Chapter 3

For The next four days I visited KAKA every evening, and, at night, and, after returning home, gave detailed account of that day’s sex session to Prabha, but I was hesitant to tell her that, on one of these days, KAKA’s old friend had arrived to visit him, and that, on KAKA’s insistance, she had had sex with him as well, but separately. KAKA did not want to scare her with the idea of a threesome; may be KAKA himself was not used to it or did not approve it.

Prabha would listen to me with full concentration, and, after my narration, she would give her comments, suggestions and advise me to improvise my performance to give and derive more pleasure. I used to wonder how this teenager had acquired so much knowledge about sex? She once told me that she had a group of friends, who were sexually active for longer periods than herself (Prabha), and, in most cases, with multiple men, and in certain cases incest as well.

Before leaving for my home, I had been assured by Prabha that next time it would be another man for me to sleep with; and, I had started planning my next visit.

Hardly ten days after my reaching home, I received a call from my husband; he told her that soon after the construction was over, he would find a suitable person, preferably from a distant place to avoid complications later, who could be rented out the proposed small one bedroom unit to him, or, may be, he would find a ‘paying guest’ there, who would mix up with her and give her company. He even hinted to her that he would not mind, if she chose to get ‘intimate’ with the person. She could not believe what he had said. how could a huusband give deliberately give such freedom to his wife?

My next visit to my hometown was barely a week after. This time once again Prabha took me to our old school, but in a different quarter, about 200 yards away from Kaka’s quarter, to introduce me to a 37 year old, JAGAN. He was a strong looking man, very eager to meet a ‘virgin’ teenager friend of his regular slut, Prabha, and, as warned by my sister, he pounced upon me as soon as Prabha left his quarter. his cock was probably a little longer, but definitely, thicker and harder than Kaka’s. He did not let me leave until 4 am; he enjoyed my regular moans and soft cries, but was quite upset with my declining to give him a blowjob. When I returned from his small bathroom, and shyly whispered to him about my bleeding, he was so excited that he laid me again on the rug on the floor and started long foreplay, trying again and again to bring his throbbing cock closer to my mouth, which I lovingly declined to touch my lips even. he served some snacks, which he had already got packed for me, and insisted that I take alcohol with him. Not to disappoint him again, I took just two spoonful of a cheap quality with lots of waster; sipped it slowly, hating its bitter taste, and requesting him not to offer it ever again. I walked down to my house, as there was no cycle riksha that time, and I did not want him to accompany me. Prabha was sleeping and did not wake up. I just laid, beside her on the bed.

Next day, I asked Prabha to tell me, in detail, about JAGAN, but she avoided proper reply. I thought about the two men I had slept with in my life, and tried to compare sex experience with them. WHILE Kaka was slow and gentle in his foreplay and actual sex; JAGAN was impatient and a bit rough. Kaka did not insist much for blowjob, but JAGAN did again and again. Neither wanted to offend me. I had not told Kaka about my bleeding in real, and had not accepted his offer for another session on our first day together. He had not even ask me if I had bled, nor he talked much about my experience with him, and he never used any four- letter words on first three days, though later he did after getting my nod to his suggestion that using those words excite the lovers during sex. For next four days I had sex with JAGAN, and he would not be satisfied with less than two or three sessions.

JAGAN, on the other hand, could not control his excitement for getting a cherry for plucking. He was somewhat rough and enjoyed talking dirty; he kept on asking me to take his ‘lund’ (cock) in my mouth, and my refusal to do so was not liked him. He offered me drinks every day, saying that it boosted the excitement and pleasure in sex he later admitted that he offered me drink every day, hoping that I would agree to give him a blowjob when drunk.

I think Prabha was logical in her selection of Kaka for my first time. I was unable to decide, who, among these two, I enjoyed more. As was expected, Prabha would get details of my every day’s sessions. She would give me suggestions to improvise my behavior during sex, and insisted that I prepare myself for giving blowjobs, and even swallowing cum, for, she said every man wanted it from his girl. I, somehow, could not agree to take a cock in my mouth, and never could imagine swallowing cum.

My next visit could not be possible for a month, because my involvement in the construction of our house had become necessary at that strategic stage. The workers had to be guided what and how I precisely wanted things done. I asked my husband to come over to help me in the task, but he wanted me to do it in consultation with the architect, contractor and the concerned workers. I liked being given such responsibility independently, though at times I did get confused and nervous deciding in certain technicalities. I had tired out, but had managed to deliver what was expected of me. All this had caused both, mental and physical, stress. But after the job had been done I wanted to relax, and what better way to relax than getting some sexual pleasure, so I rushed to be with Prabha. She was very happy and excited to see me; she told me that it was a coincidence that her new lover, who came very occasionally, had come in the afternoon, and she had had sex with him at home in the drawing room itself because Amma invariably had a good nap in the afternoon. she said he will come in the evening before leaving the town. she assured me that she will manage to persuade him to stay for some time to be with me. I too was happy and very excited. She reminded me that I should be prepared to act as a ‘virgin’ girl. She got me some water in a bucket, and, mixing some alum powder, she asked me to douche my pussy a few times before her lover’s arrival. she assured me that it will help my pussy walls contract to give her lover the feel of a virgin pussy. I did whatever she asked me, and went on the remind me how I was to behave during sex with moans, cries etc., and NEVER forget to tell him that his penetration caused me bleeding.

He came much after the sunset. Prabha rushed out to meet him; she talked to him for nearly twenty minutes. She came back inside the small courtyard, where I was waiting, looking a bit unhappy. Grabbing me by my arm, she took me aside. “Didi, ye ruk nahi sakta, lekin nayi kunwari ladki ko chhodna bhi nahin chahta; ye kah rahaa hai ki kya tum iske saath ek raat ke liye jaa sakti ho? Isne vaada kiya hai ki kal shaam se pahle tumhe yahaan vaapas chhudwa dega” (Sister, he cannot stay back any longer, but he does not want to miss the opportunity of meeting a new ‘untouched’ girl; he was asking if you go with him for one night? He promised to ensure that you are back here before evening”).

I was not sure what to say, and I did not know about the man. I really wanted sex, so had decided to go with him, but suddenly changed my mind. I told Prabha to convey my answer, saying that I am very shy and hesitant, so cannot go with an unknown person to an unknown place. Prabha insisted that I rethink about my reply immediately, for he is in a hurry to leave, and it will take more than an hour and half to reach his house. But I was not prepared to change my mind, so Prabha went out to convey the message. I peeped out the drawing room window to see the man. He was standing in dim moon light, so it was not possible to see him properly. He wore white shirt and white ‘dhoti’ (kind of wrap around, the traditional Indians wore, mainly in rural areas), looked robust and, probably, well- off financially. After talking to Prabha, he pulled out something from a side pocket in the shirt and gave it to Prabha, then, starting his motor- cycle, he disappeared in a few seconds in the darkness of the town’s poorly lit road. I was surprised to see him pay Prabha money, and I hated sex for money. Prabha waited outside for another two minutes watching him disappear, then came in. Before I could utter any harsh words to Prabha, she happily reached out to hand- over his visiting card to me, saying, “Didi, mujhe lagaa ki wo naraaz hoga tumhare jawaab se, lekin usne kahaa ki wo sasti ladkiiyaan pasand nahi karta; tumhare shy hone, aur anjaan ke saath akele jaane se manaa karna usey achcha lagaa. Ab wo tumse milne ke liye aur bhi jyaada utsuk hai. Usne kahaa hai ki agar tum kuchh din aur ruk rahi ho to wo koshish karega tumhaare jaane se pahle ek baar yahaan aane ki, varna usne kahaa hai ki tum uske card par phone kar ke kahin aur milne ki, ya yahaan agli baar aane ke programme ki khabar de sakti ho. Wo tumse milne aayega”. (“Sister, I had thought that he would feel offended with your refusal, but he said that he would never like a cheap girl; your being shy and refusing to accompany a stranger has impressed him. He said, if you are staying here for a few more days, then he will try to come again during your stay, else you can call him on the number on his card to fix up a meeting at a place convenient to you or inform him about your next visit here”).

“Prabha, main teen- chaar din rukungi, lekin kisi ke paas nahin jaungi” (“Prabha, I shall stay this time for three or four days, but will not go to any one”)

“Kyon?” (Why?)

“Main apne aap ko ek baar bilkul ‘virgin’ ki tarah feel karna chahti hoon, jis se usey sachmuch kunwari hone ka ahsaas karwa sakoon” (“I want to live and behave like a virgin again, so that when I meet him for the first time, he gets a feeling of my being an untouched girl”)

I stayed at my home for three days, suppressing all my physical needs, which had caused my this visit. I was really very horny this time, longing to meet KAKA or JAGAN, or someone new Prabha had chosen for me. I told Prabha to call her this lover to tell him that I shall be gone soon, but don’t make him feel that this is what I had conveyed. Since I was dying to sleep with him at the earliest, I embarrassingly told Prabha to call him again after a week to convey that I had forgotten ‘something’ important here, so I am returning for two- three days to collect it. I convinced her that my calling him would not be desirable, so she had to do it for me; I let her decide what could that ‘something’ be, that I had to collect.

For my sake, Prabha also did not visit any of her lover, On the third day I returned, not wanting Prabha to suppress her desires.

4

A week later I called Prabha that I shall be with her in a day or two, and requested her to convey to her newest lover about my programme, and I wanted her to convey his response to me. She teased me for my eagerness, and I admonished her for being naughty with me.

After returning home, I was cursing myself for not having accepted his proposal, and, worse, not even taking his numbers. it would be humiliating to ask Prabha to give me his number or ask her to convey any message to him.

A week passed and I was quite disturbed to have lost a good opportunity with someone, who I assume, was not of the same class as my two previous lovers. Every single day I washed my pussy with alum water twice, for I wanted this new lover to feel me tighter like a virgin. God! I did not ask Prabha, his name or any other detail even. Every single day I thought of telling her that I was visiting her, and that she should convey this message to him.

One day I received a call from Prabha, and I was sure that she was to ask me about my next visit. I was shocked to hear a male voice on the phone, “Arti, I am AMAR SINGH calling you from your friend, Prabha’s phone. Remember the guy who wanted to take you with him for at least one night, promising to send you back by next evening. We just had sex and she has gone to bathroom. She will not be long, so please not down my number 965 ... You will get a call from me very shortly. We could not meet, but I am very eager and excited to meet up with you. Please do take my call tomorrow. Love to see you very soon”. he disconnected the line. I could not say a word, except ‘hello’ during the short conversation, but I did save his number on my mobile in a fictitious name, lest Prabha should find it...

I had made up my mind to take his call and to meet him anywhere he wanted. Next day he called me in the afternoon and asked me if he could come to meet me. I was about to say ‘yes’, but I immediately remembered that I was supposed to be unmarried, so i said, “Na na, mere ghar ke logon ko kya bataungi aapke baare mein?” (“No, no, what shall I tell my family about you?”)

“Fir kahaan milogi?”(‘Then where shall you meet?”)

“Meri shaadi jaldi hone wali hai isliye baahar milna mushkil hai” (“I am getting married shortly, so it is difficult to meet outside as well”).

“Lekin koyi tarika to soch lo.” (“But think about some way to meet up”). He insisted.

“Main Prabha ke ghar jaane ka bahaana banaa loongi aur kisi safe jagah par aapse mil loongi” (“I will tell my mother that I am going to Prabha’s house, then shall meet you at some safe place”)

“Mere ghar?” (“My house?”)

“Kal soch kar bataungi.” (“Will tell you tomorrow”)

“Kam se kam 4- 5 din ke liye. please... !” (“At least for 4- 5 days, please!”)

“Hmm, dekhti hoon” (Hmmm ... let me see”). I was trying to play my cards well to make his desire and excitement reach higher.

We disconnected the line when i said ‘my mother is coming’. Immediately after his call, I called Prabha and told her I was going to my husband for 8- 10 days, so might not visit her soon.

Next day i eagerly awaited his call; it came in the afternoon. I told him that I had been permitted by my mother to visit Prabha for 3- 4 days. He said his trusted man will pick him up before noon from whichever place I decide. I chose a place almost 30 kms away from my under construction home. He told me that his man, MUKUND, will pick me up at the appointed time. I packed a few clothes in a bag for five days to carry with me the next day, when his man, MUKUND, came to pick me up. I took a taxi the next day to reach the appointed location by 11 a.m, the time decided by me for pick up.; the place was a public park, which was never too crowded. A sedan was already parked outside the park, under a tree, and a strong looking man of around 40 years was standing next to the car. I knew he could be the guy waiting for me. The moment I got off the taxi, he came rushing towards me, “Arti Madam?”. I nodded with a smile. He opened the back seat door for me and I got into the car. It took us around 40 minutes to reach Kannauj, where Amar Singh lived. His house was an old construction, just outside the city downtown, in a posh area. I was respectfully escorted inside the main hall of the well kept building. Amar Singh was sitting in a sofa, waiting for me, in a huge hall, having tastefully decorated with traditional furniture, wearing white vest and loosely tied dhoti in tehmad style. Seeing me enter the hall, he rose from the sofa and walked in my direction. I had seen him properly for the first time. He was a pot bellied, fair complexioned, 5’8’ tall having big moustaches, around 48 year old, with mix hair, mostly black, but a few grey hair could be noticed from closer distance. he spread his arms widely to give me a warm reception, and I hesitantly moved forward for a hug. It was a tight hug and I felt his hard on hitting my body a little above my pubic region, which meant he did not wear anything under the dhoti (tehmad). Just a few moments later, Mukund walked in with a tray carrying two juice glasses and some snacks. I immediately freed myself from the hug, and was feeling very ashamed of my behaviour. Mukund walked out the hall after placing the tray on the table.

“Don’t worry, Mukund is my ‘Man Friday’ and a confidant. He has been with me for the last more than twenty years

Amar Singh during conversation informed me that besides financing, his main business was manufacture of traditional Indian scents. He told me that he was a widower, having a son, who lived outside the country. He confided in me saying his son did not like him, so he visited his father (Amar Singh) once in five or six years. After conversing for some time, he got up suddenly and picked me up and, kissing my lips, carried me inside his bedroom. My eyes closed in anticipation, and I knew my decision to have come to his house was right, though I felt guilty for not having informed Prabha about my visit or conversations I had with him during last few days. Shutting the door behind us. The way he picked me up easily, I could know his physical strength; I knew sex with him was going to be a new and enjoyable experience. I was thrilled with excitement and felt the juices started wetting my cunt. He gently laid me on a large cushioned settee, just a few feet away from his huge bed; and when I opened my eyes, I found him naked except for his vest; his dhoti was lying near the bedroom door. I understood the reason for tying dhoti loosely and smiled to myself. He took off his vest and a completely naked Amar Singh was standing in front of me, with his veiny hard cock bobbing, his hairy manly chest inviting me with urgency.

He sat down on the settee next to me, and placing some pillows against the head rest, he sat against them. I knew he was taking his time to start the game because he wanted me to drink his manly body and his big cock with proportionately larger flaring purple knob. He pulled me closer to himself to rest my body against the pillow. Soon, his arms were around my frame, his lips all over my face, his one hand caressing, pinching and squeezing my breasts from over my clothes, and another hand, roaming and gently caressing my back and my round fleshy buttocks. I tried in vain to keep my eyes open, but the ambience and his strong body, which had kept me waiting for so many days, was urging me to take initiative to lead him to our final goal. He soon felt my arms reach around him and my head resting on his manly chest, responding to his kisses eagerly. I was a little reluctant to let his tongue in my mouth, but I took my time and slowly I opened up for him allowing him to insert his tongue inside my mouth and sucking his tongue in reply.

He was constantly moving one of his hands up and down my back, first over my kameez and then, lifting the kameez, under it. I tensed up when I felt his another hand pushing inside my kameez, after opening the three buttons in front, then inside my bra to grab my breasts. His touch on my bare skin made my body shiver with pleasure, I was getting hot feeling his hand on my breasts was now twisting my nipples, squeezing breasts harder causing some pain in my boobs. He wanted me to be relaxed and enjoy the longer fooreplay, otherwise when we got to the main event my pussy would tighten causing us both more pain than is necessary for a my ‘first’ time.

I was beginning to really relax, just then I felt his hand pull my right hand and place it on his throbbing, almost 7” long and around 3” or more in girth, hard cock, which was out in the light of the room. My hand was shaking as I took hold of his cock and shyly said “Ye to bahut badaa hai aur garam bhi” (It’s so large and warm)”. I leaned against his broad chest as my hand wrapped around his freed cock for the first time. He groaned which caused me to pull back and look down to see why he had made that noise.

When I saw his cock throbbing violently, I blushed as my breath caught in my throat. I tentatively reached down and touched the tip of his cock with my first finger. I ran my finger back and forth through the slit that had already started to leak pre-cum. I rubbed the sticky, slippery, juice between my thumb and finger.

His cock twitched in my hand, and then, holding the back of my head, he gently pushed my face to his, by now, much hardened cock. To convince him about my virgin status, I had already told him that I had never been with a boy before, and I was still trying to prepare myself for taking his cock in my mouth.

He leaned in again and pulling me with his hands on my torso just under my breasts line, giving me a kiss before saying, “I think we should move over to the bed so we can be more comfortable.”

Once on the bed with him completely naked, I started running my hands all over his hairy chest and body, I felt his one finger grazing my clit. It was unbearable for me, and I wanted him to ram his hardness inside me immediately, but I dare not say this to him.

He patted my head then used his hand to bring my mouth to his cock. I resisted a little showing my reluctance in taking a cock in my mouth, but he was caressing each of my breasts, trying to touch his flaring cock head between my lips.

“Chhi ... Ye nahi” (“Shit ... not this”)

“Meri Jaan, Ek Baar Le Kar Dekho. Hum dono ko mazaa aayega” (“Sweetheatr, try to take it once. We both enjoy it very much”)

“Please, ye main nahi kar sakti, ye bahhut gandi cheez hai” (“Please I cannot do this, this thing is very dirty”)

Realizing that I was delaying the final act, I touched my lips on his cock head and kissed it tentatively. This I did three or four times, then I opened up my lips, but not much and took half of his dick head in mouth, and my teeth scraped his sensitive flesh. He said, “Meri Jaan, thoda muhn jyada kholo, aur dhyaan se mere laude ko daanton se door rakhte huye hothon ke beech le kar chooso. Tumhare daanton se mera lauda chhiil bhi sakta hai” (“Please open wider and watch out for your teeth. Don’t let your teeth scrape it please. You can really hurt me doing that.”). I did not find it repulsive after keeping the head for a few minutes, so took half of his cock in my mouth, and felt it getting harder and throbbing it with expectation. I realized the effect of my warm mouth on his cock.

I pulled back and said “Sorry.” before opening my mouth a little wider, not wanting to hurt him with my teeth. But I was apprehensive that he may spill his cum in my mouth, and the very thought of its pungent taste put me off. I recalled Prabha telling me that she had swallowed many of her lovers’ cum.

He looked down because I didn’t try to close my lips around it. He smiled and said, “Rani, apne hothon se daanton ko cover karte huye mere laude ko hothon ke beech dabaa lo. Fir apni jeebh se laude ke gol tope ke charon taraf firao, jab tak main apne laude ke tope ko tumhaare muhn mein andar baahar karta rahoon” (“Sweetie, curl your lips around your teeth then close your mouth just enough so your curled lips touch the skin. Then use your tongue to lick all around the tip while I slide it in and out.”).

I did as he said but the first two tries I gagged and almost threw up. The third time she I caught it just right and my cock slid down her throat easily. Once it was in there I didn’t want to let it out of my throat. My lips turned blue before he was able to pull his cock back so I could breathe.

He began to fuck my mouth at a slow pace, so I could get the rhythm of thrusting and licking down. This continued for almost ten minutes, and I was apprehensive that he may spill his juices in my mouth, but then he pulled it out, smiled at me, and, squeezing my left breast hard twisting its flesh, he said “You’re going to make your lover very happy.”

I turned red as she blushed, but I was happy to have learnt a new skill, which, according to Prabha, every man wanted and liked. Thankfully, he did not think of cumming in my mouth.

I was leaking my juices, when I heard him say “Ab lauda daalne ka time hai; main aur nahin ruk sakta” (‘Now it is time to fuck; I cannot wait any more”). I smiled shyly lowering my head hearing this musical words.

“Please do not forget to use condom”, I pleaded.

“Yaar jab tak virya choot mein nahin jaayega, na mujhe aur na tumhen chudaai ka mazaa aayega” (“Unless the semen goes inside the pussy, there would be no pleasure for either of us”). He said sounding unhappy.

“Lekin abhi tak meri shaadi nahin hui hai na” (But I am not married yet”). I wanted to sound like a verified untouched girl. He did not bother to reply, and got busy in arranging pillows on his huge bed to make penetration comfortable. I too was eager, but had to act coy and shy.

5

I excused myself as I wanted to use the washroom; it was long since I was with him, and, otherwise also, Prabha had suggested to pee before sex. After coming out of the washroom, I saw him lying on the bed with a thin, soft, silky creamy sheet covering his naked body, waiting for me.

Silently, I moved closer to the bed, my eyes fixed on his waist. I wanted to badly to see his big thing up close. Slowly I lifted the sheet and exposed his naked body. There it was! It didn’t look nearly as big as it did earlier in the bathroom. Maybe I had imagined it? Still, it was big enough.

I could not help myself from what I did next. I reached down wanting to touch it; I wrapped my fingers around the shaft and slowly, cautiously, stroked it. My eyes widened as it grew right there in my hand! He moaned and shifted his body. I stood still holding my breath. My little hand continued to stroke his hard-on, his shaft grew much too thicker to get my fingers all around. It was now pointing straight in the air. The room light exposed its throbbing veins, its big angry hard mushroom head, and a bead of wetness at the very tip of it.

Slowly I crawled in the bed, under the sheets. Just as I laid down he moaned and shifted a little. His big strong arms wrapped around me as his body turned toward my backside. He pulled me close. I held my breath and went still.

I gasped lightly at the heat coming from my daddy’s dick. His thick shaft pointing upward toward the small of my back, his big sac full of daddy goo hot and tight against my watering pussy. The length of his dick resting in against my butt crack like a fat sausage between my buns.

“Oh, uhh.” I moaned again and slowly, very slowly moved forward and back, caressing hiss dick with my ass cheeks. His head rested next to mine, his face buried in my hair. I turned my head toward his, feeling braver and hornier as I continued to rub my ass up and down the length of his cock. raising myself a little over his chest, I kissed his lips ever so lightly, letting my tongue invade his mouth just a little bit. Just a little past his lips ... mmmm I felt him moan. More wetness dripping from my pussy onto my thighs.

“I need you now,” I whispered into his mouth, my lips still touching his, I moved my hips slowly forward thus moving his big dick downward. I relished the feeling of that fat round mushroom tip against pushed into the top crevice of my ass crack. I moved my butt so his cockhead continued downward ... down between my swollen pussy lips. Mmmm I let his cock slip between my thighs. I gasped as its rock hard head pushed against my clit. Electricity and heat shot through my body. “Ohh yes!” a low moan escaped me ... I rocked lightly forward and back, guiding his cock head over my clit.

Oooh I have never felt like this before. My careful quiet movements gave way to deeper thrusts, still slow and quiet but harder now, more friction as his mushroom head rubbed my clit. I swear I could feel his pulse through his cockhead, throbbing as I rubbed it over my wet little pussy. I had never imagined that I could behave so shamelessly, but my several sessions with my two previous lovers had made me lose all inhibitions and enjoy sex.

I felt him beginning to thrust back ... the length of his big dick sliding between my pussy lips, the tip of his cock rubbing over my little clit harder, then harder, then ramming into my clit. My moans and cries were encouraging his assault. I pulled his right hand and placed it on my left breast, hinting him not to spare them. He began mauling each of my breast alternately, and sucking and lightly biting their flesh.

He began to kiss my mouth deeper, our tongues entwined, I sucked on his tongue and grinded my wet pussy and clit into his fat cockhead. I could feel the pulse of his dick, the throb of it harder now. Blood flowing hard through his cock veins while my swollen pussy dripped hot little girl juice.

Suddenly he came alive, “Mera lauda pasand aaya?” (“You liked my cock”?). In one swift movement his body shifted downward and his cock moved upward ... the big mushroom no longer against my clit, now pushing its way into my little pussy hole. Still kissing him, his eyes still closed, his right hand tightened on my waist and pulled me downward onto his cock.

Oooohhh I felt the incredible stretch of my little pussy hole, my eyes closed with unimaginable pleasure. Expertly he pulled my waist down toward him. Hard, steady, slow. My pussy widened, I sucked in my breath and groaned as his giant pulsing cockhead made its way into tiny little tight wet pussy tunnel. Suddenly every nerve ending in my pussy came alive as his fat mushroom pushed halfway past my opening. “Oh, yesssss!,” I yelled. “Chodo mujhe, aur zor se chodo!!” (“Fuck Me, fuck me harder”), just as my eyes finally begin to open.