Chapter 62: chapter 62

GOWRII rinse the rice that is soaked in the water. After a few more times of rinsing and washing it, I put it in the pressure cooker and add water according to the rice ratio. Putting the gasket inside the lid, I close the cooker and place it on the stove. I put the pressure regulator on the cooker and grab the lighter. I light the stove as I hear the footsteps of Shiva inside the kitchen. “Do I look like a CEO of a company?” Shiva asks. I turn around to take a look at him. OH MY GOD!Before I could stop myself, I start laughing. I didn't mean to but seeing him in a suit for the first time, well I had some expectations but none of it was this funny.He groans, “You ruined my last bit of confidence.”“I am sorry, I didn't mean to laugh but you do look like a CEO who is drunk.”“Hell! I know it is the tie that gives that look, right?”I nod. He is dressed in a black suit. He has not yet done his hair. So, it falls in a mess on his forehead. His collar button is undone and he has worn his tie wrongly. “I had this question on my mind for a long time, can I ask you?”“Ask,” he says yanking his tie.“Why do you wear a button-down shirt for work? Aren't businessmen and CEOs supposed to wear coat suits?”He sighs, “I hate wearing a suit because a coat suit is too suffocating in Chennai's temperature.”“But why are you wearing this today?”“Because the person I am going to meet today is a pro in this industry. I don't want to be dressed inappropriately for the meeting. But this tie is creating problems,” he says raking a hand through his hair.“Can I help you?” I ask.“Do you know to tie a tie?” he asks a little amused.“Yes, my school uniform consisted of a tie and I know very well,” I say grinning at him.“Okay,” he says giving me the tie.“Stand still,” I say. He nods and stands in an attention position. I go near him and instantly my brain notices things that I shouldn't notice. He smells amazing. His cologne is becoming my favourite smell in the world. Trying not to let my eyes wander above his neck, I focus on doing my job. His collar button is undone. I hesitate.“Love, do what you want. Please make sure I look like a CEO. I am all yours for the next two minutes. ”My heart skips a beat and my cheeks turn warm. He should stop saying things like this. I button his collar button and he murmurs, “I hate collar buttons but not today.”GOD! Is he flirting with me?I shut out all the thoughts that threaten to come and focus. I put the tie around his neck so that the long side comes over his right shoulder and the short side on the left shoulder. I cross both ends and after a few more technical twists and turns and inserting and pulling, I finally tie a full  Windsor knot. I mentally thank my school P.T master for this skill.“And done,” I say moving back a little to take a look at my work. I am proud to report that my tie-tying skills are still alive. He looks like a CEO but his hair is a mess after he ran a hand through it.I close the distance between us again and go on my tiptoes. I use my hand as a comb to tame his wild hair. His hair is soft and I feel his breath hitch when I brush away the hair falling on his forehead.I go down and stand on my feet to take a look at him and GOD! Now it is my breath that hitch. Because holy heavens! He is freaking attractive in the suit.“You look like a...,” I trail off as my gaze meets his. I will myself to look away from his penetrating look but I find myself wanting to bask in the Carbon black of his eyes. How can he have this effect on me? He eyes me with an intense look and I find it hard to breathe. The very little distance between us is not helping my mind and before I could stop myself, my eyes travel down his nose to his lips. I flush red as the memory of the kiss slaps me hard in the face. I have tucked it away in the corner of my mind but now it is occupying the whole of my brain space. I should move back and put some distance between us but my legs don't move. Why Does My Neural Coordination Stop Working When It Come To Shiva?I peel my gaze away from his lips and steal a look at his eyes that are heated. We hold each other's gaze and stay silent. This is the chance. Lean forward and press your lips to him, says the devil in me.Don't do something stupid like that Gowri. You are a sensible woman, says the angel in me.Just like that the two sides of me start arguing and I find myself standing still torn between leaning forward and moving back. Shiva stands frozen like me. I am not sure what is going on in his head but his eyes turn darker and a smile curves on his lips.Oh, God! Don't you dare think about his lips! Remember, Distance!But nope. My sensible part's warnings go unheeded as I still stand rooted to the spot.Shiva's eyes ask some questions and though I don't understand what it is, my eyes reply yes. I close my eyes and let myself cherish this moment.A very loud hissing sound snaps us both to reality. We both move back putting a good distance between us at the same time. I feel myself turning the shade of tomato. I refuse to meet his eyes as I turn to the cooker.Thank You Dear Cooker!“Thank you, Love,” I hear Shiva say in an uncertain voice.“No big deal. The rice will be ready in a few minutes. I will pack your lunch soon. All the very best,” I say still facing away from him.“Thank you again,” he says and I hear his footsteps fade as he leaves the kitchen.I can't trust myself when I am with Shiva. What just happened now was scary. I was on the verge of losing control. Another hissing sound pushes me to rush the cooking.🍀🍀🍀🍀SHIVAI am a bundle of nerves as I sit in the conference room waiting for my interviewer to meet me. For the hundredth time, I go through the proposal. I don’t know what kind of questions she would ask. As I hear the tick of each second, my pulse quickens and I find myself second doubting myself. I need a distraction. I get up and pace the room but no the nerves are still creating havoc on my confidence.I grab my phone and before I could stop, my fingers dial the one person’s number who might be able to calm me. She picks at the second ring. “Hey,” she greets.“Quick. Tell me something motivational,” I tell.“I think it should be something soothing and calming and not motivational,” she replies in a calm tone. I smile despite myself. “Not helping,”  I tell opening the proposal again. I have gone through it a thousand times and know each word by heart now.“Ok, how about your handsome face will  charm the lady you are meeting that she will invest in the company?”“You think I am handsome?” I ask surprised. This is the first time she had ever told me something like that.“I was trying to motivate you,” she replies. I sigh. I am sacred about the meeting. What if I am incapable of impressing her? If the rumours are true then she will destroy my company. My life is ruined. Then what? “Shiva, don’t,” Gowri's voice pulls me out of my head.“Don’t what?”“Don’t think about the future when you don’t know what will be the outcome.”“But I want to be prepared,” I tell surprised that she knows exactly what I am thinking.“You can’t always be prepared. Besides even if you lose your job, you can still be a house husband and I will take care of the house expenses.”I chuckle, “Househusband. No big respon-”The clearing of someone's throat makes me spin around.  Two people are standing in the room. My heart leaps.“Gotta go, call you after the meeting,” I tell and hang up.🍀🍀🍀🍀