Breaking that and looking around Mr. Sen hissed towards his wife and gave her some hint from his eyes. She, after momentary dilemma turned to mother saying," Aunty, Sen wants to wish Reddi ji for best journey, and he is asking your permission for some drinks. "

Mother said, " Why Mrs. Sen? You need my permission for that!"

She then turned her right and said to Reddi ji," Look here Reddi ji, Mrs. Sen is asking my permission for drinks to say good wishes to you. You can have that and always have our good wishes every time."

Mrs. Sen smiled and spoke to mother," But aunty, today he is not going to accept wishes unless we all celebrate."

"Say." Mother said.

"Please join with us a little one," Mrs. Sen said.

Mother exclaimed," You are joking! It is for young's."

Mrs. Sen spoke holding mother's hand tightly, "No aunty, you see how many things happening at a time, Reddi ji going beyond seven seas, your son is coming to an important place, company is getting biggest booms and with your blessings Reddi ji too may find a way for ending his miseries."

She said after brief silence," This is the most fortunate time for all us? If not now then..."

Every one with hold of breath was curiously looking at this exciting conversation. I saw my mother in plight to find words her but there was only silence of longer minutes. Reddi ji was surprising looking at Mrs. Sen. Ruchi had her eyes wide but at every occasion while other's were absorbed in that conversation, I saw her eyes meeting with stealing glances of Reddi ji for her.

Mrs. Sen still holding mother's arm softly said," Aunty, tell me if you have never tasted brandy even in illness."

Mother had a brief smile," No I took at Mauritius at the insistence of my cousin and her husband to celebrate our anniversary."

Mr. Sen clapped and joined by all including Ruchi. He applauded, "Three cheers to aunty."

I saw this time Reddi ji's eyes met for longer time with my wife eyes while they vigorously clapped.

Mrs. Sen's sank her fingers deeper in mother's arm and said, "Now why can't you celebrate with us? Are we insignificant before your cousin? "

Mother very hesitantly looked at me and said," Ok you win, but for celebration only."

There was big clapping by all. Mrs. Sen like me too caught Ruchi was excited by her mother-in-law's admission for taking drinks.

She bent left to her and hold her arm," You are not saying no now."

"I haven't taken ever." My wife nervously said.

"While your mother in law is celebrating... would you not celebrate for you husband and Reddi ji!"

Ruchi looked at me. I saw from extreme corner of my eye that Reddi ji was pleadingly looking at my wife. There was no other way, I silently nodded.

Mrs. Sen got up and asked Ruchi to come with her. Ruchi followed her as she walked towards gallery leading to inner room.

Reddi ji said to mother," Thanks aunty, I will ever remember your blessings. I am feeling as if I have found my real elder." - - - - - - - -

Mr. Sen leaned left towards me and whispered in my ear," Reddi ji is leaving for a month and tomorrow. Do you wish to give him some privilege with your wife."

I had seen my wife was melting in his hot gazes but this time he was careful not to expose it to all. I whispered," I think we can, but limited and please not before my mother."

"That is right." He said.

He got up and went in through that gallery.

The living room was now left with only three of us. Reddi ji was in conversation with my mother basically about the future of his daughter.

I felt he had been living in dreadful isolation and found my mother consoling understanding to his sufferings.

As I sat there on that love seat I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing was real. The last four days reeled in my mind like a film. I recalled my dream walk to the administrative building of my mill only three days back. How towering that looked to me! It was a dream of dreams like situation. I didn't know where it was leading me but knew a miracle was happenings.

Mr. Sen came back and saw Reddi and mother were still absorbed in conversation. He didn't stay in room and swiftly walked outside perhaps again for fresh air in his grassy lawns.

Every thing had a distinct meaning. There were Reddi ji's problems and Sen's shrewd multi-millions business requirements and his own dreams to surpass his friend boss. I felt that I was a pawn on big board of kings. My mother didn't know that Sen was interested in Reddi ji's problems not beyond a line. I though I should tell all that to mother in morning before she makes up a direction for the family.
3
My thoughts broke as Ruchi appeared from gallery and waved me to come. I walked to her and she led me to a room that was just at left of gallery entrance. It was a thinly furnished smaller kid's room.

She hurriedly pushed the door behind her and said in direly low voice, " Mrs., Sen is making a very odd suggestion." Looking in my curious eyes she whispered," She says that I should not wear bra as a special treat to Reddi ji."

Before I could be amazed she said, "She says after you talked her husband, he had promised Reddi ji for some treat before he leaves."

"I didn't promise that specifically but it depends on you." I softly said." You are already attracted towards him."

She said coyly, "But how can I? This is a thin kurta and it will surely show all breasts. Mother is here!" She was puzzled.

"But you have duppata, she would not notice that. I know you are not averse to give poor Reddi ji some opportunity. He is going long and would see you only after a month from now. If you wish show him little adequately. Well it depends on you."

I saw my reply was making her eyes sexily heavy. I kissed passionately on her lips.

She separated her lips and said, "But please don't tell any one about it." She said. She even knew that was needless apprehension.

I opened the door and walked in living room to my place. An unprecedented excitement was fast building in my loins.
(TO BE CONTINUED)