Written by a woman and a man, jointly :)
*
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
*****
Sagarika's version:
Sometimes when I look back at the recent months and weeks of my life, I startle at how it changed so dramatically and so quickly. I get a sense of both disbelief and thrill to recall how a series of seemingly innocuous events led to a tremendously liberating journey – sexually as well as emotionally. But to sincerely describe that remarkable journey in its true form, I must start from the beginning – from the very beginning.
I was born in the Indian metropolis of Kolkata, in to a wealthy family, and to an educated, socially well respected parent. Later, they told me how happy they were to finally have a girl child. Well, their happiness certainly didn't translate into pampering as far as I can remember; perhaps a tribute to my level-headed parents.
I went to a reputed private school, became friends with other rich kids. Though I never achieved outstanding grades in school, I really don't recollect my parents were ever concerned about my academic performance. I never had a lot of friends, but I was happy with the ones that I had.
I loved my brothers but as I was growing up they gradually assumed the role of a 'counsellor' rather than that of a 'confidant'. But that was possibly not surprising as I had an age gap of 7 years with my elder twin brothers.
My love life during the high school days was limited to a few rare heartbreaks resulting from discovering my teenage crush was going out with other girls. Back in those days, it was not easy or indeed common for an Indian teenage girl to sleep around; and I was definitely even more timid than the average teenage girls of our time, as far as sexual adventures are concerned. I didn't even learn to masturbate until I was 16!
I duly fulfilled my parents' aspirations of their child completing higher education and following their footsteps. I was not sure though whether they would appreciate it when I fell in love with my classmate while doing my Masters'. But I was 23 by then and according to the prevailing social customs, my parents were looking for a suitable groom for me anyway. They didn't grumble when they found my boyfriend comes from a very affluent family and aspires to be a renowned economist. With the financial support of his parents, getting married early was hardly a career-limiting move for my boyfriend. So I got married at 23 and by then I had realized that academia is not for me.
I was really excited as a newlywed bride, living with my husband in a big house served by maids and cooks. Not many newly married couples from Kolkata could afford their own place back in those days - it was certainly a privilege. Our sex life was pretty active; or so I believed until I embarked on a sexually liberating journey many years later in my life. I was still doing my Masters' when I became pregnant and I gave birth to our beautiful daughter shortly after completing my degree. I was 24.
I decided to forego my career and instead become a homemaker and support my husband's budding career as an economist. I might have felt a little blue in my subconscious initially when my husband was not particularly forceful in trying to change my mind. But largely, I was content playing the supporting wife and watching our beautiful daughter bloom in front of my eyes.
Life moved on and the years went by without throwing any big surprises. Sumita, our daughter, was now 17, in her final year of school. Her father was visiting Chicago University to present his recently published paper. Our phone rang very early in the morning in Kolkata and delivered the terrible news that my husband had suffered a massive heart attack the previous night and was declared dead when he was rushed to the nearest hospital. Out of the blue, my world was shattered in an instant. Just like that – no forewarning, nothing.
To my surprise, however, the feeling inside me was one of numbness rather than a deep sorrow. I was completely at a loss. My parents, brothers and in-laws all showed compassion and offered to help but I found it terribly hard to look forward to life, to gather myself and go again. The sudden death of her father and seeing her mother constantly depressed and numb had an awful impact on Sumita. The problem was that both Sumita and I were heavily dependent on my late husband for emotional guidance and support and now we both had lost it.
A few months after that dreadful morning, I began to realize that I could not afford to fall to pieces. That I had to be strong and stand on my feet for Sumita if not for anything else. But staying at home all day – the place was immersed with memories of my late husband - I found it impossible to come out of my depression. I recognised that that I need a reason to venture into the outside world and keep myself busy. I needed to find work.
I had my History degree and my grades were consistently good but I didn't have any experience. I needed a favour in order to land a job. Fortunately, most of my family were in academia and my brothers managed to pull a few strings to get me into a newly opened private college as assistant professor.
Things started to settle down slowly as Sumita and I began a new phase of our lives. She did very well in her school final exam. With her marks, she was certain to get into most of the top universities in India. Although I always wanted Sumita to avail the best possible option for her higher study, secretly I was hoping that she would choose a university close to our home. I was not ready to live on my own, not yet. Luck smiled at me for once as Sumita stayed home and pursued her bachelor's in History following the footsteps of her mother.
For the next three and half years, I devoted myself to work and supporting Sumita. Everything was getting back to 'normal'.
That's when I met Arindam, a 21 years old bright boy in my history class.
Arindam's version:
Our History Professor, Sagarika Sen, was an extra ordinary woman. There was something enigmatic about her and that drew me towards her virtually from the very moment I saw her for the first time. She was quite unusually tall for an Indian woman and extremely voluptuous. But despite having some extra flesh on her, Prof. Sen's physique never looked disproportionate - remarkably big structured for an Indian woman, yes, but still full of magical symmetry.
