[Steel]

That Friday..

"No way," said Kusha with a wide smile, "that can't possibly be true."

"It is!" protested Sharath emphatically, humorously playing it up a little. "Why would I lie about something like that? I've never had anyone but myself do anything to my toenails, let alone polish them, or whatever it is they do here."

"Your mom clipped them when you were a kid," said Kusha confidently, sounding like someone who had just played her winning card.

"Not that I remember," replied Sharath stubbornly, having fun with the playful, bantering fight.

Kusha threw her head back and laughed. She looked... good. Relaxed. They were both in fluffy, comfortable robes, waiting patiently for the pedicure session that was part of the all-inclusive couple's package that Sharath had purchased.

It had been a lot harder to convince Kusha to come today than Sharath thought it would be. Even he hadn't realized how stressed out and wrapped up in her work his wife had become. But, in the end, he had managed to persuade her to come, and even managed the more difficult task of convincing her to leave her phone in the locker with her clothes.

She looked better already. Her eyes twinkled as she reached out and threaded her fingers through Sharath's, her smile warm and loving as she said, "Well, here's to exploring new experiences together then."

Sharath was just congratulating himself on doing the exact thing that his wife needed when disaster struck, in the form of a brash, obnoxious voice splitting the hushed relaxation of the pedicure room.

"Hey, hey! My two favorite lovebugs! Fancy seeing you here!"

Kusha stiffened with horror, all of the stress and annoyance dropping back onto her shoulders like a heavy weight right in front of Sharath's eyes. They both turned to see Rakesh, looking messy, ugly, and confident as usual. His fluffy robe was open almost to the belly button, showing off a crop of frizzy chest hair.

But, although he could tell all of Kusha's hateful focus was drawn by Rakesh, Sharath found himself distracted immediately by the woman on Rakesh's arm.

Laila.