Sneha nodded.



"Well, for just today, you will have to give everyone permission so that he doesn't ever realize this and you will need all the help you can get"



She nodded again, a little apprehensive but knowing this was what she wanted.



The breaking-in



It was an hour later that C rung the doorbell in Shilpa's house. It had been a while since Sneha had made the first move to talk to him. Maybe she was going to forgive him today and things would come back to normal. She had been cold towards him the last week and the mental tension was killing him. He could not believe what he had done to Rani; how could he have been so stupid.



"If she gives me another chance, I will stick by her loyally and never indulge in these antics", he thought to himself as he rung the bell.



Shilpa opened the door almost immediately as if they had been waiting for him. She greeted him and waved him inside as she always did. He took off his shoes and socks and left them in the shoe rack.



C walked in to the living room to find Sneha and her friends sitting on the long couch. Shilpa walked past him and sat down closest to him.



"Wow, she looks awesome in that thin skirt. Congratulations on the nice long legs, babe", C said to himself as he made to sit down in the recliner.



"No, C. I want you to remain standing here", Sneha's voice.



It wasn't until then that C picked up on the atmosphere. Something was up, all eyes were on him like he was an appetizing dish. There was an air of expectancy. Things didn't seem right here.



"Okaaaaay" he said slowly looking at Sneha.



"This is for your viewing pleasure tonight", Sneha said and pressed play on the remote control.



C froze as the tape started playing. The security camera could not have captured the scene more perfectly. Him pressing himself into Rani and she turning back and waving her finger in his face and walking away angrily. He was doomed if this tape found itself into Mr.Lear's hands. He was sweating as he heard Sneha's voice dimly.



"Come here and stand facing us".



He turned around and faced the women with trembling legs. All eyes were on him.



"How could you do that, C? That is the exact same position I told you I love so much when you do it to me. Does it not matter who the person is on the other side of you?", her voice had a touch of hurt.



He did not reply because there was nothing he could think of to say.



"You have two options, C", Sneha raised one finger, "I will send this tape to Mr.Lear. He will fire you because he can't risk not to. He will then forward it to the association and if he doesn't, I will. You will never ever work in this country again. I will divorce you, get the house and atleast half of everything else we own. You know how well divorce works for women, don't you?"



"I'm really sorry Sneha, I was drunk", C said, his voice quaking a little.



"The second option", she completely ignored him and raised another finger, "We can continue this relationship on my terms. You will do as I ask and walk the path I set out for you". She paused before continuing, "Nobody will be any the wiser about your antics, your professional life will be as it used to be . except if you go against my will in which case Rani will send the tape on to the right places. Think about this for a while and tell me what you decide", Sneha concluded folding her arms across her chest.



It did not take him a while because he defined himself by his career. Maybe, all this can be kept under wraps. Besides, he really did want to make up to Sneha as he had broken her trust.



"I really want our relationship to continue, we can do this on your terms", he said after only a brief interval.



"Good", there was an element of seriousness in her voice though. "Let's test that now. Take your shirt off and put it on the lowest rack", she indicated the closet.



C was surprised at that, she wanted him to take his shirt off in front of her friends? He did not argue though. All her friends had seen him in his swimming trunks at the beach enough times. He looked at her and when he saw she was waiting impatiently, quickly unbuttoned his shirt and put it in the closet. He squinted his eyes as he looked at the other sets of neatly folded men's clothes but he was in no state to understand their significance.



He came back to stand in front of them even though she hadn't said that explicitly. Sneha stood up in front of him and reached for the hook on his trousers. He felt her soft hands against his stomach as she unhooked it. C looked into his wife's eyes uncomprehendingly.



"What are you doing?", he opened his mouth to ask before he realized her hands were on his fly. He felt the her brush against his groin and realized she was going to strip him right there.



"No! what are you doing!", he shouted and took a step back, holding his pants together although they were in no danger of falling down.



Sneha watched him rebel against her and something inside her snapped. This was what he did always, agree to something and go back to doing what he wanted as soon as possible. He never kept his word, not once when it came to their relationship.