Crossroads...

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.