The humid air stuck to their skin as Shalini and Priya packed up their work for the day and were ready to see the annual procession of the temple down the streets. Priya was twenty two years old and one of the youngest in the office and Shalini was a couple of years older.
"Ladies," came a smooth voice from behind.
It was Vihanga, their senior manager.
"You can't possibly fight through those crowds tonight and my house has the best view. So, why don't you join me?" Vihanga asked.
"Oh, we couldn't possibly." Said Priya.
"Nonsense," Vihanga interrupted.
"Also, you'll melt in those clothes andI have proper attire for the weather," She said.
"What sort of attire?" Asked Shalini.
"Something traditional." Vihanga said with a smile.
Vihanga led them to a spacious bedroom as they entered into her ancient colonial house surrounded by lush gardens.
"Reddas," she explained as she ran her fingers over the material.
"Worn properly, they're the most comfortable thing in this heat."
Priya reached out tentatively.
"It's so thin."
Vihanga laughed.
"That's the point, darling and you.wear it the traditional way, tied right above the breasts, nothing underneath."
"Nothing at all?" Shalini asked, surprised.
"Unless you're shy," Vihanga said.
"Though I suspect our little Priya might need some assistance." She said having a look at Priya's bosoms over her formal office shirt.
Priya's cheeks blushed and she crossed her arms over her modest bust as Vihanga left to prepare drinks.
Shalini quickly unbuttoned her shirt revealing a lacy black bra.
"Come on, newbie," she teased, noticing Priya's hesitation.
"Don't tell me you've never changed in front of girls before."
Priya's fingers trembled at her collar.
"Not like this." She said in a low voice.
Shalini unhooked her bra and dropped it on the floor and Priya couldn't look away from Shalini's breasts as they swayed a bit when she moved.
"Your turn," Shalini said, stepping closer.
With shaking hands, Priya unbuttoned her blouse revealing her plain white bra. She unhooked as her small breasts became free.
Shalini's breath hitched.
"Beautiful," she said.
Shalini held her redda up and wrapped it around herself and tied above her breasts. Shalini watched intently as Priya wrapped the redda around her own body and secured it just above her breasts.
"The traditional style suits you both remarkably well," Vihanga said as she entered wearing a redda herself.
Priya instinctively crossed her arms over her chest only to push her breasts up further.
"None of that," Vihanga said as she gently pulled Priya's hands away.
"There's no shame in the female form," she said.
"It is comfortable," Shalini admitted as three of them went to get a good view of the procession.
The first rays of sunlight entered through the coconut palms, as Priya woke up first. Her bare shoulders could feel the morning chill and her redda had somehow loosened in the night.
She sat up, clutching it to her chest. Across from her, Shalini lay with her redda loosened and fell down onto her hips, revealing her bosoms.
The stone well stood in the center of the courtyard and Vihanga was there, drawing water still in her redda.
"Good morning, little one," she called as Priya stepped out hesitantly and conscious of her attire.
She adjusted her redda and tied the knot higher as Vihanga's gaze traced the outline of her body.
"Did you sleep well?" Vihanga asked, handing her a copper pot filled with water.
Priya's fingers brushed against hers.
"Yes. Thank you."
The water was shockingly cold as she poured it over her arms and droplets cascaded down her bare shoulders and chest. The redda stuck to her skin as she gasped and Vihanga laughed.
"You'll get used to it."
Shalini stretched with a groan as she too stepped out.
"Well, don't you two look fresh." She said.
"Save some for me," she said, taking the copper pot from Priya's hands.
Shalini tipped the water over herself as her redda stuck to her every curve as Vihanga watched.
"Hungry?" she asked, though her tone suggested something.
The table was set under the shade of a mango tree with hoppers and coconut sambol. The women sat in their reddas still damp.
Once they were done with the breakfast, Vihanga produced a small glass vial of golden oil from the folds of her redda.
"A morning ritual," she said, pouring the oil into her cupped palm.
"For protection and vitality."
Priya watched as Vihanga rubbed her hands together and warmed the oil and reached for Shalini.
"Traditionally, we anoint the shoulders first," she said.
Shalini laughed but didn't resist as Vihanga's palms moved over her bare shoulders, kneading the tension there.
Priya's breath hitched as she saw Shalini's toned back, now slick and shining.
"Your turn, little one," Vihanga said, turning to Priya.
Priya sat stiffly as Vihanga's hands moved to her shoulders. The touch was firm, deliberate, as her thumbs pressed into the delicate hollows above Priya's collarbones.
"So tense," Vihanga said.
Priya bit her lip as those hands slid lower, tracing the edge of her redda above the swell of her breasts.
A droplet of oil escaped, rolling down Priya's chest, disappearing into her cleavage.
"You missed a spot," Shalini said as she reached out to catch the stray droplet with her own oiled fingertip, making Priya gasp.
A challenge hung in the air.
Shalini didn't hesitate as she poured more oil into her palm and reached for Priya.
"Let me," she said.
Priya's heart beat faster as Shalini's hands slid over her shoulders, down her arms each stroke slower. When Shalini's thumbs brushed the sides of Priya's breasts, Priya gasped again.
Next, Priya poured too much oil, the excess dripping between her fingers and faced Shalini. She started at the shoulders and her hands slid down Shalini's back.
