Part 8
Standing on the doormat was a girl with her entire face meticulously wrapped in a colorful scarf, leaving only a pair of bright, highly enthusiastic brown eyes visible.
Even before she untied the knot, Rajani knew exactly who it was.
"Surprise!" Rani squealed, pulling down the fabric to reveal her beaming, victorious smile. Before Rajani could even gasp, Rani lunged forward, throwing her arms around Rajani’s neck in a tight, energetic morning greeting.
The contact was immediate and entirely overwhelming. Because Rajani had skipped the bra and only had a loose *dupatta* thrown over her night-maxi, the sudden, close pressure of the hug made her freeze. Her body instantly registered the softness of the embrace, and a jolt of sheer panic shot straight to her core.
Rani pulled back, her eyes dropping slightly as she noticed Rajani’s awkward, rigid posture. A playful, knowing smirk spread across her lips. In the close quarters of the doorway, the thick dupatta couldn't entirely mask the natural, unsupported silhouette beneath the thin maxi.
"Oh-ho, Rajjo," Rani teased, stepping inside the flat and closing the door behind her. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice with a distinct flirtatious purr. "Did I interrupt your beauty sleep? Or do you always look this delightfully... comfortable on a Saturday morning? I must say, I highly approve of the view."
Rajani’s face flushed a deep, burning crimson. She instinctively clutched the dupatta tighter against her chest. "R-Rani! You didn't tell me you were coming! I was just... making coffee."
"Good, because I’m starving. Let’s make breakfast," Rani announced, completely taking charge of the space with her dominant, confident energy.
In the small kitchen, the atmosphere grew increasingly electric. Rajani tried to focus on lighting the stove to make *poha*, but Rani kept hovering close by. While reaching for the mustard seeds, Rani’s shoulder brushed against hers. When Rajani went to chop onions, Rani casually leaned against the counter, her hand lightly resting on Rajani’s lower back for a brief, casual second to squeeze past her.
Every single touch sent a tremor through Rajani. Inside, the soul of the 27-year-old guy was screaming with a mix of intoxication and absolute terror. He had loved this girl for years from afar; now, as a woman, he was receiving the very affection he had always craved, yet he couldn't dare show how deeply it was affecting him. She was loving every second of it, but her external female expressions remained locked in a flustered, wide-eyed silence.
"You're turning as red as a tomato, Rajjo," Rani laughed, gently pinching Rajani's burning cheek. "Are you always this shy around girls, or am I just that special? Anyway, eat fast. We are going shopping. You need a proper wardrobe update, and I'm going to style you."
A Divine Blessing
An hour later, both girls stood in the parking lot, completely locked into the universal "Pune wrap" uniform. With stoles securely pinned over their heads,noses and mouths to battle the morning heat, they looked like twins ready for a heist. Rajani kicked her silver Activa into gear, with Rani riding pillion, her hands casually but firmly resting on Rajani’s waist—a placement that made Rajani ride incredibly stiffly over every pothole.
Their first stop was a small, peaceful Ganpati temple near the highway.
Stepping inside the quiet, bell-chiming sanctuary, Rajani felt a familiar wave of grounding peace. Following the instinct ingrained in her from childhood, she reached up and pulled the folds of her stole over her head like a traditional *pallu*, folding her hands and bowing deeply before Bappa. She silently prayed for strength to survive the day without fainting from a heart attack.
When she opened her eyes and looked over, Rani wasn't looking at the idol. She was staring directly at Rajani, her eyes softened by the flickering light of the oil lamp.
As they walked back out to the shoe rack, Rani leaned in close, her breath warm against Rajani's ear. "Aga bai, look at you," Rani whispered playfully. "Such a proper, *sanskari* Marathi girl. If my mother saw you right now, she’d fix our marriage on the spot."
Rajani nearly tripped over her own flats, her throat completely dry as she fumbled to tie her stole back on.
The Changing Room Variable
They arrived at a bustling fashion boutique on FC Road. Rani immediately went on a rampage through the racks, pulling out trendy short kurtis, high-waisted jeans, and fitted tops, piling them into Rajani’s reluctant arms.
"Go, try these on. I want a full fashion show," Rani ordered, pointing toward the trial rooms.
Rajani walked into the narrow, mirror-lined cubicle, her heart pounding. The logistical nightmare of changing in front of a giant mirror was bad enough, but she managed to slip into a fitted, dark emerald-green kurti that hugged her new curves perfectly.
She pushed the trial room curtain open to show Rani.
Rani, who was waiting right outside, gasped. Her eyes widened, tracking the silhouette of the outfit. "Oh my god, Rajjo. You look absolutely stunning. Wait, the fit at the waist is a little loose..."
Before Rajani could protest, Rani stepped right into the narrow trial room cubicle with her, pulling the curtain shut behind them.
The space was suffocatingly small. The scent of Rani’s perfume filled the tiny room. Rani stepped closer, her front almost completely flushed against Rajani’s as her hands reached around Rajani's waist to gather the fabric at the back to check the fit.
"See? If we alter it right here..." Rani murmured, her voice trailing off.
In the reflection of the mirror, their eyes met. Because of the close proximity, Rani’s hands shifted from the fabric, her fingers lightly brushing against the bare skin of Rajani's waist where the kurti had ridden up. The playful, confident look in Rani's eyes suddenly deepened into something intense, heavy, and undeniably real. The casual flirting instantly evaporated, replaced by a thick, heavy silence where the only sound was Rajani's shallow, nervous breathing.
Rani didn't step back. Instead, her gaze dropped to Rajani’s lips, and she took a slow, deliberate step closer, trapping Rajani completely between her body and the mirror.
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