Shadows of Elegance [MeenBabe]

Chapter 20: Cellbound Souls

As the door slammed shut behind them, Aoom and Meena found themselves seated on opposite sides of the cell, their silence an unsettling contrast to the heated argument that had filled the officer's vehicle only moments before. The cold, humid atmosphere seemed to seep into their bones, cuddling them to the core as they snuggled in their respective corners.

The officer paused for awhile with his gaze fixed on Aoom and Meena before speaking. "I'll be leaving for the night," he stated, his tone serious. "Don't try anything stupid. There's no way out of here, and I will not hesitate to return if I hear any sort of disturbance.

With that, the officer turned and exited the cell, leaving Aoom and Meena alone in the dimly lit confines of their temporary prison. The sound of their footsteps faded into the distance, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by the occasional drip of water from the leaky ceiling.

Aoom shifted uncomfortably, the cold seeping into her bones despite her attempts to keep warm. She cast a sideways glance at Meena, but the other woman's eyes were fixed on the floor, her expression unreadable. Finally, Aoom spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are we going to do?" she asked, her tone filled with uncertainty.

Meena shook her head, her jaw clenched with frustration. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with resignation. "But we'll figure something out. We have to."

Aoom's frustration boiled over, and she couldn't help but let out a snarky comment. "Well, maybe if someone hadn't insisted on insulting the officer, we wouldn't be in this mess," she retorted, her voice laced with bitterness.

Meena's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing as she fixed Aoom with a piercing gaze. "Really, you're gonna start again? Here?" she shot back, her voice low and incredulous. "We're stuck in a jail cell, Aoom. This is not the time or place for your attitude."

Aoom's lips twisted into a cruel mock as she watched Meena's reaction, her eyes flashing with indifference. "You always think you can control everything, don't you, Meena?" she asked, her tone laced with cynicism. "Well, excellent luck with that."

Meena's jaw tightened, her patience wearing thin as she fought to keep her temper in check. With a sharp intake of breath, she closed the distance between them, her gaze burning with intensity as she met Aoom's challenging stare.

She resisted the urge to react impulsively, opting instead to draw nearer to Aoom, her eyes gleaming with a feisty challenge. "And what if I do?," she replied, her voice low and teasing, a hint of wickedness in her words. "But for now, let's focus on staying quiet and avoiding any more trouble."

Aoom's eyes narrowed, a mixture of defiance and intrigue flickering within them. She felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, "You think you can just shut me up like that?" she shot back, her defiance unwavering. "You're not calling the shots here, Meena."

Meena's lips curved into a faint smile, her fingers lingering against Aoom's lips as she leaned in even closer, their faces mere inches apart. "Maybe I can," she replied, her voice a raspy whisper that sent shivers down Aoom's spine. "And maybe that's exactly what you want."

Aoom's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest as she met Meena's intense gaze. There was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, a vulnerability she tried to conceal beneath her prideful demeanor. "And what would happen if it is?" she asked in low tone.

Meena's smile deepened, and a glint of mischief appeared in her eyes. "Then maybe you should just let me," she said softly, her breath warm against Aoom's skin. She gently but firmly removed her fingers from Aoom's lips, leaving her hand on her cheek as if challenging her to refuse.