[sharath841]

Chapter 27
The Cafe 
The coffee shop Rajan had chosen was tucked away at the end of a quiet, dimly lit lane. The air inside was thick with the rich scent of roasted beans and the heavy, electric anticipation between the three of them.
Padma walked in beside Mohan, wearing a simple saree that followed her figure naturally. Her hair fell over one shoulder, and the tiny bindi on her forehead made her look innocent despite the determination in her eyes.

Rajan was already waiting.

The moment he saw her, his conversation with the waiter stopped.

His eyes travelled over her for a moment before settling on her face.
That familiar, shameless smile appeared.

Across the small table sat Rajan.

He didn't look like a man about to be interrogated. He leaned back in his leather chair, one arm dbangd casually over the frame, his dark gaze fixed entirely on Padma. His eyes slowly traced the curve of her throat down to the rise of her chest, completely ignoring the husband sitting right next to her.

? Rajan: “You know something?”

? Padma: “What?”

? Rajan: “You look completely different when you’re angry.”

Padma raised an eyebrow, her breath coming a little faster under his undivided attention.

? Padma: “Different how?”

Rajan leaned forward, the heat of his gaze heavy enough to strip the silk right off her shoulders.

? Rajan: “More defiant. More confident.”

He paused, letting his eyes drop to her lips before dragging them back up.

? Rajan: “And so much more irresistible.”

Padma looked away quickly, annoyed and terrified by how a single sentence from him could make her body throb with dirty excitement.

? Mohan: “Can we get to the point?”

Rajan let out a low, dangerous laugh.

? Rajan: “Jealous, Mohan? Afraid she likes hearing it from me?”

? Mohan: “No.”

Rajan tilted his head, his eyes burning into Padma’s flushed face.

? Rajan: “Your husband says no, Padma. But look at you.”

Padma gave Mohan a quick, uncertain glance, her heart hammering against her ribs.

? Padma: “He’s not jealous.”

She forced herself to meet Rajan’s intense stare, trying to keep her voice steady.

? Padma: “And you’re avoiding my question.”

Rajan leaned back, a dark, appreciative curve on his mouth.

? Rajan: “You’re getting remarkably good at this.”

? Padma: “At what?”

? Rajan: “Looking straight into my eyes, knowing what I want to do to you, and still demanding answers.”

Padma held his gaze, her entire body rigid with thrilling tension.

? Padma: “I want answers, Rajan.”

Rajan’s smile slowly faded into something serious, possessive, and thick with unspoken intent.

? Rajan: “Then ask.”

Padma took a deep, heavy breath, her chest swelling against the thin fabric of her blouse.

? Padma: “Why me?”

Silence fell over the table. Even Mohan turned, waiting for the blow.

Rajan didn't look at Mohan once. His eyes remained locked onto Padma’s, tracing the curve of her throat.

? Rajan: “Because I’ve been craving you for a very long time.”

Padma’s throat went dry, a shiver shooting straight down her spine.

? Padma: “That’s not an answer.”

? Rajan: “Fine.”

He leaned forward, placing his forearms on the table, closing the distance until Padma could smell the rich, masculine scent of his perfume mixing with her own heated skin.

? Rajan: “Because you’re not like the women who throw themselves at me. You don’t flatter me. You don’t try to impress me. You pretend you don’t even like me.”

A faint, dirty smirk returned to his lips.

? Rajan: “And watching you fight your own body while I drive you crazy... makes you impossible to ignore.”

Padma’s face grew tight, her pulse racing violently between her thighs.

? Padma: “I’m married.”

? Rajan: “I know.”

? Padma: “I love my husband.”

Rajan nodded slowly, his gaze heavy and unyielding.

? Rajan: “I know that too.”

Mohan slammed a palm flat on the table.

? Mohan: “Then stay the hell away from her!”

Rajan finally glanced at him, his voice dropping into a low, mocking purr.

? Rajan: “That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out, Mohan.”

? Mohan: “Figure out what?”

Rajan looked straight back at Padma, his eyes probing into her very soul.

? Rajan: “Why two people who claim to have everything are still hiding filthy little secrets from each other.”

Padma’s breath caught in her throat, the heat in her belly turning into a sudden spike of cold dread.

? Padma: “What are you talking about?”

Rajan smiled faintly, a dark secret glistening in his eyes.

? Rajan: “Don’t ask me, sweetheart. Ask your sweet, devoted husband.”

Padma slowly turned toward Mohan, her mind reeling.

? Padma: “Mohan...?”


Mohan sat completely frozen, his mouth tightly shut, sweat breaking out along his hairline.

The silence between husband and wife suddenly became heavier, more suffocating than any filthy compliment Rajan had thrown her way.


Mohan said nothing.

The silence between them suddenly became heavier than anything Rajan had said.

Rajan remained seated, watching the tension grow between them.

Padma’s eyes moved from Mohan to Rajan and back again.

? Padma: “You knew this would happen, didn’t you?”

? Rajan: “I knew you deserved the truth.”

? Padma: “Don’t pretend you’re doing this for me.”

Rajan’s expression hardened slightly.

? Rajan: “Then tell me what you think I’m doing.”

Padma pushed her chair back.

The sudden movement drew a few glances from the nearby tables.

? Padma: “You’re enjoying this. You’re enjoying watching us fight.”

? Rajan: “I’m not the one keeping secrets.”

? Padma: “Enough!”

Her voice echoed through the café.

Mohan reached for her hand, but she pulled away.

? Mohan: “Padma, please sit down.”

? Padma: “No. I’m done sitting here while both of you speak in riddles.”

She turned toward Rajan, her eyes filled with anger.

? Padma: “You called me here, insulted my marriage, and then acted as if you were helping me.”

? Rajan: “I only asked you to question what you already felt was wrong.”

? Padma: “You don’t know anything about my marriage.”

? Rajan: “Maybe not. But I know what I saw.”

? Padma: “Keep your observations to yourself.”

Rajan fell silent.

Padma turned to Mohan.

? Padma: “And you…”

Mohan stood slowly.

? Mohan: “Padma, I was going to tell you.”

? Padma: “When? After he told me everything?”

? Mohan: “It isn’t what you think.”

? Padma: “Then explain it!”

Mohan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Padma stared at him, hurt and furious.

? Padma: “That silence is your answer.”

She picked up her bag and stepped away from the table.

? Mohan: “Padma, wait.”

? Padma: “No. I need to leave before I say something I’ll regret.”

She walked toward the café entrance without looking back.

Mohan started after her, but Rajan’s voice stopped him.

? Rajan: “Let her go.”

Mohan turned sharply.

? Mohan: “This is your fault.”

? Rajan: “No. The truth is your fault. I only brought it into the open.”

Mohan glared at him and hurried toward the door.

Outside, Padma was already walking down the street, her steps quick and angry.

? Mohan: “Padma!”

She did not stop.

He followed her out of the café, leaving Rajan alone at the table.

Rajan watched them disappear through the glass doors.

For the first time that evening, his smile vanished.

Inside the café, the silence returned.

But the question he had planted between Padma and Mohan was no longer something either of them could ignore.