Color of Yearning [Completed]

Chapter : 36

Saumya POV

As I descended the stairs, my cheeks were still flushed from the encounter with Tanmay in our room. I could feel the heat rising in my face as I recalled his touch, his kisses. Trying to compose myself, I took a deep breath and stepped into the living room, now transformed into a vibrant space for the mehendi ceremony.

"There you are!" Shruti's voice cut through my thoughts. She approached me with a knowing smirk. "What took you so long? And where's Tanmay Jeeju?"

I felt my blush deepen. "He'll be down in a minute," I managed to say, avoiding her gaze.

Shruti raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh really? And why are you blushing like a teenager caught kissing behind the school?"

"Shruti!" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. "It's not... we were just..."

"Uh-huh," Shruti grinned, clearly not buying my stammered excuses. "You know, your saree seems a bit... disheveled. Let me help you fix it."

As Shruti adjusted my saree, I felt my phone vibrate. Discreetly, I pulled it out to see a message from Tanmay:

"Missing you already. How am I supposed to keep my hands off you during this ceremony? 😉"

I bit my lip to suppress a smile, quickly typing back:

"Behave yourself! Everyone's here. 😳"

"You know, I'm having a hard time concentrating on anything but you right now. That saree should be illegal. 😍" Tanmay replied.

I felt a rush of warmth, quickly typing back: "Oh? And what would you do if it was, Officer Tanmay? Come and confiscate it? 😏"

His reply came swiftly: "Don't tempt me, Mrs. Tanmay. I might just have to conduct a very thorough investigation... in private. 😉"

I bit my lip, suppressing a giggle as I responded: "Hmm, sounds intriguing. Will this investigation involve any... hands-on approach? 😘"

Tanmay's reply made me blush even deeper: "Oh, it'll be very hands-on. And lips-on. And... well, you get the idea. 😈 Can't wait to see you, beautiful."

I quickly typed back: "Mr. Tanmay, you're outrageous! 🙈 But... how about we continue this 'experiment' later tonight? 😘"

His reply made my heart race: "You're playing with fire, wifey. How am I supposed to focus on anything else now? 😍"

I bit my lip, suppressing a grin as I typed: "Consider it motivation to get through this ceremony quickly. The sooner it's over... 😉"

Tanmay's response was swift: "I'll be down in record time. Save me a seat next to you? I might need to whisper some... ideas in your ear. 😈"

I was about to reply when Shruti's voice cut through my Tanmay-induced trance. "Saumya! Are you sexting your husband while standing right next to me? Scandalous!"

I nearly dropped my phone, my face burning with embarrassment. "Shruti!" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one else had heard. "I'm not... we weren't..."

Shruti grinned mischievously. "Uh-huh. Sure. Your face is redder than a tomato, and you've been smiling at your phone like it holds the secrets of the universe. Spill!"

I opened my mouth to protest, but at that moment, a flutter of activity at the entrance caught everyone's attention. Natasha had arrived.

As everyone rushed to greet Natasha, I hesitated, not particularly eager to join the welcoming party. However, Shruti nudged me with a mischievous grin.