‘You know how I value women’s sentiments,’ said Sathyam goading Roopa to get ready.
‘Sentiment is the essence of love,’ said Prasad affecting a sneeze. ‘What do you say sister?’
As Roopa gave him a searching look, Prasad smiled in all conceit.
Though they readily headed towards Prasad’s bungalow in the Banjara Hills, however, it was well past eleven when the host dropped his guests back at their home.
‘What a time it was!’ said Sathyam in ecstasy as Prasad left.
‘It’s plain boring,’ said Roopa unlocking the door.
‘What do you mean?’ he protested. ‘Rani was so courteous and the kids took to us. You’re impossible at times.’
‘Better realize,’ said Roopa in exasperation, ‘that she just condescended to descend, that’s all.’
‘I think its other way round,’ said Sathyam, ‘I felt that she’s so affectionate.’
‘Didn’t you try to endear yourself to her,’ she said indignantly. ‘Stop courting her and you count for nothing to her. I can bet on that.’
‘At least concede that she’s a fine conversationalist,’ said Sathyam in all eagerness, as if to make Roopa see some merit in Rani.
‘Why not,’ said Roopa in all irritation, ‘if only the conversation is all about enlightening others about her father’s greatness, her husband’s smartness and her kids’ brightness? But the advantage is that you might rest your vocal cords while she goes on with her monologue.’
‘Isn’t that natural for women,’ he said grudgingly though. ‘But you hardly have a word of praise for me.’
‘Forget about me,’ said Roopa showing Sathyam his place, ‘would you ever let go an opportunity to have a dig at my people.’
‘Neither would you miss a chance at nitpicking,’ he said in disappointment.
Bothered by her bickering, Sathyam couldn’t sleep for a while, and disturbed by Prasad’s forthrightness, Roopa stayed awake for long.
~~~~~~
‘Isn’t it a fortnight since I laid the trap for Roopa?’ Prasad tried to surmise his station in the route of seduction. ‘Still the prey is nowhere near coming. On the other hand, my ardor is on the gallop as though to enslave me to her charms, isn’t it? What progress is that? While jolly well enjoying my attentions, she shows no particular interest in me. Just the same, she has come to love my company, hasn’t she? Oh, as it looks, that’s the only thing to write home about. Could that be a cause for hope anyway? It’s as if she doesn’t abhor her married life altogether. Won’t that make her a bed-hedger in the arena of adultery? But courtesy the darling, haven’t I coined a new phrase for the flirting. Well, though only a few of them are beddable; all married women are bed-hedgers anyway, are they not?’