House Wife to House Lady

Khaled was back into his suit. He ordered for Jack Daniels and some snacks and went for the shower. Later, while having his drinks, the thoughts of Manisha still loomed large in his mind. He decided to find her twitter page to get some sexy pic of this lady. After browsing through the pages of Darpan textile and then to Sandeep's, he was finally able to access Manisha's twitter page. However, much to his surprise, except the mundane tweets on greeting other people, may be her family and friend, he could not find what he was looking for. He also found some racist retweets by Manisha on political issues like 'Ram Mandir', the dispute over a site where Muslim invaders had demolished a temple and erected a mosque in India, and 'Love Zihad', a term given to Muslim male luring away the Hindu women and converting them into Islam. Did she hate Muslims? This looked interesting to him.

Then he started thinking about the state of affairs with Sandeep. He needed the supplies to become steady if he wanted to avert any further loss of reputation. There was no question that he must rescue Sandeep to be rescued of his own situation. He also had no doubt that but for the pandemic, the crisis would not have surfaced. Sandeep was competent, professional and honest too. Clearly, Khaled had no other option but to extend financial support.

Khaled had come to resolve the situation without getting drawn into it any further but at the same time he was still having the trance created and left by Manisha. Now he wanted to resolve the problem as also have his mistress in bonus. He had started to scheme out. Should he play dirty in asking for Manisha as quid pro quo against the financial aid to Darpan Textiles? The couple seems not so ambitious and high flying. Moreover, Indians are conservative too. What if Sandeep refused? Would not Khaled feel humiliated? Will it be possible for him to continue with business relations with Darpan Textiles? If the answer was No then will the same not have adverse effect on Khaled's own business? Suddenly an idea occurred to him. He must increase the police pressure on the family so that they bend up to his indecent proposal. Thinking that he called up the DSP and requested him to call Sandeep and pressurize him to pay back his money.

On the other hand, Sandeep reached home. Manisha had already spilled the beans with Abhaji on what had happened to the business and the threat by Khaled in no unclear terms. The family had intense discussion about the crisis during the lunch. The lunch was barely over when Sandeep received call from the DSP who directed him to resolve the situation or else, he had orders to arrest him. The family spoke to Manisha's father as also couple of other relatives to find out how much money could they give on loan. It transpired that friendly loans were not sufficient to pay back to Khaled.

It was 5.30 PM and Sandeep had to leave early to meet Khaled for the evening meeting.

*******

Sandeep was directed to Khaled's suite this time. For the first time he saw Khaled in a short and Polo T shirt sitting on the large king size sofa. He looked gigantic which further eroded Sandeep's self-confidence. However, he felt some optimism because the set up was informal.

What did you think, Mr Sandeep, asked Khaled in sublime baritone. Sandeep had nothing new to say and he started rattling the same response that he had in the morning meeting.

After listening to Sandeep for good 5 minutes, Khaled howled something for which Sandeep was not prepared. He said, 'it seems that you are in no position to cater to my orders and therefore I need the advances back in my bank account within a fortnight'. Else, the Letter of Credit given by your Banker will stand invoked plus I will have instructed the Police to act. The choice is yours. On the other hand, Sandeep kept pleading for more time even though he knew that he needed funds to meet even the enlarged timeline.

Khaled: Look, you need fund to meet your commitments which you do not have. Even the banks would not give unsecured loan of the large sum you are looking at. Do you agree?

Sandeep: Yes, but I will be able to manage I assure you.

Khaled: Enough with this nonsense Mr Sandeep. Let's call off.

Sandeep was dumbfounded with his head down. Khaled smiled to himself and broke the silence. Anything else Mr Sandeep? 'Please' was the only word Sandeep managed to respond.

Khaled: Okay. I can grant you a month's time to pay, if you can manage. Or here is another offer. Switch off your mobile.

Sandeep complied and looked towards Khaled with the hope.

Khaled: I can myself lend you the funds that you need but you need to agree to the terms thereof.

Sandeep: I will comply, Sir. Whatever interest you charge.

Khaled: Well, if I give you this loan then the interest will not be in terms of money. It will be in something dearer and costlier. Make up your mind.

Sandeep: Didn't get you Sir.

Khaled: The interest will be your wife Mr Sandeep. I will need her to my room. If that's suit you then we can talk further.

Sandeep was crestfallen. There was pin drop silence in the room. He just saw towards Khaled. Their eyes met. Khaled was stern and without any hint of shame in his eyes which Sandeep had expected before looking at him. Rather his eyes looked like those of ruthless wanton filthy powerful man. Sandeep could not even manage to say 'how dare you' much less hurling choicest abuses.

To ease out the tension in the room, Khaled said, 'this is just a proposition Mr Sandeep. If you agree, rather more than you if your spouse agree, then you get the funds and plan to reorganize your business. You want to hear more?

What? Asked Sandeep.

Khaled: This will be strictly among three of us. The world won't know. Not very often but yes, once in a while, I will need her as my mistress. I will be leaving for Mumbai and reaching late in the night. I need to know your answer before 10.30 AM tomorrow. If your answer is no then make sure that you either supply all consignments or return the advances within a month. You can leave now.

************

Humiliated, Sandeep reached home. Both, Manisha and Abhaji were anxiously waiting for him. They jumped on asking about outcome of the meeting. Sandeep just told them that after a lot of persuasion, the customer had agreed to grant a month's time. Sandeep had no answer to Abhaji on how he will manage within a month. The family kept discussing many possible sources of funds while agreeing that none of them were viable.

Dinner was served and three of them had it in complete silence. Abhaji retired to her room while the couple went to sleep. Manisha had noticed that right from the time Sandeep had returned back from evening meeting with the Sheikh, he was hiding his eyes from her. After the two settled in each other's arm, Manisha asked Sandeep if he was hiding something from her? Sandeep denied and Manisha kept asking him on a pretext or the other.

Tell me the truth, I will not let anything happen to you Sandeep, said Manisha. After Manisha kept consoling and cajoling him for around half an hour, suddenly Sandeep started weeping. Seeing him in such state, which had never happened during last 12 years of their marriage, Manisha also started weeping.

After couple of minutes Sandeep murmured, you know what other thing happened during the meeting? What? Asked Manisha.

Sandeep: This bastard asked me first to switch off mobile and then he proposed something which cannot tell you, my sweetheart.

Manisha's heart sank. What did he say? Sandeep kept quiet. Tell me Sandeep. Sandeep remained quite till the time Manisha got annoyed and said, 'look, it is because you never shared with us that the things have reached at a point where suddenly there is darkness all around. For the sake of Mummiji and Darpan please let me know what the Sheikh said. Sandeep looked into Manisha's eyes in the darkness of the room and said, this is not worth telling you darling. Do not consider me chicken hearted, please tell me, insisted Manisha. Sandeep could withhold no more and he uttered, he wants you in bed for helping me with the funds.

There was pin drop silence in the room. It looked like both were dead in the bed. After long long silence finally Manisha murmured, 'how has all this happened'? Sandeep had no answer. And if I do not go to this rascal, he will surely get you arrested and get our house, our workshop auctioned. By no means, can we generate sufficient funds to liquidate the debt within a month. Oh God, what do we do? She started weeping while Sandeep hiding his face in Manisha's embrace.

After around an hour so, Manisha calmed herself and said, don't worry sweetheart. I will not allow this to happen, I will not allow that my husband is arrested and becomes a laughingstock among the relatives and in the community. How? asked Sandeep. Is there any other option! When there is none then it is obvious, Sandeep, said Manisha. If he wants my body in return of the help then let it be so. I had never thought that our life will take this turn, said Sandeep. No one thought but we cannot pretend that everything will be alright, can we, said Manisha. Sandeep was quiet and had nothing to answer.

There was absolute lull thereafter. Sandeep, tired from the day's proceedings, got drawn into deep slumber. After some time, Manisha managed to place pillow under his head and sneaked out of the bed to get some water and sleep. She came out in the drawing room and saw Abhaji sitting on the sofa in the dark. Manisha was startled. It was obvious from Abhaji's face that she had overheard everything. She called Manisha and asked her to close the doors of the bedroom where Sandeep was sleeping.

Abhaji: Beta, I have head everything and my blessings for you has increased ten times today. Sit here, I want to talk to you.

Manisha sat quiet and looked towards her mother-in-law in the dark.

Abhaji: You have two choices. Whatever Sandeep earned and raised here in Surat was outcome of his hard work only. This house, workshop and the land can be sold and the loan can be liquidated partially if not fully. We will go back to our ancestral house at Jaipur. I will manage to foot the family expenses and raise my grandson from my pension. Unfortunately, Darpan will have to endure the same life that Sandeep did. The second choice does not need any discussion. I am with you Beta, its your decision. We will happily live whichever way the god wants us to live.

After silence of couple of minutes, Manisha finally spoke.

Manisha: I am completely nervous, frightened and confused, Mummiji (mom). Sandeep's arrest will make us untouchable among the relatives, Darpan's future and the pangs of losing everything that we have, frightens me. On the other hand, if we agree otherwise then I will never forgive myself and start hating even my own reflections in the mirror. How will Sandeep cope with this ordeal? What do I do, asked sobbing Manisha.

Abhaji comforted Manisha in her arms and patted her back. What do you want, asked Abhaji. What should I do, Mummiji? I do not want to lose my family's wellbeing and future.

Abhaji: Then stop crying and grow up strong, Beta. I will manage everything at home. Should I also tell you today that when your father-in-law died, I was just your age. I was groped and molested every now and then by the elderly Principal of the school under whose power my destiny rested as the teacher. I helplessly endured his sexual assaults because I had to raise two kids at home. All that I got in return was timely promotion and pay raise from time to time. Compare my situation with this Sheikh who is willing to give loan of a million dollar without any security. 'Kam se kam daam to sahi lagaya usne' (at least he has put your right price in return). But yes, never get fooled and set right the understanding with him so that you are able to get best of his favours. Now smile please.

Manisha: (Faking the smile) He looks like a monster, and he is a Muslim too, Mummiji. I am frightened if he indulges in animal like behaviour in privacy.

Abhaji: Neither of the two matters. Muslim hokar bhi daam to sahi lagaya usne! What matters is the return you are going to get. And never forget that you are a Marwadi known for survival instinct. Now go and sleep. Saying so Abhaji kissed Manisha's forehead and Manisha hugged Abhaji like she would have hugged her mother.

The next morning, Manisha awoke Sandeep with the morning tea. Sandeep got up with the same guilty face like the last night. Manisha smiled for him and asked, why are you looking so anxious? You need to call the Sheikh at 10.30 AM. And I have spoken to Mumiji too because I could not take such a big step without her consent.

What should I tell him, asked Sandeep after long silence. Tell him that Manisha has agreed to see you.

Sandeep remained stoic for a while, pulled Manisha in his embrace and said, 'I have a brave wife willing to fight anything that harms me'. Manisha shook him again and asked him to call the sheikh as the time was passing. Sandeep rose, went to the washroom and cleaned his face. He called Khaled keeping the speaker on so that Manisha could hear too. It was Khaled first to ask, 'has your spouse agreed'? Sandeep's short answer was, Yes. Okay.,I will ask Mariott to send a car to your home as early as possible. Let her come to see me at the Consulate here. My office will contact you for the signing the Purchase Order against which advances will be issued to you. Be available to complete the formalities. Okay was Sandeep's response. The call was disconnected.

She came out and Abhaji was sitting at the same place in the drawing room like she was the previous night. There eyes met. She called Manisha to sit alongside her. Next, Abhaji called Sandeep. Sandeep came out from the bedroom like a guilty boy.

Abhaji: Beta, Manisha has told me everything. I hope you know the sacrifice she is going to make for the sake of all of us including your safety. She is bailing you out from police arrest. Hope you appreciate.

Sandeep nodded.

Abhaji: Beta, I do not want you to ever quarrel or get angry over Manisha due to her decision. Meri Kasam Khao (take a vow in my name).

Sandeep nodded.

Abhaji: Rather you must respect her and keep her happier than ever from now and work harder so that a situation like the one never recurs.

Sandeep nodded again. His silence was broken by the phone call from Mariott. The person on call took his address and informed him that the Car from hotel will reach his home by 1 PM. It was 9.30 AM now.

Abhaji broke the silence after the call and said, 'let us tell everyone that Manisha had gone to meet her friend at Mumbai whose husband had agreed to provide substantial funds. She asked Manisha to call her anxious parents and tell them that fund was organized. Manisha called her parents and broke the false news. Abhaji asked her to prepare for her travel to Mumbai and leave the chores to her.

Manisha went to her bedroom followed by Sandeep. The moment they were in, both of them hugged each other. She inquired and understood from him about the paperwork narrated by Sheikh. She also asked about how much time it will take for the money to arrive. Sandeep had no clue about the time. Next, she asked about why she was called at the Consulate and again Sandeep could only guess the possible reasons. Then she asked what she should wear on which Sandeep suggested her to wear anything which she felt comfortable with. She decided to dress formally in a Saree and take Salwar Suit and Jeans T shirt in her luggage apart from other essentials.

By around 12.45 PM, a black Skoda car arrived and honked at the gate. Sandeep looked at Manisha, hugged and kissed her. Manisha broke the embrace and came out of the bedroom. Explaining Abhaji about whereabout of essentials in the house and take medicines in time etc. You don't bother, said Abhaji.

Both Abhaji and Sandeep rushed Manisha towards the Car with Abhaji holding her purse while Sandeep holding her luggage. Manisha touched her mother in law's feet and the latter kissed her forehead. She sat inside and the car swirled away like running away with some pricey smuggled good. The mother and the son stood in silence for a while. The mother had tears in her eyes when she murmured to herself, Bhagwan Aisi Bahu Sabko De.

**************

In an hour or so, the car had left the city behind and was breezing on NH 8 which connects Surat with Mumbai.

She was alone and vulnerable now. She closed her eyes and started going to the flashback on how fast the events unfolded in last two days. Her thought was empathising with Sandeep on how despite the untiring hard works, the god was so cruel to him in snatching away everything due to COVID and on how much pain he tried to endure by not sharing his troubles with either her or Mummiji so that they are not drawn into the same. What wrong had she done that the god became so cruel to her. She must visit the Shrinathji Temple once this problem was over.

Next, she was cursing Khaled on how lecherously he would have made the proposal to Sandeep without any shame or guilt. How lowly and mean this man was who never thought before speaking about her even though she was a married woman. Is this because he is a Muslim who always considered woman an object of desire, where a man can have as many as four wives simultaneously and where a man can marry even his own mother after she becomes a widow?

But why did Khaled put such a handsome price on her? After all she was not a woman like Aisharya Rai (famous beautiful actress)! Why then? Was he having some dirty plan in his mind? Was he going to use her for some sinister purpose? Quite likely that he had some plan to use her to earn more than the price he had agreed to pay. This thought frightened her so much so that sadness enamoured her face.

The driver who was of and on keeping an eye on her in the rear view mirror noticed this. He said, 'tension nahin lene ka madam, aapki meeting 6 baje shaam me hai, mai time se pahucha dunga'. Manisha was suddenly pulled out from her deep thoughts. She just said, 'koi nahin Bhaiya, wo to aap pahucha hee doge'. The driver smiled and said, madam, aaplog bade log ho, udhar Qatar me life bahut achchha hai, yahan se das guna jyada salary milta, kabhi mauka mile to humlog ko bhi udhar lagwa dena'. Hearing this Manisha smiled and thought, 'the poor guy does not know that he is asking for favour to a woman who is herself sold to sleep with a sadist Sheikh from the same country'.

However, the question again haunted her on why she was called at the Consulate.... will this filthy Sheikh forcibly take her away to his country? Nah, this was just not possible, resolved Manisha. Buoyed from her newfound confidence, her thoughts wandered into sex. This man looks like a monster, she had not seen any other man so tall with big hands and big feet. She had also not seen such a black guy with deep voice. I cannot resist much less fight him if he indulged in animal like behaviour in bed like I had seen in videos, thought Manisha. Will he be respectful, or will he treat her like slave? He looks so disgusting that my soul will revolt even if he kissed me. What will he ask me to perform in bed? What if he forces to fuck me in anus? How can I endure his beastly adventure if he wanted to indulge? Thinking all this she drifted into deep slumber since she had not slept properly the last night.

When she woke up, she could guess that the car had entered the city limits of Mumbai. Seeing her awake, the driver announced that they will be reaching Nariman Point (where the Consulate is located) in 10-15 minutes. She quickly organized herself. She took out the wet wipes and deep cleaned her face then she applied a light shade of lip stick and finally she organized the layers of pleats and put her Pallu properly.