‘But that would leave you without a manhood,’ said Roopa in jest. ‘Better you hook my dream man for our menage a trois.’
‘It is fine,’ said Sandhya, ‘just to fantasize.’
‘Why won’t a threesome be fantastic,’ said Roopa, ‘as well in reality.’
‘Given our love,’ said Sandhya thoughtfully, ‘it may be so.’
‘But for now,’ said Roopa, ‘it’s back to the reality.’
‘How are things with you now?’ said Sandhya
There’s nothing wrong with him,’ said Roopa as though grasping the reality, ‘and nothing goes right for me. That’s the irony of it all.’
‘Why this emergency landing?’ said Sandhya in seeming innocence.
‘Don’t you know that?’ said Roopa looking at Sandhya endearingly. ‘Your letter gave me wings, and I flew into our nest.’
‘Why not find a groom for me in Domalaguda,’ said Sandhya dreamily, ‘for our meaningful life.’
‘Good idea,’ said Roopa pensively, ‘but I’ve come to believe I’m born unlucky.’
‘I’ll do all I can to make you happy,’ said Sandhya overwhelmed, ‘our ménage a trois included. It’s my promise.’
‘Well it’s your love,’ Roopa was touched, ‘that keeps my life going.’
‘We will keep it that way,’ said Sandhya, signing the kiss of contract with her lips, ‘come what may.’
‘I know we would,’ said Roopa, grabbing Sandhya’s lips to seal the agreement, ‘at any cost.’
Buoyed by Sandhya’s commitment to their love and accompanied by Raju, Roopa called on her in-laws that evening.
‘We’ve always felt you would make a good daughter-in-law,’ said a satisfied Durgamma, after an hour-long enquiry. Taking leave in the end, Roopa promised to stay with them for a couple of days before she left for Hyderabad.
‘It’s terrible waiting for you all day long,’ Roopa said as she nestled into Sandhya the next evening. ‘Why not bunk the post-lunch sessions?’
‘Why, to let all tongues wag at the campus,’ said Sandhya in jest.
‘Coming to ours,’ said Roopa winking at her.
‘See,’ said Sandhya protruding her tongue, ‘how dry it is.’
‘I’m all wet for that,’ said Roopa shedding her sari.
‘Your figure dear,’ said Sandhya fondling Roopa in their embrace, ‘is flowing to perfection.’
‘Thank the change of the climes for that,’ said Roopa naughtily.
‘Don’t be mean,’ said Sandhya teasingly, squeezing Roopa’s. ‘Give credit to whom it’s due.’
‘Come lovey,’ said Roopa invitingly, ‘let me credit it to your account now.’
‘Oh!’ sputtered Sandhya in time. ‘I feel wanted.’
‘You make me live,’ continued Roopa.
Next day, when Roopa went to Chandrika’s office, she saw her with a man of about thirty, and felt that he could be her beau.