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The scrunch between Vi's eyebrows was absolutely adorable, Caitlyn had decided.
Warmth glowed from the candles littered around the room, the light catching on each sparkling facet of Vi's being from the silver of her jhumkas (earrings) to the gold thread woven into her jama (robes). Typically on such a romantic night, Caitlyn would want for nothing more than to curl up next to her lover, giggling, and whispering into each other's ears, especially after a whole month of abstinence.
"Vi," Caitlyn bemoaned, the side of her face smushed into her table. Vi spared her one, glorious but brief glance before turning back to the telescope set up before her. "Are you ignoring your saahib (sponsor)?"
"I'm ignoring a child."
Caitlyn shot up, mock outrage filling her features. "I'm four months older than you!" she protested, throwing her hands up in the air. "Besides, you're the one who's more focused on this utterly ridiculous bet."
That caught Vi's attention. With the menacing speed of a glacier she looked up at Caitlyn, the dead set of her expression making Caitlyn chortle. Vi's nostrils flared.
"It is not ridiculous," Vi pronounced with perfect solemnity. "It's a matter of pride. My dignity."
"I think it's more a matter of your rupiyah (coin)."
Vi huffed, going back to peeking through the telescope Caitlyn had arranged for her. When her lover had burst into her quarters earlier that evening, Caitlyn had assumed it was to celebrate the last day of Ramadan. Maybe even get a headstart on their Eid celebrations.
Caitlyn had sidled up to Vi, tracing the fresh stains of mehendi (henna) painting her arms and back, ready to find the familiar curl of کیٹلین (Caitlyn) hidden amongst the wide expanse of Vi's body. Only for Vi to imperiously declare that she was "going to beat Powder this year". Further inquiries had found that Powder had taunted Vi with her impeccable ability of finding the thin crescent moon that signified the end of Ramadan and beginning of Eid before anyone else could.
Vi's initial plan had been to camp out on the roof, in the heat, with the mosquitoes. The idea itself had forced a terrified shudder down Caitlyn's spine, and she offered to instead have the Royal Astronomer's telescope brought into her quarters for Vi's benefit.
"That sounds even better!" Vi bounced on her feet, eyes gleaming with mischievous delight. She grabbed Caitlyn's face, pulling her in for a quick kiss.
Caitlyn blinked. The moment had been so fast, she almost missed it. She turned to see Vi already racing out of her bedroom to deliver the orders at once.
Every minute since then had been spent trying to find that damned moon, to no avail. The first couple of hours, it had been amusing, but Caitlyn had found her patience growing shorter.
"Meri jaan (My life)," Caitlyn cooed, rising from the table to stand behind Vi, resting her hands on Vi's tense shoulders. She started slow, rubbing small circles into the thick muscles before digging her thumb into a stubborn knot. Vi melted, smashing her lips together to muffle a low, mewling sigh.
"It's been so long," Caitlyn continued, keeping her tone gentle and coaxing, whispering the words in Vi's ear. "A whole month of our separation, in fact."
"We weren't separated, we just…"
"Haven't touched, haven't kissed, haven't felt each other's bodies. I've missed you, haven't you missed me?"
Vi groaned, reaching behind her to tug Caitlyn closer. Caitlyn went willingly, finally allowing the exhaustion to sink with her onto Vi's lap. She rested her temple on Vi's shoulder, albeit a little awkwardly owing to her height, enjoying this angle far more than the previous. Peering up, she found big, grey eyes—endless warmth radiating from that loving gaze. Caitlyn reached out to caress Vi's cheek.
"I've already seen my chaand (moon)."
Vi blushed fiercely, the shade almost matching her hair. "You think you're so suave."
"I think it, because it works on you, dearest." Caitlyn leaned in, pressing her lips against Vi's. This one was sweeter, without any of the hurriedness that coloured their day-to-day lives. Somehow they ended up on the bed, Vi on her back, Caitlyn's body resting atop hers. Caitlyn pressed her ear to Vi's chest, content to listen to the cadenced rhythm.
"May your chaand (moon) request her eidi (gift) now?" Vi broke the silence, a mirthful smile playing about her face.
Caitlyn perked up. She had been planning the gift for some time now, and was rather proud of what she had come up with. "Wait here," she said before shooting off to the large wooden chest in the corner of her room. She unlocked, swiftly concealing the item behind her back as she trailed back to Vi. She found herself momentarily stunned by the picture of Vi, splayed out amongst the plush bedding.
She dropped to one knee, holding out the velvet bag. "For your pleasure. Eid Mubarak, meri jaan (Happy Eid, my life)."
Vi pulled on the drawstrings, her jaw dropping open at the sight. Inside lay a brand new set of ghungroo (anklets)—shiny brass bells strung together and tightly bound to a soft cotton pad. Caitlyn had noticed that Vi's old set, handed down from another courtesan in the palace, were worn down, and often left deep, reddened marks on her ankles. Caitlyn wished that Vi would ask for these things herself, but until then she was content to fill in the context gaps if it meant she could continue to spoil Vi.
As soon as Vi recovered, she removed the ghungroo (anklets) from their packaging, gingerly holding onto them as if the slightest jerk might tear them apart.
"Tie them on for me?" Vi requested, and—oh. How could Caitlyn ever say no to that?
Caitlyn perched herself on the edge of the bed, guiding Vi's ankle into her lap. The bells jingled with each movement, filling the quiet space. Once they were tied on, Caitlyn smoothed the fabric down, fidgeting with them slightly.
"How do they look?"
"Beautiful."
Vi beamed coyly, squirming under Caitlyn's reverent gaze.
"I did it!" The thunderous announcement broke through the fragile world they had built around themselves. Powder barrelled into Caitlyn's chambers, no sense of decorum whatsoever. "I saw the moo—"
Caitlyn and Vi stared at her.
She stared back. "Ew."
"Seriously? You barged in!" Vi shot back. Caitlyn just sat back against the pillows, letting them battle it out.
"I won the bet! You're the one who got distracted smooching up the shehzada (prince)."
"Powder!" Vi pushed herself off the bed, wrangling her sister out of the bedroom.
"What about my money?!" Was the last of Powder Caitlyn heard before Vi closed the door with a resounding thud
Vi exhaled, turning around to lean against the door. She pouted at Caitlyn. "You owe me a bag of rupiyah (silver coin)," she murmured, advancing on the prince.
"A price I'll gladly pay." Caitlyn propped herself up. "It's my turn now."
"Your turn?" Vi tilted her head to the side, feigning innocence.
Caitlyn just quirked an eyebrow, holding her hand out. Vi rolled her eyes before taking the offering, pulling Caitlyn up in one fell swoop. As they raced out of the quarters and down to the kitchens, the bright chimes of Vi's new ghungroo (anklets) accompanied them. Caitlyn chuckled, her heart feeling light and airy, a breathless sort of joy bubbling up inside of her.
When they finally came to a stop, Caitlyn stumbled, only being steadied by Vi's firm grip. She giggled again, sucking in the fresh air of the open kitchens. The aroma of spiced meat filtered through, and she straightened up.
"Is that…"
Vi nodded, shyly peeking towards Caitlyn. "I tried making nihari (beef stew). Vander helped, though."
Caitlyn watched in wonder as Vi rolled out a naan (flatbread), layering it with a bit of butter before laying it out on the tandoor (clay oven). Somehow, the open flame never bothered Vi. She had once tried to teach Caitlyn how to use the oven, but the heat from it had made her hands burn bright red and she had immediately run to soak them in cool water.
"For you, meray shehzaday (my prince)." Vi pushed the plate towards Caitlyn, filled to the brim with a rich broth, the beef practically falling apart as it sat there. Topped with shaved ginger, green chilies, coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice, it looked almost heavenly, and yet, Caitlyn could hardly tear her eyes away from the goddess before her.
"Aren't you going to eat?" The question broke Caitlyn out of her dreamy reverie.
She pondered for a moment. "What if I eat it wrong?"
Vi scoffed in disbelief. "You've had it a million times."
"Yes, but what if I do it wrong today? You ought to feed me."
That certainly made her intentions clear. Vi stuttered for moment, caught off-guard by the request, but it seemed that she got over it just as easily. She tore off a corner of the fluffy naan (flatbread), scooping up the stew before blowing on it, just to make sure it wouldn't burn Caitlyn's mouth.
"Open up."
Caitlyn did. Sharp flavours exploded on her tongue, the spice mixing in with the citrusy acid, and the deep savouriness of the tender meat.
"Is it good?"
"It's fantastic," Caitlyn practically moaned, breaking off a bit of the bread.
Vi noticed. Of course she did.
"Oh, so suddenly you can feed yourself now?" she teased.
"Not at all," Caitlyn said cheerily, trying to cool down the bite she had formed. She held it up to Vi's mouth. "Allow me, meri jaan (my life)."
"Always, meray shehzaday (my prince)."