Chapter 6: Tease and Blow
Subchapter 6.3: The Game of Exposure
Subchapter 6.3: The Game of Exposure
"I got this," she whispered, adjusting her sareeâher blouse tight, nipples faintly outlinedâand her heart raced, a cocktail of dread and thrill pulsing through her veins, hungry for proof.
Madhuri carried the tray of steaming chai cups into the living room, approached Abhi and Ishaan sprawled on the couch. She handed Abhi his cup first, then turned to Ishaan.
As she extended the cup, her fingers brushed his, deliberate and slow, lingering just a beat too long. His skin was warm, rough at the edges, and his eyes flicked up to meet hersâsharp, glinting, unreadable. She pulled back, a shiver snaking down her spine, and turned away.
The cupboard loomed across the room, an excuse sheâd seized. âNeed to tidy this up,â she muttered, loud enough for Abhi to hear, positioning herself behind him, facing Ishaan.
She reached up, arms stretching high, the light fabric of her saree pulling taut against her body. Her blouse strained, the faint outline of her nipples pressing through, her chubby waist spilling softly over the edge of her petticoat.
She felt Ishaanâs gaze before she saw itâhis eyes locked on her. Her breath caught, but she didnât falter, raising her arms higher. Ishaan leaned back, sipping his chai, his lips curling into a smirk.
âAbhi, your momâs got this place looking spotlessâalmost too good, huh?â he said, his voice casual, but his eyes never left her, the words dripping with a taunt meant only for her. Abhi nodded absently, engrossed in his phone, oblivious to the game unfolding.
She understood what he meant, but tugged the saree lower, a calculated tease, her navel winking at him now, and kept wiping the shelves, her shame filling her, her movements slow, deliberate.
Ishaanâs gaze darkened, his fingers tapping the cup. âTakes real skill to keep everything⊠in place,â he added, his tone lazy but pointed, and she felt the heat crawl up her neck, her resolve wavering under his stare.
The chai drained, he set the cup down and stood, stretching with a yawn that felt too performative.
She kept her eyes on the cupboard, pretending not to notice as he ambled toward her, his steps unhurried, fearless.
Her heart hammeredâshe wiped the same spot twice, three times, feigning bravery, but her hands trembled.
He was close now, too close, the air between them crackling. She braced herself, refusing to turnâthen he jerked suddenly, bending low. Her breath hitched, and she flinched, yanking the saree up to cover herself, fear spiking through her veins.
But he only grabbed the Rubikâs cube sitting by the cupboardâs base, straightening with a lazy grin.
Their eyes lockedâhis steady, hers wideâand he turned back to the couch without a word.
She stood frozen, clutching the fabric, her chest heaving as he flopped down and started twisting the cube. Click-click-clickâthe colors aligned in seconds, his fingers a blur.
Abhi looked up, amazed. âHowâd you do that so fast? Looks fresh and colorful for the first time in ages.â
Ishaan shrugged, tossing the solved cube onto the cushion. âNo big deal. Just practice. ThoughâŠâ He paused, glancing at Madhuri sidelong. âItâs missing the best colorâpurple. Makes it less⊠attractive, donât you think?â
His voice was smooth, the jab subtle but piercing, and her cheeks burned, the deep plum of her saree suddenly a spotlight.
She bolted for the kitchen, her bare feet slapping the tiles, the air cooler there a refuge. Leaning against the counter, she pressed a hand to her chest, willing her heart to slow.
âHeâs toying with me,â she whispered, the realization sinking inâheâd dodged her trap, flipped it, left her exposed instead.
But the fire in her gut flared brighter, shame and thrill twisting into something sharper. âNo,â she hissed, straightening her pallu, her jaw set. âIâm not done.â
That night after the dinner, Madhuri lay on her bed, the sheets cool against her skin, her mind a restless tangle. The phone beside her glowed faintlyâno messages from the stalker, just Rameshâs morning text about his return in three days and a few chirpy notes from friends.
She sighed, tapping out quick replies, her fingers hovering over the stalkerâs chat. Empty. Silent. Then, a spark flickeredâan idea, sharp and sudden. She locked the screen with a decisive click, the phoneâs glow fading to black. Swinging her legs off the bed, she stood up, her bare feet pressing into the cool floor.
The muffled shouts of Abhi and Ishaan drifted up from the living room. She slipped off the bed, smoothing her nightgown, and padded downstairs.
The boysâ Gaming Night turned the living room into a frenzied combat zone, the PS5 alive with Call of Duty: Warzone action.
Abhi sprawled on the floor, controller in hand, yelling, âDie, bro!â while Ishaan lounged beside him, legs kicked out, smirking. âAunty, you joining us? We need a cheerleader,â he called, his voice teasing, those deep eyes flicking to her as she stepped in.
She forced a smile, settling onto the couch near Ishaanâs side. âNo⊠just gonna watch,â she said, her tone light, but her gaze darted to his phone, resting face-down on the cushion beside her.
Her heart thudded as she edged closer, her fingers brushing the device. She flipped it silently, the screen dark, locked. A pinprick of disappointment stabbed herâsheâd hoped for an easy crack, a glimpse into his world.
She shifted to leave, ready to retreat, but a sharp ding cut through the noise. The lock screen lit up: an Instagram notification from ShreyaââMiss youâ. Madhuri froze, sinking back, her eyes narrowing, "Must be his girlfriend."
Before she could process it, another chimeâSnapchat this time, from âDivyaâ: âHow do I look handsome?â with a snap attached. "Who's this now?" she muttered.
The boysâ shouts drowned out her quickening breath as she stared, the messages stacking upâflirty, familiar, a parade of girls vying for his attention.
Her mind flashed to her own texts to the stalker, the same coy tone, the same game.
Suspicion coiled tighter, but she kept her face blank, watching the screen like a hawk.
More pings: âHey cutie,â from Priya, âWanna ft?â from Leela.
"Girls these days," she thought, a flicker of disdain curling her lip, but it couldnât smother the itch of curiosity burning inside her. "Who was he to them? What's he hiding?"
Minutes later, the phone rang, loud and suddenââMiss Sherleyâ flashing across the screen. She blinked, "Is that the dean?" imagining what trouble heâd stirred at school.
Ishaan paused the game, removed his headphones, grabbed the phone, and silenced the call with a flick. He unlocked itâher eyes traced the pattern, a quick zigzagâtexted something, then slid it into his pocket, locking her out again.
She bit her lip, frustration simmering. The game resumed, Abhi oblivious, Ishaanâs focus back on the screen, but she felt his presence like a weight.
She kept an eye on his pocket, waiting for his phone to slip, but the gripping gameplay soon dragged her in.
Hours later, the controllers clattered downâ11 PM glowed on the clock. Ishaan stretched, yawning. âAunty, mind if I crash here tonight? Too late to head back.â
Her stomach twisted, but she nodded, voice tight. âSure⊠Abhi can set you up.â
She rose, escaping upstairs, the creak of the steps matching her racing pulse.