A Marriage Chapter 4
Quo Vadis?
Ramji was the first to wake up. Initially he was disoriented. He could feel something soft and round in his mouth and a firm hand clasping his head to a soft breast. It took him a moment to realize where he was and he felt a glow of warmth as he felt Chitra near him and her warm breath as he lay nestled in her bosom. Not wanting to disturb Chitra, he nevertheless began a slow sucking of her nipples, as though he was a newborn baby trying to draw milk from a mother's breast.
Meanwhile Ramji's cook had peeped into the room. She was shocked to see her boss entwined in the arms of a woman young enough to be his daughter. Never in her experience spanning several decades had she witnessed such an event. She had always marveled at how Ramji had lived since his wife died. Although Ramji may have had liaisons outside the house, never had he entertained any lady in the house. The cook was a beneficiary of Ramji's generosity and largesse. She was determined to maintain absolute secrecy and pretend ignorance about what she had seen. Going back to her quarters, she telephoned the land line in the house. This would alert the two lovers and she could give them enough time to get dresses and then announce dinner.
The telephone bell came as a rude interruption to Ramji. He was loath to release Chitra's nipple, but he knew that the call could be important. Ramji was surprised when he answered the phone only to meet silence at the other end. The cook had disconnected the call as her purpose was served! Ramji came back to the couch and met a startled Chitra who had just woken up.
Ramji discreetly sat on a different sofa allowing Chitra time to get up and adjust her clothes. Chitra was feeling extremely embarrassed. She had just violated the most sacred rule of an Indian woman – chastity and fidelity. Suddenly she felt ashamed and angry with herself. She saw Ramji sitting in front of her and looked angrily at him. Without speaking a word, she got up and rushed to the bathroom, where she adjusted her dress and washed her face. Suddenly she began to sob as the implications of her actions sunk in.
The cook walked into the room to announce dinner. Ramji told her to go back to her room and wait further instructions. After a few minutes, Ramji realized that Chitra was still in the bedroom and was not likely to come out quickly. Ramji knew this was a delicate situation. He knew he had to console Chitra and at the same time convince her she had not committed any crime. He also had to ensure that Chitra did not begin to hate him and persuade her to continue their relationship. By now Ramji was convinced that Chitra was the woman he wanted and Ramji was ready to do anything to keep her, but without hurting Chitra in any way.
Ramji walked into the bedroom. Chitra had come out of the bathroom, but was sitting on the bed, crying silently. Ramji stood away, keeping a safe distance and wondered what he should say. A few moments later, Ramji was literally saved by the bell. Chitra's telephone rang. She saw that the call was from Vijay! Almost automatically, Chitra picked up the call. By mistake she had pressed the speaker button on the phone and Ramji could hear the entire conversation. Vijay was frantic and worried. He had seen the events in Bombay on the news and wanted to be sure Chitra was safe. Before Chitra could answer, the line got cut.
