[Nsme]

Days moved fast. Even though Sandhya was playing with Kathir as a pawn in her revenge drama, the extreme care she showed him began to cause an irritation in Vicky.

One evening.

When both were alone at home, Vicky couldn't control his mental stifling.

"Sandhya..." he called out somewhat firmly.

She turned to look. Her face was without any reaction.

"My episode ended in a single night. But you... going to a coffee shop with Kathir, going shopping, taking him to the hospital... you're spending a lot of time with him. All this wasn't in our 'Deal'. Don't you think you're doing a bit too much?" he expressed what was in his mind.

Hearing this, Sandhya let out a mocking laugh.

"Why, Vicky? For how many years must you have been eyeing Divya Akka without her even knowing? What account does all that fall under? You didn't feel any irritation then?" she struck back. Unable to answer, Vicky bowed his head.

Sandhya continued. "Not only that, Kathir was genuinely in a big problem. He needed medical help. That's why I am helping him."

"Is so much closeness necessary for that?" Vicky muttered.

Sandhya came and stood near him. "Vicky, there's a saying 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus', you know? In this world, the principles of justice for men are different, and the principles of justice for women are different. Only men who understand that can be in a normal relationship with women."

Patting his shoulder, she said in a firm voice, "Let me have my way, Vicky. Nothing big will happen the way you fear or worry. You are my husband. I know very well what the duties for that relationship are. I will never deviate from that."

Vicky became quiet. He knew very well that no matter how angry Sandhya got, in her fundamental nature, she was very good and righteous. Even though her words gave him some comfort, the jealousy towards Kathir didn't completely leave him.

Sandhya calculated in her mind. 'According to our plan, that threesome has to happen in another 40, 50 days. If Vicky holds this much resentment towards Kathir, it won't turn out well as we expect that day. Therefore, in this one month, I should make Vicky and Kathir meet a bit and create a friendship and understanding between the two of them.'

---

Days passed. Kathir had started going to his treatment alone without Sandhya. Her help was only needed initially to overcome his hesitation. Once a medical routine was set, Sandhya didn't need to go with him.

One night.

Sandhya invited Kathir for dinner at a nice restaurant in Bangalore. She had told him, 'I am introducing my husband to you today.'

Both Vicky and Kathir had a kind of hesitation that day. But, once they sat at that table and introduced themselves to each other, both tried to talk normally for Sandhya's sake.

Seeing Kathir, Vicky was somewhat intimidated. His toned body, broad shoulders, those calm yet sharp eyes... Vicky couldn't believe 'this guy had such a medical problem'.

After the initial small talk, Kathir asked Vicky a question. "Can I know one thing, Vicky? Without even seeing Bhanu in person... how did you accept her as your wife? How did you wait for so many years?"

With a faint smile, Vicky said, "When they mentioned that matter in our house, I must have been around 18 years old. I have already seen my wife (he avoided saying the name Sandhya. At the same time, he didn't want to falsely say Bhanu, so he said 'my wife') at a function when she was young. She was very cute when she was a child. I felt she would look even better when she grew up. That's why I agreed," he said, looking at Sandhya and smiling.

Kathir asked again, "Even so... didn't you feel like seeing her at least once in all these years?"

Vicky said, "To this day, she hasn't used her name on any social media. She uses social media very anonymously. So, no matter how much I searched, I couldn't find her. And at home, they strictly said we shouldn't meet. Well, I just let it be, thinking the surprise itself would be nice."

In his mind, Kathir thought, 'Oho... so that's why I couldn't find Bhanu on Insta no matter how much I searched!'

But in her mind, Sandhya mocked and laughed at Vicky, 'What lies are you spinning, da... where were your thoughts back then? You were roaming behind Anni (Divya), weren't you!'

Thus, that dinner concluded cheerfully.

After that, as Sandhya had planned, she created moments for the three of them to meet often. Slowly, a good friendship formed between Vicky and Kathir. Sandhya was the focal point for both of them.

One day, Sandhya and Vicky went to Kathir's flat. Kathir was very happy that they came to his house. Sandhya surveyed the house. She confirmed in person that, just as she thought, the house had the perfect privacy, very convenient for the 'threesome' to happen.

Kathir's treatment was going very well. A new rejuvenation was visible in his body.

One weekend, all three together went to a trekking spot slightly outside Bangalore. Returning after hours of trekking at the foothills of that quiet mountain, all three were very tired. Vicky, in particular, was panting.

Sandhya stopped suddenly. "I can't walk at all. Please... carry me up to the car, Kathir," she said.

Kathir hesitated for a moment. He looked back and forth between Vicky and Sandhya. 'Carry his wife in front of the husband?'

Sandhya didn't let up. "Vicky won't take it the wrong way, Kathir. Please... carry me," she pleaded.

Neither saying 'okay' nor saying 'don't', Vicky just kept his face rigid. Then, with a sigh, he said, "I can't do it at all either. You carry her, Kathir."

Immediately, Kathir very gracefully lifted Sandhya with his two rugged arms and walked. Desirously, like a small child, Sandhya wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. Her face brushed against the side of his neck.

Seeing this, a lightning bolt of realization struck Vicky's spine. 'Dei, she's my wife, da! Look how he's carrying her!' his masculine pride and jealousy screamed within his mind. Panting heavily, he walked behind them like a spectator.

But Kathir, as if holding his very soul in his hands, carried Sandhya very gently and safely and walked. His eyes kept staring fixedly at her face resting on his shoulder. For Kathir, it was an epic moment. He felt a supreme state that transcended love and lust in that moment of carrying Sandhya and walking.

In those mountain crevices, in the soft, yellow evening light of the setting sun, as Kathir walked towards the car carrying Sandhya in his arms... Vicky walked behind them tiredly and jealously. This scene was a quiet prologue to the great storm of lust that was to come.