Ravi had just turned eighteen and was looking forward to lazing around for the next few months before college started. He grew up in a typical middle class neighbourhood of Madras, where everybody knew one another.
Ravi was an introvert, seldom spoke much and was uncomfortable meeting new people. As a result, he had few friends his age and spent a lot of time at home, usually with his mom. This also meant that all the ladies of the neighbourhood knew Ravi quite well. He was regarded as a helpful and sweet mannered boy who would go a long way in pleasing elders.
Among the many ladies that liked Ravi was Pankajam aunty. She was a widow in her early sixties but very healthy. She was tall and well built for an Indian woman. However, she was feared not for her physical appearance but her sharp tongue. She was usually the loudest and most loquacious in any social gathering. Pankajam aunty's son was an unmarried man of in his early thirties. He lived with her in the upper floor of a two-storey independent house.
One evening, Pankajam aunty came to Ravi's mom with a rather strange request. Her son was out of town for a few days for work and due to the recent burglaries in the city, she was apprehensive about staying alone at night. Could she borrow Ravi for a few nights?
Ravi's mom knew that that would be the last thing he would want to do but seeing the woman's plight agreed. Ravi could not believe his ears. He never understood how he could support Pankajam aunty should there be a robber in her house. Aunty was much stronger and bigger than him. And more importantly had a lot more courage than Ravi could ever muster. Added to this is the fact that he would have to bear her incessant chatter on the most trivial of things. Ravi was dismayed but had to oblige his mom.
And that is how a reluctant Ravi ended up at Pankajam aunty's doorstep on that Monday night. On buzzing the doorbell, aunty opened the door clad in a nightie and gave him a tight hug thanking him profusely for doing this. Ravi's embarrassment overcame his irritation and managed pull himself out of her grasp after much difficulty.
After about half an hour of chitchat where Ravi managed to say about five words, they decided to hit the bed. Aunty said they should share her room as her son's room was locked. Ravi's feeble protests were smothered by Pankajam aunty's arguments.