The rain gradually stopped, leaving the world in a quiet stillness. Neither Inder nor Seraphina said anything. They both wanted to avoid attention. They knew they couldn't risk being recognized, not here, not now.
Seraphina pulled out her phone, unlocked it, and opened the notepad app. She quickly typed a message:
We should take another route and head back to our respective homes before anyone recognizes us.
She showed it to Inder, who glanced at the screen and chuckled softly. Without saying a word, he took the phone and started typing his response:
My home is nearby. You can call it my office or home; they are the same place. It's close. If you want, we can take the back route to my place, freshen up, and avoid attention. You can use my bathroom, and I can offer you some clothes to get dry. After that, I can drop you at your place. Just let me know the address, and we'll take the secret alleyways of Mumbai. We'll manage.
He handed the phone back to Seraphina, a small grin on his face.
Seraphina read the message and couldn't help but feel bemused. She typed back:
Don't you think you're being too kind ? Not that it's a bad thing . It just amuses me and... Makes me wonder if you might have got some hidden agenda under your sleeves.. don't get me wrong.. but.. also, the other thing is... obviously, you wouldn't have women's wear, would you ? So, ugh 🥲
She showed the message to Inder, and once again, he chuckled quietly.
Inder smiled as he read Seraphina's message. He typed his reply slowly, choosing his words carefully:
Hidden agenda? Now you're making me sound more interesting than I actually am. And as for the clothes, I'll manage. I might not have a wardrobe full of women's wear, but I can find something comfortable for you. I promise I won't let you walk out drenched.
He handed the phone back, his expression soft but teasing. Seraphina looked at him, her lips twitching into a small smile before typing her response:
Alright, I trust you... for now. Lead the way, Mr. Interesting.
Inder grinned and nodded, signaling for her to follow him. They quietly slipped into a narrow alley, the sound of their footsteps muted by the damp ground. The city's usual bustle seemed distant here, hidden behind walls and winding paths.
As they walked, Seraphina kept glancing at him. There was something about the way Inder handled things -calm, assured, but with a hint of playfulness. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it intrigued her.
Inder, on the other hand, was keenly aware of her presence beside him. The silence between them was not uncomfortable, but rather filled with an unspoken understanding. He occasionally glanced at her, noticing the way her damp hair clung to her face, her brows furrowed slightly as if lost in thought.
Finally, they reached Inder's building. It was modest from the outside, blending in with the surrounding structures, but it had a certain charm. He unlocked the door and gestured for her to step inside.
"Welcome to my humble abode," he said softly, breaking the silence.
Seraphina nodded, stepping inside. The interior was simple but neat. A blend of functional furniture and a few personal touches that gave it warmth. She took in the space, feeling oddly comfortable.
"You can take the bathroom on the left," Inder said, pointing towards the hallway.
Seraphina glanced around the room before turning to Inder. She noticed his soaked shirt clinging to his frame and the water dripping from his hair.
"What about you?" she asked, her voice low, almost hesitant. "You're drenched too... You need to freshen up as well. It's your house after all... so..."
Inder chuckled softly, the sound light and easy. "I didn't think you'd be so concerned about me," he teased. "But you're right, I probably shouldn't stand around like this."
He ran a hand through his damp hair, shaking off a few stray droplets. "Tell you what, you go ahead and use the bathroom first. I'll sort myself out after. We have time; no rush."
Seraphina hesitated for a moment, looking at him carefully, trying to read his expression. There was that playfulness again, mixed with a calm that she found strangely reassuring. She nodded and made her way to the bathroom, leaving Inder standing in the middle of the room.
Once the door clicked shut, Inder let out a quiet sigh and walked toward the wardrobe, searching for something suitable for her to wear. He grabbed a plain white shirt and a pair of soft cotton pants - simple, but it would do. As he laid the clothes neatly on a chair outside the bathroom, he couldn't help but smile to himself.
Inside the bathroom, Seraphina stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Her hair was a mess, and her clothes stuck uncomfortably to her skin. The warmth of the room felt comforting after the rain, but there was a new warmth, a quiet feeling she couldn't shake - something about being in Inder's space, something about his easy nature.
She shook her head slightly, focusing on freshening up. Her thoughts drifted back to the day they met, the first time they exchanged glances across the room. Now here they were, hiding from the world in his modest home, with rain-soaked clothes and quiet conversations.
A soft knock on the door broke her thoughts.
"I left some clothes for you outside," Inder's voice called from the hallway. "They're probably not what you're used to, but they'll be dry, at least."
Seraphina smiled to herself. "Thanks," she called back, her voice echoing softly in the small bathroom. She, then, opened the door with just a crack and spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation.
"I don't mean to be an imposition on you, but... would it be alright if I showered? I promise I'll be quick." She asked.
Outside, Inder chuckled, his voice light but amused. "You're not imposing at all, Seraphina. Take your time."
Seraphina felt relieved at his easygoing response. She nodded. She, then, turned her back into the bathroom, as she closed the door. The hot water running down her skin felt like a soothing escape, washing away not just the rain, but also the tension of the evening.
Meanwhile, outside, Inder busied himself, changing into dry clothes and tidying up the living room.
Seraphina, now dressed in the clothes Inder had left for her, stepped out of the bathroom, feeling much more at ease. The oversized shirt and pants fit loosely, but they were soft and dry, a welcome change from the drenched clothes she had been wearing.
Inder looked up from where he sat, his eyes quickly scanning her as she entered the room. "Feel better?" he asked, his tone casual but his gaze lingering just a little longer than usual.
Seraphina nodded, running a hand through her damp hair. "Much better, thanks. I hope you weren't waiting too long."
Inder shook his head. "Not at all. I'm just glad you're comfortable now." He motioned toward the small kitchen. "Do you want something warm to drink? Tea, coffee, maybe?"
Seraphina smiled, the warmth in the room now more than just physical. "Tea would be nice."
Inder got up and moved to the kitchen, the sound of water filling the kettle breaking the silence. As he busied himself with making tea, Seraphina watched him from the corner of the room, her thoughts drifting once again. There was something about this moment - the quiet simplicity of it, the ease with which they fell into a rhythm together.
When Inder handed her a cup of steaming tea, their fingers brushed for a brief second. Seraphina looked up, meeting his gaze. For a moment, neither of them spoke, but the silence wasn't awkward. It was charged with something unspoken, something neither of them was quite ready to address.
Seraphina sipped her tea, nodding slowly. She felt a growing ease between them, like they were falling into step with one another in a way that felt natural, even though they were still getting to know each other.
The rain might have stopped outside, but inside, something else was starting to stir - something subtle but undeniable.
