28-04-2023, 12:16 AM
Chapter 11 – Room-mate
Shubhangi’s fear was like that and as she drifted ever closer to sleep, her fear swam further toward the surface so that she could almost see its scaly reptilian body below the black waters of her subconscious mind. It was something deep down, which was now just out of reach. There was something she was afraid of, and The Game was making her go fishing in those dangerous waters of the soul. Shubhangi finally drifted off and her last conscious thought was an image of her standing on a diving board over a dark pool and stepping off. Shubhangi fell and fell toward whatever waited for her in the dark water below…
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend was hot and sticky as the temperature topped out at 87 degrees, Shubhangi spent the majority of her morning cleaning her downtown Chicago house. Richa had called Shubhangi that morning at 8:00 as she left from her home in southern Illinois and travelled north via train toward Chicago. Richa was Shubhangi’s 18-year-old niece who had artfully conned both her mother and Shubhangi into moving in with Shubhangi and foregoing college for a year. Richa would be arriving sometime in the early afternoon, and Shubhangi was wondering how her life may change due to the result of living with a kid like Richa. Richa really was no longer a kid, Shubhangi had to keep reminding herself of that. Richa was not the child Shubhangi remembered when she last lived close to them, and Shubhangi vowed that she would treat Richa like a room-mate and not a child. Richa was coming here to learn to grow up a little and also to educate herself in her chosen field of photography, not to be ‘babysat’. Shubhangi was sure Meera expected her to take care of Richa, but Shubhangi didn't sign up to be anyone’s keeper here. But of course, Shubhangi would try to keep Richa out of too much trouble.
And then of course there was Shakti and The Game. The Game was on hold for now. Shubhangi and Shakti both had decided to take a month off after their last adventure. They were both a little freaked out by the intensity of the experience and each had their own feelings to deal with. Shubhangi sighed and thought ‘Well I guess you can’t let 6 guys jack off on you while your husband ass fucks you without spending a little time thinking about it.’ Shubhangi shivered as her mind flashed on the moment on the couch when the men emptied themselves on Shakti and Shubhangi. Shubhangi felt a rush of emotion ranging from embarrassment/guilt to excitement. She giggled at herself nervously and went on with her cleaning. Shubhangi was not sure how Richa moving here would affect her and Shakti, but she wondered if putting the brakes on The Game might not be a bad idea. It had started as a way to get to know Shakti, and then it had morphed into a way to get to know herself. Now Shubhangi wondered if she even knew the person she was getting to know.
Shubhangi never considered herself a slut or a whore or whatever label you wanted to put on a woman who had done some of the things she had done, but there it was. She still didn’t think of herself in those terms, but she had certainly done some ‘slutty’ things. Shubhangi even thought of the person who played this Game as an alter ego “Slutty Shubhangi.’ She wondered if this was healthy, she was not losing her grip on reality. Shubhangi knew it was her who had done everything, but when she was participating, she thought of herself as playing a role that was outside the scope of her normal personality. It was time for a break to digest this idea and make some decisions about if this was a good idea or not.
But then there was the ‘forbidden fruit’ effect, knowing that they were taking a break; and Shubhangi would not be giving a letter this month made her horny as hell. She missed the excitement of the game; she missed the anticipation of what would inevitably be an amazing sexual experience. Not that Shakti and Shubhangi gave up sex, they definitely didn’t. Knowing Richa was coming today, they made sure to have ‘fun’ last night. Shakti and Shubhangi spent the whole evening drinking wine, naked, watching movies and alternatively talking and fucking. It was a great night and amazing sexually, but it was not the same as playing the game.
Part of Shubhangi wondered if she could give up the game now that she’d started playing. What if she couldn’t? A shiver of fear rippled through Shubhangi at the thought, she struggled over and over with the control The Game was exerting over her. She often felt terribly guilty about the things she’d done, but she also loved doing them on a very fundamental level. Shubhangi thought about that day in the gas station often, there was a moment when she was pinned against the counter taking that boy’s cock where she could not move. Shubhangi always shivered at the remembrance and honestly did not know if it was from excitement or fear. Her mind returned again and again to that moment when she could not move, could not stop, and could not control the situation. The thing she always fixated on in that experience was not the cock inside her, or the girl watching her being fucked, but the feel of the hand on the back of her head holding Shubhangi firmly bent over the cheap Formica counter top. Did Shubhangi like that?
No.
Yes.
Shubhangi don’t know. How could she like it? Shubhangi shivered again, she knew, she’d to stop this game. But She also didn't want to, she wanted the game desperately. Why? What was happening to her? This was wrong, wasn’t it? Or was it right? Did it matter?
Shubhangi finished cleaning her house and took a shower with her thoughts, as she was drying her hair there was a knock at the door. Shubhangi smiled and slipped on her robe and ran to get the door. Shubhangi pulled the door open and Richa stood beaming at her with two suitcases and a million-dollar smile. They hugged briefly and Richa came into Shubhangi’s house obviously excited.
“How could anyone not LOVE it here? Those are the biggest damn buildings…I’ve ever seen…” Richa gushed as soon as the door was shut. Shubhangi laughed at Richa’s first impression of the Chicago skyline that she’d long since taken for granted. It was fun to witness someone so excited about the everyday sights and sounds of the city. It was like being here for the first time all over again for Shubhangi, and the nostalgia was a wonderful feeling. Shubhangi showed Richa to her room, Richa quickly dropped her suitcases on the bed along with what looked like thousands of dollars of photography equipment.
“Aunt Shu…I’m going to love it here…thank you so much for letting me come to stay with you…I promise not to be any trouble…” Richa hugged Shubhangi fiercely, Shubhangi smiled again at the genuine feeling of raw excitement that seemed to radiate from Richa. They sat together on the couch as Richa recounted to Shubhangi again her journey from southern Illinois through the suburbs and eventually to the heart of the city. Shubhangi watched Richa with amusement as she told her about seeing the Sears tower and the other sights and sounds of the city. Richa was particularly fascinated with the train station and the fact that millions of people used public transportation every day. Richa was animated, enthusiastic, and absolutely beautiful as she sat with her hair, t-shirt and skin tight jeans that rode low on her hips. When Richa had finished telling Shubhangi about her trip, Shubhangi told her that she’d a surprise for Richa tonight. Shubhangi was taking Richa to dinner down on the Lake and to see Navy Pier and the fireworks show they did every night in the summer. Shubhangi thought Richa would burst with joy, her eyes lit up like diamonds and her smile could have illuminated a room. Shubhangi smiled at herself for providing Richa with such joy and looked forward to a night spent with my niece and new room-mate.
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Dinner was at a trendy restaurant that overlooked the Chicago skyline. The awe that Richa tried impossibly to hide as they were escorted by the waiter dressed in a tuxedo was an enjoyment to watch. They were seated across from each other at a casual table for two next to a large window that reflected the lights of the harbour on a serene Lake Michigan. God Chicago in the summer time is wonderful. Richa for her excitement never stopped talking about her new job, the city, how great it was going to be living with Shubhangi. Shubhangi listened quietly and offered small tid bits about the city whenever it seemed appropriate. Shubhangi both enjoyed and envied this beautiful young woman who had come to explore the possibilities that life had to offer. They shared a lobster cake and then an intimate dinner. For Shubhangi part she’d the Tilapia while Richa tried a grilled Sole for the first time in her life. All in all, it was an excellent meal.
Afterwards they took a walk down the pier and Shubhangi pointed out the building that Oprah lived in and Richa thought it was the ‘coolest thing ever’ that Oprah was a real person and had a home like regular people and at this very minute may be looking out of her window and down on the pier that they walked on. The fireworks were dramatic and spectacular, Shubhangi and Richa watched them in silence enjoying the night and the brilliant display of man’s ability to control fire. When it was over, Shubhangi suggested they head home, but Richa was too in love with the city and the potential excitement to call it a night. So, when Richa turned to Shubhangi and said, “Come on Aunt Shu…show me more…I couldn’t sleep now if I’d to…”
Shubhangi relented and agreed to take Richa on a cab ride to Wrigleyville to see where people her age spent Saturday nights partying. The cab ride alone was entertainment enough for Richa, she stared out the windows watching the throngs of people moving about their lives. When they went by Cabrini Green Richa looked on in awe. Shubhangi detected a shiver of fear that justifiably went through her as she watched two men stand next to a burning trash can in the middle of the vast wasteland that was Chicago’s public housing system. And just like that they were two blocks further north and the city was once again the city. The stark contrast never ceased to amaze Shubhangi and she could only imagine the impact it had on Richa. The cab let them off near a small strip of nightclubs, they planned to walk down several blocks and just take in the night. Richa was still underage so the bar scene was off limits, but the ‘people watching’ should be as good as ever on a warm Saturday night in Chicago.
They walked six blocks before they came to a bar called ,.gan’s, it was an Irish pub as the name suggested, but it was not a quiet pub but rather a full-on party that raged over three floors. The dance floor occupied most of the third floor, while a sports bar and ‘living room’ bar occupied the first and second floor respectively. It was currently one of the hot spots for the twenty something crowd.
“Aunt Shu…let’s check out this place…” Richa grabbed Shubhangi’s arm and said. Shubhangi smiled knowing that the bouncer at the door would no more let Richa in than he would pick his nose in front of the scantily clad women that were still young enough to think that bouncing was a cool career choice.
“Alright…” Shubhangi said figuring Richa might as well learn that this was not a small town where laws like the drinking age were somewhat more relaxed. Shubhangi let Richa lead her toward the door, but as they approached, they inevitably got separated as several people pushed toward the entrance. Shubhangi was three people behind Richa when she reached the door, Shubhangi watched waiting for the large black bouncer to point Richa back toward the street. The bouncer spoke to Richa briefly and she fumbled in her purse for a second and then produced her ID. God she was naïve. Didn’t she know that the bouncer was looking for proof of age? It was then Shubhangi’s turn to be amazed. He opened the door for Richa and let her pass without a second glance at her. Shubhangi followed quickly now that Richa was out of her sight and a tingle of worry went through Shubhangi. The bouncer checked Shubhangi’s ID with a cursory glance and let her pass. Shubhangi pushed her way through the crowd and into the bar, the first floor was a very large sports bar. TV's hung from every corner and a large projection model broadcasted a Bull’s Game over the main bar. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in Bull’s Jersey's as part of the uniform.
Shubhangi looked around the packed bar for Richa who she’d somehow managed to lose. The bar was filled to capacity with excited, cheering fans all in their mid-20's. The game was in its final quarter and the Bulls were up by 2, the crowd was roaring with every free throw and missed shot of the game which prevented almost every attempt Shubhangi made to move through the crowd to find Richa. Worry was really hitting Shubhangi now, Richa had been here less than 1 day and Shubhangi had already lost her in a bar in downtown Chicago. And then just like that Shubhangi felt someone familiar take her arm from behind, Shubhangi whirled around to find Richa standing there, obviously pleased with herself, holding two drinks.
“Here Aunt Shu…I thought the least I could do was buy a round after that dinner…” Richa handed Shubhangi one and said. Shubhangi just stared at Richa as both relief and frustration filled her, the sad part was that the frustration was with herself and not Richa. Why the hell was Shubhangi so worried? Shubhangi knew Richa would not leave her and how much trouble could she really get into in less than 10 minutes.
“Thanks…but what exactly did you say to that bouncer that convinced him to let you in?” Shubhangi smiled and asked.
“I told him…I would blow him in the bathroom later…” Richa replied grinning with a twinkle in her eye.
“Very funny…” Shubhangi said with both mock and genuine irritation.
“Well one of my friends back home gave me this as a going away present.” Richa said handing Shubhangi a genuine Illinois driver’s license with Richa’s picture on it; the only discrepancy was the name, which read Angelina Moline.
“My friends name is Angelina…our first road trip together was to Moline…it was her goofy idea so that…I would think of her when I was in Chicago…I’ve no idea how she got the ID…” Richa responded to Shubhangi’s confusion.
“You’re not mad? Are you?” Richa asked observing Shubhangi closely. Richa was testing Shubhangi’s boundaries already, Shubhangi had some tough choices to make all of the sudden.
“No I am not mad…You’re not the first girl to get a fake ID…however…there can be some negative consequences…I’m going to assume you’re mature enough to make smart choices about things like this…but as the saying goes…You’re not in Kanas anymore…don’t call me if and when you get arrested…” Shubhangi said tentatively.
Richa considered Shubhangi for a minute and said “Deal…”
“Okay now how about we get a table…see what this place is all about…” Shubhangi smiled and said. Richa beamed at Shubhangi and was off through the throngs of people in search of a place to sit. Shubhangi followed Richa and eventually joined her at the end of the bar where they could stand and watch the final minutes of the game. They both nursed their drinks as the Bull’s eventually defeated the Pistons 108 to 103. The crowd was really into the game and it was fun to watch Richa take it all in. There were two very cute guys standing next to them, Shubhangi was not surprised at all when Richa drew their attention. Shubhangi stepped slightly away from Richa to order another drink and let her enjoy the attention of these two bar sharks.
When Shubhangi returned Richa was engaged with the two men so she stood aside and watched with amusement. The guys were working it hard and Richa was obviously enjoying the attention of these handsome sharks, and Shubhangi wondered how much Richa was aware of their obvious objective. Shubhangi handed Richa her drink and she politely disengaged from the two guys and returned to their little alcove at the end of the bar.
“Looks like you made some friends…” Shubhangi said tentatively.
Richa laughed and said “I don’t think those two wanted to be my friends…but I’m pretty sure they would have fucked me on the edge of the bar if I would let them…they wanted me to dance on the bar…in some contest they are having at midnight…”
Shubhangi laughed and was pleased to see Richa was not as naïve as Shubhangi may have thought. Shubhangi laughed with Richa and they drank their beers. As the night progressed, they watched the crowd and drank more beer and were both getting a little giddy. Occasionally the DJ would break in between songs and encourage the female patrons to enter their “Thong Dance Contest” at midnight. All through the place groups of girls giggled about possibly entering and the roving males encouraged each and every one.
At around 11:50 a bar manager with a clip board and headset came around and went table to table signing up the contest participants. The manager reached Shubhangi & Richa; Shubhangi politely declined, but Richa asked what exactly the contest was. The bar manager smiled lecherously at Richa admiring her stunning body and said “Well it’s basically a dance contest to the ‘Thong Song’. We let girls dance on the bar for 4 minutes…and then we judge them on crowd noise…the winner drinks free all night…”
Richa considered for a moment and leaned to Shubhangi and said “Aunt Shu do you want to? It might be fun…”
Shubhangi considered her for a moment and replied “I think I’m a little old to be dancing on a bar…but you go ahead if you like…” Richa considered for a minute and looked around the room at her competition and then back to the bar manager. “I’m not sure…I would be any good …I don’t dance much…”
The bar manager laughed and said “Honey I’m sure you would do just fine as he admired her curves…So you want in or out?”
Richa smiled and said “Out I think…Not sure I’m up for that tonight…” Shubhangi smiled thinking of the night in the hot tub where Richa was embarrassed by being naked with three family members and imagined her up on the bar being ogled by half of Chicago. The bar manager moved away writing Richa off and moved back into the crowd. At midnight the bar lights came up and glowed like spotlights as the contest was about to begin. Richa moved closer to watch and Shubhangi followed her, Richa was clearly torn about her decision to experience what was going on and her embarrassment of dancing on the bar. Shubhangi was sure the alcohol they had consumed had weakened their inhibitions because Richa was not normally interested in being the centre of attention. Shubhangi was confident that Richa made the right decision and would agree after she saw the mindless ogling of the women that was about to occur. Two minutes later 12 women stood side by side on the bar and the ‘Thong Song’ started. The women began swaying their hips and those that were friends were grinding against each other much to the satisfaction of the men.
Richa was at the end of the bar where the two men that she’d previously talked to stood. They greeted her with smiles before their attention was drawn by the woman on the end that had unwisely chosen a skirt to wear while dancing on the bar. Richa giggled as she got a flash of panties from the woman in front of her. Shubhangi stood behind the scene letting Richa get close to the bar. Suddenly one of the men spoke in Richa ear and she laughed and shook her head yes. The next thing Shubhangi knew Richa was being hoisted onto the bar and a wave of applause broke through the crowd as she pranced next to the girl in the skirt shaking her butt.
Her mom Meera would shit if she knew that her daughter Richa was dancing on a bar less than 12 hours after her arrival in the Windy City, but Shubhangi figured what the hell. Let Richa get it out of her system. After some encouraging cheering the girl next to Richa lifted her skirt to display her ‘Thong’ underwear as the song suggested she should. The guys went wild as she spanked her own ass. The women let her skirt fall back into place, but she’d raised the bar for applause and the other girls were not to be outdone. One in the middle of the bar lifted her skin tight t-shirt to reveal her 32A tits that apparently did not require a bra. The guys once again went wild, this was getting out of control now and all the girls were flashing either their underwear or tits. The girl farthest from Richa gave up and hopped off the bar knowing she could not win without showing skin.
A chant slowly rose out of the testosterone laden room. “Skin to Win. Skin to Win. Skin to Win…” The other women on the bar seemed emboldened by the attention and a kind of group mentality overcame both the men and women that can only be described as ‘The Spring Break Effect’. Within seconds the women were beginning to show more and more skin for more and more applause. One woman in the centre of the spectacle actually took off her top and threw it into the crowd. Shubhangi watched Richa who was no longer dancing, but watching the spectacle with flushed cheeks and an uncertain look. Shubhangi thought it was time for Richa to call it a night and hoped she would before the crowd turned their attention to her.
Before the thought left Shubhangi head someone in the throng yelled “Girl on the end…let’s see some tits!” Richa realized they were talking to her, and the two guys who had hoisted her up on the bar began chanting “Tits! Tits! Tits!” Their chant was soon picked up by the rest of the bar. Richa stood there absolutely stunned as if time had stopped, she was bright red and just stood there for several seconds; then she half-heartedly began to sway her hips hoping clearly hoping to redirect the crowd from her top half to her bottom half. This was a losing strategy and the booing began almost immediately as the crowd realized that she was not moving in the direction of flashing them.
Richa blushed harder as the chant for her tits increased. For a second her hands moved to the bottom of her shirt, she paused and looked out at the crowd at Shubhangi. Almost every guy in the place was focused singularly on her. “God either do it or get off the bar” Shubhangi thought. And at that moment Richa shook her head as if clearing it, and then hopped off the bar and pushed her way through the crowd and back to Shubhangi. Shubhangi took her by the hand and guided her to the back of the room ignoring the booing from the horny mass of men they passed. They made their way through the crowd and up the stairs to the second level bar which was much more sedated. They found their way to the couch in the corner and sat down. Richa was sweating and flushed, she grabbed Shubhangi’s beer and downed half of it in one gulp.
“Shit…that was insane…” Richa said.
“Yeah you gotta be careful what you get into up here…” Shubhangi replied. Richa sat quietly reflecting and sipping her beer. After a few minutes they decided to leave and made their way back through the bar and out into the street. Shubhangi hailed a cab and they were on their way back to Shubhangi’s house. Twenty minutes later they were in Shubhangi’s living room. Richa asked if she could have something to drink. Shubhangi headed for her room to change and told her to help herself. When Shubhangi returned, Richa had also changed into shorts and a t-shirt and had a large glass of wine in front of her. She’d also poured one for Shubhangi, Shubhangi joined her on the couch.
“Thanks for taking me out tonight…I’d fun…and I’m sorry if things got a bit out of control at the bar…I guess…I got caught up in the moment…” Richa said.
Shubhangi smiled and told her “Don’t sweat it honey…I’d fun and you’re not the first girl to get caught up in the moment…do you regret dancing on the bar?”
Richa reflected for a minute and said “Yes and no…it’s hard to describe…it was fun at first… but then when the crowd wanted me to flash them…it was kind of scary…but it was also exciting…I don’t know…it’s just that…” She paused sipping her wine speculatively, and Shubhangi waited for her to continue.
“I guess it was strange…when I was up there part of me felt like I was someone else…it was like I was playing a role kind of…it was surreal…for a moment I didn’t think of myself as whom I am…but more of someone more like the other girls that were up there…part of me wanted to go crazy like them…part of me wanted to flash those guys…sitting here now I can’t believe I even considered it…but in the moment…I almost did it…”
Shubhangi whole world tilted and her head spun, she knew exactly the feeling Richa described having experienced it over and over during The Game. Richa had just articulated Shubhangi’s feelings over the last several months. Shubhangi’s mouth went dry at the realization that Richa had experienced that rush Shubhangi felt while playing The Game, albeit on a much smaller scale.
“So why didn’t you do it?” Shubhangi asked in a whisper, her mind reeling. Richa was hitting too close to home without even realizing it. Shubhangi felt both a tidal wave of relief that she was not alone in her feelings, but also a wrenching worry of what might happen should Richa decide that she enjoyed the feeling of the rush Shubhangi understood all too well.
“Honestly…I would have except…I saw you in the crowd and reality came back to me…if you had not have been right there…I probably would have at least flashed my tits…maybe more…I don’t know…” Richa replied honestly.
Shubhangi sipped her wine contemplatively lost in her own thoughts.
“You probably think I’m a freak…” Richa said. For the first time in moments Shubhangi looked at Richa and saw the worry on her face. Shubhangi immediately realized the courage it must have taken Richa to share her feelings with her. Shubhangi own epiphany had blocked any empathy she should have had for Richa. Shubhangi thought of what it was like to tell Michelle about her experiences and realized how strong this young, beautiful woman was. Shubhangi was not her girlfriend, Shubhangi was Richa’s Aunt and she was only 18. God Shubhangi was being insensitive.
Shubhangi went to Richa immediately and hugged her fiercely. “You’re not a freak…” Shubhangi told her and meant it. Richa hugged Shubhangi back, but she was obviously confused by the intensity of Shubhangi’s reaction. When they parted Richa looked much more at ease, but very curious. Shubhangi smiled at her and she smiled back both of them sharing a moment of camaraderie.
Shubhangi giggled and said “Hell Richa…I’ve flashed my tits once or twice before…it’s not the end of the world…see...” And then Shubhangi lifted her t-shirt and flashed her 34 B’s. Richa’s eyes went wide and then they both started giggling.
“Aunt Shu…you’re naughty girl…look I’m naughty too…but not quite as big as you…” Richa said giggling and then she flashed Shubhangi her boobs. They both giggled the ice broken and just like that Shubhangi had a room-mate. They drank wine the rest of the night talking like the old days. Sometime around 2 AM it was time to call it a night. Shubhangi told Richa she was going to bed and Richa followed her on drunken legs. As they separated in the hallway Richa paused and turned to Shubhangi as if remembering something.
“Aunt Shu…so when exactly did you flash your boos and to whom?” Richa asked.
Shubhangi considered Richa for a moment, her mind flashing on the vision of herself grinding on a stripper pole. “That is a story for another night…” Shubhangi said. Richa seemed to accept this and turned to her room until morning. Shubhangi went to her own room and climbed naked between her cotton sheets. As Shubhangi lay there, her thoughts once again returned to the game. She’d thought about nothing else recently and as she lay in her bed slowly drifting toward sleep, her mind relaxed and she realized that she was truly afraid of The Game. It was not just nervousness or guilt although there was plenty of that, but true fear. It was all too clear in that haze of thought between wake and sleep; something dark and sinister swimming in the deep pool of subconscious. Shubhangi couldn’t see it, but it was there.
It was like a memory of that person you went to high college with but have not thought of in ten years. You can picture the face, and you know the name, but you just can’t come up with it. It swims under the surface of your mind. You can see its shadow, but never reach down and pull it out into the light of consciousness and say ‘His name is Mahesh.’