"Excuse me, miss, could you help me with the pronunciation
of this word?" A young man in a crisp white shirt, clutching an Spanish magazine, politely approached a mature woman on the train bound for Chicago from Des Moines.
The woman, in a low-cut camisole, had her blonde-highlighted hair swept up in an elegant bun, with just a hint of eyeshadow enhancing her striking features. From the moment she stepped aboard, she had drawn the attention of everyone in the carriage—men and women alike. Many of the men were practically drooling at the mere sight of her. Yet, mysteriously, she remained completely absorbed in the view outside the window, indifferent to the many gazes that followed her. Curiously, the seats around her, both beside and across from her, remained conspicuously empty. Whether due to a lack of passengers or the palpable aura she carried, which seemed to dissuade others from approaching, was anyone's guess.
The only one who dared to approach was a young man, barely eighteen or nineteen, holding a Spanish magazine. He had risen from a seat further back and walked over to her with an air of innocent curiosity.
His name was Anirudh. It was his first time leaving the quiet, almost mythical seclusion of Des Moines, on his way to Chicago to seek out his aunt.
As Anirudh asked his question, his eyes strayed from the magazine and drifted to the woman's neckline. Her chest was nothing short of breathtaking—by Anirudh's discerning judgment, she had to be at least an E cup, maybe even larger. Clad in a low-cut camisole, her pale, shapely cleavage was on full display. From where he stood, he could even catch a glimpse of her undergarments—a bold, red lace bra. The deep valley between her breasts was squeezed tightly into a nearly perfect line.
A figure like hers could easily leave any man mesmerized, and that wasn't even mentioning her stunning face.
Hearing his question, the woman, who had been gazing out the window, finally turned her head. She looked up to see a strikingly handsome face staring back at her. When she noticed how quickly his gaze flickered away from her chest, a sly, amused smile played on her lips.
"Do you speak Spanish?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of teasing, as she glanced at the word he was pointing to.
"Yes, but I don't know this particular word," Anirudh replied confidently.
"I don't know it either," she said.
"Uh..." Anirudh was caught off guard.
"But if you turn the magazine the right way up, I might have a better chance." With a soft laugh, she placed her hand gently over his, and turned the magazine right side up.
The warmth of her smooth hand sent a thrill through Anirudh, but when he realized what she had just said, a wave of embarrassment hit him. He had been holding the magazine upside down the whole time.
Damn it, what a blunder. His very first attempt at starting a conversation with a woman, and he'd already made such a rookie mistake...
In that instant, Anirudh wished he could disappear into the ground. Then again, if the woman offered, he'd gladly disappear into the inviting cleavage before him.
The sound of laughter filled the train carriage, heightening his embarrassment. Anirudh was about to slink away in shame, maybe find a secluded spot to lick his wounds, when he realized the woman was still holding onto his hand.
"Why don't you sit down? I've been bored sitting here alone. Keep me company," she said with a smile, gesturing to the seat in front of her.
"Uh… isn't that a bit inappropriate? What if someone else is supposed to sit here?" Anirudh stammered, suddenly aware that his earlier intentions had been laid bare.
"Relax, no one's going to take it. I bought all these seats," she said, her smile deepening as she shook her head.
Anirudh blinked in surprise. She bought all the seats? What kind of person does that? Is she out of her mind, or just drowning in cash? If it's the latter, I wonder if she's open to sponsoring someone like me?
Lost in his own thoughts, Anirudh didn't even notice as she gently guided him into the seat across from her.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Anirudh!" he blurted out.
"Where are you from?"
"Iowa."
"What brings you to Chicago?"
"School..." His answers flowed automatically, and it wasn't until he'd answered three questions that he realized—wasn't he the one who started this conversation? Yet somehow, he'd ended up revealing almost everything about himself without asking her a single question in return.
No wonder the old man always warned him that women were dangerous creatures—he hadn't been exaggerating.
"Were you trying to flirt with me just now?" she asked, her voice casual but direct, catching Anirudh off guard just as he was starting to pull himself together.
"Ah…" Anirudh froze once more. The way this woman's thoughts darted from one thing to another was unnerving!
He wanted to deny it, but with her resting her chin on her hand, those hypnotic eyes sparkling as they locked onto his, he couldn't bring himself to lie. Taking a deep breath, he nodded firmly, "Yes!"
"You're an honest one, aren't you?" The woman chuckled, her lips curling into an amused smile. As she laughed, her ample chest quivered slightly, and Anirudh's heart skipped a beat. Her chest was massive, even larger than that of Auntie Lin next door. If I could just touch them, he thought, I'd die a happy man!
"Is that what everyone in your village says?" Anirudh, struggling to keep his composure, shyly lowered his head.
"So, tell me, why did you really want to hit on me?" The woman's laughter grew even louder, clearly entertained by his clumsy attempts at modesty.
"Because you're beautiful!" Anirudh answered without a second thought. It was the honest truth—if she hadn't been stunning, he would never have mustered the courage to approach her!
"Haha, well then, tell me—what's the most beautiful part of me? And don't just say 'everything.' I want the truth," she teased, clearly delighted by his honesty.
Anirudh paused, then, putting on a serious expression, carefully looked her over again, focusing—naturally—on her magnificent chest. The woman didn't seem to mind. In fact, she pushed her chest out even more, inviting his gaze.
After a long pause, Anirudh bashfully lowered his head and murmured, "You really want the truth?"
"Of course!"
"Then... can you lean in closer?" he whispered.
The woman couldn't stop laughing at Anirudh's answer. She seemed entirely unconcerned about him getting fresh and casually rested her ample chest on the table, crossing her arms as she leaned in even closer.
Seeing her impressive bosom laid flat across the table, Anirudh swallowed hard again. He leaned in, bringing his lips close to her ear and, as the scent of her perfume filled his senses, whispered softly, "Your chest…"
In the process, he "accidentally" brushed his lips against her earlobe.
The woman shot him a playful glance, whispering back, "You little rogue…"
"Heh, isn't there a saying that women love bad boys?" Anirudh grinned mischievously, keeping his head close as they both whispered across the table.
"Do you want to be even more of a bad boy?" the woman asked with a wink, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Huh?" Anirudh was momentarily stunned. More bad? How?
"Do you want to touch them?" she whispered seductively, batting her lashes.
"Of course…" Anirudh replied instantly, excitement bubbling inside him. Was this really happening? A stunning, mature woman, this forward? He couldn't believe his luck!
"You wish! You cheeky boy…" The woman laughed, sitting upright and no longer leaning over the table.
"Come on, Sis, you're just messing with me…" Anirudh's face fell as he realized she'd been toying with him all along.
"Giggle… Do you really want to, though?" she leaned in again, her voice low and teasing.
"Wanting's not the problem, but would you even let me?" Anirudh replied, his disbelief evident.
"Give me your hand…"
"What are you doing?" Anirudh asked, a hint of wariness in his voice.
"Are you going to give me your hand or not?" she asked, her tone playful yet insistent.
"I guess… I will." Anirudh, feeling the weight of her teasing, extended his right hand, surrendering to the moment.
The woman's lips curled into a knowing smile. She took his hand in hers, then with her right index finger, she began tracing something quickly across his palm. Leaning closer, her lips brushing near his ear, she whispered, "If you can guess what I just wrote, maybe… I'll let you touch."
"773… Is that your phone number? And your name is Aurora?" Anirudh answered without hesitation, his eyes meeting hers confidently.
"Whoa…" This time, it was Aurora who was taken aback. Her lips formed a surprised "O," and her sultry eyes widened, full of astonishment.