Rajjo simply walked into the kitchen and did as instructed. She wondered how he was still getting the energy to have sex every other night. She hoped he would age faster, she hoped he would slip and fall. A tear escaped her eye as she hoped for various calamities to fall on her husband.

‘Why don’t you let Mukesh handle everything…’ she placed the parantha in front of him and suggested hesitantly.

Seth-ji grunted, stuffing a bite in his mouth, ‘So that he can make points with the higher-ups and they give him all the charge? Once they see he has done a good job, I am out of work. All political links and clout gone. Most printing press jobs come from these rallies, and once Mukesh takes charge who is to know where the wind will blow and where will he face? If he turns away from me, my business is gone. He needs to stay in his place and just manage the printing. He has ambition. I don’t like him. In fact I will kick him out soon! Get me another one of this, and too much salt, cut down on the salt for heavens!’

While she heated the next parantha, she mulled over her complex husband. Seth-ji was nice to her, never abusive, always polite. He tried to reach out to her whenever he could find the time from his work and his friends who were usually his party coworkers. Rajjo turned the parantha over and over on the hot black plate with her bare hands. She poured generous oil all over it and made it sizzle over the heat. Steam rose to her face, in her nostrils, in her hair till she could breathe no more. She plated the parantha, scooped two spoons full of yoghurt and walked towards the dining table.

She put the hot meal on the table, and Seth-ji eyed his beautiful wife.

‘Can I come work with you? Help you out?’

He eyed her for a good two minutes. Rajjo waited with bated breath.

‘What will you do? There is so much work to be done, Durga. Get the required crowd; get the tents done, speakers done, ferry the villagers into the venue, distribute food and liquor so they come, distribute pamphlets, keep them entertained? What aspect will you take care of?’

Rajjo stood there, with her beautiful black curls falling below her shoulder, smoldering amber eyes firm and steely, pink lips fuelled with determination.

‘Everything. I will take care of everything…for you.’

Seth-ji thought for a second, moved a bit and winced. He knew he needed a handyman. Since he was not going to move about a lot in the approaching days, he might as well take her up on the offer and make her happy. He had noticed the sad moping look on her face. He had tried to be the husband she wanted. He had dyed his hair black. He was on medication for his performance. He even made sure he was gentle with her in bed. He indulged her. He wanted her happy, but the sad faraway look in her eyes sometimes angered him.