The Promotion - Chapter 9

 The Promotion

Chapter 9

As I reached home, first thing I did as I crashed into the sofa was to call Saroja and I told her to not come for the evening and not bother with the cooking. As the curtains were all drawn down, with the room so dinghy dark , too lazy to go open them up yet, while I spoke to her I reached up with my hand over head and flicked the switch on right above my head as Saroja enquired if anything special is on - the ever so curious! As the lights came on, I just brushed aside the subject and told her I am going out with a friend from college whom I met by chance today, adding ‘She is also living in the same city for years now, how interesting no?’ ( stressing on the SHE) and just as I looked up I cursed ‘OH SHIT’ and Saroja is by now in tune with my language and enquired, ‘what broke in the house now madam?’ and both of us laughed. ‘You know this is bad. You literally read my mind you devil. Yes, the last time I told you a light had gone off in the living room right? there is another two of them next to the window that won’t come on. Not sure who you sent to fix it last time. Can you do it again pleaaaseeee?’ (added a polite nice tone in the end as it was only the last month she took care of it and I wasn’t even there).

‘Oh It’s no problem madam, I will take care of it.’ Thanked her profusely and reminded her to come back as usual tomorrow I hung up and sighed looking at the damn sunken-lights in my living room apartment wondering whoever in their infinite wisdom invented them? Replacing them is not as straight forward as the regular bulbs and I neither had the time nor the patience to buy the ladder or the tools needed to change them. Sighed and got up thinking, at least now its in the reliable hands of Saroja and headed to the bathroom for a shower turning the music on loud but recalling the recent catastrophe with krishna, not taking any chances I stripped down and properly shut the door, had a quick shower and came back out in a properly fitting towel (just in case) and took my time as I raided the wardrobe checking the clock. It only said 6.45 pm and there is a full 45 mins to get dressed and leave.

After rummaging through the rack for proper inners, ended up a bit frustrated as all I had were mostly sports bra and the remaining regular ones either didn’t fit me well or were already in for washing. With a sigh I picked up the lacy type sexy semi transparent bra and panties that I usually reserve for my ‘special’ evening with my husband Ravi when I travelled back to the native town. Quickly wore them on and chose a nice blue Georgette saree that was presented to me by my in-laws for this year’s Diwali and fetched its marching blouse and a white petticoat which matched with the blue of the Georgette. The next 30 minutes vanished in draping the saree and wearing some make-up which is a rarity for me - mind you! And careful to check and double check the saree waistline is high above the navel as I am careful not to send any message as this police officer dresses sexy or anything - in fact, I had never worn saree around here as its usually some comfort fit western outfit or another which is almost always modest.

I was finally done taking the pleats and tucking them in, and was just looking for the saree pins and clips I used to leave in a try somewhere in the house. I looked around unsuccessfully and checking the clock I panicked, as I was running very late already. I rushed out grabbing the savouries gift bag, not minding too much the lack of saree pins as its only going to be a few hours trip anyways. As I climbed down the stairs the old lady downstairs was just coming out of her house and offered a wide smile. ‘Oh Vandana, seeing you in Saree for the first time in all these years! You look stunning’ (and showed a thumbs up). Blushing a bit I added quickly, ‘Thanks Aunty, I do wear it sometimes when I travel back to see Ravi, but yes, not regularly. Thanks for the compliments’ (replied to her in a rush with the same polite smile intact and rushed out). Hailed the first Auto that came and told him the address even as I jumped in. The driver was trying to be friendly and asked ‘are you in a rush madam?’ Not sure why this irritated me, but I snapped, ‘shut up and drive fast now Ok? I’ll add a 50 more to the meter’. He never spoke a word after that, the rest of the journey. To add to my frustration we got stuck in very bad traffic losing valuable 15 additional minutes leaving me seething in an impotent anger at myself. A single line text from Madhavan uncle ‘Where are you?’ after I am 10 minutes late was not helping my mood one bit. Urgently replied him ‘almost there’. Finally, seeing the Bungalow and the plaque saying Transport Minister Paneer Selvam he turned to look at me with an element of fear laced.

Paid him quickly and rushed out and seeing me the Security Guard asked No questions this time and smiled widely ‘Welcome Madam, please’ ! and I nodded curtly with a tiny smile and rushed past him as it was already 8.15 PM when I checked the wrist watch as I cursed myself for not practising enough, and not wearing Sarees on a regular basis, as I underestimated how long it took to wear them. As I rushed past the patio, this time blitzing past ignoring the beautiful roses and the manicured lawn and opened the Main door with a knock, they were both sat in the same sofa in the same places with the same glasses sipping the same whiskey with the same bottle on the teapot. Malathy was arranging food in the dinner table at the far corner. I**t felt to me like this is the practical demonstration for the word DEJA VU !!!!**

As they heard the knocking Madhavan Uncle with his usual antics lifted his hand high up pointing to the wrist watch, ‘What time do you call this?’ shouted with a mock anger. As I stepped in closing the door, flustered and spotted Malathy at the far corner bowing to me and placing the last piece of cutlery on the dining table, offered me a ‘knowing smile’ but her eyes wide seeing me in saree (and her mind voice - BASTARDS All it took was just one day!!) and turned around to them in a loud voice, ‘Sir I will leave then, sir. Food is all served up on the table’ and without waiting for an answer came towards me and yet again put her hands together and bowed politely, ‘Welcome madam’ and went past the door and vanished acknowledging my smile and polite nod back. She didn’t fail to notice the branding of the sweet shop in the bag I am holding in my hand as she left with a smile. Something to fuel her fire!

Closing the door behind with a big thud, as I walked up to them slowly, Good evening sir, Good evening Uncle. So Sorry I am late, got caught in traffic - BUT, I brought you some presents (saying I stood in front of the teapot and carefully placed the boxes of chilli laced roasted peanuts and Almonds and smiled as I stood up) thought you might like it well together with (grabbing the bottle in front of me and read it with some difficulty) your Gle.n..fidditch . They both laughed and Madhavan nodded his head showing a thumbs up and a wide grin and the minister blew me a flying kiss as obviously from his face and the glazed eyes, he seem to be attacking the glass for quite some time already.

Madhavan reached forward and grabbed a handful of peanuts and tasted, sharp in noticing where they are from, not even asking me - ‘OHH you stopped to shop at the Lal sweets. They are best in town. Wah! You have a refined taste. JUST LIKE US’ (saying he giggled looking at me from tip to toe and then at minister and carried on ignoring my squirming while I stood facing them). ‘Hey Paneer, I know you’re drunk, but don’t be such a fool, say something nice to the lady who took extra effort to get herself dressed in a drop-dead gorgeous saree there. come on! ‘ (reaching put punched minister’s shoulder). ‘OHH yes yes dear, Thanks firstly for NOT coming in uniform (and he laughed silly at his useless dry wit) and I LOVE the colour of this saree. It goes with the mood here now, Ignore your traffic, ignore your panic, we are in a trance state and Blue very well reflects that, come join us. ‘ ( he pointed the middle seat of the big recliner sofa, tapping it). It actually impressed me that how even when he is stupidly drunk that the minister is so articulate and clearly grabbing the salient points in his sentences.

‘Ohh , Haha thank you sir, that’s kind of you. (and turning to uncle) and you too uncle, but I don’t want to drink if thats ok. I’ll be happy to sit there but no, not for me.’ Ignoring my remark, Uncle stood up and grabbed my arm and pulled me closer as he sat back. ‘wait wait uncle what are you doing?’ I protested but he casually carried on looking at the minister as I stood next to him. Quite abruptly while still facing the minister, not even looking in my direction he pulled the saree pallu away gently grabbing at around my tummy, ‘What is this Paneer? (letting it go already not wanting another push back from me), did you just see that?’ (as I stood there a bit stunned at that move. ‘She knows you like navels and yet no low hip?’ (saying he turned to face me with all mischief in his eyes’ (naughty bastard I thought looking at him and grabbed his arm holding my pallu with a FIRM grip while turned my face to look at the minister and faking a smile and pressed it real hard that made him wince while I took his arm that held the saree pallu). He laughed hard masking his pain as he looked at me with a different outlook, but as it happened the minister too drunk to notice our exchange started waving his hand pointing towards my waistline downwards several times laughing hard still, as Madhavan joined him Ad libbing - ‘yea our honourable minister says LOWER IT LOWER IT ’ (while rubbing and massaging his very painful wrist)

I tried to shush him, ‘SIR PLEASE’ and turned to Uncle and also ‘UNCLE ENOUGH!!! Not Funny!’ (staring at him) but he droned on louder and louder ‘LOWER IT ....LOWER IT ...LOWER IT’ and minister carried on laughing and started clapping in tune and nodding his head and his eyes bulged wider in anticipation. I felt a rush of shame wash through me as I stared long and hard , a killing-stare at Madhavan, (but as usual he casually ignored it).’ Finally, looking at minister and the relenting to the constant persuasion, ‘OK OK I will, enough of this childish rant’ I screamed and they both became silent and watched me expectantly. Cringing in shame I brought my left hand and hooking the thumb right overt the navel and quickly turning AWAY from them pushed the saree waist line a generous few inches below navel as I knew already these bastards won’t be happy with Just-about, and yet I cursed myself for entertaining them. Just as I turned to face them there was a Loud hoot and a whistle as I giggled along blushing, and it was indeed admirable to see the minister of his stature acting so childishly.

Just then, true to his unpredictable nature Madhavan rose from his seat and patted my bare shoulder, ‘one minute dear, come with me’ with a serious tone and walked away. Confused, I followed him. He stepped over to Minister’s office and came out with the brown envelope. ‘Here, keep it safe. Your appointment order. It was ACTUALLY a challenge to have it prepared before today evening. I hope you will appreciate the effort that has gone into it and I hope you will not disappoint us. ALL THE BEST’ smiling he quickly gave me a hug as I stood in daze and caught in the emotion. All I could manage was a meek, ‘Thank you Uncle, sorry if I had hurt your arm before. I don’t know what came over me. It’s just that I don’t like being touched when I don’t want to be. so sorry’ I apologised, clutching the envelope. He hugged me quickly again (but grinning internally happy to have settled the score and put me back in-debt and raised his respect level bar just as he planned, thinking she is feisty, AND STRONG, one step at a time), and releasing me, ‘We found the right candidate for the job. I am happy for you and the Minister. You just proved there you have the police DNA all over you! Like I said All Good dear.’ (saying he happily rubbed my head caressing my hair gently for a second and turned away and walked on and headed to the seat, already scheming his next move as he rubbed his aching wrist thinking, wait till she is drunk today (with that lopsided smile).

I carried the envelope with welling pride within me, and placed it on the teapot in front of the three of us and noticed the clean empty third glass already placed for me ready as I came around and sat between the two of them slowly. Minister was already munching the peanuts and patted my back appreciatively. ‘ This is very thoughtful of you dear!!!’ and carried on. Uncle smiled and picked up some cashew and while munching filled my glass with the same combination as the day before, filled it with ice. ‘Go on dear’ and raised his glass. Reluctantly I picked mine up, cursing myself for being unable to be stronger than this, to resist their offers and clinked uncle’s and minister held his ready already and clinked it and this time I shouted CHEERS and took a quick sip and put it down, this time no cough or drama as the day before and quickly checking minister that he is away already in a world of his own I turned to uncle and rubbed his dhothi clad thighs coming closer and whispered, ‘Again, SO SORRY Uncle. hope its not hurting too much. It wasn’t my intention. Just came out of reflex. Sorrry’ He patted my thigh quickly (much happier this time) giving it a squeeze while at the same time grabbing the pleats towards him as I turned facing him and him me, ‘No worries dear ...hahahaa.. like I said, it’s all in-the-moment. I Know(rubbing my back gently over the blouse). Who can be mad at someone with such a gorgeous pair. and pointed his fingers openly at my tits’ (and laughed as I blushed and sat back - relieved that it’s business as usual for him).

Few moments passed uneventful as there was an unusual silence while we all took a few sips and it was unbearable for Madhavan and he grabbed the remote and turned it on and as it happened, some music channel was playing some cini songs. ‘Ah good, no context needed, just watch, we can. (laughing and turned to both of us with increased drama in his voice) Unless either of you people are keen on watching National Geographic or Discovery?’ I giggled and minister laughed aloud and the channel stayed on. We were all watching the songs that involved dance moves and navel exposures typically as we carried on sipping and it probably was the longest period of silence as none of us spoke for at leats 8-10 minutes. Seem interminable until minister grunted, ‘what a boring company you both are?’ By now I was almost done with my first glass and rather less inhibited and so coolly asked him, ‘sorry minister, are you saying you are amazing and we are boring?’ and all three of us laughed silly.

As the songs carried on, the minister waived my sarcasm in his usual good-natured, matured way and tried to go for a refill and found the bottle empty and called out, ‘police madam, can you get a new bottle from the cabinet pls?’ I instantly stood up ‘sure sir’ and walked ahead feeling the bottoms of the pleats gracing my steps, confused as to why, but not realising it was down to uncle’s earlier grab and a tug at my pleats as I was apologising while he had his hand on my thigh, (apparently convincing me that it’s all Ok). Nevertheless a bit drunk now to worry about it as I marched on to the cabinet as I lazily pulled up the saree waist line a little bit up as I was literally tripping over it while walking and leaning forward, reading the labels carefully, fetched the right bottle and slowly walked back slightly staggering.

Only during this time I had a chance to see properly Minister’s living room and on the wall there was a massive Tanjore painting of Krishna with spotlights and all focussed on it and the gold lacing on his ornaments all glistening. That painting was HUGE and although I am attached to art but never had a chance to share with anyone I marvelled at it , stood there with the bottle in my hand forgetting myself. For sure, I have never seen a painting of that size made of Tanjore art anyways. I stood there admiring it and the detailing and things and there was a small labeling at the bottom of the frame, as I bent to read it, I felt a big hand on my butt cheeks over my saree and YELPING as I stood up shouting ‘UNCLE’ assuming it was him, the hand gave me left butt cheek a good squeeze and crept up quickly resting on my bare waist. Realising from the towering behind that it was the minister and not the uncle, I protested meekly, ‘Sir please, what are you doing?’ in a whisper as his hand easily slipped inside the pallu from my bare waist and he spoke in his usual booming voice, ‘Do you like it Vandana? Its original from Ravi Varma, but laced with 22Ct gold inlays later on. Must be several hundred thousands worth now - Inheritance’ as he spoke his hand slipped in further and just as yesterday, found the navel region aplomb and his fingers wasted no time crowding around it.

I didn’t figure out yet, if his huge height is an advantage or disadvantage to me yet, but in my slightly drunken state, holding the bottle tight with one hand while bringing the other hand to hold his hand, but gently, cautious also to not repeat another episode I just finished with Madhavan uncle and get on the wrong side of minister. Holding his hand gently, feeling his hand playing around the rim of my navel, I squirmed and leaned further back on to him, sucking my breath, feeling every little touch of his fingers, gasping, ‘SIR plea..a..aas.ee.. ‘ I pleaded in a whisper, quickly looking back, not wanting uncle to find out too what’s going on and he seemed to be enjoying the drink and watching the TV not paying much attention to this corner.

Carrying on the casual exchange minister asked me with the innocence intact as he slipped his middle finger gently into my navel and pushing it in just a little, ‘What please Vandana? tell me no...? Do you like Art or not? clearly from the way you were admiring it I guess you do..’ (ignoring my Jerks and shudders and my widening eyes as I had turned around to look at him as he spoke with me in an embrace from behind. ‘Uhhh... yes sir I like art sir ..please sir...’ (I answered spluttering and gasping holding his wrist gently with both my hands, as his finger started pushing deeper, shaking my head as an uncontrollable wave of pleasure hit me like a jolt as I dropped back on to minister’s towering frame biting my lips and breathing hard.

Feeling my hair brush his face as I shook my head while he fingered my navel, it was the minister’s turn to moan as he took a deep sniff at my shampooed hair and sighed, ‘Ohh Vandana’ and using the opportunity I gently but firmly shook his hand off my tummy and freeing myself away and still breathing heavily, but relieved to have escaped for now and clearly feeling the inner turmoil still of minister’s ministrations on my navel as I sped past him in an urgent voice, ‘I’ll fill your glass sir, please follow along’ and I never thought I would say this, but I was relieved actually to get to Madhavan uncle.

While Minister was languishingly slow, losing his bearings and staring at his crown-jewel painting a bit longer I hissed into Madhavan uncle as I reached him, as he looked at me like ‘All OK?’ I told him, ‘please uncle. Can you help me? Seems like Minister is too drunk. He is not listening to me.’ I tried to put a desperate plea to see if I can gain an accomplice on my side before the evening’s through - as already the last few seconds’ trailer where minster’s fingers tasted my navel, I couldn’t bear the pleasure waves arising and I was adamant within to not let it go too far and end up something horrible like climaxing myself here in front of these guys.

He grabbed and and pulled me on to the couch and made me sit next to him whispering ‘Shhh don’t worry dear, I’ll control Paneer. Obviously you will need to play along here and there.. but I will make sure he is ‘in control’ , leave it to me ok? (he said casually slipping his hand on my thigh and again slipping it inside my saree pleats ever so gently, and with that there intact he swiftly distracted me telling, ‘Ok now refill the glasses dear before he gets back ok? so it all looks nothing astray’ and falling for it, I leaned forward, opened the bottle and started pouring all the empty glasses while he very gently squeezed my upper thigh with the tip of his fingers slipped already into my saree pleats but light enough to make sure its not obvious and making sure I am in a drunk enough state to not realise his actions. His confirmation came along as I sat back refilling the glasses and muttered a gentle ‘Thank you uncle’ turning to him as the minister just made his elephant walk to reach back to the couch and landed next to me and announcing at the top of his voice ‘Ehheeyy Madhavaa, did you know? our Vandana loves my Tanjore painting !! our family treasure. She is a true heart lover , I mean art lover’ saying he squeezed my shoulder over the blouse sleeve gently and letting it go, ‘sorry vandana, had taken the medicine a bit too much today’ and with a laughter he slumped back in the sofa.

I turned to him and then back to Madhavan and nodded to him as if , ‘see this is what I said’ and he pushed himself closer to me with his hand still on my thigh, rubbing it gently he whispered, ‘ssshh... leave him be dear, he will be thoroughly flat in a few seconds, then you can leave home. sorry about his state on my behalf (saying he gently squeezed my thigh while he picked up my freshly filled glass to me, beckoning me to carry on) he started already 2 hours ago from 6 in the evening as his last appointment with the Agri minister was cancelled. He called me to join along but I was busy too, so he went on ahead, using the very rare Friday evening free time. ‘ giving my thigh another gentle squeeze and ruffling his fingers inside the pleats gently, feeling it up, ‘Look at him, can’t blame him. poor fellow, I’ve known him almost all his life but I never envy his post, so much pressure he has to deal with and most of the days he is lucky to get 6 hours sleep in the night’ (he spoke slipping his fingers in at the same time very gently pulling the saree pleats tucks. Oblivious to this, I had responded, sipping more of the ‘soma baana’ of the modern age - the Glenfiddich - getting used to it by now how to pronounce it,) ‘true though uncle - I don’t think I will ever be able to understand the pressure he is going through’, saying sipping along.

Getting just a bit closer to me, still his hand planted on my thigh gently rubbing over the saree, getting his fingers bit by bit closer to my crotch under the frills, as he slowly refilled my glass with the other hand while he smoothly carried on , ‘ Tell me dear ( picking up and handing the glass , even as I refused, as I felt a bit too drunk and tipsy in my head to think straight, placing it in my head, nodding his head) just this and we leave home then after, come on , give me company dear’ saying he clicking his glass to mine the moment I held what he handed over. ‘After I took a few sips he asked gently, ‘Was Paneer was trying to stick his finger in your navel there earlier dear? next to the painting? ‘ looking at my face keenly.

Despite being very drunk I blushed and looked at him and nodded. ‘Why dear, is it like your very sensitive area or something?’ I admitted honestly that I didn’t know and I am still figuring out. He seemed gobsmacked to hear it.