing, He’s awake.
“Yes, beta,” her mother said, her voice steadier now, though still trembling. “Come quickly. He’s weak, but he’s himself again. He keeps saying your name.” The line crackled slightly, the distant hum of the hospital audible in the background—beeping monitors, muffled voices—a stark contrast to the intimate chaos of their bedroom.
“I’m coming, Ma,” Kavya said, her voice firm despite the tears spilling down her cheeks.
She hung up, setting the phone down with trembling hands, the screen going dark beside the still-curling smoke of the agarbatti. The room felt suddenly cooler, the amber light dimming as a cloud passed over the sun outside, the creak of the bed settling into silence. She turned to Danish, her eyes bright with a whirlwind of joy, relief, and the lingering ache of their interrupted moment. “Papa’s awake,” she whispered, her voice raw. “He’s talking, asking for me.”
Danish pulled her into a quick embrace, his lips brushing her temple, the faint marks on her neck still warm under his touch. “That’s incredible,” he murmured, his voice thick with relief, though his body still thrummed with unspent energy. He pulled back, cupping her face, his thumbs wiping away her tears. “Go to him, Kavya. I’ll be fine.”
She shook her head, her hands gripping his wrists. “Ma said you should rest. You were up all night—” Her voice cracked, guilt mingling with her urgency. Danish smiled faintly, the wildness in him banked but not gone, his eyes tracing the flushed curve of her neck, the disheveled state of her kurti. “I’m okay,” he said softly, but she saw the exhaustion in him, the way his hands trembled slightly from adrenaline. “Ma’s right. You go. I’ll rest here and come in the evening if you need me.”
Kavya hesitated, her heart torn between her father’s miracle and the man who’d carried her through it all. She leaned in, pressing a quick, fierce kiss to his lips, tasting the salt of their earlier passion. “I’ll be back soon,” she promised, her voice low, charged with unspoken promises for later. She scrambled off the bed, smoothing her kurti and salwar with hurried hands, her dupatta snatched from the floor and dbangd hastily over her shoulders. Her hair was still wild, the marks on her neck hidden but throbbing faintly, a secret reminder of their stolen fire.
Danish watched her, leaning back against the headboard, his breath still heavy, the bedsheet twisted around his legs. “Call me if anything changes,” he said, his voice steady but laced with the same urgency. Kavya nodded, grabbing her small purse from the chair, her sandals slapping against the floor as she moved toward the door. The room held the echo of their passion—the rumpled bed, the heavy air, the glint of the mangalsutra now tucked beneath her dupatta—but the miracle of her father’s recovery propelled her forward. She paused at the doorway, glancing back at Danish, his silhouette framed in the dimming light, and smiled through her tears. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too,” he replied, his voice a vow. With that, Kavya slipped out, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving Danish in the quiet of the room, the agarbatti’s smoke curling upward, the bed still warm from their heat, as he lay back to rest, his mind already counting the hours until evening.