A few months passed by uneventfully but for the routine of hot steamy sex between Shanta and Ramdev. Roopa, (Shanta's daughter) was doing well at school and she had almost found a father in Ramdev, who truly adored and cared for the child as his own.
In the few months that Shanta was staying at the Haveli with Ramdev, she herself had got actively involved with the village women, and in fact more and more women had started coming to her with their problems both domestic and economic.
The women in fact found Shanta to be far easier to communicate and confide to, not only because she was a woman but also because she had an uncanny astuteness in solving problems. Further, on delicate issues women found it easier to convey through Shanta rather than to talk to Ramdev.
During her course of interaction with the village women, Shanta learnt about Chandrakali. Chandrakali was married to Bhimrao a man from the neighbouring village but was unable to bear children in the 4 years that she was married to him.
In due course of time, Bhimrao ran away with all belongings to some unknown place leaving Chandrakali penniless and with no source of income even to pay rent of their rented hutment.
When Shanta learnt of this she called Chandrakali to the haveli and told her that she will talk to Ramdev on her behalf and see what she could do to help her out. The same evening Shanta mentioned the matter to Ramdev.
Ramdev said the only thing that could be done was to trace her husband and maybe coerce him to accept his responsibilities. Shanta told him that a lot of efforts had already been made but to no avail.
"In that case the only thing to be done is to give her a job in the haveli and have her stay in one of the additional rooms of the servant quarters. You will also get someone to help you in your work around the house and this woman also will be taken care of." said Ramdev deciding the matter.
Immediately, Chandrakali was asked to shift into one of the rooms of the servant quarters. Shanta with the coming of Chandrakali had a ready aide to help her with the house-hold work.
Chandrakali, was a slightly dark woman, about 5feet 2 inches tall. She had long hair almost always worn in a bun, tied behind, would wear a saree and blouse which were always bright and gaudy in color. Her body was well toned and sun burnt from years of working in the field.
Chandrakali, was an illiterate rustic woman, thick and meaty in the right places. Her face although dark was pretty to look at, with a small silver nose ring and big kohl filled eyes. She had a generous bosom and a big behind which were visible even with her saree and petticoat, which through years of use were almost thread-bare.
Once, she shifted into the haveli Chandrakali's clothes were immediately taken care of. She now had new sarees and petticoats and blouses, which were not too expensive but were definitely not as gaudy as she used to wear earlier. She soon shifted into a routine, taking and following orders from Shanta and soon knew what was expected from her.
Chandrakali would sweep and wipe floors, clean furniture, wash utensils, wash clothes, help out in the kitchen and do every and any odd jobs that she was asked to do. Although coming from a poor back-ground she was very clean and tidy in her work and habits.
Chandrakali had a quiet and silent manner of going about things and both Ramdev and Shanta observed with silent praise in their eyes that she had soon become a very useful aide to Shanta in the household.
Chandrakali herself was very happy. She had finally found a life when she would sleep with a full stomach and not worry where her next meal was to come from. Besides, Shanta and Thakurji always had a kind word for her, which would give her a sense of belonging and contentment.
Once, Chandrakali came into the haveli along with her came a few problems. The almost routine and active sexual life of Shanta and Ramdev came to an abrupt stand still. The quiet slipping away at night to Ramdev's room became very infrequent and hurried if ever, with the fear of Chandrakali waking up and knowing about their doings.
The impromptu escapades though stopped completely, because Chandrakali was always around and there was no way that Shanta and Ramdev could engage into anything amorous, because the fear of being discovered was always there.
This period of abstinence was not without its repercussions. Ramdev found him-self to be more and more restless and had started developing a short temper, snapping at almost everybody who had the misfortune of evoking his anger. Slowly, he started finding excuses to stay away from work for longer periods too.
Shanta herself was finding it difficult but had no way to express it, she simply bore it all with a studied silence. She was more worried about Ramdev and his mental peace and that really pained her.
One day Chandrakali was wiping the floor in Ramdev's bedroom. Ramdev was sitting on the bed and reading a book. Chandrakali had her saree tucked up and was squatting down so much so that her legs almost to her lower thighs were visible. Suddenly, her pallu fell below exposing her cleavage and her heavy luscious bosom was exposed to a great extent, but Chandrakali was oblivious to this.
Ramdev, sexually hungry that he was for weeks could not help but stare at this sight. He felt a familiar stirring in his nether region and for moments he was almost mesmerized by this sight. Unknown to him Shanta was just passing by the room at that very moment and observed this.
Moments later, Ramdev sensed Shanta's presence at the window and as if caught went red in the face and continued reading his book. Chandrakali too realized her pallu had fallen and immediately set it right and went about her work.
That night Shanta could not sleep. Her mind was dazzled by numerous thoughts and try as she might, she could not sleep. Finally, after hours of thought she seemed to have reached some conclusion and fell off to sleep.
The next day Shanta seeing an opportunity stepped into Ramdev's room. She knew that Chandrakali was washing clothes and the man-servant was out, so she could talk to Ramdev for a while without being over heard or disturbed.
"Thakurji! I know that the last few weeks have been tough for you; it has been the same for me. We both had a very honest intention of helping Chandrakali in her problem, but somehow the situation has misfired on us, leading us to be away from each other." Shanta's voice was gentle.
"I have thought of a solution to this problem, and I hope you will agree with me." Shanta pursued.