"Is everything okay?" Charlotte's voice echoed from behind the door. Startled, both women quickly distanced themselves, smoothing out their clothes with swift gestures. After exchanging a final glance, Meena assured Charlotte, "Yes, Char, sorry about that. We're coming out now!" With that, they opened the door.
"Hey! We got a little carried away talking," Aoom chimed in. "Well, I'm heading back to my condo to read over some lines," she added, bidding farewell to both girls. Aoom and Meena were scheduled to return to the set the day after tomorrow. This marked Meena's first day back to work since the incident, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the upcoming shoot.
As Meena and Aoom exchanged goodbyes, Charlotte eyed Meena with a suspicious expression. Meena, sensing the scrutiny, simply shrugged, feigning innocence. Charlotte wasn't convinced.
"She didn't even finish the game," Charlotte observed, her suspicion evident in her tone. Meena, maintaining her nonchalant demeanor, replied, "Oh, you know how it is, Char. Time flies when you're catching up."
Charlotte, still not entirely satisfied, raised an eyebrow. "It's late already," Meena interjected, checking the time on her phone. "You should stay and get some rest." Meena's attempt to divert Charlotte's attention seemed to work, at least for the moment. Charlotte hesitated, then sighed, acknowledging the late hour.
"Alright, fine," Charlotte conceded, her suspicion still lingering. "But we're resuming this conversation soon." Meena, with a genuine smile, replied, "Absolutely, Char. Get a good night's sleep, and we'll pick up where we left off. Promise!" With that assurance, both girls decided to call it a night.
Charlotte opted to stay in the guest room, leaving Meena to retreat to her own room. As the door closed behind them, the lingering tension seemed to dissipate, at least for the moment. Meena, lying in bed, couldn't help but reflect on today's events.
Back at her condo, Aoom found herself restless. Alone in her living space, thoughts raced through her mind. "What would've happened if Charlotte hadn't interrupted?" Aoom pondered, replaying the moments in her mind. This was precisely why she wanted to distance herself in the first place, and now, unexpectedly, she found herself sinking deeper.
This internal struggle tugged at Aoom. The irony wasn't lost on her – the very thing she had been avoiding now beckoned, and she wanted it. What made it more intense was the raw truth that she desired it, and the interruption had been the only thing preventing her from taking that step.
She found herself at a loss, unsure of how she could meet the gaze of the other women. Their eyes had been full of desire and lust just moments ago, and the lingering intimacy left her feeling vulnerable. The memory of Meena's captivating look sent a palpable current through her core, awakening desires that she wasn't quite ready to confront.
"No, this is wrong, this is so wrong," she repeated to herself, desperately attempting to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. Instead, her thoughts drifted further, leading her to take a quick shower, hoping the cascade of water would wash away the lingering sensations.
Emerging from the shower, the water droplets glistening on her skin, Aoom retreated to the comfort of her bed. With her eyes closed, Aoom longed to sleep and get some rest, but her mind had other plans. However, her restless mind betrayed her, immediately conjuring tantalizing images of Meena's face, etched with a delicate balance of arousal and vulnerability, when she had her against the sink.
She crossed and squeezed her legs together under her sheets, Aoom couldn't help but feel a rush of arousal. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories of her and Meena's intimate moment. But it was like a vicious cycle - the more she tried to suppress her desires, the more they consumed her.
Her thoughts began wandering back to their encounter in Myanmar, the way Meena had touched her, the feeling of her mouth on her skin. Aoom could feel herself getting wetter by the second, her center throbbing with need. She longed for release, and she needed it now.
Unable to resist any longer, she wetted her fingers with her tongue and brought them to her left nipple. She rolled it between her index and middle finger, squeezing it just enough to send shivers down her spine. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she repeated the same action on her other nipple. This time, she squeezed harder, her body so sensitive that a silent scream escaped her mouth.
She couldn't help but imagine the feeling of Meena's warm tongue circling and sucking her nipple. Her hand instinctively reached for her breast, grasping it firmly as she continued to imagine Meena's touch. She was a mess, her wetness not only ruining her underwear, but also trickling down her thigh. But in this moment, she didn't care about anything else except her own pleasure.
She wasn't in a hurry, she wanted to savor this moment as much as possible. Her hand moved lower, already feeling the heat emanating from her center. Without removing her underwear, she traced a path from her opening to her clit with one finger, her body responding with a loud grunt as her opening twitched.
Rubbing her inner thigh, feeling the wetness that had soaked through, she teased herself. The anticipation was overwhelming as she slowly parted her legs, revealing her glistening core. Without hesitation, she plunged two fingers deep inside herself, not bothering with any foreplay. Her center was already so wet and ready for her touch that they slipped in effortlessly, leaving her gasping for air.
As she began to move her fingers in and out, the only sounds that could be heard in the room were her soft moans and the motion of her fingers in her wetness.
She couldn't help but moan louder as she felt her walls start to clench around her fingers. Her desire was growing stronger with each passing moment, "Not yet" she thought to herself. With a sudden burst of willpower, she took her fingers out, her opening throbbing with need.
But she wasn't done yet. Her body was on fire, begging for release. She couldn't resist the temptation any longer, and without hesitation, she brought her fingers to her mouth, closing her eyes and savoring her own flavor.
As she moaned in pleasure, Aoom couldn't help but wonder how Meena tasted like. Her mind was filled with images of Meena's soft lips and the way she would moan and writhe under her touch. Aoom's body responded to these thoughts, her legs squeezing together as she imagined herself teasing Meena until she was begging for release.
She reached down to her clit, her fingers tingling with anticipation as she started rubbing circles with her middle finger. This time, she didn't hold back. She let out a soft moan as she continued to rub herself, her thumb joining in on the action, while her other fingers penetrated her wetness.
Aoom's breaths came out in short gasps as she moved her fingers faster, her body arching off the bed in pleasure. She used her whole palm to rub herself, the friction driving her wild. She didn't care anymore, she needed this, she wanted this. With that thought in her mind, she felt her walls clenching again, the pleasure building up inside her until she couldn't take it anymore.
Her fingers moved faster, her body trembling as she pressed down harder on her clit. Letting out a whimpering moan, her breathless voice called out, "Meena." The name hung in the air before she surrendered to the overwhelming ecstasy that washed over her. Her entire being shuddered and quivered with pleasure, as if caught in an electric storm.
She laid there for two minutes without moving a muscle, suspended in a realm of complete tranquility. Finally, with a sharp intake of breath accompanied by a soft cry, she withdrew her fingers, the remnants of her blissful indulgence still lingering on her trembling flesh.
As exhaustion settled in, Aoom's senses were dulled by the combined effects of her horniness and the drinks she had consumed earlier that night. To regain composure, she hastened to the bathroom before her tiredness consumed her entirely. The coolness of the tiles against her feet provided some relief from the heat that had enveloped her body just moments ago.
She collapsed onto the mattress with the weight of a stone, surrendering herself to a deep and dreamless snooze. Time passed unnoticed until the intrusive buzzing of her alarm clock disrupted the peaceful silence, signaling the arrival of a new day, nearly 12:00 pm.
Looking at her phone, Aoom noticed a message from Meena: "Hey, hope you got home safely. I was thinking if you'd like to join me at the police station before today's event :)" Fuck Meena. She needed to face her, and even earlier than she anticipated, and it seemed like the other girl was carrying on as if everything was normal. Aoom made a decision to reciprocate the normalcy, even though she wasn't mentally prepared for it.
Despite her internal chaos, Aoom remained committed to her promise of supporting Meena through the entire process. Today was a crucial day as the detectives had made a breakthrough, prompting another interview with Meena. Aoom quickly confirmed her availability and, with determined resolve, rose to get ready for the day. As she stood up, her eyes fell on the messy bed from the previous night.
A pang of panic hit Aoom. "What I've done?" The realization of the events from the night before overwhelmed her. "It was wrong, very wrong," she muttered to herself, echoing the same words she had repeated in the quiet of her thoughts the night before. Swiftly, she stripped the bed and tossed the clothes into the washer, as if trying to erase any remnants and bury the uneasy feelings associated with it.
Putting aside her thoughts, Aoom shifted her focus to getting ready. Opting for a comfortable yet fashionable outfit, she grabbed a jacket, mindful of the typically cold atmosphere at the police station. Just as she was taking the jacket out of her closet, Meena texted again: "Here!" With a quick goodbye to Bombay, Aoom headed to the garage.
As Aoom settled into the car, she gave Meena a soft smile, and decided to shift the conversation beyond the case details. "I've been really worried about you. How are you holding up mentally through all of this?" she asked, her concern evident.
Meena, visibly appreciative of Aoom's sincerity, sighed and opened up, "Honestly, it's been tough. The uncertainty, the fear... it takes a toll. But I'm trying my best to stay focused on finding who did this."
Aoom nodded empathetically, "It's a lot to bear, Meena. And it's okay to acknowledge that. Have you found any strategies to cope with the stress?"
Meena looked thoughtful. "I started journaling. It helps me process everything, you know? Putting my thoughts on paper somehow makes it feel more manageable."
Aoom absorbed Meena's words, appreciating the vulnerability she was sharing. With a gentle determination, she reached for Meena's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Meena, feeling the comforting touch, turned to Aoom with a grateful smile. "Thank you for being here," she said, the sincerity of her words echoing through the confined space of the car.
Aoom returned the smile and replied, "Always."
At the police station, Aoom took a seat in the modest waiting area, patiently awaiting Meena's return from the room where the detective would interview her. Aoom's eyes lingered on Meena's figure as she walked away— the gentle curves of her soft features and the subtle contours of her side profile held a certain captivating pull. To Aoom, Meena seemed to embody an elegance and near-perfection that left a lasting impression, unlike anything she had encountered before.
Inside the interview room, a table occupied the center, strewn with numerous papers containing the culmination of lab results. These documents, laden with crucial information, held the revelations of specialized tests conducted the day Meena got sick. The detective, prepared with these findings, was poised to unravel the complexities to Meena, aiming to shed light on any connections that could bring them closer to understanding the case.
The detective oficially greeted Meena in acknowledgment. "Ms. Meena, thank you for your patience. I know this has been a challenging time for you," he began, offering a professional but empathetic demeanor.
Meena nodded, a mixture of anxiety and curiosity in her eyes. "I just want to get to the bottom of this," she admitted.
The detective sat down and began explaining the results. "We've been meticulously analyzing the lab results from the specialized tests, and there are some crucial findings."
He looked at the papers on the table, then back at Meena. "The poisoning, we believe, started approximately six months ago. This would explain the recurring health issues you've been facing during that period."
Meena's eyes widened as the detective continued, "Interestingly, there was a hiatus in the poisoning – a window of time where it seems your body fought against the toxins. It's a positive note; your body managed to resist to some extent."
"But," he continued with a grave tone, "the poisonings resumed, and this time, it was with double the dosage of mercury. That's a significant escalation."
Meena absorbed the information, her mind racing. "So, what's the breakthrough?" she asked, sensing there was more.
"The biggest breakthrough we have is that the mercury was laced in an herbal tea," The detective revealed. "This is a critical lead, and we're working tirelessly to identify the specifics of the tea. It could be the key to unraveling the motive and finding the person responsible."
"Herbal tea?" Meena raised an eyebrow, contemplating the revelation. "I'm not a huge fan of herbal teas, so I can actually count the times I've had them," she began, trying to recall her tea-drinking habits.
The detective leaned forward. "Can you remember where you've had herbal tea in the last six months?"
Meena thought for a moment, her mind retracing the steps of her recent past. "Well, I occasionally have tea with close friends," she explained, searching for a more specific answer. "The only people I've shared tea with are Charlotte, my mom, Aoom, Meen, Snack, Ice..." She listed the names, her tone becoming more thoughtful as she went through the close-knit circle of her inner circle.
"But it couldn't have been any of them; these are people that I trust with my life, Detective," Meena asserted, attempting to quell the rising worry within her. She leaned back, hoping to convey a sense of assurance, despite the disconcerting revelation.
Undeterred, the detective pressed on. "Weren't you with Aoom the night you almost died?" he asked, bypassing her comment. His questioning was direct, probing for crucial details.
Meena took a moment, revisiting the events of that fateful night. "Yes, I was with Aoom," she confirmed. "We did have tea that night; I had just gotten out of surgery and wasn't feeling to well."
"But, Detective, if there's someone that I would put my hand in the fire for, it's Aoom," Meena insisted, her voice carrying a tone of unwavering loyalty. She attempted to convey the depth of her trust in Aoom, emphasizing the enduring bond they shared.
However, the detective, focused on his line of questioning, seemed impervious to Meena's emotional declaration. He continued to delve into the details, asking further inquiries, determined to uncover any potential leads or connections.
"How often do you have tea with Aoom?" the detective inquired, his tone maintaining a professional detachment.
"As often as I have had it with the other people I mentioned," Meena responded, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Detective, that woman had multiple anxiety attacks at the thought of me dying, according to what my best friend and mother told me," she continued, her frustration giving way to a plea for understanding.
"Killers are premeditated, Meena," the detective began, his tone firm. "You could live with them your whole life and not notice anything. We have to consider all possibilities, no matter how close you may feel to someone."
Meena sighed, grappling with the stark reality of the situation. The air in the room became heavier as the detective's words lingered, emphasizing the severity of the investigation.
The questioning finally concluded, leaving Meena feeling drained and yearning for some semblance of normalcy. "All done, we can leave now," she announced with a smile, trying to inject a bit of positivity into the situation. Aoom, who had been absorbed in her phone in the waiting room, looked up, smiled back, and nodded.
As they stepped into the daylight, Meena shifted the conversation to a more mundane topic. "I'm famished. Any food cravings on your end?" she asked Aoom, hoping to shift the focus away from the intense questioning.
Aoom, suggested a downtown restaurant with cozy vibes and excellent pasta. Meena agreed, and they made their way there, the city's streets offering a temporary escape from the police station drama. As they savored their meals, Meena couldn't help but notice Aoom's inquisitive gaze. "So, what was the big breakthrough in there?" Aoom asked, curiosity evident in her eyes.
Meena hesitated, torn between revealing the unsettling truth about the herbal tea and shielding her friend from unnecessary worry. After a brief pause, "They traced the company that manufactured the mercury. It's a potential lead, but they're still working on identifying potential buyers or products where it could been used," she explained, opting to leave Aoom out of it.
Aoom nodded, seemingly satisfied with the information. "Tracing the manufacturer makes sense. Hopefully, that leads them to whoever is responsible," she commented, unaware of the fabricated details.
Meena managed a small smile, relieved that her improvised story seemed to alleviate Aoom's curiosity. "Exactly. Let's trust the process and hope for the best," she said, steering the conversation away from the more complex aspects of the case.
"So, I'm feeling like ordering some tea to settle the food down," Aoom began, her gaze shifting to Meena. "Do you want me to order you some?" she asked, a gesture of consideration after the intensity of the day.