Meena walked into Aoom's condo carrying takeout containers and a couple of milk teas. The sweet odor of the food floated through the air, infusing the room with a pleasant aroma.
"You brought the good stuff!" smiled Aoom. I was growing weary of cooking for myself."
"Oh really? Are you getting tired of instant noodles, Chef Aoom?" With a lighthearted eye roll, Aoom said, "Hey, sometimes all you need is a quick fix of noodles." I'm not able to prepare fine dining dinners every day as you do."
Meena chuckled, "Well, you deserve a break from your culinary skills, but if you ever need a break from the instant noodle life, you know where to find me. I'll teach you a thing or two about cooking."
They started eating once Meena opened one of the containers.
As they ate, Meena stated Charlotte, saying, "So, Char's going to crash at my place for a couple of days while they fix up her condo." She's bringing Phalo, and I have no idea how the cats will react."
"Ah, the classic cat dilemma," Aoom leaned back, a thoughtful smile on her face. Introducing new members to the feline realm can be difficult."
"Exactly," Meena said, nodding. I don't want them preparing a huge rebellion against a bunny's incursion."
Aoom's curiosity overcame her as they finished their meal. "Talking of Charlotte, how are everything doing between the two of you? Lately, you have been spending a lot of time together."
Meena grinned, understanding where Aoom was taking this. "Ah, the subtle questioning begins. Aoom, we're just close friends. There's no need to go all detective."
Aoom leaned back, pretending to be innocent. "Me? A detective? I'm just sincerely interested in your life. There will be no detective work here. "How could there possibly be?"
Meena cocked an eyebrow and said, "Oh, I don't know, maybe because you're Charlotte's best friend and you've known her longer than I have?"
"Fair point," chuckled Aoom. But, let's face it, Meena, you've spent a lot of time together recently. I'm just making sure my best friend is having the time of her life. I swear there are no ulterior intentions."
Meena's mind began to wander into a region of self-reflection as Aoom continued to speak. She couldn't ignore the developing sensations she had been feeling, impulses that seemed to be expanding beyond the borders of friendship. When she saw Aoom with someone else, she felt an itch of jealousy that she couldn't explain.
What is causing this reaction in me? Meena thought to herself. Isn't Aoom simply a friend?
She tried to reject the thought, blaming it on the stress of daily life and the complicated dynamics they agreed upon together.
Nonetheless, there was an obvious draw, an unsaid connection that seemed to grow stronger with each shared experience. Meena found herself pondering the possibility that her feelings for Aoom were more than platonic.
That is ludicrous. We're friends, and that's all there is to it, Meena comforted herself. But why do I have this weird flutter in my tummy whenever she's around?
Meena's internal monologue was cut short as Aoom's snapped her fingers in front of her face. "Earth to Meena!" For a brief period, you got caught in thought. "Is everything all right?"
Meena blinked, returning to reality. "I'm sorry about that. For a while, I was lost in my thoughts."
"Deep thoughts or daydreams about a secret admirer?" Aoom asked, smiling.
"Neither" Meena chuckled, "just the usual chaotic mess inside my head."
"Come on, spill the beans," Aoom teased her. I'm capable of keeping a secret. "Do you have an eye on someone?"
Meena shook her head, her cheeks flushing slightly. "There is no secret crush, Aoom. Simply managing the chaos that is life."
Aoom's eyes twinkled with malice. "You're blushing! "There's something you're not telling me."
Meena pretended to be innocent. "Aoom, you know too much about me. There's really nothing to say."
Aoom reclined back, her arms crossed. "Okay, Meena. I will keep your secrets protected. But don't think I won't get it out of you someday."
Aoom leaned back, her arms crossed, as she listened to Meena's confession. "All right, Meena. I will keep your secrets safe. But don't worry, I'll get it out of you someday."
Meena nervously chuckled, seeking to lighten the mood. "The Best of luck with that." A fortress of mystery and intrigue guards my secrets."
A wave of tension broke the laughter that had characterized their friendship as Meena leaned forward. Aoom gulped, uncertain of what was transpiring. Meena's proximity seemed to defy the boundaries of their usual chatter, and the air crackled with an unspoken tension.
Meena kept drawing closer to her, moving slow and deliberate. In the charged moment, Meena's lips lightly grazed Aoom's, the touch gentle and brief. It was a near-kiss that created a subtle tremor in the room, holding both in a suspended moment of quiet intensity.
Aoom's breath caught, a mix of longing and hesitation swirling within her. The tension between them buzzed, the air heavy with unspoken wants lingering in the space they shared.
Meena inched even closer, her lips almost brushing Aoom's ear as she whispered, "Do you remember that kiss we shared on stage two weeks ago?".
The words remained in the air after being spoken in a breathy tone, creating a tantalizing moment of anticipation.
Aoom mumbled an answer, her breath caught in her lungs, "Y-yeah, I remember." Her gulp was audible, as was her tension. Meena, just as aware as ever, picked up on Aoom's nervousness.
Meena inched closer to Aoom's ear, their lips brushing in the process. Her voice, hoarse and filled with a raw honesty, whispered, "I couldn't get it out of my head."
Aoom felt a frightened flutter, her heartbeat booming in her ears. She was at a loss for words, a gasp departing her lips as she contemplated her response. Meena groaned unconsciously in tandem, the tense tension hanging thick between them.
Their gazes were locked, and a quiet understanding passed between them. "But that's precisely we should talk about it," Meena said, her words dangling on the edge of substance.
"In my opinion," Meena said, her eyes gentle and sympathetic, "it was just something of the moment." We should leave it like way to avoid causing confusion in our friendship."
"Do you really believe it's just a fleeting moment, Meena?" Aoom, caught between curiosity and the desire for comfort, said. Or is there something more you're holding secret about?"
Meena, maintaining a reassuring gaze, responded, "Because there's nothing more, Aoom. I still see you the same way I have always seen you. There's no need to overcomplicate things."
Meena's gaze remained steady as she spoke again, "In the moments we share, my top priority has always been ensuring your comfort, your well-being. There's no reason for that to change. Our dynamic has always been centered around mutual care and understanding."
Aoom listened carefully, caught up in the honesty of Meena's words. The room seemed to hold its breath, with Meena's statements flowing through the silence.
"The glow that lights up your face when you smile is something I regard," Meena added. "Being there for you, creating our connection, is what makes our bond special." That is what I value the most."
"Our connection, Aoom" Meena whispered, "it's beyond words. It's like an unspoken magic, this understanding that doesn't need questioning. Why disrupt something so perfect?
Aoom's eyes were filled with gratitude, comprehension, and a faint awareness of something deeper. Meena's words resonated genuine, echoing the underlying affinity they both felt.
"Reflecting on this past year," Meena said, "you've become an integral part of my life, Aoom." The bond we share has developed into something profound, and I have no plans to change that.
"Okay, that got way too cheesy," Meena chuckled slyly, sliding off Aoom's lap. "I must be losing my touch."
Aoom, fascinated by the rawness of the moment, placed a gentle finger on Meena's lips, her expression a blend of tenderness and devotion. "Don't ruin the moment." Thank you very much, Meen."
Meena, confused and uncertain of the context, curved an eyebrow, "Thank you? "What for?"
Aoom's gaze lingered on Meena's eyes, a look of warmth in her eyes. She smiled and responded with, "For being you."