The Weekend of Four Ch. 01

Rahul was still in his work formals when Mira walked out in the balcony holding two cups of chai.

"You've added elaichi again," Rahul complained after taking a sip.

"You complain every time and yet, finish every drop," Mira replied with a smirk.

This had become their evening routine for some years now. In their thirties, they loved sitting in the balcony to watch the sun cast its colours on the sky while they sipped on the chai. They had moved into this house when Rahul got transferred and had been living alone for years now. Sure, there were visitors every now and then, but for the most part, it was just the two of them in their own world.

However, that was about to change today.

Mira's niece Tanya was going to move in with them. When they heard she got admission in a college nearby, they readily offered for her to stay with them. Mira's sister was still a little doubtful of the arrangement. She didn't want to burden the couple. But Mira was adamant about it.

"It'd be nice to have a little youthful energy around the house, right?" she'd said.

Rahul agreed. And so, here they were waiting for the little one.

Just as Mira was carrying the empty cups to the kitchen, the bell rang.

*ting-tong*

Rahul opened the door to watch Tanya standing in the doorway, breathless and glowing from sweat. Tanya and her mom had spent a couple of summer vacations at their house. She was a fun child to have around. But now, watching her stand there in a messy ponytail, denim shorts, and an oversized tshirt knotted above the navel, Rahul knew, she was definitely not a child anymore.

"Tanya!" Mira exclaimed, coming to the door behind him.

Tanya instantly stumbled in her maasi's arms, hugging her tight. Mira laughed and tugged her niece inside, already fussing over her dry hair.

The apartment which had only heard the music of two so far was suddenly filled with a new laughter, a new rhythm which it had started to like.

***

And within a month, those old rhythms had already begun changing.

While it was fun having Tanya around, Mira was noticing how having someone live with them was affecting their way of living. The quiet liberties she once took with her personal space were now being limited. She loved emerging naked from the bathroom, allowing the water drops to trickle down her body while she went through her wardrobe. Now, she had to be careful to close the room's door before her bathing adventures begun.

One morning, Mira was just out of the bathroom, wrapped in a robe she didn't secure properly. As she bent down to pick out a dress from the bottom shelf of her wardrobe, the knot of the robe loosened. When she turned around, she was shocked to see Tanya standing at the door.

"Maasi!" Tanya laughed, eyes widening slightly as a little blush creept on her cheeks, "Um... maybe you should double knot the robe next time."

Mira blinked, looked down at the robe, and hurriedly pulled in close. Mira was sure she had closed their bedroom's door before going into the bath. Maybe Rahul had come in for something and left it open unknowingly. None of it mattered though. Here she was, front open, boobs on display, standing before her niece. However, watching Tanya laugh it out and not allowing the situation to get awkward settled her nerves.

"You're the one invading my privacy kiddo," she said in a mock scold, flipping her wet hair over her shoulders.

Tanya grinned even more, "In that case, consider me a wildlife photographer," she made an action of clicking a photo with her fingers, "Rare species spotted in robes."

They both burst into laughter before Tanya went away, giving Mira her privacy back.

***

It was the same with Rahul. Earlier, he would playfully swat Mira on her bums when they cooked. Some nights, he would pull her on his lap while watching a movie. Now, he too moved around the house with greater calculation.

On weekends, they continued to follow dinner with movie nights. Rahul usually sat in his corner of the sofa with Mira curled beside him. Tanya would be sprawled either on the ground or on the chair. Sometimes they shared popcorn, sometimes icecream. Rahul was afraid the room would get awkward when bold scenes played in the movie, but nothing of that sort happened. No one changed the channel, no one made a joke about it. They would continue watching the movie. That relaxed him a bit.

However, there were little moments that did test him.

Sometimes, Tanya's bare legs would hang out the chair, too close to Rahul's thigh to be accidental. Sometimes, while she was sitting on the ground, her tshirt would rise, giving them both a view of her back. Or sometimes, she would lean over him to grab a handful of popcorn. He didn't know if she did it knowingly or not, but being the gentleman, he would always pull his leg back or avert his eyes.

Yes, it was nothing overt. No lines crossed. No words spoken out of place. But they both felt the change, and maybe even acknowledged the thrill of it.

The girl who once ran around this house in frocks and pigtails was now a woman effortlessly joking about her maasi's almost nudity and unknowingly flirting with her uncle.

And even though they didn't say it out aloud, they were loving the change.

***

After another weekend movie night, Rahul and Mira retreated to their bedroom. Mira stood by the dresser, unbuttoning her gown while watching her own reflection in the mirror. Behind her, Rahul prepared the bed, getting ready for the night.

"You still undress like someone's watching," he murmured looking at her.

"Well, I like being watched," she said meeting his gaze in the mirror.

"By me?" he asked with a smile on his lips.

"Always," she replied.

He moved towards her slowly. Sliding his hand gently around her waist, he pulled her against him. She instantly relaxed into the familiar comfort of his body, head tilting against his shoulder.

They stood still for a moment, watching themselves in the mirror.

When Rahul's hand found the edge of her dress, his thumb slid in to savour her softness. She could feel his breath on her neck. Mira titled her head back, giving him space to kiss the curve of her neck. When his lips touched just below her ears, she shivered in his embrace.

"You're beautiful like this," he whispered.

"Like what?"

"Like this, naked, and in my arms," he said turning her to face him.

Slowly, he removed her dress, watching the bare skin glow. Rahul's breath caught, like it always did. They kissed again, slow and soft. Her hand reached under his tshirt to slide it over his head. His skin was warm and familiar. They must have mapped each other a thousand times since they had been dating.

Yet tonight felt a little charged.

He pushed her gently, laying her onto the bed. Sliding on top, his lips traced every inch of her skin. There was no rush, no performance. Only breath and skin.

Her legs wrapped around his neck as he kissed down her stomach. When his mouth found her clit, she gasped softly, her fingers tangling in his hair. His tongue was flicking across her clit now, lips sliding down occasionally to trace the full length of her pussy. And her body was reacting like it always had. Arching her back, she had fully surrendered to his lips.

When he finally came up to kiss her again, she pulled him close, holding him there for a while. As their lips parted, she slowly guided him into her. A sigh left her mouth when he entered. They moved together in a slow effortless rhythm practiced over the years.

"Oh Rahul...," she moaned him name as his fingers locked in hers. When she came, her body trembled with love. He followed moments later. Sharing another kiss, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, both breathless and full.

They lay still for a while after that.

Eventually, Mira whispered, "Thank you."

Rahul lifted his head, "For what?"

"For letting me feel wanted... as I am. Even now, especially now."

A tear trickled down her eyes as she spoke. Rahul leaned in to kiss her cheek before answering, "You know my attention will always be on you."

Mira's smile pressed softly into his shoulder. She shifted, propping herself on one elbow to meet his gaze in the dark.

"You know, I sometimes miss the freedom we used to have..."

***

The digital clock in the hall blinked 12:37 AM when Tanya stepped out of her room. She walked rushed towards the kitchen for water but froze halfway.

A sound from Mira and Rahul's bedroom caught her attention. It was barely audible at first, but unmistakable later. A sharp inhale, a quiet giggle, a rhythmic rustling followed by a gasp, soft and wet.

She knew she should have returned to her room, but curiosity killed the cat. Tanya took one more step to pause right outside their bedroom door. Just when all seemed quiet, she heard Mira's voice coming out in a hushed tone.

"You know, I sometimes miss the freedom we used to have, no calculating every move around the house, no second-guessing every sound from the hall."

Tanya stiffened instinctively. This was definitely one of those private conversations she wasn't meant to hear. And yet, her legs refused to move.

"So, what are you suggesting, my love?" Rahul's voice was a slightly amused, "Should we exile the niece?"

There was a soft laugh from Mira.

"Well, not exile of course," she replied, "but maybe there can be a small relocation. Who knows, maybe a sleepover at a friend for the next weekend."

A slight grin tugged at the corner of her mouth as Tanya realized what was being discussed.

"We could reclaim the house you know, the sofa... the balcony. Just you and me, and an uninterrupted night." Mira's sultry murmur stretched behind the door.

Tanya felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Not from the embarrassment, but from the thrill of the knowledge she now bore. So that's what they wanted -- a Tanya-free zone.

"God, imagine if she walked in on us right now," she heard Mira's voice again.

Rahul's carefree laugh followed out, "Haha, maybe we'd pretend we're doing yoga. Hot married yoga!"

There was a rustle of sheets followed by another giggle, freer than what Tanya had heard Mira laugh all month.

"She's already a teaser," Mira said, "Let's not give her more fuel."

"Oh, I don't know...," Rahul again, "I think she's been eyeing your legs for a while now."

Tanya's breath caught. She blinked as she realized that they had actually noticed her. That pause in Rahul uncle's gaze when she leaned over the table. Or that extra glance Mira maasi gave when her arms brushed accidentally. None of that was imagined.

Hearing them, Tanya knew there was no shame in their tone, just playfulness.

As she backed away, a little intrigue crept in, making her heart thud louder than usual.

Back in her room, Tanya's mind hummed with an excitement. She had been intentionally teasing all along -- sliding the hem of her shirt, holding Rahul's gaze a second too long, exchanging cheeky grins with Mira. But now, she realized she wasn't playing alone.

"Hot married yoga, huh?" she murmured to herself, "This will be interesting..."