MAN, WIFE And MISTRESS

Adult content inside

Anku had never had an easy childhood. Orphaned at thetender age of ten, and ill-treated by his aunt, he hadrun away from home to the unfamiliar maze that wasKolkata from the small town in Shillong.He had wandered aimlessly in the swirlingcrowds, lonely, scared and hungry till a restaurantowner had taken pity on him and given him a job as adish washer.

Anku's sweet nature and ability to smile even in themidst of back-breaking hardwork endeared him to thecustomers. Touched by the boy's tale of woe, thegenial Nirmalbabu, a regular customer at therestaurant took him under his ample wings and gave hima job at his garment store.

That was the first time Anku had shifted out ofHowrah station's platform to sleep peacefully in aproper house. He worked hard during the day andstudied at night.

The little boy's penchant for sketching had earlierlanded him in trouble at the restaurant where hewould even draw on the walls of the kitchen withcharcoal. But Nrimalbabu recognized his talent, hiskeen sense of observation and the way he drew picturesof people he met daily. So after he passed hisMatriculation in Ist Class, Nirmalbabu got Ankuadmitted to an Arts College.

All that had been long ago. Today, Anku was holdinghis first major exhibition in the well-known socialiteMiss Mukherjee's art gallery. He stood there proudly,with his wife Pinky by his side, holding the hand oftheir two-year-old son. His heart gave a flip-flopevery time a visitor bought a painting for arespectable amount. This was the first time his arthad earned him some handsome money apart from theusual accolades. Pinky, his college-time sweetheartwas just as thrilled at her husband's success.

Anku's sincerity and good works pleased everybody.Miss Mukherjee, a spinster in her late thirties, whowas always stylishly dressed was particularly fond ofhim.

One fateful evening when Anku was finallywinding up his works at the gallery, Miss Mukherjeeoffered him a lift in her car. Since it was quitelate, the reluctant Anku agreed to the lady'sinsistence.

But Anku was surprised when Miss Mukherjee stopped thecar in front of her own house, which was en route tohis house. When she gracefully offered him a cup ofcoffee, Anku was unable to refuse from fear ofdispleasing her.

"Coffee here," the familiar voice of Miss Mukherjeestartled him. Anku looked up from the magazine he wasbrowsing through and sat stupefied. Miss Mukherjee wasdraped in a transparent night dress, revealing most ofher svelte figure underneath. Moving forward MissMukherjee gently kissed the dumbfounded Anku on hisforehead. Anku tried hard to control himself buteventually succumbed to his passions.

And so it continued. An unfortunate deal wherein Ankuheld his exhibitions in Miss. Mukherjee's galleriesfree of charge but had to satiate her needs after eachexhibition. Torn between the dual lives he lived, Ankuplunged into depression. He could not confide abouthis illicit relationship to Pinky. Which wife can takeher husband's infidelity kindly?

Depressed and laden with guilt, Anku took refuge indrinks. His work suffered enormously. The declinebecame apparent as the months drifted by. Noticing themarked change in Anku, Miss Mukherjee asked him oneday, "Are you unhappy with our relationship ? Do youhave a guilt complex ?"

Anku remained silent.

Miss Mukherjee continued "Anku, I adore you a lot. Isincerely wish and pray that you reach the pinnacle ofsuccess and glory. I was and I am lonely. My physicalneeds and my loneliness attracted me towards you. Inmy college days, I had loved a boy who deserted me. Ihad then vowed that I won't get married. But after allthese years I long for someone, to kill my loneliness.I found that inyou. I don't want to lose you. I amprogressive-minded, and view this relationship of oursas no sin as long as you don't neglect your family andkeep them well. I still want to cherish thisrelationship with you albeit I would be pained ifyou neglect your family or your work."

Anku listened without answering. Miss Mukherjeecarried on, "To rejuvenate your work, why don't youdo a series of paintings on me. I will pay for it. Itwould be an entirely new concept! You have never donepaintings of women exclusively before this. "

The idea struck gold. When Anku completed the series,his works received exclusive and rare reviews. Artcritics hailed his return to form with generouspraise.

Many years have passed since. Anku is now one of theleading painters of the country. He is a happy familyman with a content wife and son. Miss Mukherjee hasfound a new source of joy in her life. She has adopteda three month old baby, and spends most of her timecaring for it. Anku does pay her a visit regularly inthe evenings. After all, besides Miss Mukherjeeherself, it is only Anku who knows that the 'adopted'son is really a part of his own blood!