Chapter 66

Birju asked “madam I know it is too much for me to ask but if there is a chance then please don’t forget to call me”. Sabitri kissed him again and said “ofcourse yes Birju, even if there is a tiny chance, then I won’t think twice before calling you”. She saw Birju out and locked the main door.

She came and stood next to Kamal waiting for her chance to speak. She said “why don’t you both please go and get fresh first? I will get the lunch ready for in the meantime”. Kamal got up and said “oh I forgot to mention Mr. Deepak, the bathroom you suggested on your last trip is now ready. Please come, let me show it to you”.

Sabitri too went with them to see what Deepak would say now. Deepak was surprised hearing that his suggestion was taken seriously and very impressed seeing the new bathroom. He turned to Sabitri who was standing diagonally behind Kamal.

He asked “So being the lady of this house Sabitri, you need to tell me if you liked this new bathroom better than the open backyard”? Sabitri excitedly said “yes ofcourse Mr. Deepak, I have really enjoyed being in here”.

She left them both and went about her kitchen duties while still keeping an eye on them from her kitchen window. Deepak was the first to get fresh come and Kamal went in next. She saw this from her kitchen window.

She rushed to the backyard door of the house and waited for him to get inside with urgency. She shut the door after him and leaned him against it. She almost jumped on him like a tigress in heat locking in a fiery lip kiss.

She said “Deepak you have no idea how much I have waited for this day”. Deepak was dazed by her sudden attack and took a moment to recover. He held her face and said “me too Sabitri darling ... me too” while kissing her back.

After the kiss he said “you are looking so much more sexier than the last time I saw you Sabitri”. She blushed burying her face in his chest, she whispered “I only did this for your sake Deepak”. He warmly said “don’t worry sweetheart, I promise to make it up to you on this trip”.

Just then they heard the bathroom door unlock, Deepak rushed to the guest bedroom while Sabitri unlocked the back door and went to the kitchen. She arranged the lunch at the table and waited on them. Kamal was the first to come and settled at the table.

He looked at her and said “I don’t know what it is Sabitri, but you look kind of different today”. She was thrilled that Kamal had noticed “something” even if he did realize what it was. This was a big change in him compared to earlier. She blushed and smiled looking away from him.

Now Deepak joined at the table and she served them both and stood behind waiting on them. Despite knowing the tradition in the village, he said “please come and have food with us Sabitri, it does not look nice to see you waiting on us like this”. Kamal interjected “Mr. Deepak you know it is in our tradition which we have followed for generations”.

Deepak interrupted him and said “I am sorry Kamal I fully disagree with you on this. When you can modernise your thoughts everywhere else else why can you change this tradition? Why should she have to eat alone after everyone else finishes? Does she not deserve to be treated with respect”?

Kamal was fumbling for the right words now. Without waiting for his answer, Deepak looked at Sabitri and said “please get your plate Sabitri and grace this table by having lunch with us”. She looked at Kamal still very unsure about what to do or say”.

Kamal softly said “please bring your plate Sabitri and sit with us. We don’t want to upset our guest”. Deepak shot back “wait Kamal, are you doing this only to please me? So after I am gone she will be back to square one”?

Kamal didn’t answer, Deepak said “Kamal is she not your better half”? Kamal nodded yes, Deepak said “if yes then why does she not deserve to be treated equal? Why does she not deserve a seat at this table”? Kamal was again silent.

Deepak got up and pulled a chair signalling Sabitri to come and sit. She simply did it before this situation got any more uncomfortable. Now Deepak picked up the food and began serving her which made her literally jump to her feet.

She quickly took the bowl from him and said “please you don’t have to do this Mr. Deepak, I will manage”. Deepak did not want to push for much change this time so he relented. He went all out like last time appreciating her expert culinary skills.

Today lunch seemed too quiet for comfort so Deepak started discuussing with kamal about his plans for this trip. Sabitri was relieved that the rest of the lunch was peaceful. She also felt very elated being treated with so much respect for the first time and that too in front of her husband Kamal.

Before marriage her mother used to wait on the entire family and then she followed the same after marriage. This was big welcome change in her life. Now she wanted to now see how long this change would last considering Kamal’s habit for doing anything to please others.

After lunch both settled in the verandah continuing their discussion. She cleared everything and went about her housework. After sometime Kamal left to the fields. She dead bolted the main door and gave a mischievous smile to Deepak. She grabbed his collar pulling him inside the house.