Silver Threshold

Isha stood in the hallway, staring at Cooper's door at the other end. Behind her was the closed door to Ankit's door...her fiancé's door.

Isha walked over to Cooper's door.

Hesitated for a second, and then knocked.

He was shirtless, and in his underwear...Isha caught him while he was changing.

His body was backlit by a lamp behind him. Isha's eyes traveled across his body, looking intensely at the muscle definition of his abs, chest and arms. Her eyes finally rested on that unmistakable shape in his underwear.

She looked away. Then looked back.

"Isha?" He leaned against the doorframe. "Everything okay?"

"I...I don't want to sleep yet." The words were slurring a bit, and she knew it. She didn't care. "I'm not tired. I was thinking...maybe we could skip the gym tomorrow? Play hooky?"

He laughed. "Play hooky?"

"Yeah." She smiled. "I want to do something. I don't know what. Just...something."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Movie?" She shrugged. "I don't know. I just don't want the night to end yet. I asked Ankit but he's..."

"Let me guess...playing?"

She nodded.

He studied her for a moment. "Let me put on a pair of shorts."

---

Isha plopped down on the couch in front of the TV. Cooper followed close behind her.

"Drink?" Cooper headed to the kitchen before she could answer. He came back with a single bottle of beer. "Only one left. We'll have to share."

He sat down on the couch, right next to Isha. Close. Him shirtless, her still wearing her little black dress.

Cooper found a movie...something that was supposed to be an action thriller.

Isha was becoming more aware of how close they were sitting to each other in the middle of the couch. She could smell his cologne...distinctly him.

He took a swig from the bottle first. Then held it out to her.

Isha looked at it. Cooper's lips had just been on the rim. The rim was wet.

It's just a bottle.

She took it. Brought it to her mouth. She drank.

Isha was very aware that her lips were touching where Cooper's had been. That her mouth was on the same rim. That she was tasting what he'd tasted.

She handed it back. Their fingers brushed. She felt a flutter low in her stomach.

Just a bottle...calm down.

The movie was terrible. The acting was bad. The plot was ridiculous. The twist made no sense.

Within ten minutes, they were both laughing.

"Did he just say that?" Isha pressed her hand to her mouth. "That's the worst line I've ever heard."

"I don't think it was supposed to be funny," Cooper said, grinning. "I think they were going for dramatic."

"Well, they failed." They laughed again.

He held out the bottle to her. She took it. Drank. Her lips lingered. She handed it back.

As the movie progressed, their laughter continued. Some of it was because of the ridiculous dialogue, but most of it was because they were both a bit drunk.

Isha felt the alcohol loosening her. She wasn't her usual, guarded self.

The couch was dipping under their weight, pushing them closer to each other. But neither of them moved.

The movie played on, the only light in the room coming from the TV. They'd both became quieter now.

Isha complained of being cold. Cooper brought out a blanket from the ottoman and they started sharing it.

At some point, she'd kicked off her heels and tucked her legs beneath her.

Their legs were touching under the blanket. Isha could feel the heat of his thigh against hers. Bare skin against bare skin. The contact was small. Just a few inches.

But she was aware of it. Every second. She didn't move away.

She told herself it was the alcohol and probably the late hour.

She told herself it was just two friends watching a movie.

But her body seemed to be doing its own thing. Isha was leaning toward Cooper now. Not dramatically. Just a slight tilt. Her shoulder drifting toward his.

Why am I doing this? A voice inside her was asking.

Isha started introspecting. She had been annoyed with Ankit the whole day - he came home late, didn't even come out with her to the bar, and to top that, when she practically begged him to spend some time with her, he told her to go watch a movie with Cooper.

And now here she was, sitting on the couch with Cooper, in the dark. While Ankit plays video games.

Maybe Ankit deserves this.

Stop. Don't say that. He's your Ankit, your fiancé.

Cooper's arm was behind her on the couch, not touching, but she could feel how close it was to her. She could feel her bare leg against his.

Her eyes quickly flicked towards Cooper. His eyes were on the TV. She looked again. This time at his chest - muscular, firm, a thin line of hair in the middle, going all the way down to his shorts and disappearing under them.

She thought about his smell. Yes, it was his cologne. But also something distinctly him. She realized she would be able to recognize this smell now.

Cooper likes you. Sasha's words from earlier in the evening popped into her head suddenly.

She looked at his face again. He was still watching the movie. Isha let herself look at his face...the slight stubble, his jaw, his lips...

His eyes suddenly looked at hers.

"This is terrible isn't it?" he said, startling Isha. "The movie."

"Y...yes. Terrible."

The movie entered its third act. Something dramatic was happening on screen. Neither of them was really watching, even though their eyes were on the screen.

"This is nice." Cooper said, his voice quiet. He handed her the bottle, it was more than half-empty by now.

"What is?" she said, taking a sip.

"Just this." Cooper's voice was low. "Sitting here, not having to be anywhere else."

Simple words, but they were having an effect on Isha.

"Yes," she said, handing the bottle back to Cooper. "It is."

"You looked pretty good today," Cooper said, his eyes still on the TV. "That dress..."

Don't say anything more...please don't.

Luckily he didn't.

"Thanks."

Isha knew she was sitting too close to Cooper. Way too close. She thought about moving away. She should move away.

She didn't.

The alcohol...or something else...was not letting her move away.

Instead, she let her head drift. Just slightly. Just enough that her temple rested against his shoulder.

He didn't move. Didn't stiffen. Didn't say anything.

The movie droned on. His shoulder was warm and solid beneath her head.

Her eyes were heavy. The drinks. The late hour. His warmth. It was all pulling her under.

She let her head settle a little more firmly against him. Her cheek pressed against his shoulder. She could feel the muscle beneath his skin.

Just resting my eyes. Just for a second.

The movie played on, the sounds had became distant. Her eyes were closed, but she was still somewhat awake. Isha could feel her body relax against Cooper. Muscle by muscle, melting against his warmth.

In her partially awake state, she felt Cooper's arm move. It came down from the back of the couch and settled around her shoulders. His arm felt warm, it felt right. His hand was resting on her upper arm, just above her elbow.

She should say something. She should move. She should go to bed.

Instead, she let out a soft breath and settled closer against him, almost snuggling.

What am I doing? Isha thought to herself.

Under the blanket, her hand which had been resting on her own thigh, shifted. It fell sideways, landing on Cooper's leg, just above his knee. She could feel his bare skin under her palm, warm and solid.

Neither of them moved.

Her thumb traced a small circle on his thigh. Isha didn't know she was doing it. Or maybe she did. Her thumb against the hard muscle, a tiny almost-nothing motion...like she was soothing herself.

Isha was almost asleep, in a half-dreaming state, where her body was making decisions without her brain's approval.

She felt Cooper's hand move from her arm, sliding down. His hand settled on curve of her hip, his fingers gently resting there. As if they belonged there.

Her eyes still shut, Isha pressed herself closer to Cooper, as if seeking his warmth. Her face turning into his chest, her had sliding higher on his thigh. She could feel his heartbeat through her cheek.

She felt his hand tightening on her hip. Just slightly. Just enough for her to feel the pressure of his fingers. Just enough for her to know he was awake. That he was there.

Just sleep.

---

Isha woke at 3 AM.

The TV was off. The apartment was dark. She was still on the couch, her head on something warm and firm. It was Cooper's chest.

Her body was snuggled close against his. His arm was around her waist, his hand resting on her hip, his fingers resting on the curve of her ass like he'd claimed it. Her face was pressed against his chest, her nose inches from his skin, breathing him in. Her hand was still on his thigh...higher now, her fingers just below the hem of his shorts.

For a moment, she didn't move. She let herself stay there. Let herself feel how natural it was. How right her body felt in this position.

She could feel his heartbeat. Slow. Steady. Calm. She felt as if this was normal, as if she fell asleep like this all the time.

The blanket covering them had fallen to the floor. Her thighs were exposed, her dress had ridden up. One of her legs was over Cooper's. Isha could feel every inch of their skin touching.

The effects of alcohol had reduced, but not fully gone yet.

I need to get up. What if Ankit sees us! What if he already has?

Isha looked at Cooper's face. His eyes closed, slow, gentle breathing. His nose, the stubble on his face and...his lips.

What'll happen if I kiss him right now?

Will he taste good?

Will he put his hand on my ass again, like he does in the gym?

The idea scared her, yet made her thighs press together.

The thought of Ankit forced Isha to shake herself out of her drunken daze.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I thinking like this?

She decided it was high time to go back to her bed.

"Cooper." Her voice was quiet. "Cooper, wake up."

He stirred. His arm tightened around her for a moment, pulling her closer, before he opened his eyes.

For a second, they just looked at each other. His face inches from hers. His arm around her waist, his hand still on her ass. Her body still pressed against his.

The darkness of the room making it hard to read his expression.

"We fell asleep," Isha whispered to him.

"Yeah." He rubbed his face. "We did."

"It's late. You should go sleep in your bed."

He looked at her intensely, his arm still around her, his hand on her ass. He didn't say anything.

They lay there for a few moments, her in his arms, feeling his breath on her face, just looking at each other.

Cooper looked like he was deciding something. Isha got worried.

"Cooper..."

"Yeah...I should go to my room."

He released her, stood up and walked over to his room, closing the door behind him.

Isha sat on the couch for a few more seconds, before she too walked back to her bedroom, sub-consciously tip-toeing so she wouldn't wake Ankit.

---

When Isha walked into the room she saw that Ankit was still awake. Still at his desk, still playing. Isha was surprised.

"Ankit."

No response.

"Ankit." She touched his shoulder.

He pulled one headphone off. "What?" he said, without looking at her. He seemed curt.

"Did you know...this is so funny...we...Cooper and I, we fell asleep on the couch?"

"Yeah." His voice was flat. "I saw."

Isha was silent for a second. Crap.

"It wasn't..." She stopped. "We were just watching a movie. I was tired. Cooper was tired. We fell asleep."

"Uh huh."

"Ankit. We fell asleep. That's it."

"Sure. Whatever." He pulled his headphone back on.

She stood there, not sure what else to say. After a few moments of silence she turned to go the closet to change. That's when Ankit broke the silence.

"I came out to get water. You were...you were on top of him. His hand was on your..."

"What are you talking about?" Isha asked, her voice high. "I told you, I was asleep. I must've..."

"I know what I saw Isha," Ankit said quietly. "And it's not just this. You're spending a lot of time with him."

"What?" Isha asked coming closer to him.

"You heard me." He wasn't looking at her. "You're with him every morning for those long workouts. You eat all your meals with him. You don't even..." He stopped. "And now...now you're falling asleep on the couch with him. Hugging him."

"Ankit, I was NOT hugging him. We fell asleep. I must've just leaned on him in my sleep. That's all. I told you...we were tired."

"Right."

Her annoyance at Ankit came back rushing.

"What do you want me to say, Ankit?" Her voice was rising. "You're either working or playing that stupid game. And you're..." She gestured at the screen. "You're always here. Always playing."

Ankit looked at her. He looked confused.

"What does my gaming have anything to do with..."

"You just said it! You said that I was spending too much time with Cooper. Who else should I be spending time with?" Isha almost shouted. " Aur kya karoon main? " What else should I do.

Ankit didn't say anything. Isha continued.

"Did I not ask you to come and watch a movie with me?" she asked.

"You did...but I was in the middle..."

"Don't you dare say 'raid' or some other bullshit right now, Ankit!"

Ankit stopped playing now. He took his headset off and was looking at her. Isha wasn't stopping now.

"You're never present Ankit! Come on yaar!" Isha continued. "I came to Sydney to be with you. To plan OUR wedding. But you leave me alone all day and most of the night."

"But, I need to go to work, Isha..."

"This is not just about work, Ankit!" her voice raised. "It's your gaming as well. You're always busy. So what am I to do? I started focusing on my fitness."

Ankit was silent.

"And yes I made a friend," Isha said. "And yes he's a man. So what? What exactly are you accusing me of?"

She could see Ankit get uncomfortable.

"Okay, okay...I get it, I get it." Ankit said, his voice was quieter. "I'm sorry, Isha. I was just...I was getting jealous."

"Jealous??"

"Yeah." He rubbed his face. "You and him. All that time together at the gym. I don't..." He stopped.

"But Ankit, YOU are the one who said I could train with him." Isha said. "Did you not?"

"Y..yes I did..."

"You know how important getting in shape is to me, especially for the wedding. If you had a problem with it you should've told me earlier..."

"You're right. You both are into all that fitness stuff. I'm not. I love gaming, and you're obviously not into that. Our interests just aren't aligned. It's okay. Neither of us has to sacrifice for the other. I shouldn't have said anything."

"And did you not ask me to go with him tonight! I begged you to come. You said..."

"Yes...yes! Isha, I know what I said. I am sorry. Galti ho gayi, yaar I made a mistake. I was just being stupid."

Isha looked at him, still a bit breathless from the rapid fire defense she'd just put up.

He was backing down, like always. Apologizing. Making excuses for her. This is the Ankit she'd known for years. He never liked conflict, and beyond a certain level, he never pushed.

She should have felt relieved.

She did. But she also felt a bit...hollow.

A part of her wanted him to put his foot down and act possessive of her. Fight for her. Lay down the law, and order her not to spend any more time alone with Cooper.

But she knew Ankit better. She knew he wouldn't do that.

She immediately felt guilty. She decided to put his mind at rest.

"Look, Ankit, don't worry about Cooper. You have nothing to be jealous about." Isha said, her voice much quieter than before. "He's just a good friend. He trains me. We hang out sometimes. That's all."

"Yeah." Ankit nodded. "You're right. You're right, Isha. I am sorry...I don't know what got into me, babe."

"Okay," she said, bending down and putting her face close to his. "I love you, Ankit."

He could smell beer on her breath.

"I love you too, Isha."

She kissed him, he kissed back.

She stood up straight again. "Are you coming to bed?"

Ankit turned back to his screen. "I'm going to finish this match. Go to sleep. I'll come to bed soon."

"Okay." She stood there for a moment. "Good Night."

Isha changed out of her clothes and got into the bed. She lay there. Staring at the ceiling.

She thought about Ankit, worrying unnecessarily.

That's crazy! How could Ankit even think that?

As if I'd do anything with Cooper...how ridiculous!

She thought about how other girls in her place would've absolutely thrown themselves at Cooper.

But not me! I already have Ankit, I would never...

Isha thought about how easy it could've been though. She remembered the warmth of Cooper's body when he was next to her on the couch. His arm around her waist. His hand on her ass.

The way she'd woken up pressed against him, and how, for just a moment, she wanted to kiss him.