[Steel]

As Sharath uncorked the wine, his mind was racing. Rakesh. It had to be. Whatever plans Rakesh was trying in order to seduce Kusha were having some sort of effect on her. It still seemed impossible that Rakesh could succeed, but even the fact that he was influencing Kusha's behavior at all was disturbing. Sharath had worried in the past that Rakesh might succeed at his perverse bet, but it had felt like a terrifying, but impossible fantasy. Like imagining that a meteor would randomly fall and kill you dead. Or wondering what would happen if the bridge beneath you were to randomly collapse while driving. A horrible thought, but not something you actually expected to happen.

Sharath had avoided bringing Rakesh up to his wife the past few weeks, even though he knew she had begun work on his project. He thought it would be better not to call more attention to the sleazy pornographer than was necessary. Besides, he assumed that no news was good news.

But now, it felt important to dig a little into what was going on with that situation. If only for his peace of mind.

As they curled up into their usual positions on the couch and Kusha took a big sip of wine, Sharath casually asked, "So... how is that project for Rakesh going?"

Kusha almost choked and came up coughing from the swallow. She gave her husband a sidelong glare, then, when she finally got herself back under control, she said guardedly, "He's exactly what I thought he was. A rude, arrogant, misogynistic pig. So, I suppose just about as badly as I expected."

Sharath was relieved to hear that, but also a little confused. It was clear that Rakesh had done nothing to endear himself to Kusha over the past couple of weeks. She still hated the slimy little jerk as much as ever... so why did she seem frustrated and distracted lately? What was up with her strange sexual outburst last night? Coincidence?

"Well, if he's bothering you, you could always just decline the job. We're doing fine with money right now," he said casually. That would actually be the ideal solution. It would frustrate whatever plan Rakesh had, and more importantly, it would do so without requiring Sharath to admit the perverse bet he had been pressured into.

Unfortunately, Sharath could tell instantly that he had said the exact wrong thing. Kusha stiffened beside him, her lips drawing into a thin, angry line. "He's not bothering me, Sharath," she snapped. "A little worm like him doesn't have the ability to bother me. I don't need to run away the first time a man acts like an asshole. I'm a big girl, and I can deal with a slimeball like Rakesh no problem."

'Oh, I know you can," said Sharath hurriedly, squeezing his wife's thigh reassuringly, "I was just saying that if Rakesh is..."

"I don't want to talk about Rakesh anymore," said Kusha firmly."'Let's watch some TV like you said."