Page 115 of No Boss
He stood below, lamp in hand, gaze fixed on the passage behind them.
She came down two steps. Her hand found his wrist, her thumb resting against his pulse.
His thoughts returned at once. To her. To the warmth of her touch. To the fact that she had known, without being told, that this was what he needed at this moment.
He looked at her.
The lamp between them lit her face from below, beautiful, one that he could never get tired of looking at.
What moved through him then had no place in the calculated life he had built.
He wanted to be deserving of the way she looked at the things she loved. He wanted to be one of them. And he understood, without resistance, that it would require him to become more than he had ever needed to be.
Her hand moved from his wrist to his hand. She turned toward the staircase, keeping him with her. Lamp in one hand. His in the other.
He followed. Up and out of the dark.
They crossed through the hidden door into the alcove. The light struck him at once.
Abhinav blinked, adjusting, returning to the surface like a man pulled out of deep water.
He checked his watch. Looked again. His gaze moved to the window. The light had changed. Softer. Golden.
“It’s four o’clock.”
Meera placed her lamp back on the shelf. “Mm.”
“We went down at ten.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
She met his gaze with calm satisfaction, as if she had waited for this exact realization.
He checked his watch again. Six hours. It had felt like less than one.
“Scientifically,” he began.
“Yes?” Her tone remained pleasant.
He stopped. Closed his mouth.
She turned and walked down the corridor. He followed.
Her energy returned with each step. “If this Haveli is sold, the new owners will definitely send scientists down there. With equipment.”
Her hands began to move as she spoke.
“They’ll publish papers. Documentaries. Perhaps open it to visitors. Or turn it into a retreat. For very wealthy people who want to feel ancient for a weekend, but also require spa facilities.”
She tilted her head, considering.
“Five-star ancestral awakening experience. Eighty lacs minimum donation. Chakra alignment included.”
Abhinav looked at her. Trying very deliberately to not smile. “You’ve been waiting to say that.”
“Since Day One.” No trace of regret.
