Siva - Gayatri Raj

[venkujkc1984]

3. Company Day

As the weeks passed, Raj’s visits to Siva and Gayatri’s home continued. What had once been harmless admiration was now something much harder to control. Every shared smile, every casual touch, only deepened his obsession. 

The annual company party loomed on the horizon, and Raj couldn’t shake the thought of seeing Gayatri again. He imagined her walking into the hall, her elegance on full display. The idea of her in a dazzling saree, drawing the eyes of every man in the room, both excited and tortured him. How could he act normal when every glance she cast his way set his heart pounding?

When the day of the party finally arrived, Raj’s heart raced not for the event, but for Gayatri’s presence. He couldn’t wait to see her, though he knew deep down that it would only make things worse. He tried to shake off the thought, reminding himself that she was his friend’s wife. But when the day of the party finally arrived, the sight of her only confirmed what he had been trying to deny: his feelings for her had crossed a line.

It was the time for Annual day at their company. It was not for nothing that Gayatri spent almost half a day in her makeover for the annual dinner and dance in their club. The club had invited a star guest, who had worked as a hero in some films in the past. At that time, Siva was a club member and senior marketing executive at the company.

It was rare for Gayatri to display her excellent vital stats this way. She usually avoids dressing up for male eyeballs. However, she knew that she had the face and figure to make them roll and that Siva loved to display her; particularly when there was an occasion like this to silently announce "my wife is more beautiful than yours". Annual dinner was one such occasion, she figured, and she liked to make her husband feel proud of possessing a beautiful wife.

When they went to parties, Siva liked her to wear sexy outfits. However, Siva had to persuade her hard to do so; which he invariably did. That would finally result in her yielding to his request for "one last time". This had become their usual routine and an unspoken rule, before any party. She liked him to persuade her to do anything out of the way and he was always happy to do it, if he really wanted her to do it.

It would not be appropriate, at the same time, to say that she readied herself only to satisfy his ego. He felt that it was also that she wanted to prove to herself too; that at that age after mothering a child, she had not lost her ability to set fire, males' libidos. Siva gave her a window of escape by repeatedly arguing that she must look desirable because he wanted to be the husband of the most beautiful and desirable woman in the party.

Gayatri felt a surge of confidence as she adjusted her saree. The deep red fabric, chosen carefully to complement her complexion, hugged her curves in all the right places. She knew Siva appreciated her efforts to look her best, and she couldn't deny the thrill of knowing she was turning heads. Yet, a part of her felt uneasy about the attention, the way some men's gazes lingered a moment too long. She reminded herself that this was a special occasion, a chance to celebrate and enjoy herself. Gayatri’s confidence radiated as she entered the party, dressed elegantly in a deep red saree. Raj’s admiration grew, but it wasn’t just about how she looked. It was the way she carried herself, and the pride Siva showed for her, that tugged at something deeper in him. Raj knew he had to suppress his growing feelings, but moments like this made it harder to do so.

When Gayatri entered the party hall, Siva was thrilled to see hushed silence descending in the hall, as all looked completely mesmerized and overwhelmed at his lovely wife Gayatri. It looked like there was no other female in the hall. Of course there were not less than ten of them.

Siva mingled with the crowd and Gayatri followed. There were a series of introductions and casual greetings like "Hi," "hello," and "how do you do?" being exchanged freely. He couldn't help but notice the admiration in everyone's eyes, especially from the men, although the women were also quite taken by the lovely Gayatri. Among them, Raj was particularly mesmerized, unable to avert his gaze from her. He stared at her so openly that it made her uncomfortable, prompting her to move closer and grasp Siva's arm with concern in her eyes. Raj tried to suppress his feelings for a while, but the truth was, Gayatri was the most stunning woman he had ever laid eyes on. Her flawless figure had the power to captivate any man. She looked captivating in the sheer blue saree, and what stood out the most was her visible navel through the translucent fabric. It was one of the most alluring and perfectly shaped navels Raj had ever seen. Her beauty, especially with that enticing navel, almost put Raj into a trance-like state.

On that occasion, he had put on an immaculate tee shirt and trousers with a red scarf tied around his neck. He was a smooth talker. At parties, women looked forward to meeting and talking with him. He was well known as "Ladies man".

Raj approached Siva and Gayatri to extend his greetings. Just then, Siva's manager arrived and went to meet him. "Hi Bhabhi," Raj started, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "I must apologize to my lovely Bhabhi for staring. I've never seen a more beautiful woman in my life. It's hard to believe you are married. Bhaiya is a very lucky man." Gayatri chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Hey Raj, it's fine," she responded, but the compliment caught her off-guard, spoken so brazenly in front of others. Her cheeks flushed, not entirely from embarrassment. Part of her wanted to correct him, to remind him she was married, but part of her… didn’t mind the attention. Was it so wrong to feel beautiful in someone else’s eyes?

You can imagine how any woman, especially one who's over 30 and a mother, would feel upon receiving such wonderful compliments from a smart and handsome man. It's no wonder she was completely baffled. Even for her, this was a remarkable compliment. No one had ever praised her so generously. Initially, Raj had started with compliments and then stopped for some time. But today, perhaps in the festive atmosphere, he began flirting with her again.

Then Siva returned and said, "Hey Raj, let's go have dinner," and he also invited Gayatri. So, they all went and began serving themselves. Raj was fortunate to stand behind Gayatri. Even from behind, she looked incredibly attractive with her blouse. Her waist was stunning, accentuated by an even more beautiful deep navel. They got their food and sat at a table to eat. Raj lightened the mood with jokes about various situations and past experiences. Siva laughed and Raj noticed that Gayatri was enjoying his jokes as well.

Just then, Siva received a call and had to step away for a while, leaving Raj and Gayatri alone. Raj took the opportunity to share some jokes with her, and she burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying herself. "Raj, you're so funny! I don't think I've laughed this much in my entire life. It's really nice," she complimented. Raj responded, "Thank you, madam. You know, your beauty doubles when you smile and quadruples when you laugh." She teasingly replied, "Oh, is that so? You're quite naughty, Raj. You're flirting so much for no reason," accompanied by a seductive smile.

Raj found himself thoroughly enjoying his time with Gayatri, secretly wishing that Siva would stay away for as long as possible. He relished the playful banter and flirtation with his friend’s alluring wife. However, it was when Gayatri returned to the table after getting food that Raj became completely captivated. His attention was fixated solely on her navel. It was as if her navel was the center of the universe, drawing him in irresistibly. At that moment, Raj made a firm decision that he would do whatever it takes to experience her navel. He yearned to play with it, kiss it, suck on it, nibble it, and tease it, no matter the consequences.

When Raj went to get more food, Gayatri casually remarked to Siva, "Raj is such a nice, handsome young man. He's very funny and naughty too." Siva replied, "Yes, he certainly is," to which Gayatri simply nodded.

At that very moment, a stunning lady entered the hall, and Raj warmly greeted her, capturing the attention of everyone present. Her elegance and femininity particularly captivated men, to put it mildly, she had a mesmerizing effect on their desires. She introduced herself as Rani, a true epitome of beauty. She possessed all the qualities that men typically admire in a woman: lovely curves, enticing bums and boobs, a well-proportioned figure, shapely thighs, a seductive walk, enticing blood-red lips, and an inviting smile. Her attire, a loose top paired with tight knee-length Capri pants, accentuated her curves and left little to the imagination, especially about the generous size of her boobs.

Meanwhile, both Gayatri and Rani were equally stunning but with different builds. Raj, after grabbing his food, stood at a distance, engrossed in a conversation with Rani. However, his gaze kept returning to Gayatri, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by her. While Gayatri felt a bit awkward about the repeated glances, she chose not to say anything about it.

As Raj rejoined Siva and Gayatri, Chintu darted past them with boundless energy. Gayatri struggled to rein him in, her voice gentle but firm. Siva chuckled and said, “Gayatri, can you please keep him under control?”

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “He’s impossible today. I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Raj stepped forward, his tone light but purposeful. “Bhabhi, let me try. I think Chintu listens to me better these days.”

Gayatri glanced at Raj, her eyes meeting him with a mix of amusement and appreciation. “Thank you, Raj,” she replied, her voice softer now. “That’s kind of you.”

There was something unspoken in the air—a recognition, perhaps, of Raj’s growing closeness to her son... and maybe to her as well.

Raj found Chintu and swept him up effortlessly into his arms. The boy squealed with joy, wrapping his arms around Raj’s neck as if they had always belonged there.

Gayatri approached with a plate of food. “Chintu, you need to eat. You barely had anything for lunch.”

“But I want to play with Uncle!” Chintu whined, clinging tighter to Raj.

Raj looked at Gayatri. “Wait, Bhabhi. Let me talk to him.”

He knelt slightly, balancing Chintu in his arms, his voice coaxing. “Chintu, let’s eat quickly. Then I promise, we’ll play more. Deal?”

Chintu’s small nod was reluctant but affirmative. “Only if I sit with you.”

Gayatri held the plate, hesitating. Raj turned to her. “Bhabhi, why don’t you feed him while I hold him? That way he won’t get distracted.”

Gayatri nodded. “Alright. I just want him to eat.”

Raj settled into the chair, Chintu on his lap. Gayatri stood before them, feeding her son with practiced ease. At that moment, something shifted for Raj.

The closeness was innocent, and yet it brimmed with tension. Gayatri’s saree shimmered under the soft lights, its pallu slipping ever so slightly, revealing a tantalizing sliver of her midriff. Her navel—subtle, delicate, mesmerizing—drew Raj’s gaze with magnetic force. The aroma of the food, the warmth of the room, the curve of her waist—it all blurred into a heady atmosphere.

Raj was suddenly aware of everything. The weight of Chintu in his lap, the faint scent of jasmine in Gayatri’s hair, the graceful way her bangles chimed with each movement.

He forced his eyes to look away, locking them instead on Chintu. But his thoughts betrayed him. Why does this feel like something more? Why do I crave her presence like air?

Gayatri, focused on Chintu, seemed unaware of Raj’s inner storm. Or perhaps she chose to ignore it. Either way, her calmness only deepened his conflict.

When Chintu finished, Gayatri smiled. “Thank you, Raj for the help. Otherwise it would have been a big task to feed him dinner. And it's nice to see that he has become close to you.”

Raj responded with a faint smile, his voice thick. “Anytime, Bhabhi. He’s a good boy.”

Chintu beamed. “Mamma, Raj Uncle is my best friend now!”

Gayatri looked at Raj, her expression softening. “He really likes you.”

And for Raj, that single sentence carried weight far beyond its words. He knew he was teetering at the edge of something dangerous—and perhaps 

inevitable.

Very soon the music started. Then Raj left them and went to try for a chance to dance with Rani. Raj was lucky that day, Rani agreed for a quick dance with him. Couples descended on the dance floor. Raj waved his hands showing victory symbol to Siva and Gayatri and started dancing with Rani. Even though Raj was some distance away on stage from Gayatri and Siva, his eyes riveted on Gayatri. His eyes rarely moved away from her body. There were couples who danced pretty well. However, most were just tapping their feet and making awkward movements thinking that they were dancing. It started with some fast paced Hindi film songs. Then there were slow songs. However this is a very quick episode between Raj and Rani. Both left the stage, came back and seated.

After sometime Raj came to Siva and Gayatri’s place. Then Siva took Raj aside and asked him mischievously, "Raj, what's the matter? Of all the women you found only Rani to hit on?" Raj looked at him and said, “Bhaiya, you know Rani was very beautiful and reserved. It was one of my long pending wishes to dance with her and got fulfilled today after a lot of attempts.” Siva tapped behind his shoulder, laughed loudly and said, “aye Raj, I came to know that you had this in your mind today only, wow. You kept this with you only without sharing with me.” Then in a sober voice Siva told him, “Look, I was just joking, pulling your leg. You are not the only one eyeing her. You may carry on, if you like. I am not much bothered about your overtures; but I think your charm is not going to work on her. She is a typical conservative Indian housewife like your bhabhi Gayatri. You may have had your way elsewhere but she is different.”

Raj looked at him quizzically and asked, “Bhaiya, are you serious? How can you be so sure?”

Siva said, “I know her and her husband to some extent. Many people have tried to hit on her in our company and finally gave up frustrated. Mind you, not because I was jealous or something; but because she would not yield an inch. Even his husband is conservative.” He winked at him and said, “Even one of our vice presidents tried once and failed.”

For that, Raj said “Bhaiya, you are sadly mistaken. There is no woman who can't be wooed, unless she is afraid of being targeted socially or has any psychological or health issues. But I reiterate that there are no exceptions.”

Siva was rather cheesed off at Raj's audacious confidence. He knew Rani and he knew that she could not be baited easily. Besides, Siva was excited and not afraid of the possibility of Raj's success. 

Siva said, “Raj, come on! Don't be so cocky. I know her well enough and throw you an open challenge. You try your best charms on her and see. But please, if you fail, don't come back to me red faced and complain. I give you three months. But on one sincere request and condition. Be clear, you will not force her and you will not do anything against her wish. If that is clear, I accept your challenge.”

He could see Raj's expressions changing rapidly. He was excited at first, but then he sighed and said ruefully, “I know bhaiya. She will never move an inch; For dance I had to try a lot many ways to make her accept. I may not succeed.” 

Raj could not suppress glee on his face. He came and embraced him and said, “But Bhaiya, let me also make one thing clear. I will treat Rani also as my dear and respected bhabhi just like Gayatri bhabhi. I shall neither force her against her wish nor do anything that will cause any social or family issues to her. I shall not hurt any of her feelings. I shall respect her as much forever as I do now; come what may. I swear and I will never ever cheat.”

Siva hugged him tight and to push him a bit, and said, “You are my dear friend and brother. I still caution you not to try to make advances on her as I know you will fail, in spite of your hunting skills.” One of the reasons also was that Siva personally liked Raj and felt that he was mature and trustworthy. 

After a while, both came back and now Raj walked as if casually and stood in front of Gayatri. He bowed down a little in front of Gayatri and offered her his hand, looked at Siva and, "Bhaiya, may I have a dance with my Gayatri bhabhi too please?" Raj asked, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and genuine admiration.

Gayatri looked at him, a mixture of surprise and hesitation in her eyes. "What’s going on? You already had a dance with the most beautiful lady in this party. I don’t like this, I'm not comfortable with this, and moreover I don't know how to dance." she retorted playfully, but her heart pounded a little faster. 

Raj shot back, "Bhabhi, you misunderstood me. Dancing with Rani was very brief, and did that purposefully you may understand later. Moreover I can say you are the most beautiful lady of the party in my view. So leave it aside, How many people you see dancing here, know how to dance?" Then he replied to himself, "None. Besides, I shall teach you some simple steps. It is not that difficult."

Gayatri seems convinced with Raj’s words. She looked at Siva. She wanted his permission. Siva nodded his head in approval and took sleeping Chintu into his arms. Siva moved to some far place where sounds can't wake Chintu from sleep. Raj and Gayatri then left. Raj held her waist in one arm and rested the other one on her shoulder. Very soon Gayatri started getting the hang of steps and similarly held her arms around Raj.

Suddenly the music slowed and Raj was pulling Gayatri closer to him. Gayatri looked around for Siva with concern in her eyes at Raj's fresh adventure. Not finding him anywhere, not knowing how to react to the sudden unexpected situation, she carried on dancing with Raj. Raj was holding her intimately to his chest, in his arms making her come very close to him in intimate dance steps at times.

As soon as the music stopped they all clapped. Raj emerged from a corner holding Gayatri's hand and leading her to them. As soon as Gayatri saw Siva she came running to him. She looked at him and said, “Raj is a good dancer. I learnt some dancing steps from him. But where were you? I was looking for you.” 

He said “as Chintu was sleeping I took him far from these sounds”. And looking at Raj, “Raj, hope you enjoyed the party, dancing with Rani and Gayatri”. Raj replied “Yes, today was an amazing day, double bonanza today, one expected and another unexpected.”

Now Chintu woke up and again asked “uncle lets play again”. Raj said “sure chintu. We will play anytime you want.” Gayatri said “But since it's night now. We have to go home and sleep.” then he said “come to my home uncle. We will play more at home. Then you can sleep at home. Please uncle. Please…” Gayatri said “no Chintu, Uncle will come later and you both can play then..”

He became a bit sad and Raj told Gayatri “nice boy…” She said “yeah nice and naughty boy…” Then they sat there and chatted. 

Then Siva said “Raj…Why don’t you come for lunch this sunday, and moreover there is a cricket match too..” to which Raj said “aahhh, Let me see Bhayya…” Then Siva looked into Gayatri’s eyes hinting her to invite him and then she said “please come Raj, Chintu will feel nice…” Raj was kind of feeling happy thinking that it might open the door to his dream and he said “ok Bhayya. I will come…”

On their way back home, Siva asked Gayatri, "How was it to dance with Raj?” She said “What is there in a dance anyway?" He laughed at her and to tease her, he said, "Darling, all things start with dance. First dance, then holding hands, then mischief here and there, then flirting and intimate body contacts and then finally…"

Gayatri stood still, looking at him wondering. She asked, "Is that so? My God! What a fool I was to accept Raj's invitation? I should have refused Raj. Raj must be thinking that I was a game for him. That was perhaps the reason Raj kept asking me when I could meet him again."

To set her mind at ease, he said, “No darling, don't worry. I was just joking. Dancing is nothing special. Moreover to be clear with you, Raj was actually eyeing Rani, he very much fantasized of her beauty. Poor Raj, she was married and conservative.” Gayatri could not believe his words, she was 

uncomfortable with Raj’s looks and behavior but what she was hearing from husband now was not matching. There is something fishy. She asked him 

“Are you sure, is Raj such a guy to eye on a married woman? He looks like a gentleman.” asked innocently. He said “Raj being unmarried, could be attracted to any beautiful woman. This is quite normal, I don’t see a problem in this. Moreover personally I don’t see this as an issue as long as it doesn’t create any problem for anyone. I knew Raj for a long time, I never knew he was attracted to any woman or girl till now except in this scenario even a couple of ladies proposed to him earlier. Poor guy, unfortunately Rani was already married. What he could get now, if possible some pleasure if all goes well. This was ok, don’t worry. Take it normal and light.” he replied to Gayatri and moved on to another topic. They reached home and slept off.

After the Annual Day party, where Raj could hardly keep his eyes off Gayatri, he knew he was getting in too deep. The way she had looked that night, the effortless grace with which she moved—everything about her drew him in further. He told himself to keep his distance, but when Siva extended another dinner invitation, Raj knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse. His attraction was becoming something more, something harder to control.

Even days after the annual party, the image of Gayatri in that deep red saree stayed with Raj like a fever he couldn’t shake. Every detail was seared into his mind—the way the fabric clung to her curves, how her laughter filled the hall, the brief touch of her hand as they danced. His guilt had only grown stronger, but so had his longing for her. There was something about the way she looked at him that night, something that made him wonder if she too felt the tension between them.

Raj knew he should give her space, but it was impossible. When Siva invited him over again, he didn’t hesitate. Every visit to their home felt like walking a tightrope, the line between desire and decency growing thinner with each step. But as he knocked on the door that evening, he couldn’t help but wonder—how much longer could they ignore the growing connection between them?