They walked back to the house, the silence between them filled with the sound of their bare feet on the cool cobblestone path. In the bathroom, Priyanka filled a basin with water and added a few drops of rosewater, a small luxury she had brought from the city. She lifted her sari and began to clean her stomach with a soft cloth, the coolness of the water a stark contrast to the warmth of the day.
As she washed, she heard the door creak open, and a moment later, Raju's timid voice called out, "Priyu, I brought the darts."
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Priyanka felt a thrill run down her spine. She had hoped the cake cutting would be enough to satisfy his curiosity, but apparently, he had another request. "What's the matter?" she called back, trying to keep her voice light.
Raju entered the bathroom, holding out the set of darts he had found in the storeroom. "The board's missing," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I know where we can play."
Priyanka looked at him in the mirror, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Where?"
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Raju's gaze darted to her navel, and she knew what he was thinking. Without missing a beat, she said, "Here it is." She tapped her belly button with a finger, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
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Raju's eyes grew wide with shock and excitement. "Really?" he squeaked.
Priyanka nodded, her smile never faltering. "Why not? It's your birthday, after all."
