There was confusion in the eyes of the seven year old Surangi as they dipped mango leaves into the sandal-turmeric paste to anoint her. She did not know what marriage meant, she was just told that she would move into a new home in a village far away...
"Aho, but that is not allowed!" Surangi could not believe what Madhav had just told her.
"Not allowed? Why not? Are we not a married couple? Then why can't we be spending time together as man and wife?" Madhav tried to restrain himself, the incredulous look on his wife's face was truly priceless.
"But it does not feel right, besides, we have yet to take permission from the elders in the family! And we planned to wait until later!" Surangi was fighting a battle within, trying to combat the surge of youthful recklessness in her heart with the prudishness of reason.
"Take permission from elders? Am I supposed to submit a written application to them for holding my only wife close to me? How much champagne have you drunk really?" Madhav was enjoying her discomfort.
"No, but what will Vidya Vansa say? How am I going to face her tomorrow morning?" Surangi expressed her anxiety.
"So shall we leave here now and let her smell the wine on your breath? And don't you think Tai and Bhaoji will notice your unsteady gait while under the influence?" Madhav sighed. That was the only reason why he has spent a tidy sum on hiring a room for the night in the most expensive hotel in Bombay.
"Aho, what should we do? I am really nervous!" Surangi's heart fluttered behind her bodice.
"A while ago it was Madhav and now you are back to addressing me as Aho! The intoxicant must be wearing off!" Madhav squeezed her arm gently.
"Let me see if I can walk unaided." She rose from the chair unsteadily and tried to walk around the room. She could feel the silk carpet under her bare feet but she was not very co-coordinated. She made her way to the open window and leaned out, filling her lungs with the cool night air.
"Aho, look! There are some cars parked beneath and there is also a lone Victoria near the Gateway." She beckoned Madhav to join her. He draped his jacket behind an armchair and unfastened his tie.
"Yes, the chauffeurs must be waiting for their masters to return from the ballroom. Do you fancy a Victoria ride in the moonlight?" He asked her.
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"No, we can do that some other time! The driver may notice that I am drunk! What will he think? Do you think he is looking at us now?" Surangi did not realise that she was leaning heavily onto Madhav.
"He is only looking for a passenger. So if we are not taking a ride then we should probably go to bed now!" Madhav undid the buttons of his shirt and found hangers for both his coat and shirt. He peeled off his vest and took off his shoes and socks.
Surangi watched him as he undressed slowly. Seeing him bare chested was not a new experience for her. Each time he performed the puja he only wore a loincloth.
"Are you not going to get out of that saree? Surely you are not planning to sleep in it? It is too valuable!" Madhav knew what she was thinking, she had no clothes to change into. He walked into the bathroom and returned with a bathrobe, handing it to her.
