‘Stop near that gate,’ said Roopa to the driver.

‘Now tell me all,’ said Sathyam as they went in behind Roopa.

‘Let my sister serve some water first,’ said Prasad taking his seat. ‘At least that would help quench my thirst.’

‘Won’t you like to hear his story?’ said Sathyam, as Roopa turned back after giving them some water.

‘I’m afraid you’re giving an impression to my sister that there is a great deal of interest attached to my life,’ said Prasad. ‘On the other hand, my life is as ordinary as any but for the marriage. Rani was my classmate in Delhi and we happened to like each other. And I never dared dream of marrying her, as her father is a business magnate. But without my knowledge, she pressured her father for my hand. His fondness for his daughter, and my eligibility otherwise, made us man and wife in the end. I came here last year to put back on its rails a sick unit that we took over. At home, we’ve Gaurav and Omathi to engage my family time. That’s about it all.’

‘I feel,’ said Sathyam, ‘your wife could be a remarkable woman. ’

‘Oh, no doubt about that,’ Prasad patted Sathyam while looking at Roopa. ‘But you’re better off for my sister.’

‘I reserve my opinion,’ said Sathyam, ‘till I see Rani.’

‘Rani is dear to me as wife,’ said Prasad, ‘and Roopa endears me as sister, and so you can rely upon my judgment, can’t you?’

‘I know how blessed I am,’ said Sathyam looking at Roopa in admiration.

While the friends continued to reminisce about their childhood days, Roopa went into the kitchen.

‘How lucky is Rani to have married a handsome man like him whom she loves as well,’ Roopa contemplated. ‘Why, there’s no denying that he’s truly handsome, but why does he refer to me as sister at every turn? How odd that a handsome man should keep calling me sister. It’s as if the sisterly reference takes away the very essence of my persona, or, has it got to do with my own vanity? Maybe, but even Ramu, being so close, doesn’t address me that way. Well it’s no more than a mere form, isn’t it? Am I obliged to address this man as brother or what, how odd it feels? What if I too address him as brother to make him feel sissy? Well, he’s my husband’s friend and just another interesting character, no more and no less. That’s all there’s to it, isn’t it?’




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