I’m Richa, a married woman in late 20s residing in the northern part of India. I’m a socialite and an amateur art critique and my hubby Kaushik is an Investment Banker. However, this story is about our neighbour Ramanath Iyengar. Ram a bureaucrat by profession, is a Tamilian posted here. Both Ram and his wife Meenu are very reserve in nature and only interact with few people.
As both Kaushik and Ram are very busy, Meenu and I became quite close. We go to shopping together and sometimes play squash in our club. On some weekends we four go to party or hang out together. Sometime back I noticed that Ram is showing interest in me. I caught him staring at me a few times, either directly or on the sly.
He tries to talk with me, and listen intently even when I’m talking to someone else. He inquires about my likings and sought my opinion on small little things. I soon realized that Ram remembers the small details about me. On a Saturday after returning from a party Kaushik asked me, “Did you notice that Ram is fascinated by your beauty? He could not set his lustful eyes off you”.
I am always honest with Kaushik and informed him “Ram has been chasing me now for quite some time.” With a strange little grin hanging on his face, Kaushik told “You are a very desirable woman with all the womanly attributes a man could want.” He then added “He would love to make love to you.” “You are so disgusting Kaushik.” I yelled at him.
Later on that night Kaushik revealed that the idea of someone else is intimate with me excites him. I was awestruck by this pronouncement and could not speak for a moment or two. Then after a small pause, I told “It’s natural for a man to woe a lady, but I’m really disheartened by your reaction. I expect you to be protective and possessive about me, as I am about you.”
“Nothing can be beat the excitement of doing something taboo” said Kaushik. “Ram is a smart and intelligent man, you’ll enjoy his accompany. Besides you have always been faithful to me. Ram will introduce you to the other side of yourself. You should consider it seriously” Kaushik was trying his best to convince me and I was wondering why!!
Does he want Meenu and trying to convince me for a swipe? Is he expecting some favour from Ram? Is he in an extramarital relation and wants me to be busy with other man so that I don’t object his? A lot of questions were running through my mind. The following Sunday one of our family friends has invited us for a booze party in the club.
In the morning I decided that I wouldn’t go there. Ram and Meenu will be there and there is no point in making life complicated. However in the afternoon Meenu came to ask when will I go to party and whether I will wear a saree. Only on her insistence I agreed to attend the party. She told us to go to their flat once we are ready. So I dressed up in a saree and went to their flat.
Ram said hi to us and then he left saying that he will come back within minutes. He returned with some Jasmine flower strings and handed over to me by saying “Richa, this will look good on your hair.” I felt quite embarrassed and told him “Ram, I have never worn Jasmine flower in hair.” “There is a first time for everything” Ram said looking deep into my eyes.
I saw both Kaushik and Meenu are looking at us. Meenu broke the silence by announcing that she will help me. In the party I purposefully kept a distance with Ram and Meenu. I kept an eye on Kaushik too and realized that he is also doing the same. Few friends asked why I was dressed like a south Indian referring my hair style.
I acknowledge their comments with a smiling face, but it reminds me the sparkles in Ram’s eyes when I agreed to put Jasmine flower on my hair. I saw Kaushik with few other friends and they were having drinks and Meenu was standing in other corner of the room. Suddenly Ram came from behind and asked me to take a walk with him in open lawn.
I look into his eyes and his eyes look deep into mine. His proposal reminds me the discussion I had with Kaushik and that sent shivers through my body. I told myself that if we two keep looking at each other, it will draw attention. I started walking slowly towards the lawn, and he followed me until we were out of everyone else’s view.
He walked up beside me and told “I was looking at the flowers from behind and it looks great on you”. “Really?” I asked. “Really Richa, I was looking at your bun only” he winked. I instantly knew that he was looking at my bum. But instead of becoming angry, I smiled and said “I know you are a gentle man.”
“Is it a compliment or insult, Richa?” Ram uttered and after a small paused he pronounced “I am tired of being gentle Richa, hope one day we will explore the wild and naughty side of each other” “That day will never come” I answered with a straight face and saw his eyes become dim and the smile that once lit his face faded away.
We completed the rest of the walking almost silently. When we came near the hall again, Ram asked “We shouldn’t walk in together. It will raise few eyebrows”. “Let me call Meenu out, the weather is so pleasant.” I said. “OK Richa, call me after the walk, we will dine together.” Ram walked away into the darkness towards the parking.
Later in the evening, when I was having dinner with Meenu and other ladies, I saw Kaushik and Ram walking towards us. “Girls, we were waiting for you, and you started eating already” Kaushik sounded annoyed. “I’m sorry Anna, why don’t you join us now” Meenu pacified Kaushik and we completed the dinner together. The rest of the night went uneventfully.
At night Kaushik told me “I have been noticing that you spend quite some time with Ram” “Please grow up, Kaushik” I replied in an irritated tone. “You dare not raise that topic again” “Silence has never been so pleasant” I received a message from an unknown number in the very next morning. I guessed it was Ram and choose not to reply.
In the evening when I was lazing, I got a call from that number. Reluctantly I received the call and found Ram on the other end of the phone line. “How are you Richa? I messaged you in the morning but you didn’t reply” “I guessed it’s you, but I was not sure.” I answered. “Now you know” Ram said. He then raised the topic of ‘Charlie Hebdo’.
It was a hot topic then and soon we were engrossed in a discussion about politics and freedom of expression. Ram is a very learned man and a great conversationalist. When the call ended I realized that we have spoken for about half an hour and more importantly henceforth he will call me regularly. My intuition was correct and he again called me after few days.
This goes on for a while and one day he cracked an adult joke. Though I laughed out spontaneously but then in the very next moment I controlled myself and told him “This is not an appropriate thing to discuss”. “Come on Richa, be a sport! Friends do discuss naughty things between themselves.” “But I’m not quite comfortable in it Ram” I tried to pacify him.
“We are best of friends Richa, and we cherish each other’s company. There should be no artificial boundary between us.” Ram pronounced emphatically. I did not reply to it and seeing me silent Ram said “Your silence is so long and strong”. Referring his first message I jokingly told “it was pleasant once upon a time and now it became strong”.
Hahaha, Ram laughed and with a very naughty tone he told “You are absolutely wrong Richa, first it is long and strong and then only it can give you the pleasure!” “Shut up!” I disconnected the phone immediately. I was disappointed in him but strangely I did not feel too upset. At least, he’s honest and has the courage to express his desire.
I am used to getting attention from men since school days. I know the attention from Ram and all that goes with it has little or nothing to do with who I am, absent my beauty. I asked myself whether I gave more indulgence to Ram than what he deserves. I realized unknowingly I have started liking him; I like his intellect, the attention he gives, his smartness, and confidence.
A strange sensation was running through my body. I thought of saying sorry to Ram for disconnecting the phone so rudely. But I was unsure whether I should do it! I did not want to insult Ram but I was not ready to encourage him either. I called Meenu instead and asked her if we can go for a dinner. I then called Kaushik and informed him about the dinner.
Kaushik told me that he will go directly from office and I should go with them. I dressed myself and went to their flat. Ram opened the door wearing a dhoti and a shirt. “You ready? And where is Meenu?” I asked. “She will take few more minutes” Ram informed. “I’ve never seen you in this attire, you look completely different.” “It’s actually pretty comfortable.
Oh Richa, you are looking so young, so fresh, and so very beautiful.” Ram said in a low voice. “Thanks” I blushed. Suddenly he brought one of his hands to my face and caressed my cheek looking deeply into my eyes. “No Ram,” Before I could complete the sentence, Ram put his finger to my lips to silence me and then ran his finger across my lips before pulling away.
I raised my eyebrows out of surprise. A strange hum filled the air like an unspoken thought hanging between us. I heard the sound of door opening and we adjusted ourselves. Meenu came out and I breathed a sigh of relief. For the rest of the evening, the incident occupied my mind and I felt like I owned everything that had happened. I should not have been indulging him so much.
Ram was so happy and sober throughout the evening and that irritated me a lot. At night I went to sleep thinking about the incident. The mere thought of it sent shivers down my spine. Ram phoned me the next day early in the morning. I was quite surprised because he never calls when Kaushik is around. I said hello in a very low tone. “Good morning, is Kaushik around” Ram asked.
“Yes”. “Call me after he leaves”. “Why?” I tried to sound normal. “I don’t have answer to it, but together we can find the answers” “Ok, bye” I finished the call quickly. I did not call back Ram. However deep inside my mind I was expecting his call. Ram called in the afternoon. “Hello baby, I know you were expecting my call.”
Just hearing him call me “baby” made warm shivers trickle down the spine. “Call me by my name, Ram. We are nothing more than just friends.” I tried to sound calm. “Had we just been friends, your reaction to me would have been different.” “I didn’t expect you to do that yesterday” “You know Richa, just remembering that makes my blood boil.”
I didn’t know what to say. A strange sensation was running through my body, a nervous tingling. “Richa, looking up into your astonishing beauty is like taking a breath of fresh air. What I did was an outburst of emotion, something spontaneous, unintentional and divine.” Ram was justifying his action.
“Once you learn to control your own emotions, you’ll gain the necessary knowledge to deal effectively with the moods and emotions of others.” I told Ram. “Richa, you are trying to hide your emotions from me, please don’t end up hiding them from yourself too.” “I don’t have any emotion for you other than friendship.” I replied hoarsely.
“I appreciate your honesty, Richa. Please understand that it is also important for me to express my feelings.” “I like your straightforwardness, Ram. What are your plans for this weekend?” I wanted to change the topic desperately. “I wanna be where you are” he sings out and we break into laughter. Then after a small chitchat we end the call.
I felt nervous and shy after my conversation with Ram. His words were echoing in my mind for hours. I realized that I’m somehow responding to his advances. Surprised at my own reaction, I sat motionless, wondering about the future. I felt an urge to just run away and hide in the woods. As days passes by, the frequency of his call increases. I was also feeling more comfortable with him.
Meanwhile we met few times in social gatherings and his behavior was always very sober. However, he didn’t waste any opportunity to express his feelings. One day I was invited to the inauguration ceremony of an art exhibition. Being an art critic I used to attain all such events. When I was watching the exhibition, I saw Ram there.
Seeing me there, he walked up to me and said “It’s nice to find you here, Richa”. “I’m surprised to see you here; you don’t come to art exhibitions!” I replied. “Yes you’re right, and you know what I am interested in.” Ram said in a mischievous tone. By now I was accustomed with his flirting and just laughed away. I introduced him to some of my friends too.
When we were chitchatting with friends, Ram suggested “Why don’t you release your driver? I’ll drop you home.” Before I could say anything, one of my friends Soham told that “It’s a good idea. Then you can stay longer”. He was referring to cocktail party gallery owner’s throw on the inauguration days. I couldn’t tell them why I didn’t want to return with Ram.
I just called my driver and asked him to go to Kaushik’s office. While driving back home, Ram told me, “Richa, we should take our relation seriously.” “What?” I retorted. “You are a very beautiful woman, tall, fair, sparkling eyes, superlatively beautiful face, and a figure to die for.” His voice was sounding lustful.
“From the first day I saw you, I was mesmerized by your beauty. However, once I started interacting with you, I realized that you are a very intelligent woman and an independent soul. You will bring a great deal of happiness into my life and I love you.” he continues. “So you need to go on a fling with every beautiful woman you meet?” I sounded sarcastic.
“No! That is not my philosophy. I would like to savor you; have an ongoing relationship with you for years, if not lifetime.” “Savor me!!” “Yes, Richa, I want you completely, your mind, body, soul.” “So bad of you Ram and you are ready to cheat your wife too!! Aren’t you happy with Meenu?” “I love her a lot, but that is beside the point.”
“Then why indulge in an extra-marital relationship? If caught then it is an end to marriage.” “Why restrict yourself with one person for the sake of the social compulsions!” “I have never been unfaithful to Kaushik, never felt a need for it.” “You should give it a thought. An attractive woman like you should not waste her youth.
Beautiful women like you are not at all meant to be monogamous; No single person has the right to own what nature has bestowed on you.” “Are you suggesting that I start sleeping with every guy I meet?” “No, you should consider the one with whom you could have a prolonged affair without being discovered,” he elaborated ” and we are the perfect match for one another”
“We are opposite in every possible way, different in thought and tongue, different in looks and deeds. Pardon me for being so rude but that is the truth.” “Don’t you know that opposite attracts? And we are different in superficial level, but actually we are so similar” “How come?” “You are best in your field, and I’m an ex IIT-ians turned IAS, not bad either. Both of us are well respected.
We are adventure seeking fun loving individual. We bring the best of both worlds. ” “Point taken, but that does not mean that I’ll engage in an extramarital affair with you.” “When a man loves a woman, and shows passion, affection and…, she must respond to his advances. Richa, by being connected to me, you will be able to respond in love, give yourself completely.
You can trust me forever in love.” Ram was trying to convince me in every possible way. He was driving slowly so that he can spend more time with me. There was a long gap between every sentence and we were talking in low voice. Though I was feeling bit uneasy, I didn’t feel much intimated. I felt that I am in control of the situation.
When the car stopped at next signal, he put his left hand on my shoulder and said “Give it a thought Richa, it will open a wonderful world to us.” “Drive carefully Ram” “I’m driving carefully baby, but you have not moved a bit!” I smiled to his words and said “I know where I belong”. “You belong to my heart now and forever.” He pulled me bit closer with his left arm.
The signal was opened and Ram removed his hand reluctantly. “Tell me Richa; is your love life as exciting as before?” “The exuberance of early days of marriage diminishes with time. It happens to all of us.” I replied in a cynical tone. “It means at this junction of our life, we both need each other. Richa, you can depend on me for love, life, and I’ll always be there with you.”
“Ram, you’re behaving like an adolescent” “At last you also accept that we feel youthful with each other’s company. I’ll give you a kiss for making me feel so young.” “I didn’t mean that, crazy man” “Yes I’m crazy, and now it’s your turn” he smiled. We already entered into our housing complex, and the underground parking lot looks deserted.
Ram stopped the car but showed no sign of moving out. “Come on Richa! I deserve a kiss. I have been pursuing you for quite some time now.” He removed his seat belt and moved closer to me. I pulled backwards but Ram already had his left hand encircling me and pulling me towards in. I was almost in his arms but was leaning back.
My heavy breathing was betraying my pretension of being in control. Ram didn’t move in haste, though. He took his time admiring my beauty from close quarters, his hand gently stroking my face and my hair. “You’re so sweet and so soft and so fair”. I let out a gasp as his fingers rolled over my lips. His thick black thumb was massaging my pink lips that were slightly parted.
The prelude to foreplay went on for few minutes. All the time I was leaning back on the seat with eyes shut relishing the sensations erupting in my body. It was not long before guilt overtook me. I abruptly removed my seat belt and tried to move away. However, Ram managed to grab my shoulder and pulled me back in no time. There was deaf silence in the car.
“What do you want Ram!” my voice was trembling. “I wanna be the air under your wings and let you fly freely” I was very tense and stiff now. Ram started to massage my back lightly to ease me. Not long after that he tried to pull me in for a kiss. I turned my upper body towards him but wasn’t quite willing to offer a kiss.
Ram tried to kiss me but I turned my face and offered my cheek instead. He showered my face with tiny kisses moving towards my neck gradually. Very soon he was nuzzling my neck, a very sensitive zone for me. And then he tongued my earlobes the most erogenous zone of my body; he ran his tongue over the contours of my earlobe before driving his tongue through my aural cavity.
His small kisses were working me up. His left hand tilted my head a bit, and he brushed his lips against mine. Surprised with the sudden move, I pulled back for a moment before eventually offering my lips to him. It was a sweet kiss, filled with passion and longing. We broke the kiss, pulling away to catch our breath. He kissed me again, this time with more fervor.
His lips started kissing my neck, sucking, biting, and nibbling on the skin. I moaned, and his grip tightened on me. He finally reached the hallow part at the base of my neck, my weak spot. I shivered as he kissed me with no mercy. He brought his lips back to mine and kissed me, letting all his emotions out.
His fingers twirling through my already tangled hair, and his other hand rests on my back pulling me to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he smiled and pulled me closer to him. We didn’t say anything. I could not tear my eyes from his. He couldn’t shift his gaze either. He pulled me closer, kissing me back. Our lips were moving together perfectly. He poured all of his passion into that one kiss.
“No matter what happens in our lives, know that I love you” Ram whispered into my ear. Suddenly I felt his hand cupping my breast and I pushed it away. “Not here, not now.” “When then, I can’t wait anymore” Ram can’t hide his disappointment. He again pulled me closer to him. Ram placed another wet kiss upon my lips and his tongue played on my taut lips.
I relented to his invading tongue and parted my slimy lips that were wet with his saliva. We were locked in a passionate tongue-to-tongue kiss that was heating out of control. His hands were all over my body again. His touches were kind but demanding. Soon he conquered my breasts again, testing their weight, and driving me mad.
“Your boobs are so soft and bouncy, and I want to hold one in each hand and tickle with your nipples with my fingers. Baby, I want to kiss, and tickle, and rub, and suck, and lick, and nibble, and play with your nipples and your breasts” I folded my arms across my chest. “Ram, you’re asking for too much. It’s damn risky” “When the return is so ripe, I am ready for the risk” He kneaded both breasts in his hands.
“Please Ram, we’re not running away from each other. Now give me a hug” He settled his hands on my waist and drew me closer until I was in his arms with my breasts pressing against his chest. It was a long hug, neither wanting to let go. My heart started beating hard and fast as I melted into him, finding so much comfort in his arms.
Suddenly we heard the sound of another car. Ram released his embrace hurriedly, opened the door of the car and stepped out. I adjusted my cloths quickly before moving out and followed him to the lobby. Once we entered the lift; Ram put his heavy hand on my bottom and gave a gentle squeeze. I moaned at the pleasure of it.
“Richa, you are damn hot girl, but I’m yet to see the bold and wild side of you” We have already reached to our floor, and while turning towards my flat I told Ram, “You didn’t give me the chance to be wild, I expected you to take me to some private place” teasing him was the only thing in my mind. Before he could response, I pressed the doorbell of my flat and signaled Ram to call me tomorrow. I was feeling happy like a teenage girl in love.