Her brows practically flew off her forehead, eyes comically wide. Cheeks aflame, she hid her face in his chest, mumbling something that sounded a lot like ‘China plan back on.’
His body began to shake uncontrollably. His laughter rang in her ears, drawing a defeated giggle from her as well. When she raised her head, she saw what she had missed seeing all week.
A happy man.
The sight of a joyful Rian was like eating warm, pillowy idlis on a cold morning and drinking filter coffee out of her paati’s steel tumbler. Comforting, like home, filling her with an unexplainable sense of belonging.
His dimples deepened when their eyes met.
Yes, she accepted, their laughter mingling together to form the sweetest melody. Coming to the gym was a good thing indeed.
25
Tit for Tat
Aditi
“Thank you for thepyjamas. I love them.”
Rian glanced sideways from the eggs he was scrambling, his smile at hearing her voice turning into a frown.
“You’re not wearing them.”
The complaint and disappointment was not hidden.
Aditi scrunched her nose in apology, gesturing to her scrub uniform which she stuffed into her backpack. “I’ll have to head to the hospital after breakfast. No point in lounging in my PJs.”
With a grunt of acknowledgement, he switched the stove off, dividing the eggs into two plates.
When he went to pour the coffee, Aditi jumped up from her stool and rushed to the cabinet near him.
“Wait! I got you something too!” She spun around and thrust a mug that looked a lot like his usual ones towards him.
“It’s a new mug,” she declared.
Not wanting to be rude, he very kindly pointed. “Doc, that’s my old one.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to buy me anything.”
In response, she blew a raspberry, clearly not impressed with his understanding nature.
“Look,” she gestured, turning the mug around. “It says, 3.14% of sailors are pi-rates!” That’s when he saw the writing on it. And the symbol of pi, with a crooked pirate hat. She began to chortle, clearly amused with her choice. Her happiness spread through the room, leaching into him. “Isn’t it funny?”
“You’re the funniest,” he replied, dropping a kiss on her forehead in thanks.
“Are you laughing at me or with me?” she demanded, frowning suspiciously at his response. Chuckling, Rian poured the coffee into his new mug, handing her one as well.
Aditi stood beside him while he efficiently chopped and tossed fruits for their breakfast salad, occasionally popping a small piece into her mouth as he worked quickly to get their plates set. Watching Rian work in the kitchen was a pleasure and to her immense delight, he’d forgone wearing his shirt today. The man certainly wasn’t subtle about indicating that he was ready for more from her, and she loved that she didn’t have to guess with him.
He turned and walked towards the fridge, picking out milk for their coffee. His back muscles rippled when he moved, the single crease down his spine highlighting the perfect symmetry of his body.
She sighed. Now, this was a view she could get used to with each meal, she thought, the spark deep within her igniting when he came closer, a smile on his face. He leaned in, and her heart began to patter like heavy rain on the windshield of a car.
With a murmur of apology, he reached beside her for the pepper grinder, focusing on putting the finishing touches on their food.
That he hadn’t grabbed her in a mind-melting kiss confused and bothered her. How was it that she felt so restless next to him and he didn’t seem at all affected? But he was standing so close, she could bend forward a couple inches and her lips would meet his bicep. It was right there. She had to do it. There was no good reason why she shouldn’t.