The Madras Affair

by Sundari Venkatraman

  “Can you get ready fast? I'll wait downstairs with Sandeep.”

  Sangita nodded, not uttering a word.

  Sangita was overwhelmed by the warmth with which she and her son were received by Gautam's family.

  She was most fascinated by Sid who was so like her fiancé yet so different. She was thrilled to receive his spontaneous hug. It was a totally new experience. He took her aside for a special interview. This was done in style without alarming her in any way.

  “So,” he grinned at her, “you're the woman who's brought my dear twin to his knees.”

  Sangita blushed, staring with fascination at the dimple on his left cheek. Gautam's was on the right side. “I can't imagine Gautam on his knees.” Her words came out in a soft whisper, “though the prospect does have its appeal.” He gave a shout of laughter that carried across to the others as he bent a long way to catch her words.

  He looked at her innocent face. He could totally understand how Gautam had fallen for her. Though she seemed to be quite unaware of her power over the man she was going to marry.

  He hugged her again. “Would you like to know about Gautam as a kid and later as a young man?” he asked.

  Sangita turned her eyes to him. “You'll tell me?” she asked eagerly. “I've been dying to know. Somehow Gautam and I never got around to talking about it.”

  Gautam watched with a trace of envy, his twin monopolising his fiancée. And to his great astonishment, she didn't appear to be tongue-tied at all. She couldn't seem to stop talking to Sid.

  There was only so much he could take. He walked to them and removing Sid's arm from her shoulders, clamped his own around her waist.

  Sid watched his brother's possessive gesture with mischievous amusement as Sangita turned to Gautam.

  She was completely unaware of the jealous undercurrents. To her, Sid was Gautam's brother and hence her own. And she was too happy that he was so affectionate. Her brothers never really displayed any affection. She was pleasantly surprised.

  22

  The wedding was a quiet ceremony with only the immediate family members present. The only exceptions were Padmanabhan and his daughter, Lata. The function took place at Vadapalani Murugan Temple and was later registered by a court official.

  The ceremony itself was traditional with Sangita wearing the peacock blue Kancheepuram sari with a bright pink border. Gautam wore a traditional veshti and jippa.

  Vimala and Swetha gifted the bride lots of gold jewellery. Gopal and Radha attended the wedding and went home immediately after having the wedding luncheon at Shraddanjali.

  A grand wedding reception was hosted by Alistair and Swetha Sinclair in their son and daughter-in-law's honour at the Lotus Hall of Le Royale Meridien the same evening.

  It was a splendid affair attended by more than a thousand guests. All those invited had turned up despite the short notice. It just showed the goodwill and respect Gautam's family commanded in the society.

  A honeymoon suite had been booked for the bride and groom and it was there that Sangita was getting ready for the reception. It was 6.30 pm when Sangita turned around to see her husband of a few hours walk into the bedroom carrying a couple of parcels. Rekha and Sara, who had been helping Sangita get ready, left the room almost immediately, closing the door behind them.

  Gautam couldn't seem to take his eyes off the beauty in front of him, as he carefully placed the parcels on the side table. She was wearing his favourite sari, the purple shot with pink and appeared resplendent. Gautam looked at his wife appreciatively, from the top of her head to the small pink toes peeping out of the golden heels she was wearing.

  Her hair was tied in a sophisticated knot on top of her head with two tendrils cascading down on the sides of her face. Mild make-up made her look like a glamorous model. Gautam stared in wonder at the difference the bright clothes and light make-up made to her personality. His flitting eyes finally settled on her luscious lips that sported a wet look with lipstick the shade of the wild orchids he had brought along with him, both matching the colour of her sari perfectly.

  Gautam moved forward, his focus not wavering even for a second before his lips settled on hers in a tentative kiss. He lifted his arms slowly, as if in a dream, to pull her slender body into his embrace. His tongue traced the outline of her lips, before seeking entry into her warm mouth.

  Sangita raised her arms to twine them around his neck to pull his head closer, opening her lips to his inquisitive tongue. Silence reigned in the room for a few minutes as Sangita lost all sense of time and her surroundings. She surrendered to the pleasure of his masterful kiss.“Sangita!” Gautam lifted his head to study her blushing face, “You look fantastic,” he sighed.

  “So do you,” said Sangita, as she moved a few inches away to study her husband's tall, muscular frame, his ruggedness not quite toned down by the formal suit that he was wearing. His silk shirt and tie were the exact blue of his eyes, while the pearl grey suit was a perfect setting for his tanned good looks.

  The citrus fragrance of his aftershave soothed her. Sangita gently removed the traces of lipstick from his mouth using a tissue. Gautam grinned like a Cheshire cat as he caught her hand in his, kissed her fingers, nipping her thumb gently.

  Sangita's eyes widened as she felt a jolt of electricity running through her body. She buried her face in his chest, feeling too shy to face him.

  There was a knock on the door. Sid walked in as Gautam called out, “Come in.”

  “Cut it out, you newlyweds. It's almost seven.”

  Wild horses wouldn't have dragged Sangita's face away from Gautam's chest. He turned slumberous, blue eyes towards his twin. “Get lost, Sid,” he said.

  Siddharth wiggled his eyebrows expressively, rolling his eyes towards the ceiling and shrugging his wide shoulders, left them alone. Sangita looked at her husband as she heard the door click behind Sid. “How could you...?”The question was never completed as Gautam gave her another passionate kiss. He lifted his head with reluctance and told his bride arrogantly, “I just did,” his eyes crinkling with a smile. “And now, my darling wife, the final touches.” He removed the orchids from their packing and helped Sangita pin them to her hair.

  Sangita gasped as he opened the jeweller's box. There was a delightful neckpiece, large earrings, ring and bangles made of cob rubies set in twentyfour carat gold; in the temple jewellery design exclusive to Tamil Nadu.

  Gautam placed an addigai—a choker, around Sangita's neck, pulling the string firm at the back. He tucked the length of the string into the low cut neck of her blouse, his fingers dancing on her bare back, like the touch of a butterfly's wings. The design was in the form of red flowers strung together. The pearls dangling along the lower edge of the choker vied with the sheen of Sangita's skin. He took out the kasu maalai, a long neckpiece, strung with gold coins and placed it around her neck. It reached down to her navel.

  Sangita took out the pearl and ruby earrings and wore them.

  Next she wore the kanganam on her wrist, and combined it with thin gold bangles interspersed by coloured glass ones, alternating pink and purple with zari lines on them. There was also a ring that fit the ring finger of her right hand.

  She met Gautam's ardent, blue eyes in the mirror shyly as she gave herself a final glance. He gave her a broad wink that she returned with a shy smile, before applying a fresh coat of lipstick with a trembling hand.

  Sandeep burst through the door despite Rekha's protests as she walked close behind him. “Mummy, Daddy!” he shrieked, hugging his father's legs. Gautam bent down to lift the child into his arms, holding him close. “What do you think, young man? How does your Mummy look now?” he asked of his son.

  The two of them turned to look at the woman of their lives adoringly. Sandeep hung on to his father's neck as he pressed his lips to his lean cheek. “She looks beautiful, Daddy,” he whispered, his brown eyes alight with excitement.

  Gautam placed his right arm around his wife's waist before stepping out of the
bedroom into the lounge. Flashbulbs popped as the photographer captured a picture of the adoring family of three into posterity.

  Sandeep slipped out of Gautam's arms to take hold of Sangita's hand giving her a wide, impish grin that she returned in equal measure.

  “Hi, handsome!” she called out, her eyes admiring his formal trousers and jacket as she combed back his unruly curls with her fingers.

  Sandeep noticed the colour on her nails and breathed, “Mummy,” his eyes round in awe. He gazed at the deep pink colour that matched her sari with great admiration. “Mummy,” he said again, his voice choked with emotion, “you're looking very nice.” It seemed to the little boy as if his birthday and Diwali were being celebrated on the same day.

  Sangita went on her knees, hugging her small son, pressing her soft cheek to his silky one. “You too look great, darling. Very handsome, just like your Daddy,” she murmured.

  It was time to go to the reception. Sandeep ran ahead to join Ramya and his new cousins. Sangita moved forward, flanked on her right by her husband and on the left by her favourite brother-in-law. Both men had offered their elbows, and she in turn, held on to their arms simultaneously, without batting an eyelid.

  Sid bent down to whisper in her ear, “Has he gone down on his knees yet?” Sangita turned her laughing eyes to his naughty, black ones, her lips pouting. She shook her head mockingly, “No.”

  Sid pressed his lips to her cheek in an affectionate kiss. “The wait will not be long, darling sis. He's all set,” he said, still continuing to whisper, much to his twin's annoyance.

  Gautam placed a proprietory arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side, his blue eyes giving his twin a warning glare. Sid winked.

  Suddenly, there was a small commotion and they turned to look at Rithika in a brilliant, emerald green Kancheepuram sari, rush towards them, her heels making no noise on the carpeted floor as she ran forward to hug Sangita. “Congratulations, Sangita!” she squealed her delight, pressing her cheek to the bride's.

  She turned to the groom, who greeted her with an equally wide smile. “Gautam,” she shook his hand enthusiastically, “Congratulations! I just knew you would do it.”

  Gautam opened his arms wide to hug Rithika. “Thank you, my dear friend,” he said to her, as she raised her face to him. “But for you and Rekha, this wouldn't have happened.”

  “Ah, come on, Gautam,” teased Rithika, “I'm sure you'd have managed pretty well by yourself.” She caught the movement in her periphery and noticing Siddharth, gave a gasp of astonishment. “Gautam,” she pressed her fingers on his arm, “you never mentioned there were two of you,” she said, her bold eyes running over Sid in admiration. She took in his black dinner jacket and bow tie, then the jet black eyes with the golden-brown hair and shook her head in astonishment.

  After the introductions, they all walked together to the dais that was beautifully decorated with yellow roses and white asters. Gautam and Sangita remained on the raised platform and greeted all the guests, along with the parents.

  They then proceeded towards the buffet and all too soon the reception was at its end. Rekha and Raghu bid their farewells, taking Sandeep along with them for the night.

  Sangita gave her Manni and son a pathetic look as she realised what was in store for her now. Rekha patted her shoulder gently and said, “Cheer up, dear. I'm sure things will work out perfectly.” How Sangita wished that she had her sister-in-law's confidence!

  She turned to look at her husband in quiet desperation. He was talking to his brothers and sister. He caught the signal correctly and came to her immediately.

  They left the hall in silence and went up to their suite. Gautam opened the door for her and pocketed the key. “See you in half an hour, love. Will that be okay?” he asked softly.

  She frantically wished that he would give her a hug of reassurance. But much to her disappointment, his arms hung by his side.

  Gautam controlled a strong urge to pull her into his arms. He knew that once he did that, he would never be able to let her go. And he had to give her the choice. So he left her alone in their suite, to decide whether she wanted to let him love her or just go to sleep before he turned up.

  She moved from the sitting room to the bedroom, her steps hesitant. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the room's décor. She didn't recognise it for the one from where she'd left for the reception.

  The huge rectangular bed was covered in virginal white with a large pile of red velvet pillows heaped at the head. Red and white balloons were strung together and hundreds of them were tied to the four corners of the room. Huge bouquets of fragrant flowers were placed on both sides of the bed.

  The only light came from the dozen, fat, aromatic candles that were lit around the room. The smell of incense was pretty strong and tightened Sangita's already frayed nerves.

  She removed her jewellery and placed them in their boxes. She moved forward mechanically to open the cabinet. Her eyes became wide with dismay as she saw a new soft-leather bag in the place of the overnight case she'd left behind. Her case was nowhere in sight. She removed this new piece of luggage with trembling hands and opened it. Her hands encountered gossamer fine chiffon as she pulled out a nightgown of soft peach in the sheerest of material. She searched some more and came up with a matching negligee of the same peach colour. There wasn't much other than a couple of new toothbrushes, perfumes and men's pyjamas.

  Sangita lifted her things and walked valiantly into the en suite bathroom. Gautam had said half an hour. She looked at the bedside clock. She had twenty more minutes left to shower, change and get into bed, under the covers.

  Sangita pulled off her sari and removed the rest of her clothing in a hurry and folded them on to the shelf. She pulled a shower cap over her head and stepped into the bath tub. She started the shower and set the temperature to 'hot'. The hot water didn't warm her chilled body as she soaped it in a hurry. She stepped out of the shower and towelled herself dry, refusing to look at her naked body in the full-length mirror in front of her.

  She pulled the transparent nightgown over her head and caught sight of the image in the mirror, shock rounding her eyes. Was that her? It couldn't be. The nightgown seemed to reveal things that were meant to be hidden and hid those that could be exposed. The noodle straps hugged the pearly sheen of her shoulders. While the low neck dipped above her breasts, the brown nipples were outlined clearly against the fine fabric. The garment fell down to her ankles in a straight line, dipping slightly at the dark triangle below her abdomen and hugging her slim thighs all the way down.

  She hadn't even known that such clothes existed.

  She turned to look at herself in the mirror waiting for the sense of shame to engulf her. But the image in the mirror of a slim woman with a desirable figure only seemed to stir warmth into her blood with absolutely no sense of dislike. What had happened to her?

  For a second, Sangita imagined Gautam's flaming blue eyes on her form, in the state she was in. She felt goose pimples as the satiny finish of the gown moved sensually against her bare skin. A tiny moan escaped Sangita's lips as she felt her nipples rub against the soft fabric. The thought of Gautam's hands against her body made her groan louder.

  Life was so unfair! She knew that she couldn't fulfil any of the promises that her gown offered. What a situation! She desperately lifted the matching negligee and pulled it over the gown. It seemed to underline her nakedness with absolute clarity. Sangita looked around nervously before her eyes fell upon the white bath robe provided by the hotel. She pulled off the negligee and put on the bathrobe and tied it securely around her waist.

  There! That was much better. More like the Sangita she knew. The sultry creature who had peeped from the mirror didn't exist beyond her imagination. Thank God she was fully covered now.

  Sangita pulled down her hair and taking the brush in her hand stepped out of the bathroom.

  Her stunned gaze met that of her husband's who was standing at the window, a cigare
tte in his hand. His suit jacket and tie were off and so were a few of his shirt buttons, showing her a glimpse of the golden hair on his wide chest.

  She turned her eyes away in a hurry and absolutely tongue-tied, walked over to the stool in front of the dressing table and sat down with a plop.

  “Sangita,” Gautam squashed the last of his cigarette into the ashtray and moved towards his wife. He placed his hands on her trembling shoulders and rubbed them gently. He bent down to place his lips against her left ear. “Sweetheart,” he whispered and felt the tremor in her slender frame, “I made you a promise, remember?” His bright, blue eyes met her turbulent brown ones in the mirror. “I'll ne'er do anything that you don' want me to do. Is that clear?”

  She gave him a small nod, not knowing whether she was relieved or disappointed. “Just relax, love,” he pressed his hands once more on her shoulders before removing them. Sangita felt bereft as she missed the warmth of his touch. Her eyes clouded.

  Was that disappointment that he saw in his wife's beautiful eyes? Gautam couldn't be sure. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part. He moved away from her tempting figure.

  “I won't be long,” he said as he excused himself to go take a shower. He discarded his clothes and stepped into the shower to set the water to 'cold'. The chillness of the water refused to cool his ardour as he stood under the shower for almost twenty minutes. Finally, he stepped out and towelled himself dry before pulling on his pyjama bottoms. As he towelled his head dry he noticed the negligee lying there beside the wash basin.

  He lifted it to his face, rubbing it against his cheek. So the nightgown to match this was what Sangita had been hiding under that bathrobe. A slow fire lit within him laying waste the torture he had suffered under the cold shower.

  He stepped out of the bathroom to find Sangita, lying along one edge of the bed. He looked around, his eyes searching for the bathrobe. It was nowhere in sight. Did it mean...? Yeah, he'd guessed right. His wife was huddled in her towelling robe under the bedsheet.