Manik sat tensely in the lavish, candlelit restaurant booth, his wife Nandini's voice echoing through the phone pressed tightly against his ear. The savory aroma of gourmet cuisine wafted through the air, mingling with the faint, lingering scent of Alya's perfume that still clung to his nostrils. He adjusted his silk tie nervously, trying desperately to maintain an air of composure despite the maelstrom of forbidden sensations assaulting his senses.

"Nandini dear," he replied, his deep baritone voice straining to keep the tremble from his words, "I...I've been considering your proposal. It's quite...ahhhhhh...intriguing."