‘Rao, I appreciate your intellect, though I differ with some of your ideas,’ said Sathyam extending his hand. ‘But I do envy your experience without any discount whatever.’
‘Thank you for your compliment,’ said Raja Rao. ‘Intellect is all about the ability to analyze human condition and experience is the product of self-introspection. But people tend to attribute their failures to outside factors without reflecting upon their own role in the setbacks. That’s why we find many inexperienced oldies and a few experienced youths. All said and done, I feel you’ve an intellectual heart.’
‘Oh, you’ve touched my heart,’ said Sathyam patting Raja Rao.
‘Congratulations for forming a new Mutual Admiration Club,’ smiled Roopa.
‘Membership drive is still on,’ said Raja Rao, ‘you’re welcome to join.’
Soon, the invitees began to arrive with their kids, and in time, the place was all agog with excitement. At length, as it was time for high tea, announced Sandhya, ‘Pray it’s palatable, and pick up your plate.’
~~~~~~~
For the first anniversary of Integral Architects, that came close on the heels of Saroja’s birthday, Raja Rao planned to celebrate the occasion with the staff at the office. Besides, he wanted to wine and dine with their friends at Blue Fox in the evening.
Thus, after performing the customary vighneswara puja that morning, and having handed over the mandatory mementoes to Aslam and Narasaiah, Raja Rao called it a day at the office.
Soon they reached home, and Sandhya, as was her wont, sent Saroja with the maidservant to Lalitha’s place, so finding themselves all alone with their man, as the mates looked at him admiringly, Raja Rao folded them tenderly with his ‘I love you’. Having kissed them both, he handed them diamond ear-studs each, that they found fascinating.
‘Cute,’ said Sandhya excitedly.
‘Radiant,’ reflected Roopa reflexively.
‘Like you two,’ he said as they went about unscrewing their gold studs.
‘Do you know Sandhya,’ said Roopa mirthfully, ‘how he used to pronounce ‘two’ as ‘too’, to seduce me!’
‘Had I known that,’ said Sandhya mirthfully, ‘our orgymoon would have been my honeymoon.’
‘Oh!’ said Roopa reminiscently, as she tried to position the diamond ear-studs all by herself, ‘how that would have saved me all that misery.’
‘But it was your pining that made our meeting so poignant that night,’ said Raja Rao, stopping her from changing the ear studs.
‘Well, there’s a price to pay for everything,’ said Roopa, ‘maybe, ordeals throw up rewards in the end.’
‘Now for a romantic touch to our dalliance,’ he said, and took the pair from Sandhya’s hand, and gave one to Roopa, saying, ‘let’s together adorn the First Lady.’