MALL ROAMING

It was a very dull Sunday, different from the last many months. I decided to go to the cinema to see the newly released thriller. Wife was least interested and loved to be in bed. I got ready and prepared a breakfast of bread and omelet with a cup of coffee. She liked this after late last night's sleep. She enjoyed dreaming and twisting inside the cover.
I locked the door and walked out of the house. For some unknown reason I hurried. I never missed any show and didn’t mind seeing the same advertisement. I had enough time to walk around inside the Mall and also freedom to eat whatever my wife prevented from consuming. She behaved like a tough boss who forced me to take early retirement. I purchased a ticket and walked to the Ice Cream parlour.
The owner was sitting behind the counter who was a middle aged woman looking pretty and smart. She smiled and gave me one big cone of my favorite flavor. I asked if she wanted to see the cinema. To my surprise she agreed. I hurriedly went and bought a ticket for her. The next seat was available which I got. I was excited by this coincidence.
Sales girl came and the woman came out to go with me. I didn't pay for Ice Cream in a hurry. She also didn't remind me and perhaps wanted to oblige. We sat through the film. She was enjoying and constantly patting my hand. She enhanced her grip on hand after seeing the killer making a brutal assault on a young girl. Now she grabbed me physically and never moved away. I kissed her on the cheek which she allowed. I started caressing her and pushed my hand into her dress searching for the spot. I was excited and started planning for the next move not expected from a devoted husband like me. This realisationI acted as a break and I was again engrossed in cinema.
She went to the washroom in the interval and never came back. Once I thought of checking but the movie was at a critical juncture when the Boss of the gang was going to be exposed. I was guessing the end. I forgot the unknown woman for the time being. The film was over and I was lost for moments.
FIRST STRIKE
I came out of the cinema and went back to the Ice Cream parlor. Sales girl was there and she demanded money. I couldn't stop myself from inquiring about the woman and perhaps the owner. Girl declared herself to be the owner. The woman I met was a customer like me. Girl asked her to be in the kiosk while she went to the washroom. I was ditched by my fantasy. The girl smiled and told me that the woman was mysterious. Earlier also many have experienced this. She advised me to look in my wallet. Wallet was missing. Only yesterday I withdrew five thousand rupees from an ATM. I was forced to keep all my money in my wallet. My wife normally created Saturday tantrums which ended only on Monday. I kept silent about the loss of money.
I looked for the woman every time when visiting the Mall. Finally one day I located her in one shop with husband and two kids. I could do nothing but keep thinking whether the husband knew about her activities.
Now I decided to follow her. Often I made excuses for some bank work or meeting friends to skip from the house. My suspicious wife got worried. She doubted me getting entertained by calling women who could be contacted through websites meant for marital findings. I was more worried about getting duped for five thousand, which covered my monthly ration bills. Wife was least interested in accounts, but could read my face after losing big money. Once in doubt,she raised hell to find more details. Her cruelty extended to the extent of the seizure of my wallet. She gave a few smaller denominations for daily expenses.
PRETENTIONS
I worked out many false stories till one stuck to convince her. Wallet was given back with counted money. It went for days and every night I had to submit an account before being served with a full plate of dinner. The item was reduced with an unsatisfactory explanation of spending. I had to wake up at night to steal food from the fridge and rearrange stored items to confuse her. One good quality with her was having a short memory which could also be introduced by bringing some attractive items from a fancy store to satisfy her beauty needs. I was experienced enough to read her mood.
SECOND SIDE
Wife liked weekend booze and that was another opening. But the night turned extraordinarily tiring. I slept the whole time the next day. My stamina gave way which she enjoyed and also narrated in her gossip stories with friends in kitty parties. Perhaps there were others who shared descriptions and laughed their hearts out. I wished some of those male partners would be known who could tell how to manage a cribbing wife with lesser strains.
SECOND ATTEMPT
It was a big time and day when I located the mystery woman coming out from a very poorly kept quarter. She was accompanying two very young boys in their twenties. They must be college students of 1st or 2nd year but from moneyed families. I first decided to check on boys. It was not difficult when I went to college and met their close friends. Two were kids of rich people and they're not in a hurry to clear grades. In fact they were in the same class for the last two years and missed their examinations reporting sickness or getting involved in road accidents. Both owned the latest bikes models and competed in racing on roads after midnight when roads were empty and joined by such groups and battled on high stakes. How they spent the winning money was not questioned by parents. The mystery woman came in to share winning amounts. She gave them drugs and took a heavy amount, I imagined. She made them dance in private resorts and also shared physical pleasures with them after boozing. She was dropped off by bike. The woman was keeping them together and earning big money. Her rate increased with winning amounts. There was something more that two couldn't get away from this woman. But the identity of the woman was not known to me. Days passed and the spell of doubt of the wife increased. I tried to remain composed but many sleepless nights were spent.
PLEASURE WITH TRAPS
Whoever invented the Mall was a genius. One can go watching dams in tight dresses and have intense pleasure and also regret about having a bulky wife who has turned repulsive. But this day was a day of revelation inside the Ice Parlour. Sales girl was busy but observant. She could guess the motive of the customer. I was standing for a long time despite there being no queue. She questioned through her glance.
'What flavour would you like?'
'I am not sure, last time I took vanila.'
'That's not available now. You can have it in the afternoon any time after 3 p.m.'
'I won't be available at that moment.'
'Then you pick up a dark chocolate one at 7p.m.'
'Oh silly, I will be busy with my wife and take her for a massage.'
'Really, then think about tomorrow.'
I couldn't understand all that was said. I wanted to eat today and she pushed me to tomorrow. All containers of different flavours were being given by her assistant to customers while she set me into schedule. The mysterious woman appeared. She glanced but ignored me and started talking to the Sales Woman on the counter.
'Gopal came inside standing close behind the woman and talked to Richa. She will give you the flavour you are looking for.' Mysterious woman started going out.
'Suhasini, when we meet again.' Gopal asked.
'You ask Richa she will decide. I am in a hurry and don't want to miss the show.' Suhasini replied and quickly vanished.
CULPRIT IDENTIFIED
Now it was revealed that the woman was Suhasini and her new prey was sitting in the cinema. She must have got information and wanted to loot the man after giving pleasure of kissing and playing with his private parts till interval. His wallet will be missing and Suhasini will vanish in the crowd of the Mall on one of seven floors. Maybe she will be enjoying food in the food court with her husband and children. She won't be recognising the new client as she didn't care to see me in the Ice Cream parlour only a few minutes back. Was Richa the Boss or organiser or the gangster?
Suddenly I remembered to get green vegetables and fresh fruits. My mind kept working and I entered the Big Bazar. I was not attentive and collided with Suhasini in the crowded array of racks when I was picking up my favourite biscuits.
' Oh this is what I like. Please give me and get another one from the salesman. I am in a hurry.'
She looked at me and questioned,' Did you go to the Ice Cream parlour? Today I was in a hurry and couldn't go. Thanks for entertaining me the other day. It's very warm here and I am feeling thirsty. Can you accompany me for a cold drink outside.'
I was dragged by her sweet tone and couldn't refuse. We went to the kiosk and ordered cola. She changed it to Fanta telling she liked orange flavour. Surprisingly she was wearing an orange coloured suit with a matching dupatta. I was confused as sometime earlier she was in a pink sari talking to Richa and interacting with Gopal. She quickly finished the drink before I started and rushed to her waiting husband whom I had seen the first day. I was baffled and stood on one side of the corridor sipping cola.
POLICING AT HOME
I went back to Big Bazar and bought vegetables and fruits. I came out and took an auto to reach home. Wife was standing on the front verandah in a very angry mood. Without replying to her quarry I rushed inside and dumped the vegetable bag on the dining table and ran to the bedroom and fell on the bed. My acting worked when my wife came quickly to me to attend after ordering the maid to cook vegetables for lunch. I pretended to avoid the temper of my wife and kept lying with closed eyes. I was analysing the happenings in the Mall and mainly about Suhasini and Richa and the joker in-between namely Gopal. I wanted to break the mystery and find the truth.
Next day I was not allowed to go out and was confined to my bedroom. Wife was afraid of me catching viral fever of some type. I was forced to swallow some tablets for fever after she checked body temperature. I was running around in the sun in midday which brought this heat in my body.
Once I slept, my wife entered into the cover and started playing to excite me despite the mild temperature. I failed to respond and she got up to shout at the maid for being late in tea making. I doubted that her sixth sense caught my internal feelings and desires. But it was not possible for her to know about Suhasini or Richa and their activities.
CHANGED FACE
Maid came with tea and checked if I was awake. She touched my temple and cheek and pinched. I was forced to wake up and she asked me to take hot tea.
' Where is madam?'
'She has gone to attend her Kitty party. She was happy that you will be guarding home after I go.'
'What are you preparing for dinner? Can you make vegetable pakora for me.?'
'But you are having a fever and pakora won't be good for you.'
'Nothing, it was my pretension. I am fine and happier now when madam is away. You are looking more attractive today and pakora will definitely test better.'
Maid walked briskly to make pakora. The doorbell rang and the maid informed
Suhasini was waiting at the door. I quickly got up and changed my dress and prepared to receive Suhasini. She was dressed as usual in a closely fitting suit protruding her body lines. He received her with a broad smile and asked to come inside the drawing room which was always kept in readiness by wife for visitors. My wife was very efficient at this. Maid brought pakora and tea. She took pakora and appreciated the skill of the maid.
Before taking tea she asked if I could offer her a drink with pakora.
'I have beer if you like.'
'Beer is no drink. I was told Kanika drank whisky and I came expecting the same. Is she not in the house?'
'Unfortunately she has gone to Kitty Party. She will come back late at night.'
'Oh, I was to accompany her to the Kitty party. I was delayed by the cab driver who stopped on the way to meet his woman friend. I had no choice but to wait. Taxis don't come to this area. The Taxman said that this is a residential area of the middle class and very few could afford taxis.'
'Now I can't help you. I don't know where the party is being held.' I avoided disclosing the location. Already I was in shock how
Did Suhasini know my wife? If she knew her ,she could disclose all that happened between the two. I could be in bigger trouble.
'I must leave. Thank you for the tasty pakora and good tea. Please tell Kanika, your sister-in-law, about my coming. She is smart and very social. I always enjoy her company.'
PROBLEM AGRAVETS
Now I was totally in a mess. Keeping myself in control I asked the maid to fix the taxi for the madam and help her in getting back. Maid obeyed and returned back. I was dumb founded. It was good that the maid didn't enquire any further and got busy preparing dinner. As usual she was supposed to spend the night in our place as the wife generally required help in getting down and coming inside home when completely drunk. Maid was of big help as it was not possible for me to hold the bulk of my wife. I quickly ate dinner and slept. Maid kept watching TV series to pass time. I also wanted to avoid confrontation in doubtful situations. My mind kept thinking and sleep came too late.
I woke up with noise in the night. Kanika was not only drunk but was in a fighting mood. She was hurling nasty abuses. I only heard the name of Suhasini mentioned during her loud noise. I pretended to sleep. She came in and touched my face and uttered,'Good, the fever is gone. Tomorrow I can settle scores with the bit...ch who cheated in the game and collected all the money. She is a demon.'
I was further in trouble. It seems Suhasini reached the place of the kitty. How resourceful she was? It was beyond my imagination. Was it that my play with her for a few minutes was creating hell for me and Kanika? How did Kanika get in touch with her? What could be the roles of Richa and Gopal? My Mall Roaming was going to put me in more difficulty. I kept thinking and got into a deep sleep to get up late the next morning.
I received welcome morning tea from my freshly bathed wife with very strong perfume. I didn't recall purchasing any foreign brand perfume which can't be bought in our town. It was only available in metro cities or can only be gifted by any foreign travelled person capable of buying costly perfume. I was lost and forgot to drink tea which turned cold.
ATTACK FROM WIFE
There was a reprimand from Kanika,'I gave you fresh tea to boost up your mood after a feverish night. But you as usual allowed it to get cold. Tea made by a maid is only in your luck and not painfully prepared love mixed tea from your wife. I am sure you have been cursed by a woman like Suhasini, who becomes close with a pretty face and broad smiles and then collects money from your wallet.'
I got scared with the statement made by Kanika. How could she tell the truth about me? Was I being given psychological punches? Was she associated with Suhasini in some way? Have we been trapped in some wrong activity, criminal or illegal?
ESCAPE STRONGLY DESIRED
My mind turned dumb and I made excuse of severe headache and went to lie down. In reality I wanted to be alone and avoid going to Suhasini. Also I wanted to further decide action to get away from the mess where Kanika was involved. Her kitty party was hanging on me like a draconian sword bound to finish both of us. I kept turning in the bed, but my wife didn't come to enquire. I was left at the mercy of the maid who was to come late today after yesterday's long hours of duty. It was a routine every month.
Maid came in the afternoon and the wife ate her breakfast and went to sleep. I was hungry and prepared my own breakfast of bread and omelet followed by a cup of coffee. I sat in the drawing room and watched a detective serial. It was my favourite hobby and often a good time passed. I could notice my wife snoring loudly and wondered if she was still planning a visit to Suhasini's place to settle money matters. I had no idea about her place. It would be interesting to see how she located her.
Maid was engaged in cooking lunch to be ready before Kanika got up. It was a quick meal menu of rice, dal and potato bhajia, which she made tasty. I felt hungry and ate food to return back to bed and sleep and complete the deprived quota of the previous night. Also it was to avoid confrontation with my wife so that she would forget what happened the previous day.
STORMY DAY
Wife got up, took lunch and went to sleep again. I didn't get any sleep and kept noticing activities inside the house. Maid was a quiet type and her presence was hardly noticeable. In between some moaning sound came. I silently peeped through the gap of the door. Maid was riding over Kanika and doing something never imagined by me.
Wife said,'Suhasini did the same to me and snatched all the money while I lay in bed. This came to mind when she had left.'
'Yesterday evening a woman came looking for you. She took tea and wanted a drink which was refused by Saheb. She went away in a taxi.' Maid reported.
'Was she dressed in a pink colour suit and looked smart and modern?' Kanika enquired.
'Yes.'
Kanika got up and started pacing inside the room. She told the maid to go if dinner was cooked and lock the door with an auto lock. She didn't want to take any chances with me and avoided coming out. I was already in bed after darkening my room. We have been using separate bedrooms since long and today it felt more. Kanika took dinner and locked the room to sleep. I got up sometime in the night to eat dinner. Life became upset and I waited for the next morning to settle with all abnormal activities. I was fearful as well as suspicious.
Next morning was normal as we two forgot the previous day's happenings. I decided once again to go to the Mall on the pretext of buying medicines and some tit bits. Wife nodded without any questioning, which was not normal. She was hiding her face indicating some guilt in her mind.
FINALLY RIDDLE GETS SOLVED
I went to the Ice Cream parlour and found it sealed and one policeman standing. All avoided that corridor and took another one to cross the place. I enquired the guard what happened. He first avoided but when insisted, replied.
Yesterday the parlour was raided at night and police found packs of Ice Creams mixed with drugs. Sales women and girls were arrested. The owner is absconding and search teams are looking around. The network included elderly women who met at intervals to enjoy parties and consumed drugs. Young boys and girls were also trapped. Whole story will be out in a few days' time. Please don't discuss this with anyone otherwise you may get arrested. Many senior administrators are also in the racket.'
'No and never.' I replied instantly.
I quickly came out of the Mall. Further details never came to the public. I reached home and started asking about my wife's health and lunch being prepared. Maid saw me and hurried up to complete cooking. All of us posed normally.