You Accept his offer

My first instinct was to refuse. He was practically a stranger. But Alok was on his business trip and none of my friends were available to help me at this late hour. With a sigh, I found myself accepting his offer.

"Thank you, Bhaisaab," I replied, opening the door and settling into the plush leather seat of his car.

As I settled into the luxurious leather seat, I couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. This was easily the most opulent car I had ever been in. I fumbled with the seatbelt, attempting to fasten it myself, but to no avail.

Suddenly, Raghav Ji chuckled beside me, the sound deep and rich. "Bhabhi Ji, please, allow me to assist you," he said, leaning in close.

As he moved to help me with the seatbelt, I caught a whiff of his cologne - something spicy and masculine. The scent was intoxicating, and I found myself suddenly very aware of his presence beside me. My cheeks flushed slightly as a thought crossed my mind - could he smell me too, this close? I knew I must reek of sweat after being out in the heat all day.

Embarrassed, I tried to discreetly check if he had noticed my blush. But Raghav Ji had already moved back his face looking in front.

"Sri Ram Enclave," I finally managed to say, giving him my address as the car began to move. The luxurious ride was smooth and silent, and I found myself oddly aware of every tiny movement, every shift in his posture beside me.

As we wove through the city streets, the interior of the car remained quiet, the silence awkward and heavy. I tried to focus my gaze out the window, but couldn't help stealing glances at Raghav Ji every so often.

"So," he began, breaking the silence, "have you been living in the city long?"

"No," I replied, grateful for the conversation. "We moved here after I got married. That was six years ago."

He nodded, and I braced myself for the inevitable follow-up question about children. But to my surprise, it never came. Instead, he asked, "Did you get married right after high school, then?"

I laughed softly. "No, I completed my bachelor's degree first. I was twenty-two when I got married."

Raghav Ji seemed surprised. "Really? You don't look a day over twenty-five. You could pass for a college student who just graduated."

His words made me blush, and I felt a sudden rush of warmth spread across my cheeks. Instinctively, I returned the compliment. "And you, Bhaisaab, don't look your age either. You could easily be mistaken for a young man in his early thirties."

This made him laugh, a deep, rich sound that seemed to fill the car. The atmosphere suddenly felt lighter, the tension between us dissipating. As we continued our journey through the city streets, the conversation flowed more easily, the silence no longer oppressive.

As the car came to a stop in front of my modest home, I stepped out, the evening breeze carrying with it the scent of jasmine from the nearby plants. Raghav Ji was already exiting the vehicle, his presence commanding even in the simple act of opening a car door.

I walked towards him, a smile gracing my lips as I thanked him for the lift. "It was not a big deal," he replied, his own smile warm and genuine.

But feeling the need to be courteous, I extended the customary invitation. "Would you like to come in for some tea, Bhaisaab?"