Chapter 1

It was her twentieth anniversary day. Shobha was waiting for her husband Malhotra, a businessman who was never in time. Today her eyes were anxiously waiting for him as he had promised to take her out.

Since a few years Malhotra was so busy in his business that he had practically neglected his wife. His main aim was to make money and he was so successful in it, that he multiplied his financial resources day by day and this kept him away from his wife and their only son Rahul.

Rahul, who had just completed 18 years, was a brilliant student. He was the reason for Shobha to be content with life as her husband had been neglecting her since a few years. The only thing Shobha had at her disposal was money and she had it in plenty as her husband never questioned how she utilized it.

Stepping into 38th year Shobha still possessed a figure that made every male turn his eyes. She was not conscious of her figure as she had resigned from enjoying sex with her husband since a long time and it never occurred to her that she made other males in the locality dream of having her. She was always occupied in her own thoughts of seeing her son Rahul come out with flying colors in his examinations.

This particular day as she resigned from waiting for her husband, she walked the few steps to her son's bedroom to enquire about his studies.

Rahul on seeing his mother dressed up asked 'are you going out Mom?'

The sudden questioning of her son brought tears to her eyes and shaking her head she said 'no, I am not.'

Rahul was upset at looking at his mother's wet eyes and to bring some cheers to her face said 'mom, I again topped in my History.'

This news brought much relief to Shobha and she coming forward embraced her son.

Rahul had a fascination for his mother's dark long hair. He always liked to feel the silky strands of her hair whenever he got the opportunity. Today as his mother had left her hair open, Rahul was happy to feel the silky long hair brushing his face when his mother bowed down to embrace him.

As Rahul was fondling her hair, his mother straightened up and this left him holding her curls in his hands.

His mother was surprised to see him holding her hair and when she smiled at him and asked the reason for it, he replied 'Mom, you have long silky hair and they are so soft to touch.'

Shobha brushed his hair in response and without saying a word went to her room. There in the recluse of her room she started weeping. She felt ignored by her husband and this hurt her feelings. She had done everything to see him come up in life and now that he had reached the pinnacle, he had ignored her completely and she felt sad that she had lost him.

Thinking it was her fate; she changed her clothes and went to bed with a novel. She was so absorbed in reading; it was nearing 12 p.m. when she saw the lights on in her son's room. Putting on a robe over her nightie she went to his room.

On entering the room she was pleased to see her son engrossed in his studies. Seeing him burning oil till midnight saddened her also. She went closer to him and putting her hands across his shoulders she hugged him.

Rahul was shocked by the sudden appearance of his mother and as he turned to look at her, his face came in contact with her soft hair and this made him to inhale its fragrance. Inhaling the rich aroma from her hair made him dizzy and as he was still deeply engrossed in it, he found his mother brush her hair on his face intentionally.

As Rahul was captivated by the aroma of his mother's hair, he felt his mother brush her hair over his face. This prompted him to take hold of a lock of hair and gently fondled it.

Shobha was thrilled by his act and seeing him enjoying playing with her loose hair, she let him fondle it for few more seconds before pushing back her hair. Then straightening up she said 'it's late, you better go to bed.'

Rahul smiled and getting up he put off the lights and went to bed.

It was very late when Malhotra, Shobha's husband came. Without speaking a word to her, he slumped on the bed and in no time was fast asleep.

Shobha did not sleep the whole night. She was kept awake listening to her husband's snoring. Once she was tempted to put a hand over his body and arouse him but as she lifted her hand, she saw him turn the other way. This made her withdraw her hand.

After a sleepless night Shobha got up early to take care of the breakfast. As she finished the cooking and set the table, she saw her husband come down and gobble the breakfast in a hurry. By the time she could give him a cup of coffee; he said 'I have to hurry' and left her holding the cup of coffee in her hand.

As Shobha stood holding the coffee in her hand, she was pleasantly surprised to see her son grab the cup of coffee saying 'thanks.' Seeing his eager smiling face, Shobha forgot her husband and was happy to serve her demanding son.

Rahul was well built at the age of 18. He had broad shoulders, well muscled chest, and strong arms with an appetite of a bull. He just consumed what ever was laid on the table and after having a hand wash, he wiped his hands on her mother's sari which had become a custom of his.

Then as he was about to leave for college he surprised his mother by bending over her head and inhaling the rich aroma of her hair said 'bye Mom.'

Before Shobha could react she saw him move out of the door in a flash. Shobha after seeing his back was quite happy, thinking of her son who was so fond of her. This made her forget about her husband's peculiar behavior.

The days continued to slip away in the same fashion till the dates for Rahul's exams were announced.

One day Rahul came home very much excited. Handing his mother the print out of his exam time table said 'Mom, the exam dates have been announced and they are starting from coming Monday.'

Shobha was saddened to hear this as she felt that her son now had to go many a sleepless nights studying for his exams. She made up her mind to give him company and help him out in his studies.

That night around 10.30 Shobha entered her son's room to see him scratching his head over some mathematical problem. Seeing him whacking his brains out over it, she slid closer to him and putting her cheeks over his she embraced him.

Rahul was pleased by this and instinctively he lifted his hand and caught hold of some strands of hair and brought them over his face. This silky touch cooled him a bit and forgetting the problem he started to caress his face with his mother's hair. Shobha let her son fondle her hair and seeing him relax a bit let him have his way.

Rahul continued fondling her hair and as he turned his face, his lips smacked his mother's rosy cheeks. This act suddenly embarrassed him and feeling shy he bowed his head down in shame.

Shobha quick to re-act and pulling her son up and saying 'it's okay, ' she pecked a kiss on his cheek in a motherly fashion.

This act encouraged Rahul and reciprocating her kiss he went back to face his problem. On having his mother by his side helped Rahul in solving the problems and when he finished the work, he looked up at his mother and said 'thanks Mom, your presence was a great help to me.' Shobha smiled on hearing those words and hugging him again she kissed him goodnight.

The next day the same circumstances prevailed and as evening approached, Shobha was surprised to see her husband come home early from his office and go up to his room. As Shobha followed him, she saw him packing up a suitcase and when she asked him, he said 'he has to leave for fifteen days on a business trip.' As this was customary, Shobha did not question him.

As Malhotra departed, Shobha felt lonely in the big house and as her mind was wandering, she heard her son come home. This brought much relief to her and after taking care of her son's appetite; she excused herself and went out shopping.

By the time she came back it was quite late and as she went in to his son's room she saw him busy with his studies. When Rahul looked up at her she opened one of the bags and handed over an expensive shirt to him. Rahul was pleased and taking the gift from her, he kissed his mother's cheek.

Rahul had kissed his mother on impulse and as he had kissed her, his saliva laden lips had left behind an impression on her cheek. Shobha was astonished by this act and when she went to her room she saw herself blushing on having received a wet kiss. Shobha knew the kiss was not intentional but she was kissed on the spur of the moment. But still this kiss lingered on her mind.