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."
