He surprisingly agreed

Sanjana

To my surprise, Raghav Ji chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Of course, how could I possibly refuse tea from the hands of such a young beauty?"

My cheeks flushed at the compliment, and I found myself laughing, a light, tinkling sound that seemed to dance on the evening air. "Raghav Ji, don't tease me," I chided playfully, shaking my head.

Side by side, we made our way to the front door of my home, the scent of incense and the soft glow of the porch light welcoming us.

As we entered the house, I led Raghav Ji towards the drawing room, a sense of pride swelling in my chest at his compliment about my home. I couldn't help but feel a sudden desire to impress him, to show him that despite my modest circumstances, I had created a beautiful space.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," I said, gesturing towards the sofa as we entered the drawing room. Raghav Ji settled himself, his large frame sinking into the plush cushions.

I turned towards the open kitchen, intent on preparing the tea. "Tea or coffee?" I called over my shoulder, my back to him as I began to gather the necessary items.

"Tea, please," came the reply, his voice smooth and rich.

I had just placed the kettle on the stove when the shrill ring of my phone pierced the air. Startled, I turned to look at the device, my heart sinking as I saw Alok's name on the screen. In that moment, the realization hit me like a punch to the gut - I was a married woman, and I had just invited a virtual stranger into my home, all while my husband was away.

With shaking hands, I picked up the phone, trying to steady my breathing before answering. "Hello?" I said, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.

I managed to keep up the facade of normalcy as I spoke to Alok, my movements robotic as I continued to prepare the tea. "I'm just tired," I assured him, my voice steadier now. "It's been a long day."

As I listened to Alok's mundane questions, my eyes drifted to the cabinet door mirror. In its reflection, I could just make out Raghav Ji sitting behind me, his presence looming and unmistakable. I felt his gaze on my back, intense and strange, sending a shiver down my spine.

Alok's voice snapped me back to reality, his concerned hellos jolting me out of my daze. I quickly turned away from the mirror, focusing intently on the tea, willing my hands to stop shaking.

"Everything's fine," I assured Alok, my voice strained. "I'll see you soon. Yes, I love you too. Goodbye."

As I handed Raghav Ji his cup of tea, I couldn't help but notice the smile playing on his lips. Was that the same smile he had worn when his gaze was fixed on my back just moments ago? I pushed the thought aside, chiding myself for being paranoid.

I settled myself on the sofa opposite him, the plush cushions enveloping me. Raghav Ji took a sip of the tea, his eyes closing in appreciation. "Delicious," he murmured, his voice low and smooth. "You've outdone yourself, Bhabhi Ji."

I felt a flush of pleasure at the compliment, but quickly reminded myself to remain composed. I was simply hosting him out of courtesy, nothing more. There was nothing inappropriate about hosting a man who had helped me.

And yet, as I sat there, the weight of his gaze upon me, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted, that the air between us had taken on a charged quality. I told myself it was just my imagination, that I was reading too much into nothing.

"Do you enjoy cooking, Bhabhi Ji?" Raghav Ji asked suddenly, his eyes locked on mine.

I nodded, grateful for the change in subject. "Yes, I love it," I replied, a genuine smile gracing my lips. "There's something so satisfying about creating a meal from scratch."

Raghav Ji's smile widened. "I had a feeling you would say that. I, on the other hand, am hopeless in the kitchen. My wife and I rely heavily on our cook and eating out."

As he spoke, I found myself offering tips and advice, the conversation flowing easily between us. It was a relief to focus on something so mundane, to let the tension that had been building dissipate.

But then, as he rose to leave, Raghav Ji turned to me with a casual smile. "I'd love to continue this conversation, Bhabhi Ji. May I have your number?"