She patted and rubbed his bare back, her cheek leaning on his shoulder. She fitted perfectly in his arms.
‘oh god what the hell am I doing..’ she slowly released him..
“Ahem” he sensed the tension in her tone, as she looked here and there.
“hi5 partner” he said bringing the situation at ease as he hit both her palms with h5i.
“I tell you you’re a natural a few more practices and you will be pro, maybe then we can have a head to head and maybe even the boys can join our game.
“maybe” she replied in a small voice.. “it’s getting late I should g- go” she turned around to leave. He picked up the ball and began to dribble it on the spot.
“Naira, this was fun” he smiled.. she took a mini step forward
“yeah for a second I forgot everything” she said walking back to him.
“I hear you have taken some time off work?” he nodded.
“yup I took your advice about people being priceless and all,its true, and some people are more priceless than others” he said winking at her before shooting the ball and getting it in the hoop. She pushed a loose strand behind her ear.
“ok sir I will see you tomorrow” she said
“it’s late I’ll drop you home” he said putting the ball in the rack.. “No sir its fine, its not that late I will be ok” He didn’t want to push it..
“ok but if you need anything let me know ok? just drop me an sms to say you’ve reached safely." He took a step forward.. looking down he mumbled.“because you know I care about you” ended his words looking up. she looked up and her eyes met his.
“me too” she replied, they didn’t know when the moment became an eye lock moment.. "yeah so I will be sure to sms you” she replied.
“see you tomorrow sir”
Kartik was lost for a few seconds.. “yes- see you tomorrow” he waved and saw her leave the room.
‘why do I feel like I need to say something more to her, oh forget it, I’m being silly’
Naira got home and remembered that she promised to sms him, she quickly pulled out her phone and punched the keys. Her mind reflected on what was happening.
“Are me and sir getting closer, I didn’t imagine the hug, he was hugging me back.
‘Exactly Naira, it’s obvious he is attracted to you, and if you didn’t break away I think something more might’ve happened..
"but no I can’t allow this to happen, last time we did share a kiss how wrong things went, and who knows if he wants to or not, right now he is behaving close but what about when Preeti comes back where does that leave me?’ I can’t give myself any advice I will call someone who can"
*
“and then we played basketball, really close and ended up hugging but, I can’t shake the feeling that, if I didn’t stop, we maybe would’ve ending up kissing each other again and I can’t allow that to happen" she got off the bed began pacing.
“Oh and he did say he cares about me”. Gauri studied her friends expressions closely.
“ Oh so things have progressed a lot I see.. so what’s the problem if he initiates an interest then what’s the problem?”
“Hello Miss physcology you know the issues” Gauri sighed and got off the bed and went over to her best friend.
“Listen you have been in love with him since you guys met so why are you not?”
“I have but..but what about Preeti, if I allow myself to think of sir in my future then.”
“Listen baby you are thinking too much into the future” Naira rolled her eyes she didn’t like to be told by people to phycho analyse her.
“I know you want to play it safe, but you trust Kartik right?” she nodded. “Yes very much”
“then there is your answer, life is too short I say go for it”
“there is nothing to go for really.. but I guess I am being too hard on myself, I mean I should be over the moon that he is hinting an interest.”
“that’s more like it..” she patted her friends cheeks playfully.
“ok I will let things happen naturally now, thank you Gauri i feel much better now” she smiled giving her best friend a hug. Now the feeling of seeing him tomorrow was exciting her. She came there as usual 10 mins early, she saw dadi in the hall but no sir. She didn’t want to ask where he was.. so she got on with her work, Siya was wide awake in her cot when she came into her room.
It was coming to 1pm.. she came back down after placing Siya for her afternoon nap.
“Yes Pulkit, tonight?..” he turned around and saw her come off the last step .. “listen yaar I will call you back” Naira didn’t see him, she took a turn towards the kitchen.
“Hey Naira, um.. what you doing tonight?”
“tonight?”..
“yeah any plans.. or you are free?” ‘she didn’t know what to say.. why was he asking? Her mind questioned ‘duh babysitting off course’
“I..
“My friend Pulkit just called he got married in Italy last month and tonight is his wedding reception I completely forgot about it.. and also my other friends from uni have come all the way from US. You want to accompany me? You should come it will be a change from babysitting what say?”
“um…” she wasm’t expecting that at all. She looked at him, whilst fiddling with the baby bottle on the counter.
“come on.. I could do with the company please”
‘to a wedding reception where I don’t know anyone then agan its for sir he is really insisting I don’t want to disappoint him?'
“ok sure why not” she replied the words were out of her mouth.. “Awesome i’ll just let them know we are coming” he said with a excited tone..
“you know I haven’t seen these guys since 2 yrs” he said taking his phone out. “Pul, yes I’m in.” he shortly ended the call. “Sir?”
“Naira I know your worried on what clothes to wear but don’t worry, I’m taking you shopping right now get your things together we are leaving in 10 minutes.”. he said walking off..
‘Kartik she is not your pa, or just a random person in your office, how rude you just ordered her to get ready without even asking if she wants to go shopping with you or not maybe she wants to take Gauri.’ He scrunched up his face turning.
“Look at me, and my manners, I’m so use to deligating tasks.. um.. do you want to go shopping with me.. or perhaps you will you want to take Gauri?” she looked up at his face, he was expecting an answer..
‘what shall I say? Yes or no if I say yes then maybe I’m looking despo.. but then no I keep making him think I’m disinterested.. And taking Gauri she will scold me for missing this chance off getting to know him better.’
She was taking long to answer I think I’m making her uncomfortable.. ‘Ahem if its..”
“Sir I’ll just get my things together, are you also buying something new?” she said walking to him.
“Exactly, and I need a woman’s opinion on what looks good on me” he said with a smile..
“Sure I will just grab my bag.” He nodded.
“I’ll just let dadi know” they passed each other..
“Dadi will you be ok to look after Siya, I’m taking Naira shopping for something to wear tonight and it will be good change, I know she doesn’t say anything but I’m sure she is worried about her papa and this wedding reception will take her mind off everything” dadi smiled admiring her Kittu.
“and you are worrying about her.. hmm?” he looked up..
“yeah she is good person, and I like her company and I ..
“and Kittu?” said dadi getting up from her seat to hear his full answer.. “and she’s..
“I’m ready shall we go?” both of them turned to see Naira in the hall..
“Yes we should hurry before the stores shut” he said looking back and fourth at her and dadi..
“bye dadi” he kissed her cheek and walked towards Naira.
“bye dadi” waved Naira. “bye beta” she waved to them both as they exited the hall.
“Kittu seems more happy and relaxed and I know its this girl, she is changing him for the better and I know my papu he doesn’t realise but he is slowing falling for her.”with a pleased smile she went upstairs to check on Siya.
*
It was quiet in the car, he looked over she was in deep thought.
“Did you enjoy having the boys over yesterday?” she snapped out of her thoughts.
“Yes that was a really nice thing you did for them ” he shook his head
“It was mainly for you” she looked up at him “and um they are terrifc boys they are welcome anytime..” she smiled.
How thoughtful he was being, just for her he bought them around, can he get any sweeter? She said admiring him as he drove. Shortly they were there, he held the door open
“Ladies first” she smiled and walked in, he followed behind
“Seema” he called.
“Kartik, hey its Kartik get him a chair and bring a tray of cold drinks and snacks.
“Sir you’re here for a private buy?” he nodded. They vacanted everyone out of the store..
“Right show me your best evening wear range” she nodded. .and took them to a diffent section of the store, a lot of different style dresses were on the racks. he turned to Naira
“you like any?” Naira looked around at the bunch of store people.
“um you both choose decide what you all want to buy and press the bell once you have made a choice. Kartik nodded,now everthing fell silent.
“Where did they go?” she said
“It’s a private sale, right now this store is your oyster, you can take all the time you want to pick out anything ok?”
‘wow Kartik arranged this for me..’
“you did this for me?” she said shyly.
“yup, I only do this for people who are important to me” he walked forward, hands in his pockets.. she was lost for words, “thanks I..
”no thanks no sorry, he picked a dress from the rack. “how is this?” she nodded
“yah its nice”
“you want to go try it on?” she nodded. He walked over with her to the changing room area.
“its just there” he said she went over and closed door as she changed he waited for her to come out but it was taking sometime.. he called in a low yet strong tone
“Naira, everything ok?” she pulled but couldn’t get the zipper undone.
“Yup I will be out in a minute” hearing that he replied
“ok” another 5 minutes went passed, he checked his watch,
‘something isn’t right.. its been 15 minutes since she went in with just one outfit to try.
‘what shall I say I feel stupid he thinks I’m taking this long to try on the same outfit but I can’t remove it’ she cursed trying to pull the zipper again.
He hoped she was ok in there, he thought whether to knock or not.. just then the door opened. He walked over.. and she came out in a long strapless black dress. She was looking down, then slowly looked up “do you like it?” he asked. She shook her head. “no problem you can try plenty of others come” but she didn’t move with him. This was odd,
“sir this um zipper its stuck, I can’t take off the dress”
“oh.. that’s why..”
“I was taking forever to try it on yes” she finished the sentence.
“hmm.. he said scratching the side of his head.. “um if you don’t mind then would you um.. let me to try?” her head snapped up.
‘oh no I said something wrong’ he thought.
‘Silly Kartik go get someone for her’
“actually wait there I will just get someone” he turned around feeling embarrassed and..
“no don’t um” he turned around..
“um can you come in here and help? I feel a bit exposed out here” she replied, looking around as they were stood outside the changing rooms.
“ahem he cleared his throat “sure” she started walking forward and she felt him follow behind, he walked with his hands in his jeans pocket. she had a very feminine walk her hips swaying side to side, her upper back exposed to him.
Tbc
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