He looked across the coach to find her
sitting in the usual place, her book open in her lap. But for some reason she was
not reading it today. She looked up, saw him and smiled. They had met on this
coach a few months ago, and the polite smiles had eventually led to good
mornings and then conversations. She was older than him…not much, perhaps 5 or
at max seven years, but she excited him. The last month they had broken the ice
and now he considered that they were more than just acquaintances. Everything
about her pleased him. The way she dressed, the way she talked and even the way
she smelled. Of course she was married, but no one said you could not desire a
person. And if the person was so exceptional…it was almost a crime not to
desire her.
Walking close to her he realized that she
had not saved him the seat, which she had started doing for the past week. She
looked at him and shrugged. She was wearing a saree today and he felt aroused.
“You are looking very nice today.” He offered
and she smiled back at him. “Anything special today?”
“Nothing. I guess I just felt like it.” She
said and looked back at her book. Hanging on for the support he looked at her
head, bent on the book. She seemed to sense his eyes on her and marking the
page she closed the book and looked at him. Her eyes were shadowed and there
was just a little frown on her forehead. Something seemed to flicker in the
depths and then she stood up, moving close to him and grabbing the handrail. He
smiled and realized that she had given way to a very pregnant woman…who smiled
gratefully and parked herself on the seat vacated by her. He felt silly for
thinking she had done this on purpose…She turned now and was standing with her
back towards him. He could smell her perfume and could not help but look at her
bare back, the small curves enhanced by the saree, hiding enough but enticing in
more ways than one. He felt his body stir in response as hers’ swayed closer to
his. His mind was wondering without wanting to, treading the dangerous path of
not really getting anything in return. He wondered how her skin felt, how it
would be to press her body against his. Aroused, he sharply inhaled and
concentrated on her head. And then it happened - the metro jerked forward and
came to a halt at the junction. That was hardly for two seconds but she lurched
forward and his hand came instinctively to grab her waist, only to steady her.
And she was as smooth as he expected…soft velvety skin, still supple. He didn't
mean to but it was done before he could stop himself and he pulled her closer…She
turned, his hand still on her waist and looked at him. It went through his body
like a shock and he apologetically removed his hand. He knew that she knew and
felt a strange trepidation fill him. He licked his lips and without wanting his
face was writ with apology. Only one thought crossed his mind then…Should he
apologize? Should he try and explain? And then his heart skipped a beat. It was
barely a step…just one step but she moved back, her body touching his’ ever so
slightly. He frowned and then she looked back and he stared at her face. There
was no anger on it, nor irritation…just amusement. He smiled and she smiled
back.
