Chapter: 7: A Call with a Friend

“He says he doesn’t like my body anymore and I don’t know how to have sex. Even though I let him do everything!” she manages to say in between her sobs through the phone. I don’t know how to comfort her.

“Hey, listen, it just happens sometimes. I think maybe you need to get better. Do you watch porn?” I ask.

“What! What are you talking about?” She asks.

“Well you can learn some new things from porn”, I say.

She doesn’t say anything for a long time.

“Are you there?” I ask.

“You think I should watch porn and learn things?” She asks with doubt.

“Couldn’t hurt” I reply.

“Well ... may be ... but he is ready to leave. He is going to leave tomorrow” she says and continues to cry again.

“Wait. I will go to your house and meet him tomorrow. I will try to convince him. Maybe then we can find a path forward “ I offer.

“Yes. Yes please “ she replies. I can sense a new hope in her voice.

We agree we will meet tomorrow and finally, she lets me end the call. I go back to my chores.

I set up the dinner table and call everyone to dinner.

“Hey, are you listening?” I say to get my husband’s attention.

He looks at me. “I have to go my Sweta’s house in the morning” I announce.

“What? Why?”, he asks.

“She called crying today. Arjun is threatening to leave her! “ I reply.

“What really? Why?” He asks, suddenly interested. I decide not to tell him, particularly with Pia sitting at the table. “Well, I’ll get a clear picture tomorrow...” I reply.

“But I can’t go with you. I have to leave for Hyderabad tomorrow” my husband says. Thankfully he has work in a different state, otherwise, I would have to think of a reason why he shouldn’t go with me.

“It’s okay.” I just smile.

“By the way mom, we have a dance competition tomorrow.” Pia chimes in.

“What? I didn’t know this. Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I ask.

“Well, I was not sure I would take part. I am still not sure” she says.

I know why she doesn’t want to take part. It happened to me when I was young. I was having so much fun with everyone. Then I got my big breasts and suddenly everyone started acting differently. Every boy and man either acted awkwardly around me or acted like a pervert. I was both afraid and ashamed at the same time.

I saw the same thing happening to Pia. Even my husband suddenly stopped playing with her. It has affected her confidence. But recently she has been a little chirpy. Probably finally she is coming to terms with her body. This dance competition should give her some much-needed confidence boost.