‘Anyway,’ she said squeezing him meaningfully, ‘with the pathway to your passion so nearby, won’t you need a passage for relief close by?’
‘Oh, Tara,’ he said in all admiration, ‘you could corrupt the saints even!’
‘Is it so?’ she said as she winked at him, ‘but let me see if you could seduce her. In the meantime, you could count on my services.’
‘How on earth have these two got acquainted?’ Prasad thought on his way back to Sathyam’s house. ‘Is it possible Roopa doesn’t know about Tara’s double life? How it could be, given that Roopa is no fool. Well, didn’t Tara imply that Roopa is a tough nut to crack? Wouldn’t she have tried to rope in Roopa into her fold, only to have failed? It could as well be. Won’t the real thrill of sex lie in seduction, though paying for favors might be paying as well? More so is the case when the wares are of Tara brand. Isn’t Tara as good as ever? She hasn’t lost a wee bit, has she? But my appetite for the fair sex would have true satiation only when I solace myself in Roopa’s embrace. And that’s it. What about seeking Tara’s help to trap Roopa? After all, she might cooperate, but that might as well backfire. Oh, no, when it comes to seducing women, it’s better to keep one’s own counsel.’
When he reached Roopa’s place eagerly, he found it filled with Sathyam’s colleagues who came to canvass for their candidate for the presidentship of their association. Nevertheless, when Sathyam suggested that Roopa might engage Prasad inside, she excused herself on the pretext of her going to help Lalitha with a new recipe.
‘Oh, this god-damn Roopa,’ thought Prasad as he left in irritation at missing the opportunity. ‘She won’t even let me make a pass at her. Looks like she’s lending me all her eyes and ears with her heart tucked away in her attic. Why, isn’t it clear that I can’t seduce her by appealing to her mind? I should find a soft spot in her heart to gatecrash into her bed. But how am I to touch her Achilles heel? Doesn’t she seem to be good hearted, after all? Well, that could as well be the chink in the armor of her virtue. Why not I invoke her pity by declaring my love to her? But what if she cuts me short and shows the door? Then, what about writing to her? Well, that could be the right move as love letter could be the best bet for a tentative lover. Won’t that let the lover have the required space to modulate his passion even as it gives enough time for his beloved to crystallize her inclinations? But, if Roopa shows it to Sathyam, won’t that put paid to my passion. Besides, won’t that show me in a poor light to him?’