Radhika Subramaniam prowled around her spacious apartment, a double shot of vodka in hand. Her angular face bare of any makeup, revealed a good-looking woman just shy of forty who was both lonely and depressed.
Mr. Subramaniam had left with no warning some five months back. Radhika later learned he'd run off with a twenty five year-old, leaving Radhika with all the bills. Fortunately, she had a decent job as administrator for the Rotary Club in Andheri and made do with what she had. Adding to her plight of loneliness at the moment was the fact that her best friend, Chhaya Goswami, was off partying in Kasaul.
She ran her hand through her unkempt hair and swallowed the remainder of her overly strong drink, then plopped down in the leather recliner that her husband had loved, or at least Radhika thought he'd loved.
She sat there staring off into space until her hand relaxed and the glass fell to the highly glossed oak flooring.
"Shit!" Radhika cursed, and then felt immediate remorse and asked God to forgive her for swearing. As Radhika went about cleaning up the spilled drink she came across an envelope underneath the recliner and held it in one hand at arm’s length, and then squinting with one eye, she slowly read what was written on the envelope.
Dear Radhika:
I feel terrible for abandoning you in your time of need.
But if things really get bad, please, please, please, take my advice and call the number
I've listed below. I guarantee they'll perk you up 100%.
All my love,
Chhaya
At the end of the note was a phone number for Bombay Delights, which Radhika surmised was an escort service. She was well aware that Chhaya made use of them, having been divorced for six years and having no intention of remarrying.
Radhika walked into the kitchen carrying the envelope, intent on throwing it away in the trash.
But Chhaya's words, "Please, please, please, take my advice," rang in her ears and she picked up the cell phone lying on the kitchen counter and dialled the number.
After two rings, a sultry feminine voice on the other end of the line answered, "Bombay Delights, Zara speaking, how may I help you?"
Radhika was so nervous, that she dropped the cell. Quickly she knelt and retrieved it. "Sorry, I dropped the damn phone," she stammered.
"How may I help you?" Zara repeated.
"I... um, I'm a friend of Chhaya Goswami and her... she told me to give you a call."
"Chhaya Goswami?" I have no listing for that name."
"Oh..." all the wind seemed to have left Radhika's lungs.
"But that's not unusual," Zara prattled on. "Most callers prefer to remain anonymous."
"Oh," Radhika repeated, but this time with added confidence.
"Would you like to make an appointment? Our rates are Rs. 5000 for the first hour and Rs. 2500 an hour after that."
"Um, I've never... visited an establishment like yours before. What's customary?"
"First timer, eh? Perhaps you should start with an hour. If you want to continue on, well we can accommodate you easily enough."
"Yes, an hour seems... fine."
"And when would you like to come by? Or perhaps you want us to come to you?"
"Today? I can come by this later this afternoon?"
"Let's see," Zara said, then paused. "Good, we have an opening at four this afternoon. How is that for you?"
Radhika thought frantically. That was two hours from now. She had to do her hair and so many other things she thought it impossible.
"I don't know... four is cutting it awfully close."
"Hmm, the next slot is at seven... is that better, Ms?"
"That's perfect Zara, just perfect. Seven it is! Oh, and the name is Subramaniam."
Zara seemed pleased that the caller had remembered her name and arranged for Ms. Subramaniam to have Arjun or Viraat available for her, then said, "See you then, and thank you for selecting Bombay Delights."
-------
At seven sharp, Radhika Subramaniam, hair carefully styled and wearing a new dress and new under garments walked into the small office of Bombay Delights.
Zara, a woman of indeterminate age sat behind the reception desk and glance up as Radhika entered.
"Ms. Subramaniam?"
"Yes, you must be Zara," and she extended her hand in greeting.
Surprised, Zara took her hand and shook it as she appraised the woman standing before her.
"I hope your time here will be more than enjoyable!" Zara said with a wide smile that showed her recently whitened teeth to best advantage. "Now what did you have in mind?"
"Quite frankly, I don't know," Radhika told her.
A tear welled up in Radhika's eye and streamed down her left cheek as the other eye filled.
Zara took pity on her and quickly offered Radhika a tissue, which Radhika accepted.
"I... I'm terribly sorry. My husband left me some months ago and I..."
"You haven't given this any real thought, have you?" Zara said, not unkindly.
"I guess not. I suppose I expected a tall, dark and handsome man to be waiting for me," she finished lamely.
"And so he shall... that is if you really want a man."
"What!" Radhika exclaimed, ready to panic.
"Please, let me explain," Zara said holding up her hands as if to ward off a blow.
"I was going to suggest..." Zara began, "Um, it's been my experience that our mature women, and by that I do not mean elderly. That our mature women often find solace and enjoyment if they begin with a younger woman."
Zara searched Radhika's eyes for the answer before Radhika had formulated one.
Radhika finally began to respond, but got no further than, "I... I..."
"Zara got up and came out from behind the desk and placed a hand on Radhika's shoulder.
"Now it may sound strange. In fact, it is strange. But hear me out, Radhika. Being with another woman will generate far less pressure than being with a man would. I mean, with a man you'll undoubtedly feel a need to satisfy his needs when it's your own needs that require attention. A woman can do exactly that."
"Oh!" Radhika sighed, instantly regretting having come to this place. Then she had second thoughts about what Zara had told her. 'She's right, ' Radhika thought, 'a woman would understand what I've been going through. I seriously doubt a man would.'
"You should know that I... I've never been with a woman before."
"Let's give it a try, shall we?" Zara said with new unbridled enthusiasm. "Tell you what, if for some reason you find you can't do it, we'll switch and bring a guy in. How does that sound?"
"It sounds like you run a business that really wants the client happy."
"That's us!" Zara chirped, then picked up her phone and pressed an extension. "Radha? Would you please come to the front desk, please?"
"I'm sure you'll find Radha to be everything you want," Zara said, as a strikingly beautiful woman, perhaps six feet tall entered the room wearing a light blue negligee.
Radhika couldn't help but stare; for Radha's large nipples were visible through the gauzy material. What's more, Radhika glanced downward and saw a tuft of blonde pubic hair covering Radha's mons.
Radhika's hand went to her mouth in shock.
"You can do this," Zara said, and reached for Radhika's hand, then gave it a squeeze. Then to Radha, she said, "Radhika is a virgin Sappho wise. Be kind, be caring." Turning back to Radhika she said, "Go with her, you'll see I was right about this."
With a great deal of trepidation, Radhika followed Radha down a corridor lined with doors. At number 12, Radha knocked twice before entering. When Radhika entered, she saw that the room was sparsely furnished, but what furniture and accessories there were, were of the finest quality.
'Why had Radha knocked on the door?' Radhika wondered, and then saw another door that provided a second exit from the room. 'Someone might have been in here, ' she thought, then asked Radha if that were the case.
"Yes, it's possible. I always knock to avoid embarrassing anyone. This room is supposed to be unoccupied, and it was, but I barged in on someone a year ago and caused a great deal of embarrassment because the client was rather well known. "
She gave Radhika a beatific smile, and said, "So I knock, even if the room is supposed to be unoccupied."
"I understand," Radhika responded.
"Would you care for a glass of wine?" Radha inquired.
"Yes, that would be nice, thank you."
The two women each had a drink of wine and made small talk, then placing her wineglass on a small teak table, Radha stood up and said, "Let me get more comfortable for you," and walked into a small bathroom.
Radhika nervously swallowed the remainder of her wine and refilled her glass. Her foot tapped relentlessly on the carpeted floor. Suddenly, Radha reappeared and Radhika gasped out loud. Radha was standing nude before her.
"Do I meet with your approval?"
Radhika swallowed and then haltingly spoke. "Very much so, Radha."
Radhika's fingers fluttered over her own cheek and she forced herself to speak again. "Um, please... call me Radhika, okay?"
A soft smile crept across the Radha's face as she answered, "Well, Radhika, let me help you out of those clothes so we can make you a little more comfortable, okay?"
As Radha began to unbutton the front of Radhika's blouse, the older woman pushed her hand away and said, "I'm a little nervous about this. Um, over the years I've put on a little weight, and well, I'm just embarrassed about how I look."
Radha giggled and replied, "Don't be embarrassed, Radhika, you have huge boobs, and I just love it when they're big."
Hearing the beautiful young woman talking about her breasts in such a light hearted manner caused Radhika to blush with embarrassment.
"Oh, dear," Radha whispered when Radhika's encased breasts came into view, "I'm gonna love sucking on those, hurry up and get naked so we can get in the tub together."
Confused, Radhika asked, "Tub? What tub?"
Then peeking over Radha's shoulder, she saw the edge of what must have been a hot tub.
Mr. Subramaniam had left with no warning some five months back. Radhika later learned he'd run off with a twenty five year-old, leaving Radhika with all the bills. Fortunately, she had a decent job as administrator for the Rotary Club in Andheri and made do with what she had. Adding to her plight of loneliness at the moment was the fact that her best friend, Chhaya Goswami, was off partying in Kasaul.
She ran her hand through her unkempt hair and swallowed the remainder of her overly strong drink, then plopped down in the leather recliner that her husband had loved, or at least Radhika thought he'd loved.
She sat there staring off into space until her hand relaxed and the glass fell to the highly glossed oak flooring.
"Shit!" Radhika cursed, and then felt immediate remorse and asked God to forgive her for swearing. As Radhika went about cleaning up the spilled drink she came across an envelope underneath the recliner and held it in one hand at arm’s length, and then squinting with one eye, she slowly read what was written on the envelope.
Dear Radhika:
I feel terrible for abandoning you in your time of need.
But if things really get bad, please, please, please, take my advice and call the number
I've listed below. I guarantee they'll perk you up 100%.
All my love,
Chhaya
At the end of the note was a phone number for Bombay Delights, which Radhika surmised was an escort service. She was well aware that Chhaya made use of them, having been divorced for six years and having no intention of remarrying.
Radhika walked into the kitchen carrying the envelope, intent on throwing it away in the trash.
But Chhaya's words, "Please, please, please, take my advice," rang in her ears and she picked up the cell phone lying on the kitchen counter and dialled the number.
After two rings, a sultry feminine voice on the other end of the line answered, "Bombay Delights, Zara speaking, how may I help you?"
Radhika was so nervous, that she dropped the cell. Quickly she knelt and retrieved it. "Sorry, I dropped the damn phone," she stammered.
"How may I help you?" Zara repeated.
"I... um, I'm a friend of Chhaya Goswami and her... she told me to give you a call."
"Chhaya Goswami?" I have no listing for that name."
"Oh..." all the wind seemed to have left Radhika's lungs.
"But that's not unusual," Zara prattled on. "Most callers prefer to remain anonymous."
"Oh," Radhika repeated, but this time with added confidence.
"Would you like to make an appointment? Our rates are Rs. 5000 for the first hour and Rs. 2500 an hour after that."
"Um, I've never... visited an establishment like yours before. What's customary?"
"First timer, eh? Perhaps you should start with an hour. If you want to continue on, well we can accommodate you easily enough."
"Yes, an hour seems... fine."
"And when would you like to come by? Or perhaps you want us to come to you?"
"Today? I can come by this later this afternoon?"
"Let's see," Zara said, then paused. "Good, we have an opening at four this afternoon. How is that for you?"
Radhika thought frantically. That was two hours from now. She had to do her hair and so many other things she thought it impossible.
"I don't know... four is cutting it awfully close."
"Hmm, the next slot is at seven... is that better, Ms?"
"That's perfect Zara, just perfect. Seven it is! Oh, and the name is Subramaniam."
Zara seemed pleased that the caller had remembered her name and arranged for Ms. Subramaniam to have Arjun or Viraat available for her, then said, "See you then, and thank you for selecting Bombay Delights."
-------
At seven sharp, Radhika Subramaniam, hair carefully styled and wearing a new dress and new under garments walked into the small office of Bombay Delights.
Zara, a woman of indeterminate age sat behind the reception desk and glance up as Radhika entered.
"Ms. Subramaniam?"
"Yes, you must be Zara," and she extended her hand in greeting.
Surprised, Zara took her hand and shook it as she appraised the woman standing before her.
"I hope your time here will be more than enjoyable!" Zara said with a wide smile that showed her recently whitened teeth to best advantage. "Now what did you have in mind?"
"Quite frankly, I don't know," Radhika told her.
A tear welled up in Radhika's eye and streamed down her left cheek as the other eye filled.
Zara took pity on her and quickly offered Radhika a tissue, which Radhika accepted.
"I... I'm terribly sorry. My husband left me some months ago and I..."
"You haven't given this any real thought, have you?" Zara said, not unkindly.
"I guess not. I suppose I expected a tall, dark and handsome man to be waiting for me," she finished lamely.
"And so he shall... that is if you really want a man."
"What!" Radhika exclaimed, ready to panic.
"Please, let me explain," Zara said holding up her hands as if to ward off a blow.
"I was going to suggest..." Zara began, "Um, it's been my experience that our mature women, and by that I do not mean elderly. That our mature women often find solace and enjoyment if they begin with a younger woman."
Zara searched Radhika's eyes for the answer before Radhika had formulated one.
Radhika finally began to respond, but got no further than, "I... I..."
"Zara got up and came out from behind the desk and placed a hand on Radhika's shoulder.
"Now it may sound strange. In fact, it is strange. But hear me out, Radhika. Being with another woman will generate far less pressure than being with a man would. I mean, with a man you'll undoubtedly feel a need to satisfy his needs when it's your own needs that require attention. A woman can do exactly that."
"Oh!" Radhika sighed, instantly regretting having come to this place. Then she had second thoughts about what Zara had told her. 'She's right, ' Radhika thought, 'a woman would understand what I've been going through. I seriously doubt a man would.'
"You should know that I... I've never been with a woman before."
"Let's give it a try, shall we?" Zara said with new unbridled enthusiasm. "Tell you what, if for some reason you find you can't do it, we'll switch and bring a guy in. How does that sound?"
"It sounds like you run a business that really wants the client happy."
"That's us!" Zara chirped, then picked up her phone and pressed an extension. "Radha? Would you please come to the front desk, please?"
"I'm sure you'll find Radha to be everything you want," Zara said, as a strikingly beautiful woman, perhaps six feet tall entered the room wearing a light blue negligee.
Radhika couldn't help but stare; for Radha's large nipples were visible through the gauzy material. What's more, Radhika glanced downward and saw a tuft of blonde pubic hair covering Radha's mons.
Radhika's hand went to her mouth in shock.
"You can do this," Zara said, and reached for Radhika's hand, then gave it a squeeze. Then to Radha, she said, "Radhika is a virgin Sappho wise. Be kind, be caring." Turning back to Radhika she said, "Go with her, you'll see I was right about this."
With a great deal of trepidation, Radhika followed Radha down a corridor lined with doors. At number 12, Radha knocked twice before entering. When Radhika entered, she saw that the room was sparsely furnished, but what furniture and accessories there were, were of the finest quality.
'Why had Radha knocked on the door?' Radhika wondered, and then saw another door that provided a second exit from the room. 'Someone might have been in here, ' she thought, then asked Radha if that were the case.
"Yes, it's possible. I always knock to avoid embarrassing anyone. This room is supposed to be unoccupied, and it was, but I barged in on someone a year ago and caused a great deal of embarrassment because the client was rather well known. "
She gave Radhika a beatific smile, and said, "So I knock, even if the room is supposed to be unoccupied."
"I understand," Radhika responded.
"Would you care for a glass of wine?" Radha inquired.
"Yes, that would be nice, thank you."
The two women each had a drink of wine and made small talk, then placing her wineglass on a small teak table, Radha stood up and said, "Let me get more comfortable for you," and walked into a small bathroom.
Radhika nervously swallowed the remainder of her wine and refilled her glass. Her foot tapped relentlessly on the carpeted floor. Suddenly, Radha reappeared and Radhika gasped out loud. Radha was standing nude before her.
"Do I meet with your approval?"
Radhika swallowed and then haltingly spoke. "Very much so, Radha."
Radhika's fingers fluttered over her own cheek and she forced herself to speak again. "Um, please... call me Radhika, okay?"
A soft smile crept across the Radha's face as she answered, "Well, Radhika, let me help you out of those clothes so we can make you a little more comfortable, okay?"
As Radha began to unbutton the front of Radhika's blouse, the older woman pushed her hand away and said, "I'm a little nervous about this. Um, over the years I've put on a little weight, and well, I'm just embarrassed about how I look."
Radha giggled and replied, "Don't be embarrassed, Radhika, you have huge boobs, and I just love it when they're big."
Hearing the beautiful young woman talking about her breasts in such a light hearted manner caused Radhika to blush with embarrassment.
"Oh, dear," Radha whispered when Radhika's encased breasts came into view, "I'm gonna love sucking on those, hurry up and get naked so we can get in the tub together."
Confused, Radhika asked, "Tub? What tub?"
Then peeking over Radha's shoulder, she saw the edge of what must have been a hot tub.