‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating, isn’t it?’ he said submissively. ‘Henceforth you would find me enslaved to my queen of hearts.’

‘Promise me,’ she stretched her hand with the palm outstretched, ‘that you would never hurt me.’

‘I, Sathyam, the once obedient son of Pathrudugaru,’ he said taking her hand, ‘and now the devoted husband of Roopa Devi, solemnly affirm not to hurt my better half in any manner whatsoever and etc.’

‘If only you were to hurt me again,’ she said as though she were cautioning him while he pulled her into his arms to affect her surrender, ‘you can write me off forever.’

‘Could I ever forgo your favors?’ he said as she coyly sank into his embrace. In surrendering herself thus, she ensured his surrender forever.

It’s the irony of woman’s life in that she tends to turn her assets to her own detriment in that while her psyche seeks to see her man strong; her instinct tries to weaken him.