“The poor thing, what a devil she married,” said Nithya with empathy. “Ironically her pop's riches have undone her. If not for her, perhaps, condemned by fate, I would've been his wife. If only we can make life easier for her!”
The interaction of the couples, over the next six months, was on the expected lines with a welcome exception. Insensibly drawn by their mutual empathy, the women came to love and admire each other and that irked Vasu, who was getting despaired by Nithya's obduracy. Adding to his discomfiture and to the delight of Nithya, Chandra and Prema were into a platonic friendship. Though completely foxed by the developments, Vasu sensed the evolving equation would bring in diminishing returns for him. Besides, having a strong suit in hand, it made no sense to him to prolong the game any longer. So he decided to call Nithya to account.
“How long would you have to make me wait?” Vasu confronted Nithya, one evening.
“What's the point rushing in prematurely?” said Nithya calmly. “Don't you see we're laying the ground?”
“I think the time is ripe now for seeding it,” he said impatiently. “Hasn't Chandra got used to our closeness?”
“That's true, but…”
“You've got to take the plunge some time or the other.” he said cajolingly. “And I can't let you dilly-dally forever. You know I‟m at the end of my tether already.”
“You should be a woman to know what it all boils down to,” she said persuasively. “We should wait for an opportune moment for that.”
“I'll create one,” he said determinedly. “Look, I would make it seem as if I'm on tour for ten days but would be back after five. I'll call you up from the Ritz then and I don't think it would be difficult for you to spend some daytime with me on those days.”
“In a hotel?” she feigned apprehension, “mad or what!”
“Where else then,” he said in irritation, “in my dreams?”
“Well that's the hitch,” she sighed, “though I‟m inclined.”
“Why not I remove the hitch,” he said meaningfully. “What if I let Chandra know about your past? Knowing our present closeness, can't he put two and two together? Well, that might lead to a few hiccups, but won't that help remove the hitch forever?”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“You can take it whatever way,” he said menacingly. “If you don't come, I may conclude you're only flirting with me.”
“What do you mean?”
“It's time to act,” he said to smother her further, “for both of us, one way or the other.”