[Maaran57]

Chapter 48 – Professional Guidance

Maaran took a slow breath and continued in a calm, professional voice.
He looked at Aadhini, keeping his gaze level.
“If you decide to use makeup for the sessions, keep it mild. A natural look works best. It lets the real texture of the skin come through under the light. Heavy makeup hides too much.”
Aadhini nodded once. Her fingers pressed into the edge of the chair.
Maaran went on, voice steady. Inside, the absurdity of the moment sat sharp and clear. He was giving skincare instructions to the woman whose body he already knew by touch and taste.
“Two or three days before we begin, use a good moisturising cream daily. Hydrated skin holds the light better in charcoal. Avoid strong perfume on the day of the session. The studio stays neutral for a reason.”
He paused, then added the next point with the same clinical tone.
“For semi-nude work with dbanging, smooth skin gives the cleanest result. Waxing or proper hair removal a day or two before is usually preferred. But everything remains your choice. We adjust to your comfort.”
Aadhini’s cheeks warmed. She pressed her legs together under the table and kept her face still. Rajesh nodded beside her, completely at ease.
“See?” he said. “He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Maaran gave a short, polite nod. The words “waxing” and “smooth skin” left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He had already seen her unprepared and natural. Now he was instructing her to prepare herself for the version her husband wanted on paper.
He reached into the drawer, took out a standard consent form, and slid it across the table.
“This covers the artistic nature of the work, privacy, and your rights. Both of you should sign. For the schedule, this coming weekend works. Friday to Sunday after lunch. Each session runs five to six hours. We work at your pace.”
Rajesh read the form quickly, signed, and passed it to Aadhini. She signed with steady enough fingers, though the pen moved a fraction too hard. She did not look at Maaran while she did it.
Maaran watched the pen move across the paper. The same hand that had gripped his hair and slapped his chest was now signing a consent form in front of her husband. He kept his face blank.
“We’ll start Friday afternoon,” he said. “I’ll prepare the space.”
They agreed. The meeting ended with brief, formal goodbyes. Maaran stood at the door and watched them leave. Only when the door closed did the controlled expression slip. He let out a slow breath and remained still for a long moment.

The car ride home was silent.
Aadhini stared out of the window, jaw tight. Her legs still carried a fine tremor. Rajesh glanced at her more than once but did not speak. The air between them stayed heavy all the way to the house.
Inside the bedroom, once the door was shut, Aadhini turned on him.
“What exactly do you want me to do, Rajesh?” Her voice was sharp, low, and shaking with anger. “That man sat there talking about waxing, about glowing skin, about how much of me will be shown. Do you want me to present myself like an object for his charcoal? Is that the gift?”
The words came out raw. Tears of frustration stood in her eyes but did not fall.
Rajesh stood frozen, face pale. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. He had never seen her like this.
“Aadhini… I only wanted to do something special,” he said finally, voice thin. “I didn’t mean to make you feel exposed. I’m sorry.”
He took a small step forward, hands open, but she did not move toward him. The silence that followed was thick and unresolved.

Back in the empty studio Maaran sat on the edge of the chaise and stared at the blank board.
Friday.
She would return.
And this time the work would begin under her husband’s commission.