It was late afternoon. The sun cast a warm golden haze through the windows as Rudra sat shirtless on the living room couch, flipping through an old book.

The house was quiet — Rekha had gone to the market, and the silence felt almost heavy after yesterday’s heat.

That’s when he heard it.

A soft knock at the side door — the one near the kitchen.

He stood, curious, and opened it.

There she was.

Nisha.

Barefoot, hair still damp from a bath, wearing a thin cotton kurti that barely reached mid-thigh, and leggings that clung to her slim legs.

She looked nervous. But her eyes… her eyes were bold.

Rudra smirked. “Lost something?”

Nisha looked down, blushing, then looked back up at him with surprising steadiness.

“I… saw you. Yesterday,” she whispered.

He stepped closer, letting her feel the heat of his body. “I know.”

She swallowed hard. “You… you knew I was watching.”

“I saw your little fingers moving under those shorts, Nisha.”

He leaned in, lips brushing her ear. “Tell me — were you imagining it was my tongue on you?”

Her breath hitched.

She nodded — barely.

Rudra cupped her chin, tilting her face up. “And now?”

***