ËË hushed nights and lingering touches 'ËË
â·
Later that night, after dinner and Dhruv's relentless commentary on Mahika's unfortunate lack of board game skills, the house finally settles into quiet. Mahika's mother retired to bed early, leaving them to their own devices, and even Dhruv, after much exaggerated yawning and stretching, had claimed the guest room for himself.
By the time they're back in Mahika's room, the only sound around is the rhythmic patter of rain against the window.
A dim glow from the bedside lamp softens the space, making it feel smaller. Cozier.
As if the world outside doesn't exist for a while.
Amoli is sitting cross-legged on the bed, wearing a borrowed oversized hoodie of Mahika's, the sleeves slightly too long on her arms. She looks... comfortable, yet still a little restless, her fingers playing idly with the hem.
Mahika watches her from where she's sitting with her legs tucked under her on the bed, heart beating slow and steady, like she knows something is shifting but hasn't quite placed it yet.
"You sure you're okay staying?" she asks, voice quiet.
Amoli hums in affirmation, glancing at her. "That was..." she starts, running a hand through her hair. "A lot less terrifying than I thought it'd be."
Mahika snorts. "You were literally vibrating with fear at the door."
Amoli groans, flopping onto the bed dramatically. "I was not."
"You were this close to bolting." Mahika pinches her index finger and thumb together with barely any space between them.
"I was processing, okay?" Amoli argues, turning onto her side to face Mahika with her lips jutted out in an exaggerated pout. "I don't usually meet parents."
Mahika raises a brow. "I was wondering if you'd ever met a friend's mom before. You looked like you were walking into a job interview."
"Honestly? It felt like one," Amoli mutters, then shakes her head, exhaling. "But... your mom's really nice." Her voice softens at that, thoughtful. "I don't know why I was so scared."
Mahika watches the way Amoli's fingers toy with the edge of the blanket absentmindedly. "I get it, though. It's not just about meeting her. It's about... what it means, yeah?"
Amoli meets her gaze, something flickering in her expression. "Yeah."
Mahika shifts closer, nudging their knees together. "So? Would you say it went well?"
Amoli hums, lips curving slightly. "I think so. I mean, she didn't glare at me disapprovingly, so I'll take it as a win."
Mahika rolls her eyes. "She liked you."
Amoli lifts a hand, rubbing at the back of her neck. "It was... nice. Being welcomed like that."
There's something about the way she says it that tugs at Mahika's chest. Like it's unfamiliar to her. Like she doesn't quite know what to do with it.
Mahika hesitates for a second before reaching out, taking Amoli's hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. "You're always welcome here, you know?"
Amoli looks down at their hands, then back up, something warm and unbearably fond in her gaze.
"Yeah," she murmurs, giving Mahika's fingers a small squeeze. "I know. Thank you, Mahi."
For a moment, it's just that; the two of them, fingers intertwined, listening to the rain.
Then Amoli shifts slightly, her thumb brushing over Mahika's knuckles. It's such a tiny, absentminded thing, but it sends a ripple of warmth through Mahika, settling somewhere deep in her ribs.
Amoli exhales a soft, content sigh, tilting her head against Mahika's shoulder. "I feel like I can finally breathe."
Mahika smiles, leaning her cheek against the top of Amoli's head. "Good."
She doesn't know who moves first, but suddenly, Amoli is looking at her again, her face close, eyes lingering on Mahika's mouth.
Mahika's pulse stutters.
The shift is subtle. So, so subtle...but Mahika feels it like a spark catching fire. The space between them shrinking, the way Amoli's breath fans warm against her skin, the way her gaze flickers, uncertain but wanting.
Mahika's breath catches as Amoli lifts a hand, tentative, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Her fingers linger against Mahika's cheek, warm and featherlight.
"You're staring," Amoli murmurs, a hint of amusement in her voice, but her thumb traces absently along Mahika's jaw, and the softness of it makes Mahika's head spin.
"Maybe," Mahika admits, voice barely above a whisper.
Amoli's eyes flicker to her lips for just a second, and that's all it takes.
Mahika closes the distance before she can think twice.
The kiss is slow, deliberateâlike they have all the time in the world. Amoli lets out the softest sigh against her lips, and Mahika deepens the kiss, her fingers sliding into Amoli's hair, anchoring her there.
The rain is relentless outside, but here, in the quiet hush of Mahika's bedroom, all she can hear is the sound of their breathing, the rustle of fabric, the faintest hum of Amoli's sigh as she leans in closer, pressing against Mahika's body like she never wants to pull away.
The world shrinks to just this; just the warmth of Amoli's breath against her skin, just the slow, searching press of their mouths together, just the way Amoli's fingers tremble slightly where they rest against Mahika's jaw.
Mahika tilts her head, deepening the kiss, and Amoli exhales into it, her hand sliding down from Mahika's face to her shoulder, curling into the fabric of her shirt like she needs something to hold onto.
The rain is a steady hum outside, muffled by the walls of the house, but Mahika can hear everything else with startling clarity: the soft rustle of blankets as they shift, the quiet hitch of Amoli's breath when Mahika's fingers slip beneath the hem of her hoodie, just barely grazing warm skin.
She doesn't rush it. She lets herself linger, reveling in the feeling of Amoli pressed against her, of the slow, lazy exploration of her mouth.
Amoli is the one who deepens it first, shifting onto her knees, pressing closer until Mahika has no choice but to sink back into the pillows. Her hand skims up Mahika's arm, fingers dancing lightly over the inside of her wrist, tracing the veins there, before threading their fingers together.
Mahika's breath stutters when Amoli pulls back just enough to look at her, her lips swollen and parted, her eyes darker than before.
"Hi," Mahika whispers, her voice slightly unsteady, like she's almost surprised at herself.
Amoli lets out a soft laugh, breathless. "Hi."
She lifts her free hand, brushing her knuckles along Amoli's cheek, feeling the warmth there, the way her skin feels feverish to the touch.
For a moment, they just stay like that. Amoli hovering over her, their fingers tangled together, breathing in the same air.
Then, slowly, Amoli dips her head again, pressing a kiss to the corner of Mahika's mouth, then another, softer this time, lingering as if memorizing the shape of her.
Mahika feels the weight of it settle deep in her bones, in her stomach, in the space between her ribs where something fragile and wanting curls up tight.
When Amoli moves again, Mahika lets her. Lets her press tiny, wandering kisses along her jaw, down the column of her throat, slow and deliberate, like she's trying to map every inch of her skin.
Mahika's fingers find their way to Amoli's waist, slipping beneath the fabric of the hoodie, pressing against bare skin. Amoli shivers at the contact, her breath catching against Mahika's neck, and Mahika smiles.
"Ticklish?" she murmurs.
Amoli huffs out a soft laugh, nudging her nose against Mahika's jaw. "A little."
Mahika moves her hand deliberately, just to test, and Amoli squirms, pressing her face into Mahika's shoulder with a muffled sound of protest.
Mahika grins, but before she can say anything, Amoli lifts her head and kisses her again, effectively silencing whatever teasing remark she was about to make.
It's slower this time, sweeter somehow, but no less consuming.
Mahika sighs into it, her fingers flexing against Amoli's waist, pulling her closer.
The rain outside is endless, but here, in the cocoon of warm sheets and shared breath, Mahika thinks she could stay like this forever.
Mahika's breath hitches when Amoli shifts, pressing more of her weight against her. The warmth of her, the solidness of her body pressed so close.
It makes Mahika's head spin.
Amoli's fingers tighten where they're still tangled with hers, and she kisses her again, slower this time, lingering, like she's savoring it. Mahika tilts her head, deepening it, her free hand sliding up Amoli's spine, feeling the way she shivers under her touch.
Mahika wants to touch her everywhere.
She tugs lightly at the hem of the hoodie, fingertips slipping just beneath it again, exploring the smooth skin underneath. Amoli exhales against her lips, a quiet, content sound, and then she's pulling back just enough to sit up, her legs bracketing Mahika's hips.
She watches Mahika for a second, her breathing uneven, eyes dark and unreadable in the dim light. Then, without breaking eye contact, she reaches for the hem of the hoodie and pulls it over her head in one slow, fluid motion.
Mahika barely has time to process the sight of herâher skin warm and golden in the low light, the way the fabric of her camisole clings to her shapeâbefore Amoli is leaning back down, kissing her again, pressing close, their bodies fitting together like they were always meant to.
Mahika lets out a quiet sigh, her hands sliding up Amoli's sides, feeling the way her muscles tense beneath her touch. She moves deliberately, tracing slow, featherlight lines up her spine, along the curve of her ribs, memorizing the shape of her.
Amoli makes a sound. Soft. Almost surprised, before deepening the kiss, her fingers threading into Mahika's hair, tugging just slightly. The sensation sends a rush of warmth pooling in Mahika's stomach, her body reacting before her mind can catch up.
She needs her.
Desperately.
She shifts, rolling them over so that Amoli is beneath her now, her hair fanning out against the pillows, her lips parted in surprise. Mahika leans down, pressing a kiss just below her jaw, then another, slower, along the column of her throat.
Amoli exhales sharply, arching just slightly, her hands resting against Mahika's waist, thumbs brushing beneath the hem of her shirt. The touch is light but scorching, and Mahika feels herself trembling, overwhelmed by it.
She wants to take her time.
She wants to explore every inch of her.
She drags her lips lower, along the slope of Amoli's shoulder, feeling the way her breath catches, the way her fingers tighten against her hips. Mahika smiles against her skin, pressing a lingering kiss to the delicate space between her collarbones, then lower, down the center of her chest, where she can feel the steady rhythm of Amoli's heartbeat.
"Mahi..." Amoli breathes, her voice barely above a whisper, but there's something about the way she says her name that makes Mahika's own heart stutter.
She lifts her head, meeting Amoli's gaze, searching.
Amoli's eyes are wide, her lips still kiss-bruised, her cheeks flushed a soft, pretty pink. She looksâ
Mahika swallows.
"You okay?" she murmurs.
Amoli nods, but then she hesitates.
Mahika watches her carefully, her thumb brushing slow circles against her hip, patient.
Amoli exhales, tilting her head back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling for a second before meeting Mahika's eyes again. "I... I want this," she says, voice steady but quiet. "Butâ"
Mahika's heart clenches at the hesitation in her voice, and she immediately leans down, pressing a soft kiss to Amoli's temple. "We don't have to rush, baby," she whispers. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for."
Amoli lets out a breath, relaxing just slightly beneath her.
"I want you," she admits, her hands sliding up Mahika's back, nails barely scraping against her skin through the fabric of her shirt. "I justâ" She bites her lip. "It's new. And I don't want to get it wrong."
Mahika's heart aches, and she lifts a hand, cradling Amoli's face gently.
"You won't," she promises. "There's no wrong way to want someone."
Amoli exhales, closing her eyes for a second before nodding.
Mahika kisses her again, slow and reassuring, and when she pulls back, she brushes a strand of hair behind Amoli's ear, smiling.
"We can take our time."
Amoli nods, but then she hesitates again. "Iâ" She swallows. "I don't want to stop, but I think..." She exhales. "I think I want to just... just stay here. Like this."
Mahika's chest tightens, something unbearably fond curling up inside her.
She tilts forward, brushing their noses together, voice barely above a whisper. "Okay. Then we stay."
Amoli exhales, her entire body relaxing beneath her, and when Mahika kisses her again, it's slow and lingering.
It's a promise rather than an escalation.
They settle into each other, limbs tangled, warmth shared, the weight of the moment still humming between them but without the urgency from before.
Mahika strokes a hand up Amoli's side, feeling the soft rise and fall of her breathing, the steady thrum of her heartbeat against her own. Amoli sighs into her shoulder, pressing closer, like she wants to be impossibly nearer, so Mahika holds her there.
The rain outside is steady, a quiet rhythm against the window, and Mahika thinks she could stay like this forever; wrapped in the quiet, in the warmth of Amoli's body against hers, in the way they fit so easily together.
She feels Amoli shift, pressing a soft kiss just above her collarbone before murmuring, voice thick with something tender, "I like this."
Mahika smiles, running her fingers through Amoli's hair. "Me too."
And when they eventually drift to sleep, tangled together beneath the hush of the rain, Mahika knows:
This is enough.
For now, this is everything.
â·
a/n
hi :))))))))