Sitting in the languid embrace of post-storm serenity, Mira's lazy nasal voice echoed,
"Ek ghonta holo, charun ebar," prompting Batakrishna to tighten his grip around her tender form. An hour of sensuous entwining had transpired since their initial encounter, leaving both immersed in the sweetness of togetherness, akin to savoring a coveted candy.

Seated on the floor, Batakrishna, a tangled mess of emotions, found solace in the careless drape of Mira's saree, cascading from her bosom to envelop him. His nuzzling at the crook of her neck earned him a smile, as they reveled in the intertwining of fingers, a playful dance.

A sloppy kiss on her neck elicited a gasp from Mira, who moaned,
"Kallege jaben na?" Batakrishna, content yet slightly plaintive, questioned,
"Tumi ador korte dile na j?"

"Oma koi? Korlen toh!" Mira's bashful bite of her lower lip was met with a smile. "Korchen toh," she emphasized.

"Na emon ador na... Jemon ador tumi amai korle ektu agey, temon ador." Batakrishna's right hand, already exploring ministered paths, conveyed a sensuality that resonated in every word and gesture.

"Na, Kallege jan apni... R ador kore kaj nei. Ador pelen toh, tatey khushi thakun?" Mira spoke softly, allowing his playful ministrations without seizing them.

"Khushi, kintu ami tomake khushi korte chai Bou. Adore bhoriye dite chai tomai." Batakrishna's words dripped with sensuality, his choice of phrases and tone igniting desire in Mira. However, a sudden dark sense of fear and hesitation overcame her. Gently removing his hand, she moved away, covering her exposed self with her saree. In response, Batakrishna grabbed a nearby towel, shielding his modesty.

"Meyeta uthane boshe ache j... Kotokhon holo bolun toh?" Mira, tossing the loose end of her saree over her shoulder, prepared to depart.

"Meyeta jane amra dujone byasto. O kichu mone korbe na," Batakrishna declared, making no attempt to stop her, but hinting at the lingering memories of their encounter.

Outside of the quintessential corridor of the modest three-storey building where they lived, shadows whispered tales of antiquity.
On the attached terrace, Bhargavi leaned on the railing, lost amidst the bustling streets of Calcutta. Metaphors painted the chaotic scene below as a tumultuous sea of vehicles, resembling hurried thoughts, clashed and merged. Bhargavi, her mind immersed in thoughts of a not-so-significant encounter with her Choto Babu, felt adrift in the rush, her heart skipping a beat at the memory of his oiled skin on her fingers.

"Kire, eka ki koris okane?" Mira's sudden presence startled Bhargavi, her guilt and fear visible.
"Oma, oki? Ki holo tor abar?" Mira's penetrating gaze seemed to read Bhargavi's mind.

"Na... Koi... Ki... Kichu na toh!" Bhargavi forced a smile. "Ki abar hobe?"

"Bhitore aye, tor Chot DaBabu beroben j... Khabar debo." Mira's departure was interrupted by a voice.

"Na, Choto DadaBabu kothao jabe na aj... College e toh ekebarei na."
Both Mira and Bhargavi turned around, seeing Batakrishna smiling with a broad mischievous grin on his handsome face. He wore a white dhoti and a sky blue shirt, prompting Bhargavi to think that the sky was her new favorite color. She looked visibly flushed, and Mira speculated that Bhargavi might have heard his earlier moans and groans to be in such a flushed state.

"Nin, tahole ghass katun dujone mile, ami chollum," Mira suggested, rolling her eyes in feigned annoyance.

"Oki? Ghass katbo keno, ghass khawate jete pari." Batuk scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Taratari toiri hoye nai dujone, aj amra Alipurer Chidiya khanay berate jabo."

"Kokhon?" Bhargavi suddenly asked, her face regaining its usual colors, her dark eyes brightening behind thick-framed glasses.

"Ekhon!" Batakrishna stomped inside the room, galloping with a happy mood.

..................................................

"Tui kichu mone koris na, uni ektu oirokom," Mira pressed her lips and creased her nose, indicating Batakrishna standing in the small queue at the zoo's ticket counter."Kirokom?" Bhargavi ended up asking, even though she had told herself that she had nothing to do with Mira Didi and her husband's shared experiences. She wished them happiness, especially wanting him to have all the love and joy in the world. Yet, at that moment, she couldn't control herself from asking the question."Kirokom abar. Oi shingher moto jhapiye poren khali... Lok nei, jon nei, lojja nei." Mira bit her lower lip, looking away bashfully. Bhargavi's heart skipped a beat at her answer. Although she knew it wasn't right to hear such intimate details, she couldn't resist. Mira, however, was too naive to grasp the complexities of emotions, happily sharing with her sister, who had been with her through thick and thin."Janis Bhaggu, aj aar amio nijeke atkate parini... Amio onake khub..." Mira lowered her face, and Bhargavi saw her white face turn into bright crimson."Khub ki?" Bhargavi asked, her own throat dry with the question."Khub ador korechi." Mira hid her face in her palm. "Jemon ta uni chan.""Bah! Bhalo toh. Ei bar dekhbe sob thik hoye jabe tomader." Bhargavi held her hand, making Mira look up."Kijani. Ajo kintu ami onake soriye diyechi." A forlorn expression enveloped Mira's beautiful face."Mane? Ei toh bolle ador korecho, tahole?"Mira exhaled sharply. "Kikore je bojhai." She searched for the right words, then looked at Batakrishna standing far, buying straw hats from a vendor. Mira smiled plainly at him as he waved."Mane, uni amake jemon ador korte chan, jemon adore chele hoy, seirom ador ami korte di na." Mira breathed out again, and Bhargavi narrowed her eyes at her."Keno?""Jani na re. Bhoy lage, bhalo lage na. Icche kore na. Sudhu mone hoye onake kache niye japte dhore suye thaki, aar kichu na."Bhargavi heard her, and then it was her turn to let out a sharp sigh."Didi, ami janina kon adorer ki mane, tobe jebhabe uni tomai bachiyechen, uni tomar bhogoban. Uni ja chan tomar tai kora uchit."Mira looked away, her eyes vacant, expression lost. "Jodi mon na chay, tao?"Bhargavi didn't reply. She couldn't. In her heart, she knew Mira was right. She shouldn't be doing anything that her heart doesn't approve of, but at the same time, it was painful for her to know how deprived her dear Choto Babu was!"Cholo..." Batakrishna had returned to them, waving tickets and two straw hats, which he happily put on Bhargavi's head and then on Mira's. Mira, however, detested it feebly and then removed it at once."Osob amar jonno. O borong apni porun." She pulled up the loose end of her pale yellow cotton saree and wrapped it around her head. Seeing her, Batakrishna happily adorned the hat and started to proceed towards the entry gate.

The old Calcutta Zoo, with its rustling leaves and charming pathways, captivated Mira and Bhargavi. The ancient trees whispered tales of forgotten times, and the air carried the sweet melodies of birdsong, casting a spell of awe upon the sisters.

"Didi, dekho, ki shundor !" Bhargavi exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

Mira grinned,
"Haan re, khub shundor. Amader Dehradun er moto!"

Their laughter echoed through the zoo as they danced and twirled in that joyous moments, discovering the enchanting exhibits. Amidst the lively ambiance, Batakrishna, delighted to witness their excitement, savored every moment.

The zoo itself became a canvas of vibrant colors, the enclosures housing creatures from distant lands mirroring the awe in Mira and Bhargavi's eyes. Batakrishna seized every opportunity, continuing to minister Mira with romantic gestures, ensuring their journey was adorned with moments of tenderness.

As they strolled through the captivating corridors, the sun cast dappled shadows, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Batakrishna, ever the playful companion, mischievously aimed a peanut at Mira, igniting laughter that resonated through the zoo. The accidental trajectory, finding its way into the crevice of her bosom, became a clandestine opportunity for Batakrishna to weave his romantic ministrations.

"Amar kintu oi badam tai chai!" Batakrishna teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Issh, chi chi!" Mira blushed.

Undeterred, Batakrishna persistently whispered sensuous requests in seclusion, attempting to convince Mira to permit him to find and retrieve the lost peanut. Bhargavi, overhearing their intimate exchange, couldn't help but feel her heart race at the wild sensuality emanating from Batakrishna.

Every time he held Mira's hand, squeezing it with possessive allure, Bhargavi noticed, her heart skipping beats in response to his overpowering masculinity. Batakrishna's unrestrained charm was becoming a magnetic force that Bhargavi found increasingly difficult to ignore.

When they came in front of the lion cage, it was past afternoon. The three stood there in awe, and as the majestic beast roared, Bhargavi, overcome with fear, turned around to find Batakrishna right behind her. In a protective gesture, he laughed aloud, and she instinctively hid her face in his chest.

"Bhoy kiser? Ami toh achi!" Batakrishna teased, holding her shoulders and hugging her closely.

Bhargavi didn't reply, her heavy breaths muffled against his chest. For him, it was a basic protective instinct, but for her, it meant the world. The intoxicating fragrance mixed with his aphrodisiac sweat overwhelmed her senses, and she couldn't resist the allure any longer. Her eyes welled up with a mixture of emotions, mocking at her own helplessness as at that moment she found herself caught in a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions, unable to confirm or deny the feelings brewing within her heart.

"Char ebar." Batakrishna had shook her by her shoulders, playfully, and as a flushed and embarrassed Bhargavi stood straight and looked at Mira, she clearly saw a confused frown on her face- a confused, thoughtful frown.

"Cholo khide pacche khub. Khai ebar." Batakrishna was ever so joyous, and as he turned to leave, Mira protested.

"Na. Bari cholun."

"Keno? Khabe na?"
He asked, confused, and taking a glance at Bhargavi, Mira promptly replied,
"Khide nei. Cholun."
She started walking ahead.