The soft morning light filtering through the partially drawn curtains painted delicate stripes across the rumpled sheets of Veer's bed. A gentle stillness filled the room, broken only by the quiet rhythm of a girl's breathing. Her dark hair was a tangled halo around her face, one arm flung carelessly over the pillow, the other resting near Veer's side of the empty mattress.
Veer entered the room carrying a small tray laden with a steaming cup of tea, a plate of freshly cut fruit, and a couple of still-warm croissants. A soft smile played on his lips as he gazed at the sleeping figure. Last night had been… enjoyable. Naomi, sleeping naked peacefully under the warm blanket, her previous cheekiness shed like a forgotten garment, had revealed a warmth and vulnerability that had both intrigued and touched him.
He placed the tray carefully on the bedside table, the clinking of the china barely audible. Kneeling beside the bed, he gently brushed a stray strand of hair away from her forehead. Her skin was soft beneath his fingertips.
"Naomi," he murmured, his voice a low, husky caress. "Wake up, sleepyhead. I brought you breakfast."
Her eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened, revealing eyes still hazy with sleep. A soft smile bloomed on her face as she focused on Veer's familiar, yet subtly different, features.
"Veer?" she whispered, her voice still thick with sleep.
"Good morning," he replied, his smile widening. He picked up the cup of tea and held it gently towards her lips. "I thought you might like something warm."
She took a small sip, her eyes still half-closed, a contented sigh escaping her. "Mmm, that smells wonderful."
Veer chuckled softly. He placed the teacup back on the tray and then offered her a slice of mango. "And something sweet to start your day."
Naomi propped herself up on her elbows, her gaze lingering on Veer's face. There was a softness in her eyes, a vulnerability that hinted at the emotional connection they had forged the night before.
"You do this for every woman you bring to your bedroom?" she said cheekily, a smirk on her face, her fingers tracing the back of his hand.
"You are the first one to enter my bedroom." Veer replied, his voice sincere. He gently tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "So that automatically makes you my first." He chuckled at her raised eyebrows.
'At least in this life.' he thought, his playful demeanor from the previous night had been replaced by a genuine tenderness.
"Seriously? I can't believe you for a second. Yesterday was my first too, but there was a clear disparity in our experiences. I was near exhaustion from just foreplay. That is definitely not a sign for a first timer." she replied with a cute pout.
"Well… what can I say? I am a natural, I guess."
She smacked him playfully, seeing his antics.
"Come on! Go brush your teeth before eating anything. I have some unused toothbrushes. You can use one of them." he said to her gently.
She stared at his handsome face for a few moments before stretching her hands upward towards him, "pick me up!" she said in a baby-like voice. Veer just chuckled at her actions but picked her without any hesitation. She immediately put her hands behind his neck and crossed her legs behind his back, like a koala. Veer simply put his hands on her soft naked butt to stabilise her while also massaging her. She kissed him on his lips, which Veer reciprocated with equal enthusiasm and took her to the bathroom without breaking the kiss.
******
After getting changed, both booked a cab. Veer for the Otters Club and Naomi for her own destination. While in the car, they chatted more about their personal lives.
"Are you going to the USA tonight itself?" Veer asked again after hearing from Naomi, just to clarify. "You are not from here?"
"Not originally," Naomi replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "My dad's from West Bengal, but he moved to the US ages ago. My mom's Japanese. They both live in Boston now."
"Boston, huh? Quite a world away from 'The Ghetto' last night," Veer quipped.
"Tell me about it," Naomi laughed. "I was just here visiting my uncle for a cousin's wedding. Needed a little… escape from all the wedding chaos."
A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment.
"MIT, right?" Veer said, recalling her mention of her studies. "MBA, if I remember correctly?"
Naomi nodded. "That's me. Back to the books and the brutal Boston winters tonight." She sighed dramatically. "Though, I have to admit, a part of me wishes I could stay and explore more of this… chaotic charm of Mumbai." Her gaze met Veer's, a hint of wistfulness in her eyes.
"Enough about me. Tell me more about yourself. Something about being a swimming instructor." Naomi asked, after their moment passed like a breeze.
"First day at the new gig," Veer explained, a touch of playful pride in his tone. "Swimming instructor cum lifeguard at the Otters Club."
"Otters Club! Wow, that's quite fancy," Naomi commented, her eyebrows raised. "How did you manage that?"
Veer simply shrugged, a roguish grin spreading across his face. "Let's just say I have my ways."
Like that, they continued their chatting getting to know more about each other. It didn't take long for the taxi to reach Veer's destination, the Otters Club. Both got out of the taxi.
"Well… I guess this is where we part ways." said Naomi playfully after a few moments, glancing towards the club, trying to hide her sadness.
"Getting emotional already? Never knew you were the emotional type of a girl." replied Veer cheekily, trying to lighten the moment.
"It's not like we can't meet in the future, right?" said Veer in a hopeful tone.
"I don't know whether I'll ever come back to Bombay, forget about meeting you." said Naomi, looking straight into the eyes of Veer.
Veer reached out and gently took her hand. "Mumbai will be here. And who knows what the future holds?" His voice was soft, devoid of his usual playful edge.
A genuine smile touched Naomi's lips. "True. Maybe our paths will cross again, Veer."
"I have a feeling they might," he replied, squeezing her hand gently. "Now, I really should get going. Wouldn't want to be late for my first day of saving lives and teaching the butterfly stroke to the city's elite." He looked towards the entrance of the club, his usual charm returning. "You should also go. No need to delay your arrangement for someone as lowly as me."
Naomi watched him go, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Thanks, Veer," she said softly as he reached the door. "For everything."
"The pleasure was all mine, my lady." he replied, turning back with a final, warm but roguish smile before heading out, ready to embrace his new, albeit temporary, role in the vibrant tapestry of Mumbai.
Naomi watched him go before she too sat inside the taxi, a lingering warmth in her chest as she finally sat alone, smelling the still lingering scent of Veer which brought back the memories of the past night like a sweet echo in the morning air.