Mystic Flames

4

"Aaradhya, I bought you some clothes and some food," Jalandhar announced, his voice carrying through the house as he walked in, bags in hand.

"Thank you," Aaradhya replied with a warm smile. "Let me prepare dinner, then."

She began stocking all the food items on the shelves and in the refrigerator, her mind racing with thoughts of what to cook. Searching the internet for easy recipes, she finally decided on a menu: rice, dal tadka, aloo gobi, and fish fry. It took several YouTube videos and a few kitchen mishaps, but eventually, she managed to set the table with the dishes she had prepared.

"Hurry, grab some food quickly," she called out, trying to sound cheerful. She took a bite of her fish fry and immediately felt a wave of disappointment. "Umm, I can't even swallow it. Too much salt and excessively dry and crispy," she thought, her heart sinking. "What will he think about the food? I suddenly feel bad. The food suddenly looks unappetizing." She noticed that Jalandhar hadn't put anything on his plate yet. "Why don't you take something?" she asked in a low voice, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"While I was out for business, I had quite a lot of food, so I'm still a bit bloated. Maybe later," he replied gently.

"Fine. I'll leave some for you, so you can heat it and eat later."

After finishing her dinner, Aaradhya headed to her room for a shower. The warm water was a welcome relief, washing away the stress of the day. Wrapped in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed. Just then, she heard the door open.

"Jalandhar, is that you?" she called out, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Yeah, I just came to drop off the clothes bag. You left them in the living room," he replied.

"OH, can you pass me a dress?" she said, peeking through a small gap after opening the door slightly.

Jalandhar handed her the dress, but as he did, his eyes involuntarily wandered to her slender neck, glistening with water droplets from her hair. His ears turned red, and he quickly averted his gaze, rushing out of the room after handing her the bag.

Inside, Aaradhya quickly dressed, her cheeks flushed from the brief but awkward encounter. She couldn't help but smile a little, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and gratitude for his kindness. Looking at herself in the mirror, she wondered about the man who had saved her and was now helping her in ways she couldn't have imagined.

After changing into the white dress with a small blue floral print and ribbon tie straps, which reached the floor, Aaradhya combed her hair and clipped a ribbon in place. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm and gratitude. She wanted to thank Jalandhar for the beautiful dresses he had bought for her. As she stepped out of the room, Jalandhar, who was busy on his phone, looked up and his eyes softened.

"You look so beautiful," he said in a low yet audible voice, his gaze filled with admiration.

Aaradhya smiled and started to move towards him, saying, "Thank y—" But before she could finish, she stepped on the hem of her dress. The sudden movement caused the straps to come undone, and she let out a startled scream.

Jalandhar immediately turned away, trying to save her and himself from awkward moments. His heart raced, and he struggled to find his words. "I am sorry, I didn't look... I... I mean, it wasn't... I... Please, take care. Go to your room to rest. I'll come see you tomorrow," he stammered, glancing at the clock and noting the time—11:55 PM.

In a hurry, he left, the banging of the door echoing through the room. Aaradhya stood there, clutching her dress, feeling a mix of embarrassment and confusion. She quickly retreated to her room, her heart still pounding from the unexpected incident.

As she adjusted her dress and lay down on the bed, she couldn't help but replay the evening's events in her mind. Despite the awkward moments, she felt a warmth in her chest, a growing fondness for the mysterious man who had come into her life.

The next day, as Aaradhya was brushing her teeth, she heard noises coming from the kitchen—like a knife against a chopper and a ladle against a pot. Curious, she stepped out of the washroom with the toothbrush still in her mouth, and to her surprise, she found Jalandhar cooking.

"Wow, you can cook?" she mumbled, trying not to let the toothpaste foam spill.

"First time trying, but I guess I can manage a basic breakfast," he replied, glancing at her with a smile.

"What are you making?"

"Banana pancakes, masala omelet, and poha. Get refreshed and come quick, have your meal while it's still hot."

"Wow, my mouth is already watering. I'll be there in a jiffy."

Just as she turned to head back to the washroom, the doorbell rang. Jalandhar went to get it, and Aaradhya, standing on her toes, tried to peek over his shoulder, but he was just too tall. She saw his expression change, a look of shock crossing his face.

"What are you doing here?" he said, his voice a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Saagarika??" Aaradhya heard him say, her curiosity piqued. She wondered who this Saagarika was and why her arrival seemed to unsettle Jalandhar so much.

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892 words only :(

love- Rose ^ ^