( Dear Readers, I would request you to kindly read Parts 1 to 4 of this series, "The Landlady," to understand the continuity of the story so far. )
The Landlady 5
It was Sunday around 10.30 in the morning. We had just finished our special breakfast and were sitting on the sofa and watching the TV news. To be precise, Ritu was sitting on the sofa. I was sitting on her lap. She had a recliner on which she was half lying, with her legs stretched. I was reclining on her huge body of 5'11" and 87 kgs. She was actually spooning my small frame of 5'3" and 63 kgs on her body. I'll just clarify what 'Spooning' is for the unversed. It is like, when a small spoon is placed over a big spoon, and the small spoon just fits in snugly on the big spoon. Ritu spooned me just like that. She had her big arms around my body resting on my stomach. My head was resting on her right shoulder, our cheeks touching. A middle-aged woman of 51 holding a young man of 36 like a small boy on her body.
The weather was quite pleasant and Ritu suggested that we go and spend some time outside. She suggested Sukhna Lake and Rock Gardens. Although I have been in Chandigarh a few months now, I could hardly do any sightseeing in the city due to work pressure. So I readily agreed.
Ritu took her car and not the scooter. She drove to the Sukhna Lake area. It was beautiful ! We got down from the car and walked by the lake. People were boating…it was a great tourist spot.
Ritu said, "Why are you walking so fast, what is your hurry ? Walk slowly na, enjoy the view." I had actually gone ahead, Ritu was walking slowly.
I joked, "Arrey, I forgot that you are an old woman, can't walk fast."
She retorted, "Nothing like that, I can walk more than you and faster than you. Want to bet, let's have a walking race ?"
I said, "Crazy or what ? People will comment that this young man is racing with his old aunt !" I laughed.
Ritu said, "Darr gaye kya ? Did you get scared ? That the 'Old Aunt' will win the race ?"
I said, "Ritu, this is wrong. You are challenging me now. I know you are 8 inches taller at 5'11" against my 5'3". You are bigger also at 87 kgs against my 63 kgs. I accept that you are also stronger than me, even though you are 51 years and I'm 36, that is 15 years older than me. But you can't win every time. I'm younger and lighter than you. In a race, I'll win. Why do you want to lose the bet ?"
Ritu was laughing, "I don't mind losing the race or the bet to you. But if you are so sure, why are you afraid ?"
I was peeved, "I'm not afraid. Ok, come on, let's race. Tell me, till how far ?"
Ritu said, "Let's first decide on the bet."
I said, "I'm not rich like you. Thousand rupees is all I can bet."
Ritu said, "Ok, if you win I'll give you ₹ 1000. But if I win, I don't want any money. You will just have to do what I say."
I said, "What ?"
She replied, "That I've not yet decided. Anytime during the day, I can claim that."
I smiled, "That's ok with me. As it is, I generally do what you say, so nothing new in that."
She said, "Ok then, you see that tree, right at the end. Whoever touches the tree and comes back here first, wins. No running. Otherwise people will notice that the old woman is racing with the young man. Only walking, so nobody will understand that we are even together."
I said, "Fine, that tree is a little too far, but if you don't have a problem, it's ok with me."
She said, "Ok, I'll say Ready, 1,2,3. We'll start at 3." I nodded, yes.
She gave the start and off we went. I picked up speed and left her behind. I knew it, she's so much heavier than me. I'm younger too at 36 and she's 51. I was looking back to see. She was walking fast but at a steady pace, but I was walking really fast, and the gap between us was increasing.
The tree was actually at quite a distance. As I came nearer to the tree, I was getting a little out of breath, as I was walking really fast from the word go. I slowed down a little and looked back. Ritu was still going at the same pace and she had actually shortened the gap between us. I quickened my speed. I touched the tree first. While returning, I met Ritu coming to touch the tree. She smiled at me. But this time, I was a little too exhausted. Actually, I shouldn't have put in my full energy at the start. I was thinking, how could I make this mistake. This is the basics of long distance races. You conserve your energy for the last burst. I looked back. Ritu was right behind me.
When she overtook me, she mocked me, "Come on young man, faster. Old Aunt is going ahead."
I tried to pick up speed. But my legs were not helping. Ritu didn't even look back. She had increased her speed now, and the distance between us was growing. She reached the end point and waited for me. I was panting hard when I reached her. She took my hand and walked towards the car. She opened the car door for me to sit and came and sat on the driver's seat. She gave me a bottle of water. Started the engine, but not the car. She put the AC on. I laid back on the seat, closed my eyes, and was trying to get my breath back. She didn't say anything, just kept looking at me and smiling.
When I finally turned towards her, she said, "That's why I told you to do some exercise with me in my gym."
I said, "Nothing of that sort. You are 5'11" and I'm 5'3". Your legs are so much longer."
She laughed, "Men and their ego. You don't even know how to lose gracefully to a woman."
I said, "I'll give you your ₹1000 when we reach home."
She said, "I don't want money, you will have to do what I tell you to, you can't refuse, remember ?"
I asked, "What ?"
She says, "Let's see, I haven't decided yet. Come let's go to the Rock Gardens, it's just nearby. Or do you want to do some boating in the lake?"
I didn't want to, after that humiliating loss. I should have won this race, if I only used my brain. Losing to an old woman, 15 years older than me, in a walking race. Shit !
She started her car. Within minutes, we reached the Rock Gardens. We went in. It was awesome. It had man-made interlinked waterfalls and many other sculptures that have been made of scrap and other kinds of waste like bottles, glasses, bangles, tiles, ceramic pots, electrical waste, broken pipes, etc. which were placed in walled paths.
There was not much of a crowd. As we walked in from the first compound to the next one, I was appreciating the time and efforts and thoughtfulness of the man who designed this. I was talking excitedly about all this to Ritu. She had seen this earlier. So she wasn't so excited. She was walking slowly beside me holding my hand. At a big opening to a long corridor where lots of dolls made of broken tiles were displayed, she stopped. I stopped too. She stood in front of me, with her hands on my shoulders. I looked up at her eyes 8 inches above mine with questions in my eyes. "I want my bet", she said.
I said, "What do you want me to do ?"
She laughed, "Just climb up in my arms and I'll carry you around this Rock Garden."
"Noooo..", was my first response.
She was still laughing, "You lost the race dear. You cannot refuse a bet, that's the rule."
I said, "But not here. There are lots of people here. What will they think of me, an adult man being lifted and carried by an old woman ? You carry me around at home."
She said, "At home, I don't need to win a bet, I can carry you whenever I want. Now don't waste time, I'm giving you the choice of lifts. Do you want to ride piggyback on me; or in my cradle like a baby; or from the front ?"
I had no way out. I said, "No, piggyback is too childish. Not in your cradle also, I feel too helpless like a baby. Any other way which you want."
She bent down and picked me up from the front. And up I went with my arms around her neck and my legs wrapped around her waist. I looked around. Fortunately there was nobody there in that area right then. She started walking, carrying me in her arms.
I said, "What are you doing Ritu ? Do you realise that you are carrying around a grown up adult man of 36 years, being an old woman of 51. What will you reply to people, if they ask you why ?"
She squeezed my cheeks, holding me up just by her left hand. "Oh I'll say something and manage." She started walking with me. She was holding me from the front. I was loosely holding her around her neck. My legs had to be wrapped around her waist, otherwise she wouldn't be able to walk. I was looking behind her back, my face going over her left shoulders. I purposely looked the other way as I did not want people to see my face. But people coming behind us would see me.
I was not looking at any of the displays anymore. I was only worried about how to face people when they saw me, a full grown adult man of 36, being carried away helplessly by a 51 years old woman. The other awkward thing I don't want to face is how small I look in Ritu's arms. With my 5'3" / 63 kgs, I was looking like a small boy being carried by his 5'11" / 87 kgs tall, big mother.
Ritu was patting my back and saying, "It's good for you dear, you are getting some rest after that fast walking you did for the race. I'm having to do the donkey's work of carrying you even after having beaten you in the race."
I straightened, sitting on Ritu's waist held up under my bottom by her strong arms, I faced Ritu. "Please Ritu, let me down. People may come in any time. I'm feeling so embarrassed, looking so small in your tall, big body. Also I'm a young man of 36 and you are an old woman of 51, lifting and carrying me around helplessly in your arms. Please Ritu, I beg of you," I pleaded.
Ritu kissed me on my cheek, "Honey dear, don't beg like that. I feel bad. My love, I won the bet, you can't do this, please understand. You have to honour the bet you lost." She kissed me again and kept on walking.
Then it happened. Ritu was approaching the end of this gallery. There were two ladies casually walking in. One of them was middle aged in her 50's, about Ritu's age possibly. Her companion was a little younger, of around 35-38 years of age. They were looking at us with an odd smile on their face, possibly enjoying the funny sight. Suddenly the older woman waved her hand looking at Ritu and started coming forward to meet her. The other woman also followed her. Ritu was standing sideways, looking at a mural on the wall, so I saw those two ladies approaching us. I didn't have any place to hide my face.
Ritu was also smiling now looking at the approaching woman.
"Hi Ritu Ji," the lady said.
"Hi Mrs Bedi, how are you ?"
Mrs Bedi said, "For a minute I didn't recognise you Ritu ji, ek handsome young man ko goud mey utha key ghoom rahi ho. Carrying a handsome young man in your arms. Are we disturbing a romantic rendezvous ?"
Ritu said, slightly embarrassed, "What are you saying Mrs Bedi ? He is my best friend's cousin. He has just come to Chandigarh on a transfer posting and is staying with me. He had hurt his leg very badly and cannot walk. We went to a doctor nearby. So I thought of taking him around this place, since he was getting bored sitting at home."
Mrs Bedi said, "Ok, ok fine. I was just joking, don't take it seriously." She looked at me and smiled. "Don't mind beta, I'm like this only. I'm getting old, I talk a lot of nonsense."
What could I say, I just smiled, feeling so embarrassed to be carried in Ritu's arms, while the lady was speaking to me.
Mrs Bedi continued, "Ritu ji, listen, I was thinking of calling you up. I have something important to discuss with you. It's good that I found you here. There's a coffee booth just on the other side of this wall. Let's go there and chat over a cup of coffee. It's a little too personal. Let these two young people remain here. You don't need to carry him for such a long distance. We'll come back after some time. By the way, this is Rajlakshmi, she is my assistant."
I looked at Ritu's face sitting on her arms high up on her hips. I wasn't sure how Ritu would reply to this. Ritu looked at me too and then said, "But how can I put him down? He can't even walk now."
The other lady was quick to reply, "Aunty don't worry, give him to me, I'll hold Sir till you come back."
Ritu objected, "Rajlakshmi how's that possible ? He is a fully grown up adult man. You won't be able to hold him. You will drop him, then he'll get hurt again."
Rajlakshmi laughed, "Aunty, you are carrying him so easily, he looks so small."
Ritu said, "Don't compare with my size. Have you seen my height and weight and his? He's looking small because I'm 5'11" tall. And with my sneakers I'm 6 feet. But you are not as tall as me."
Rajlakshmi was still persistent, "Aunty, but I'm taller and bigger than Sir. I think he is about the size of Auntyji. Ask her, I can lift and carry her easily. Auntyji is 5'4" and 65 kgs; I'm 5'8" and 80 kgs. What is your height and weight Sir ji ?"
I looked at Ritu and said, "Ritu didi, you just put me down on that bench there. I'll sit here. You go and have coffee with Aunty."
Mrs Bedi, "Yes that's a good idea Ritu ji. Rajlakshmi will be here, so if he has any problems, she can take care of him. Don't worry Ritu ji, Rajlakshmi is a big, strong girl. She really can lift me like you are carrying this young man. She used to throw javelin and discus in her school and college days in Kochi."
Ritu reluctantly put me down on the bench. Rajlakshmi sat beside me. I was so embarrassed, I could not talk to her casually. Both of us got busy with our mobiles. There was a call on her mobile. She got up and moved away to take the call.
A little later she tried to start a conversation with me, "Sir, I'm very sorry. You were being shown around this Rock Garden by Aunty. Because of us, you had to stop that. Come Sir, I'll show you around." She stood up and was bending down to pick me up in her arms. I stopped her, caught hold of her arms. Her hands felt solid and big.
I said, "Aarey, what are you doing Rajlakshmi ? I'm fine. Let's sit here and talk. Ritu didi will come soon."
Rajlakshmi showed mock displeasure, "What Sir, you also think I won't be able to carry you. See how much taller and bigger I'm than you. I'm also much younger than Aunty. I'm just 37 years old. Aunty must be over 50. You are a handsome young man. Don't you feel ashamed being carried around by an old woman? I'm also young, near your age, you will like it in my arms. Don't feel shy Sir. Ok, just tell me what's your age, height and weight and then let's decide."
I said, "I'm 36 years; 5'3" and 64 kgs."
Rajlakshmi started laughing. "Sir, you are even shorter and lighter than Auntyji. Then it's not a problem. I can easily carry you for hours."
She just bent down and picked me up from the front. She jerked me up to adjust my body on her hip. She put one hand under my bottom. And her other hand was on my back. I had to hold her around her shoulders, lest I fall down. I said, "Rajlakshmi this is not right. You are a woman of 37 years and I'm an adult man of 36. You are just 1 year older to me and you are carrying me like a small boy. What will people say ?"
Rajlakshmi looked straight at me. I was sitting on her hips, held up in her arms, "Sir, I don't care what people say. If anybody asks anything, I'll tell the truth. That your legs are hurt, you can't walk. I'm your nurse, so I'm carrying you. Sir, you put your legs around my waist like you did when aunty was carrying you. Yes.. this way, now I'll be able to walk with you. Come let's go." She started walking with me.
I thought of telling her the truth, that my legs are ok and I can walk, and ask her to put me down. Then I thought that if I do that then Mrs Bedi would spread the rumour about Ritu having an affair with a young man and carrying him around in the park. These social circle ladies do more harm than good.
Meanwhile Rajlakshmi was saying, "Sir, let us have some fun. Let me carry you and hide somewhere. Auntyji and your sister will come and search for us. They'll not find us."
I said, "But they'll just call us up on our mobile."
My mobile was in my T-shirt pocket, which Rajlakshmi could see and feel, since it was now touching her breasts. Holding me up with her left hand under my butt, she picked up my mobile from my pocket with her right hand. She just switched off my mobile and put it in her sling back which was hanging from her shoulder. I said, "What are you doing? Give my phone back."
Rajlakshmi was walking quite fast now with me. She said, "Don't worry Sir. Your phone is safe with me, I've just switched it off, so that your sister won't be able to contact you."
I was alarmed, "Why ? Where are you taking me Rajlakshmi?"
She smiled at me, holding me tightly to her body. "Don't panic, Sir. I've kidnapped you. I'll not harm you, you just don't try any tricks. Just lie coolly in my arms. If required, put your head on my shoulder and close your eyes. Don't try to jump out, shout or draw anybody's attention. Then I'll start screaming that you are molesting me. I'm holding you so tightly that you won't be able to free yourself. When people or police come, they will see you struggling to get free. They will think that you are actually fighting and molesting me. Nobody will believe your story, that a middle aged woman has kidnapped you, a fully grown up adult man and is forcefully carrying you away. So, best is, don't try any tricks, and let me just take you away to my place. I assure you, I won't harm you, if you don't disturb me."
There was a back gate of the Garden. Rajlakshmi now carried me out of this gate. She entered a joggers park sort of a path, full of trees on both sides. There was a narrow path going through the middle. There was nobody to be seen nearby. Her phone rang. She stopped walking. She took her phone out of her bag and took the call. "Yes……he's with me…. I've kidnapped him...…Why ?...you will get to know later…..I've taken his phone away, it's switched off..…I'll not harm him, but don't call the police or try to track me, then I cannot guarantee his safety...….. you wait for my call …... I'll let you know….when and where...". She disconnected the call.
Rajlakshmi looked at me being carried helplessly in her arms. "That was Mrs Bedi. Now your sister will also get to know. You just cooperate with me and I'll not harm you."
She was walking again. I didn't know what to do. I wasn't sure if it was worth trying to fight her. She is 5 inches taller and 17 kgs heavier than me. She would definitely be stronger than me. The way she was holding me while carrying me, it was quite difficult for me to move. She might have a weapon too. I said, "What do you want from me ?"
She was serious, "I don't know, my boss knows. I'm taking you to my boss. He will call up your sister and tell her what she wants."
I said, "Rajlakshmi, you are doing this for money. Tell me, I'll give you what I can. But let me go."
Rajlakshmi stopped. "What can you give me ? You won't be having much in your pocket."
I said, "You take me to an ATM counter. I have 50 thousand in my Bank account, I'll give you."
Rajlakshmi laughed, "That's not enough. I'll get more as a commission if I hand you over to my boss. Come, we are almost there. Put your head down on my shoulder. Bury your face inside my neck, so that nobody sees you. If they see you, it's your bad luck. Then I cannot take any guarantee of your safety. So don't try any tricks as I said."
Rajlakshmi hid my face inside her wide neck. She took a turn, there was an opening to a side road. She crossed over the road, literally running with me in her arms. She entered the gates of a bungalow, like the many which are there in Chandigarh. She ran inside the house with me. She entered a big living room.
My face was still hidden inside her neck. She told me to take my face out. I brought my face out.
There in front of me stood Ritu and Mrs Bedi laughing their hearts out.
I was so surprised at this, I couldn't say anything. Ritu came and took me from Rajlakshmi's arms in her cradle. I was looking furiously at her. She was still laughing, holding me up in her arms in a cradle carry. She pointed at Mrs Bedi, "Meet my best friend and lawyer, Harleen Bedi, about whom I've already told you. And your kidnapper Rajlakhsmi Iyer, Assistant to Harleen. She's also a lawyer." All three of them were laughing.
I said, "I don't understand. Who planned this prank and when?"
Harleen said, "I'll explain. This girlfriend of yours, Ritu, has been very naughty since her school days. After her husband's death, she had grown old and boring. Now after meeting you, she's back to her old lifeful self. She had only called me to meet her at Rock Gardens, so that I can see you. Then when we went for the coffee, we thought of this idea to prank you. We called up Rajlakshmi and told her the plan. The rest you have experienced yourself and we will hear it from you now."
I looked at Ritu. I didn't expect her to put me through all this tension. I said, "Now put me down, Ritu. I can walk."
Ritu understood that I was very upset. She looked at Harleen and said, "I'll just come from inside."
Before I could say anything, she hurriedly carried me off inside. She took me to a room that looked to me like a guest bedroom. She bolted the door from inside and went and sat on the bed. She sat cross legged and put me across her lap holding me cradled in her arms. I said, "Let me go Ritu, I'm not in the mood now."
Ritu held me tight, cradled in her arms. She lifted my body up, so that my face was just below hers. She snuggled her nose on my face and kissed me all over my face, ending on my lips. She then looked at me, still holding my body up near her breasts, so that my face was right under her face. "I'm sorry dear, that it has upset you. But it was just a prank. Honey, I've got back my youthful energy and lifeful nature just because of your love. I don't know what got into me. I was so happy while talking about you to my best friend Harleen, that I went back to my school, college days of naughty Ritu. Please forgive me if that has given you so much tension. But you will know that even at the end of the tension, I'll be there to receive you in my arms and take you in my breasts."
I didn't know what to say. It was as if I was seeing a much younger Ritu in front of my eyes. I smiled at her. As if on cue, she held the back of my head and pressed my face inside her breasts. I was transported back into my favorite luxury.
