I needed onions to rustle up some dinner and at 9 pm, there was no point thinking of finding a grocer. My next door neighbor was the only option; after all, my wife was always going on about the lady next door ever so often borrowing things from us.
Sheela opened the door when I knocked. "Hi Bhabhi, can you lend me some onions? I'm trying to cook something for dinner"
"Hi Bhiyya, sure I have some. Cooking and all huh? When is Janet coming back?-And why don't you come inside."
"Not for another week. Janet's away till Sunday; its really getting tough," I said following her into the drawing room.
"Same here you know, my husband is also away for three days."
"Official Tour eh? Where's Bobby? Sleeping?"
"Yeah, he's really fidgety without his father so I put him to sleep as fast as possible. Listen, why don't you have dinner here? I have cooked anyway, and it's real boring to cook an entire meal and eat it yourself."
"Well, that would be great; I am not a great cook you know..."
"Ha, I know. I ate a bit of your Biriani once!"
"Sit down and make yourself comfortable, I'll just be back," she continued. As she turned to go, she paused suddenly as if to say something.
Looking at me for an instant, she hesitated, but then continued into the kitchen leaving a distinct impression that she had wanted to say something.
I sat down on the couch and absently watched the Television. My neighbor's wife was quite short, just like my wife, but also very shapely. In fact, I would call her sexy and had quite often fantasized about her. I would sometimes catch myself throwing glances at her waist, her chest & her mouth. I guess I always managed not to look lecherous, but her body did excite me and there was not a day when after seeing her, I did not remember to look again at her assets. She generally wore track suit pants & T-Shirts and this usually showed off her hips to advantage.
"Why are you sitting like a stiff board, get more comfortable." Sheela said as she came back. Again she paused as if she wanted to say something more. Then looking into my eye she said, "You know, you are without a wife and I am without a husband." She paused again and continued tentatively – "Just for three days?"
Blood rushed into my head as she said this. I wasn't sure I was hearing right. Had she just asked me what I thought she did?
With my heart pounding, I somehow managed to keep my voice steady as I managed to nod my head & say, "Yeah OK! Um...what's for dinner today, Sheela?"
A fleeting look of comprehension crossed her face as she visibly relaxed and said "Uh... Nothing new - just the usual."
She had brought some water. "We'll have dinner later," I said. My heart was now beating at a fast pace. I could almost feel the throb at my temples. I still could not believe what she had said & what we were doing. "Sit down, let's watch TV," I said almost hesitantly, patting the couch next to me and half expecting her to start shouting at me.
"Yeah OK!" She said, not looking at me, as she made her way around me to sit down to my right. She was being tentative also. But I hoped she was not having second thoughts. I didn't dare think where this was leading, but this was one of the most thrilling moments of my life. I took up the glass of water and gulped down the contents.
Both of us sat down with a small gap separating us and had our spines upright as we looked unblinkingly at the television screen.
I don't know how much time we spent like that, but I began to relax slowly. What the hell, we deserved some excitement in our boring lives! And what difference would it make if we played hooky just once?
By and by I let my back rest on the couch and began to contemplate putting my hands behind her on the seat.
Throwing a covert glance at her beside me, I was just about to do that when I felt her visibly relax. As though she had come to a decision, she sat back comfortably in a reclining position.
Gathering all my courage, I lifted by right arm and placed it up on the seat behind Sheela. The adrenaline was rushing through my veins as I began to contemplate letting my arm slide down and rest on her shoulders. I was just at the point of trying it, when Sheela suddenly began to stretch like a kitten. She let out a moan as she reached upwards with extended arms.
Here I was wondering how I could initiate the first touch with her, and she took away my dithering by letting her stretched neck rest on my arm even as she pushed down her neck on the back of the couch, arching her body upwards.