The morning after the office party, Arjun walked into the office with a smile that he just couldn't shake. He felt like a teenager again, replaying every moment of the previous night. The way Jyoti had smiled shyly during their dance, the softness of her voice, and the sparkle in her eyes stayed with him. For the first time in a long while, he was looking forward to coming to work for reasons beyond his job.

As he reached his desk, he spotted her. Jyoti was already engrossed in her work, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration. Today, she looked radiant in a blue saree that seemed to enhance her natural glow. The soft fabric hugged her slender figure, draping over her body in a way that was modest yet undeniably elegant. The pleats were perfectly aligned, tucked neatly at her slim waist, and the pallu - wrapped carefully around her shoulder - was secured at her side waist to keep it in place. While her navel was covered, the saree shifted slightly as she moved in her chair, offering a teasing glimpse of her smooth side waist and the gentle curve that led to her navel.

Her navel, hidden beneath the fabric, was faintly visible through the delicate drape, its perfect shape hinted at by the slight indentation of the saree. The thought of it made Arjun's gaze linger for just a moment longer before he snapped himself out of it.

Her long, coffee-coloured hair was tied casually, though a few loose strands framed her delicate face, brushing her cheeks as she worked. She seemed completely unaware of how captivating she looked.

Arjun walked over, unable to resist. "Good morning, Jyo," he said warmly, pulling out the chair next to her.

She glanced up briefly, giving him a small smile. "Good morning, Arjun." Her voice carried a hint of stress, and her eyes returned to the screen almost immediately.

"You look. . . very focused," he said, his tone light but observant. "Everything okay?"

Jyoti sighed, rubbing her temple lightly. "Not really. This project deadline is tomorrow morning, and there's still so much left to do."

Arjun leaned in slightly, his tone gentle. "Why didn't you say something? Let me help."

She hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of her notebook. "You don't have to. You've probably got your own work to finish. . . . "

"Jyoti," he interrupted, his voice calm but firm, "I insist. You helped me when I joined, remember? Let me return the favour. Besides, teamwork is what we're here for, right?"

Her lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes still held some hesitation. "Alright," she said finally, "but don't say I didn't warn you. This is a lot of work."

"Challenge accepted," Arjun said with a playful grin as he rolled up his sleeves.

They worked side by side, diving into the details of the project. As the hours passed, Jyoti's initial shyness began to fade. Arjun made it easy to relax, peppering the conversation with light jokes and observations.

"You're really good at explaining things," Jyoti said at one point, watching him simplify a particularly complex report.

"Occupational hazard," Arjun replied with a shrug. "But honestly, this is nothing. You're doing most of the heavy lifting here."

She chuckled softly. "Flattery won't get you out of this, you know."

"Oh, who said I'm trying to get out of it?" he said, leaning closer with a smirk. "I think you just wanted an excuse to keep me here."

Jyoti's eyes widened slightly, and she looked away quickly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, don't flatter yourself, okay" she said, her voice soft but laced with mock indignation. "I can manage just fine without you."

"Oh, I'm sure you can," Arjun said, grinning. "But admit it - it's more fun with me around."

She shook her head, unable to hide the shy smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible," she muttered, biting back a laugh.

As midnight approached, they decided to take a short break. Grabbing cup noodles from the vending machine, they added hot water and sat on the office couch, the quiet hum of the building making the moment feel oddly intimate.

"So," Arjun began as they waited for the noodles to cook, "What does Jyoti like to do when she's not busy saving the office from deadlines?"

She smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't know about saving the office, but I do love classical music. I used to sing a lot earlier - it's something I've always enjoyed"

"Wow," Arjun said, genuinely impressed. "That's amazing. Do you still sing?"

"Sometimes," she admitted shyly. "But only when I'm alone. I get stage fright, even if it's just one person listening."

"That's hard to believe," he said, smiling. "You don't seem like someone who'd get nervous."

Jyoti laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh, you'd be surprised."

"What about you?" she asked, changing the subject. "What are your hobbies?"

"Well," Arjun began thoughtfully, "I play chess. I've been playing since I was a kid, actually. I even competed in tournaments for my school, college, and company."

Jyoti's eyes widened slightly. "Chess? That's impressive! It must take so much patience and focus."

"It does," he admitted with a small nod. "But I enjoy it. It keeps my mind sharp."

As he spoke, his gaze briefly flickered to her arm, where a delicate crown tattoo rested just above her wrist. The fine lines of the design stood out against her smooth skin, catching his attention.

"A crown, huh?" he remarked, tilting his head slightly. "That's an interesting choice."

Jyoti glanced down at her tattoo, absently tracing a finger over it. "Oh, this? I just liked the design," she said with a small smile. "Didn't think too much about it."

Arjun chuckled. "Well, intentional or not, it suits you."

She raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

He leaned back slightly, his lips curving into a teasing smirk. "You do have a bit of a queen-like presence."

Jyoti rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the amused smile playing on her lips. "You should focus on your chessboard strategies instead of making up compliments."

Arjun laughed. "Fair enough."

"And?" she asked, curious. "Apart from chess, what else?"

"And? I play cricket too," he added casually.

"Ah," she said, nodding knowingly. "That's where the good physique comes from."

The moment the words left her mouth, she froze, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. "I mean - "

Arjun's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "You noticed my physique, huh?"

"I didn't mean it like that!" she said quickly, her voice flustered.

"Relax, Jyoti," he teased, laughing softly. "I'm not complaining. But don't worry - I'll take that as a compliment."

She covered her face with her hands for a moment, groaning softly. "You're impossible," she muttered.

"And you're adorable when you're embarrassed," he replied, his tone warm and playful.

As they began eating their noodles, Jyoti paused mid-bite, tilting her head at Arjun. "There's ketchup on the side of your lips," she said softly, pointing.

Arjun touched the corner of his lips with his hand, missing the spot completely and smudging it further. "Here?" he asked, clueless.

Jyoti chuckled, shaking her head. "No, you're making it worse. Wait." She grabbed a tissue, leaning forward slightly to wipe it off. Her hand was gentle as she dabbed at his lips, her face close enough that he could see the delicate flush of her cheeks.

"There," she said, pulling back and avoiding his gaze. "You're good now."

"Thanks," Arjun said, his tone teasing. "You're really dedicated to your work, huh? Even cleaning me up."

"Someone has to keep you presentable," she replied, trying to sound casual, though her cheeks burned pink.

As they shared stories and playful banter, the hours seemed to melt away effortlessly. After finishing their noodles, Jyoti took their coffee cups to the sink to rinse them. As she leaned forward, the tucked portion of her pallu slipped loose, leaving her side waist vulnerable.

Arjun, standing nearby, couldn't help but notice. Her skin was flawless, smooth and creamy, with a soft curve leading to her navel. As the pallu swayed slightly, her navel became visible from the side, along with a tiny mole just above it, adding an almost artistic perfection.

For a moment, he was completely mesmerized.

Jyoti, sensing his gaze, glanced back and immediately noticed what had happened. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly adjusted her saree. "Arjun!" she said, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

He chuckled softly, trying to play it cool. "Sorry. . . but I couldn't help noticing. That mole is kind of cute."

"Shut up," she said, though her lips curved into a shy smile.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke, but both felt something shift - an unspoken connection, subtle yet undeniable, hanging in the air between them. It wasn't just the shared laughter or the teasing words; it was the way their eyes met and lingered, saying more than words ever could.

Their laughter and conversation made the night pass faster. By the time they reached the final stretch of their work, they were completely in sync. When the last task was done, Jyoti leaned back in her chair with a relieved sigh.

"We did it!" she said, her eyes lighting up.

Arjun grinned, holding up his hand for a high-five. "Teamwork at its finest."

She laughed, slapping her hand against his. "I can't believe we actually finished. It's almost. . .what, 2 am?"

They looked around and realized they were the only two left in the office. The silence was peaceful, the faint hum of the air conditioning the only sound around them.

"Just us," Arjun said softly, the realization making the moment feel even more special.

Jyoti smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Feels kind of surreal, doesn't it?"

"A little," he agreed. "But I wouldn't trade it."

As they prepared to leave, Arjun walked with her to the parking lot. "It's late," he said. "Let me drop you home."

"You really don't have to," she said hesitantly. "I can manage - "

"Jyoti," he said, cutting her off gently. "It's not safe this late. I'll feel better if I know you got home safely."

She finally relented, and they got into his car. The drive was quiet but comfortable, the city lights casting a soft glow through the windows. When they reached her apartment, Arjun parked and turned to her.

"Bye Jyo, goodnight!" he said, his voice warm.

Jyoti hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "I hate goodbyes," she said softly. "So. . .see you tomorrow."

Her words lingered in the air as she stepped out of the car. Arjun watched her walk into the building, her saree swaying gently with each step, the soft glow of the streetlights reflecting off her silhouette. There was a quiet elegance about her that he couldn't shake, and as she disappeared through the door, a strange sense of warmth filled him.

He leaned back against the seat, staring at the empty passenger side where she had been just moments ago. Her voice, her smile, even the faint floral scent that lingered in the car - everything about her seemed to linger with him.

Arjun's mind replayed her words. I hate goodbyes. There was something deeper in the way she had said it, almost as if she, too, had felt the pull of something neither of them was ready to say out loud.

As he drove away, the quiet hum of the car accompanied his thoughts. He realized he hadn't felt this kind of lightness in a long time - this excitement to look forward to something, or rather, someone. It wasn't just her beauty or her shy charm; it was the way she made him feel, like every little moment with her carried its own kind of magic.

By the time he reached home, her smile was still etched in his mind. He leaned back on the couch, his thoughts drifting back to the way she had laughed, the way her eyes had lit up when they talked about music and chess. See you tomorrow, she had said, and for the first time in years, tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

And somewhere in the quiet of the night, Arjun smiled to himself. Whatever this was between them, it was growing into something he couldn't ignore.